In a landmark ruling, Gabon’s special criminal court has sentenced former first lady Sylvia Bongo and her son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, to 20 years in prison for a series of high-profile crimes. The duo, tried in absentia, faced charges including embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, criminal association, and forgery. The court also issued arrest warrants and ordered them to pay millions in damages for crimes against the Gabonese state. The verdict, delivered late Tuesday, was met with criticism from Valentin, who labeled the trial a “predetermined formality” under President Oligui Nguema’s administration. Sylvia Bongo and Valentin were central figures during former President Ali Bongo’s 14-year rule, which ended abruptly in a 2023 coup following a disputed election. The Bongo family’s 56-year political dynasty, initiated by Ali’s father, Omar Bongo, who ruled for 42 years, came to an end with the coup. Prosecutors accused the pair of exploiting Ali Bongo’s health issues to manipulate state funds. Witnesses testified that Valentin, who served as coordinator of presidential affairs, effectively controlled the presidential palace after his father’s 2018 stroke. Following the coup, both were detained for 20 months before being allowed to leave the country. Now residing in London with French citizenship, the Bongos refused to participate in the trial. Prosecutors presented evidence of their lavish lifestyle, including private jets and luxury properties in London and Morocco. “They reigned unchallenged and portrayed themselves as victims of the system they created,” stated Eddy Minang, the prosecutor general at the Libreville Court of Appeal.
分类： politics
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Ukraine suspends justice minister over corruption probe involving top figures close to Zelenskyy
In a significant development, Ukraine has suspended its Justice Minister, Herman Halushchenko, following his alleged involvement in a sprawling corruption scandal linked to the state nuclear power company, Energoatom. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko on Wednesday, marking a critical step in the country’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts. The suspension comes on the heels of a major investigation by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which has detained five individuals and identified seven others suspected of orchestrating a $100 million graft scheme in the energy sector. Among the accused are a prominent businessman believed to be the mastermind, a former advisor to the energy minister, and a high-ranking executive at Energoatom. Additionally, eight individuals face charges of bribery, abuse of office, and possession of disproportionate assets. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly supported the investigation, urging full cooperation from officials. Halushchenko, who served as energy minister from 2021 until his appointment as justice minister in July, has not been formally charged but has vowed to defend himself in court. Deputy Minister of Justice for European Integration, Liudmyla Suhak, will assume his duties as acting minister. The scandal has also implicated Timur Mindich, a close associate of Zelenskyy, who is reportedly among those charged. Despite the investigation, Energoatom has assured that its operations remain unaffected.
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US House set for crunch vote on ending historic government shutdown
The United States House of Representatives is set to vote on a critical budget bill on Wednesday, aiming to conclude the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history. Now in its 42nd day, the shutdown has left over a million federal workers unpaid, disrupted food stamp programs for low-income Americans, and caused significant delays in air travel, particularly ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Senate-approved package, which would fund federal agencies for two months, is expected to face fierce opposition from top Democrats despite Republican confidence in its passage. President Donald Trump has signaled his willingness to sign the bill into law, emphasizing the need to reopen the country. The shutdown, which began on October 1, has also led to nearly 1,200 flight cancellations as unpaid air traffic controllers call in sick. Lawmakers are resorting to unconventional means to reach Washington for the vote, with some carpooling or even riding motorcycles. The House Rules Committee advanced the bill in a procedural vote early Wednesday, setting the stage for a full chamber debate and vote later in the day. Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have vowed to oppose the bill, citing concerns over its impact on the cost of living and the lack of provisions to extend health insurance subsidies. Republicans, however, remain united in their refusal to include such measures, offering only a future vote on healthcare subsidies in December. The outcome of the vote remains uncertain, with the Republican majority in the House now reduced to just five votes. The budget bill, if passed, would temporarily avert the next funding crisis, with government funding set to expire again on January 30. Both parties have faced political fallout from the shutdown, with opinion polls suggesting Republicans bear slightly more blame, while Democrats remain divided over their strategy.
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Xi holds welcome ceremony for Spanish king
On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, President Xi Jinping of China hosted a grand welcome ceremony in Beijing for King Felipe VI of Spain, who is currently on a state visit to China. The event underscored the strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations. The ceremony, held at the capital’s iconic venue, was marked by traditional displays of cultural exchange and mutual respect. This visit is seen as a pivotal moment in Sino-Spanish relations, with both leaders expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including trade, technology, and cultural exchange. The state visit also highlights China’s active role in fostering international partnerships and its commitment to global diplomacy. The meeting between President Xi and King Felipe VI is anticipated to pave the way for future collaborations that will benefit both countries economically and culturally.
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UK Cabinet minister denies plotting to oust embattled leader Starmer
In a striking revelation of internal discord, a senior member of the British government has dismissed rumors of a plot to remove Prime Minister Keir Starmer from office. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a prominent figure within the Labour Party, labeled such discussions as ‘self-defeating and self-destructive.’ This comes as the party grapples with plummeting poll ratings, less than 18 months after securing a landslide victory in the 2024 general election. Streeting’s comments followed reports that Starmer’s aides had preemptively addressed media speculation about a potential leadership challenge. ‘It’s totally self-defeating briefing, not least because it’s not true,’ Streeting remarked, attributing the rumors to overindulgence in reality TV drama. Despite his denial, the 42-year-old health secretary is widely regarded as a potential future leader of the party. The Labour Party’s current struggles are compounded by its lagging position behind the hard-right Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, though it remains ahead of the embattled Conservative Party. Lawmakers are particularly apprehensive about the upcoming budget statement on November 26, which is expected to include income tax hikes—a move that would break a key election promise. Since taking office in July 2024, Starmer’s government has faced significant challenges in fulfilling its pledges to revive economic growth, repair public services, and alleviate the cost-of-living crisis. Inflation remains persistently high, unemployment has risen, and the economic outlook remains subdued. Recent data revealed that the jobless rate climbed to 5% in the three months to September, the highest since 2016, excluding the pandemic years. Under Labour Party rules, a leadership challenge can be initiated with the support of 20% of MPs, currently equivalent to 81 members. While the UK’s parliamentary system permits a governing party to change its leader without triggering an early election, unelected prime ministers often face pressure to seek voter legitimacy. The Conservative Party’s recent history, with three prime ministers—Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak—serving between December 2019 and July 2024, underscores the volatility of such leadership transitions.
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Indian police detain suspects in Kashmir after deadly New Delhi car blast
Indian security forces have apprehended several individuals in the contested Kashmir region as part of an ongoing probe into a devastating car explosion in New Delhi earlier this week. The blast, which occurred near the iconic Red Fort, claimed eight lives and left numerous others injured. Authorities have classified the incident as a potential act of terrorism, granting them expanded powers to detain suspects. The Red Fort, a 17th-century landmark, is a site of national significance where Indian prime ministers traditionally deliver Independence Day addresses. If confirmed as a deliberate attack, this would mark the deadliest explosion in India’s capital since 2011. Police conducted overnight raids in Pulwama district, Kashmir, detaining at least five individuals for questioning. The explosion occurred hours after law enforcement in Indian-administered Kashmir dismantled a suspected militant cell allegedly operating from the region to the outskirts of New Delhi. Seven individuals, including two doctors, were arrested, and authorities seized weapons and bomb-making materials in Faridabad, a city near Delhi. Indian media reports suggest the explosion may be linked to this cell, though police have not confirmed this. The investigation reportedly began with an inquiry into anti-India posters in Srinagar, Kashmir, which threatened attacks on Indian troops. CCTV footage and subsequent interrogations led to the arrests of several suspects, including Kashmiri doctors working in Indian cities. Media outlets speculate that the car’s driver, a Kashmiri doctor teaching in Faridabad, may have been involved, either by triggering the explosion intentionally or transporting explosives that detonated accidentally. The incident has heightened fears of renewed tensions between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed rivals. India frequently accuses Pakistan of supporting cross-border attacks, a claim Pakistan denies. The Kashmir conflict, rooted in decades of unrest, remains a flashpoint between the two nations. This explosion is the latest in a series of deadly attacks in New Delhi, echoing past bombings attributed to Kashmiri militant groups and Indian Islamist organizations.
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Thailand, Cambodia trade blame over landmine blast
Thailand and Cambodia have engaged in a diplomatic dispute following a landmine explosion that injured four Thai soldiers near the border in Si Sa Ket Province. The incident has led to the suspension of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Declaration, a recent agreement signed in Malaysia aimed at fostering peace and stability between the two nations. Thailand has accused Cambodia of planting new landmines within its territory, a claim vehemently denied by Phnom Penh. Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura stated that the blast site inspection confirmed the landmines were newly planted by Cambodia, breaching Thailand’s sovereignty. In response, Thailand has paused certain elements of the declaration, including the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers, until Cambodia demonstrates accountability. Cambodia, however, has urged Thailand to exercise caution in old minefield areas and reaffirmed its commitment to international law, denying any use of new landmines. The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense emphasized its dedication to peace and stability, calling for continued cooperation. Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the armed forces to prepare for border defense, with Defense Minister Nattapon Nakpanich confirming military authorization for necessary actions within Thai territory. Despite the tensions, both sides have maintained diplomatic contact to manage the fallout and prevent further escalation.
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Trump says he has ‘obligation’ to sue BBC over speech edit
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared his intent to sue the BBC, alleging that the broadcaster misrepresented a segment of his January 6, 2021, speech in a Panorama documentary. In an interview with Fox News, Trump claimed his speech was ‘butchered’ and accused the BBC of ‘defrauding’ the public by editing it to appear more radical. This marks the first public statement from Trump since his legal team sent a letter to the BBC demanding a $1 billion (£759 million) settlement, a retraction, and an apology. The BBC has acknowledged receipt of the letter and stated it will respond in due course. The controversy stems from a leaked internal BBC memo, published by the Daily Telegraph, which revealed concerns over the editing process. The memo suggested the edit implied Trump explicitly encouraged the Capitol riot, a claim he denies. The fallout has led to the resignations of BBC Director General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness. The BBC’s editorial integrity has come under scrutiny, with critics questioning its impartiality. The legal threat coincides with a sensitive period for the BBC, as its royal charter, governing its funding and operations, is set to expire in 2027. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the importance of renewing the BBC’s mission for the modern age while ensuring accountability. The culture select committee is expected to hear evidence from senior BBC figures in the coming weeks, including Chair Samir Shah and former editorial standards adviser Michael Prescott. Meanwhile, Reform UK has withdrawn its cooperation with a BBC documentary, citing the Trump controversy as a reason to halt the project.
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Wife and son of Gabon’s ousted leader given 20-year jail terms in two-day corruption trial
A Gabonese court has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to Sylvia Bongo, the former first lady, and her son, Noureddin Bongo, following a swift two-day trial. The pair were convicted of embezzlement and corruption, charges stemming from allegations that they exploited former President Ali Bongo’s incapacitation after a 2018 stroke to enrich themselves at the state’s expense. Both were fined 100 million CFA francs ($177,000), with Noureddin additionally ordered to pay a staggering 1.2 trillion CFA francs ($2.1 billion) in restitution for financial damages inflicted on Gabon. The trial, which began in their absence, was described by the defendants as a ‘legal farce.’ Ali Bongo, who was ousted in a 2023 coup led by Brice Oligui Nguema, is not facing prosecution and has been released from house arrest. Sylvia and Noureddin were detained for 20 months post-coup before being released on medical grounds in May and allowed to relocate to London. The trial of nine other co-accused, former allies of the Bongo family, continues. The Bongo dynasty, which ruled Gabon for over five decades, has long been accused of siphoning national wealth, despite the country’s oil riches and widespread poverty.
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Xi congratulates Connolly on assuming Irish presidency
On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Catherine Connolly, who officially assumed the presidency of Ireland. In his message, Xi highlighted the significant progress achieved in China-Ireland relations over the 46 years since diplomatic ties were established. He emphasized the mutual learning and friendly cooperation that have driven remarkable development between the two nations. Xi noted the close exchanges and fruitful results in practical cooperation in recent years, underscoring his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. He expressed his willingness to work with President Connolly to enhance political trust, uphold traditional friendship, support multilateralism and free trade, and further develop the mutually beneficial strategic partnership for the benefit of both peoples. Connolly, 68, secured 63.36% of first preference votes in last month’s Irish presidential election and was sworn in as Ireland’s 10th president at Dublin Castle, beginning her seven-year term.