Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared that 18 individuals implicated in a widespread corruption scandal involving flood control projects will face arrest. The scandal, which has triggered massive public protests and forced several congressional leaders to resign, centers on substandard and fraudulent infrastructure projects in a nation frequently battered by deadly typhoons and flooding. Marcos emphasized that these arrests mark only the beginning of a broader crackdown on corruption. The Sandiganbayan, a specialized anti-corruption court, issued arrest warrants for former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who has fled the country, and 17 others, including government engineers and executives from Sunwest Corp., a construction firm. The irregularities pertain to a 289 million peso ($4.8 million) flood control project in Oriental Mindoro province. Government prosecutors have recommended denying bail due to the severity of the case. Marcos vowed in a video message that all suspects would face the law without special treatment. The scandal has implicated at least 37 powerful figures, including senators, members of Congress, and construction executives, with many expected to be jailed by Christmas. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that at least five former and current senators are under investigation for allegedly receiving kickbacks. Among those implicated are lawmakers both allied with and opposed to Marcos, including his cousin, Rep. Martin Romualdez, who stepped down as House Speaker. The investigation also extends to Sen. Bong Go, a key ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has denied wrongdoing. The scandal has further strained relations between Marcos and the Duterte family, with Vice President Sara Duterte calling for Marcos’s accountability. Since taking office in mid-2022, Marcos has raised concerns about corruption, with over 9,855 flood control projects worth 545 billion pesos ($9 billion) now under scrutiny. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto estimated that up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) may have been lost to corruption since 2023.
分类： politics
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The self-defeating tariffs killing Trump’s presidency
President Donald Trump’s second term in office is facing significant public disapproval, with his approval ratings hitting record lows. Recent polls reveal a growing dissatisfaction among Americans, particularly regarding the economy, which has become a central issue driving negative sentiment. Despite seemingly stable macroeconomic indicators such as employment and inflation, consumer confidence has plummeted, reaching levels comparable to the post-pandemic inflation peak in 2022.
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Leaders arrive for a first African G20 summit overshadowed by a rift between the host and the US
In a historic first, the Group of 20 (G20) summit is being held in Africa, with world leaders gathering in Johannesburg to address pressing global issues. However, the event has been overshadowed by a significant rift between host South Africa and the United States, following President Donald Trump’s decision to boycott the summit. Trump’s administration labeled South Africa’s hosting as a ‘disgrace,’ citing unfounded claims of persecution against the white Afrikaner minority in the majority-Black nation. This boycott by the world’s largest economy threatens to undermine the summit’s agenda, which focuses on critical issues such as climate change, debt burdens in poor countries, and global inequality. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed not to be bullied, emphasizing the importance of the summit for developing nations. Despite the absence of the U.S., other global leaders, including representatives from the European Union, China, and Russia, are actively participating, seeking to forge new partnerships and address shared challenges. The summit also highlights China’s growing influence in Africa, as Chinese Premier Li Qiang signed a $1.4 billion railway refurbishment deal in Zambia, further cementing China’s economic presence on the continent. Analysts suggest that the U.S. boycott may push developing countries to strengthen ties with other global powers, potentially reshaping international governance.
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Nigeria separatists say they are committed to peaceful self-determination after leaders sentenced
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist movement in southeastern Nigeria, has reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful self-determination following the life imprisonment sentence handed to its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on terrorism charges. Kanu, the founder of IPOB, was convicted on Thursday by a Nigerian court, which accused him of orchestrating acts of terrorism, enforcing violent stay-at-home orders, and inciting violence in the region. IPOB, which seeks the creation of an independent state in Nigeria’s southeast, has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that no weapons or attack plans were ever linked to Kanu. The group maintains that its leader has not violated any Nigerian or international laws. In a statement, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful emphasized the group’s dedication to peaceful advocacy and its pursuit of a United Nations–supervised referendum. The court’s decision has sparked controversy, with Judge James Omotosho stating that while the right to self-determination is a political right, any such efforts must align with Nigeria’s constitution to be considered legal. Meanwhile, violence in the southeast has been attributed to political motives, with IPOB claiming it is unrelated to Kanu, who remains in detention. The case has drawn parallels to the conviction of another Nigerian separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, who was sentenced to six years in prison in Finland in September for terrorism-related charges.
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Radio Free Europe’s Hungarian service shuts down after Trump funding cuts
The Hungarian service of Radio Free Europe, Szabad Európa, officially ceased operations on Friday following the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw funding. This move marks the end of a pro-democracy news outlet that had been a vital source of independent journalism in Hungary. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a U.S. government-funded organization established during the Cold War, has long provided news to regions under authoritarian regimes, broadcasting in 27 languages across 23 countries. The Hungarian service was initially terminated in 1993 but was revived in 2020 in response to Hungary’s declining media freedom under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. In a farewell statement, Szabad Európa expressed gratitude to its audience for their trust and support, noting that its articles would remain accessible online. The shutdown aligns with broader cuts to international broadcasters like RFE/RL and Voice of America, as well as domestic public broadcasters PBS and NPR, under the Trump administration. Kari Lake, a senior adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, justified the decision, stating that Szabad Európa’s operations in Hungary were ‘not aligned with U.S. national interests’ and undermined Trump’s foreign policy. Orbán, a close ally of Trump, has been accused of consolidating control over Hungary’s media landscape, with Reporters Without Borders estimating that his party controls 80% of the country’s media resources. In 2021, Orbán was labeled a media ‘predator’ by the watchdog, the first EU leader to receive such a designation. Earlier this year, his government introduced legislation targeting foreign-funded critical media outlets, further tightening its grip on press freedom.
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Trump’s growing impatience to end Ukraine war is a concern for Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has adopted a measured approach to a US-drafted peace proposal, refraining from outright criticism despite its apparent alignment with many of Moscow’s demands. The White House has countered assertions that Ukraine was excluded from the drafting process, emphasizing that the plan emerged from recent US-Russia discussions. In his nightly address, Zelensky underscored Ukraine’s commitment to peace, diplomacy, and constructive dialogue, stating, “We are ready for honest, efficient, and constructive work.” However, concerns linger over specific provisions, such as relinquishing the Donbas region, downsizing Ukraine’s military, and barring international troops—concessions previously rejected by Kyiv. Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Yurchyshyn criticized the proposal as a “quick peace at the expense of the weaker side.” Recent developments have further strained Ukraine’s position, including Russian advances in the east, widespread power outages due to Moscow’s strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid, and internal political turmoil fueled by corruption allegations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that achieving peace would necessitate tough compromises. The draft reportedly offers Ukraine “reliable security guarantees” and suggests using frozen Russian assets for reconstruction, while excluding NATO membership but leaving EU accession open. European nations, notably the UK and France, have been sidelined in the drafting process, with the proposal explicitly opposing foreign troop presence. European allies are pressing for their voices to be heard, potentially influencing Zelensky to seek amendments. However, time is of the essence, as US officials, operating under President Donald Trump’s directive, aim to finalize the deal within weeks, not months. Trump, eager to end the conflict swiftly, appears to have abandoned hopes of direct negotiations between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing instead on securing a bilateral agreement.
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Scholars slam Japan’s PM for Taiwan remarks
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has drawn sharp criticism from scholars and experts following her recent comments on Taiwan during a parliamentary session. On November 7, Takaichi suggested that a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait could pose a ‘survival-threatening situation’ for Japan, implying potential military intervention. This stance has been widely condemned as a violation of China’s core interests and a significant strain on Sino-Japanese relations. Ukeru Magosaki, a former senior official at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that Taiwan is a critical issue for China, and any provocation would elicit a strong response. He warned that Japanese society underestimates China’s resolve, which could lead to severe repercussions, including reduced Chinese tourism, trade disruptions, and increased pressure on Japanese businesses in China. In response to Takaichi’s remarks, China has suspended imports of Japanese aquatic products, citing Japan’s failure to provide promised technical materials. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning criticized Takaichi’s ‘erroneous’ statements, which have sparked public outrage in China. The Tokyo-based Japan-China Friendship Association has also lodged a formal protest, demanding Takaichi retract her comments and urging the Japanese government to take corrective actions. Noriyuki Kawamura, an emeritus professor at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, described Takaichi’s remarks as a ‘declaration of war on China,’ marking a departure from Japan’s traditional pacifist stance. Despite recent efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, Takaichi’s actions have undermined trust and cooperation between the two nations.
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Senior CPC official attends meeting on Beijing’s planning, construction
Cai Qi, a prominent member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Capital Planning and Construction Committee (CPCC), attended and addressed the sixth plenary meeting of the 20th CPCC in Beijing on November 20, 2025. The meeting focused on the strategic planning and development of the Chinese capital, emphasizing its role in the broader context of Chinese modernization. Cai highlighted the importance of understanding Beijing’s positioning and fostering its development in the new era. Key discussions revolved around the orderly relocation of non-essential functions from Beijing to support the growth of the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei province, urban renewal initiatives, and the optimization of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei regional urban system. The meeting also underscored the necessity of integrating security considerations into the city’s planning and governance to build a resilient and secure capital. Yin Li, another member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the CPCC, chaired the session, ensuring a comprehensive dialogue on these critical issues.
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Summit to help Africa reinforce its reforms
The inaugural G20 summit on African soil, hosted in South Africa, represents a pivotal moment for the continent to harness support from Global South nations in driving transformative reforms. This historic event aims to address systemic inequalities in global governance, foster equitable development, and strengthen genuine international cooperation. Scholars and diplomats have long criticized the marginalization of Africa in global affairs, attributing it to the dominance of a few powerful nations that have consistently sidelined the voices and interests of developing countries. David Monyae, director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, emphasized that this structural imbalance has perpetuated inequality and restricted meaningful participation in global governance. Despite these challenges, developing economies are increasingly shaping global outcomes, as noted by Wu Peng, China’s ambassador to South Africa. Wu highlighted China’s zero-tariff treatment for products from 53 African countries as a practical step toward fairer trade systems. He also criticized the U.S.-led tariff wars for undermining the modernization efforts of the Global South. The summit underscores the need for unity and leadership from the Global South to reform global governance. China has reaffirmed its support for South Africa’s G20 presidency, emphasizing mutual respect and shared prosperity. Paul Frimpong, an economic analyst, described the summit as an opportunity to recalibrate global engagement, moving beyond aid dependency to genuine partnerships and investment. He stressed that hosting the G20 in Africa allows the continent to reframe global priorities through its lens of justice, sustainability, and shared prosperity. Frimpong also highlighted China’s expanding engagement with Africa as a model for inclusive global cooperation, citing initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and green financing as evidence of mutual benefit rather than charity.
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Fugees rapper Pras Michel sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegal lobbying
Prakazrel ‘Pras’ Michel, a former member of the Grammy Award-winning group Fugees, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in a high-profile political corruption case. The 53-year-old musician was convicted in April 2023 on multiple charges, including acting as an unregistered foreign agent, witness tampering, campaign finance violations, and lying to banks. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly delivered the sentence in a Washington, D.C., court on Thursday, despite prosecutors’ recommendation of a life sentence. Michel, who testified in his own defense during the trial, chose not to address the court during sentencing. His attorney, Peter Zeidenberg, criticized the verdict as ‘unsupported by the evidence’ and vowed to appeal, calling the sentence ‘completely disproportionate to the offense.’ The case centered on Michel’s alleged role in funneling over $100 million from Malaysian billionaire Jho Low to influence U.S. politics between 2012 and 2017, spanning the administrations of Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Michel was also accused of lobbying on behalf of the Chinese government. Prosecutors argued that Michel ‘betrayed his country for money,’ exploiting and deceiving various U.S. government entities, including the White House and FBI. The trial featured testimony from Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Michel’s co-defendants received significantly lighter sentences, with Elliott Broidy pardoned, George Higginbotham receiving three months of probation, and Nicki Lum Davis sentenced to 24 months. The case also highlighted the broader 1MDB scandal, in which Low allegedly embezzled $4 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund. In June 2024, the U.S. Justice Department reached an agreement with Low to return over $100 million to Malaysia. Michel’s case has raised questions about the enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which has seen narrowed prosecutorial scope under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s recent memorandum.