Israel has issued a stark warning of intensifying military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, following a deadly air strike that claimed four lives, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024, Israel continues to station troops in five strategic areas in southern Lebanon and has sustained regular strikes against the militant group. Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasized that Hezbollah is ‘playing with fire’ and criticized the Lebanese government for its inaction in disarming the group. Katz vowed that Israel would ‘continue and even intensify’ its enforcement to safeguard its northern residents. The conflict traces back to October 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, prompting a prolonged confrontation that displaced thousands of Israelis near the northern border. Although Hezbollah has been significantly weakened by the war, it remains armed and financially resilient. In September 2024, Israel eliminated the group’s longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, along with several senior figures. Since the ceasefire, the United States has pressured Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, a move opposed by the group and its allies. Recent escalations include a deadly Israeli ground raid into southern Lebanon, which Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned, ordering the army to counter such incursions. Aoun had previously called for talks with Israel, but accused the latter of responding with intensified air strikes, including the latest attack in Nabatiyeh district. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it targeted a Hezbollah operative involved in weapon transfers and efforts to rebuild the group’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
分类： world
-
Shenzhen hailed as ideal choice for hosting APEC
Shenzhen, the bustling metropolis in Guangdong province, has been chosen to host the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026. This announcement has thrust the city into the global limelight, garnering widespread recognition and praise. This marks the third time China will host APEC, following Beijing in 2001 and Shanghai in 2014. The selection of Shenzhen is seen as both fitting and significant, reflecting its role as a beacon of China’s reform, opening-up, and modernization.
Shenzhen’s transformation from a modest fishing village to a global economic powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable. In 2024, its GDP reached 3.68 trillion yuan ($516.73 billion), a staggering leap from 270 million yuan in 1980. The city also cemented its status as China’s top foreign trade hub, with total import and export values hitting 4.5 trillion yuan. Shenzhen’s alignment with APEC’s core values of open trade, digital transformation, and sustainable growth makes it an ideal host.
Experts highlight Shenzhen’s symbolic importance. Dai Yonghong, dean of Shenzhen University’s College of International Studies, emphasized that the city serves as a window into China’s development model and a testament to its reform success. ‘Through Shenzhen, China will showcase its path to modernization, particularly to developing nations,’ Dai noted.
As a hub of technological innovation, Shenzhen is home to global giants like Huawei, Tencent, and DJI, underscoring China’s commitment to high-quality development and self-reliance in science and technology. Zeng Guosong, secretary-general of the International SparkLink Alliance, sees APEC 2026 as a platform to highlight Shenzhen’s advancements in sectors like wireless communication and foster international collaboration.
The event is also a source of pride for local residents. Ding Hui, a 22-year-old graduate student, expressed enthusiasm about volunteering and sharing the city’s spirit of openness and innovation with global leaders. Meanwhile, Ma Jiangtao, founding director of the Doctorate Association in Shenzhen, plans to leverage APEC to promote talent exchanges and innovation cooperation.
Hosting APEC 2026 will further test and enhance Shenzhen’s capabilities in conference organization, urban management, and international exchanges. Guo Wanda of the China Development Institute views the event as a milestone that will elevate Shenzhen’s global profile and drive improvements in its soft power and infrastructure.
-
UAE resumes food aid deliveries worth Dh43 million as soon as Gaza’s borders open
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recommenced its humanitarian efforts in Gaza, delivering food aid worth Dh43 million ($11.7 million) as soon as the region’s border crossings reopened. This initiative, led by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in collaboration with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), aims to provide essential food supplies and relief parcels to the most vulnerable families in Gaza. The aid is part of the UAE’s broader commitment to supporting the Palestinian people through land, sea, and air deliveries. The recent efforts follow a January 2024 announcement by MBRGI to contribute Dh43 million in direct food aid, benefiting one million individuals in the Gaza Strip. This initiative is a continuation of the UAE’s long-standing humanitarian legacy, which included Dh50 million in urgent aid in 2023 and a 71.6-ton shipment of medical supplies delivered via Egypt’s El Arish port in September 2024. Additionally, MBRGI pledged Dh37 million ($10 million) in January 2024 to bolster Gaza’s health sector, focusing on essential medical supplies for children. Samer AbdelJaber, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, praised the partnership, stating that it reflects a shared commitment to alleviating suffering and offering hope to Gaza’s population. These efforts underscore MBRGI’s dedication to making a tangible impact in Gaza and strengthening its strategic alliance with WFP.
-
Fears grow for thousands trapped in Sudan’s el-Fasher as few reach safety
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has escalated dramatically following the capture of el-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group. The city, besieged for 18 months, fell to the RSF last week, displacing tens of thousands of civilians and leaving many trapped in dire conditions. Reports of atrocities, including killings, sexual assaults, and beatings, have emerged from survivors and aid workers. The World Health Organization confirmed at least 460 deaths in a hospital during the violence. The UN migration agency estimates over 8,000 people fled el-Fasher in just two days, with a total of 70,894 displaced since the RSF takeover. However, fewer than 6,000 have reached the nearest camp in Tawila, 65 kilometers away, according to Shashwat Saraf, Sudan director for the Norwegian Refugee Council. Survivors recount harrowing escapes, dodging gunfire and arriving at camps disoriented and dehydrated. Around 170 unaccompanied children, some as young as three, have also reached Tawila, unsure of their families’ whereabouts. Sudan’s ambassador in Cairo, Imadeldin Mustafa Adawi, accused the RSF of war crimes and urged the international community to designate the group as a terrorist organization. He also reiterated accusations against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for allegedly arming the RSF, a claim the UAE denies. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has killed over 40,000 people and displaced more than 14 million, with fears of further RSF expansion into central Sudan.
-
‘We have no idea what lies ahead’: Aid struggles to reach Jamaican towns devastated by hurricane
Five days after Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm in Jamaica’s modern history, ravaged the island with sustained winds of 185 mph (297 km/h), the coastal communities of Westmoreland Parish remain in ruins. Residents are stranded, with blocked roads, no electricity, running water, or access to food, and little hope of immediate relief. The death toll has risen to at least 28, with fears it could climb further as rescue teams reach more isolated areas. Westmoreland and St Elizabeth parishes, where the storm’s eye struck, are among the hardest hit, with 90% of homes in St Elizabeth destroyed. The devastation is evident in the landscape: roads are littered with debris, trees lie splintered, and buildings are reduced to rubble. Local official Dr. Dayton Campbell confirmed 10 deaths in Westmoreland alone. Amid the chaos, residents like Gary Williams and Roy Perry express frustration and despair, having lost everything. Williams, sitting in front of his roofless home, said, ‘They no turn up,’ referring to promised aid. Perry, who lost his livelihood, remains hopeful, saying, ‘We have to just keep the faith.’ The Jamaican government, criticized for its slow response, has deployed over 200 StarLink devices to restore internet access. Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the priority of clearing debris, restoring essential services, and delivering food and medical supplies. Meanwhile, foreign aid has begun to arrive, with the US Disaster Assistance Response Team on the ground and countries like the UK pledging millions in relief funds. Despite the overwhelming destruction, the resilience of the Jamaican people shines through. Farmer Oreth Jones, who lost his farm, said, ‘We have to give God thanks we’re alive.’ As the island begins its long road to recovery, the spirit of hope and determination remains unbroken.
-
Mexico: 23 people killed after fire at discount store in northwestern city
A devastating fire erupted on Saturday in a discount store in Hermosillo, a city in northwestern Mexico, resulting in the tragic loss of 23 lives, including children. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her profound condolences to the bereaved families in a heartfelt message on X, formerly known as Twitter. Sheinbaum also directed the interior minister to deploy support teams to aid the victims’ families and those injured in the blaze. Hermosillo Mayor Antonio Astiazaran confirmed the casualties in a separate post on the same platform. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, as stated by the city’s fire chief during a brief social media interview. This incident has cast a somber shadow over the community, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in public spaces.
-
Hurricane Melissa death toll rises to 28 in Jamaica
The death toll in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa has surged to 28, as confirmed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The catastrophic storm, a category five hurricane—the most severe classification—has wreaked havoc across the Caribbean, with additional fatalities reported in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Holness revealed on Saturday that nine more deaths were confirmed, with potential casualties still under investigation, indicating the toll may rise further. Emergency responders and aid agencies face significant challenges in reaching affected areas due to blocked roads, debris, and widespread flooding. The hurricane, which made landfall on Tuesday, knocked out communication systems and power across much of Jamaica, leaving 72% of the population without electricity and forcing around 6,000 people into emergency shelters. The western regions of the island, including Black River and Montego Bay, have borne the brunt of the destruction, with images showing flattened buildings, streets littered with debris, and entire neighborhoods submerged. Aid distribution has been hampered by landslides, downed power lines, and impassable roads, despite the reopening of Jamaica’s airports. Reports of desperate individuals looting supermarkets and pharmacies for essential supplies underscore the dire situation. Hurricane Melissa, with sustained winds of 185mph (295 km/h), is now the most powerful storm on record to hit Jamaica and one of the strongest in Caribbean history. The broader impact of climate change on storm intensity remains uncertain, but rising sea surface temperatures are believed to fuel more powerful hurricanes. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year, a forecast tragically validated by Melissa’s devastation.
-
2 people killed in Ukraine’s Odesa region as Russia continues to blast power grid
In a tragic escalation of hostilities, at least two individuals lost their lives in a drone attack in Ukraine’s southwestern Odesa region, as reported by Ukrainian authorities on Sunday. The assault, which targeted a car park along the Black Sea coast in the early hours, also left three others injured, according to Odesa regional Governor Oleh Kiper. The State Emergency Service confirmed the fatalities, underscoring the relentless nature of the conflict.
Simultaneously, Russia intensified its offensive against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving tens of thousands without power. In the Zaporizhzhia region, overnight drone and missile strikes resulted in nearly 60,000 residents facing power outages, with two people sustaining injuries. Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov shared harrowing images on Telegram, depicting buildings reduced to rubble.
The relentless attacks on Ukraine’s power grid have forced several regions to implement rolling power cuts, as stated by Ukraine’s national energy operator, Ukrenergo. These strikes are part of Russia’s broader strategy to disrupt Ukraine’s centralized public infrastructure, which is crucial for water, sewage, and heating systems, especially as winter approaches.
Analysts and officials have noted a shift in Moscow’s tactics this year, with a focus on targeting specific regions and gas infrastructure. The effectiveness of these attacks has increased, with Russia deploying hundreds of drones, some equipped with cameras for improved targeting, overwhelming Ukraine’s air defenses, particularly in less-protected areas.
This latest wave of attacks aims not only to erode Ukrainian morale but also to disrupt weapons manufacturing and other war-related activities, nearly four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
-
China, Russia to deepen practical cooperation in humanities cooperation
Beijing, November 2, 2025 – In a significant move to bolster bilateral ties, Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova co-chaired the 26th session of the China-Russia Committee on Humanities Cooperation in Beijing. The meeting underscored the commitment of both nations to deepen practical cooperation across various humanities fields, marking a new chapter in their strategic partnership.
Shen, who also serves as the Chinese chairperson of the committee, highlighted the successful implementation of key agreements reached during the 25th session last year. She emphasized that both countries have organized a series of impactful thematic activities, fostering emotional resonance and mutual understanding between their peoples. The China-Russia Year of Culture, in particular, was lauded for its brilliance and success, elevating humanities cooperation to unprecedented levels.
Looking ahead, Shen pointed out that 2026 will mark the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, presenting fresh opportunities for enhanced collaboration. She urged both sides to focus on deepening practical cooperation, improving the effectiveness of joint initiatives, and contributing to the sustained development of China-Russia relations and enduring friendship.
Golikova echoed these sentiments, praising the positive outcomes of the Russia-China humanities cooperation mechanism. She expressed Russia’s eagerness to work closely with China to promote practical cooperation and jointly craft a vibrant future for bilateral humanities initiatives.
The meeting concluded with the signing of several cooperation documents in relevant fields, further solidifying the commitment of both nations to their shared goals.
-
Shenzhen named host city for APEC 2026 as China champions cooperation, green growth
Shenzhen, China’s pioneering metropolis, has been selected as the host city for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2026. The announcement was made by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the second session of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea. Shenzhen’s transformation from a modest fishing village to a global innovation hub exemplifies China’s reform and opening-up, making it an ideal venue to shape the future of Asia-Pacific cooperation. President Xi emphasized Shenzhen’s role as a living testament to China’s commitment to sustainable, digital, and green development. The city’s strategic emerging industries, including artificial intelligence, biotech, and advanced manufacturing, contribute significantly to its GDP, with added value reaching 1.56 trillion yuan in 2024. Shenzhen’s leadership in clean energy and sustainable urban development, such as electrifying its public bus fleet and producing renewable energy technologies, aligns with APEC’s goals of green growth. The city’s innovative edge was showcased at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo, where its ‘Smart Manufacturing’ sector secured contracts worth millions. Experts like Daniel Dumbrill and Andrew Hutchins praised Shenzhen’s cooperative spirit and its potential to inspire APEC economies. President Xi also highlighted China’s ambitious climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, and its support for global green transitions through initiatives like the APEC Support Fund. The 2026 APEC meeting is expected to be a milestone in fostering a more open, inclusive, and sustainable Asia-Pacific economy.