Israeli air strikes intensified in the besieged Gaza Strip on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 33 Palestinians, including 20 women and children. The attacks occurred less than 48 hours after the UN Security Council endorsed a US-drafted resolution aimed at implementing a ceasefire and establishing a transitional authority in Gaza. Israeli fighter jets targeted tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis and homes in Gaza City, leaving over 70 people wounded. Shelling continued into Thursday morning, with most casualties reported in Khan Younis. The Palestinian group Hamas condemned the strikes as a ‘massacre’ and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to escalate violence. The Israeli military claimed the strikes were in response to troops coming under fire in Khan Younis, though no injuries among Israeli soldiers were reported, and no Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for any attacks. Hamas accused Israel of fabricating the allegations to justify its actions. Since the ceasefire began on October 11, Israel has been accused of over 400 violations, including direct gunfire, aerial shelling, and demolitions of civilian structures. The Rafah crossing remains closed, preventing the wounded from receiving treatment abroad. The UN resolution, which authorizes a Trump-led transitional authority to govern Gaza, has been criticized by Palestinians and legal experts as a form of colonialism.
分类： world
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Oman National Day: UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed congratulate Sultanate
Oman is set to commemorate its 55th National Day with grand celebrations, including a military parade in Muscat and fireworks across the nation. On this significant occasion, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conveyed heartfelt congratulations to Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, emphasizing the enduring friendship between the two Gulf nations. In his message, Sheikh Mohamed expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral ties to ensure mutual progress and prosperity. Similarly, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, extended his felicitations, sharing a photo of Sultan Haitham and highlighting the shared heritage and accelerated development of Oman. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also sent a congratulatory message, reinforcing the deep-rooted bonds between the UAE and Oman. The celebrations underscore the unity and camaraderie that define the relationship between these neighboring countries.
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Misleading narrative hampering scaling of clean energy, Chinese expert says
At a side event during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belem, Brazil, Zhang Yongsheng, director of the Research Institute for Eco-civilization at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted the detrimental impact of misleading narratives on the global scaling of clean energy. The event, themed ‘Net-Zero Emission Transition Led by Global Green Actions,’ emphasized the urgent need to address misconceptions about overcapacity in renewable energy, which are creating artificial barriers to achieving the 1.5°C global warming target. Zhang stressed that redefining climate benefits to include economic gains from new industrial growth, rather than solely focusing on avoided damages, is crucial to breaking these barriers. Citing the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, Zhang warned that the world is significantly off track to meet the 1.5°C target, even if all countries fulfill their current climate action pledges. He underscored the enormous action deficit threatening this goal and called for a paradigm shift in how climate benefits are perceived and communicated.
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Alleged mastermind behind Mexican mayor’s murder arrested
Mexican police have apprehended a man believed to be the orchestrator of the assassination of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, who was gunned down on November 1 during a public Day of the Dead event. Manzo, a vocal opponent of cartel violence in Michoacán, was shot seven times in front of his family, sparking widespread protests across the country. Security Minister Omar García Harfuch announced the arrest, linking the suspect, Jorge Amando, alias ‘The Graduate,’ to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). According to García Harfuch, Amando allegedly ordered the attack via WhatsApp, instructing his men to open fire despite the crowded setting. Manzo had been a prominent critic of cartel extortion targeting avocado growers in the region and had called on President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration to take stronger action against the cartels. The CJNG, known for drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion, is notorious for targeting public officials who resist their influence. The assassination has intensified public outrage, with protests erupting in Mexico City, where demonstrators carried banners declaring ‘we are all Carlos Manzo.’ The arrest marks a significant step in dismantling the criminal networks responsible for the violence, though the broader struggle against cartel dominance in Michoacán remains a pressing challenge.
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Chile deaths ‘deeply regrettable’, park bosses say
A devastating snowstorm in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park has resulted in the tragic deaths of five tourists, including Victoria Bond, a 40-year-old public relations consultant from Cornwall, UK. The incident, described as a ‘deeply regrettable tragedy’ by park authorities, also claimed the lives of two German and two Mexican nationals. Their bodies were discovered on Tuesday amidst extreme weather conditions, with winds reaching up to 118 mph (190 km/h).
Victoria Bond, who had been leading public relations for Visit Isles of Scilly for over six years, was on what was described as a ‘trip of a lifetime’ with friends in Argentina and Chile. She was hiking in the park when the storm struck, trapping her and the others.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font praised the efforts of search and rescue teams who braved the intense snowfall and high winds to locate the victims. The Chilean National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) has initiated an internal investigation to determine any potential liability and to review safety and communication protocols within the park.
The ‘O’ circuit, a popular hiking route where the tragedy occurred, remains closed as investigations continue. CONAF has emphasized its commitment to improving prevention and emergency response capabilities in the park, which spans a vast and complex terrain. The organization also highlighted the coordinated efforts between CONAF and concessionary companies that operate shelters and camps within the park.
This incident has cast a somber shadow over the region, with CONAF expressing its solidarity with the families of the deceased and all those affected by the tragedy. The review of safety measures aims to prevent such incidents in the future, ensuring the protection of visitors to one of Chile’s most renowned natural landmarks.
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East China conference pools Maritime Silk Road development wisdom
The 2025 Maritime Silk Road Urban Cooperation & Development Conference, alongside the International Travel Agents Conference, commenced on November 19 in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, East China. The event, themed ‘Integration and Innovation for Win-win Cooperation,’ brought together nearly 400 participants from countries including China, Italy, and Indonesia to explore collaborative growth opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Fu Hua, President of Xinhua News Agency, emphasized at the opening ceremony that China has paved the way for cooperation, opportunities, and shared prosperity with Maritime Silk Road partner nations. He pledged Xinhua’s commitment to fostering exchanges and supporting multi-field collaboration among these cities, aiming to enhance the high-quality development of the BRI.
Lian Yimin, Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, underscored Zhejiang’s dedication to innovation-driven cooperation and sharing development achievements with Maritime Silk Road cities. The conference, running until November 21, is co-organized by Xinhua News Agency’s Zhejiang branch, the Wenzhou Municipal People’s Government, and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism.
This gathering highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen international ties and promote sustainable development through the Maritime Silk Road, reinforcing China’s role as a global leader in fostering economic and cultural exchanges.
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Ethiopia receives historic artefacts held in Germany for 100 years
In a significant cultural restitution, twelve historical artefacts have been officially returned to Ethiopia after being held by a German family for over a century. The collection, which includes crowns, shields, and paintings of immense cultural and historical value, was originally gathered in the 1920s by Franz Weiss, Germany’s then-envoy to Ethiopia, and his wife Hedwig. The artefacts were ceremoniously handed over to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University on Wednesday. Germany’s current envoy to Ethiopia, Ferdinand von Weyhe, emphasized that these items symbolize the enduring and amicable relationship between the two nations. Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family’s diplomatic tenure in Ethiopia, facilitated the return, expressing the family’s desire to share these treasures with the public and preserve the cultural and historical legacy tied to his father’s birthplace. Ethiopia’s Tourism Minister, Selamawit Kassa, lauded the Weiss family for their dedication to preserving and returning these artefacts, marking this event as a pivotal moment in safeguarding Ethiopia’s cultural heritage. The artefacts will soon be accessible to the public for research and academic study. This repatriation aligns with broader efforts by African nations to reclaim looted cultural items, a movement that has seen some success in recent years, including Germany’s 2022 return of the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria as part of its reckoning with colonial history.
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Volcano eruption forces the rescue of more than 170 climbers on Indonesia’s Mount Semeru
Indonesian authorities successfully assisted more than 170 climbers stranded during Mount Semeru’s sudden eruption on Wednesday, as seismic activity suggested the volcanic eruption would persist. The climbers, including tourists, guides, and porters, were ascending the 3,676-meter peak in East Java’s Lumajang district when they became trapped at the Ranu Kumbolo camping area. Priatin Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, confirmed their safety during a video news conference. Hetty Triastuty, another official, noted that Ranu Kumbolo lies outside the primary danger zone, though climbers may have been exposed to volcanic ash. The eruption unleashed pyroclastic flows and incandescent avalanches, with hot ash and gas traveling up to 13 kilometers down the slopes. Authorities raised the volcano’s alert to the highest level, warning residents to avoid the Besuk Kobokan River area. Nearly 1,000 villagers were evacuated, and while no casualties were reported, two motorcyclists suffered severe burns from hot ash. Mount Semeru, part of Indonesia’s volatile ‘Ring of Fire,’ has a history of deadly eruptions, including one in December 2021 that claimed 51 lives.
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Africa sees rising role in global governance
Africa is increasingly asserting its influence on the global stage, transitioning from a passive participant to an active shaper of international governance. This shift is underscored by the African Union’s (AU) inclusion in the G20 and its deepening engagement within the BRICS+ framework. The continent is leveraging these platforms to advocate for critical issues such as climate justice, trade equity, debt reform, digital sovereignty, and the restructuring of the global financial system. Experts highlight that Africa’s growing role is a response to the inadequacies of existing financial institutions, which were historically designed to serve Western interests rather than those of Africa and the Global South. Gordon K’Achola, CEO of the Nairobi-based nonprofit One Stop Development Agency, emphasized that Africa’s strategic importance, particularly in the global green transition driven by its vast mineral resources like cobalt, copper, and lithium, makes its inclusion in global discussions indispensable. The continent’s shift from ‘norm-taker’ to ‘norm-shaper’ is evident in its active participation in BRICS+, where countries like Egypt, South Africa, and Ethiopia are already members. K’Achola stressed that Africa must embrace broader engagement and reform its internal policies to capitalize on this momentum. James Shikwati, director of the Inter Region Economic Network, noted that Africa’s governance structures, originally designed for a unipolar world, must adapt to the emerging multipolar order. He believes Africa’s abundant natural resources, youthful population, and rapid urbanization position it to play a pivotal role in global supply chains and geopolitical frameworks. African leaders are also using platforms like the G20 and BRICS+ to push for equitable debt restructuring and fair financing conditions. K’Achola further highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in fostering intracontinental trade and reshaping global business norms. To solidify its influence, Africa must project a unified voice and pursue a policy-driven agenda within international forums.
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Next year’s UN climate talks set for Turkey, as Australia backs out of bid in compromise
In a significant development at the ongoing United Nations climate talks in Belem, Brazil, Turkey has been selected to host next year’s COP31 climate conference in the coastal city of Antalya. This decision came after Australia officially withdrew from the bidding process, ending a prolonged stalemate. Australian Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen made the announcement on the sidelines of the conference, emphasizing that while it would have been ideal for Australia to host, compromises were necessary. Under the agreement, Bowen will serve as the president of the COP31 negotiations, wielding full authority to manage discussions, appoint co-facilitators, draft texts, and issue final decisions. Environmental advocacy group Greenpeace described the arrangement as “highly unusual” but stressed the importance of maintaining urgency and focus on phasing out fossil fuels and halting deforestation. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has been confirmed as the host for COP32, with other nations, including India, already expressing interest in hosting subsequent conferences. The announcement underscores the growing global commitment to addressing climate change, even as logistical challenges and geopolitical considerations shape the hosting landscape.