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To combat scam-related crimes, Singapore’s Parliament has passed the "Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill" after its third reading, introducing tougher penalties — including caning — for those involved in fraud. Individuals who provide SIM cards or data from the national digital identity system, "Singpass", to criminals for scam operations may face at least six and up to 24 strokes of the cane upon conviction.

Aimed at curbing the surge in scam activities, the newly passed bill specifies that offenders involved in serious fraud cases may face long prison sentences, heavy fines, and up to 24 strokes of the cane. The enactment of this law underscores the Singapore government’s zero-tolerance stance toward financial scams and its determination to suppress both local and cross-border fraud networks.

According to the new provisions, those who commit fraud through false information, forged identities, or online means — particularly in cases involving large sums of money, numerous victims, or major social impact — may face prison terms exceeding 10 years, along with judicially imposed caning of up to 24 strokes. This represents one of the harshest penalties for scam-related offenses in Singapore’s history.

The Ministry of Home Affairs noted that scam cases have become one of the country’s most pressing criminal issues. Police statistics show that in 2024, scam cases rose by nearly 40% compared to the previous year, with total losses exceeding S$600 million. Authorities added that many scams are linked to transnational networks that exploit social media, e-commerce platforms, and fake investment sites to deceive victims.

During parliamentary debate, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam stated that Singapore must adopt stronger deterrent measures to safeguard citizens’ assets. He emphasized, “We must not only catch scammers but also ensure they pay the price. Caning is a severe but necessary measure that effectively deters potential offenders.”

Following the bill’s passage, some human rights groups voiced concern, arguing that corporal punishment violates humanitarian principles. However, the government responded that caning has long been part of Singapore’s criminal justice system and is applied only to the most serious and harmful offenses.

Police have also urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid trusting unknown calls and links, and verify all financial transactions through official websites. The new law is expected to take effect in early 2026, granting enforcement agencies stronger legal tools to combat the ever-evolving landscape of scam crimes.

Earthquake-prone Afghanistan was struck once again by a powerful magnitude 6.3 quake around 4:30 a.m. Taiwan time today (Nov. 3). The quake struck at a depth of about 28 kilometers, and tremors were felt in neighboring Pakistan and Iran. Because the earthquake occurred just after midnight in a remote area, the death toll has already exceeded 20, with more than 300 injured — numbers that continue to rise. The famous Blue Mosque was also damaged.

Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan’s fourth-largest city with a population of about 520,000, was among the affected areas. The city’s iconic landmark, the Blue Mosque, suffered damage in the quake. The mosque’s floor was covered with fallen debris, but fortunately, the main structure appeared largely intact. The mosque is a sacred Sunni Muslim site believed to be the burial place of Ali, the fourth caliph. The current structure, completed in the 15th century, is renowned for its vivid blue tiles and intricate design, making it a major pilgrimage destination.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake was classified under an “orange alert,” indicating the likelihood of significant casualties and widespread damage. The affected area lies in the Hindu Kush mountain range, along the Eurasian tectonic plate boundary — one of the most seismically active regions in the world. The Afghan government has dispatched military units to assist in relief operations. Earlier this year, in late August, a magnitude 6.0 quake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing nearly 3,000 people and injuring 4,000 more — a grim reminder that the country’s traditional mud and timber buildings are especially vulnerable to earthquakes.

On November 1, the White House released details of the agreement reached during the U.S.-China leaders’ meeting. According to the announcement, China will temporarily ease certain export controls on rare earths and critical minerals and issue general export licenses allowing global shipments of rare earths, gallium, germanium, antimony, and graphite, benefiting U.S. end users and suppliers. This move effectively cancels China’s previous tariff measures on U.S. agricultural products. Beijing will also terminate multiple investigations targeting U.S. semiconductor companies and assist the Netherlands-based Onsemi in resuming shipments from its factories in China to stabilize chip production.

Under the agreement, China will purchase at least 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans between November and December this year and commit to annual purchases of no less than 25 million metric tons over the next three years. China has also agreed to resume imports of U.S. sorghum and logs, signaling its intention to deepen agricultural trade cooperation. The move is seen as a key step toward easing bilateral trade tensions.

China has further pledged to strengthen controls on exports of fentanyl precursor chemicals, halt shipments of related materials to North America, and enhance global chemical export oversight. In response, the United States will reduce tariffs on Chinese fentanyl-related products from 20% to 10% starting November 10 and extend the Section 301 tariff exemptions for another year. President Trump stated that if China continues to curb fentanyl outflows, the U.S. may lift the remaining tariffs and suspend new port fees to promote bilateral cooperation.

Reuters reported that U.S. President Donald Trump denied having decided to strike military targets inside Venezuela, contradicting earlier media reports claiming he had approved such an attack.

When asked about the matter aboard Air Force One on the 31st, Trump replied, “No.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio also dismissed the reports on social media platform X, writing, “Those so-called ‘informed sources’ misled you and made you write fake news.”

Earlier, when asked about a Miami Herald report, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said, “Those anonymous sources have no idea what they’re talking about,” emphasizing that any official announcement would come directly from President Trump himself.

The Miami Herald had earlier reported that the Trump administration had decided to launch strikes on military facilities inside Venezuela and that the operation could begin at any moment. The report caused a surge in international oil prices, which later stabilized following denials from Trump and Rubio.

Previously, under the pretext of combating drug trafficking, the U.S. conducted airstrikes off the Venezuelan coast against several speedboats allegedly carrying narcotics, killing about 61 suspected traffickers. At the same time, the U.S. deployed amphibious assault ships in the Caribbean and began military exercises. Meanwhile, The Washington Post reported that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is seeking assistance from Russia, China, and Iran to strengthen his outdated military capabilities in preparation for possible U.S. military action.

Media reports indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed last month to hold a U.S.–Russia summit in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, to discuss how to end the Russia–Ukraine war. However, just a few days after the meeting’s conclusion, Russia submitted a memorandum to the United States outlining its terms for a ceasefire with Ukraine. Following a review of the document, the U.S. decided to cancel the planned summit.

According to informed sources, the Russian memorandum reiterated Moscow’s demands, which it described as addressing the “root causes” of its invasion of Ukraine. These demands reportedly include Ukraine ceding more territory, significantly reducing its military forces**, and guaranteeing that it will never join NATO.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone call to discuss the issue. After the call, Rubio informed Trump that Moscow had shown no genuine willingness to negotiate, leading Washington to decide to call off the summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated last month that while Ukraine is open to peace talks, it will not withdraw from additional territory as a precondition demanded by Russia. So far, media reports on this issue have not been independently confirmed, and neither Washington nor Moscow has made an official comment.

Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi traveled to South Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and held her first meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on the 30th in Gyeongju. Both sides agreed to actively promote “shuttle diplomacy”—a mechanism for frequent reciprocal visits between the two leaders. As this year marks the 60th anniversary of Japan–South Korea diplomatic relations, the two leaders pledged to jointly address various bilateral issues and develop a stable relationship. Strategically, they also agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation with the United States.

At her inauguration ceremony, Takaichi emphasized the importance of Japan–South Korea relations and expressed goodwill toward South Korea, saying she is fond of Korean seaweed, which is even used in cosmetics. During her visit, President Lee prepared Korean cosmetics and seaweed as gifts, while Takaichi reciprocated with Go stones and local specialties from Kamakura—symbolizing the friendly ties between the two nations.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional affairs, including strengthening relations with China, North Korea, and Russia, as well as enhancing Japan–South Korea–U.S. trilateral cooperation.

Takaichi is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 31st for a sideline meeting before returning to Japan on November 1.

On October 28, the U.S. military launched three consecutive waves of airstrikes in the Eastern Pacific, sinking four suspected drug-smuggling vessels and killing 14 people, with only one survivor. This marks the first time multiple attack waves were carried out on the same day, underscoring the Trump administration’s determination in its “war on drugs.”

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on social media that the four targeted vessels had previously been tracked by U.S. intelligence agencies. These ships were known to be transporting narcotics along established smuggling routes. Across the three airstrikes, 14 drug traffickers were killed. The operations took place entirely in international waters, and there were no U.S. casualties.

Since September, the United States has been conducting operations against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. So far, at least 14 ships have been destroyed, resulting in 57 deaths, with only three survivors.

U.S. President Donald Trump held his first leaders’ summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on October 28, during which the two sides signed two major agreements covering U.S.–Japan tariffs and rare earth supply chain cooperation, underscoring their determination to deepen the alliance and economic ties.

Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, drew significant international attention for this meeting. She stated her hope to work hand in hand with Trump to usher in a “new golden era” for the U.S.–Japan alliance. Trump praised Takaichi’s leadership, calling her appointment as prime minister “a major event,” emphasizing that the United States would remain Japan’s steadfast ally and pledging continued support in defense and economic cooperation.

Following the talks, the two leaders signed two key agreements.
The first agreement confirms that the U.S. will maintain a 15% tariff on Japanese imports while establishing a $550 billion investment fund to encourage Japanese companies to invest in the United States and create jobs.
The second agreement focuses on ensuring a stable supply of rare earths and critical minerals, with both sides agreeing to jointly develop these resources to reduce dependence on China.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Takaichi plans to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his contributions to regional peace. The two leaders also met with families of North Korean abduction victims, reaffirming the importance of human rights issues.

In addition, Takaichi announced that Japan will gift 250 cherry trees and fireworks made in Akita Prefecture to Washington, D.C., in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary next July—symbolizing the friendship between the two nations. She also mentioned her political mentor, the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, noting that Abe admired Trump’s “energetic diplomatic style” and expressing her intent to continue his diplomatic legacy.

Trump, who has long criticized Japan’s car market for being unfair to American automakers, attended an outdoor display featuring a U.S.-made Ford F-150 and a white Toyota vehicle, symbolizing mutual benefit in the auto trade. Reports suggest that Takaichi is considering purchasing F-150s for government use, as a gesture of goodwill.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday on three American morning talk shows that the fifth round of U.S.–China trade negotiations has reached a preliminary consensus on issues including tariffs, rare earths, soybeans, and TikTok, establishing a “framework” for the upcoming Trump–Xi summit on the 30th.

He noted that China agreed to delay its full export controls on rare earths by one year and to resume purchases of U.S. soybeans this year and next. Both sides also reached an understanding on TikTok’s ownership restructuring. In return, the U.S. will refrain from imposing an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods and will maintain its existing export restrictions. President Trump is expected to personally announce the details of the agreement and present a global peace initiative.

Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the fifth round of trade talks. Speaking on ABC’s This Week, Bessent said the two sides reached key agreements, including a plan to review existing tariffs after one quarter, China’s resumption of U.S. agricultural imports, and cooperation in addressing fentanyl precursor chemicals. He emphasized that while China had threatened to restrict global rare earth supplies, it has now reviewed its policy and agreed to delay implementation for a year.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Bessent added that the framework is set for the Trump–Xi meeting in South Korea on Thursday. As a soybean farmer himself, he acknowledged the challenges faced by American farmers after China halted soybean imports, a move that affected many Trump supporters. However, he noted that this year’s harvest was one of the largest in decades and that farmers will benefit in the coming years if the deal proceeds smoothly. He also revealed that President Trump plans to unveil a comprehensive global peace plan covering Asia, the Middle East, Ukraine, and Russia during the summit.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump held their first summit meeting on October 28, during which the two countries agreed to cooperate in seven advanced fields, including artificial intelligence (AI) and 6G communications, and to expand exports to emerging nations as a countermeasure against China.

In coordination with Trump’s visit to Japan, the two governments plan to sign a “Japan-U.S. Memorandum of Cooperation on the Technology Prosperity Agreement”, which will state that both nations aim to build “a new golden age of innovation.” The initiative seeks to develop and promote internationally trusted AI infrastructure and communication networks in emerging countries, setting global standards to offset China’s growing influence in advanced technologies.

President Trump attended the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26 before traveling to Japan on the 27th to meet Takaichi. The two leaders later boarded Marine One together en route to the U.S. Navy’s Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, where they inspected the USS George Washington, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Allowing a foreign leader aboard Marine One is considered highly unusual and is seen as a symbolic gesture of strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance and personal rapport between the two leaders.

During the meeting, Takaichi sought to enhance Japan’s oversight of its $550 billion investment in the United States, an amount equivalent to more than one-tenth of Japan’s GDP. The agreement grants the U.S. substantial operational control over the investment, raising concerns in Tokyo that funds could be diverted to projects not strategically beneficial to Japan. Japanese officials also fear potential tariff retaliation if they oppose Washington’s allocation decisions.

Amid Trump’s recent cooling of ties with traditional Euro-Asian allies and rising security threats from China, North Korea, and Russia, Japan has grown increasingly uneasy. Takaichi is expected to voice concerns about China’s continued militarization of the South China Sea, while urging Trump to recommit to the long-standing Japan-U.S. security alliance to help deter Beijing’s expanding regional influence.

A known supporter of Taiwan, Takaichi is also expected to use the summit to confirm whether Trump remains committed to Taiwan’s security and to clarify U.S. strategic intentions in the Indo-Pacific. Analysts note that Takaichi aims to build a stable, long-term relationship with Trump, similar to the close ties former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe once maintained with him.