分类： world

Ireland’s political landscape witnessed a significant development as Catherine Connolly, an independent left-wing candidate, is set to become the country’s new president. Her sole rival, Heather Humphreys of the centrist Fine Gael party, conceded defeat on Saturday, according to Irish national broadcaster RTE. Humphreys extended her congratulations to Connolly, acknowledging her imminent landslide victory based on early vote counts. However, the election has been marred by widespread criticism, with many arguing that it offered voters limited choice. Preliminary tallies reveal a record number of spoiled ballots and historically low voter turnout, casting a shadow over the democratic process. The role of the Irish president is largely ceremonial, yet the election’s outcome has sparked debates about voter engagement and the integrity of the electoral system. As Connolly prepares to assume office, the focus shifts to how she will navigate these challenges and represent Ireland on the global stage.

In a solemn ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) entering the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to fight in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, Kim Jong-un, the top leader of the DPRK, paid his respects to the fallen soldiers. The event took place at the Cemetery of the Fallen Soldiers of the CPV in Hoechang county, South Phyongan province, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday. The ceremony featured a guard of honor from the Korean People’s Army, with the national anthems of both countries played in the background. Kim Jong-un, who serves as the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the President of the State Affairs of the DPRK, laid a flower basket in his name, alongside those from the WPK Central Committee and the DPRK State Affairs Commission. He observed a moment of silence in memory of the CPV martyrs and visited the grave of Mao Anying, where he placed a flower and paid homage. The KCNA highlighted the enduring bond between the DPRK and China, forged through the sacrifices of the CPV soldiers, and emphasized that this friendship would continue to thrive in the shared struggle against imperialism and the pursuit of socialism.

Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, a revered figure in the nation’s history, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 25, 2025, at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok. The Bureau of the Royal Household confirmed her death in an official statement, marking the end of a life dedicated to the service of the Thai people. Queen Mother Sirikit had been under continuous medical care since September 7, 2019, due to multiple health complications affecting various bodily systems. Her condition worsened following a bloodstream infection on October 17, 2025, leading to her peaceful passing at 9:21 pm. She was 93 years old. King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has ordered the Bureau of the Royal Household to organize a royal funeral with the highest honors, adhering to traditional protocols. Her remains will be enshrined at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall within the Grand Palace. Additionally, the king has declared a one-year mourning period for the Royal Family and officials of the Royal Court, effective immediately. Queen Mother Sirikit’s legacy as a symbol of grace, compassion, and dedication to Thailand’s cultural and social development will be remembered by the nation and beyond.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the state-run carrier, has officially resumed its flights to the United Kingdom after a five-year hiatus. The ban, initially imposed in June 2020 following a deadly plane crash in Karachi and the subsequent exposure of a fake pilot license scandal, was lifted after rigorous safety audits and reforms. The first flight, a Boeing 777 from Islamabad to Manchester, took off on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery journey. The European Union had already lifted its ban in November 2024, paving the way for PIA to restore its suspended routes earlier this year. Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, emphasized the importance of these flights for the 1.4 million Pakistanis residing in the UK and Europe, highlighting their role in bolstering Pakistan’s economy through remittances. Asif also announced plans to expand services to London and Birmingham, calling the initiative a moral and national duty. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, lauded the relaunch as a transformative step for economic and cultural ties, projecting substantial revenue generation, enhanced trade, and increased tourism between the two nations.

The South China Sea continues to play a pivotal role in maintaining the stability of global trade and supply chains, according to a comprehensive report released in Beijing. Compiled by Dalian Maritime University’s think tank, the *Report on Shipping Safety and Development in the South China Sea (2025)* analyzed data from 2021 to 2024, mapping port traffic, shipping routes, and cargo flows. The study underscores the region’s critical importance in global trade, energy security, and regional cooperation. The report reveals that the South China Sea acts as a ‘super suture,’ connecting 29 major ports and 14 sea lanes, facilitating trade across key economic regions. It handles 40% of global ship docking volume and 30% of container transport, linking major economies such as China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN nations, Australia, and Africa. Ship density in the region surpasses that of the Caribbean, Baltic, and Mediterranean, solidifying its status as a global maritime hub. Jia Peng, the report’s executive managing editor, emphasized the sea’s role as a ‘security ballast’ for global shipping and a ‘strategic artery’ for energy and trade, carrying significant volumes of crude oil, LNG, and soybeans. Zhang Haiwen, deputy chief of the Chinese Society of the Law of the Sea, highlighted the region’s free and safe navigation, crucial for global trade and sustainable development. Hu Bo, director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, reiterated China’s commitment to maintaining open sea lanes and contributing to regional maritime safety and stability.

China’s endangered golden snub-nosed monkeys, known for their striking orange manes and pale blue faces, have embarked on a historic journey to Europe as part of a diplomatic initiative. These rare primates, native to the frigid mountains of central China, have joined the ranks of the country’s iconic pandas as animal ambassadors. Six monkeys have been loaned to zoos in France and Belgium for a decade, marking the first time these species have been showcased outside Asia. The initiative aims to foster scientific collaboration and conservation efforts while celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between China and France. The monkeys, after a monthlong quarantine, have made their public debut and are reportedly adapting well to their new environments. Their enclosures feature traditional Chinese architecture, blending cultural elements with their natural habitats. While some experts praise the potential for conservation and research, others express concerns about the welfare of these individual animals during international transport. The golden snub-nosed monkey, deeply rooted in Chinese art and culture, joins the panda as a symbol of China’s soft power. However, unlike pandas, which have long been global icons, these monkeys are yet to achieve similar recognition. The initiative reflects China’s ongoing efforts to leverage its unique wildlife for diplomatic and conservation purposes, though debates about the ethical implications of such practices persist.

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.