Have a look at the top 5 international headlines of this week. From war to power shifts, read hear to know how was the past week for the world.
- Israel-Hamas War Intensified
Israel launched an extensive military offensive into the northern Gaza Strip. Concerns were raised by the U.N. and medical personnel about airstrikes hitting dangerously close to hospitals, where a substantial number of Palestinians had sought refuge alongside numerous injured individuals. Relief workers noted that despite the arrival of the largest humanitarian aid convoy in Gaza, the needs remained significantly unmet. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the death toll among Palestinians had surpassed 8,000, primarily comprising women and minors.
The Israeli military advances strategically positioned their forces on both sides of Gaza City and the surrounding areas of northern Gaza, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeled as the “second stage” in the ongoing conflict initiated by Hamas’ incursion on October 7. It is anticipated that casualties on both sides will sharply increase as Israeli forces engage Palestinian militants in densely populated residential areas.
- Malaysia Appoints its New King
In an unprecedented development, Malaysia’s royal families have chosen Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor state as the country’s new king. This pivotal decision was reached through Malaysia’s distinctive rotating monarchy system, signifying a momentous transition for the nation.
Since gaining independence from Britain in 1957, Malaysia has upheld a unique monarchy system wherein nine ethnic Malay state rulers take turns serving as the king for five-year terms. This venerable tradition not only bestows stability upon the nation but also showcases Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage.
- China is Building World’s Largest Ghost Particle Detector
China is embarking on an extraordinary venture by erecting an enormous telescope in the western Pacific Ocean. The primary objective of this colossal facility is to detect enigmatic particles known as “ghost particles” or neutrinos. This ambitious endeavor will culminate in the world’s most extensive neutrino-detecting telescope.
Positioned in the South China Sea, this monumental apparatus, named Trident, is projected to span a staggering 7.5 cubic kilometers. Scientists emphasize that the sheer scale of this telescope will endow it with the capability to detect a larger quantity of neutrinos, rendering it “10,000 times more sensitive” than any existing subaquatic telescopes.
- 8 Indians Sentenced to Death in Qatar
Read more: India’s Triumphant Week: Top 5 Sports News of This Week
Eight former Indian Navy personnel who were handed death sentences by a Qatari court were alleged to be involved in spying for Israel, as cited by sources in both India and Qatar. The Indian nationals had been apprehended by the Qatari intelligence agency in August 2022. Nevertheless, the specific charges against them had not been officially disclosed by either New Delhi or Doha.
Following a Qatari court’s pronouncement of the death penalty for these eight Indian naval veterans, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with their families in Delhi. In separate statements, both he and Naval Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar pledged the government’s commitment to exerting “all efforts” to secure their release.
- Japan’s Anti-Hypersonic Missile Railgun
Japan has recently accomplished a significant breakthrough in the realm of defense technology. On October 17, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), in collaboration with the Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), a division of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, executed a successful test firing of a medium-caliber maritime electromagnetic railgun from an offshore platform.
This remarkable achievement represents the first instance in which any nation has managed to launch a railgun from an offshore platform. While railguns are traditionally installed on ships, Japan aspires to employ this technology both on land and at sea, marking an unprecedented advancement in the field.