In a tragic escalation of violence, Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, with dozens more injured, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency. The attacks, which occurred despite an ongoing ceasefire, have left rescue teams scrambling to recover victims from the rubble. Mahmud Basal, a spokesman for the agency, confirmed the casualties to AFP, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to assist the wounded and retrieve the deceased. Israel has justified its actions by accusing Hamas of attacking its troops and breaching the ceasefire agreement. This latest surge in hostilities underscores the fragile nature of the truce and raises concerns about the potential for further violence in the region.
分类： world
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Jamaicans wake to devastation as hurricane causes floods, power cuts and splits city in two
Jamaica is grappling with unprecedented devastation in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to hit the island in modern history. With sustained winds reaching 298 km/h (185 mph), the Category 5 hurricane left a trail of destruction, submerging vast areas, destroying homes, and crippling infrastructure. Approximately three-quarters of the island is without power, and western regions are inundated with floodwaters. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared Jamaica a ‘disaster area,’ emphasizing the widespread damage to hospitals, schools, and businesses. Although no fatalities have been confirmed, officials fear significant loss of life. Rescue operations are underway, but communication breakdowns and hazardous conditions are hampering efforts. The storm’s rapid intensification, fueled by abnormally warm Caribbean waters, underscores the growing impact of climate change. As Jamaica begins to assess the full extent of the damage, the nation faces a long and arduous recovery process.
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Pope condemns antisemitism and vows to fight it as tensions rise over Israel’s war in Gaza
In a significant address during his Wednesday general audience, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the misunderstandings and conflicts that have arisen between Catholics and Jews amid Israel’s war in Gaza. However, he firmly reiterated the Catholic Church’s unwavering condemnation of antisemitism and its commitment to combating it, rooted in the Gospel-mandated friendship with the Jewish people. The Pope’s remarks coincided with the 60th anniversary of the landmark Vatican document “Nostra Aetate,” which revolutionized the Church’s relationship with Judaism. The declaration, Latin for “In Our Time,” denounced antisemitism in all forms and repudiated the centuries-old “deicide” charge that blamed Jews collectively for Christ’s death. This historic document marked a turning point in the Church’s reckoning with its role in perpetuating antisemitism, particularly in the context of the Holocaust. Speaking to a diverse audience that included Jewish leaders and representatives of other faiths, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue despite current challenges. He noted that while political circumstances and injustices have strained relations, the Church remains steadfast in its friendship with the Jewish people. The anniversary comes amid a surge in antisemitism globally, particularly in the wake of Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. In the United States alone, the Anti-Defamation League reported a record high of 9,354 antisemitic incidents last year, with 58% linked to Israel. The war has also tested the Vatican’s relationship with the Jewish community, with Pope Francis facing criticism for comments perceived as equating Hamas’s actions with Israel’s military response. While Francis called for the release of hostages and condemned violence, his remarks on Israel’s conduct sparked controversy. Pope Leo, however, has sought to bridge divides, meeting with Jewish leaders during his installation in May and reaffirming the Church’s commitment to dialogue. Rabbi Noam Marans of the American Jewish Committee praised the Pope’s acknowledgment of the challenges, calling it a significant step forward. He urged the Vatican to leverage its moral authority to combat antisemitism more vigorously, emphasizing the critical need for solidarity in these turbulent times.
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Global cooperation urged on disasters
In the face of escalating natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, global experts convened at the 2nd International Conference on Climate Change and Disaster Risk in Beijing, urging strengthened international collaboration. The conference highlighted the urgent need for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and technological innovation to address increasingly severe and complex disaster scenarios. Philippe Gourbesville, President of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research, emphasized the cascading effects of emerging risks, which often lead to interconnected disasters threatening human safety and infrastructure. He called for enhanced observation systems, including comprehensive sensor networks in vulnerable regions, and the revision of engineering practices to adapt to new challenges. Martin Manuhwa, Chair of the Committee on Engineering Capacity Building at the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, echoed these sentiments, stressing the critical role of engineering in geoscience to ensure the resilience of buildings and transport networks. He also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence in disaster classification and identification, while noting the persistent challenges posed by the unpredictability of extreme events. Manuhwa underscored the need for collaboration, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative, to address the lack of disaster preparedness in Africa and other developing regions. Wang Fawu, a professor at Tongji University and UNESCO Chairholder on Geoenvironmental Disaster Reduction, emphasized the importance of public education in disaster prevention, enabling communities to respond effectively to early warnings. Anne-Sophie Stevance of the International Science Council highlighted the necessity of learning from diverse regional contexts to build a robust global knowledge base. The conference concluded with a unified call for multidisciplinary, cross-boundary cooperation to mitigate the growing risks posed by climate-driven disasters.
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UN, humanitarian partners condemn attacks on civilians in Sudan’s El Fasher
The United Nations and its humanitarian partners have issued a stern condemnation of the escalating violence against civilians in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been implicated in severe attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian workers. These violations include summary executions, house-to-house raids, and obstacles preventing civilians from reaching safety. Sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, continues to be reported, and local aid responders are at grave risk, with some detained or killed. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented approximately 1,850 civilian deaths in North Darfur, with an estimated 1,350 occurring in El Fasher from the beginning of the year to October 20. However, this figure is believed to underrepresent the actual number of conflict-related deaths due to challenges in telecommunications and access on the ground. Humanitarian workers are operating under extreme danger to assist those fleeing toward Tawila and surrounding areas. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is providing life-saving assistance and essential services to displaced families, including shelter, basic necessities, and cash assistance. However, access to El Fasher remains blocked, and humanitarian capacity is rapidly shrinking as needs soar. The humanitarian community in Sudan is calling for urgent action to protect civilians and humanitarian workers, guarantee safe passage and humanitarian access to people trapped in El Fasher, ensure accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law, and scale up funding to sustain life-saving operations. The United Nations and its humanitarian partners remain committed to scaling up their life-saving support across Darfur and re-establishing their presence on the ground. OCHA also reported that fighting has intensified in Sudan’s North Kordofan state, emphasizing that civilians must be protected wherever they are and allowed to flee safely and with dignity. The office urged all parties to immediately halt hostilities, respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, and enable safe, sustained humanitarian access.
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Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka says US revoked his visa
Nigerian Nobel Prize-winning author Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States revoked his visa and imposed a travel ban on him. The 91-year-old literary icon, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, disclosed that the US consulate requested his passport to cancel his visa in person, citing unspecified new information. Soyinka described the invitation as a “rather curious love letter from an embassy” during a press conference on Tuesday. He advised organizations planning to invite him to the US to “not waste their time.” The US Embassy in Nigeria declined to comment on individual cases. Soyinka, who previously held US permanent residency, famously tore up his green card in 2016 to protest Donald Trump’s election. He humorously remarked that the card had “fallen between the fingers of a pair of scissors and got cut into pieces.” Soyinka has been a vocal critic of Trump’s immigration policies, linking the visa revocation to his outspoken remarks. He recently compared Trump to Uganda’s infamous dictator Idi Amin, calling him “Idi Amin in white face.” When asked if he would return to the US, Soyinka quipped, “How old am I?” The US State Department recently tightened visa policies for Nigeria and several other African countries, reducing validity periods significantly.
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‘My hopes are dashed’: Illegal Indian migrants deported by US speak to BBC
In a recent wave of deportations under the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration, several Indian migrant workers have returned home with tales of hardship, humiliation, and broken aspirations. At least 54 men, aged between 25 and 40, arrived in Delhi on Sunday after being deported from the United States. Hailing from the northern state of Haryana, these individuals had entered the US via the notorious ‘donkey route,’ a perilous pathway often exploited by human traffickers to facilitate illegal border crossings. The Indian government has yet to comment on the deportations, which are part of a broader effort by the US to curb illegal immigration, with over 2,400 Indians deported this year alone. Many of these migrants, driven by the hope of a better life, sold land or took loans to fund their journeys, only to face arrest, detention, and eventual deportation. Among them is Harjinder Singh, a farmer who spent 3.5 million rupees to reach the US four years ago, working as a cook to support his family. ‘My hopes have been dashed,’ Singh lamented, recounting the humiliation he endured during the deportation process. Another deportee, Naresh Kumar, sold his land and paid 5.7 million rupees to agents, only to spend 14 months in US custody before being sent back. The ‘donkey route,’ also known as the ‘dunki route,’ involves treacherous journeys across multiple borders, often requiring migrants to endure dangerous treks through jungles and rely on various modes of transport. Despite the hardships, none of the deportees have filed formal complaints against the agents who arranged their journeys, though authorities have pledged to take action if complaints are received. The Indian government has emphasized its efforts to raise awareness about safe and legal migration, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighting the vulnerability of young Indians lured by false promises. According to India’s foreign ministry, 2,417 Indians were deported from the US between January and September 2025. This recent wave of deportations has drawn attention to the plight of undocumented Indian immigrants, who constitute the third-largest group of undocumented immigrants in the US, after those from Mexico and El Salvador.
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Floods hit Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa leaves trail of destruction
Jamaica is reeling from unprecedented devastation as Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to strike the Caribbean nation in recorded history, has left a trail of destruction in its wake. The hurricane’s ferocious winds and torrential rains have triggered widespread flooding, submerging communities, displacing thousands, and crippling infrastructure. Emergency response teams are working tirelessly to rescue stranded residents and provide essential aid, while the government has declared a state of emergency to mobilize resources. The storm’s impact has been particularly severe in coastal regions, where rising waters have inundated homes and businesses. Meteorologists warn that the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa could have long-term repercussions for Jamaica’s economy and environment, as the nation faces the daunting task of rebuilding and recovery. This catastrophic event underscores the growing threat of extreme weather phenomena linked to climate change, prompting calls for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilience measures in vulnerable regions.
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Cyclone Montha weakens after battering India’s eastern coast with rain and wind
Cyclone Montha, which recently wreaked havoc along India’s eastern coastline, has begun to weaken, according to the latest updates from the Indian Meteorological Department. The storm, which made landfall near the port city of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh late Tuesday night, brought torrential rains and gusty winds, uprooting trees, damaging infrastructure, and causing significant flooding in low-lying areas. Initial reports indicated sustained winds of up to 100 kph (62 mph), though these have since diminished to 83 kph (52 mph) as the storm moved inland. The cyclone, named by Thailand after a fragrant flower, also triggered a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) in Kakinada and surrounding regions. While authorities have yet to confirm any fatalities, local media reported one death caused by a fallen tree. Tens of thousands of residents from vulnerable areas in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha had been evacuated to relief camps prior to the storm’s arrival, showcasing India’s improved disaster preparedness in recent years. Moderate to heavy rains are expected to persist in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh until Thursday. India’s eastern coast has historically been prone to cyclones, but climate scientists warn that the frequency and intensity of such storms are increasing due to global warming, posing greater risks to the region.
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Hamas denies attacking Israeli troops in Gaza
In a recent development, the Palestinian militant group Hamas has categorically denied accusations of attacking Israeli troops in Gaza. The allegations were initially made by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday, though he did not provide specific details regarding the location of the alleged incident. Hamas, in a formal statement, refuted these claims, asserting that it had no involvement in the reported shooting incident in Rafah. The group reiterated its commitment to the US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel, emphasizing its adherence to the terms of the truce. This denial comes amidst heightened tensions in the region, with both sides maintaining their respective positions. The situation remains fluid as further details are awaited.