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  • Police to release man held over US university shooting

    Police to release man held over US university shooting

    In a dramatic reversal, law enforcement officials announced Sunday night they will release the only individual detained in connection with the Brown University shooting that left two students dead and nine injured. The decision came after authorities determined insufficient evidence existed to continue holding the person.

    The development represents a significant setback in the investigation into Saturday’s violence that erupted at the Ivy League campus during final exam preparations. Officials had initially believed they made a breakthrough when apprehending a suspect at a Rhode Island hotel, only to have their investigative progress unravel hours later.

    While multiple U.S. media outlets identified the detained individual as 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson, a former U.S. Army infantryman who served from 2021 to 2024, military officials confirmed to Reuters they could not verify whether he was indeed the person taken into custody. Erickson had achieved the rank of specialist but was never deployed during his military service.

    With no current suspects in custody, Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez pledged intensified investigative efforts, emphasizing the collection of surveillance footage and physical evidence. ‘We’re in the process of collecting evidence and seizing items that we need to seize, search locations that we need to search,’ Chief Perez stated.

    The shooting occurred approximately at 4 p.m. Saturday within the Barus and Holley building, which contains engineering and physics classrooms and laboratories. According to law enforcement sources, the assailant discharged more than 40 rounds from a 9mm handgun inside an engineering classroom.

    In response to the tragedy, Brown University canceled all remaining academic activities for the semester, including classes, examinations, and projects. President Donald Trump characterized the incident as ‘a terrible thing’ while extending his ‘deepest regards and respect’ to grieving families and wishes for recovery to the wounded.

    On Sunday evening, the Providence community transformed a scheduled holiday celebration into a vigil honoring the victims. Mayor Brett Smiley reflected on the significance of gathering during Hanukkah, noting ‘if we can come together as a community to shine a little bit of light tonight, there’s nothing better that we can be doing.’

  • Horsemen safeguard remote borders

    Horsemen safeguard remote borders

    In the formidable Altay Mountains of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a specialized unit of border police has adapted to one of the country’s most challenging environments through an unexpected tool: horses. Operating from the Kanas Scenic Area Border Police Station at 1,324 meters above sea level, these officers patrol 817.63 square kilometers of rugged terrain bordering Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia.

    The region transforms into a treacherous winter landscape for half the year, with temperatures plunging to -30°C and snowdrifts reaching three meters deep. Under these extreme conditions, conventional vehicles become useless, forcing officers to rely on equestrian patrols to maintain border security and provide emergency services.

    Station chief Zhu Peicai, a 15-year veteran of these harsh conditions, emphasizes that ‘riding a horse is as essential for us as driving a police car.’ His team of 24 officers and seven auxiliary personnel—with an average age of 29—serves a diverse community of 1,037 residents from six ethnic groups, approximately 80% of whom are Mongolian.

    The dangers these officers face are substantial. Beyond the constant threat of avalanches and hidden crevasses, they regularly rescue tourists lured by the area’s spectacular winter beauty but unprepared for its dangers. In October alone, the station rescued over 140 stranded visitors, including a major operation on October 1 when 110 tourists became trapped in the remote Black Lake area without communication capabilities.

    Officer Wang Yicheng describes the patrols as essential preventive measures: ‘Once the snow falls and freezes, the trail often becomes a death trap. Without a telephone signal, anyone stranded faces hypothermia within hours.’

    The physical toll on officers is severe, with some experiencing such intense saddle sores from extended missions that they must sleep on their stomachs for days. The team also recalls near-fatal incidents, including a harrowing avalanche in January last year that buried 200 meters of road and trapped over 1,000 tourists.

    Beyond emergency response, the officers serve as community mediators and grassroots administrators. A simple wooden table outside their station has become a hub for dispute resolution, with a remarkable 100% mediation success rate. Their annual accomplishments include handling over 900 rescue calls, saving more than 300 tourists and herders, and recovering approximately 4 million yuan in economic losses.

    Despite the isolation and danger, these officers have developed a profound commitment to their mission. As Political Commissar Wang Jia expressed after planting the national flag at the China-Russia border marker: ‘Standing there, seeing the flag flutter against the snow, every ache is worth it.’

  • Yoon planned martial law early on: Probe team

    Yoon planned martial law early on: Probe team

    A comprehensive 180-day investigation by South Korea’s special counsel has uncovered that ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol orchestrated preparations for martial law implementation for over a year before his controversial decree on December 3, 2024. The findings, announced by special counsel leader Cho Eun-suk on Monday, detail a systematic plan to neutralize political opposition through military force.

    According to the investigation, Yoon and his associates initiated martial law preparations as early as October 2023. The scheme involved using military power to paralyze the National Assembly and seize both legislative and judicial authority, fundamentally aiming to eliminate political adversaries and consolidate power indefinitely. The probe further revealed that Yoon authorized unusual military operations intended to provoke an armed response from North Korea (DPRK), which ultimately failed when no military reaction materialized.

    Faced with this failure, Yoon’s administration allegedly categorized routine political activities within the National Assembly as “anti-state acts” and “insurrection plots” to justify the emergency martial law declaration. Although announced on December 3 last year, the decree was rescinded mere hours later following overwhelming opposition from the legislature.

    The constitutional consequences were severe: in April 2025, South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld parliament’s impeachment vote, resulting in Yoon’s removal from office. The investigation has led to indictments against 24 individuals, including former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Yoon and several key associates remain in custody pending trial.

    Evidence supporting these findings includes seized notes from former Defense Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won, phone memoranda from former counterintelligence chief Yeo In-hyung, and testimonies from multiple witnesses. The investigation also uncovered Yoon’s longstanding hostility toward the Democratic Party, dating back to his tenure as prosecutor general. During a November 2022 meeting with People Power Party leadership, Yoon reportedly vowed to “sweep the DP away” even if it meant being “shot to death,” given emergency powers.

    In related developments, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former commander Noh to two years imprisonment for unlawfully collecting military intelligence officers’ personal information connected to the martial law scheme. Additionally, the Constitutional Court announced it will deliver its impeachment ruling on Thursday regarding National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho, accused of blocking lawmakers’ assembly access during the crisis.

  • China’s economic agenda hailed

    China’s economic agenda hailed

    Analysts across Asia are recognizing significant regional economic implications from China’s newly announced economic priorities. The conclusion of China’s Central Economic Work Conference on December 11 has set the stage for substantial domestic market enhancement strategies that promise to create stabilizing effects throughout Asian supply chains.

    Economic experts note that China’s commitment to strengthening internal consumption mechanisms arrives at a critical juncture for export-dependent Asian economies facing constrained global trading conditions. The policy direction emphasizes consumption stimulation initiatives, urban-rural income augmentation programs, and the elimination of regulatory barriers that currently inhibit consumer activity.

    Reuben Mondejar, economics professor at IESE Business School in Spain, observed that while China’s agenda primarily addresses domestic economic dynamics, the resulting increase in Chinese import capacity will inevitably produce positive spillover effects across Asian trading partners.

    Singapore-based researcher Amitendu Palit from the National University of Singapore highlighted China’s evolution from primarily a manufacturing exporter to a substantial consumption market. “Global attention has traditionally focused on China’s production capabilities,” Palit noted, “while underestimating its remarkable potential as a consumer market.”

    The strategic shift assumes greater importance considering current U.S. tariff policies affecting numerous trading nations. Malaysia-based investment specialist Ian Yoong Kah Yin suggested that China’s market expansion could catalyze more structured economic integration between China and ASEAN members, potentially leading to enhanced manufacturing partnerships specifically targeting Chinese consumer demand.

    Financial analysts from Nomura confirmed that domestic demand stimulation remains Beijing’s consistent policy priority, maintaining the emphasis established in previous year’s economic planning sessions. China’s substantial foreign exchange reserves and rising living standards provide strong fundamentals for this consumer-focused approach.

    The conference outcomes also reaffirmed China’s commitment to institutional opening-up and service sector liberalization, measures that economists believe will stabilize global supply chains and reduce vulnerability to unilateral economic pressures from dominant global powers.

  • Scientists alter mast cells to fight cancerous tumors

    Scientists alter mast cells to fight cancerous tumors

    In a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment, researchers at Zhejiang University have successfully transformed mast cells—typically known for triggering allergic responses—into precision weapons against cancerous tumors. This innovative strategy merges targeted immune system activation with advanced drug delivery mechanisms.

    The research, published in the prestigious journal Cell, represents a collaboration between Professors Gu Zhen and Yu Jicheng of Zhejiang University and Professor Liu Fujian of China Medical University. Their work focuses on repurposing mast cells, a type of white blood cell traditionally associated with allergic reactions such as hay fever or food sensitivities, into specialized carriers for oncolytic viruses designed to eliminate cancer cells.

    The scientific breakthrough involves equipping mast cells with immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specifically engineered to recognize unique protein markers on tumor cells. This biological reprogramming effectively converts these cells into precision-guided vehicles that seek out and infiltrate cancerous growths.

    Once these modified mast cells reach their target, they unleash their therapeutic payload through a controlled release mechanism reminiscent of an allergic reaction. This process delivers a concentrated dose of cancer-killing viruses directly to the tumor site while simultaneously activating additional immune defenses, including CD8+ T cells, to join the attack.

    In preclinical studies involving mouse models of melanoma, breast cancer, and metastatic lung cancer, the approach demonstrated significant tumor growth suppression and improved survival rates. Notably, in experiments using patient-derived tumor models with elevated HER2 protein levels (common in certain breast cancers), the treatment triggered robust immune responses and substantial tumor reduction.

    The platform’s adaptability allows for personalized cancer treatment by tailoring IgE antibodies to target patient-specific tumor proteins. Researchers suggest this mast cell technology could also be adapted to deliver other therapeutic agents, including small-molecule drugs or antibodies.

    The research team is currently advancing the technology toward clinical applications, focusing on optimizing production processes, selecting patient-specific IgE antibodies, and exploring combination therapies with existing immunotherapies.

  • La Nina conditions may hit rain, lead to drought

    La Nina conditions may hit rain, lead to drought

    Meteorological authorities warn that eastern and southern regions of China face heightened drought risks throughout winter and into spring 2026 due to persistent La Nina conditions in the equatorial Pacific. While climate experts confirm the unlikely development of a full-scale La Nina event, the existing oceanic cooling pattern continues to disrupt normal precipitation distribution across affected regions.

    The National Climate Center’s monitoring data indicates that La Nina conditions became established in October 2025, characterized by unusually cool sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. According to Zhang Daquan, Deputy Director of the center’s climate prediction division, meteorologists utilize the Nino 3.4 index as the standard measurement for such phenomena, with values dropping below -0.5°C indicating La Nina conditions.

    Climate scientists emphasize the critical distinction between La Nina conditions and official La Nina events. The latter requires the Nino 3.4 index to remain below the -0.5°C threshold for five consecutive months—a duration not expected in the current scenario. Forecast models project the cooling pattern will persist for two to three months before transitioning toward neutral conditions around February or March 2026.

    The meteorological mechanism involves La Nina generating cyclonic circulation anomalies over the western North Pacific and South China Sea. This atmospheric configuration produces prevailing northeasterly winds that impede moisture transport from tropical regions—China’s primary winter vapor source. Consequently, precipitation deficits are anticipated across eastern and southern provinces.

    Contrary to public assumptions linking La Nina with severe winter cold, temperature projections indicate near-average or slightly above-average winter temperatures nationwide. Zhang clarified that multiple factors beyond La Nina—including Arctic sea ice coverage, Eurasian snow accumulation, and natural atmospheric variability—collectively influence China’s seasonal climate patterns.

    The National Climate Center anticipates increased temperature volatility throughout winter, featuring more pronounced alternations between cold spells and warm periods. This variability occurs alongside the predicted precipitation reduction, creating complex weather challenges for agricultural and water resource management sectors.

  • Zelenskyy and some 30 countries to approve compensation body for Ukraine damages

    Zelenskyy and some 30 countries to approve compensation body for Ukraine damages

    THE HAGUE, Netherlands — In a significant multilateral development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside representatives from approximately thirty nations is poised to formally establish an international compensation body to address damages resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ceremonial signing in The Hague occurs amidst complex diplomatic maneuvers, including recent peace discussions involving U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

    President Zelenskyy demonstrated strategic flexibility by expressing willingness to suspend Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations in exchange for concrete Western security guarantees, though he firmly rejected territorial concessions to Russia. “These security arrangements represent a viable mechanism to deter future Russian aggression,” Zelenskyy stated during a press interaction. “This position itself constitutes a substantial compromise from our perspective.”

    The newly formed International Claims Commission, operating under the auspices of the Council of Europe’s human rights framework, will process Ukrainian claims for compensation regarding damages, losses, or injuries sustained since Russia’s full-scale invasion commenced in February 2022. This mechanism builds upon the existing Register of Damage for Ukraine established during the 2023 Council of Europe summit in Iceland, which has already cataloged approximately 80,000 claims.

    Despite the political consensus, critical funding questions remain unresolved. While the Council of Europe maintains that Russia should ultimately bear financial responsibility, no clear enforcement mechanism exists to compel Moscow’s compliance. One prominent proposal involves utilizing frozen Russian assets worth tens of billions of dollars currently held in European jurisdictions.

    The commission requires ratification from twenty-five nations to become operational, though over thirty countries—including European nations, Mexico, Japan, and Canada—are expected to participate initially, representing unprecedented support for a Council of Europe treaty initiative. The European Union has additionally indicated its intention to join the compensation framework.

    Parallel to these reparations efforts, many participating nations have endorsed the establishment of a specialized international court under Council of Europe jurisdiction to prosecute senior Russian officials alleged to have committed crimes during the invasion. President Zelenskyy’s diplomatic agenda in the Netherlands further includes addressing the Dutch parliament and meeting with King Willem-Alexander.

  • Struggling patient breathes easier after critical surgery

    Struggling patient breathes easier after critical surgery

    A groundbreaking medical intervention in China’s remote southwestern region has dramatically transformed the life of a 62-year-old patient suffering from a rare combination of serious health conditions. Mr. Zha, a resident of Malipo county in Yunnan’s Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, has experienced remarkable improvement after Shanghai-based surgeons successfully removed a massive 1.3-kilogram tumor from his neck.

    The patient had been battling severe respiratory complications caused by Madelung’s disease—an uncommon disorder characterized by symmetric fat deposits—further complicated by advanced laryngeal cancer. His condition had progressively worsened, with local medical practitioners struggling to provide effective treatment as his neck swelled to an alarming size, severely constricting his airway.

    The turning point came in mid-October when a specialized medical team from Shanghai’s prestigious Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University arrived in Wenshan as part of a national healthcare initiative. Dr. Xu Chengzhi, who led the surgical intervention, described the critical condition upon initial examination: ‘During our free medical consultation on October 20, we encountered a patient whose neck had expanded to bucket-like proportions, with his airway compressed to a narrow slit.’

    This medical mission represents a broader national effort orchestrated by China’s National Health Commission. Since July, over 80 mobile medical teams have been deployed to underserved regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. The three-week program in Wenshan combined direct patient care with knowledge transfer, allowing Shanghai’s medical experts to both treat complex cases and enhance local medical capabilities through training and collaboration.

    Following the intricate surgery, Mr. Zha reported immediate relief and significantly improved breathing capacity, marking a profound enhancement in his quality of life despite necessary postoperative precautions.

  • Sydney taekwondo instructor gets life sentence for murdering student and parents

    Sydney taekwondo instructor gets life sentence for murdering student and parents

    In a landmark ruling at the New South Wales Supreme Court, 51-year-old Kwang Kyung Yoo received a life imprisonment sentence without parole eligibility for the brutal murder of his 7-year-old taekwondo student and the child’s parents. Justice Ian Harrison delivered the unprecedented sentence on Tuesday, citing the extreme nature of the crimes and the need for community protection.

    The court heard how Yoo, operating under the moniker ‘Master Lion’ at his Lion’s Taekwondo and Martial Arts Academy in western Sydney, committed the triple homicide in February of last year. Driven by financial envy toward the Korean immigrant family’s economic success, Yoo strangled the young boy and his 41-year-old mother within his martial arts studio before proceeding to the family residence, where he fatally stabbed the 39-year-old father.

    Justice Harrison characterized the killings as “horrific and violent acts, senselessly cruel and cynical, perpetrated without a trace of human compassion.” Despite Yoo’s subsequent expressions of remorse and claims of being “held captive by sin,” the judge emphasized that the severity of the crimes warranted permanent incarceration.

    The investigation revealed Yoo’s elaborate deception patterns extending beyond the murders. Evidence presented during November sentencing hearings detailed how the instructor fabricated stories about meeting Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart, qualifying for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and owning luxury vehicles. Psychological evaluations indicated these falsehoods escalated as Yoo struggled with cultural and parental expectations of success from his South Korean background.

    Yoo’s arrest followed his admission to a hospital with injuries sustained during the fatal confrontation at the family home, where he initially claimed to have been attacked in a supermarket parking lot. Police apprehended him at the medical facility after discovering the mother’s Apple watch and the family’s BMW in his possession.

    The sentencing marks a rare application of life without parole in New South Wales, where murder convictions typically carry standard nonparole periods of 20-25 years. The victims’ identities remain protected under state laws safeguarding child crime victims.

  • UN envoy calls on Japan to retract Taiwan comments

    UN envoy calls on Japan to retract Taiwan comments

    China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Fu Cong, has issued a stern rebuke of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent characterization of Taiwan as a potential military contingency for Japan. During Monday’s UN Security Council debate on Leadership for Peace, Fu demanded immediate retraction of these statements and warned Japan against persisting on this “wrong path.”

    The diplomatic confrontation stems from Prime Minister Takaichi’s unprecedented declaration to the Japanese parliament last month that a “Taiwan contingency” could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially justifying military intervention. This marked the first explicit threat of force toward China by a postwar Japanese leader.

    Ambassador Fu framed these comments within historical context, noting the international community’s ongoing reflection on World War II lessons. “Militarism and fascism once brought unprecedented catastrophes to humanity,” Fu stated, adding that any attempts to “whitewash or overturn the history of aggression challenge the bottom line of human conscience.”

    The Chinese envoy emphasized the necessity of upholding the postwar international order and UN Charter principles, including sovereign equality of states and opposition to unilateralism. His remarks coincided with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s criticism of the Security Council’s dysfunctionality, particularly citing the repeated use of veto power to shield allies from accountability.

    In parallel developments, China announced immediate sanctions against Shigeru Iwasaki, former chief of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces Joint Staff, for colluding with Taiwan independence forces. The measures include freezing all his assets in China, responding to his March appointment as a “political consultant” for Taiwan authorities.

    The diplomatic exchange highlights escalating tensions in East Asia, with China reinforcing its position that Taiwan represents an absolute “red line” in international relations that must not be crossed.