分类： world

Typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of destruction in the Philippines, claiming at least 114 lives and leaving many more missing. The storm subsequently made landfall in Vietnam on Friday, exacerbating the region’s challenges. Meanwhile, a second typhoon, Fong-Wong, is predicted to strike the Philippines by Sunday, potentially intensifying into a major storm.

In late October 2020, Minatu Ljatat, a Sahrawi refugee from the Awserd camp in southwestern Algeria, joined a group of 200 activists to protest at the Guerguerat crossing in occupied Western Sahara. Known as the “plunder corridor,” this area is the primary route for Morocco to export resources from the territory it has controlled since 1975. The activists aimed to block traffic, including trucks transporting fish from Moroccan-occupied waters, in a peaceful demonstration for Sahrawi independence. However, on November 13, Morocco forcibly removed the protesters, prompting the Polisario Front to end a ceasefire that had held since 1991. This marked a turning point in the decades-long conflict, as foreign companies from France, Spain, Israel, and the U.S. intensified their exploitation of Western Sahara’s resources, often under the guise of renewable energy projects. Despite legal challenges in the European Court of Justice, Sahrawis feel increasingly marginalized, with many advocating for a return to armed struggle. The international community’s complicity in Morocco’s occupation has further complicated efforts for self-determination, leaving the Sahrawi people in a precarious position. Ljatat, who fled her homeland in 1976, remains hopeful for a free Western Sahara but laments the lack of progress. The conflict, often referred to as Africa’s last colonial struggle, continues to draw global attention as the Sahrawis fight for their right to exist on their ancestral land.

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, has firmly rejected any potential political negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, asserting its right to self-defense. This declaration comes amid increasing pressure from the United States and Egypt on Lebanese leaders to engage in direct talks with Israel. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024, tensions remain high, with Israel maintaining troops in southern Lebanon and continuing military strikes against Hezbollah positions. Hezbollah, which has refused to disarm since the Lebanese Civil War, criticized the Lebanese government’s efforts to dismantle its military capabilities, calling the disarmament push a ‘hasty decision’ that Israel has exploited. The group also reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire but warned against any threats to its sovereignty. Meanwhile, Israel has accused Hezbollah of attempting to rearm and has intensified its operations in Lebanon. The Lebanese government, under international pressure, is set to discuss the progress of its disarmament efforts, though Hezbollah and its allies remain staunchly opposed to such measures.

The longstanding border dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan, centered on the Durand Line, has reignited tensions between the two nations. The Taliban-led Afghan administration refuses to recognize the 2,600-kilometer border, labeling it as ‘imaginary,’ while Pakistan asserts its international legitimacy. The Durand Line, established in the late 19th century by British diplomat Sir Mortimer Durand, divides Pashtun communities and separates Afghanistan from the sea. Despite Islamabad’s efforts to fortify the border with trenches and fencing, Kabul has consistently condemned these measures. The porous border facilitates both informal crossings and vital trade, with Pakistan being Afghanistan’s largest trading partner. However, recent closures have resulted in significant economic losses, estimated at $50 million since October 12, 2025. Security concerns have escalated since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring armed groups, including the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). In December 2024, Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, targeting alleged terrorist hideouts, reportedly killed nearly 50 people. The Taliban denies these accusations and rejects the border as a colonial relic. Recent clashes in October 2025, which began with explosions in Kabul, led to over 70 deaths and hundreds of injuries. A fragile ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Qatar has temporarily halted violence, but negotiations in Istanbul have yet to yield a lasting agreement. Talks are set to resume, with both sides warning that failure to reach a deal could reignite conflict.

South Korean officials have raised doubts about the feasibility of constructing a nuclear-powered submarine in a US shipyard, following US President Donald Trump’s recent social media announcement. Trump stated last week that he had approved South Korea’s request to build such a submarine, specifying it would be constructed at the Philadelphia shipyard. However, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok clarified during a parliamentary hearing on Thursday that the South Korean-owned Philly Shipyard currently lacks the capability to undertake such a project. This statement comes after Trump’s post on Truth Social, where he responded to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s request for nuclear fuel to power submarines equipped with conventional weapons. Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back further emphasized that it would be more logical to build the submarines in South Korea, given the nation’s advanced shipbuilding expertise. South Korea is home to leading shipbuilders like Hanwha Ocean, which owns the Philly Shipyard but has declined to comment on the matter. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth assured that the Trump administration would collaborate with relevant departments to fulfill the commitment, emphasizing the president’s desire for strong alliances.

In response to a surge in fatal bear attacks, Japan has revised its stringent gun laws to arm riot police with rifles. The decision, announced on Thursday, comes as the country grapples with a record number of bear-related fatalities, with 13 deaths reported since April 1—more than double the previous annual record. The National Police Agency (NPA) has identified northern regions such as Iwate and Akita as hotspots for these incidents and will deploy rifle-equipped riot police to these areas starting November 13. These officers will receive specialized training from local hunters’ associations to better understand bear behavior. The move follows criticism that standard police handguns are ineffective against bears. Meanwhile, Japan has also deployed soldiers to assist in bear management, though they will not carry firearms. Instead, troops will focus on transporting traps and using anti-bear sprays, protective gear, and net launchers. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration is urgently drafting a policy package to address the crisis. Scientists attribute the rise in bear populations to climate change, which has increased food sources like acorns, deer, and boars. Additionally, rural depopulation has blurred the boundaries between human settlements and bear habitats, prompting bears to venture closer to residential areas.