In a surprising turn of events, Bulgaria’s government has decided to withdraw its 2026 draft budget following widespread domestic protests and international concerns. The announcement was made on Thursday by Boyko Borissov, leader of the ruling center-right GERB party, who emphasized the need for renewed dialogue with employers and labor unions to achieve consensus on state finances. This decision comes as Bulgaria prepares to join the euro currency union next year, adding urgency to the fiscal discussions.
分类： politics
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France brings back limited military service with 3,000 volunteers next year
In a significant shift in national defense policy, France is set to reintroduce a limited form of military service, more than 25 years after conscription was phased out. President Emmanuel Macron announced the initiative, describing it as an ‘act of trust in our youth’ and a necessary step to prepare for potential threats in an increasingly uncertain world. The voluntary service, open to both young men and women aged 18 and 19, will involve 10 months of paid military training, with participants receiving at least €800 (£700) per month. The program will be implemented gradually, starting with 3,000 volunteers next year and expanding to 50,000 by 2035. Macron emphasized the importance of national mobilization, stating, ‘The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it.’ The move aligns France with other European nations, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, which have also introduced or are planning similar voluntary military service schemes in response to fears of Russian aggression. The new ‘national service’ aims to create a hybrid military structure, combining professional soldiers, reservists, and volunteers. French military leaders have welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a way to bolster the armed forces and ensure a reserve of trained personnel. However, the plan has sparked mixed reactions among the public, with some praising it as a patriotic endeavor and others criticizing it as a distraction from pressing issues like youth mental health and financial stability. The reintroduction of military service marks a departure from the post-Cold War era, when France, under then-President Jacques Chirac, ended conscription as part of the peace dividend following the fall of the Soviet Union. The new scheme reflects a broader European trend of rearming and preparing for potential conflicts, as tensions with Russia continue to escalate.
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Guinea-Bissau marks another coup in Africa. Here is a look at other military takeovers
LAGOS, Nigeria — Guinea-Bissau has become the newest addition to Africa’s expanding roster of military takeovers, marking the latest erosion of democratic governance across the continent. The political upheaval unfolded when sustained gunfire erupted near presidential offices on Wednesday, culminating in uniformed officers commandeering state television to declare their seizure of power.
The deposed leader, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, found himself detained following the putsch amid an ongoing bitter power struggle with opposition forces. Both factions had previously asserted victory in recent presidential elections, creating the political vacuum exploited by military elements.
This coastal West African nation of 2.2 million inhabitants exemplifies a troubling regional pattern characterized by electoral disputes, constitutional instability, widespread youth dissatisfaction, and increasing military intervention in civilian governance.
A comprehensive analysis of recent African coups reveals concerning trends:
Mali (August 2020 & May 2021): Experienced consecutive military interventions, with Colonel Assimi Goita ultimately consolidating power and postponing elections until 2077. Mali has since joined with Burkina Faso and Niger to form a breakaway alliance explicitly rejecting democratic restoration.
Chad (April 2021): Witnessed General Mahamat Idris Deby extending his family’s thirty-year dominion following his father’s death, subsequently holding elections widely criticized as fraudulent.
Guinea (September 2021): Saw Colonel Mamady Doumbouya oust President Alpha Condé, who had previously manipulated constitutional term limits. Doumbouya now prepares to contest December elections under revised rules favoring military candidates.
Sudan (October 2021): General Abdel-Fattah Burhan’s takeover eventually triggered catastrophic civil conflict when power-sharing arrangements with paramilitary leaders collapsed in April 2023.
Burkina Faso (January & September 2022): Endured two successive coups within eight months, with Captain Ibrahim Traoré ultimately dissolving the electoral commission and consolidating military rule.
Niger (July 2023): General Abdourahamane Tchiani’s deposition of Mohamed Bazoum created regional fractures within ECOWAS and prompted the formation of the Sahel States Alliance.
Gabon (August 2023): Brice Oligui Nguema, cousin of ousted president Ali Bongo, assumed control after military intervention nullified election results and dissolved government institutions.
Madagascar (October 2025): Military forces capitalized on popular discontent over infrastructure failures to remove President Andry Rajoelina.
Guinea-Bissau’s intervention continues this pattern, preventing what might have been the nation’s first democratically reelected president from completing his term.
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Police investigate theft of four dogs from Malawi presidential palace
Malawi is embroiled in a political controversy as police investigate the disappearance of four German Shepherd police dogs from the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during the country’s recent political transition. The theft, which occurred between September 19 and October 4, has led to the arrest of Godfrey Arthur Jalale, former deputy chief of staff under ex-President Lazarus Chakwera. Jalale denies any involvement in the incident. The dogs, valued at $2,300, are believed to have been stolen alongside other state properties from two presidential residences.
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China releases white paper on arms control in new era
In a significant move to outline its stance on global security, China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper titled ‘China’s Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation in the New Era’ on November 27, 2025. The document underscores China’s commitment to international peace and security, positioning the nation as a proactive contributor to global arms control efforts. The white paper highlights China’s role in upholding the United Nations-centered international arms control regime, emphasizing its constructive contributions in nuclear, biological, and chemical arms control. It also addresses emerging security challenges in outer space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence, advocating for a collaborative global governance framework. China reaffirms its dedication to nonproliferation, enhancing domestic capacities, and fostering international cooperation in science and technology. The paper calls for a multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, urging nations to unite in building a shared future for humanity.
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Russia convicts and hands life sentences to 8 people over attack on a key bridge to Crimea
A Russian court has handed down life sentences to eight individuals convicted of terrorism charges related to the October 2022 attack on the Kerch Strait Bridge, a critical supply route connecting Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. The attack, which involved a truck bomb, destroyed two sections of the bridge, killed five people, and required extensive repairs. Moscow condemned the act as terrorism and retaliated with strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted a symbol of Russia’s control over Crimea. The defendants, including Russian, Ukrainian, and Armenian citizens, were charged with carrying out a terrorist attack and illegal arms trafficking. Five others, including Ukrainians and Georgians, were charged in absentia. The accused denied the charges, claiming ignorance of the explosives in the truck. Oleg Antipov, a logistics entrepreneur whose company handled the shipment, voluntarily approached Russian authorities after the blast but was later arrested. In a courtroom statement, Antipov maintained his innocence, citing polygraph tests and lack of incriminating evidence. The Kerch Strait Bridge, completed in 2018, is a strategic and symbolic asset for Russia, facilitating military and civilian supplies to Crimea. Ukraine has targeted the bridge twice, underscoring its significance in the ongoing conflict. The attack has further strained relations between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow using the incident to justify its military actions.
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Chinese audit chief attends UN review meeting in NY
At the United Nations Headquarters in New York, significant financial governance discussions unfolded during the 55th Special Session of the UN Board of Auditors and the 65th Session of the UN Panel of External Auditors held from November 24-25, 2025. The meetings brought together top auditing officials from member states to address critical financial oversight matters within the UN system.
Hou Kai, China’s Auditor General and representative on both UN auditing bodies, participated actively in the proceedings. The special session featured comprehensive reviews of audit activities conducted during the second half of 2025, while participants also formulated the strategic audit plan for 2026 and addressed specific matters referred by UN legislative bodies.
In his address, Hou acknowledged the substantial achievements made by the Board throughout the year, emphasizing their contribution to ongoing UN reform initiatives, management optimization, and governance enhancement. With his six-year term concluding in mid-2026, Hou expressed confidence that China’s audit team would maintain its commitment to independence and professional excellence in executing the UN General Assembly’s mandate, ensuring both continuity and quality in audit outcomes.
The parallel session of the Panel of External Auditors facilitated substantive exchanges between Hou, fellow panel members, and UN officials. Discussions centered on several priority areas including the UN80 Initiative’s implementation framework, financial and administrative challenges, digital transformation efforts, and standardized audit practices across the UN system.
During his New York visit, Hou additionally inspected Chinese audit operations at the UN Secretariat, engaging with on-site auditors. He emphasized the importance of adhering to international auditing standards while maximizing China’s expertise in economic oversight. Hou encouraged the team to maintain focus on their core responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to developing a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable United Nations.
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Trump sends envoys to see Putin, Ukrainians
In a significant diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump has dispatched high-level envoys to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian officials in a bid to finalize a peace plan to end the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine. Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet with Putin, while Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will hold discussions with Ukrainian representatives. Trump expressed cautious optimism about the potential for a breakthrough, stating that he would only meet with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once the deal is in its final stages. The talks follow a series of negotiations in Abu Dhabi, where Russian and Ukrainian officials discussed sensitive issues, including prisoner exchanges. Despite ongoing military strikes in Kyiv and southern Russia, Trump remains hopeful that his administration’s efforts will yield a sustainable agreement. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has emphasized the need for ‘serious analysis’ of the US peace proposal, which has yet to be discussed in detail. Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky, have indicated that the plan could evolve into deeper agreements, with security guarantees being a critical component. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, are also working to coordinate security and financial support for Ukraine, underscoring the international stakes in the negotiations.
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Guinea-Bissau opposition candidate accuses president of staging a coup and claims election victory
In a dramatic turn of events in Guinea-Bissau, the main opposition candidate, Fernando Dias, has declared victory in the recent presidential election, accusing the incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of orchestrating a coup to avoid defeat. The allegations emerged following a military takeover on Wednesday, during which Embaló was reportedly arrested. Dias, a member of the Social Renewal Party, claimed in a widely circulated online video that the coup was fabricated to disrupt the election results, which were expected to be announced on Thursday. These assertions were echoed by civil society groups, though The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims. The opposition African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, barred from participating in the vote, has thrown its support behind Dias, with its leader, former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira, urging residents to protest against the coup and demand the release of the election results. Despite the political turmoil, life in the capital, Bissau, appeared to return to normal by Thursday morning, with businesses and public transport resuming operations. Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest nations, has a long history of political instability, including a coup attempt in October 2023. The country, a known hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, continues to grapple with political crises exacerbated by disputed elections. The recent events in Guinea-Bissau are part of a broader trend of military takeovers in West Africa, where democracy is increasingly under threat. International bodies, including the United Nations, have expressed deep concern over the reported coup, condemning the actions and calling for a peaceful resolution.
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South Africa hits back after Trump says US won’t invite it for G20 next year
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep regret over U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to exclude South Africa from the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami, Florida. Trump announced the exclusion on social media, citing South Africa’s refusal to hand over the G20 presidency to a U.S. embassy representative during the recent summit in Johannesburg. ‘Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20,’ Trump stated. While G20 members typically do not require invitations, visa restrictions could effectively bar participation. Trump boycotted the Johannesburg summit based on widely discredited claims of white minority persecution in South Africa. Ramaphosa noted that the U.S. delegation’s absence was voluntary, and the G20 presidency was formally transferred to a U.S. embassy official in Pretoria. This low-key handover reportedly further angered Trump, who has been critical of South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies. Ramaphosa lamented Trump’s punitive measures, which he claims are based on misinformation. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused South Africa of unworthiness for international membership and announced an immediate halt to all U.S. payments and subsidies to the country. South African officials have called for solidarity among G20 members to uphold the group’s integrity. The Johannesburg summit, the first held in Africa, concluded with a joint declaration on multilateral cooperation for climate change mitigation and economic inequality, despite U.S. objections.