Saturday, November 30
The New York City Council voted to ban most uses of solitary confinement in city jails, setting up a clash with Mayor Eric Adams, who opposes the ban and plans to veto it. The ban is seen as a pivotal moment in the national movement to make jails more humane. The United Nations has called solitary confinement torture, and research links it to increased risks of mental illness, self-harm, and suicide. Black and Latino people are disproportionately affected by the practice. Supporters of the ban vow to override the mayor's veto.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken calls on nations to demand that Hamas stop hiding behind civilians, lay down its arms, and surrender. He questions why there are no demands made of the aggressor and only demands made of the victim. Blinken's remarks come as the UN security council negotiates a resolution to suspend hostilities and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. The US previously voted against a cease-fire request at the UN general assembly. Israel's ally, the US, has condemned the Hamas attack but urges Israel to take actions to preserve innocent lives.
Suneung, an eight-hour long, highly challenging exam, plays a critical role in determining university admissions, job prospects, and even future relationships in South Korea. This year, over half a million students participated in the Suneung. The controversy arose when the bell signaling the end of the exam rang prematurely at a test center in Seoul during the Korean language section, the first subject of the test. Despite immediate protests from some students, their answer sheets were collected.
Polling stations open in high-stakes Democratic Republic of Congo general election between President Felix Tshisekedi and fragmented opposition. Voting takes place in a nation of 100 million people, including citizens in South Africa, Belgium, United States, and France. Over 100,000 candidates are running for various positions. A union of Catholic and Protestant churches mobilizes 25,000 election observers. Moise Katumbi is a main target of attacks for alleged dual loyalties. Armed conflict in eastern DRC overshadows the campaign due to militias and the M23 group. Other candidates include Martin Fayulu and Denis Mukwege. Opposition candidates suspect electoral fraud.
The management of Polish public television, radio and news agency PAP have been dismissed, the culture ministry said on Wednesday, as one public news channel that critics said had become politicised under the previous government went off air. Critics say that state-run media, in particular 24-hour news channel TVP Info, became an outlet for propaganda during Law and Justice's (PiS) eight years in office. Prime minister Donald Tusk's coalition has vowed to create new stations that take a more balanced approach.
The so-called honour killing of 18-year-old Saman Abbas, who went missing in April 2021, shocked Italy. Her father, Shabbar Abbas, was convicted by the court in the northern city of Reggio Emilia along with the victim's mother, who remains at large. The girl's uncle was sentenced to 14 years in prison while two cousins were acquitted. Shabbar Abbas had been extradited to Italy in August to face trial after he was arrested in his village in eastern Pakistan on suspicion of murder. His wife is believed to be in hiding in Pakistan.
North Korea and Russia clashed with the US, South Korea, and allies at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, discussing North Korea's latest ICBM launch. North Korea's ambassador highlighted the military-security landscape on the Korean Peninsula, including US-South Korean military exercises and the US deployment of nuclear-powered submarines. The US and nine allies condemned North Korea's missile launches this year, calling them a threat to peace and stability. North Korea urged the international community to consider its security concerns and warned of consequences if the US and South Korea continue their military threat.
A strong earthquake struck northwestern China, causing extensive damage and resulting in the deaths of 131 people. The magnitude 6.2 quake injured over 700 people and caused widespread destruction to homes, roads, and communication lines. Emergency workers are conducting search and rescue operations to find missing individuals in collapsed buildings and landslides. The affected residents spent a freezing winter night in tents at evacuation sites, waiting for blankets and warm clothing to arrive. The earthquake occurred in a mountainous region near the provincial boundary between Gansu and Qinghai provinces.
Princess Aisha's extended family was asleep when the strike levelled their apartment building in Rafah before dawn, said Suzan Zoarab, the infant's grandmother and survivor of the blast. Hospital officials said 27 people were killed, among them Amira and her 2-year old brother, Ahmed. "Just 2 weeks old. Her name hadn't even been registered," Suzan said, her voice quivering as she spoke from the side of her son's hospital bed, who was also injured in the blast.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ramaswamy expressed his views strongly, saying, "This is what an actual attack on democracy looks like: in an un-American, unconstitutional, and unprecedented decision, a cabal of Democrat judges are barring Trump from the ballot in Colorado." He criticized the bipartisan establishment for using the 14th Amendment to prevent Trump from running in the election. He further said, "I pledge to withdraw from the Colorado GOP primary unless Trump is also allowed to be on the state’s ballot".
