The Philippines has declared a state of emergency as the nation braces for the potential impact of a super typhoon, following the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the emergency measures on Thursday, November 6, 2025, after Kalmaegi claimed at least 114 lives and left hundreds missing in central provinces. The majority of fatalities resulted from flash floods, with Cebu province being the hardest hit. The typhoon, which exited the archipelago into the South China Sea on Wednesday, displaced over 560,000 people, with nearly 450,000 seeking refuge in emergency shelters. Meanwhile, another storm, Fung-wong, currently classified as a tropical storm, is forecasted to intensify into a super typhoon by Saturday, November 9. This comes less than two months after Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaked havoc across the region. Authorities are on high alert, urging residents to prepare for the impending disaster.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Newly launched intl alliance to safeguard plant biosafety, food security
In a significant step toward global agricultural sustainability, the BRI International Alliance of Science and Technology Innovation in Plant Protection was officially launched during the 2nd International Symposium on Plant Biosafety in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The event, held from November 2 to 6, brought together over 250 experts and scholars from 18 countries and more than 40 domestic institutions. The alliance, a collaborative effort between the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences’ Institute of Plant Protection and the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), aims to strengthen international cooperation in plant health and food security. Sun Tan, vice-president of the academy, emphasized the critical role of plant biosafety in addressing global food security and sustainable agricultural development. He highlighted that plant pests and diseases cause annual yield losses of 20 to 40 percent, resulting in over $220 billion in economic damage worldwide. The academy pledged to enhance international collaboration in biosafety research, improve cooperation mechanisms, and promote joint innovation platforms. Daniel Elger, CEO of CABI, underscored the fruitful partnership between China and CABI over the past three decades, expressing commitment to deepening collaboration for the global sharing and application of plant biosafety management technologies. The symposium also facilitated discussions on pest and disease outbreak patterns, integrated pest management, and innovative biosafety governance approaches.
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Investigators find ‘black boxes’ from UPS plane crash that killed 12
Federal safety investigators have successfully retrieved the ‘black box’ recorders from the wreckage of a UPS cargo plane that crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, claiming the lives of 12 individuals. The incident occurred during takeoff on Tuesday evening, when the 34-year-old MD-11 freighter, bound for Honolulu, burst into flames shortly after clearing the runway fence. The crash ignited a series of fires, including a petroleum recycling facility, and scattered debris across a half-mile radius. The Louisville airport reopened on Wednesday, but the affected runway will remain closed for ten days. Todd Inman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were intact and will be analyzed in Washington, D.C. The NTSB aims to issue a preliminary report within 30 days, though a full investigation could take up to two years. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency to expedite disaster response efforts. The crash disrupted operations at UPS Worldport, the company’s global air cargo hub, but services are expected to resume by Thursday morning. Investigators are focusing on the plane’s left engine, which detached during the crash, as a potential factor in the accident. Boeing and GE Aerospace have pledged support to the investigation. This marks the first UPS cargo plane crash since 2013.
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China unveils regulation on ecological environment monitoring
In a significant move to bolster environmental protection, China has unveiled a new regulation on ecological environment monitoring, set to take effect on January 1, 2026. Signed by Premier Li Qiang, the State Council decree introduces a comprehensive framework comprising seven chapters and 49 articles. The regulation aims to standardize monitoring activities, enhance capabilities, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of environmental data. Key provisions include the development of a modern monitoring system with advanced automation, digitization, and smart technologies. The regulation also emphasizes the establishment of a public monitoring network, improved supervision of pollution sources, and early warning systems for environmental risks. Additionally, it mandates the creation of a robust management system for emergent environmental incidents and sets stringent requirements for technical service organizations, which must register with environmental authorities. Enhanced oversight and accountability measures are also highlighted to ensure effective implementation.
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Blizzard hits Xinjiang in NW China, breaks records, impacts transport
A historic blizzard has engulfed Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region since Wednesday, causing widespread disruption to transportation and setting unprecedented precipitation records. According to the regional meteorological observatory, 538 weather stations across Xinjiang reported rain or snow by Thursday morning, with 77 experiencing blizzard conditions. Eleven areas, including the regional capital Urumqi and the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, were severely impacted by heavy snowfall. Urumqi recorded 35.6 millimeters of precipitation in a single day, the highest November daily total in the city’s history. Chen Chunyan, chief forecaster at the observatory, highlighted Turgen township in Ili as the epicenter of the storm, with snowfall reaching 40.8 millimeters. The blizzard has forced partial or full closures of major highways, including the G7, G216, and G335, with reopening times uncertain. Railway services were also affected, with the cancellation of a passenger train between Urumqi and Korla. The observatory warns of continued snowfall in the coming days, potentially exacerbating travel safety concerns.
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Waterway aims to revitalize Beijing’s urban rivers
A new 15-kilometer boat route connecting Beijing’s Chaoyang district to the municipal administrative center in Tongzhou district officially opened on a trial basis on Wednesday. This initiative is part of a broader effort to rejuvenate the city’s urban waterways and enhance their role in local tourism and commerce. The journey begins at INDIGO Harbor, a riverside location near a popular shopping mall on the Bahe River, and extends to the Wenyu River in Tongzhou. The route offers picturesque views of the changing seasons, with plans to transform it into a vibrant waterfront corridor featuring diverse flora and landscapes throughout the year. Beyond its scenic appeal, the boat line is expected to boost local businesses and tourism by connecting key cultural and commercial hubs such as Taikoo Place Beijing, Langyuan Station, and the 798·751 Art District. Officials from Chaoyang district’s water bureau revealed ambitious plans to expand waterway connectivity during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), aiming to create a 43.4-kilometer waterfront corridor linking the Bahe River to the Beihucheng River upstream and the Qinghe-Wenyu River and Beiyun River systems downstream. The project also envisions integrating waterways with greenways, walking paths, and nearby parks to establish a seamless network of blue, green, and urban infrastructure across eastern Beijing.
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Philippines urges provincial officials to prepare for incoming storm
The Philippines is bracing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Fung-wong, which is expected to intensify into a super typhoon in the coming days. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a directive urging provincial officials to prepare for the potentially devastating storm. This warning comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaked havoc across the country, claiming over 140 lives and leaving 127 people missing. In response to the dual threats, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos declared a state of national calamity on Thursday. The DILG has called on local government units (LGUs) to take immediate action, including clearing waterways and drainage systems, inspecting roads and bridges, and ensuring evacuation centers are well-stocked with essential supplies. According to the state weather bureau, Fung-wong is likely to reach typhoon status by Friday and could escalate to super typhoon strength by Saturday. The storm is predicted to make landfall in northern or central Luzon on Monday, potentially at its peak intensity. The Philippines remains on high alert as it faces the compounding challenges of recovery from Kalmaegi and preparation for Fung-wong.
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Israeli West Bank raids leave Palestinian boy and grandmother dead
Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank on Thursday resulted in the deaths of a Palestinian teenager and an elderly woman, marking another tragic chapter in the ongoing conflict. In the town of al-Yamoun, west of Jenin, 15-year-old Murad Fawzi Abu Seifen was fatally shot by Israeli soldiers during a raid. Reports indicate that paramedics were prevented from reaching the wounded boy, who bled for over 20 minutes before his body was taken by the troops. The Israeli army claimed the teenager had thrown an “explosive device” at their forces, though no injuries were reported among the soldiers. In a separate incident in al-Mazraa al-Gharbiya, northwest of Ramallah, 80-year-old Haniyeh Hanoun died from shock during a raid on her home. Her grandson was arrested in the same operation. Local media reported that Hanoun had pre-existing health conditions. Disturbing images from the scene showed overturned furniture and scattered belongings, while an ambulance was seen rushing to the house. Since October 2023, Israeli forces have intensified raids, air strikes, and land seizures in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of 1,065 Palestinians and the arrest of over 20,000, including 1,600 children. Concurrently, Israeli authorities have expanded settlements, with plans for 356 new units in the Adam settlement north of Jerusalem. This expansion has been condemned as part of a broader policy to consolidate control over Palestinian territories, which international law deems illegal. The International Court of Justice has ruled Israel’s occupation as “unlawful,” and activists argue that settlements fragment the West Bank and exacerbate Palestinian hardship. Despite global criticism, Israel continues to authorize thousands of new settlement units annually, further complicating prospects for peace.
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DPRK condemns US for imposing unilateral sanctions
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has strongly criticized the United States for imposing unilateral sanctions, labeling the move as a continuation of Washington’s hostile stance. In a statement released by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Un-chol, Vice-Minister for US Affairs at the DPRK Foreign Ministry, denounced the latest sanctions as the fifth such measure enacted by the current US administration. Kim emphasized that these sanctions would not influence North Korea’s strategic perspective or policies. He further asserted that the US efforts to alter the bilateral strategic landscape through sanctions are futile. Kim warned that the DPRK would respond with appropriate countermeasures, maintaining its resolve to withstand prolonged hostility from the US. The statement underscores the deepening tensions between the two nations, with North Korea framing the sanctions as an aggressive act rather than a diplomatic tool.
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Xizang unboxed: Fresh perspectives
The 2025 Forum on the Development of Xizang brought together international guests to explore innovative perspectives on the region’s growth and cultural significance. In a unique interactive session, participants drew random keyword cards to inspire their discussions, offering fresh and diverse viewpoints on Xizang’s development trajectory. The event highlighted the region’s evolving role in China’s broader socio-economic landscape, emphasizing its cultural richness and strategic importance. The forum also served as a platform for fostering international dialogue and collaboration, showcasing Xizang’s potential as a hub for sustainable development and cultural exchange. This gathering underscored the importance of integrating global insights to shape the future of Xizang, aligning with China’s long-term vision for regional progress.