分类: politics

  • US to start UN negotiations on international Gaza force mandate

    US to start UN negotiations on international Gaza force mandate

    The United States has formally commenced negotiations at the United Nations Security Council to establish an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, as part of President Donald Trump’s broader peace plan. The draft resolution, circulated to the 15-member council, seeks to authorize a two-year mandate for the ISF, which would focus on protecting civilians, securing border areas with Israel and Egypt, and supporting a newly trained Palestinian police force. The force would also be tasked with demilitarizing Gaza, including dismantling military infrastructure and disarming non-state armed groups, such as Hamas. A senior US official, speaking anonymously, emphasized regional support for the resolution and expressed confidence in its adoption despite potential objections from Russia and China. The ISF is expected to comprise approximately 20,000 troops from various nations, with the UN mandate being a critical requirement for their deployment. The resolution follows a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which marked the first phase of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. The US official stressed the urgency of the situation, warning that delays could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire.

  • Serbia passes a special bill enabling Trump’s son-in-law to build luxury complex despite opposition

    Serbia passes a special bill enabling Trump’s son-in-law to build luxury complex despite opposition

    In a contentious move, Serbian lawmakers passed a special law on Friday to facilitate a real estate project financed by a company associated with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The project, which aims to redevelop a historic former Yugoslav military complex in Belgrade, has sparked widespread public opposition and legal challenges. The site, partially destroyed during NATO’s 1999 bombing campaign, holds significant architectural and symbolic value for many Serbians. Despite protests and a heated parliamentary debate, the bill was approved with a 130-40 vote in the 250-member assembly. The law, known as Lex Specialis, bypasses legal hurdles and allows the demolition of remaining structures on the site, which are considered prime examples of mid-20th century Yugoslav architecture. Critics argue that the project undermines Serbia’s legal system and cultural heritage, with corruption watchdog Transparency Serbia warning of dangerous precedents. President Aleksandar Vucic’s government, however, defends the initiative as a boost to the economy and U.S.-Serbia relations. The $500-million project includes plans for a luxury hotel, apartments, offices, and shops, with a memorial complex dedicated to NATO bombing victims. Opposition lawmakers and protesters decry the move as a betrayal of national heritage, with banners reading, ‘Culture is not for sale.’ The project’s sensitivity is heightened by lingering anti-NATO sentiments in Serbia, stemming from the 1999 bombing campaign. This development follows Kushner’s company securing a $1.6 billion investment deal in Albania, further fueling debates over foreign influence in the Balkans.

  • Xi congratulates Paul Biya on re-election as president of Cameroon

    Xi congratulates Paul Biya on re-election as president of Cameroon

    Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his congratulations to Paul Biya on his re-election as the President of Cameroon in a formal message on Friday. Xi highlighted the enduring friendship between China and Cameroon, emphasizing the strengthened political trust and successful collaborations across multiple sectors in recent years. Both nations have consistently supported each other on critical issues related to their core interests and major concerns. Xi also pointed out that the upcoming 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries presents a fresh opportunity to further enhance bilateral ties. He expressed his commitment to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Cameroon, leveraging the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit to bring greater benefits to their peoples.

  • ‘I thought it was a prank’ – How a Brazilian woman became the face of India vote fraud row

    ‘I thought it was a prank’ – How a Brazilian woman became the face of India vote fraud row

    Larissa Nery, a Brazilian hairdresser, has unexpectedly become the focal point of a political storm in India following allegations of election fraud. The controversy erupted after Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi held a press conference on Wednesday, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission (EC) of manipulating voter lists in last year’s Haryana state election. During the conference, Gandhi displayed a series of slides, including one featuring Nery’s photograph, claiming that her image had been used multiple times under different names on the voter list. Nery, who lives in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and has never visited India, initially thought the situation was a mistake or a prank. However, as her social media accounts were flooded with messages and journalists began contacting her, she realized the gravity of the situation. Nery confirmed to the BBC that the photograph was indeed hers, taken in 2017 by Brazilian photographer Matheus Ferrero. Ferrero, who shared the photo on Unsplash with Nery’s consent, expressed his shock at the misuse of the image and the sudden attention it garnered. Both Nery and Ferrero are now grappling with the unexpected intrusion into their lives, as the allegations continue to unfold in India. The BJP has denied the accusations, and the Election Commission has yet to respond to specific claims made by Gandhi. The incident has raised questions about the credibility of India’s electoral process and the implications of such allegations on the country’s political landscape.

  • 161 nominations received for Hong Kong LegCo election

    161 nominations received for Hong Kong LegCo election

    The nomination period for the 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election in Hong Kong concluded on Thursday, with a total of 161 nomination forms submitted across various constituencies. The Registration and Electoral Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government confirmed the figures, marking a significant step in the electoral process. The submissions included 51 nominations for geographical constituencies, 60 for functional constituencies, and 50 for the Election Committee constituency. The nomination period ended at 5 pm local time on November 6, 2025. Returning officers will now determine the order of candidates’ names on ballot papers and allocate designated spots for election advertisements through a lottery system on November 7. The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee is expected to publish a notice of validly nominated candidates in the gazette within 14 days. The election, scheduled for December 7, 2025, will determine the composition of the eighth LegCo, playing a pivotal role in Hong Kong’s governance and legislative framework.

  • Gaza peace force needs ‘legitimacy’: UN

    Gaza peace force needs ‘legitimacy’: UN

    United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that any stabilization force deployed in Gaza must derive its legitimacy from a mandate by the UN Security Council. Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Guterres underscored the necessity of a ceasefire that paves the way for a two-state solution and the recognition of an independent Palestinian state. His comments come amid ongoing discussions among Arab and Muslim-majority countries, who recently convened in Istanbul to deliberate on the establishment of an international peace force for Gaza. While some nations expressed reluctance to contribute troops, there was consensus that such a force would require UN Security Council authorization to be effective. Guterres lamented the Security Council’s diminished capacity to address crises, citing the veto power of superpowers often directly involved in conflicts. Since October 2023, the US has vetoed five ceasefire resolutions, the latest in June 2024. Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk criticized the proposal for an international force, arguing that it would serve as a substitute for the Israeli army and fail to address Palestinian rights. Meanwhile, eight Palestinian factions, led by Hamas, are set to meet in Cairo to discuss forming a transitional administration for Gaza. Belal Alakhras, a research fellow at the University of Malaya, warned that legitimizing a framework bypassing Palestinian rights through the Security Council sets a dangerous precedent. He urged the international community to focus on recovery and reconstruction rather than imposing interventions that could exacerbate suffering.

  • Thai king to pay state visit to China

    Thai king to pay state visit to China

    In a landmark event marking 50 years of diplomatic relations, King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand is set to embark on a state visit to China from November 13 to 17, 2025. This visit, the first by a Thai monarch since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1975, underscores the deepening relationship between the two nations. During his stay, King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana will engage in a series of high-level meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, alongside visits to significant cultural and developmental sites in Beijing. The Thai Foreign Ministry highlighted the visit as a testament to the enduring friendship and mutual understanding between Thailand and China, aiming to bolster bilateral relations and foster regional peace and prosperity. China, Thailand’s largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years, anticipates this visit to further enhance economic and political cooperation, building on a bilateral trade volume that surpassed $133.98 billion in the previous year. The visit also coincides with the golden jubilee of China-Thailand friendship, presenting new opportunities for collaboration in various sectors, including science, technology, and education.

  • Record gridlock exposes deep divide

    Record gridlock exposes deep divide

    The United States is grappling with its longest-ever federal government shutdown, a crisis that underscores the deepening partisan divide and systemic dysfunction in American governance. The shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, after lawmakers failed to agree on funding bills for the 2026 fiscal year, has now surpassed the previous record of 35 days set during the 2018-19 shutdown under President Donald Trump. Experts warn that this impasse reflects a broader trend of political polarization, where government shutdowns are increasingly weaponized as tools for partisan warfare. Wei Zongyou, a professor at Fudan University’s Center for American Studies, attributes the crisis to growing ideological rifts between Democrats and Republicans on key issues such as taxation, healthcare, and immigration. The inability to pass even temporary funding measures highlights the extreme nature of this divide. The shutdown has far-reaching consequences, disrupting essential services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which aids 42 million Americans, and forcing the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce airline traffic. Economically, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that a four-week shutdown could reduce real GDP by $7 billion, with losses escalating to $11 billion if the impasse continues for six weeks. Diao Daming, a professor of US studies at Renmin University of China, notes that the shutdown disproportionately affects the middle and lower classes while creating a dangerous blind spot for policymakers due to the halt in government data collection. This crisis underscores two critical challenges in US governance: an escalating fiscal crisis driven by reliance on debt and a widening ideological divide that hampers the government’s ability to function effectively.

  • Trump hints at India visit amid high-stakes trade deal talks

    Trump hints at India visit amid high-stakes trade deal talks

    US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about ongoing trade negotiations with India during a White House press briefing on Thursday. Describing the talks as ‘going good,’ Trump also hinted at a potential visit to India next year, praising Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as ‘a friend’ and ‘a great man.’ Trump reiterated his claim that India has ‘largely stopped buying oil from Russia,’ a statement he has made repeatedly in recent weeks. This comes after the US imposed 50% tariffs on India in August, including a 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil and arms, which Trump argues funds Moscow’s war in Ukraine—a claim India denies. The trade talks, which had stalled over India’s Russian oil imports, have now resumed as both nations aim to finalize a high-stakes trade deal this fall. Trump’s remarks also addressed the possibility of his attendance at the Quad Summit, a strategic alliance between Japan, the US, Australia, and India, scheduled to be hosted by India later this year. While the exact dates for the 2025 summit remain unconfirmed, Trump emphasized his commitment to strengthening US-India ties. Despite Trump’s assertions, India has not directly confirmed a reduction in Russian oil imports. Preliminary data from October showed a slight increase in India’s Russian oil purchases, though major refiners have reportedly scaled back following new US sanctions on Russian producers. India, the second-largest importer of Russian crude, has defended its energy strategy, citing the need to secure affordable oil for its population. The Trump administration has urged India to diversify its energy sources by increasing purchases from the US. Despite recent tensions, bilateral relations appear to be improving, with Trump and Modi frequently communicating and publicly reaffirming their commitment to enhancing trade and cooperation. In 2024, bilateral trade between the US and India reached $190 billion, with both leaders aiming to more than double this figure to $500 billion.

  • Kazakhstan, which already has full ties with Israel, to join Abraham Accords: Report

    Kazakhstan, which already has full ties with Israel, to join Abraham Accords: Report

    Kazakhstan is set to announce its participation in the Abraham Accords on Thursday, according to multiple U.S. media reports. This move, largely symbolic, comes as the Central Asian nation already maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, established in 1992 shortly after Kazakhstan’s independence from the Soviet Union. The announcement is expected to be made during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to the White House, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump. Kazakhstan, a Muslim-majority country with a significant Orthodox Christian population, has historically maintained a muted approach to religion in public life, influenced by its Soviet legacy. The Abraham Accords, brokered during the Trump administration in 2020, initially normalized relations between Israel and four Arab nations—Morocco, Bahrain, the UAE, and Sudan—none of which had formal ties with Israel prior to the agreements. Kazakhstan’s inclusion marks the first instance of a country with pre-existing diplomatic relations with Israel joining the accords. While the U.S. has framed the accords as a historic breakthrough, critics, particularly advocates of the Palestinian cause, view them as a betrayal. The accords have also been seen as a strategic move to counter Iran and strengthen economic ties, particularly in technology. Kazakhstan and Israel already enjoy stable economic relations, making the impact of this decision uncertain.