World

The administration of Donald Trump has proposed transferring the management of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global oil supplies, to an international consortium. The initiative was presented by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a meeting of G7 foreign ministers. Rubio emphasized that shipping in the strait should be free and without fees, but this proposal allegedly aims to bolster the geopolitical interests of the US regime in the region.

The diplomatic approaches of Pakistan and India to the recent Middle East conflict are sharply diverging. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced last week that Islamabad plans to host talks between the US and Iran, although neither country has yet confirmed Pakistan's mediating role. This move grants Pakistan immediate international visibility and relevance, particularly in Washington, by positioning it as a useful conduit during a period of high tension.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced the launch of the first international expansion of the Eurovision Song Contest format. The new competition, titled Eurovision Song Contest Asia, will be held in 2026 in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. According to information published on the contest's official website, the final will take place on Saturday, November 14.

Celebrated Indian tennis star Leander Paes has joined the country's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 53-year-old Paes, an eight-time Grand Slam doubles champion dubbed the 'Indian Express' by media, made the move ahead of high-stakes polls in West Bengal state. His entry is widely seen as a significant political blow, coming just days before crucial elections.

Ukrainian military drones have struck Russia's Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga for the fifth time in 10 days, as Kyiv continues to escalate attacks on Russia's oil export infrastructure. Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko reported that three people, including two children, were injured and several buildings were damaged in the overnight assaults. In a Telegram message, he stated that air-raid alerts in the region had been lifted but provided no details on port damage.

Eight football fans from Uzbekistan have set off on a car journey to the United States to support their national team at the upcoming World Cup. With 72 days remaining until the tournament kicks off, they have begun a long and arduous trip, showcasing their dedication to the squad.

The Chinese government has enacted a new law prohibiting the storage of cremated remains of loved ones in empty apartments as an alternative to purchasing expensive cemetery plots. This legislation aims to end the practice of 'bone ash apartments,' which has gained popularity in recent years due to scarce cemetery space across the country.

South African double Olympic champion Caster Semenya has declared her intention to fight against the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) newly introduced gender testing policy for the female category at the Olympics. Semenya insists the policy “undermines women’s rights” and represents a significant escalation in the long-running debate over fairness in women's sports.

Eurovision, the world's longest-running international music competition, is expanding into Asia for the first time. The Asia edition will kick off with a grand final in Bangkok on November 14, 2024. Ten countries, including South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, have confirmed participation, with more expected to join the list.

Rape and sexual violence remain "part of everyday life" in Sudan's civil war even after fighting has moved elsewhere, according to a comprehensive new report by the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The report describes sexual assault as a "defining feature" of the conflict, overwhelmingly perpetrated by armed men and often accompanied by acts of brutality and humiliation.

In South Darfur, Sudan, 18-year-old Hanaan (not her real name) and her friend were raped by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As they walked to a displacement camp, four men on motorcycles stopped and assaulted them. In her testimony to MSF, Hanaan said, "I feel uncomfortable in my body, heavy. I have pain in my back – because they beat me, they beat me with their guns on my back."

▪️ Israel's parliament, the Knesset, approved a new law on Monday that establishes the death penalty as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted in Israeli military courts of carrying out deadly attacks deemed "acts of terrorism." The bill passed its third and final reading by 62 votes to 48, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voting in favor. It stipulates that execution by hanging must be carried out within 90 days, with a possible postponement of up to 180 days. In theory, Jewish Israelis could also face execution if the attack's intent was to "negate the existence of the state of Israel," but in practice, this is considered highly unlikely.