Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent comments suggesting potential military intervention in Taiwan have drawn sharp criticism from China and raised concerns about the resurgence of militarism in Japan. Observers argue that Takaichi’s remarks are a calculated move to court right-wing supporters and bolster her Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) position after losing its parliamentary majority. Earlier this month, Takaichi became the first sitting Japanese prime minister to publicly discuss military action in Taiwan, framing it as a response to a ‘survival-threatening situation.’ This stance directly contradicts Article 9 of Japan’s pacifist Constitution, which renounces war and the use of force in international disputes. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemned the remarks, likening them to historical justifications used by Japanese militarism, such as the 1931 invasion of Manchuria and the attack on Pearl Harbor. Mao emphasized the need for the international community to remain vigilant against militarism and uphold the postwar international order. At the UN General Assembly, China’s Permanent Representative Fu Cong criticized Takaichi’s comments as a departure from Japan’s commitment to peaceful development and a threat to global stability. Analysts warn that Takaichi’s rhetoric risks inflaming populist sentiments and could lead to significant domestic and international repercussions. Meanwhile, Japan’s refusal to retract the remarks has prompted China to suspend imports of Japanese aquatic products, citing safety concerns and public backlash. Mao reiterated that Japan would bear the consequences of its actions if it persists in its stance.
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Trains collide in the Czech Republic, leaving dozens of people injured
A significant train collision occurred in the southern Czech Republic on Thursday morning, resulting in multiple injuries and disrupted rail services. The incident took place near Ceske Budejovice at approximately 6:20 a.m., involving an express train and another passenger train. According to the regional rescue service, 57 individuals sustained injuries, with two reported to be in serious condition. However, a local hospital in Ceske Budejovice later revised this figure, stating that five of the admitted patients had serious injuries. The collision led to the suspension of rail traffic between Ceske Budejovice and Plzen, with services not expected to resume until the afternoon. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, which has raised concerns about rail safety in the region.
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Volcano eruption forces the rescue of more than 170 climbers on Indonesia’s Mount Semeru
Indonesian authorities successfully assisted more than 170 climbers stranded during Mount Semeru’s sudden eruption on Wednesday, as seismic activity suggested the volcanic eruption would persist. The climbers, including tourists, guides, and porters, were ascending the 3,676-meter peak in East Java’s Lumajang district when they became trapped at the Ranu Kumbolo camping area. Priatin Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, confirmed their safety during a video news conference. Hetty Triastuty, another official, noted that Ranu Kumbolo lies outside the primary danger zone, though climbers may have been exposed to volcanic ash. The eruption unleashed pyroclastic flows and incandescent avalanches, with hot ash and gas traveling up to 13 kilometers down the slopes. Authorities raised the volcano’s alert to the highest level, warning residents to avoid the Besuk Kobokan River area. Nearly 1,000 villagers were evacuated, and while no casualties were reported, two motorcyclists suffered severe burns from hot ash. Mount Semeru, part of Indonesia’s volatile ‘Ring of Fire,’ has a history of deadly eruptions, including one in December 2021 that claimed 51 lives.
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Education on legal matters strengthened
In a bid to make legal education more engaging and accessible, China has introduced innovative programs tailored for young students and the elderly. These initiatives aim to deepen public understanding of the law and foster a culture of legal awareness. One such program, organized by the Haidian District People’s Court in Beijing, recently saw high school students participate in an immersive legal workshop. Students took on roles as plaintiffs, defendants, and judges to navigate a simulated inheritance dispute, learning about the Civil Code and judicial procedures in the process. The workshop, guided by court assistant Sun Jiayun, emphasized the importance of hands-on learning to spark interest in legal concepts. This initiative is part of a broader transformation in China’s legal education system, driven by the implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law. President Xi Jinping has called for intensified efforts to advance the rule of law across all sectors, emphasizing the need for society-wide observance of the law. The program’s success highlights the potential of interactive methods to make legal education more relatable and effective, particularly for younger audiences.
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Military surge in Caribbean raises concern
The United States has significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea under the guise of an anti-drug campaign, raising concerns about its true intentions and the potential destabilization of Latin America. Since September, US forces have adopted a more aggressive stance, conducting attacks on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in international waters, resulting in at least 80 fatalities. Despite Washington’s claims that these actions aim to curb drug flow into the US, no concrete evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug smuggling has been provided.
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil has condemned these attacks as violations of international law, while experts like Cao Ting, director of the Center for Latin American Studies at Fudan University, argue that counter-narcotics has historically been a pretext for US intervention in the region. Reports from the US Drug Enforcement Administration indicate that Venezuela is not a primary source of drugs entering the US, further questioning the legitimacy of these military operations.
The recent arrival of the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group has pushed the total US military personnel in the Caribbean to over 15,000, marking the largest buildup in decades. Zheng Meng, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Latin America Studies, asserts that the scale of this deployment far exceeds what is necessary for drug interdiction, suggesting that the true objective is to strengthen political control and economic exploitation in Latin America.
This military surge has sparked widespread controversy, both domestically and internationally. A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that only 29% of Americans support military strikes against suspected drug traffickers without judicial oversight. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot criticized the operations as violations of international law, and the UK has suspended intelligence sharing with the US on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean.
Experts warn that the US’s unilateral actions and power politics not only violate international law but also undermine regional peace and stability, leading to growing global dissatisfaction. As the US continues to escalate its military operations, Latin America faces an increasingly dangerous and uncertain future, transforming what should be a peaceful region into a volatile one.
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Africa sees rising role in global governance
Africa is increasingly asserting its influence on the global stage, transitioning from a passive participant to an active shaper of international governance. This shift is underscored by the African Union’s (AU) inclusion in the G20 and its deepening engagement within the BRICS+ framework. The continent is leveraging these platforms to advocate for critical issues such as climate justice, trade equity, debt reform, digital sovereignty, and the restructuring of the global financial system. Experts highlight that Africa’s growing role is a response to the inadequacies of existing financial institutions, which were historically designed to serve Western interests rather than those of Africa and the Global South. Gordon K’Achola, CEO of the Nairobi-based nonprofit One Stop Development Agency, emphasized that Africa’s strategic importance, particularly in the global green transition driven by its vast mineral resources like cobalt, copper, and lithium, makes its inclusion in global discussions indispensable. The continent’s shift from ‘norm-taker’ to ‘norm-shaper’ is evident in its active participation in BRICS+, where countries like Egypt, South Africa, and Ethiopia are already members. K’Achola stressed that Africa must embrace broader engagement and reform its internal policies to capitalize on this momentum. James Shikwati, director of the Inter Region Economic Network, noted that Africa’s governance structures, originally designed for a unipolar world, must adapt to the emerging multipolar order. He believes Africa’s abundant natural resources, youthful population, and rapid urbanization position it to play a pivotal role in global supply chains and geopolitical frameworks. African leaders are also using platforms like the G20 and BRICS+ to push for equitable debt restructuring and fair financing conditions. K’Achola further highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in fostering intracontinental trade and reshaping global business norms. To solidify its influence, Africa must project a unified voice and pursue a policy-driven agenda within international forums.
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Modi’s ally returns as chief minister after sweeping Indian state polls
In a historic political milestone, Nitish Kumar, the leader of Janata Dal (United), has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for an unprecedented 10th term. This follows a resounding victory in the state’s recent elections, where his party and its allies, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured a commanding 202 out of 243 seats. The 74-year-old political stalwart, who has dominated Bihar’s political landscape for most of the past two decades, took the oath of office in Patna before a massive gathering on Thursday. The ceremony came a day after his party’s legislators unanimously elected him as their leader, with the broader alliance endorsing the decision. The election itself was marked by controversy, with opposition parties alleging that a revision of voter lists unfairly favored the BJP—a claim both the party and the Election Commission denied. Bihar, one of India’s poorest states with over 74 million voters, has long been a political battleground. Despite its challenges, the state saw a record voter turnout of 66.91%, the highest since 1951, with women outnumbering men at the polls. The BJP won 89 seats, while Kumar’s party secured 85, with the remaining 28 seats going to other alliance partners. The opposition coalition, led by the Congress party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), managed to win only 35 seats. This election is seen as a precursor to crucial state polls next year in West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, where the BJP has struggled to establish a foothold. Prime Minister Modi hailed the Bihar results as ‘a victory for democracy,’ underscoring the significance of the outcome in shaping India’s political future.
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Bangladesh Supreme Court restores nonpartisan caretaker system but not for next elections
In a landmark decision on Thursday, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court reinstated the nonpartisan caretaker government system for national elections, a move hailed as a step toward ensuring electoral fairness. However, the ruling clarified that the system would not apply to the upcoming elections scheduled for early next year. The caretaker system, first introduced in 1996, was widely regarded as a cornerstone of democratic integrity in Bangladesh, a parliamentary democracy of 170 million people. It facilitated two subsequent elections in which retired chief justices led nonpartisan governments, ensuring smooth transitions of power within 90 days. The 2008 elections were also conducted under a former central bank governor. Despite its initial success, the system was abolished in 2011 under then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following political disputes. Critics accused Hasina of manipulating future elections, a claim underscored by the controversial 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections, which were marred by allegations of credibility issues. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Hasina’s rival Khaleda Zia, boycotted the 2014 and 2024 polls, demanding the restoration of the caretaker system. The Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling on Thursday addressed two appeals and four petitions seeking a review of the 2011 verdict. The court stated that the caretaker system would be reinstated for the 14th national election since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 but would not affect the 13th post-independence vote, which will be overseen by the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. Attorney General Mohammed Asaduzzaman praised the decision, calling it a milestone for Bangladesh’s democracy. Meanwhile, the BNP welcomed the ruling, with party leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury describing it as the dawn of a new era. The decision comes amid a turbulent political climate, with Hasina in exile in India following her ousting in August 2024 and subsequent death sentence for crimes against humanity. Analysts warn that Bangladesh faces a challenging path ahead as it navigates this critical juncture under Yunus’s leadership.
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1,700 years ago, bishops and an emperor wrote a creed. Millions still recite it in church
The Council of Nicaea, convened 1,700 years ago in present-day Turkey, remains a cornerstone of Christian history, symbolizing both unity and division within the faith. This historic gathering, orchestrated by Roman Emperor Constantine in 325 AD, produced the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian belief still recited by millions worldwide. Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the site on November 28, as part of his first major foreign trip, underscores its enduring significance. The council marked the first ecumenical meeting of bishops, addressing theological disputes, particularly the “Trinitarian Controversy,” which centered on the relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son. Despite later schisms, the Nicene Creed remains a unifying document for Catholic, Orthodox, and most Protestant denominations. The anniversary has been commemorated globally, with events ranging from the World Council of Churches’ celebration in Egypt to local gatherings in the U.S. The council’s legacy, however, is complex. While it achieved theological compromise, it also institutionalized antisemitism and failed to permanently resolve doctrinal conflicts. Arius, whose teachings were condemned at Nicaea, later regained influence, and debates persisted for generations. Subsequent councils, such as the one in Constantinople in 381, expanded the creed, but divisions continued, including the Great Schism between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches in the 11th century. Despite these fractures, the anniversary serves as a reminder of Christianity’s call to unity, offering hope for reconciliation in a divided church.
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US congress calls Australia’s internet regulator to testify
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, is under scrutiny from US Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, who has requested her testimony before the US Congress. Jordan, chair of the Committee of the Judiciary, expressed concerns that Australia’s Online Safety Act (OSA) enforcement is impinging on free speech in the United States. In a letter to Inman Grant, Jordan criticized her as a ‘noted zealot for global takedowns’ and accused her of overreaching by applying Australian laws extraterritorially, which he claims threatens American citizens’ speech rights. He has demanded her appearance by December 2, just before Australia’s social media ban for under-16s takes effect. A spokesperson for Inman Grant stated that she is considering the request, emphasizing that her role is to enforce Australian laws and that she is accountable to Australia’s Minister for Communications and Parliament. The spokesperson also clarified that eSafety’s actions do not restrict American companies from displaying content to Americans. Jordan’s letter referenced Inman Grant’s past legal actions against Elon Musk’s X platform, where she sought the removal of videos depicting a Sydney church stabbing, deemed a terrorist incident, from global users. Although X initially refused to comply, it later blocked the videos in Australia. Jordan also accused Inman Grant of collaborating with pro-censorship entities in the US to promote ‘global censorship regimes’ and criticized her speech at Stanford University, labeling it as ‘troubling’ and indicative of efforts to censor lawful American speech. He warned that such global content takedown orders could set a dangerous precedent for other governments to follow.