分类： world

A humanitarian gesture by Scottish firefighters has sparked a diplomatic standoff, as a fire engine donated to their counterparts in the occupied West Bank remains impounded by Israeli authorities. The Guardian reported on Friday that the fire engine, equipped with essential medical supplies and firefighting gear, was sent to Nablus last summer but has been held at the Port of Ashdod since July 2024. Israeli officials have imposed $21,271 in fees on the Nablus governorate, citing the vehicle’s right-hand drive configuration as non-compliant with local regulations. Despite documented clearance, the fire engine has not been released, prompting Scottish firefighters to seek intervention from the UK government to repatriate the donation and avoid further financial burdens on Nablus. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has escalated efforts to resolve the issue, including presenting an early day motion in UK Parliament, lobbying the Israeli ambassador, and organizing protests outside the Israeli embassy in London. FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack emphasized the dire conditions faced by Palestinian firefighters, stating, ‘It is appalling that life-saving equipment donated by our members is being held by Israeli customs while Palestinian firefighters are in desperate need of resources.’ The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has also engaged with Israeli authorities, urging increased humanitarian aid access to the Palestinian territories. The donation, which includes fire helmets, protective equipment, and medical supplies, underscores a decades-long partnership between Dundee and Nablus, twinned since 1980. However, the impasse highlights ongoing challenges in delivering aid to the West Bank, where firefighters face chronic shortages of essential equipment.

In a significant counter-terrorism operation, Delhi Police have successfully foiled a major terrorist plot aimed at disrupting Diwali festivities in the Indian capital. The police arrested two individuals, both named Adnan, who were allegedly planning to carry out explosions in crowded areas, including a prominent mall and a public park. Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects were using multiple Instagram accounts to disseminate extremist content and maintain communication with foreign handlers, suspected to be based near the Syria-Turkey border. During the arrests, authorities seized incriminating evidence, including a laptop, pen drives, Daesh propaganda material, electronic components, and a wristwatch believed to be intended for constructing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). One of the suspects had previously been arrested in June 2024 by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad for issuing online threats. The second suspect, whose father is a government employee, was apprehended on October 16. The Special Cell, led by Inspector Sunil and Inspector Dhiraj, had been monitoring the suspects for months, with parallel investigations in Delhi and Bhopal. Interrogations are ongoing to uncover potential network members, and searches are being conducted at multiple locations linked to the duo. This operation highlights the persistent threat of terrorism during festive seasons and the vigilance of Indian security forces in safeguarding public safety.

The United States has appointed Steve Fagin, a seasoned diplomat, as the civilian lead of the Civil-Military Coordination Centre, a body established to monitor the Gaza ceasefire. The centre, located in southern Israel, was set up on October 17 to oversee compliance with the ceasefire and manage logistical operations, including aid delivery to Gaza. Fagin will collaborate with US Army Lieutenant General Patrick Frank, the military head of the centre, which operates from a rented warehouse and involves 200 US troops alongside personnel from Israel, European nations, the United Nations, and various aid organizations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who visited the site on Friday, described the initiative as ‘historic’ and expressed cautious optimism about its progress. Fagin, who has extensive experience in the Middle East, currently serves as the US ambassador to Yemen and has previously held concurrent diplomatic roles, including a temporary assignment as the top US diplomat in Baghdad.

In a significant development, over 1,000 individuals, predominantly Chinese nationals, have fled from Myanmar into Thailand this week following a military raid on one of Myanmar’s largest cyber scam centers. The sprawling scam hubs, which have thrived in Myanmar’s loosely governed border regions amid the country’s prolonged civil war, are notorious for orchestrating online fraud schemes targeting victims globally. Thai authorities reported that the influx of people crossing into Mae Sot district, Tak province, began on Wednesday and continued through Friday morning. Among those fleeing were nationals from India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and over a dozen other countries. While some individuals are believed to have been trafficked into these fortified compounds, others reportedly joined voluntarily, lured by the promise of higher earnings in the multibillion-dollar illicit industry. Thai officials have initiated screening processes to identify potential human trafficking victims, with those found crossing illegally facing prosecution. The Myanmar junta confirmed the raid on KK Park, a major scam center located near the Thai border, and seized Starlink satellite internet devices used in the operations. SpaceX, the operator of Starlink, disclosed that it had disabled over 2,500 devices at Myanmar’s scam hubs. Analysts suggest that the military crackdown may be a superficial effort to appease China, a key backer of the junta, without significantly disrupting the lucrative scam operations.

A tragic explosion at the Ovruch railway station in northern Ukraine on Friday resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left 12 others wounded. The incident occurred during a routine document check on a platform adjacent to a train. Among the victims were three women—a border guard and two civilians—while the perpetrator, a 23-year-old man, succumbed to injuries sustained during the blast while being treated in an ambulance. The Ukrainian border guard service confirmed the explosion was carried out by the man in a controlled border area. Although Ukrainian media reported the use of a grenade, the interior ministry has yet to confirm the type of explosive device. The man had previously been detained for attempting to illegally cross the state border in western Ukraine. Rescue operations were swiftly carried out, as depicted in images shared by the border guard service on Telegram, showing emergency personnel aiding the injured on the platform.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire despite a ceasefire and an increase in aid deliveries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In a press briefing from its Geneva headquarters, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the situation is still catastrophic, with hunger and disease continuing to threaten lives, particularly those of children. While the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on October 10, has allowed for some aid to enter Gaza, the volume remains insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs. Tedros highlighted that more than 170,000 people are injured, with at least 42,000 requiring long-term rehabilitation. Additionally, an estimated one million individuals are in need of mental health care due to the psychological toll of the conflict. The healthcare system in Gaza is severely compromised, with no fully functional hospitals and only 14 out of 36 partially operational. Critical shortages of essential medicines, equipment, and healthcare workers exacerbate the crisis. Since the ceasefire, the WHO has been working to deliver more medical supplies, deploy emergency medical teams, and facilitate medical evacuations. However, 15,000 patients, including 4,000 children, still require treatment outside Gaza, and over 700 have died while awaiting evacuation. Tedros called for the reopening of the Rafah crossing and other entry points to allow more aid and patients to access Egypt. He also urged more countries to accept patients from Gaza for specialized care. Despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian needs in Gaza remain immense, and the international community must act swiftly to address the ongoing crisis.

A devastating bus collision and subsequent fire on the route between Bengaluru and Hyderabad in India has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people, according to domestic media reports. The incident, which occurred on Friday, was triggered by a fuel leak after the bus collided with a motorcycle. The blaze engulfed the vehicle, leading to a tragic loss of life and injuries among passengers. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced financial compensation for the families of the deceased and the injured. Modi stated that Rs. 2 lakh (approximately Dh2,091) would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased individual, while the injured would receive Rs. 50,000. This tragic event highlights the ongoing issue of road safety in India, which, despite being the world’s third-largest car market, continues to grapple with high rates of fatal accidents. Last year alone, road accidents claimed approximately 180,000 lives nationwide. The collision and fire serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety measures and infrastructure in the country.