分类： world

In a groundbreaking effort to combat its chronic air pollution, New Delhi has initiated a cloud seeding project, marking a significant step in the city’s battle against deadly smog. The trial run, conducted on Thursday afternoon, involved a Cessna light aircraft dispersing chemicals over the northern Burari area to induce artificial rain. This innovative approach aims to cleanse the atmosphere by washing away harmful particulate matter. The initiative, a collaboration between New Delhi authorities and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, is part of a broader strategy to address the city’s severe air quality issues. Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed the successful execution of the trial, emphasizing its role in assessing the readiness and coordination of all involved parties. If favorable conditions persist, the city anticipates its first artificial rainfall on October 29. New Delhi, home to 30 million people, consistently ranks among the world’s most polluted capitals, with winter months exacerbating the problem due to cooler air trapping pollutants. Recent celebrations of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, further deteriorated air quality, with PM2.5 levels soaring to 56 times the World Health Organization’s safe limits. This initiative follows the Supreme Court’s decision to permit the use of less-polluting ‘green’ crackers during the festival. Despite its potential, cloud seeding remains a debated solution, with mixed evidence on its effectiveness and impact on neighboring regions. Nonetheless, New Delhi’s bold move underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to its environmental challenges.

As the United Nations commemorates its 80th anniversary, the world reflects on the ongoing challenges to global peace. This year also marks the 35th anniversary of China’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Over the past three and a half decades, China’s ‘Blue Helmets’ have deployed to more than 20 countries and regions, delivering stability, security, and hope to communities ravaged by conflict. Their unwavering commitment has been a cornerstone of international peacekeeping efforts. This milestone underscores China’s dedication to fostering global harmony and its growing role as a responsible global actor. The Chinese military continues to stand firm on the path of peace, earning respect and gratitude worldwide. Let us honor the sacrifices and contributions of these peacekeepers.

A devastating roadside bomb attack targeted a police vehicle in Hangu, a city in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border, on Friday. The explosion claimed the lives of a city police chief and two junior officers, according to local officials. The attack occurred as the officers were en route to a police station that had been assaulted less than an hour earlier, said Adam Khan, the local police chief. No further details were provided. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the incident, attributing it to the Pakistani Taliban, a group closely allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban, which regained power in Kabul in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring Pakistani Taliban militants who conduct cross-border attacks, a claim Kabul denies. In a separate operation on the same day, Pakistani security forces raided a militant hideout in the Tank district, killing eight Pakistani Taliban militants, as stated in a military release. This surge in violence comes just ahead of a second round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan, scheduled to take place in Istanbul. The talks, brokered by Qatar and Turkey, follow an initial meeting in Doha on October 19, which aimed to address cross-border violence and establish a monitoring mechanism. Meanwhile, all border crossings between the two nations remain closed since October 13 due to recent clashes, significantly impacting trade. In another incident, insurgents in Pakistan’s Balochistan province kidnapped 13 construction workers in the Khuzdar district, according to local police.

A recent assessment by a United Nations aid team in Gaza City has unveiled alarming hygiene and health conditions among displaced populations. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Thursday that severe challenges, including a lack of clean water, widespread skin diseases, and damaged sanitation systems, are prevalent in the region. The team conducted evaluations at two collective centers in Gaza City’s Az Zaitoun neighborhood, which currently shelters over 200 families. Residents at these sites face dire circumstances, with reports of individuals walking up to two kilometers to access water due to a shortage of containers. The urgent need for repairs to latrines and sewage networks was emphasized to prevent further contamination. Displaced families also expressed immediate needs for food, clean water, hygiene items, and materials to repair water and sanitation infrastructure. Additionally, cash assistance is required for winter clothing, shoes, tarpaulins, and kitchen sets. The World Health Organization (WHO) facilitated the medical evacuation of 41 critical patients and 145 companions from Gaza, marking the first such operation since the October 10 ceasefire. However, approximately 15,000 patients remain on a waiting list for external medical care. Humanitarian partners have provided protection support to around 21,000 people in displaced and returnee communities, including psychosocial first aid for 3,000 children and caregivers. Hygiene kits were distributed to over 30 temporary learning spaces, benefiting 6,800 school-age children. The World Food Programme has also begun distributing high-energy biscuits and fortified date bars to children in 18 temporary learning spaces. On Tuesday, 147 UN and partner trucks delivered essential supplies, with two-thirds of the cargo comprising food aid. Other items included diapers, hygiene kits, and tarps for emergency shelter assistance. The UN Office for Project Services collected and distributed significant quantities of diesel and gasoline to support critical humanitarian operations.

Once considered an acquired taste due to its pungent aroma, durian has emerged as a symbol of cultural and economic exchange between China and Thailand. Over the past decade, the spiky fruit has not only captivated Chinese consumers but also fostered deeper bilateral ties through trade and investment. Thailand, home to over 200 durian varieties, has become the primary supplier to China, accounting for 97.4% of its durian market. In 2024 alone, Thailand exported 833,000 metric tons of durian to China, valued at $3.7 billion. The fruit’s popularity has spurred online sales campaigns on platforms like Douyin and Taobao, while attracting Chinese investors to Thailand’s orchards and logistics sectors. However, the durian trade faced a significant setback earlier this year when Chinese customs detected Basic Yellow 2 (BY2), a harmful dye used to enhance the fruit’s appearance. This led to rejected shipments, investigations, and temporary export suspensions, causing financial losses for Thai farmers and raising concerns among Chinese consumers. The incident highlighted the need for stricter safety standards, traceability, and consumer education. Despite the challenges, the BY2 scandal prompted Thailand to upgrade its fruit industry, with increased government investment in testing and scientific farming. It also deepened Chinese consumers’ understanding of durian, paving the way for stronger partnerships. Beyond trade, durian has become a cultural bridge, reflecting shared values of respect for nature and traditional farming practices. As both nations continue to collaborate, the ‘king of fruits’ remains a testament to the evolving relationship between China and Thailand.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed a jurisdictional challenge filed by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, allowing his case to proceed. Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in March and transferred to The Hague following an arrest warrant connecting him to alleged murders during his controversial war on drugs. This campaign, which targeted suspected drug dealers and users, resulted in thousands of deaths. Duterte and his legal team argued that his arrest was unlawful, claiming the ICC lacked jurisdiction because the Philippines withdrew from the court in 2019, before a full investigation was launched. However, ICC judges ruled that the preliminary examination initiated by prosecutors prior to the withdrawal was sufficient to establish jurisdiction under the court’s rules. The ruling did not address a separate defense motion questioning Duterte’s fitness to stand trial due to alleged cognitive decline. A panel of medical experts is expected to submit a report on his health by the end of October, with a decision on its impact on the trial anticipated in mid-November.