03.11.2025 – WEEKLY BRIEFING

Reymonta
5–7 minutes
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  • Pentagon chief seeks to boost US ties with flurry of talks in Asia – 31.10.2025

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with his Chinese and Indian counterparts during the ASEAN defense summit in Malaysia to discuss regional security and cooperation. Hegseth told China’s Dong Jun that the United States would firmly defend its interests and maintain the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, while describing the newly signed 10-year defense cooperation agreement with India as a cornerstone of regional stability. The meetings took place following U.S. tariffs on Indian goods imposed over New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. The summit occurred amid controversy surrounding President Trump’s call to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing, a move criticized by ASEAN, which reaffirmed its opposition to nuclear weapons. Hegseth also emphasized strengthening defense ties with the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, stating that Washington aims to reestablish deterrence in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, China called for joint efforts to safeguard regional peace and security.

  • Hurricane Melissa death toll rises to 28 in Jamaica – 02.11.2025

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the death toll from Hurricane Melissa has risen to 28, with additional fatalities under verification. The category five hurricane, one of the strongest ever recorded in the Caribbean, brought devastating winds, flooding, and landslides to Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti. Large parts of Jamaica remain without electricity, thousands are in emergency shelters, and aid delivery has been hampered by damaged infrastructure and blocked roads. Western regions such as Montego Bay and Black River have suffered the most severe destruction, with homes and infrastructure heavily damaged. Field hospitals are being set up to assist victims, while reports of people scavenging for food and supplies have emerged amid shortages of essentials. The hurricane has also caused at least 31 deaths in Haiti and two in the Dominican Republic, while Cuba has reported extensive property damage and mass evacuations. Scientists note that warmer sea temperatures linked to climate change may increase the intensity of such storms, consistent with U.S. forecasts predicting an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season.

  • China’s Xi jokes about ‘backdoor’ when gifting South Korea’s Lee Xiaomi phones – 02.11.2025

During his first visit to South Korea in 11 years, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju following the APEC summit, where the two exchanged symbolic gifts. Xi presented Lee with two Xiaomi smartphones, jokingly suggesting he “check if there’s a backdoor,” a remark that drew laughter and referenced ongoing global concerns about technology security. Lee had earlier gifted Xi a finely crafted Go board and a traditional Korean lacquered tray. The meeting highlighted China’s technological ambitions and occurred amid discussions on resuming dialogue with North Korea and enhancing bilateral cooperation. Xi’s lighthearted comment also recalled recent debates about cybersecurity and data tracking in advanced technology exports.

  • 2 people killed in Ukraine’s Odesa region as Russia continues to target power grid – 02.11.2025

At least two people were killed and several others injured in a Russian drone attack on a car park in Ukraine’s Odesa region, while other Russian strikes on the Zaporizhzhia region caused power outages affecting tens of thousands of homes and wounded two people. Ukraine reported rolling blackouts in multiple regions, including Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv, as attacks on energy infrastructure continue amid the approaching winter. In response, Ukraine conducted drone strikes on the Russian Black Sea port of Tuapse, damaging an oil tanker and port facilities, which Ukrainian officials said reduced Russia’s oil refining capacity by 20%. Both sides continue targeting infrastructure to disrupt operations, morale, and military resources nearly four years into the conflict.

  • Explosion and fire at convenience store kills at least 23 in northern Mexico – 02.11.2025

A fire and explosion at a convenience store in downtown Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, killed at least 23 people, including children, and injured 12 others, authorities reported. Preliminary investigations indicate the deaths were caused by inhalation of toxic gases, with no evidence yet suggesting the incident was intentional. Emergency services responded quickly, rescuing some individuals, though some customers became trapped inside the store. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences and coordinated support for the victims and their families. The explosion prompted nearby businesses to close, local authorities to restrict access to the area, and the cancellation of Day of the Dead celebrations in Hermosillo.

  • UK police charge Anthony Williams with attempted murder over train stabbing – 03.11.2025

A man has been charged with multiple counts of attempted murder following a mass stabbing on a London-bound train, which injured 11 passengers, including two critically. The suspect, 32-year-old Anthony Williams from Peterborough, was arrested after the train made an emergency stop in Huntingdon, eastern England, and faces additional charges related to a separate incident at Pontoon Dock transit station. Authorities have stated the attack is not being treated as terrorism, and the suspect was not previously known to counterterrorism or security services. A knife was recovered at the scene, and CCTV footage showed a train crew member intervening to stop the attacker, who is now hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Emergency services responded quickly, and Williams is due to appear in court.

  • At least 20 dead after magnitude-6.3 earthquake hits Afghanistan – 03.11.2025

At least 20 people have died and over 530 others injured after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan near Mazar-e-Sharif, with casualties expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. The quake, which occurred early Monday local time at a depth of 28 km, caused power outages across the country after damaging electricity lines from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and led residents to flee buildings in fear of collapse. Damage and injuries were reported across Balkh and nearby provinces, including Samangan, with reports of debris at the historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif. The Taliban government and local authorities are monitoring the situation, while previous earthquakes in the region highlight Afghanistan’s vulnerability due to its location on fault lines, non-earthquake-resistant buildings, and limited infrastructure, which often hampers relief efforts.

  • Arrests in Louvre Heist Show Power of DNA Databases in Solving Crimes – 03.11.2025

French police quickly apprehended three suspects involved in the theft of eight crown jewels from the Louvre, largely thanks to DNA evidence collected from the scene and the objects used in the heist. The suspects’ DNA matched profiles already in France’s National Automated Genetic Fingerprint File, a database established in 1998 and now containing millions of samples from individuals suspected or convicted of various crimes. The database, which has grown to include a wide range of offenses and can be cross-checked with other European and U.S. databases, has become a key tool for solving both recent and cold cases. Unlike in the U.S., where law enforcement increasingly uses commercial genealogy databases, France largely restricts DNA use to its official database, citing privacy and historical concerns, though new legislation may allow access to foreign genealogical data for serious unsolved crimes.

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