海角大神

Poland shot down Russian drones in its airspace with NATO鈥檚 help, raising questions about the alliance鈥檚 pledge to protect its members. Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the move a 鈥渓arge-scale provocation鈥� but said the country is not on the brink of war. Analysts suggest Moscow may be testing NATO鈥檚 resolve and deterring allies from sending troops to Ukraine. Some experts say the move could instead unify NATO. 鈥� Staff

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to seek sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel over its military actions in Gaza. This marks a shift from her previous pro-Israel stance. The EU is divided on the issue, and it鈥檚 uncertain if a majority will support the measures. Ms. Von der Leyen said the suffering in Gaza 鈥渉as shaken the conscience of the world.鈥� Israel denies claims of starvation in Gaza. 鈥� The Associated Press

Hong Kong鈥檚 legislature rejected a bill that would have granted limited rights to same-sex couples. Lawmakers voted 71 to 14 against the measure, despite a 2023 court order requiring a framework to recognize same-sex partnerships by October. Advocates called the outcome a setback, noting rising public support for marriage equality. The number of countries allowing same-sex marriage or civil unions has risen gradually since 2001. 鈥� Staff

U.S. producer prices fell unexpectedly in August. The Labor Department鈥檚 producer price index, which tracks inflation in the supply chain, showed wholesale inflation fell 0.1% after rising 0.7% in July. The drop suggests retailers and wholesalers may be absorbing the cost of President Trump鈥檚 tariffs. Economists say the data makes the Fed more likely to cut rates next week. Tariffs have had a muted effect on prices so far. 鈥� AP

A public lands rule that gave conservation the same status as development is facing new pushback. The 2024 rule let restoration projects lease land like energy and mining companies. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Wednesday that canceling it ensures access for development. Environmentalists warn it weakens protections for wildlife and public resources. The proposal opens a 60-day public comment period. 鈥� Staff

New Mexico will become the first state to guarantee no-cost universal child care, starting Nov. 1. All families will be eligible regardless of income, saving an estimated average of $12,000 per child each year. Opponents question whether the state can afford the extra $120 million annual expense. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called the move the 鈥渂ackbone鈥� of efforts to lift New Mexico out of poverty, giving every child the 鈥渂est early start.鈥� 鈥� Staff

A NASA rover may have found signs of ancient life on Mars. A rock core gathered last year by the Perseverance rover found iron-rich minerals and chemical patterns often linked to biological activity on Earth. The findings, published in Nature, are not conclusive: nonbiological processes could explain the patterns. Still, the discovery adds weight to the theory that Mars could once have hosted life. 鈥� Staff

While the motive behind the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk remains unknown, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called it 鈥渁 political assassination.鈥� Some experts say concerted leadership is needed to stem such violence.

Chinese students and scholars have long made up the largest foreign scientific community in America, a major talent pool. The Trump administration has not made them feel welcome; can Beijing tempt them to return home?

Israel Tuesday tried, but failed, to kill its top negotiating partner in Gaza peace talks. The attack involved Israeli jets bombing the capital of Qatar, a key American ally, without giving Washington due warning. What were they thinking?

What leads people to disobey an evacuation order? In Gaza City, many residents say there is simply no place to go.聽

At the 50th annual Toronto International Film Festival, our critic has watched more than 20 movies. His takeaway? 鈥淢ovies 鈥� good, bad, or indifferent 鈥� can be a passport to global understanding.鈥�

A just-concluded climate summit for Africa, the second one for the continent, attracted thousands of participants and more than 50 heads of state. The turnout in Ethiopia underscored not only Africa鈥檚 vulnerability to extreme weather but also, encouragingly, a shared vision to tackle the effects of climate change in a way that promotes economic growth.

The summit鈥檚 tone signaled a move past the often-unmet expectations of foreign assistance for climate adaptation. The focus was on coordinating priorities among African nations, unlocking human and natural resources, and seeking investment in African-led innovation in green technology and food security.

Kenya鈥檚 climate envoy, Ali Mohamed, called for a 鈥渃ontinent-wide climate pact to replace isolated national plans.鈥� And Wamkele Mene, head of the continent鈥檚 free-trade secretariat, said the point is to 鈥渕obilize African capital first,鈥� shifting from being an aid recipient to being an investment partner, the news site Mongabay reported.

At the summit, a deal was sealed among some large African banks and development finance institutions to mobilize $100 billion for building out renewable energy for new industries. The African Union and European partners agreed to boost access to electricity through cross-border transmission infrastructure. About 600 million Africans, or roughly 40% of the continent鈥檚 population, do not have electricity.

Even within the constraints of climate change and poverty, Africa鈥檚 citizens demonstrate high entrepreneurial energy and drive. If political and business leaders match actions to summit words, African nations can avoid or leapfrog some of the environmental pitfalls of industrialization models followed by the West, Asia, or Latin America. But this would call for less bureaucracy, more innovation-friendly policies, and reliable, accountable governance and financial institutions.

The scope for climate-resilient investment is growing, with the African Development Bank allocating $5.5 billion in 2024. And a new report this week shows that private finance for such investments worldwide reached $134 billion in 2024, a 33% increase from 2023.

Perhaps Ethiopia鈥檚 Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed best summed up Africa鈥檚 evolving stance and potential for climate action.

鈥淲e are not here to negotiate our survival,鈥� he said, declaring that Africa is poised to design a new type of climate-resilient economy. 鈥淒o not fund us because we are impacted [by climate change], but invest with us because we are visionary.鈥澛�