ISRAEL - PALESTINE
Activist NGOs, international community and the U.S. government demand explanations from Israel for the "horrific ” air raid on the evening of Oct. 28 in northern Gaza in which about 100 civilians, including 20 children, died. The UN says it is "horrified ” at the aftermath of one of the deadliest attacks in three months and calls for a transparent investigation. The Israeli military does not comment, but as in the past seems to disbelieve the estimates provided by Hamas health authorities. Meanwhile, the World Food Program is calling for immediate action so that the food crisis in the Strip does not turn into famine, a real risk after Israel's banning of Unrwa.
KOREA - UNITED STATES
Pyongyang has placed an intercontinental ballistic missile (Icbm) launcher on the launch pad, to be launched during the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5. This is according to the Seoul government, relaying military intelligence sources that the North's regime wants to take advantage of the vote to flaunt strategic weapons development. A seventh nuclear test is also possible.
MYANMAR
Britain, in coordination with the European Union and Canada, has imposed additional sanctions against the ruling military's access to equipment and funds in Myanmar. Behind the decision is an attempt to depower the junta's ability to carry out air strikes on civilians. The measures target six entities involved in supplying aviation fuel to the military.
PAKISTAN
Five people were killed in an attack by gunmen on the construction site of a small dam in Belucistan province in the country's southwest. Local officials speak of a worsening security situation in the mineral-rich area. There are no official claims at this time, but violence by separatist militant groups has been reported in the area for years.
CHINA
China's super-rich have seen their wealth shrink dramatically over the past year due to economic turmoil and difficulties in the stock markets. This was revealed in research by the Hurun Research Institute, which found that there were 1094 people with at least five billion yuan (equivalent to $700 million) as of Aug. 30, a figure 12 percent lower than the 1241 recorded a year earlier. Their collective wealth also fell by 10 percent, with minus 2.97 trillion.
RUSSIA - NORTH KOREA
North Korea is preparing to send a second contingent of military personnel along with arms shipments to Russia, Bloomberg says based on South Korean intelligence documents, which would consist of 10,000 soldiers. These would be in addition to the 2,000 already deployed in the Kursk region against Ukrainian troops.
ARMENIA
Yerevan Finance Minister Vage Obannisyan reported that 664.7 billion drame ($1.7 billion) would be invested for defense needs in Armenia's upcoming budget law for next year. This is 55.8 percent of capital expenditures, 20 percent more than in 2024, to “focus our best resources for the country's security.”
