分类： politics

In the Rangpuri Pahari slum of Delhi, a wave of unease has swept through the community of migrant workers. These individuals, who have long lived on the margins of society, are now confronted with the daunting prospect of making unexpected and costly trips back to their hometowns to ensure their names remain on India’s electoral rolls. This follows the initiation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by India’s Election Commission on November 4, a nationwide effort to update voter lists across 12 states and federally administered regions, encompassing nearly 510 million voters. The SIR aims to eliminate ineligible voters and include those who are eligible, but for many migrant workers, this process poses significant challenges. Anjali Mondol, a domestic worker, expressed her concerns about the financial strain and potential job loss associated with taking unplanned leave. Similar worries were voiced by Subhashri Doloi, who fears depleting her savings meant for voting in the upcoming elections. The SIR also raises fears about access to welfare schemes and, for those from West Bengal, the added anxiety of proving citizenship amidst ongoing crackdowns on alleged illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. While the Election Commission has introduced online verification to ease the process, many workers remain unfamiliar with or wary of this option. The physical forms can be filled by family members, but the lack of awareness and the tight deadlines exacerbate the stress. Rajesh Kumar, a trade unionist, has called for more awareness campaigns and help desks in major cities to assist migrant workers. Despite these challenges, some, like Ramdhin Prajapati, view the SIR as a necessary one-time effort. However, for workers from West Bengal, where elections are imminent, the time constraints are particularly pressing. The situation underscores the broader issues faced by India’s migrant population, who navigate the complexities of electoral participation while grappling with job insecurity and financial instability.

In a significant move to address widespread public outrage, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the detention of seven suspects linked to a major corruption scandal involving flood control projects. Speaking on Monday, Marcos revealed that additional suspects are being pursued, including powerful members of Congress implicated in the brazen anomalies. The scandal has exposed substandard or non-existent flood control initiatives in the poverty-stricken Southeast Asian nation, which is highly vulnerable to deadly floods and extreme weather. The Sandiganbayan, a special anti-corruption court, has already indicted over a dozen suspects, including former House of Representatives member Zaldy Co and government public works engineers. This marks the first wave of what is expected to be dozens of criminal graft and corruption lawsuits, with Marcos vowing to bring implicated senators, House members, and wealthy construction company owners to justice by Christmas. The initial case involves irregularities in a 289 million peso ($4.8 million) river dike project in Oriental Mindoro province, undertaken by Sunwest Corp., a construction firm allegedly owned by Co’s family. One suspect was arrested, while six others surrendered over the weekend. Marcos urged remaining suspects to surrender, emphasizing that the crackdown will continue relentlessly. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned that authorities will pursue suspects globally, with three individuals expected to surrender at Philippine embassies in the United States, New Zealand, and Jordan. The scandal has sparked massive protests, fueled by revelations of kickbacks, lavish lifestyles, and luxury assets among the accused. An upcoming demonstration on November 30, backed by the Roman Catholic Church, underscores the public’s frustration. Among those implicated is Rep. Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin and key ally, who has denied involvement but stepped down as House Speaker. Former Senate President Chiz Escudero has also been accused of pocketing kickbacks, though he denies wrongdoing. Marcos’s aides defended him, noting he first raised concerns about the irregularities in his July state of the nation address. Investigations now span over 9,855 flood control projects worth 545 billion pesos ($9 billion) since Marcos took office in mid-2022, with officials estimating up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) lost to corruption since 2023. The probe may extend to projects undertaken during the tenure of Marcos’s predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

Nestled in the western Pacific, Palau’s serene waters and vibrant marine life once drew throngs of tourists, particularly from China. However, the tourism boom that peaked between 2015 and 2017 has since collapsed, leaving local businesses struggling. The decline, according to Palauan officials, was no accident but a calculated move by Beijing to pressure Palau into severing ties with Taiwan. China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province, has long sought to isolate the island diplomatically. Palau remains one of the few nations recognizing Taiwan, a stance that has placed it at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war involving China, Taiwan, and the United States.

US President Donald Trump has once again lashed out at Ukraine, accusing its leadership of showing ‘zero gratitude’ for Washington’s support in its conflict with Russia. This criticism came as top US and Ukrainian officials convened in Geneva to discuss a potential peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war. Trump voiced his frustrations on his Truth Social platform, labeling the conflict a ‘human catastrophe’ and taking aim at his predecessor, Joe Biden, while notably refraining from directly condemning Moscow. Trump’s remarks underscore his longstanding dissatisfaction with the war, which erupted in 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, resulting in significant territorial losses and widespread destruction. During his presidential campaign last year, Trump had promised to broker peace within 24 hours, but his sporadic diplomatic efforts have yielded little progress. He now faces criticism from within his own party over a 28-point plan being discussed in Geneva, which some argue could favor Russia’s war objectives. While Trump has expressed disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin, he has rarely criticized him directly, instead focusing his ire on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his recent social media post, Trump also criticized European nations for continuing to purchase Russian oil and derided Biden as ‘crooked Joe’ for providing Ukraine with military aid. Zelensky, however, has consistently expressed gratitude for the substantial US military support, which has been crucial in Ukraine’s ongoing defense against Russian forces.

The Philippine Presidential Office, Malacañang Palace, has firmly responded to Vice President Sara Duterte’s call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to undergo a hair follicle drug test. The challenge arose amidst allegations from Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s sister, who claimed during a November 17 rally that Marcos and his family were involved in illegal drug use.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has issued a stern warning against the resurgence of Japanese militarism, emphasizing that there is no room for compromise on matters of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Speaking to reporters after concluding his Central Asia tour, Wang asserted that all nations committed to justice have the right and responsibility to prevent Japan from reviving its militaristic tendencies. His remarks followed recent comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who publicly discussed the possibility of Japanese military intervention in Taiwan—a statement she has yet to retract. Wang’s Central Asia visit, which included strategic dialogues with counterparts in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, reinforced regional support for the one-China principle. All three nations reaffirmed that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, underscoring the international consensus on the issue. Wang described these statements as timely and significant, highlighting their alignment with China’s stance on Taiwan and the foundational norms of international relations. He reiterated that the one-China principle remains a steadfast and universal agreement within the global community.