作者: admin

  • Anti-fraud effort defends public’s property, dignity

    Anti-fraud effort defends public’s property, dignity

    China’s relentless fight against telecom and online fraud has become a cornerstone of its efforts to safeguard public property and dignity. This year marks the fifth anniversary of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, which has guided the nation’s intensified crackdown on fraudulent activities. Beijing police officer Xing Yunwei highlights the challenges in convincing victims of scams, emphasizing the importance of protecting not just finances but also the peace of mind of the public. In one notable case, an elderly woman, targeted by online scammers, was persuaded to cooperate after persistent efforts by law enforcement, leading to the recovery of most of her stolen funds. The Anti-Telecom and Online Fraud Law, enacted in December 2022, has been pivotal in clarifying responsibilities across government departments, telecom operators, and financial institutions, ensuring efficient and accountable law enforcement. From 2021 to July 2025, China’s public security organs have solved nearly 1.74 million telecom-fraud cases, arrested 366,000 suspects, and intercepted billions of scam calls and messages. The national anti-fraud center has issued over 20 million fund early-warning alerts, and local police have conducted face-to-face visits to prevent potential victims from transferring money. Joint operations with countries like Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia have led to the apprehension of over 80,000 suspects. The campaign reflects China’s commitment to addressing urgent public issues, dismantling criminal organizations, and protecting legitimate rights and interests. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, law enforcement agencies continue to serve the people, ensuring a safer and more secure society.

  • Cairo conference on Gaza reconstruction postponed

    Cairo conference on Gaza reconstruction postponed

    The highly anticipated Gaza reconstruction conference, initially scheduled for November in Cairo, has been postponed indefinitely due to escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank. This delay has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the next phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly had previously confirmed Egypt’s readiness to host the event during his speech at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, but did not specify a date. According to Arabic outlet Asharq Al-Awsat, an Egyptian source revealed that the conference’s postponement stems from the ongoing Israeli escalation and repeated violations, which have left many countries demanding guarantees against future destruction in Gaza. These guarantees remain unsecured, further complicating the situation. Recent weeks have seen both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of breaching the truce, with the United Nations and various media outlets reporting Israeli strikes resulting in civilian casualties, including children. The Israel Defense Forces have justified their actions by claiming that Hamas fighters are emerging from underground tunnels and posing threats to their troops. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office has emphasized that Hamas must uphold its commitments to mediators and return all hostages, including the remains of two captives still missing in Gaza. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged parties to maintain the ceasefire and capitalize on the diplomatic momentum, describing the October agreement as a ‘glimmer of hope.’ However, the postponement of the Cairo conference coincides with a new UN report highlighting the dire economic crisis in the occupied Palestinian Territory, which has erased 69 years of human development. The report estimates that the cost of Gaza’s reconstruction exceeds $70 billion, placing it among the top 10 worst global economic crises since 1960. Omer Behram Ozdemir, a lecturer at Ibn Haldun University in Turkiye, stressed that prolonged negotiations have exacerbated Gaza’s infrastructure damage and eroded its commercial potential. He called for significant funding from Gulf countries and Egypt to restore normalcy in Gaza, emphasizing that mere reconstruction of the city will not suffice.

  • Political prisoners released in Myanmar mass amnesty

    Political prisoners released in Myanmar mass amnesty

    In a significant move ahead of the December 28 elections, Myanmar’s military rulers have granted amnesty to over 3,000 individuals detained for opposing army rule, while dropping charges against more than 5,500 others. The mass release, announced by state-run broadcaster MRTV on Wednesday, aims to ensure eligible voters can participate in the upcoming polls. On Thursday, at least eight buses carrying prisoners departed from Yangon’s Insein Prison, where families and friends eagerly awaited their loved ones since early morning. Among those released were Kyi Toe, a member of the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) central information committee, and freelance journalist Zaw Lin Htut, both arrested in 2021. However, there was no indication that former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held incommunicado since the 2021 military coup, would be freed. Critics argue that the election will lack fairness, citing the absence of free media and the imprisonment of most NLD leaders. The amnesty includes 3,085 prisoners convicted under the incitement law, which criminalizes spreading comments that create public unrest or fear. Additionally, 724 prisoners received conditional release, while 5,580 individuals facing incitement charges were granted amnesty. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 22,708 political detainees, including Suu Kyi, remain in custody. The 80-year-old Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence following what supporters describe as politically motivated prosecutions. The 2021 military takeover sparked widespread nonviolent resistance, which has since evolved into an armed struggle.

  • Former AP photographer’s vintage images of Ireland capture a world before it disappeared

    Former AP photographer’s vintage images of Ireland capture a world before it disappeared

    A collection of rare black-and-white photographs from 1963, capturing Ireland on the cusp of modernity, has been unveiled at the Irish embassy in Berlin. The images, taken by German photographer Diether Endlicher, offer a poignant glimpse into a vanishing way of life. Endlicher, now 85, was honored last weekend for his work, which documents the daily lives of Irish people before the advent of modern conveniences. The photos depict boatmen, fishermen, herders, and women transporting milk by donkey cart, alongside dramatic landscapes and ruined abbeys. These images, long forgotten in Endlicher’s attic, were recently rediscovered and digitized, sparking renewed interest in their historical significance. Irish Ambassador Maeve Collins praised the photos for their “beautiful detail” and their vivid portrayal of life on Ireland’s west coast in the early 1960s. Endlicher, who later became a renowned photojournalist for The Associated Press, captured these scenes during a road trip in a tiny Fiat 500. His journey took him to the Aran Islands, where he documented a world untouched by electricity and modernity. The exhibition not only celebrates Endlicher’s artistry but also serves as a testament to Ireland’s cultural and social transformation.

  • BBC on the scene of the Hong Kong apartment block blaze

    BBC on the scene of the Hong Kong apartment block blaze

    A devastating fire engulfed a residential building in Hong Kong, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 44 lives. The blaze, which broke out unexpectedly, required an arduous 18-hour effort by local firefighting teams to fully extinguish. Emergency responders faced significant challenges in controlling the inferno, highlighting the intensity and complexity of the situation. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about fire safety measures in densely populated urban areas. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and to assess whether existing safety protocols were adequately followed. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for enhanced fire prevention strategies and improved emergency response systems in Hong Kong’s residential infrastructure.

  • More than 30 dead and 14 missing as heavy rains trigger landslides and floods in Sri Lanka

    More than 30 dead and 14 missing as heavy rains trigger landslides and floods in Sri Lanka

    COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka has been plunged into chaos as relentless heavy rains triggered catastrophic landslides and widespread flooding, claiming the lives of over 30 people and leaving 14 others missing, officials reported on Thursday. The disaster has particularly ravaged the central provinces of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, renowned for their tea-growing mountainous terrain, located approximately 300 kilometers east of the capital, Colombo.

  • Macron to unveil French voluntary military service

    Macron to unveil French voluntary military service

    In response to escalating concerns over Russia’s growing influence and military aggression in Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron is set to announce a new national military service initiative on Thursday. The plan, which emphasizes voluntary participation, aims to strengthen France’s defense capabilities without reinstating conscription, which was abolished in 1996. Macron’s visit to the Varces military base in the French Alps will underscore the urgency of preparing the nation for emerging threats.

  • Muslim Brotherhood says Trump’s terror designation is ‘detached from reality’

    Muslim Brotherhood says Trump’s terror designation is ‘detached from reality’

    The Muslim Brotherhood has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to designate certain chapters of the group as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), labeling it as ‘detached from reality’ and politically motivated. In a statement released via their official X account on Wednesday, the group asserted that Trump’s claims of their involvement in terrorist activities were ‘unsupported by evidence.’ They argued that the order lacked credible legal or security foundations and warned that it sets a dangerous precedent. The statement further accused Trump of succumbing to pressure from Israel and the UAE, two nations historically hostile to the Brotherhood, and claimed the order undermines U.S. national security and regional stability. The Muslim Brotherhood emphasized that independent organizations in Muslim countries, while sharing a common Islamic ideology, operate autonomously and lawfully within their respective nations. They highlighted their long history of peaceful social, religious, and political engagement. The Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in the late 1920s, gained prominence during the 2011 Arab protests but has faced significant opposition from regional powers like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The group’s brief political ascendancy in Egypt ended with the 2013 coup that ousted President Mohamed Morsi. The Brotherhood remains a contentious issue in the region, with many monarchies viewing it as a threat to their rule.

  • What to know about Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Turkey and Lebanon, the first of his pontificate

    What to know about Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Turkey and Lebanon, the first of his pontificate

    Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in history, embarks on his inaugural foreign journey to Turkey and Lebanon from November 27 to December 2. This visit underscores the Vatican’s commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and strengthening ties with Orthodox Christians and Muslims, two of the Catholic Church’s key priorities. The trip also provides a global platform for the Pope to advocate for peace in the Middle East, a region marred by prolonged conflict. Notably, Pope Leo will deliver his messages in English and French, diverging from the Vatican’s traditional use of Italian, to ensure broader global understanding. Security measures are heightened following recent tensions, including an Israeli airstrike in Beirut targeting Hezbollah just days before the Pope’s arrival. The journey fulfills the unfulfilled plans of his predecessor, Pope Francis, whose health had prevented him from visiting these nations. Turkey, a frequent papal destination, holds historical significance as the home of the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Church. Lebanon, known for its religious tolerance, remains a bastion for Christians in the region despite years of turmoil. Pope Leo’s itinerary includes commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in Turkey, praying at the site of the 325 AD gathering, and signing a joint declaration with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to symbolize Christian unity. In Lebanon, the Pope will preside over interfaith meetings, visit the site of the devastating 2020 Beirut port blast, and engage with young Lebanese, offering encouragement amidst the country’s ongoing challenges. The trip highlights the Vatican’s unwavering support for Palestinians and its dedication to promoting peace and dialogue in a fractured region.

  • Pope Leo XIV opens first foreign trip with visit to Turkey that highlights religious, political ties

    Pope Leo XIV opens first foreign trip with visit to Turkey that highlights religious, political ties

    Pope Leo XIV embarks on his inaugural foreign journey to Turkey, fulfilling the late Pope Francis’ vision to commemorate a significant Orthodox milestone and promote peace in a region grappling with the Ukraine war and Middle East tensions. The pontiff’s itinerary begins in Ankara, where he will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and address the diplomatic corps, followed by a three-day ecumenical and interfaith engagement in Istanbul before proceeding to Lebanon. Turkey, a predominantly Sunni Muslim nation of over 85 million, has positioned itself as a pivotal mediator in peace negotiations for Ukraine and Gaza, hosting talks between Russia and Ukraine and proposing a stabilization force in Gaza. Pope Leo’s visit coincides with these efforts, and his arrival speech is expected to acknowledge Turkey’s role. Despite Turkey’s growing military influence as NATO’s second-largest army, domestic challenges such as a cost-of-living crisis have overshadowed international politics for many citizens. While the visit has garnered limited attention among Turks outside the Christian community, some view it as a potential U.S.-driven initiative, possibly linked to reopening the Greek Orthodox seminary in Turkey. The primary purpose of Leo’s trip is to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Christianity’s first ecumenical council. He will pray with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the historic site in Iznik and sign a joint declaration symbolizing Christian unity. The visit also aims to strengthen Catholic-Muslim relations, with Leo scheduled to visit Istanbul’s Blue Mosque and lead an interfaith meeting. Imam Asgın Tunca emphasized the visit’s potential to foster mutual understanding and dispel misconceptions about Islam. While Turkey has made strides in religious freedoms under Erdogan’s government, challenges persist for Christian groups, including the Catholic Church, which lacks formal legal recognition. Rev. Paolo Pugliese highlighted the Church’s international profile and the pope’s support as crucial assets. A delicate moment awaits Leo during his visit to the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Istanbul, given the historical tensions over the Armenian genocide. Unlike Pope Francis, who labeled the event as genocide in 2015, Leo is expected to tread cautiously to avoid diplomatic fallout. The Vatican also faces scrutiny over its relations with Armenia amid its outreach to Azerbaijan.