分类： world

The Gaza Strip has witnessed renewed violence and escalating humanitarian concerns as Israeli shelling targeted civilian areas, leaving several Palestinians wounded since dawn on Friday. Rights groups have raised alarms over the deteriorating conditions in the war-torn territory. Local media reported artillery attacks in the al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, resulting in at least 10 injuries over the past 24 hours. An Al Jazeera correspondent confirmed that the Shujaiya neighborhood in Gaza City was also subjected to Israeli artillery fire. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that came into effect last Friday, mandating an immediate halt to all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardments, dozens of Palestinians have been killed or injured in recent days. Meanwhile, unidentified explosives detonated in the Nuseirat refugee camp, further endangering civilians. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defence in Gaza, warned that unexploded ordnance and booby-trapped homes pose significant risks to returning residents. Over the past two years, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has claimed nearly 68,000 lives, with over 80% of the victims being civilians, according to leaked Israeli military data. The relentless bombardment has devastated infrastructure, destroyed farmland, and exacerbated famine due to restrictions on food aid. Although the ceasefire plan aimed to reopen Gaza’s crossings to allow 400 aid trucks daily, with a target of 600, Israeli authorities continue to limit aid. On Wednesday, 480 trucks entered Gaza, but the Government Media Office described this as insufficient for the 2.4 million residents. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s commissioner-general, emphasized the need for unrestricted aid flow, while the World Food Programme highlighted that 560 tonnes of food are being delivered daily, but more is urgently required to address the crisis.

In a devastating suicide attack near the Afghan border, seven Pakistani soldiers lost their lives on Friday, according to security officials. The assault targeted a military camp in North Waziristan, leaving 13 others injured. The incident occurred amidst a fragile ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following days of intense cross-border clashes earlier this month. The ceasefire, which paused the hostilities, is set to expire at 1300 GMT on Friday. The attack involved a militant driving an explosive-laden vehicle into the boundary wall of a military fort, while two others attempted to infiltrate the facility but were neutralized by security forces. Pakistan’s army has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. This surge in militant violence has strained relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, who regained power in Kabul after the U.S.-led forces withdrew in 2021. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of harboring militants responsible for attacks on its soil, while the Taliban denies these allegations and accuses Pakistan of provoking border tensions and sheltering ISIS-linked militants. The recent clashes, the most severe in decades, have drawn international attention, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar mediating to de-escalate the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has also offered assistance in resolving the crisis.

Iran has strongly criticized recent Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon, labeling them as a direct violation of a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel. The attacks, which targeted civilian facilities, have drawn sharp condemnation from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who described the strikes as a breach of the truce negotiated last year.

In a dramatic turn of events, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the leader of Madagascar’s CAPSAT army unit, was sworn in as the nation’s president on Friday, October 17, 2025. This follows a military coup that ousted former President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country amid widespread youth-led protests. The military’s takeover has drawn sharp criticism from international bodies, including the African Union and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Randrianirina, who previously commanded the elite CAPSAT unit, played a pivotal role in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power. However, he broke ranks with Rajoelina last week, urging soldiers not to fire on anti-government protesters. During his swearing-in ceremony at the High Constitutional Court, Randrianirina pledged to ‘fully, completely, and justly fulfil the high responsibilities’ of his new role, vowing to strengthen national unity and human rights.

The military has dissolved all government institutions except the National Assembly, establishing a transitional committee to rule alongside a provisional government for up to two years before organizing new elections. This political upheaval comes against a backdrop of severe economic challenges in Madagascar, where 75% of the population lives in poverty, and GDP per capita has plummeted by 45% since independence in 1960.

Rajoelina, who was impeached by lawmakers after fleeing the country, has condemned the coup and refused to step down. The situation remains volatile, with the international community closely monitoring developments in the island nation.

The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, Southeast Asia’s first high-speed rail system, has successfully completed two years of operation, transporting over 12 million passengers since its inauguration. Operated by the China State Railway Group, the 142.3-kilometer railway has achieved more than 5.65 million kilometers of safe travel, with daily ridership peaking at 26,770 passengers.

Tomiichi Murayama, the former Prime Minister of Japan renowned for his landmark 1995 apology addressing Japan’s wartime atrocities during World War II, has passed away at the age of 101, according to media reports. Murayama, who served as Japan’s leader from 1994 to 1996, delivered the historic statement on the 50th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in WWII, expressing “deep remorse” for the nation’s actions in Asia. His apology, often referred to as the Murayama Statement, marked a significant moment in Japan’s post-war reconciliation efforts and was widely regarded as a pivotal step in addressing historical grievances with neighboring countries. Murayama’s legacy remains deeply intertwined with his commitment to peace and his efforts to foster better relations with Asian nations affected by Japan’s wartime aggression. His passing has reignited discussions about the importance of acknowledging historical truths and the ongoing need for reconciliation in the region.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, a pivotal figure in Japan’s political landscape, has died at the age of 101, as reported by Kyodo News. Murayama, who served as the nation’s leader from 1994 to 1996, was renowned for his historic 1995 apology for Japan’s wartime actions, a statement that significantly shaped Japan’s post-war diplomatic relations. His tenure marked a period of political reform and reconciliation, particularly in addressing Japan’s wartime legacy. Murayama’s passing has prompted reflections on his contributions to fostering peace and stability in the region. His legacy continues to resonate, particularly in his efforts to mend ties with neighboring countries affected by Japan’s wartime aggression.

In a significant development, dozens of South Korean nationals allegedly linked to online scam operations in Cambodia are set to be repatriated to their home country. A charter flight is scheduled to depart Phnom Penh on Saturday, marking a collaborative effort between South Korea and Cambodia to address the growing issue of fraudulent activities in the region. This move comes in the wake of the tragic death of a South Korean student, who was reportedly coerced into working at a scam center in Cambodia, sparking widespread public outrage in South Korea. The incident prompted the South Korean government to dispatch a high-level delegation to Phnom Penh for discussions on joint measures to combat such crimes. Approximately 60 South Koreans, previously detained during crackdowns on scam centers, are expected to be on the flight. Upon their return, they will undergo investigations to determine whether they were willing participants or victims of deceptive job advertisements. South Korean officials estimate that around 1,000 of their citizens are among the 200,000 workers employed in Cambodian scam centers. The rise in online scams, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has created a dual victim pool: individuals forced into fraudulent activities under duress and those targeted by scams. The South Korean government has also implemented a travel ban to certain parts of Cambodia, including Bokor Mountain in Kampot province, where the deceased student was found. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has urged Seoul to reconsider these restrictions. Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for immediate action to curb illegal job advertisements not only in Cambodia but across Southeast Asia. The global reach of these scam centers has expanded, with reports of victims being trafficked from regions as far as South America, Western Europe, and Eastern Africa, according to an Interpol report released in June.