标签： Asia

China’s largest and most advanced amphibious assault ship, the CNS Sichuan, has successfully concluded its maiden sea trial, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s naval capabilities. The vessel, which set sail on Friday morning from the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding yard in Shanghai, returned to its home port on Sunday afternoon after a three-day voyage. During the trial, engineers meticulously tested and verified the reliability and performance of the ship’s electric, propulsion, and other critical systems, achieving the desired results. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) confirmed that follow-up tests will be conducted in accordance with the ship’s construction plan. The Sichuan, the first in the Type 076 class, boasts a displacement of over 40,000 metric tons and is equipped with an electromagnetic launch system, making it the first Chinese amphibious assault ship capable of deploying fixed-wing drones. This technology was previously seen only on the CNS Fujian aircraft carrier. Once commissioned, the Sichuan will be capable of supporting a wide range of military operations, including amphibious landings, airstrikes, and airborne missions. The PLAN currently operates four Type 075 amphibious assault ships, each with a full displacement of nearly 40,000 tons, capable of carrying multiple helicopters, landing craft, and armored vehicles.

A group of 153 Palestinians from Gaza unexpectedly arrived in South Africa, sparking inquiries from President Cyril Ramaphosa. Israeli authorities confirmed that the individuals had received entry approval from an unnamed third country, allowing their departure from Gaza. Shimi Zuaretz, a spokesperson for COGAT, the Israeli body overseeing civil affairs in Palestinian territories, stated that the group was permitted to leave only after receiving third-country approval. Upon landing in Johannesburg, the passengers were detained on their plane for 12 hours due to the absence of Israeli departure stamps in their passports. South African border police reported that the home affairs ministry eventually allowed the group to disembark after an NGO, Gift of the Givers, offered to provide accommodation. The NGO clarified that it was unaware of who had chartered the flight or a previous one that brought 176 Gazans to South Africa on October 28. An unidentified Israeli official revealed that the organization coordinating the transfer had submitted third-country visas to COGAT for all evacuees. President Ramaphosa expressed concern, suggesting it appeared as though the individuals were being ‘flushed out.’ South Africa’s home affairs ministry confirmed that 130 of the group entered the country, while 23 continued to other destinations. Zuaretz emphasized that COGAT facilitates the departure of Gaza residents for medical treatment, dual citizens, and those with third-country visas, based solely on foreign country requests. Since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, over 40,000 Gaza residents have been assisted in leaving. South Africa, home to sub-Saharan Africa’s largest Jewish community, has historically supported the Palestinian cause, even filing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in 2023.

Lebanon has announced its intention to lodge a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council, accusing Israel of constructing a concrete wall that encroaches on Lebanese territory. The Lebanese presidency revealed this decision on Saturday, following a report by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) that the wall crosses the UN-demarcated Blue Line, the de facto border between the two nations. According to UNIFIL, the structure, identified as a concrete T-wall, has rendered over 4,000 square meters of Lebanese land inaccessible to its citizens. The Israeli military, however, has denied the allegations, asserting that the wall does not cross the Blue Line. President Joseph Aoun has directed officials to submit the complaint alongside UN reports refuting Israel’s denial. UNIFIL’s investigations in October and November confirmed that sections of the wall near Yaroun violate Lebanon’s sovereignty. The force has urged the Israeli army to relocate the wall. This dispute arises amidst ongoing tensions following a November 2024 ceasefire intended to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel maintains that the wall is part of a broader military strategy initiated in 2022, aimed at reinforcing its northern border. Despite the truce, Israel continues to conduct strikes in Lebanon, primarily targeting Hezbollah.

Iran has commenced cloud seeding operations in response to an unprecedented drought, marking a critical step in its battle against water scarcity. The country, which has long endured chronic dry spells and heat waves exacerbated by climate change, is now facing its most severe drought in decades. The first cloud seeding flight of the current water year, which began in September, was conducted over the Urmia Lake basin, as reported by the official IRNA news agency. Urmia, once Iran’s largest lake, has largely dried up, transforming into a vast salt bed. Further operations are planned for the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan. Cloud seeding involves dispersing particles like silver iodide and salt into clouds to induce rainfall. Iran has developed its own technology for this practice, which has also been employed by neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates. Recent reports indicate rainfall in several western and northwestern provinces, though overall precipitation has decreased by 89% compared to the long-term average. Tehran, the capital, is experiencing its lowest rainfall in a century, with half of Iran’s provinces remaining rainless for months. President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned of potential evacuations in Tehran if rain does not arrive before winter. The situation underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the escalating water crisis in the region.

Authorities in Delhi have apprehended a man linked to a devastating car bomb attack that claimed eight lives and left 20 others injured last week. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed that the vehicle used in the attack, which the government has labeled a ‘terrorist incident,’ was registered under the suspect’s name. The individual, a resident of Indian-administered Kashmir, is accused of conspiring with the alleged suicide bomber. The explosion occurred near a metro station adjacent to the Red Fort, a prominent historical landmark in Delhi. The NIA has seized another vehicle believed to belong to the suicide bomber for further examination and has interrogated 73 witnesses, including those injured in the blast. This marks the first such explosion in the heavily guarded city since 2011. The attack took place on Monday evening at 18:52 local time (13:22 GMT) when a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a busy traffic signal and detonated. Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the explosion involved a white Hyundai i20, with footage from the scene showing the charred remains of the car and other vehicles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a ‘conspiracy,’ pledging to bring the perpetrators to justice. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Police are investigating potential links to recent arrests in Indian-administered Kashmir and the seizure of 2,900kg of explosives from a Delhi suburb. The Red Fort, a 17th-century Mughal fortress, is a major tourist attraction and the site of India’s annual Independence Day speeches.