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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the 25th held a virtual meeting with the 35-member countries of the “Coalition of the Willing,” including the U.K., France, and the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to discuss progress on the U.S.-initiated Russia-Ukraine ceasefire peace agreement. Zelenskyy expressed willingness to exchange views directly with Donald Trump and hoped to continue working with Europe and the United States to advance the ceasefire within the established framework discussed in Geneva.

Zelenskyy emphasized that “Ukraine must be involved in discussions regarding its own security guarantees.” He argued that the U.S. and Russia should not make decisions without Ukraine present; otherwise, future implementation may be difficult. He reiterated that unless Russia signals willingness to cease fire, the West should continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, maintain sanctions against Russia, and make proper use of frozen Russian assets.

Among the 28 provisions drafted by U.S. and Russian officials, the possibility of NATO troops being stationed on Ukrainian territory was excluded. However, the leaders of the U.K. and France insisted that deploying a multinational ground force in Ukraine would help deter further aggression. This has caused serious divisions among Western allies: Sweden, Denmark, and Australia signaled willingness to participate, while Poland, Greece, and Italy expressed opposition. Zelenskyy hopes European and American countries can establish a viable framework for deploying the “Reassurance Force Ukraine of the Coalition of the Willing” and proceed with signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The online meeting on the 25th took place just hours after Ukraine and the United States reached a “consensus” on the core terms of the peace agreement during bilateral talks. The most sensitive issues in the agreement remain unresolved and await an in-person meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump, the date of which has not yet been announced. Zelenskyy stated, “I am ready to meet with President Trump—there are still some sensitive issues to discuss, and we believe having European leaders present might be helpful,” suggesting he may travel to the U.S. together with other European leaders.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on November 24, officially launching the “Genesis Mission,” aimed at accelerating the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and strengthening America’s leadership in the global AI race.

According to foreign media reports, Michael Kratsios, the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, stated that the initiative will coordinate research across government agencies, fully integrate AI tools, and open federal databases and provide access to the Department of Energy’s national laboratory computing resources. These efforts are expected to significantly shorten the time required to achieve scientific breakthroughs.

A senior official, speaking anonymously, revealed that the Genesis Mission will collaborate with private-sector companies such as Nvidia, Dell, HPE, and AMD to enhance the supercomputing capabilities of national laboratories. The initiative aims to advance innovation in materials engineering, health sciences, and energy, thereby boosting productivity and lowering prices through technological innovation in response to voter concerns over rising living costs.

However, the energy-hungry data centers required for AI development have sparked concerns about strain on the power grid. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm emphasized that one of the mission’s ultimate goals is to increase energy supply, improve grid efficiency, and reduce energy costs. “We will curb the continued rise in energy prices and ultimately put downward pressure on electricity rates,” she said.

Department of Energy Chief of Staff Paul M. Dabbar noted that the Genesis Mission highlights the Trump administration’s strong focus on the AI technology race, calling it as significant as the Manhattan Project and the space race. Trump has repeatedly underscored the strategic value of AI, planning to make it a top priority in Washington, and intends to relax regulations through executive action while promoting unified federal standards to prevent states from enacting their own separate legislation. Reportedly, Trump is prepared to file lawsuits against state-level AI regulations deemed unconstitutional.

Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), recently confirmed in an interview that the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE)—established by President Donald Trump at the beginning of his term and led by Elon Musk—is set to be dissolved. He noted that DOGE is no longer a “centralized entity,” and that some of its functions have been taken over by OPM. However, Kupor later clarified on social media that the Reuters report had taken his remarks out of context, stressing that DOGE remains operational and continues to advance deregulation efforts and combat fraud and waste.

DOGE was created in January, with Trump declaring its mission to pursue “major structural reforms,” including budget cuts and the elimination of bureaucratic agencies, and was originally slated to operate through July 2026. Musk co-led the office with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, but resigned after only four months due to friction with White House officials and public criticism of Trump’s policies. Following his departure, the office’s future came under scrutiny, and some staff members began leaving or seeking new positions.

Reports from Reuters and other media outlets indicate that Trump has recently referred to DOGE in the past tense, and staff have been gradually transferring to other government entities, including the newly established “National Design Studio” launched in August. Acting director Amy Gleason also moved in March to become an adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services. Although no formal dissolution has been announced, many observers believe DOGE has steadily faded from the center of government operations.

Western African nation Guinea-Bissau headed to the polls on the 23rd after three weeks of relatively calm campaigning, as voters chose a new president in hopes of ending years of political turmoil. However, the exclusion of the country’s largest opposition force has cast a political shadow over the election.

According to AFP, roughly 860,000 registered voters are selecting from 12 candidates, with “stability” emerging as the central theme of the race. Since gaining independence from Portuguese colonial rule, Guinea-Bissau has experienced repeated political upheaval, including four coups and several attempted coups, leaving the nation persistently fragile.

Improving living conditions is among citizens’ most urgent demands, as public services—including healthcare, education, and infrastructure—are in dire need of upgrades. Employment, anti-poverty measures, combating corruption, and curbing drug trafficking are also major voter concerns. With a population of just 2.2 million, nearly 40% of residents live in extreme poverty, placing the country among the poorest in the world. Persistent instability has also turned Guinea-Bissau into a key transit hub for drug smuggling between Latin America and Europe, further complicating governance efforts.

Polling stations were open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time (0700 GMT), and preliminary results are expected no later than the 27th. Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, 53, is considered the frontrunner, and if re-elected, he would become the first president to serve two consecutive terms since the country adopted multiparty democracy in 1994.

His main challenger, opposition candidate Fernando Dias, is backed by the powerful but disqualified African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). This election marks the first time in the nation’s history that the PAIGC did not appear on the ballot. The party led Guinea-Bissau to independence in 1974 and dominated politics for decades. PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira recently returned from exile, but the Supreme Court ruled that both the party and Pereira had missed submission deadlines for legislative and presidential candidacies, which resulted in their disqualification.

In recent days, the Trump administration has presented Ukraine and Russia with a draft peace proposal containing roughly 28 points, aiming to end the full-scale conflict that has continued since 2022. Once the proposal was revealed by Western media, it immediately triggered strong reactions from Kyiv and its allies.

The first to feel the shock was undoubtedly Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. For him, this so-called “peace” proposal appears both as a possible exit from a long and exhausting war and as a knife pressed against his throat. Pressure from the United States, anxiety from allies, and public outrage at home have combined to create an unprecedented dilemma, forcing Ukraine to make decisions within an extremely short timeframe.

The Trump administration’s plan has been described as “pragmatic but tilted toward Russian interests.” It calls on Ukraine to relinquish control of parts of its eastern territory—such as Donbas—reduce its military to 600,000 troops, and abandon its bid to join NATO. Frozen Russian assets would serve as the main source of future reconstruction funds. The U.S. has signaled it wants a response within a short deadline. The core idea is an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, with conditions resting on significant strategic concessions from Ukraine. For a country ravaged by war, “peace” is undeniably tempting—but the price may be national dignity, long-term security, and territorial integrity.

Responding to the proposal, Zelensky admitted that Ukraine is facing “one of the most difficult moments in its history,” saying he is being forced to choose between “losing the dignity of the nation” and “losing one of its most important international partners.” He knows the United States is irreplaceable for Ukraine. The Trump administration has hinted that if Kyiv outright rejects the plan, future military aid and intelligence support may be reduced or reconsidered. While European allies generally support Ukraine, their military capacity and political will have limits and cannot quickly compensate for a potential U.S. shortfall.

However, within Ukraine, trading land for peace has always been taboo. Since the war began, countless families have lost loved ones, and cities have been turned into ruins. Abandoning territory not only means acknowledging gains Russia achieved through force; it may also be seen as “betraying the fallen.” Polls have consistently shown that most Ukrainians oppose ceding territory, even under dire wartime conditions. If Zelensky accepts the plan, he will face intense public backlash and fierce attacks from political opponents—potentially destabilizing his leadership.

European nations find themselves in a similar bind. Although some leaders privately acknowledge that the U.S. proposal could serve as a starting point for negotiations, they insist that any agreement must not legitimize Russia’s use of military force to redraw European borders. Germany and France argue that Ukraine’s security must be institutionally guaranteed; otherwise, any ceasefire would be only a temporary pause before renewed conflict. Excessive Western concessions now, they warn, could undermine future security in Eastern Europe and even the broader NATO framework.
Meanwhile, Russia’s stance has remained relatively predictable. Moscow has long sought Ukraine’s demilitarization and neutrality, and it aims to solidify control over eastern regions. For Russia, certain elements of the U.S. plan amount to partial realization of its wartime objectives. If Ukraine accepts, Russia could legitimize its territorial gains through a “peace agreement.” If Ukraine refuses, Moscow could exploit any rift between Kyiv and Washington to strengthen its position both on the battlefield and diplomatically.

The most likely scenario moving forward is that Ukraine will present a revised version of the proposal before the deadline—avoiding a direct rejection while seeking stronger security guarantees and adjustments on territorial issues. This would prolong negotiations and force the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine to renegotiate a less contentious framework. If the Trump administration proves willing to revise certain terms—especially regarding territory and NATO—some form of “phased peace” may still emerge.

But if Ukraine ultimately refuses the deal and the U.S. responds by scaling back aid, the battlefield situation could worsen. Over the past year, Ukrainian forces have faced ammunition shortages and compressed defensive lines. Reduced assistance could allow Russian forces to make additional gains in the short term. This would push Ukraine into even more difficult choices—potentially forcing it to negotiate later from an even weaker position.

If Ukraine ultimately accepts the agreement, the war may quickly de-escalate and open the door to large-scale reconstruction. Yet such a peace would be fraught with concerns: if Russia regains strength in the future, or if Ukraine’s security architecture lacks firm guarantees, conflict could return. Trust in the government, social cohesion, and political stability within Ukraine would also face serious tests.

The controversy surrounding this peace proposal marks a new turning point in the Ukraine war. Zelensky’s decision is not merely a strategic calculation—it is a high-stakes political gamble that will shape the country’s destiny. In the coming weeks, as the proposal is revised, allies adjust their positions, and Russia issues its responses, the entire trajectory of the war may shift. How a nation balances survival, security, and dignity will remain at the center of global attention.

Media reports say that Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi plans to approve the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant on the 21st. This facility is the largest nuclear power plant in the world, and its restart is part of Japan’s gradual return to nuclear energy following the complete shutdown of reactors after the Fukushima disaster, aimed at reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

According to the reports, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant has a total of seven reactors, but only one is slated for restart at this time. After announcing his decision, Hanazumi must consult the prefectural assembly; if the assembly supports the proposal, he will submit a formal application to the central government.

The reports also note that after the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster, public anxiety about nuclear power increased and Japan shut down all domestic nuclear reactors. Following the implementation of strict new safety standards, 14 reactors nationwide have since been restarted, mainly located in western and southern Japan.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health confirmed on the 18th that Israel carried out airstrikes on Sidon, the main city in southern Lebanon, killing 13 people and injuring many others who were taken to hospital. Israel claimed that the targets of the strikes were Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group backed by Iran, and at times Hamas members operating in the area.

Hamas later issued a statement condemning the attack. The statement accused “the Zionist occupation forces (the Israel Defense Forces)” of fabricating the claim that the strike targeted “a training camp belonging to our organization,” calling it a lie intended to justify “its criminal acts of aggression.” The Israeli attack struck an open-air sports field used by residents of the refugee camp, and there are no military facilities in Lebanese refugee camps.

Israeli forces occupy five outposts inside Lebanon and frequently carry out airstrikes in the south, claiming their targets are Iran-backed groups. Last year, Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire agreement requiring Lebanese armed groups to possess no weapons in the south and obliging Israeli forces to fully withdraw from Lebanon.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 17th that he may hold talks with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the future, while also stressing that he does not rule out sending U.S. troops into Venezuela. His remarks came as the United States increased its military presence off the coast of Venezuela, heightening regional tensions.

According to foreign media reports, Washington has accused the Maduro regime of being involved with drug-trafficking groups that exhibit “terrorist-organization behavior patterns,” posing a threat to U.S. national security. In an interview at the White House, Trump said: “At some point, I will talk to him,” adding that Maduro “has not been good to the United States.”

When asked whether he ruled out military intervention, Trump replied: “No, I don’t rule that out. I don’t rule out anything.” He also accused Venezuela of sending hundreds of thousands of prisoners into the United States.

In addition, Trump said that if necessary, he might authorize military action against drug-trafficking organizations inside Mexico. When asked whether he would approve anti-drug strikes, he responded, “I’m not opposed to it. To stop the drugs, everything is on the table.”

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who in 2024 ordered a violent crackdown on student protests that later escalated into a nationwide anti-government uprising resulting in as many as 1,400 deaths, was found guilty and sentenced to death on November 17, 2025, by a Dhaka court. The interim government reached the verdict after several months of trial, convicting Hasina on three counts, including crimes against humanity.

Between July and August 2024, Bangladesh was rocked by massive student-led protests that were met with force by the government. According to the United Nations, about 1,400 people were killed. Former Prime Minister Hasina was accused of incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities. The trial began in June, during which multiple witnesses testified that Hasina personally ordered the massacre. Prosecutors also presented an audio recording in which she instructed security forces to “use lethal weapons.”

In August 2024, when enraged crowds stormed her official residence, Hasina fled to India by helicopter and has remained missing since. She refused to return for trial, calling the proceedings a “legal farce.” In July this year, she was convicted in absentia for contempt of court and sentenced to six months in jail. Additional corruption cases are pending against her, involving her daughter, UN official Wasade, and her niece, British MP Siddiq—all of whom deny the charges. Although Hasina was once praised for economic reforms, she was also widely criticized for suppressing the media and persecuting political opponents.

Hasina, now 78, is the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was assassinated in a 1975 coup. After six years in exile, she returned to the country and briefly allied with Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to topple the military government. She first came to power in 1996 and regained office in 2008, steering Bangladesh’s rapid economic growth, with per-capita income surpassing India’s by 2021. Now sentenced to death, her chances of a political comeback are slim. Her longtime rival Zia, now 80, despite past periods of house arrest, is set to contest the 2026 election, in which the BNP is widely expected to prevail.

U.S. Marine Corps spokesperson Captain Steven J. Keenan confirmed on the 15th that a group of suspected Haitian gang members opened fire this week on U.S. forces tasked with protecting the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince, underscoring the continued deterioration of local security conditions.

In an emailed statement, Keenan said the shooting occurred on the 13th, though news of the incident only emerged over the weekend. After coming under attack, the Marines returned fire, and fortunately no one was injured. The Associated Press noted that Haitian police could not be reached for comment.

Nearly 90% of Haiti’s capital is now under gang control. Armed groups wield heavy firepower as they fight for territory and rely on extortion, kidnapping, and other crimes for profit. While the U.S. Embassy remains operational, the State Department has repeatedly issued travel warnings in recent years, urging American citizens to avoid Haiti due to risks of crime, terrorism, and civil unrest.

According to United Nations data, gang violence has displaced more than 1.3 million Haitians. Since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated by mercenaries in 2021, Haiti has faced a prolonged power vacuum, has been unable to hold elections to select new leadership, and has seen its security environment collapse.

To help stabilize the situation, the UN Security Council voted at the end of September to assemble an international security support mission of roughly 5,500 personnel to assist in combating armed gangs in Haiti. However, the UN human rights office noted that 5,600 Haitians were killed by gangs just last year, and the smaller Kenya-led police contingent previously deployed has struggled to effectively curb criminal activity.