North Korea has resumed its ballistic missile testing activities after a five-month hiatus, launching multiple suspected short-range missiles on Wednesday. The missiles were fired from a location south of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. While the exact trajectory and landing points remain undisclosed, the launches were directed northeastward, raising regional tensions just days before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea. The APEC summit, scheduled for October 30 to November 1, focuses on economic integration and trade, with no military agenda. However, North Korea’s actions have drawn significant attention, as experts suggest the tests may be a strategic move to assert its nuclear capabilities and demand international recognition as a nuclear weapons state. South Korea has heightened its surveillance and is collaborating closely with the U.S. and Japan to monitor the situation. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that the missiles did not enter Japan’s territorial waters or exclusive economic zone. This marks the first ballistic missile test since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, pledging to restore peace on the Korean Peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has intensified weapons development since his nuclear diplomacy with former U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. Despite recent hints at resuming talks, Kim’s display of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a military parade earlier this month underscores his commitment to expanding North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. The Hwasong-20 ICBM, described as the country’s most powerful nuclear weapon system, could be test-launched in the coming months, further escalating tensions in the region.
分类： world
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Britain removes terrorism designation for Syria’s HTS
In a significant policy shift, the British government has removed Hay’at Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) from its list of banned terrorist organizations. This decision, announced on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the UK’s approach to Syria. HTS, a former Al Qaeda affiliate, was initially proscribed in 2017, making it illegal to support or join the group. The move aligns with broader international efforts to engage with Syria’s new government, led by President Ahmed Al Sharaa, who assumed power following the ousting of long-time leader Bashar Al Assad. The UK government emphasized that this decision would facilitate closer collaboration with Syria, particularly in dismantling Assad’s chemical weapons program and restoring regional stability. This development follows the U.S. revocation of HTS’s foreign terrorist organization designation in July 2025. Meanwhile, Syria’s Economy Minister, Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, expressed optimism at a London conference that U.S. sanctions against Syria could be lifted in the near future.
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‘Cruellest violation’: Saudi Arabia executes second child offender in two months
Saudi Arabia has once again drawn international condemnation after executing Abdullah al-Derazi, a man who was a minor at the time of the alleged crimes he committed. Derazi’s execution on Monday marks the second such case in two months, following the execution of Jalal Labbad in August. Both cases highlight Saudi Arabia’s ongoing violation of international human rights laws, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits the death penalty for individuals under 18 at the time of their offenses. Derazi was arrested in 2014 during protests against the treatment of Saudi Arabia’s Shia minority. He was accused of targeting security personnel and throwing Molotov cocktails. After a trial in 2018, he was sentenced to death. Rights groups have criticized the trial as unfair and secretive, with Derazi allegedly subjected to torture and forced confessions. His family was denied the opportunity to bid him farewell and only learned of his execution through media reports. Despite a 2020 royal order pledging to end the death penalty for juvenile offenders, Saudi Arabia has continued to execute individuals who committed crimes as minors. Alqst, a UK-based rights group, has identified at least five other child offenders at imminent risk of execution. The kingdom’s execution rate has surged, with 302 executions recorded so far in 2025, a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Many of these executions involve non-lethal drug offenses and vague terrorism charges, potentially violating international law, which restricts the death penalty to the most serious crimes involving intentional killings. Nadyeen Abdulaziz of Alqst stated, ‘With Derazi’s execution, Saudi authorities lay bare the emptiness of their reform claims and their chilling disregard for international law.’
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Bocholt group visits Wuxi to honor friendship
In a significant gesture to honor four decades of friendship, a delegation from Bocholt, Germany, led by Vice Mayor Gudrun Koppers, visited Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, on October 20, 2025. The visit centered around a special photo exhibition at the Wuxi Museum, which showcased the rich history of cultural and economic exchanges between the two cities. This milestone event not only highlighted the enduring bond between Wuxi and Bocholt but also underscored their commitment to fostering deeper collaboration in the years to come. The delegation’s visit served as a testament to the strength of international partnerships and the shared vision for mutual growth and understanding. For more insights into the delegation’s impressions and their aspirations for future cooperation, viewers are encouraged to explore the accompanying video.
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Ukrainian city in total blackout after ‘massive’ Russian assault
Russia has intensified its assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, resulting in widespread power outages and significant civilian suffering. The city of Chernihiv, located in northern Ukraine, was plunged into a total blackout following a massive missile and drone attack. Hundreds of thousands of residents were affected, with four fatalities reported in the nearby town of Novhorod-Siverskyi and ten others injured, including a 10-year-old girl. This attack is part of a broader strategy by Russia to target civilian infrastructure, including energy supplies, railways, homes, and businesses, as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues. Oleksandr Babich, a 55-year-old Chernihiv resident, described the harrowing experience of hearing Iranian-designed Shahed drones overhead, a sound increasingly familiar to Ukrainians far from the front lines. The Chernihiv region, which borders both Russia and Belarus, is particularly vulnerable due to its proximity to hostile territories. The recent assault involved over 100 Shahed drones and six ballistic missiles, directly hitting Chernihiv’s electricity-generating facilities and leaving the city and surrounding areas without power. Andriy Podorvan, deputy head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, noted that such targeted strikes on energy infrastructure have become more frequent over the past six months, with a significant escalation in the last two months. He emphasized that these attacks are aimed at civilian infrastructure, including petrol stations, rather than military targets. The loss of power has also disrupted water pumping stations, forcing residents to rely on bottled water or emergency deliveries. Despite the ongoing attacks, electrical engineers have begun efforts to restore power, though the intensity of Russia’s bombardment threatens to deplete Ukraine’s energy resilience. The country’s energy companies have been working tirelessly to repair the damage, but the limited supply of replacement equipment poses a significant challenge. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent meetings with US energy companies have reportedly been successful in securing support for modernizing Ukraine’s energy sector. However, the estimated $16 billion in damage to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure underscores the severity of the crisis. Despite the hardships, Ukrainian citizens remain resilient, with high morale and a strong sense of unity in the face of adversity.
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Drone attack hits Sudan’s Khartoum airport area ahead of reopening, witnesses say
A drone attack targeted the vicinity of Khartoum International Airport early Tuesday, just one day before the facility was scheduled to reopen for domestic flights after a two-year closure. Witnesses reported hearing drones and explosions in central and southern Khartoum between 4am and 6am local time. The airport has been shut since April 2023, when violent clashes erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), causing extensive damage to infrastructure across the capital. Despite the army’s recent recapture of Khartoum and efforts to restore normalcy, drone attacks have persisted, with the RSF frequently accused of targeting military and civilian sites. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest strike, and details on casualties or damage remain unclear. This incident marks the third drone attack on Khartoum in a week, following strikes on two army bases last week. While the army has intercepted most drones, the attacks have exacerbated challenges in rebuilding the war-torn city. Over 800,000 people have returned to Khartoum since the army regained control, but large parts of the capital remain in ruins, with millions enduring frequent blackouts linked to RSF drone activity. Meanwhile, the conflict has intensified in western Sudan, where RSF forces are attempting to seize El-Fasher, the last major city in Darfur not under their control. The UN has warned of escalating violence in North and West Darfur, as the wider war in Sudan continues to devastate the nation, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing nearly 12 million people.
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Magnitude 5.3 earthquake hits south Iran; no effect in UAE
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 struck southern Iran on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, according to the National Seismic Network of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The tremor occurred at 12:02 PM UAE time, with its epicenter located at a depth of 10 kilometers. Despite the significant magnitude, the quake was not felt by residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and no adverse effects were reported in the region. The NCM confirmed that the seismic activity had no impact on the UAE, ensuring public safety and normalcy. This event follows a series of recent earthquakes in Iran, including a 5.5-magnitude quake on September 13 and a 5.2-magnitude tremor on September 14. Additionally, a more substantial 5.9-magnitude earthquake had shaken southern Iran in August, with tremors felt as far north as the country’s northern regions. Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely, emphasizing preparedness and public awareness.
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Qatar’s emir condemns ‘continued violation’ of 11-day-old Gaza ceasefire
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has strongly condemned Israel’s repeated violations of the 11-day-old Gaza ceasefire, accusing the nation of actions that render the Gaza Strip uninhabitable. In his annual address to the Shura Council on Tuesday, the Qatari ruler, a pivotal mediator in the ongoing truce, expressed deep concern over the deadly strikes on Hamas positions and the broader humanitarian crisis in the region. ‘We reiterate our condemnation of all Israeli violations and practices in Palestine, particularly the transformation of the Gaza Strip into an area unfit for human life and the continued breach of the ceasefire,’ Sheikh Tamim stated. His remarks underscore Qatar’s critical role in regional diplomacy and its commitment to addressing the escalating tensions in Gaza. The Emir’s address highlights the urgent need for international intervention to uphold the ceasefire and mitigate the humanitarian fallout in the embattled territory.
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Magnitude 4.6 earthquake jolts Pakistan at 170km depth
A moderate earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale shook Pakistan on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, as reported by India’s National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The seismic event occurred at a depth of 170 kilometers at 10:59 AM local time (9:29 AM UAE time). This follows a series of tremors in the region, including a magnitude 4.7 quake on Monday and multiple moderate quakes over the weekend. The affected area, encompassing Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India, is one of the world’s most seismically active zones due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This geological activity frequently results in earthquakes that are felt across borders. Pakistan, in particular, is highly vulnerable to seismic events, with regions like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan lying on the southern edge of the Eurasian plate, while Sindh and Punjab are situated on the northwestern edge of the Indian plate. These areas are prone to frequent and sometimes violent earthquakes, posing significant risks to the local population.
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Delhi air quality reaches highest ‘hazardous’ levels in the world after Diwali fireworks
New Delhi’s air quality has reached alarming levels, registering as the most polluted major city globally following the Diwali festival. According to Swiss air quality monitoring group IQAir, the city’s PM 2.5 concentration soared to 442, exceeding the World Health Organisation’s annual guideline by more than 59 times. This hazardous spike is attributed to the widespread use of firecrackers during the Hindu festival of lights, despite the Supreme Court of India’s partial relaxation of a ban on their use. The court had allowed ‘green crackers’ for a limited three-hour window on Sunday and Monday, but reports indicate violations of these restrictions.
PM 2.5, particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter, poses severe health risks, including respiratory and cardiac diseases. India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classified Delhi’s air quality as ‘very poor,’ with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 350. The Ministry of Earth Sciences predicts no immediate relief, forecasting AQI levels to remain between 201 and 400 in the coming days.
Delhi’s winter smog, exacerbated by construction dust, vehicle emissions, and agricultural fires, has long been a public health crisis. Past measures to combat pollution include school closures, construction halts, and vehicle restrictions. The issue extends beyond India, with neighboring Pakistan’s Punjab province also grappling with toxic air. Lahore, Punjab’s capital, recorded an AQI of 234, the second-highest globally. Pakistani authorities have implemented an emergency plan targeting farm fires, smoke-emitting vehicles, and deploying anti-smog guns.
Experts warn that cross-border air pollution is exacerbating the crisis. Sajid Bashir, spokesperson for Punjab’s Environment Protection Agency, highlighted the impact of air currents from Indian Punjab on Pakistani air quality. As both nations face this environmental challenge, coordinated efforts are essential to mitigate the health and environmental impacts of hazardous air pollution.