The brutal execution of Mariam Cissé, a young TikTok influencer from Mali, has sent shockwaves across the nation as the country grapples with a deepening jihadist insurgency. Cissé, in her 20s and boasting over 100,000 followers on TikTok, was known for her videos showcasing life in her hometown of Tonka in the northern Timbuktu region. She often expressed support for the Malian army, a stance that reportedly led to her tragic demise. According to reports, she was seized by suspected jihadists while live-streaming from a market in a neighboring town and later executed in Tonka’s Independence Square. Her brother, who witnessed the horrific event, revealed that she had been accused of aiding the army by revealing jihadist movements. Cissé’s death has intensified concerns over Mali’s deteriorating security situation, exacerbated by a fuel blockade imposed by jihadist groups. The blockade has severely disrupted daily life, forcing schools and universities to remain closed for weeks. The African Union has expressed deep concern over the crisis, condemning the attacks on civilians and pledging support for Mali and other Sahel nations. The military junta, which seized power in 2021, has struggled to contain the insurgency, with large swathes of the country still outside government control. The French foreign ministry has advised its citizens to leave Mali immediately, highlighting the escalating humanitarian and security challenges.
分类： world
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Super Typhoon Fung-wong leaves 2 dead in Philippines
Super Typhoon Fung-wong wreaked havoc in the Philippines, claiming at least two lives and displacing over a million residents as it approached the northeastern coast on Sunday. The typhoon, with a massive 1,800-kilometer-wide rain and wind band, threatened to engulf two-thirds of the Southeast Asian archipelago, according to meteorological forecasts. This disaster comes as the nation is still recovering from the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left 224 dead earlier in the week. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency in response to the dual crises. Fung-wong, packing winds of up to 185 km/h and gusts reaching 230 km/h, was expected to make landfall in Aurora or Isabela provinces by late Sunday or early Monday. Authorities have evacuated residents from high-risk areas, particularly in the Bicol region, known for its vulnerability to cyclones and volcanic mudflows. The storm has led to widespread disruptions, including the cancellation of hundreds of flights and the stranding of thousands at seaports. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized the potential catastrophic impact of the typhoon, urging residents to heed evacuation orders. Despite these warnings, some residents remained in their homes, requiring emergency rescues. The Philippines, no stranger to extreme weather, continues to face significant challenges in disaster preparedness and response.
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Philippines typhoon aftermath: ‘Water levels are rising fast’
As Typhoon Fung-wong moves across the South China Sea, its impact continues to be felt in the Philippines, where the storm has already claimed two lives. The typhoon, though weakened, has caused significant flooding, with water levels rising rapidly in affected areas. Local authorities are on high alert, urging residents to remain cautious and prepare for potential further damage. Emergency response teams are working tirelessly to provide aid and assess the extent of the devastation. The storm’s trajectory suggests it may still pose risks to coastal regions, even as it loses strength. The aftermath of Fung-wong highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Philippines in coping with frequent and severe weather events, exacerbated by climate change.
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Supercarrier to be put through paces
The CNS Fujian, China’s third aircraft carrier and the world’s largest conventionally powered warship, has commenced rigorous equipment testing and trial runs under the leadership of Senior Captain Chen Zhiguo. Chen emphasized the crew’s commitment to ensuring the vessel’s readiness for full-scale deployment of aircraft squadrons and enhancing joint combat capabilities within the carrier strike group. The Fujian, commissioned on November 8, 2025, at a naval base in Sanya, Hainan province, is the first in the People’s Liberation Army Navy to feature an advanced electromagnetic catapult system. With a displacement exceeding 80,000 metric tons, it represents a significant milestone in naval engineering in the Eastern Hemisphere. Senior Captain Leng Guowei, a Navy spokesperson, highlighted that Sanya will serve as the Fujian’s home base due to strategic and logistical advantages. He also reiterated that China’s military advancements are defensive in nature, aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and security. An industry expert noted that the Fujian’s commissioning marks China’s entry into the ‘three-carrier club,’ significantly boosting the Navy’s long-range operational capabilities.
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Nation drives global energy transition through green innovation, cooperation
China is playing a pivotal role in driving the global energy transition by fostering green innovation and deepening international cooperation, as outlined in a recently published white paper. Titled ‘Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality: China’s Plans and Solutions,’ the document, released by the State Council Information Office, underscores China’s unwavering commitment to climate multilateralism and its proactive engagement in global climate governance. The white paper highlights China’s efforts to promote green development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its advancements in international cooperation on green and low-carbon development. Aligning with the Paris Agreement, China has demonstrated exceptional ambition in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), taking substantial actions to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts. The paper also emphasizes China’s expanding cooperation with BRI partner countries in green infrastructure, energy, and transportation. To date, China has established energy partnerships with 34 BRI countries and collaborated with over 100 nations on green energy projects. Adhering to the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities,’ China has provided financial, technological, and capacity-building support to developing countries. As of October, China has signed 55 memorandums of understanding on South-South climate cooperation with 43 developing nations and conducted over 300 capacity-building sessions. Looking ahead, China is committed to working with the international community to address global climate challenges and promote sustainable development. Lyu Wenbin, director of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research’s Energy Research Institute, emphasized China’s significant contributions to wind and solar energy development, noting that the country supplies over 80% of the world’s photovoltaic modules and approximately 70% of wind power equipment. Over the past decade, China’s efforts have significantly reduced the global levelized cost of electricity for wind and solar power. With a robust clean energy production capacity and a complete new energy industry chain, China is well-positioned to provide high-quality clean energy products and services globally, fostering a secure, stable, and clean energy industry chain.
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South Korean foreign minister meets Cambodia’s leader to push effort to fight criminal cyberscams
In a significant diplomatic move, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh on Monday to address the escalating issue of large-scale online scam operations in Cambodia. The meeting, which was announced by Hun Manet on social media, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation to combat these criminal activities, which have recently been linked to the tragic death of a South Korean student. The 22-year-old Park Min-ho was allegedly lured to Cambodia, forced to work in a scam center, and later found brutally tortured and beaten in August. His death has sparked widespread outrage in South Korea, prompting urgent governmental action. The South Korean foreign ministry revealed that discussions included the establishment of a joint police task force to tackle scam-related crimes. Minister Cho is set to conclude his visit on Tuesday. This initiative follows the repatriation of 64 South Koreans last month, 50 of whom were arrested upon arrival for their alleged involvement in online fraud. The United Nations estimates that international cybercriminals generate billions annually through these scams, which often involve kidnapping, coercion, and violence. Cambodian scam centers are believed to employ around 200,000 workers, including 1,000 South Koreans, highlighting the scale of the problem.
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Waves smash Philippines coastline as typhoon hits
On 9 November, Typhoon Fung-wong unleashed its fury on the Philippines, with powerful waves crashing into the coastline and inundating residential areas. Dramatic footage captured the moment when towering swells surged over houses and palm trees, showcasing the sheer force of the storm. The typhoon, known for its intense winds and heavy rainfall, has caused significant damage to infrastructure and displaced numerous families. Local authorities have issued warnings and are coordinating emergency response efforts to assist affected communities. The event highlights the vulnerability of coastal regions to extreme weather conditions, emphasizing the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies.
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Three years after liberation, Ukraine’s Kherson faces another kind of siege
KHERSON, Ukraine — Once a bustling southern Ukrainian port city, Kherson now lies eerily quiet, its streets largely deserted three years after its liberation from a nine-month Russian occupation. The joy that erupted on November 11, 2022, when residents waved blue-and-yellow flags and embraced their liberators, has faded into a tense stillness. Daily life now unfolds behind walls or underground, as Russian forces continue to strike from across the Dnipro River, and drones patrol the skies above a city scarred by broken windows and empty courtyards. Despite the constant threat, those who remain insist that life, even in a shuttered city, is preferable to living under Russian rule. A recent visit by Angelina Jolie provided a brief morale boost, highlighting the daily survival challenges faced by residents. Once home to nearly 280,000 people, Kherson has become a forgotten front line, where explosions echo daily beneath billboards proclaiming the city’s strength, freedom, and resilience. Amidst the ruins, 55-year-old florist Olha Komanytska tends to her small kiosk, a surreal burst of color in a bomb-scarred center. Her red and white roses spill from tall buckets, a poignant reminder of the city’s former vibrancy. For nearly 30 years, Komanytska and her husband grew flowers in Kherson’s countryside, but their greenhouses were destroyed in the war. Her husband died of a heart condition, which she believes was exacerbated by the stress of the conflict. She now wears a black headscarf in mourning, her eyes filling with tears as she speaks of him. The city’s new rules of survival are harsh: Komanytska can identify every weapon by its sound and has learned to close her kiosk early, walking home pressed against walls to avoid drones. The only time her somber face softens into a smile is when she recalls the city’s liberation. “That day was amazing,” she says, repeating the word as if to make it real again. Kherson’s residents have adapted to their new reality with ingenuity and resilience. Municipal workers stretch protective mesh over streets, repurposed from construction sites to shield civilians from drones. Hospitals are wrapped entirely in netting, with only narrow passages left for staff and patients. Post offices still operate, their entrances blocked by concrete slabs meant to absorb blasts. At bus stops, small cement bunkers stand ready, reminders that shelling can come at any moment. Above the nets, an invisible shield protects Kherson: electronic warfare systems that detect, jam, or disable enemy drones. Max, 28, who serves in the 310th Separate Marine Electronic Warfare Battalion, works tirelessly to intercept up to 250 FPV drones heading toward Kherson in just half a day. His unit intercepts more than 90% of these threats, a testament to the critical role of electronic warfare in the city’s defense. “When you see a strike hit a soldier or a civilian, it hurts you — it weighs on your soul,” Max says. “I think they simply want to destroy us as a nation — not just the military, but everyone — so that we cease to exist.” To preserve a sense of normalcy, some activities, especially for children, have moved underground. Former apartment basements are now cozy rooms where children gather to play chess and checkers, laugh, and make friends. Chess coach Oksana Khoroshavyna notes that the club has become a vital social outlet for children who study online and rarely leave their homes. In another basement, 16-year-old Artem Tsilynko practices boxing with his peers, finding unity and purpose amidst the limitations of life in Kherson. “For me, this place is about unity,” he says. “Even though life in Kherson is so limited — social life, sports life — we still have a chance to train.” Artem has spent nearly a quarter of his life in war, and while fear for his own life has dulled with time, it still returns at night during heavy shelling. “When you’re sitting in the basement, your heart races,” he says. “After that, it’s hard to fall asleep.”
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As US skips climate talks in Brazil, leaders plead for other nations to unite
The United Nations climate negotiations, COP30, commenced on Monday in Belem, Brazil, on the fringes of the Amazon rainforest. The conference, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, emphasized the urgent need to accelerate global efforts to combat climate change by significantly reducing carbon emissions. However, the absence of high-level U.S. negotiators cast a shadow over the proceedings, as the Trump administration continues to distance itself from international climate agreements. Lula chose Belem as the host city to highlight the devastating impact of global warming on the Amazon and vulnerable communities, stating, ‘The increase in global temperature is spreading pain and devastation, especially among the most vulnerable populations.’ This year’s talks, dubbed the ‘implementation COP,’ focus on ensuring countries fulfill their commitments under the Paris Agreement. Attendees stressed the importance of global cooperation, with U.N. climate secretary Simon Stiell urging negotiators to ‘fight this climate crisis together.’ Despite the U.S. withdrawal, former U.S. climate envoy Todd Stern noted that American cities, states, and businesses are stepping up to fill the void. The conference also addressed the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, with Lula declaring, ‘Climate change is not a threat of the future. It is already a tragedy of the present time.’
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Typhoon moves away from Philippines after killing two
The Philippines has narrowly avoided a catastrophic disaster as Typhoon Fung-wong, once a super typhoon, weakened significantly after making landfall. The storm, which initially carried winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and gusts of 230 km/h (143 mph), struck Aurora province in Luzon, the country’s most populous island, on Sunday evening. Despite the ferocity of the storm, the damage was less severe than anticipated, thanks to extensive preemptive measures. Approximately 1.4 million people were evacuated before the typhoon hit, and hundreds of flights were canceled. Buildings were secured, and residents in vulnerable areas were urged to move to higher ground. The Philippine government had declared a state of calamity nationwide, granting agencies enhanced powers to access emergency funds and expedite the delivery of essential goods and services. The storm’s impact was felt most acutely in low-lying and coastal areas, where flooding has isolated several communities. Power outages have affected much of Luzon, and roads and bridges have been rendered impassable by high water levels. The civil defense office reported two fatalities: one person drowned, and another woman was found dead under debris in Catbalogan City. Two others sustained injuries. The Philippines, located in a region prone to tropical cyclones, is no stranger to such natural disasters. About 20 tropical cyclones form in the area annually, with half directly affecting the country. While climate change is not believed to increase the number of cyclones, it is thought to intensify their severity, potentially leading to higher wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and increased coastal flooding. The recent back-to-back impacts of Typhoons Kalmaegi and Fung-wong have underscored the country’s vulnerability to such extreme weather events. Kalmaegi, one of the strongest typhoons this year, left at least 204 people dead in the Philippines and more than 100 missing. The storm also claimed five lives in Vietnam, where it caused widespread destruction. Despite the challenges, the Philippines’ proactive response to Typhoon Fung-wong has been credited with minimizing casualties and damage, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.