The United Nations Security Council has unanimously endorsed a 20-point plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The resolution, adopted with a 13-0 vote and abstentions from China and Russia, grants Trump significant control over Gaza’s stabilization efforts. The plan includes the establishment of an international stabilization force, a ‘Board of Peace’ chaired by Trump, and a committee of Palestinian technocrats to oversee governance for a two-year period. The resolution also outlines a potential pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, contingent on meeting specific reform and reconstruction milestones. The stabilization force, in coordination with Egypt and Israel, will secure border areas, ensure the demilitarization of Gaza, and facilitate humanitarian aid. However, Hamas has rejected the resolution, arguing it undermines Palestinian rights and imposes an international trusteeship. The plan’s success hinges on the Palestinian Authority’s reforms and Gaza’s reconstruction progress, with the US mediating discussions between Israel and Palestinians for a peaceful coexistence.
分类： politics
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Israel tries Al-Aqsa imam Ekrima Sabri over alleged ‘incitement’
Israeli authorities have initiated the trial of Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the prominent imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, on charges of incitement. The first hearing took place on Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Israeli authorities and Palestinian religious leaders. The charges, filed in August 2024, stem from two condolence speeches Sabri delivered in 2022 and his public mourning of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh following his assassination in 2024. Sabri’s legal team argues that the case is part of a broader campaign of political, religious, and ideological persecution targeting the imam. Khaled Zabarka, head of Sabri’s defense team, described the trial as ‘the embodiment of racist persecution’ and accused Israeli authorities of attempting to silence influential Palestinian voices. Sabri, 86, a former grand mufti of Jerusalem and head of the Supreme Islamic Council, has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian causes and the Islamic claim to Al-Aqsa Mosque. His trial coincides with an intensifying Israeli crackdown on Palestinian access to the mosque, with increasing restrictions imposed on worshippers and imams. Zabarka highlighted that Israeli authorities have banned numerous individuals, including Sabri, from entering the site, often for mentioning Gaza in sermons. He condemned these actions as ‘an outright intrusion into the Friday sermons at Al-Aqsa Mosque,’ warning of a concerning new trend. Israel’s control of East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, continues to violate international law, which prohibits occupying powers from asserting sovereignty or making permanent changes to occupied territories.
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First charges in Philippine flood control scandal target ex-lawmaker, officials
In a significant development in the Philippine flood control corruption scandal, prosecutors have filed the first criminal charges against a former congressman, public works officials, and construction firm members. The charges, which include falsification of documents, misuse of public funds, and graft law violations, stem from a substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro province. The scandal, which has sparked public outrage and protests, involves allegations that billions of taxpayer dollars were siphoned off for ghost infrastructure projects. Ombudsman spokesman Mico Clavano emphasized that public funds were intended to protect communities from flooding, not to enrich officials or private contractors. The charges mark the beginning of what is expected to be a series of indictments, with more cases currently under preliminary investigation. The scandal has already led to the resignation of several high-profile figures, including two cabinet members and the House speaker. The controversy has also deepened political tensions, with President Ferdinand Marcos’s sister accusing him of drug use, a claim vehemently denied by his son. The scandal has become a focal point of public anger, with the Iglesia ni Cristo church holding massive rallies to demand accountability.
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Tanzania’s leader says election violence could hurt access to international funding
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed concerns on Tuesday that her government might lose access to crucial international funding, which has been a lifeline for the nation. This warning comes in the wake of the most severe election violence in the country’s history. The October 29 elections were marred by three days of protests, with the opposition claiming over 2,000 fatalities and hundreds arrested on treason charges. Although some detainees were later released, the unrest has cast a shadow over Tanzania’s political stability. President Hassan, who secured over 97% of the vote after the exclusion of major opposition candidates, emphasized the need to seek internal funding. “We must utilize our God-given resources to sustain our development projects,” she stated. The violence saw youth vandalizing polling stations, police stations, and bus terminals, with the military deployed to quell the chaos. Despite a return to calm following Hassan’s inauguration and her pledge to restore peace, the political climate remains tense. A Commonwealth delegation, led by Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera, is set to engage with Tanzanian officials, political representatives, and civil society to address the situation. Tanzania, long considered peaceful despite allegations of repression, now faces a critical juncture in its political and economic trajectory.
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Macao SAR to speed up reform, diversification in 2026: chief executive
In a significant policy address delivered on Tuesday, Sam Hou-fai, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), outlined the government’s strategic priorities for 2026. Emphasizing the need for comprehensive administrative reform and economic diversification, Sam highlighted the SAR’s commitment to enhancing livelihoods and deepening integration into national development frameworks. The address, presented at the Legislative Assembly, underscored the challenges posed by shifting global and domestic economic landscapes, urging a balanced approach that aligns short-term needs with long-term planning. Sam stressed the importance of revitalizing existing resources while fostering new growth areas, ensuring that economic development and livelihood improvements reinforce each other. The policy blueprint also aims to bolster Macao’s economic recovery, with a focus on positive GDP growth and an improved business environment. Key initiatives include leveraging the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and enhancing governance capacity through legal and administrative reforms. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to national security, ensuring robust safeguards to support high-quality and sustainable development.
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Zelensky to meet Trump envoy in Turkey in bid to ‘intensify’ peace talks
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to participate in high-level discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday. The meeting aims to accelerate peace negotiations as Ukraine seeks to end the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelensky emphasized that ‘bringing the war to a close with all our might is Ukraine’s top priority,’ while also highlighting efforts to resume prisoner exchanges. Turkey, which has maintained diplomatic ties with both Kyiv and Moscow, has previously facilitated talks between the two nations. However, no Russian representatives will attend the Ankara meeting, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Peskov noted that while there are ‘no concrete plans’ for President Vladimir Putin to engage with either Erdogan or Witkoff, Putin remains ‘open to a conversation.’ The Ankara meeting marks Zelensky’s fourth stop in a whirlwind diplomatic tour, following visits to Athens, Paris, and Madrid, where he secured energy deals, fighter jet agreements, and arms manufacturing collaborations, respectively. These efforts are part of Zelensky’s broader strategy to bolster European support for Ukraine as Russian forces intensify their offensive, particularly around the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk. Domestically, Zelensky faces mounting challenges, including corruption investigations involving his inner circle and the resignation of two ministers. The scandal threatens to undermine Ukraine’s credibility as EU leaders prepare to decide on unblocking a €140 billion loan tied to frozen Russian assets. Meanwhile, the fundamental disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv persist, with Russia demanding Ukraine renounce NATO ambitions and withdraw from contested regions, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Zelensky has consistently rejected these terms, arguing that such concessions would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks. Despite earlier diplomatic efforts, including a meeting between Witkoff and Putin in April, progress toward a ceasefire has stalled. Recent behind-the-scenes talks between US and Russian officials, including a reported meeting in Washington between Witkoff and Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev, suggest ongoing, albeit discreet, engagement.
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Ex-UN official decries resolution backing Gaza force as ‘colonial outrage’
A former senior UN human rights official has vehemently criticized the UN Security Council’s adoption of a US-backed resolution concerning foreign governance and military presence in Gaza, labeling it a “colonial outrage.” Craig Mokhiber, former director of the New York office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), described the vote as a “day of shame” for the UN, accusing global governments of capitulating to the “US empire and its violent Israeli client.” Mokhiber condemned the resolution as a blatant violation of international law, stating that it had been rejected by Palestinian civil society, factions, and human rights defenders worldwide. He emphasized that the struggle for Palestinian freedom would persist despite the resolution. The US-drafted resolution, passed on Monday with 13 votes in favor and abstentions from Russia and China, outlines a transitional authority for Gaza, chaired by a “Board of Peace” led by former US President Donald Trump. It also authorizes an “international stabilization force” to oversee the demilitarization of Gaza. Hamas and other Palestinian factions have denounced the resolution, calling it an imposition of “international guardianship” and a continuation of Israeli objectives. The Palestinian Authority, however, welcomed the resolution, expressing readiness to collaborate with the Trump administration. Critics argue that the resolution normalizes Israeli actions and establishes a parallel governance structure outside recognized international legal frameworks, effectively amounting to a new form of colonialism.
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Poll unrest has ‘stained’ Tanzania’s global image, president says
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has initiated an official investigation into the violent unrest that erupted following last month’s contentious elections, acknowledging that the turmoil has tarnished the nation’s reputation for stability. Speaking during the swearing-in of her new cabinet, President Samia emphasized that the violence could hinder Tanzania’s progress and undermine its credibility on the global stage. “Our stability and progress previously secured us international loans, but recent events have eroded that trust,” she stated. The October elections, in which Samia was declared the winner with 98% of the vote, were marred by allegations of fraud and the disqualification of key opposition candidates. The opposition labeled the election a “mockery of democracy.” Reports suggest hundreds may have died during protests, which were met with a severe crackdown by security forces and a five-day internet blackout. While the authorities have not released an official death toll, graphic images and videos of the violence have circulated widely. In response, President Samia has urged prosecutors to consider reducing or dropping charges for detained individuals not directly involved in the protests. Meanwhile, Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi’s former president and Commonwealth envoy, is set to lead reconciliation efforts in Tanzania. President Samia also warned of potential economic challenges in her next term, stressing the need to mobilize domestic resources. Notably, her daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, was appointed deputy education minister, while her son-in-law retained his position as health minister. The Commonwealth has expressed hope that Chakwera’s mission will foster constructive dialogue in the region.
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Derry flight and Newry theatre get a share of €50m Dublin funding
The Irish government has announced a significant €50 million investment as part of its Shared Island initiative, aimed at enhancing cross-border connectivity and economic development. Spearheaded by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the initiative includes a €2 million allocation to relaunch flights between Dublin and Londonderry in 2026, marking a strategic move to strengthen regional ties. The flight service, funded under a Public Service Obligation (PSO), will initially operate for two years before being reviewed. This follows the discontinuation of a similar service in 2011. Additionally, the government has committed €5.9 million to improve cross-border emergency services, focusing on flood response and technical rescue operations. Other notable projects include €14 million for a Shared Island Media initiative, €6 million for the Shared Home Place programme, and €14.5 million for arts projects, including the development of Newry Theatre. The initiative also allocates €6.4 million for a cross-border pilot programme to combat Bovine TB, in collaboration with Northern Ireland. Martin emphasized the initiative’s goal of fostering greater connectivity and cooperation across the island, while Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris highlighted the unique perspectives immigrant communities bring to shaping a shared future.
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Venezuela’s Maduro ‘ready to talk’ as US ramps up pressure
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has expressed willingness to engage in direct talks with the Trump administration as US pressure intensifies. This comes in response to US President Donald Trump’s refusal to rule out deploying ground forces to Venezuela. The Trump administration has accused Maduro, whose 2024 re-election was widely criticized as fraudulent, of leading a drug cartel. Maduro denies these allegations, countering that the US aims to provoke a war to seize Venezuela’s oil reserves. Since Trump’s second inauguration in January, the US has ramped up its efforts against Maduro, doubling the reward for his capture to $50 million and launching ‘Operation Southern Spear,’ a counternarcotics mission targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels. Over 80 people have died in US strikes on these vessels, primarily in the Caribbean. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claims the operation aims to eliminate ‘narcoterrorists’ from the Western Hemisphere, though legal experts question its legality due to a lack of evidence. The deployment of the USS Gerald Ford, the US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, has fueled speculation that the US seeks to oust Maduro. Trump’s ambiguous statements have added to the uncertainty. While he initially downplayed the possibility of war, he later refused to rule out ground troops in Venezuela. The US State Department has also announced plans to designate the alleged Maduro-led Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective November 24. Analysts interpret this delay, coupled with Trump’s openness to talks, as an ultimatum for Maduro to negotiate or face harsher measures. Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has called for the military to defect, labeling Maduro’s government as a ‘criminal structure’ and advocating for accountability for human rights abuses. Maduro, addressing the US public directly in English, has reiterated his commitment to dialogue and peace.