Three Bulgarian men are currently facing trial in Paris for their alleged involvement in spray-painting blood-red hands on the city’s Holocaust Memorial. This act of vandalism, which occurred last year, has been linked by French intelligence services to a broader Russian campaign aimed at destabilizing France and other Western societies. Approximately 500 red hands were painted on a wall commemorating those who aided Jews during World War II, as well as in nearby neighborhoods. Initially, the graffiti was interpreted in the context of the Gaza conflict, which has heightened antisemitic tensions across Europe. However, court documents reveal that French intelligence believes this act was part of a long-term Russian strategy to sow division, inflame social tensions, and disseminate misinformation through paid proxies. European governments have increasingly accused Russia of orchestrating sabotage campaigns, including vandalism, arson, and bombing attempts. Four Bulgarians were charged in this case, but only three are in custody and present for the trial. The alleged ringleader, Mircho Angelov, remains at large. Georgi Filipov, the first to testify, admitted to painting the red hands in exchange for 1,000 euros to support his 9-year-old son. He claimed he was unaware of the antisemitic implications until after returning to Bulgaria. Kiril Milushev, another defendant, testified that he filmed the graffiti for 500 euros and expressed regret for his involvement. Nikolay Ivanov, the third defendant, denied any pro-Russian connections and stated he merely assisted a friend by purchasing travel tickets and hotel accommodations. The defendants face charges of criminal conspiracy and aggravated degradation of property based on race, ethnicity, or religion, with potential prison sentences if convicted. Plaintiffs in the case include the Paris Holocaust Memorial and the League against Racism and Antisemitism. This trial marks the first of several unusual incidents in France over the past two years, including the appearance of blue Stars of David on Paris buildings, coffins at the Eiffel Tower, and severed pigs’ heads near mosques, all of which are under investigation for potential Russian involvement.
博客
-
Toronto move within one win of World Series title
In a stunning display of power and precision, the Toronto Blue Jays moved one step closer to their first World Series title since 1993 with a commanding 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The win gives the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, with the final games set to take place in Toronto. The game was marked by a historic first inning, where Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit back-to-back home runs off the first two pitches, a feat never before seen in a World Series game. This early offensive surge set the tone for the rest of the match. Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage delivered a standout performance, throwing seven innings with 12 strikeouts, a World Series record for a rookie, and allowing only one run. The Dodgers struggled to recover, with their only run coming from a solo homer by Enrique Hernandez in the third inning. The Blue Jays continued to build their lead, scoring in the seventh and eighth innings, leaving the Dodgers’ fans heading for the exits early. The series now shifts to Toronto, where the Blue Jays will look to clinch the title in front of their home crowd at the Rogers Centre.
-
Sinner cruises in Paris Masters opener, Zverev keeps title defence alive
Jannik Sinner made a commanding start to his Paris Masters campaign, defeating Zizou Bergs 6-4, 6-2 in a swift one-hour and 27-minute match on Wednesday. The Italian, a four-time Grand Slam champion, showcased his trademark efficiency, not facing a single break point while methodically securing breaks early in both sets. This victory keeps Sinner on track to reclaim the world number one ranking, should he clinch his maiden ATP 1000 title in Paris. His next challenge will be against Francisco Cerundolo, who earlier defeated Miomir Kecmanovic. Meanwhile, reigning champion Alexander Zverev faced a tougher battle, overcoming Camilo Ugo Carabelli in a grueling three-set match, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 7-5. Zverev, who narrowly avoided an early exit, will now face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the next round. Elsewhere, Casper Ruud suffered an unexpected defeat to Daniel Altmaier, while Daniil Medvedev advanced due to Grigor Dimitrov’s withdrawal. The tournament also saw Felix Auger-Aliassime stage a comeback victory, keeping his ATP Finals hopes alive.
-
Who is Rob Jetten, tipped to become youngest Dutch prime minister?
Rob Jetten, the 38-year-old leader of the socially liberal D66 party, has emerged as a transformative figure in Dutch politics. His remarkable ascent from a fifth-place party to a leading contender in the recent elections has captivated the nation. Jetten’s campaign, marked by optimism and a cheerful demeanor, stood in stark contrast to the divisive rhetoric of his rival, anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders. The election results remain too close to call, with both leaders vying for the most parliamentary seats. If successful, Jetten could become the Netherlands’ first openly gay prime minister, a historic milestone for the country.
-
China says it’s on track to land astronauts on the moon by 2030 ahead of space station mission
China has reaffirmed its commitment to landing astronauts on the moon by 2030, marking a significant milestone in its ambitious space exploration agenda. Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson for the China Manned Space Program, announced on Thursday that all preparatory efforts, including the development of the Long March 10 rocket, lunar landing suits, and exploration vehicles, are progressing smoothly. ‘Our goal of achieving a manned moon landing by 2030 remains steadfast,’ Zhang emphasized. This announcement underscores China’s determination to establish itself as a global leader in space exploration. In parallel, China is preparing to launch its latest crew to the Tiangong space station, a critical component of its broader space strategy. The new crew, consisting of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, is scheduled to depart from the Jiuquan launch center on Friday at 11:44 p.m. local time. While Zhang Lu has prior experience from the Shenzhou 15 mission, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang will be venturing into space for the first time. The astronauts will also conduct experiments on four mice—two male and two female—to study the effects of weightlessness and confinement. The Tiangong space station, meaning ‘Heavenly Palace,’ was developed after China was excluded from the International Space Station due to U.S. national security concerns, highlighting the country’s independent advancements in space technology.
-
Sharjah Next launched: New event brings together experts to discuss healthcare innovation
Sharjah has taken a bold step forward in healthcare innovation with the launch of ‘Sharjah Next,’ a groundbreaking global series initiated by the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK). The inaugural event, titled ‘Sharjah Next: Healthcare,’ kicked off on October 29, 2025, with a two-day program dedicated to exploring cutting-edge advancements in the medical field. The event was graced by the presence of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SPARK’s Board of Directors.
-
Dozens dead in ‘total devastation’ left behind by Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa has unleashed catastrophic destruction across the Caribbean, claiming lives, obliterating infrastructure, and submerging entire communities. The Category 5 storm, one of the most powerful ever recorded in the region, struck Jamaica with full force, leaving at least five dead and widespread devastation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the scene as ‘total devastation,’ with 80-90% of roofs destroyed, alongside critical infrastructure like hospitals, libraries, and police stations. King Charles, Jamaica’s head of state, expressed deep concern and sadness, emphasizing the urgent need to address climate change and restore nature’s balance. The storm, now downgraded to Category 2, also wreaked havoc in Haiti, where at least 20 people perished in severe flooding. In Cuba, Melissa’s 115 mph winds and torrential rains battered the southeast, prompting President Miguel Díaz-Canel to urge vigilance. The storm is now heading toward the Bahamas and Bermuda, with a tropical storm warning in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands. The U.S. has deployed a disaster response team to Jamaica, while Haiti and the Bahamas have formally requested aid. The hurricane’s aftermath has left thousands homeless, crops destroyed, and communities in disarray, with recovery efforts expected to take months.
-
Borouge surges in Q3 with record production and 52% profit growth
Borouge Plc has reported an exceptional third quarter in 2025, achieving a remarkable 52% quarter-on-quarter increase in net profit, reaching $295 million. This stellar performance was driven by record production levels, robust sales, and stringent cost management, surpassing market expectations and solidifying the company’s leadership in the global polyolefins industry. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange-listed petrochemicals giant also posted an adjusted EBITDA of $565 million, reflecting a best-in-class margin of 39%, up from 34% in Q2. Despite a decline in benchmark prices, Borouge maintained premium pricing for its differentiated polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) products, averaging $233 and $142 per tonne, respectively, over the first nine months of 2025. CEO Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi credited the company’s resilient business model and operational excellence for the outstanding results. Following the successful and ahead-of-schedule turnaround of its Borouge 3 plant in Q2, the company increased utilization rates to 110% for PE and 112% for PP, resulting in a 19% rise in quarterly sales volumes to 1.4 million tonnes. The Asia Pacific region emerged as a key growth driver, accounting for 61% of total sales, up from 57% in the previous quarter. For the nine-month period ending September 2025, Borouge reported revenues of $4.17 billion, slightly lower than the $4.41 billion recorded in the same period last year due to reduced average selling prices. However, net profit rose to $769 million, supported by operational efficiency and cost control. The company reaffirmed its full-year dividend intention of 16.2 fils per share, with the second-half payout expected in April 2026. Additionally, Borouge continued its share buyback program, repurchasing over 157.5 million shares by the end of Q3, reflecting strong confidence in its long-term growth prospects. Looking ahead, Borouge is nearing completion of its Borouge 4 expansion project, which is over 90% complete. The first plant is expected to commence operations by year-end, adding 1.4 million tonnes of annual capacity and significantly boosting earnings potential. The project will become a core asset of the proposed Borouge Group International (BGI), set for launch in Q1 2026. Innovation remains central to Borouge’s strategy, with the reintroduction of its enhanced BorSafe PE100-RC pipe grade, which won ‘New Product of the Year’ at the Asian Oil and Gas awards. In advanced packaging, Borouge unveiled a new Borstar PP grade supporting up to 50% post-consumer recycled content, reinforcing its commitment to circular and sustainable solutions. The company’s AI, Digitalisation and Technology (AIDT) program has already delivered $477 million in value this year, with a target of $575 million for 2025. Borouge is also pioneering AI-powered autonomous control room operations at its Ruwais facility in collaboration with Yokogawa and Honeywell. With strong fundamentals, expanding capacity, and a focus on innovation, Borouge is well-positioned to capitalize on improving market dynamics and deliver sustained value to shareholders.
-
Overwhelming majority of Palestinians oppose Hamas disarmament, poll finds
A recent poll conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) reveals that a significant majority of Palestinians are against the disarmament of Hamas and remain skeptical of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. The survey, conducted between October 22 and 25, 2023, involved 1,200 respondents from the occupied West Bank and Gaza, with a margin of error of 3.5 percent. Approximately 70 percent of Palestinians oppose Hamas’s disarmament, even if it means a return to Israeli attacks. Opposition is particularly strong in the West Bank, where 80 percent of respondents support Hamas retaining its weapons, compared to 55 percent in Gaza. The poll also highlights widespread pessimism about Trump’s peace plan, with 62 percent of Palestinians doubting its ability to end the conflict permanently. This skepticism is more pronounced in the West Bank (67 percent) than in Gaza (54 percent). Despite the ongoing violence, 53 percent of Palestinians believe the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel was justified, with higher support in the West Bank (59 percent) than in Gaza (44 percent). Hamas continues to enjoy greater popularity than Fatah, with 35 percent of Palestinians supporting Hamas compared to 24 percent for Fatah. The poll also reveals dissatisfaction with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, with 85 percent of respondents calling for his resignation. Trump’s peace plan proposes a committee of Palestinian technocrats to govern Gaza, overseen by a U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace.’ While 45 percent of Palestinians support this idea, opposition remains strong in the West Bank. The plan also includes deploying Arab and Muslim peacekeepers to Gaza, which faces mixed reactions, with 78 percent opposition in the West Bank and 52 percent in Gaza. However, support increases when peacekeepers are tasked with securing Gaza’s borders without disarming Hamas. The ceasefire has been marred by Israeli violations, including a devastating attack on Gaza City and Khan Younis, resulting in over 100 Palestinian deaths, including 46 children.
-
K-pop group NewJeans loses legal battle against agency
In a significant legal development, K-pop sensation NewJeans has been unsuccessful in its bid to terminate its contract with record label Ador. A South Korean court ruled on Tuesday that the group’s agreement with the agency, which extends until 2029, remains legally binding. The five-member group, consisting of Hanni, Hyein, Haerin, Danielle, and Minji, had announced their unilateral departure from Ador last year, alleging mistreatment and manipulation by the label. Despite their claims, the court upheld the contract’s validity, prompting the group to plan an appeal, as reported by local media. This case has sent shockwaves through the Korean entertainment industry, marking a dramatic escalation in the year-long dispute between the chart-topping act and its agency. Earlier this year, the group rebranded as NJZ, released a new single, and performed in Hong Kong before their independent activities were halted by a court injunction. The ruling underscores the complexities of artist-label relationships in the highly competitive K-pop industry.