分类： world

The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning about a looming humanitarian crisis, as funding cuts threaten its ability to address global hunger. In a statement released on Tuesday, the WFP revealed that it may only be able to assist approximately one-third of the 318 million people projected to face severe hunger by 2026. The agency estimates that $13 billion is required to provide essential aid to 110 million of the most vulnerable individuals. However, current funding forecasts suggest it may receive only half of that amount. The WFP attributed the escalating crisis to a combination of factors, including conflict, extreme weather events, and economic instability, which have more than doubled the number of people experiencing acute hunger since 2019. The United States, historically the WFP’s largest donor, has significantly reduced its contributions under President Donald Trump, with other major donors, including several European nations, also scaling back their humanitarian budgets. The WFP’s 2026 Global Outlook report highlights a fragmented and underfunded global response, with aid now covering less than half of total needs. The report also notes a surge in attacks on aid workers, further complicating relief efforts. Last week, the WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) identified 16 ‘hunger hotspots’ worldwide, from Haiti to South Sudan, where funding shortfalls are exacerbating already dire conditions. The agencies have so far received only $10.5 billion of the $29 billion required to address the crisis.

In a significant policy shift, Iran has suspended its visa-free entry facility for Indian nationals, effective November 22, 2025. The decision follows a surge in fraudulent activities and human trafficking cases involving Indian citizens. The Iranian embassy in India announced the suspension, stating that Indian passport holders will now require a visa to enter or transit through Iran. This move reverses the visa waiver introduced in February 2024 to promote tourism.

The Indian Foreign Ministry has issued a travel advisory, urging citizens to remain vigilant and avoid agents offering visa-free travel. The ministry highlighted several incidents where Indian nationals were lured to Iran under false pretenses, such as promises of employment or onward travel to third countries. Upon arrival, many were kidnapped and held for ransom. The suspension aims to curb the misuse of the visa waiver by criminal elements.

In September 2025, India had already warned its citizens about fake job offers in Iran, emphasizing the need for caution. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, revealed that numerous Indians had fallen victim to criminal gangs exploiting the visa-free facility. The advisory stressed that the visa waiver was exclusively for tourism and did not cover employment-related travel.

Iran, known for its rich cultural heritage and strategic location as a transit hub, had initially introduced the visa waiver to attract Indian tourists. However, the rising incidents of fraud and human trafficking have necessitated this policy reversal. The Indian government continues to advise its citizens to verify employment opportunities thoroughly to avoid falling prey to organized scams.

A devastating bus accident in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of 45 Indian pilgrims, including an Indian expatriate who had been working in the UAE for 25 years. The incident occurred on November 16, when the bus, en route from Makkah to Madinah, collided with an oil tanker near Medina, causing a catastrophic explosion that engulfed the vehicle in flames. Among the victims was Abdul Ghani Shirhatti, a driver from Karnataka’s Hubbali, who had traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah on November 9. His younger brother, Faruque Shirhatti, confirmed the tragic news, stating that his brother had been a driver in Abu Dhabi for the past 25 years. The Hyderabad Police Commissioner, VC Sajjanar, reported that out of the 46 passengers on board, only one individual, Mohd Abdul Shoaib, survived and is currently in critical condition in a Saudi hospital ICU. The incident has prompted swift action from Indian authorities, with AIMIM leader Waris Pathan confirming that party president Asaduddin Owaisi has contacted the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate efforts for repatriating the victims’ bodies. A team has also been dispatched to Saudi Arabia to assist in the coordination and cooperation between the Indian and Saudi governments. The tragedy has left families in mourning and has highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures for pilgrims traveling in the region.

In a disturbing escalation of violence, Israeli settlers launched a large-scale attack on the Palestinian town of Jab’a, southwest of Bethlehem, on Monday evening. The assault resulted in the torching of three homes, multiple vehicles, and farmland, leaving residents traumatized and suffering significant material losses. The targeted properties belonged to Raafat Hilal Mashaaleh, Muhammad Musa Musa, and Yusuf Ahmad Musa, who recounted the harrowing experience of being attacked by approximately 50 assailants. Mashaaleh, who sustained injuries during the attack, described the settlers’ brutality, emphasizing that even children were not spared. CCTV footage captured the settlers entering the village, with some seen setting objects alight. Videos shared online show vehicles and homes engulfed in flames as residents desperately tried to extinguish the fires. The fire spread rapidly after lithium batteries in the cars ignited, causing extensive damage. Mashaaleh, who managed to put out the blaze with the help of neighbors, expressed gratitude for their safety but lamented the financial devastation. This incident marks the third settler attack on Mashaaleh’s home and one of dozens in the town recently. The Israeli military confirmed the attack and stated that a search for those involved is underway, though no arrests have been made. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence, labeling the perpetrators as ‘extremists’ and vowing to address the issue personally. Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also criticized the settlers, emphasizing that their actions harm Israel’s reputation and the settlement project. The recent surge in settler violence has raised concerns within Israel, with fears that such attacks could provoke a Palestinian response. The security establishment has acknowledged its limited capacity to curb the violence, with one official warning of the potential for deadly consequences. The attack in Jab’a echoes the 2015 arson attack in Duma, which claimed the lives of three members of the Dawabsheh family. As settler violence continues to escalate, particularly since the onset of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, the occupied West Bank remains on edge, with residents facing daily threats to their safety and livelihoods.

In a devastating bus crash in Saudi Arabia, 45 individuals, predominantly Indian pilgrims, lost their lives. The sole survivor, 24-year-old Mohd Abdul Shoiab from Hyderabad, is currently receiving medical treatment in a Saudi hospital. According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar, Shoiab was seated next to the driver when the collision occurred. Reports suggest that he managed to escape by breaking open a window and jumping to safety. Tragically, Shoiab lost both his parents in the accident. The crash also claimed three generations of one family, resulting in 18 deaths, including nine children. In response to the tragedy, helplines were established in Telangana and by the Indian mission in Jeddah to assist the victims’ families. The victims have been identified as 28 females and 17 males. The Saudi traffic authority has initiated an investigation into the collision in Medinah, and legal procedures are underway. The Telangana Chief Minister’s Office, after consulting with the families of the deceased, has decided to conduct the last rites in accordance with religious traditions. Arrangements are being made to transport two members from each affected family to Saudi Arabia for this purpose. Indian authorities are in continuous communication with Saudi officials to manage the aftermath of this tragic event.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) relief team has successfully concluded its humanitarian mission in Afghanistan, providing critical aid to communities devastated by a severe earthquake in the country’s northern regions in September 2025. The mission underscored the UAE’s commitment to global humanitarian efforts and its leadership in supporting crisis-stricken populations. Families in the affected areas expressed profound gratitude for the UAE’s timely assistance, which included essential supplies such as food parcels, tents, and blankets. These efforts significantly alleviated the suffering of thousands of families grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. The UAE’s air bridge played a pivotal role in the mission, delivering over 394 tonnes of humanitarian aid through eight aircraft to the hardest-hit regions. The initiative not only achieved its immediate objectives of providing rapid and effective relief but also reinforced the UAE’s readiness to continue supporting vulnerable communities worldwide. This mission reflects the enduring humanitarian principles established by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which continue to guide the nation’s relief operations during global crises.

A growing asbestos contamination scare has led to widespread school closures in New Zealand and Australia, raising concerns over the safety of children’s play sand imported from China. The New Zealand Ministry of Education confirmed on Tuesday that 40 schools and daycare centers have been shut down as authorities work to identify and remove the contaminated products. Similarly, over 70 schools in Australia were closed earlier this week amid the ongoing investigation. The tainted sand, reportedly used for classroom activities and decorative purposes, has been found to contain chrysotile asbestos, a hazardous mineral fiber linked to lung cancer. WorkSafe New Zealand issued a statement highlighting that the product was imported from China and widely used in educational and domestic settings. Asbestos, once a popular construction material due to its heat-resistant properties, has been banned in many countries following studies that established its carcinogenic effects. In response to the crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that Beijing had taken note of the reports and emphasized that Australian businesses were in communication with suppliers to address the issue. Meanwhile, Australia’s product safety regulator downplayed immediate health risks, noting that tests had not detected breathable asbestos fibers. The agency explained that the risk of inhalation is low unless the sand is mechanically processed, such as through crushing or pulverizing. Despite these assurances, the incident has sparked widespread concern among parents and educators, prompting urgent reviews of imported materials in schools across both countries.