分类： world

In a shocking act of violence, Lasantha Wickramasekara, a prominent opposition politician in Sri Lanka, was fatally shot inside his office on Wednesday. The 38-year-old council chairman of Weligama was engaged in a meeting with constituents when an unidentified assailant stormed in and fired multiple shots from a revolver. The gunman fled the scene immediately, leaving Wickramasekara dead and no other injuries reported. Local police have launched a full-scale investigation to apprehend the perpetrator, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Wickramasekara was a key member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, which has been embroiled in a fierce political rivalry with the ruling party over control of the Weligama council. This incident marks the first assassination of a political figure since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration took office last year, vowing to curb violence and restore law and order. Sri Lanka has witnessed a sharp rise in violent crimes this year, with over 100 shootings resulting in at least 50 fatalities, many linked to drug gangs and organized crime. The assassination has raised concerns about the escalating political tensions and the government’s ability to address the growing security crisis.

Recent revelations have uncovered harrowing details of human rights violations at the Sde Teiman detention centre in Israel, where Palestinian detainees have reportedly been subjected to systematic torture, abuse, and organ theft. Muneer al-Boursh, director general of the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, disclosed in an interview with Al Jazeera that forensic examinations of 195 Palestinian bodies returned by Israel showed signs of severe mistreatment, including crush injuries, strangulation, burns, and lacerations. Some remains bore evidence of autopsies, while others were missing organs, reigniting fears of illegal organ harvesting—a practice Israel admitted to in 2009 but claims to have ended in the 1990s. The bodies were handed over as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza, which stipulates the exchange of remains and prisoners. Since the Gaza genocide began in October 2023, thousands of Palestinians have been detained at Sde Teiman, often without charge. Reports from media outlets like Middle East Eye, CNN, and the New York Times have documented widespread abuse, including torture, rape, and killings. Human rights organizations, including Israel’s B’Tselem, have condemned the facility, labeling it a ‘torture camp.’ The Red Cross facilitated the transfer of 15 Palestinian bodies, bringing the total returned to 165, with an expected 400 to be exchanged. The ceasefire, reached two weeks ago, aims to end the war on Gaza and address prisoner exchanges. However, allegations of abuse and deaths in custody continue to surface, with 80 Palestinian detainees confirmed dead since October 2023. The international community has called for accountability, but the situation remains dire as fresh reports of torture emerge even after the ceasefire.

In a landmark decision, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared on Wednesday that Israel’s ban on the United Nations’ primary humanitarian provider to Palestinians and its restrictions on aid to Gaza and the occupied West Bank contravene international law. The court unanimously emphasized that Israel, as an occupying power, must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, ensuring Palestinians have access to essential supplies such as food, medical resources, and shelter. By a vote of 10 to 1, the ICJ further ruled that Israel must facilitate and not obstruct relief schemes for Gaza, including those administered by the UN and its agencies, particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The court also underscored Israel’s duty to prevent forced displacement, refrain from using starvation as a war tactic, and cooperate in good faith with UN entities. Additionally, the ICJ dismissed Israel’s claims linking UNRWA staff to Hamas, affirming the agency’s impartiality and critical role in delivering aid. The ruling highlighted Israel’s controversial attempt to replace UNRWA’s operations with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which failed to meet international humanitarian standards. This advisory opinion follows six months of hearings at The Hague, where over 40 states and organizations argued Israel’s breach of its legal obligations. Only the US and Hungary opposed the majority view, citing military necessity and security concerns. The case stems from Israel’s 2024 ban on UNRWA, which sparked global condemnation and calls for Israel’s expulsion from the UN. This marks the third ICJ advisory opinion since 2004 addressing Israel’s violations of international law, with the court’s interpretations holding significant authority in global legal frameworks.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu encountered an unexpected incident during her visit to Kerala on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The helicopter transporting her to Sabarimala sank into a depression on a newly constructed helipad at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Pramadam. The incident occurred when the helicopter landed, causing its wheels to get stuck in the concrete. Visuals broadcasted on TV channels showed police and fire department personnel physically pushing the helicopter out of the sunken spot. A senior police officer revealed that the stadium was chosen as the landing site at the last minute, leading to the hurried construction of the helipad late on Tuesday. Despite the scare, President Murmu continued her journey by road, reaching Pamba by 11 am IST. She proceeded to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, followed by rituals at the Pampa river and nearby temples, including the Lord Ganapathy shrine. The incident has sparked discussions about infrastructure safety and preparedness for high-profile visits.

A groundbreaking report by the Seattle-based environmental watchdog Basel Action Network (BAN) has revealed that millions of tons of discarded electronics from the United States are being shipped to developing countries, particularly in Southeast Asia. These nations, ill-equipped to handle hazardous waste, are facing an environmental crisis as toxic materials from e-waste seep into their ecosystems. The report, based on a two-year investigation, identified at least 10 U.S. companies exporting used electronics to Asia and the Middle East, labeling the phenomenon as a ‘hidden tsunami’ of electronic waste.

In a significant maritime operation, the Saudi-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, in collaboration with the Pakistan Navy, intercepted narcotics worth nearly $1 billion in the Arabian Sea. The operation, conducted by the Pakistani naval vessel PNS Yarmook, targeted two sailboats within a 48-hour period. The first interception on October 18 yielded over two tons of crystal methamphetamine, valued at approximately $822.4 million. The second operation, less than two days later, resulted in the seizure of 350 kg of crystal methamphetamine worth $140 million and 50 kg of cocaine valued at $10 million. The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 47-nation naval partnership, confirmed that the intercepted vessels were stateless, with no indication of their origin. Commodore Fahad Aljoiad of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces described the operation as one of the most successful narcotics seizures in CMF history. The U.S. Central Command also praised the efforts of the CTF 150, which patrols over 3 million square miles of sea, including critical global shipping lanes, to combat drug and weapon smuggling.