Friday, November 29
Chinese state media accuses the Philippines of repeatedly infringing on China's territory in the South China Sea, spreading false information, and seriously harming regional peace and stability. Philippines' reliance on US support to provoke China is deemed "extremely dangerous". Tensions between Beijing and Manila have heightened as both sides trade accusations over recent run-ins in the South China Sea. China claims most of the South China Sea, while the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia also claim parts of it.
The communication between the Pakistan government and Baloch protesters has reached a 'dead end' as the agitators alleged that the authorities have not released all individuals participating in the protest highlighting the issue of Baloch people's disappearances. The Islamabad Capital Police released over 250 people in the last three days, following an order from the Pakistan caretaker PM Anwarul Haq Kakar. Protesters noted that despite issuing a three-day ultimatum to the government for the release of those arrested during the march, discussions showed no progress.
Russia on Monday accused Western countries of stirring up tensions in Serbia, a Moscow-friendly Balkan nation that has been rocked by protests over alleged fraud in elections held on December 17. Just a day before, demonstrators tried to storm the Belgrade city hall. Protestors reject the results of parliamentary and local elections in which President Aleksandar Vucic's party said it secured a commanding victory. "The attempts of the collective West to destabilise the situation in the country are obvious," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told state-run news agency RIA Novosti.
Robert F Kennedy Jr, a member of the famous Kennedy family, is gaining support from a diverse group of people who share a deep distrust of the government, media, and corporations. Kennedy's independent bid for the 2024 presidential election has the potential to influence the race in unpredictable ways, causing concern among allies of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Kennedy's anti-vaccine views and ties to the far right have attracted a loyal following, while his stance on partisanship and cooperation resonates with others.
Bahara Rustam, 13, took her last class at Bibi Razia School in Kabul on Dec. 11 knowing it was the end of her education. Under Taliban rule, she is unlikely to step foot in a classroom again. In September 2021, a month after US and Nato troops withdrew from Afghanistan following two decades of war, the Taliban announced that girls were barred from studying beyond sixth grade. They extended this education ban to universities in December 2022. The Taliban have defied global condemnation and warnings that the restrictions will make it almost impossible for them to gain recognition as the country's legitimate rulers.
Pakistani police released 290 Baloch activists who were arrested during a protest in Islamabad. The activists had traveled from Turbat to protest forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Baluchistan. The police used batons and water cannons to disperse and arrest the protesters. The use of force sparked nationwide condemnation and a sit-in outside the Islamabad Press Club. Balochistan has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by Baloch nationalists, who demand a greater share of the province's resources.
Seven people, including five children, sustained burn injuries in a gas leakage explosion in Quetta's Eastern Bypass district. The victims had severe burns and their condition is now stable, according to medical sources. The explosion was caused by a gas leak. The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) is responsible for conducting regular and unscheduled load sheddings in Balochistan, which can lead to such incidents. Gas leak explosions in Balochistan result in numerous fatalities every year.
Several cities in Henan province, including Jiaozuo, Puyang, and Pingdingshan, are facing a winter heating supply crunch due to a cold wave. JiaoZuo WanFang Aluminum Manufacturing, a major supplier, is working to fix heating boilers that have broken down. Heat supply to government departments and administrative institutions has been suspended in Puyang and Pingdingshan to prioritize residential usage. The central province's weather authority has forecasted sub-zero temperatures in several areas, with a low of minus 15 degrees Celsius.
Magdalena Simon, a migrant from Guatemala, finds support in the Fort Morgan migrant community after her husband is detained by immigration officers. The community provides legal counsel, charities, schools, and a support network for newcomers. This community has become a case study for rural refugee integration, and their stories have been shared with Congress. The demographic shift in Fort Morgan has led to adaptations like monthly support groups, rights training, driving lessons, and access to immigration attorneys. Advocacy groups organize events to oppose stiffer asylum rules, while businesses in the area employ many migrants.
Madrid Metro, constructed during the turbulent era of the First World War and the Spanish Flu, has completed 104 years of its eventful journey. When opened in 1919, it was seen as an engineering feat and as a "miracle" because Spain's first line of metro had been built in just two to three years, said a top official of Madrid Metro.
