China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the CNS Sichuan, embarked on its inaugural sea trial on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s naval capabilities. The vessel departed from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in Shanghai at approximately 9 a.m., as announced by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). This trial aims to evaluate the ship’s electric and propulsion systems, following the completion of mooring tests and hardware installations. The CNS Sichuan, with a hull code of 51, is the lead ship in the Type 076 class, boasting a displacement of over 40,000 metric tons. It features a dual-island superstructure, a first for Chinese naval vessels, designed to enhance aviation operations. The ship is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult, enabling it to launch fixed-wing aircraft and drones, a capability previously seen only on the CNS Fujian aircraft carrier. Upon commissioning, the CNS Sichuan will support a range of missions, including amphibious landings, airstrikes, and airborne operations. A senior shipbuilding industry researcher noted that the maiden voyage is primarily to test the ship’s self-propulsion and system reliability, with future trials planned to assess the electromagnetic catapult’s performance. The PLAN currently operates four Type 075 amphibious assault ships, each capable of carrying helicopters, landing craft, and armored vehicles.
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Nine killed in accidental blast at police station in Indian-administered Kashmir, officials say
A tragic incident unfolded at the Nowgam police station in Indian-administered Kashmir on Friday evening, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals and injuring 32 others. The explosion occurred when a stockpile of confiscated explosives, seized earlier in the week from Faridabad in Haryana, accidentally detonated. The explosives were reportedly being prepared for forensic examination at the time of the mishap. According to Nalin Prabhat, the region’s director general of police, the detonation happened around 23:20 local time (17:50 GMT) due to an ‘extremely unfortunate’ handling error. The police station suffered extensive damage, and nearby buildings were also affected. Witnesses described a scene of devastation, with vehicles engulfed in flames and debris scattered across the area. Some body parts were even found in houses located 100-200 meters away from the blast site. Most of the victims were police officers, forensic personnel, crime scene photographers, and a tailor who was present at the station. Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of the region, expressed his condolences and announced an investigation into the incident. He emphasized the need to determine the cause of the accidental explosion and extended his sympathies to the bereaved families. This incident follows a recent car blast in Delhi, which the government has labeled a ‘terror incident,’ raising concerns about safety and security in the region.
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Arson attacks on mosque denounced
The international community, spearheaded by the United Nations, has vehemently condemned the recent arson attack on the Hajjah Hamidah mosque in the West Bank. This incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, marks the latest in a series of escalating violent acts in the region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, expressed profound dismay at the actions of Israeli settlers responsible for the attack, labeling such assaults on places of worship as utterly unacceptable. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has accused the Israeli government of fostering a climate of impunity that encourages settler violence, aimed at displacing Palestinians and solidifying colonial occupation. Jordan has called for the international community to fulfill its legal and moral obligations to address these transgressions. Meanwhile, European nations, including Spain, Germany, and Switzerland, have urged Israel to halt the violence and ensure justice for the perpetrators. The intensifying unrest in the West Bank is increasingly seen as a threat to the fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States, with fears that such incidents could derail peace efforts in Gaza. Experts warn that the situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem is interconnected, with violence in one area inevitably spilling over into others. The UN has also highlighted the challenges in scaling up humanitarian responses in Gaza as winter approaches, despite some progress in healthcare improvements.
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UAE: Scammer ordered to repay Dh24,500 to victim in phone fraud case
In a significant ruling that underscores the escalating menace of phone-based financial scams, the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Cases Court has mandated a convicted fraudster to reimburse Dh24,500 to his victim. The court’s decision, announced on November 11, 2025, ensures the victim recovers the entire sum stolen from his bank account. Additionally, the defendant was ordered to pay Dh3,000 in moral compensation for the emotional distress caused, along with 3% annual interest on the stolen amount. The court also ruled that the defendant must cover all legal expenses and court fees. This verdict follows a prior criminal conviction where the fraudster was fined Dh20,000 for fraud and unlawful possession of funds. The case began when the victim received a call from a man posing as a bank representative, who persuaded him to share his bank card details and one-time password (OTP). Within hours, Dh24,500 was siphoned from the victim’s account. Upon realizing the scam, the victim filed a police complaint, leading to the defendant’s arrest. UAE authorities continue to warn residents against sharing sensitive information over the phone and advise contacting banks directly if suspicious calls are received.
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Crew of Shenzhou XX returns
The Shenzhou XX mission crew, consisting of Senior Colonel Chen Dong, Colonel Chen Zhongrui, and Colonel Wang Jie, successfully returned to Earth on Friday afternoon after an extended stay aboard the Tiangong space station. The astronauts landed at the Dongfeng Landing Site in Inner Mongolia at 4:40 pm, following a five-hour journey from space. Their return was delayed by nine days due to suspected space debris damage to the Shenzhou XX spaceship’s viewport window. Upon landing, ground recovery personnel from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center conducted safety checks and a preliminary health assessment before assisting the crew out of the capsule. The astronauts shared their experiences in a live broadcast with China Central Television, expressing pride in their mission and gratitude for the support that ensured their safe return. Chen Dong emphasized the challenges of space exploration, while Wang Jie highlighted the importance of continued dedication to this endeavor. The Shenzhou XX crew, representing China’s 15th manned spaceflight, spent 204 days in space, completing four spacewalks and numerous scientific tasks. Their return was rescheduled after engineers conducted thorough safety assessments, ultimately deciding to use the Shenzhou XXI spaceship’s reentry capsule for their journey back. The China Manned Space Agency announced plans to launch the Shenzhou XXII spaceship to dock with the Tiangong space station in the near future.
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Heat deaths rise as world emissions hit record high
As global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels are projected to reach an unprecedented 38.1 billion tonnes in 2025, the world faces a dire climate crisis. This alarming forecast, presented at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, underscores the widening gap between energy demand and renewable energy expansion. The Global Carbon Budget 2025, compiled by the Global Carbon Project, reveals a 1.1% increase in emissions compared to 2024, further jeopardizing the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Professor Pierre Friedlingstein of the University of Exeter emphasized that the remaining carbon budget for this target will be exhausted before 2030 if current emission rates persist. Climate change is also weakening natural carbon sinks, such as oceans and forests, amplifying the urgency for drastic emission reductions. Despite progress in reducing emissions across 35 countries, global efforts remain insufficient to achieve sustained decreases. The Lancet’s October report estimates nearly 550,000 annual deaths from heat-related causes exacerbated by climate change. In response, Brazil unveiled its first global climate adaptation plan at COP30, focusing on strengthening healthcare systems to protect vulnerable populations from climate impacts. The Belem Health Action Plan, developed by Brazil’s Health Ministry, outlines concrete measures to mitigate these challenges. As the world grapples with escalating emissions and their devastating consequences, the call for immediate and decisive action grows louder.
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Sports fever sparks spike in tourism in Hong Kong
The 15th National Games, co-hosted by Hong Kong, Guangdong, and Macao from November 9 to 21, has ignited a tourism surge in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The city is hosting elite sporting events, including basketball, track cycling, triathlon, and golf, drawing significant crowds and boosting local businesses. Industry insiders report a notable increase in hotel bookings, attraction visits, and sales of official merchandise since early November. Timothy Chui, executive director of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, noted that citywide hotel occupancy reached approximately 70% by mid-November, marking a year-on-year rise. Christina Cheng, general manager of the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong, highlighted that around 35% of their guests are from the Chinese mainland, expressing optimism that the tourism boost will extend beyond the event period. The Hong Kong Tourism Board estimates the games will attract over 100,000 additional visitors. Travel operators have expanded services to include transportation, non-competition itineraries, and centralized hotel reservations, with China Travel Service (Hong Kong) offering combo tickets linking events to local attractions. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui emphasized the games’ role in deepening integration across the Greater Bay Area, with Guangdong agencies promoting multi-destination tours. Official merchandise, blending mascot designs with local cultural elements, has also seen brisk sales. Law underscored the broader economic impact, stating that the event activates the entire value chain, from staging and security to catering and retail, supporting thousands of jobs and showcasing Hong Kong’s tourism appeal through live broadcasts.
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China tops trade partners in Gulf region
China has emerged as the Gulf region’s leading trading partner, surpassing Western nations for the first time in 2024, according to a report released by London-based think tank Asia House. The study reveals that trade between China and the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—grew by 14.2% to reach $257 billion in 2024. This figure exceeds the combined trade volumes of the Gulf with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Eurozone countries, which declined by 4% to $256 billion during the same period. The report, titled *The Middle East Pivot to Asia*, forecasts that Gulf-China trade will expand further, reaching $375 billion by 2028, with the gap widening to $75 billion. Freddie Neve, the report’s author, emphasized that Gulf economies are deepening ties with Asia faster than with any other region amid global trade disruptions. Energy imports from the Gulf remain a cornerstone of this relationship, supported by long-term energy agreements and Gulf investments in China’s downstream refining and petrochemical sectors. The broader Gulf-Asia trade surged to $516 billion in 2024, marking a 14.4% increase and nearly doubling Gulf-West trade volumes. Asia House CEO Michael Lawrence noted that economic, diplomatic, and commercial ties have reached a pivotal inflection point. The report also highlights the growing integration of Gulf and Asian financial markets, increased cross-border capital flows, and the potential rise of renminbi-denominated trade, which could enhance the Gulf states’ geopolitical strategies and reduce trade costs.
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Experts laud Beijing’s vision of development
Experts and officials have lauded China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI) for its significant role in fostering equitable and inclusive growth, particularly in the Global South. Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2021, the GDI emphasizes key areas such as poverty reduction, food security, and green development, aligning closely with the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. James Shikwati, director of the Inter Region Economic Network in Nairobi, highlighted the initiative’s focus on balanced development, ensuring no region is left behind. He noted that the GDI addresses global financing gaps exacerbated by economic slowdowns in the US and Europe, providing crucial support for international organizations. Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, praised the GDI for leveraging China’s own development experience to aid countries like Kenya in their green transition. The Group of Friends of the GDI, a UN-backed platform, now includes over 100 countries, with China supporting projects ranging from agricultural cooperation in Africa to solar energy systems in Asia. Dennis Munene Mwaniki of the China-Africa Center emphasized the GDI’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it not only supplied vaccines but also advanced the Sustainable Development Goals. Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan stressed the need for global consensus and cooperation to achieve fairer and more sustainable development. China remains committed to working with all nations to accelerate the implementation of the GDI and other major initiatives, aiming to meet the UN’s 2030 targets.
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Offices boost participation of public in shaping laws
In a significant move to democratize the legislative process, China has established 54 legislative outreach offices across the country, gathering over 66,000 public suggestions, with more than 3,500 incorporated into laws. These offices, initiated by the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee’s Legislative Affairs Commission, aim to bridge the gap between national legislation and the public, ensuring that laws reflect the people’s needs and concerns.