Israel has issued a stark warning of intensifying military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, following a deadly air strike that claimed four lives, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024, Israel continues to station troops in five strategic areas in southern Lebanon and has sustained regular strikes against the militant group. Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasized that Hezbollah is ‘playing with fire’ and criticized the Lebanese government for its inaction in disarming the group. Katz vowed that Israel would ‘continue and even intensify’ its enforcement to safeguard its northern residents. The conflict traces back to October 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, prompting a prolonged confrontation that displaced thousands of Israelis near the northern border. Although Hezbollah has been significantly weakened by the war, it remains armed and financially resilient. In September 2024, Israel eliminated the group’s longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, along with several senior figures. Since the ceasefire, the United States has pressured Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, a move opposed by the group and its allies. Recent escalations include a deadly Israeli ground raid into southern Lebanon, which Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned, ordering the army to counter such incursions. Aoun had previously called for talks with Israel, but accused the latter of responding with intensified air strikes, including the latest attack in Nabatiyeh district. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it targeted a Hezbollah operative involved in weapon transfers and efforts to rebuild the group’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Academic journal on Hongshan culture launched in Liaoning
Shenyang, Liaoning Province witnessed the official launch of the academic journal *Research on Hongshan Culture* on Sunday, November 2, 2025. This quarterly publication marks a significant milestone in the systematic and long-term study of Hongshan culture, a pivotal component of Chinese civilization dating back to the late Neolithic period. The journal aims to foster academic exchange and collaboration, featuring diverse research areas such as new archaeological discoveries, material culture studies, social and cultural theses, comparative civilization research, scholarship history, and international perspectives. Gu Yucai, President of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics, chairs the journal, while Bai Baoyu, Director of the Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, serves as the editor-in-chief. The editorial board includes esteemed scholars from China and abroad, such as Jia Xiaobing, Pauline Sebillaud from France, and Christian E. Peterson from Canada. Hongshan culture is renowned for its exquisite jade artifacts, large-scale stone tombs, and goddess temples, which highlight the advanced civilization of the era and provide critical evidence for understanding the origins and development of Chinese civilization. Gu Yucai emphasized the journal’s mission to inherit the roots of Hongshan civilization, solve its mysteries through innovation, and promote international exchange. Chu Tianyun, Vice-Governor of Liaoning Province, pledged full support for the journal, envisioning it as a platform for cross-regional and interdisciplinary research to revitalize Hongshan culture in the modern era.
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Shenzhen hailed as ideal choice for hosting APEC
Shenzhen, the bustling metropolis in Guangdong province, has been chosen to host the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026. This announcement has thrust the city into the global limelight, garnering widespread recognition and praise. This marks the third time China will host APEC, following Beijing in 2001 and Shanghai in 2014. The selection of Shenzhen is seen as both fitting and significant, reflecting its role as a beacon of China’s reform, opening-up, and modernization.
Shenzhen’s transformation from a modest fishing village to a global economic powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable. In 2024, its GDP reached 3.68 trillion yuan ($516.73 billion), a staggering leap from 270 million yuan in 1980. The city also cemented its status as China’s top foreign trade hub, with total import and export values hitting 4.5 trillion yuan. Shenzhen’s alignment with APEC’s core values of open trade, digital transformation, and sustainable growth makes it an ideal host.
Experts highlight Shenzhen’s symbolic importance. Dai Yonghong, dean of Shenzhen University’s College of International Studies, emphasized that the city serves as a window into China’s development model and a testament to its reform success. ‘Through Shenzhen, China will showcase its path to modernization, particularly to developing nations,’ Dai noted.
As a hub of technological innovation, Shenzhen is home to global giants like Huawei, Tencent, and DJI, underscoring China’s commitment to high-quality development and self-reliance in science and technology. Zeng Guosong, secretary-general of the International SparkLink Alliance, sees APEC 2026 as a platform to highlight Shenzhen’s advancements in sectors like wireless communication and foster international collaboration.
The event is also a source of pride for local residents. Ding Hui, a 22-year-old graduate student, expressed enthusiasm about volunteering and sharing the city’s spirit of openness and innovation with global leaders. Meanwhile, Ma Jiangtao, founding director of the Doctorate Association in Shenzhen, plans to leverage APEC to promote talent exchanges and innovation cooperation.
Hosting APEC 2026 will further test and enhance Shenzhen’s capabilities in conference organization, urban management, and international exchanges. Guo Wanda of the China Development Institute views the event as a milestone that will elevate Shenzhen’s global profile and drive improvements in its soft power and infrastructure.
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UAE resumes food aid deliveries worth Dh43 million as soon as Gaza’s borders open
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recommenced its humanitarian efforts in Gaza, delivering food aid worth Dh43 million ($11.7 million) as soon as the region’s border crossings reopened. This initiative, led by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in collaboration with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), aims to provide essential food supplies and relief parcels to the most vulnerable families in Gaza. The aid is part of the UAE’s broader commitment to supporting the Palestinian people through land, sea, and air deliveries. The recent efforts follow a January 2024 announcement by MBRGI to contribute Dh43 million in direct food aid, benefiting one million individuals in the Gaza Strip. This initiative is a continuation of the UAE’s long-standing humanitarian legacy, which included Dh50 million in urgent aid in 2023 and a 71.6-ton shipment of medical supplies delivered via Egypt’s El Arish port in September 2024. Additionally, MBRGI pledged Dh37 million ($10 million) in January 2024 to bolster Gaza’s health sector, focusing on essential medical supplies for children. Samer AbdelJaber, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, praised the partnership, stating that it reflects a shared commitment to alleviating suffering and offering hope to Gaza’s population. These efforts underscore MBRGI’s dedication to making a tangible impact in Gaza and strengthening its strategic alliance with WFP.
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Trump says China’s Xi has assured him that he won’t take action on Taiwan during Republican’s term
In a recent interview with CBS’s ’60 Minutes,’ President Donald Trump revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping has assured him that Beijing will not pursue its long-standing goal of unifying Taiwan with mainland China during Trump’s presidency. This assurance came despite the issue of Taiwan not being a primary topic in their recent discussions in South Korea, which largely centered on U.S.-China trade tensions. Trump expressed confidence in Xi’s commitment, stating, ‘He has openly said, and his people have openly said at meetings, ‘We would never do anything while President Trump is president,’ because they know the consequences.’
The U.S. has long been wary of China’s potential military actions against Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as part of its territory. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act governs U.S. relations with Taiwan, emphasizing the provision of resources for Taiwan’s self-defense and the prevention of any unilateral changes to its status by Beijing. However, the Act does not mandate U.S. military intervention in the event of a Chinese invasion.
When questioned about whether he would deploy U.S. forces to defend Taiwan if attacked, Trump remained noncommittal, adhering to the U.S. policy of ‘strategic ambiguity.’ This policy, maintained by both Republican and Democratic administrations, avoids clear indications of whether the U.S. would intervene militarily in such a scenario. ‘You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that,’ Trump remarked regarding Xi.
The Chinese embassy in Washington has yet to comment on Trump’s statements, and the White House has not provided additional details on when Xi or Chinese officials communicated this assurance to Trump. The ’60 Minutes’ interview, recorded at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, is part of a broader segment scheduled to air later Sunday.
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Haunted home: Behind the intimate and universal horror of Emirati film HOBA
In a bold move that redefines psychological horror, Emirati filmmaker Majid Al Ansari returns with his second feature-length film, ‘HOBA.’ This groundbreaking work intertwines supernatural elements with the raw emotional turmoil of domestic betrayal, offering a chilling yet deeply human narrative. Set against the backdrop of a polygamous marriage, the film delves into themes of female agency, emotional trauma, and the haunting consequences of secrecy.
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Macao hosts China’s National Games torch relay in festive spirit
The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) hosted a vibrant torch relay for China’s 15th National Games on November 2, 2025, marking a historic moment for the city. The event, filled with festive spirit and pride, saw the flame traverse iconic landmarks across the Macao Peninsula. The relay commenced at the Macao SAR government headquarters, where Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai lit the first torch and passed it to Li Yi, a celebrated athlete who secured a gold medal in women’s changquan at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The 2.6-kilometer route included stops at several renowned sites, culminating at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ruins of St. Paul’s. A total of 50 torchbearers participated, with the final leg carried by Kuok Kin-hang, Macao’s first-ever National Games medalist in men’s karate. Kuok ignited the ceremonial cauldron amidst cheers, describing the experience as a lifelong honor. This year’s relay was particularly significant as it marked the first cross-boundary torch relay in the history of the National Games, simultaneously held in Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The event not only celebrated athletic excellence but also showcased Macao’s cultural heritage and unity with the mainland.
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‘King’ teaser: Shah Rukh Khan revels in his dark transformation
The much-anticipated teaser for Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film ‘King’ was unveiled on November 2, 2025, coinciding with the Bollywood superstar’s birthday. Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, the film marks Khan’s second collaboration with director Siddharth Anand, following their successful venture ‘Pathaan’. The teaser showcases a dramatic transformation of Khan, presenting him in a darker, more intense avatar than ever before. Sporting silver hair, sharp expressions, and a brooding demeanor, Khan embodies a ruthless and enigmatic character. One of the most striking moments in the teaser is a chilling line delivered by Khan, accompanied by a subtle nod to his iconic title as the ‘King of Hearts’—a card he holds in one scene. The teaser, shared across social media platforms, has garnered an overwhelming response from fans, who have flooded the comment sections with excitement and admiration. Described as Siddharth Anand’s ‘biggest mass action film yet’, ‘King’ promises to deliver larger-than-life stunts, grand scale, and compelling storytelling. The film is slated for release in 2026, and fans are eagerly awaiting what could be one of the most significant films of Khan’s career.
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Korean actor, idol Taecyeon announces marriage to ‘non-celebrity’ girlfriend
South Korean actor and K-pop idol Ok Taecyeon has officially announced his upcoming marriage to his longtime non-celebrity girlfriend. The news was confirmed by his agency, 51K, on November 1, 2025. The wedding is scheduled to take place in Seoul next spring, though the exact date and venue remain undisclosed. The ceremony will be an intimate affair, attended only by close friends and family members.
Taecyeon, a member of the renowned K-pop group 2PM, shared the news with his fans through a heartfelt handwritten letter posted on Instagram. In the letter, he expressed gratitude to his supporters for their unwavering encouragement throughout his career, which began when he debuted at the age of 19. He also revealed his commitment to his partner, stating, ‘I have promised to spend the rest of my life with one person who has understood and trusted me for a long time.’
The actor assured fans that he will continue his activities as both a musician and an actor, emphasizing his dedication to his craft. He also urged fans to take care of their health as the weather turns colder.
Rumors of an engagement had previously surfaced when photos of Taecyeon kneeling in front of his girlfriend in Paris circulated online. Although the images were later deleted and dismissed by his agency as part of a birthday celebration, fans speculated otherwise due to the presence of a diamond ring in the photos.
Taecyeon, who debuted with 2PM under JYP Entertainment, has since established himself as a versatile actor, starring in popular dramas such as ‘Vincenzo’ and ‘Bring It On, Ghost.’ His agency first confirmed his relationship in 2020 but has maintained privacy regarding his partner’s identity, respecting her status as a non-celebrity.
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Xi extends congratulations to Egyptian president on Grand Egyptian Museum opening
In a significant gesture of international goodwill, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his heartfelt congratulations to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on the grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. The message, sent on Saturday, underscores the deepening cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations. The Grand Egyptian Museum, a monumental addition to Egypt’s cultural landscape, is set to become a global hub for ancient history and heritage. President Xi’s congratulatory note highlights China’s commitment to fostering mutual respect and collaboration in cultural preservation and international diplomacy. This event marks another milestone in the strengthening relationship between China and Egypt, reflecting shared values and a mutual appreciation for historical legacy.