The Gaza Strip witnessed renewed violence on Friday as Israeli military operations resulted in the deaths of at least five Palestinians, despite earlier announcements of a ceasefire resumption. Local media reported that Israeli forces carried out demolitions, artillery shelling, and aerial bombardments across the region, with the highest casualties recorded in Gaza City and Khan Younis. Among the victims was a young man killed in an air strike on his home in Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis, while another succumbed to injuries from a prior attack. Israeli troops also opened fire in the Shujaiya neighborhood, east of Gaza City, killing one and injuring another. A fourth fatality occurred near al-Jalaa Street, and a fifth Palestinian was killed in Jabalia, north Gaza, after Israeli forces targeted civilians. These assaults have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis affecting over two million people in the besieged enclave. Since October 11, Israel has committed at least 125 ceasefire violations, with the death toll surpassing 100 Palestinians and dozens more injured. Displaced families in Khan Younis expressed fears of a return to full-scale conflict, citing sleepless nights and dwindling supplies. Health officials have raised alarms over the severe shortage of necessities, with only a limited number of food aid trucks entering Gaza through the Kissufim crossing. Al Jazeera reported that Israel’s blockade continues to restrict humanitarian efforts, despite agreements to allow aid. Over 1,000 Palestinians in need of medical treatment have died due to Israel’s restrictions on essential supplies. Since October 2023, Israeli forces have killed nearly 70,000 Palestinians and wounded over 170,000. In a related development, the bodies of 30 Palestinians were handed over to the Palestinian Ministry of Health as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. The ministry confirmed that some bodies showed signs of severe torture, with missing organs and limbs. Hamas has released 20 Israeli captives in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and has returned 15 out of 28 deceased Israeli captives, with the remainder expected to be handed over once recovered.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Regulator strengthens IP protection in Greater Bay Area
In a significant move to enhance intellectual property (IP) protection, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has intensified its efforts in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This initiative aims to foster high-quality regional development by optimizing public services and supporting innovation across key industries such as high-end equipment manufacturing, new energy, and next-generation information technology. Heng Fuguang, CNIPA’s spokesperson, announced these developments at a recent press conference, highlighting the establishment of six national-level IP protection centers, eight rapid IP protection stations, and six platforms to assist entities in resolving overseas IP disputes. A priority examination channel has also been implemented, expediting the review of 16,000 patents in the first half of 2025. Additionally, the GBA has seen the formation of an IP mediation center, with over 60 mediators from Hong Kong and Macao successfully resolving more than 1,700 disputes. To cultivate IP talent and support high-level international cooperation, CNIPA has partnered with Peking University to establish an international IP academy and collaborated with the Ministry of Justice to train lawyers specializing in foreign-related matters. Internship opportunities for Hong Kong patent examiners and technical training for Macao IP officials have also been provided. As of June 2025, the GBA boasts 817,000 valid invention patents and over 8.52 million registered trademarks, accounting for one-sixth of the national total. The Hong Kong-Guangzhou-Shenzhen innovation cluster, ranked first globally in the 2025 Global Innovation Index, underscores the region’s growing prominence in the global innovation landscape.
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‘I’m not a terrorist’: Mumbai filmmaker held 17 kids hostage, killed in rescue operation
A tense hostage situation unfolded in Mumbai on Thursday, resulting in the death of a 50-year-old filmmaker, Rohit Arya, during a police rescue operation. Arya had held 19 people, including 17 children aged between 10 and 12, hostage in a studio in Powai. The incident began when Arya, who was conducting auditions for a short film, extended the sessions and refused to release the children, causing panic among parents. Mumbai Police responded to distress calls and launched a rescue operation, forcing entry through the studio’s bathroom. All hostages, including a senior citizen and another individual, were safely rescued. However, Arya was seriously injured during the confrontation and later pronounced dead at the hospital. Reports indicate that Arya fired an air gun at the police, prompting them to return fire, which struck his chest. In a video released prior to the incident, Arya admitted to taking the children hostage, claiming he wanted to speak with certain individuals and have his ‘questions answered.’ He denied being a terrorist or seeking financial gain, stating his demands were ‘moral and ethical.’ Authorities described Arya as mentally unstable. Investigations revealed that Arya had been involved in a government-funded urban sanitation project, Project Let’s Change, through his company, Apsara Media Entertainment Network. He allegedly demanded Rs 2 crore (approximately Dh828,895) for the project, but the government identified discrepancies in his claims and paperwork. Maharashtra Education Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol clarified that no such payment agreement existed. The incident has raised concerns about mental health and the vetting process for government-funded initiatives.
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Exclusive: Inside the UAE’s secret Sudan war operation at Somalia’s Bosaso
At Bosaso Airport in Somalia’s Puntland state, the roar of heavy cargo planes has become a familiar sound. These aircraft, identified as IL-76 transport planes, are part of a clandestine operation that has raised eyebrows among local residents and international observers alike. According to multiple sources, including flight tracking data and satellite imagery, these planes originate from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and are destined for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of committing atrocities in the ongoing conflict in Darfur. The logistics materials transported are immediately transferred to standby aircraft, ensuring swift delivery to the RSF. The operation is shrouded in secrecy, with heavy security measures in place during loading and offloading. Local authorities, including the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), have expressed concerns over the nature of these shipments, which are not for domestic use but rather serve as a covert transit point. The UAE has long funded the PMPF to combat piracy, but the recent influx of weapons and logistical support has strained relations between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi. The presence of Colombian mercenaries at Bosaso Airport further complicates the situation, as they are reportedly involved in the conflict in Sudan. The UAE’s expanding influence in the region, driven by strategic interests and financial leverage, has drawn criticism from analysts who warn of the potential for broader geopolitical rivalries. Despite the concerns, Mogadishu has been unable to challenge the UAE’s activities in Puntland, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the Horn of Africa.
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Free things to do in Dubai: Halloween events, Fitness Challenge and more
Dubai, often synonymous with luxury, offers a plethora of free activities that cater to diverse interests, proving that enjoying the city doesn’t always require a hefty budget. From Halloween celebrations to fitness challenges and cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy without spending a dirham.
**Halloween Festivities**
This Halloween, Dubai is hosting a range of free events. On October 31, Al Habtoor Polo Resort is organizing a **Halloween Family Movie Night** at The Clubhouse, featuring an outdoor screening of *Hotel Transylvania*, pumpkin carving, a bouncy castle, and complimentary goodies from Flying Tiger Copenhagen. Entry is free for all ages. Meanwhile, Festival Plaza in Jebel Ali Village is hosting a Halloween celebration on November 1, complete with costume competitions, face-painting for kids, and prize giveaways of up to Dh1,000. Participants can sign up at the mall’s customer service desk.**Dubai Fitness Challenge**
November marks the annual **Dubai Fitness Challenge**, an initiative by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan that encourages residents and visitors to engage in 30 minutes of activity for 30 days. Starting November 1, the city transforms into an open-air gym with free classes, Fitness Villages, Community Hubs, and flagship events like **Dubai Ride**, **Dubai Run**, **Dubai Stand-Up Paddle**, and **Dubai Yoga**. Even if you don’t own a bike, you can participate in Dubai Ride on November 2 by renting Careem bikes for free. Check the full schedule and registration details to join the movement.**Dubai Fountain Shows**
After months of renovation, the **Dubai Fountain** reopened on October 1, offering visitors a mesmerizing display of water, music, and light. Located at Dubai Mall with the Burj Khalifa as its backdrop, the fountain is a must-see attraction. Shows occur every 30 minutes from 6pm to 11pm daily, with additional afternoon shows on weekends.**Night Beaches**
For a serene evening, head to one of Dubai’s night beaches—Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah 3, or Umm Suqeim 1. These spots offer stunning views of the illuminated Burj Al Arab, making for a perfect nighttime escape.**Birthday Freebies**
Dubai is known for its birthday perks. From free rides at Aquaventure Waterpark to complimentary tours of the Miracle Garden, the city goes the extra mile to make your special day memorable. Restaurants like Claw BBQ and Paul Arabia offer free treats, while Cinemacity provides free movie tickets for birthday celebrations.**Art and Culture**
Art enthusiasts can explore **Alserkal Avenue** in Al Quoz, home to over 70 galleries, studios, and cultural spaces. Highlights include Carbon 12, Green Art Gallery, and Leila Heller, as well as Gulf Photo Plus and thejamjar. Catch independent films at Cinema Akil or live performances at The Junction.Dubai’s free offerings showcase the city’s vibrant culture and community spirit, making it accessible to all, regardless of budget.
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Dubai: Parkin introduces two new paid public parking zones
Dubai’s leading public parking provider, Parkin, has unveiled two new paid parking zones in Dubai Studio City and Outsource City, marking a significant expansion of its services. The announcement, made on Friday, October 31, 2025, introduces structured parking tariffs and subscription rates for these areas, effective immediately. Clear signage has been installed to demarcate the zones, ensuring compliance with Code T regulations. The new tariffs, applicable from 8 AM to 10 PM, range from Dh2 for half an hour to Dh36 for a full 24-hour period. Subscription options include monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual plans, priced at Dh315, Dh840, Dh1680, and Dh2940, respectively. This move follows Parkin’s earlier initiatives, such as the introduction of free parking on Sundays and public holidays in Mirdif and the addition of paid zones in Al Jaddaf and Al Khail Gate earlier this year. The expansion aims to streamline parking management and enhance convenience for residents and visitors in these bustling commercial hubs.
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GCC regional visionaries honoured at the 13th Annual GOV HR & Youth Empowerment Awards
The 13th Annual GCC GOV HR & Youth Summit and Awards 2025, hosted by QnA International, concluded with a grand celebration at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi. This prestigious event, recognized as the GCC’s leading platform for governance and human resources excellence, gathered over 300 distinguished leaders, policymakers, and HR professionals from across the region. Under the theme ‘Elevating HR, empowering youth, enabling nations,’ the awards highlighted the region’s commitment to fostering inclusive, technology-driven, and future-ready workplaces. The ceremony featured a wide range of categories, including leadership and governance, diversity and inclusion, digital transformation, employee wellbeing, sustainability, nationalisation, youth empowerment, and HR innovation. Among the notable honorees, Major General Dr. Saleh Abdullah Murad, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Administrative Affairs at Dubai Police HQ, was named GOV HR Leader of the Year, and Captain Shaikh Abdulaziz Bin Sultan Bin Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Director of the Excellence Awards Branch at Ajman Police, received the Youth Icon of the Year award. Sidh N C, director of QnA International, emphasized the event’s role in celebrating innovation, leadership, and progress in governance and human capital, stating that it reinforces the belief that people are central to national transformation. The 13th edition of the awards continues to serve as the region’s foremost platform for recognizing the individuals, policies, and initiatives driving a more empowered and future-ready GCC.
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Pakistan says it seeks no further escalation but urges Afghanistan to act against militants
Pakistan has expressed its desire to avoid further escalation of hostilities with Afghanistan, urging the Taliban-led government to address its security concerns by curbing militant activities originating from Afghan territory. This statement, issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Friday, marks a significant step toward easing tensions between the two neighboring nations. Earlier this month, border clashes resulted in numerous casualties, including soldiers, civilians, and militants, intensifying the strained relationship. The recent ceasefire agreement, facilitated by Turkey and Qatar, has provided a temporary respite, with both sides committing to maintaining peace following weeklong negotiations. Pakistan’s military had previously conducted strikes against Pakistani Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan, claiming to have eliminated insurgents. However, Afghanistan countered by asserting that civilians were killed and retaliated by targeting Pakistani military posts. The ceasefire, agreed upon on October 19 in Doha, was further solidified during talks in Istanbul, which concluded on Thursday night. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi commended Qatar and Turkey for their mediation efforts and announced that both nations would reconvene in Istanbul on November 6 to finalize mechanisms for implementing the ceasefire. Despite the agreement, major border crossings remain closed, disrupting trade and leaving thousands of refugees stranded. While Afghanistan announced the reopening of the Torkham crossing for refugees, Pakistan has yet to confirm this development. Andrabi also criticized Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan for airing grievances on social media, calling it a violation of diplomatic norms. Since 2023, Pakistan has intensified its campaign against illegal immigrants, deporting over a million Afghans. The situation remains fragile, with both nations navigating complex security and humanitarian challenges.
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New e-passports for Indian expats: 10 things you need to know
Indian expatriates in the UAE are set to experience a significant upgrade in passport services with the introduction of e-passports. The Indian mission in the UAE has launched the Passport Seva Programme (GPSP 2.0), effective from October 28, 2025, marking a new era in passport issuance and renewal processes. The e-passport, embedded with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip, combines traditional paper elements with advanced electronic features, enhancing security and convenience for travelers.
Applicants must now utilize the upgraded online portal, https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/gpsp/AuthNavigation/Login, to submit their applications. The platform offers an auto-fill option for renewals, streamlining the process by retrieving existing details from previous passports. A notable change is the requirement for ICAO-approved photographs, ensuring high-resolution images with specific criteria such as a plain white background and neutral expressions.
Once the online application is completed, applicants must visit BLS International, the designated service provider in the UAE, with necessary original documents. The new system eliminates charges for minor edits, a welcome change from previous practices. While biometrics are not currently required for UAE applicants, the Indian government plans to implement this feature overseas in the future.
The new e-passports feature a revamped design, including a unique serial number format and a golden RFID symbol. Existing passport holders need not rush to renew their documents, as they remain valid until expiration. However, all new applications will result in e-passport issuance.
Officials have urged patience during the initial rollout, anticipating some delays as the system stabilizes. The e-passports are expected to expedite immigration processes globally, reducing wait times and enhancing travel efficiency for Indian nationals.
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Aster Volunteers expands humanitarian footprint with 67th mobile medical unit
Aster Volunteers, the global corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Aster DM Healthcare, has marked a significant milestone in its humanitarian mission with the launch of its 67th Mobile Medical Unit. This initiative, aimed at delivering free healthcare services to marginalized and remote communities in the Republic of Chad, was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at the Taj Hotel in Business Bay, Dubai. The event underscored Aster Volunteers’ commitment to bridging healthcare access gaps worldwide. The new mobile unit, equipped with IoT-integrated tele-health capabilities, consultation rooms, diagnostic facilities, medicine dispensing services, and solar-powered health education spaces, is designed to bolster Chad’s primary healthcare capacity. This initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Chad, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that formalizes a shared commitment to improving healthcare access in Central Africa. The flag-off ceremony was led by Dr. Azad Moopen, founder chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, alongside Oumar Teguen Idibei Berde, Ambassador of the Republic of Chad to the UAE, and Yousif Mohammed Elnour Shata, adviser to the health minister of Chad. Senior leadership from Aster DM Healthcare and representatives from the Consulate of Chad in Dubai also attended the event. Dr. Moopen emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, ‘These mobile clinics are more than healthcare on wheels; they are a symbol of hope and compassion for communities that have long lacked access to even the most basic medical services.’ Ambassador Berde expressed gratitude for the partnership, highlighting its potential to address critical healthcare needs in Chad’s most underserved areas. The Aster Volunteers Mobile Medical Services (AVMMS) program, a flagship CSR initiative of Aster DM Healthcare, has treated over 2.6 million individuals across India, the Middle East, and Africa since its inception. Each mobile unit is equipped with advanced medical technology, including IoT-enabled telemedicine services, and offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services, from diagnostics and consultations to treatment and community health education.