Former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has unveiled a new initiative aimed at rescuing his nation from what he describes as a deepening crisis under President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration. This announcement followed a two-day meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, where Kabila convened with other opposition leaders to strategize against what they termed the “dictatorship” of Tshisekedi. The gathering, attended by prominent figures including former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo, resulted in a 14-point declaration signed by leaders of 12 opposition groups, urging Congolese citizens to unite and take action to restore dignity and democracy. The declaration criticized the government’s rejection of inclusive dialogue, poor economic governance, and the arbitrary detention of political opponents. Kabila, who was recently sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes and treason, dismissed the charges as politically motivated. His appearance in Nairobi marked the first public sighting since May, when he was reportedly in the M23 rebel-held city of Goma. The meeting coincided with the DRC government’s signing of a ceasefire monitoring agreement with the M23 rebels in Doha, highlighting the ongoing instability in the region. The Congolese government dismissed the Nairobi meeting as insignificant, labeling it a gathering of ‘fugitives and convicts.’ Meanwhile, Kabila and his allies vowed to launch a diplomatic offensive to alert the international community to the crisis in DRC, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention to address the country’s political and economic challenges.
分类： politics
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Embattled French PM Sébastien Lecornu survives no-confidence vote in Parliament
In a critical political showdown, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu narrowly survived a no-confidence vote on Thursday, averting the collapse of his fragile government and preventing further political instability in France. The National Assembly’s decision allows Lecornu to focus on the daunting task of passing the 2026 budget for the European Union’s second-largest economy through a deeply divided Parliament. The vote also spared President Emmanuel Macron from the risky prospect of dissolving the National Assembly and calling snap elections, a move he had hinted at if Lecornu’s government fell. Two no-confidence motions were filed by Macron’s staunch opponents: the hard-left France Unbowed party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. The first motion, led by France Unbowed, failed with 271 votes, falling short of the 289 required for a majority. The second motion, initiated by Le Pen, is also expected to fail, as left-wing lawmakers are unlikely to support it. Despite his survival, Lecornu remains in a precarious position. To secure votes, he offered to suspend the highly contentious pension reform, which raises the retirement age from 62 to 64. This concession swayed some opposition lawmakers to withhold support for his ouster, at least temporarily. However, future no-confidence motions could gain traction if budget negotiations—expected to be fraught with conflict—fail to meet opposition demands. Lecornu has pledged not to use constitutional powers to bypass Parliament, a tactic employed by Macron’s government to enforce the pension reform despite widespread protests. Achieving consensus on tax hikes, spending cuts, and other measures to address France’s soaring deficit and debt will prove exceptionally challenging.
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Ambassador urges healthier bilateral ties
In a pivotal address at the annual gala dinner of the National Committee on US-China Relations in New York, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng emphasized the critical need for a healthier and more cooperative bilateral relationship between the two global powers. Speaking on October 14, 2025, Ambassador Xie highlighted the profound impact of US-China relations on global stability and prosperity, urging both nations to move beyond trade wars and tariffs, which he described as detrimental to all parties involved. He stressed the importance of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and collaboration as the foundation for resolving differences and fostering a constructive partnership. Xie underscored the shared responsibilities of China and the US as permanent members of the UN Security Council, major nuclear powers, and the world’s largest economies. He called for a focus on common interests rather than allowing historical and cultural differences to fuel suspicion and conflict. The ambassador also highlighted the strategic value of business collaboration between the two nations, encouraging more US businesses to invest in China, which offers vast opportunities in industrial transformation, technological innovation, and infrastructure development. Xie concluded by emphasizing the importance of people-to-people ties as the cornerstone of a strong bilateral relationship, asserting that the world has ‘a thousand reasons to get the China-US relationship right, and no single one to mess it up.’
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‘Large scale’ Chinese spying in UK, says witness in collapsed trial
The UK government is under intense scrutiny following the collapse of a high-profile espionage case involving two individuals accused of spying for China. Christopher Berry, an academic, and Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, were charged under the Official Secrets Act in April 2024. The case was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) due to insufficient evidence that China posed a national security threat at the time of the alleged offenses. Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins, in his witness statements, asserted that China was engaged in ‘large-scale espionage’ against the UK, describing it as the ‘biggest state-based threat to the country’s economic security.’ However, the CPS determined that the evidence fell short of the threshold required for prosecution. The controversy has sparked accusations from the Conservative Party that the Labour government allowed the case to collapse to protect economic ties with China. The government denies these claims, attributing the case’s failure to the previous Conservative administration. MPs have questioned the CPS’s decision, with some suggesting there was enough evidence to proceed to trial. The case has reignited debates about the UK’s relationship with China and the adequacy of its national security measures.
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Gala spotlights promise of Sino-US partnership
In a significant gathering in New York, US and Chinese leaders underscored the importance of fostering a stable and collaborative relationship between the two nations, particularly in the face of global challenges. The event, hosted by the National Committee on US-China Relations, brought together key figures from politics, business, and healthcare to discuss the potential for enhanced cooperation. Stephen Orlins, president of the committee, expressed optimism that the clear skies following recent storms symbolized a hopeful future for US-China relations. He emphasized the critical need for unity in addressing global issues such as war, economic instability, and unprecedented weather events. Orlins highlighted the healthcare sector as a prime area for collaboration, noting that joint efforts between the US and China have already saved lives. Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, was honored for his leadership in advancing global health and promoting Sino-US partnerships. Bourla praised China’s remarkable progress in biopharmaceutical innovation, which is reshaping the global competitive landscape. He pointed out that Chinese biotech firms accounted for nearly one-third of all major pharmaceutical licensing deals last year, signaling a significant shift in the global innovation landscape. Bourla also reflected on the long history of scientific collaboration between the two countries, citing their joint efforts in combating diseases like tuberculosis, yellow fever, and Ebola. He stressed that such collaboration remains vital today, particularly in addressing global health challenges like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Charlene Barshefsky, chairwoman of the committee and former US trade representative, acknowledged the complexities in the US-China relationship but expressed hope that leaders would prioritize communication over conflict. She emphasized that the world depends on stable US-China relations for addressing global challenges. The gala served as a reminder of the potential for constructive dialogue and collaboration between the two nations, even amidst ongoing tensions.
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Ex-marine Daniel Duggan appeals extradition to US over claims of training Chinese pilots
In a high-profile legal battle, former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan has appealed his extradition from Australia to the United States, where he faces allegations of illegally training Chinese military aviators over a decade ago. Duggan, who worked as an instructor at the Test Flying Academy of South Africa in 2012, is accused of providing training to Chinese pilots without obtaining the necessary licenses. The charges stem from a 2016 indictment unsealed in late 2022, which claims Duggan conspired with others and received approximately 88,000 Australian dollars ($61,000) for his services. Duggan appeared in the Australian Federal Court in Canberra to file his appeal, traveling 350 kilometers from a maximum-security prison in Wellington, New South Wales. Justice James Stellios will announce the verdict at a later date. Duggan has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and asserting that he broke no Australian laws. His wife, Saffrine Duggan, has accused the Australian government of complicity in what she describes as an ‘ideological war’ between the U.S. and China. Duggan’s lawyer, Christopher Parkin, argued that it is ‘extraordinary’ for someone to face extradition from Australia for actions allegedly committed in South Africa. Duggan, who became an Australian citizen in 2012 after renouncing his U.S. citizenship, has been in custody since his arrest in 2022. The case continues to draw significant attention amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and China.
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Thousands turn out to receive body of former Kenyan PM Raila Odinga
NAIROBI, Kenya — The nation of Kenya is in deep mourning following the death of Raila Odinga, a towering figure in African politics and former Prime Minister of Kenya. Odinga passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80 in India after collapsing during a morning walk. His body was repatriated to Kenya on Thursday, where thousands of grieving citizens gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to pay their respects. The airport operations were temporarily halted as mourners lined the runway to witness the arrival of the chartered plane carrying his remains, which was honored with a water cannon salute. Odinga, affectionately known as “Baba” (father) by many, was celebrated for his relentless advocacy for democracy and his role in shaping Kenya’s multiparty system. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief across the nation, with President William Ruto declaring seven days of national mourning. Odinga’s state funeral will be held on Sunday in his rural hometown of Bondo, following public viewings in Nairobi and Kisumu. Despite never securing the presidency, Odinga’s legacy as a unifier and champion of democratic ideals remains indelible. His family has requested a swift burial, adhering to his wishes to be laid to rest within 72 hours.
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Former Congo leader Kabila appears at Kenya political meeting despite absentia death sentence
In a significant political development, former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila made his first public appearance in Nairobi, Kenya, since being sentenced to death in absentia for treason and war crimes. The event, attended by a dozen Congolese opposition leaders, marked the establishment of a new political movement aimed at challenging the current DRC President Felix Tshisekedi. Kabila’s presence in Kenya is anticipated to provoke diplomatic tensions, as the DRC government has previously accused Kenya of supporting the M23 rebel group. The newly formed political coalition declared its mission to unite Congolese citizens against what they described as a dictatorship, with goals to restore democracy, state authority, and national reconciliation. The DRC government in Kinshasa has accused Kabila of collaborating with Rwanda and the Rwanda-backed M23, which seized control of key cities in Congo’s mineral-rich eastern region earlier this year. Kabila, who led the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy from 2001 to 2019, has denied the allegations, calling the death sentence politically motivated. His tenure, marked by delayed elections and extended rule, ended in 2019 with Tshisekedi’s election, which was the first peaceful transition of power since Congo’s independence in 1960. However, the relationship between the two leaders deteriorated, culminating in Kabila’s departure from the DRC earlier this year.
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Israel’s crack spy agencies rely on help from their friends
Israel’s precision strikes on Iran in June 2024 highlighted the prowess of its intelligence agencies, yet a critical factor remained underexplored: the indispensable role of international intelligence partnerships. These collaborations, while vital, come with inherent risks, including dependency on foreign allies whose withdrawal could leave Israel exposed to geopolitical vulnerabilities.
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Cabinet Office rejects Cummings’ China breach claim
The UK Cabinet Office has firmly refuted allegations made by Dominic Cummings, former senior aide to ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, regarding a purported cyber breach by China into high-level government systems. In an interview with The Times, Cummings asserted that China had accessed ‘vast amounts’ of ‘extremely secret’ information from UK intelligence services and Whitehall departments. He claimed the breach occurred in 2020 and was subsequently concealed. Cummings specifically mentioned the compromise of ‘Strap’ material, a classification for highly sensitive intelligence data, which he said included information from the National Security Secretariat and other critical government sources.
In response, a Cabinet Office spokesperson dismissed the claims as ‘untrue,’ stating that the systems used for transferring sensitive government information remain secure. Cummings further alleged that the breach was discussed in a high-level meeting, where officials expressed disbelief at the severity of the situation. He called for a parliamentary inquiry into the matter, offering to provide detailed testimony.
However, Professor Ciaran Martin, former chief executive of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), challenged Cummings’ assertions. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight, Martin stated that, to his knowledge, no such breach occurred. He emphasized that the systems in question are uniquely secure and operate differently from standard internet-based platforms. Martin acknowledged China as a persistent cyber threat but maintained there was no evidence of a breach in 2020.
The controversy has sparked debate over the credibility of Cummings’ claims and the UK’s cybersecurity resilience. While the Cabinet Office and cybersecurity experts have dismissed the allegations, the incident underscores ongoing concerns about foreign cyber espionage and the protection of sensitive government data.