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The ACT Party of New Zealand recently proposed amendments to the Treaty of Waitangi, causing concerns among Māori people about potential harm to their rights. In response, they took to the streets in large-scale protests.

In November, the leader of the ACT Party presented a proposal in Parliament to amend the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, which was signed in 1840 by the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs. The ACT Party believes that some provisions of the treaty no longer align with modern societal needs. They aim to revise it to change the current dual political system, where Māori and New Zealand citizens have different political rights, and to end "racial division." This bill has sparked strong criticism from Māori Party members, who protested several times during debates. Some even tore up the bill and expressed their anger through the traditional haka dance during the vote.

On November 19, over 35,000 people participated in a protest march. Māori people, dressed in traditional attire, wearing feather headdresses and cloaks, and carrying traditional weapons, performed the haka while holding signs reading "End the Bill." They marched to the Wellington Parliament to protest the bill, which they believe undermines Māori rights. The protest stretched nearly 2 kilometers. The Māori Queen led the march and entered New Zealand's Parliament building, the Beehive. Her spokesperson, Ngira Simmons, stated that the Queen aims to lead the nation towards unity and dialogue but will not accept unilateral destruction of the treaty.

The Treaty of Waitangi, which has a 184-year history, addresses issues of sovereignty, governance, the relationship between the government and Māori people, and the rights of tribes to retain land and protect their interests. The bill has passed its first reading. However, the National Party and New Zealand First, part of the ruling coalition, have stated that they will no longer support the bill. Critics argue that the ACT Party's proposal fundamentally undermines the Treaty of Waitangi and its interpretation, potentially exacerbating ethnic divisions within the country.

On the 1000th day of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine used the U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) for the first time on November 19. While Ukrainian officials did not specify which weapon was used, sources confirmed the report. Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a nuclear warning to the United States in response.

Russia stated that its air defense systems shot down five missiles targeting a military facility in Bryansk, while another missile's debris caused a fire that was later extinguished, with no casualties or damage reported. Ukraine claimed that the attack struck an ammunition depot about 110 kilometers inside Russian territory, triggering secondary explosions. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the strike targeted a munitions supply point.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented, "Especially on this day (the 1000th day), Russia presents a nuclear weapons strategy, but they have not proposed a peace strategy?" On the same day, Russian President Putin signed a decree expanding the justification for Moscow’s use of nuclear weapons. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described this as a new phase of Western anti-Russia actions and reminded the U.S. of the specifics of the decree at the G20 summit.

U.S. President Joe Biden approved the use of long-range ATACMS missiles for Ukraine this week, despite Moscow's warning that this would be viewed as an escalation of the war and equivalent to direct U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Currently, one-fifth of Ukraine's territory is under Russian control. With the impending return of U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House, there are growing doubts about whether the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine.

Trump Names Musk-Backed Republican Brendan Carr as FCC Chair, Hails Him as a “Free Speech Champion”

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has selected Republican Brendan Carr, a key ally of Elon Musk, to serve as the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Trump praised Carr, calling him a "warrior for free speech."

Carr was first appointed to the FCC in 2017 by Trump and was later renominated during President Joe Biden's tenure. A veteran Republican, Carr has long been considered a contender for the FCC's top position. He has also forged an alliance with Musk, a major Trump donor.

In his statement, Trump lauded Carr for opposing regulatory measures that "stifle American freedoms" and pledged that Carr would end the regulatory overreach that has weakened job creation and innovation in the U.S. Trump emphasized that Carr would ensure the FCC prioritizes serving rural America. Carr has publicly endorsed Trump's agenda to reduce regulations and hold allegedly politically biased broadcasters accountable.

The FCC is an independent agency overseen by Congress, responsible for regulating television and radio licenses, setting prices for household internet services, and addressing other communication-related issues, including ensuring product safety and protecting the public interest.

Carr expressed his "humility and honor" in taking on the role of FCC chair. He has also contributed to the controversial "Project 2025," which outlines the vision for a potential second Trump administration. In the plan, Carr advocates for stronger regulatory measures on tech giants such as Meta, Google, and Apple.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has yet to finalize his pick for Treasury Secretary. Global billionaire Elon Musk and Health Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have both endorsed Howard Lutnick, one of the co-chairs of Trump’s transition team, as the ideal candidate.

According to Reuters, the leading contenders for Treasury Secretary are Howard Lutnick, CEO of financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald, and Scott Bessent, an investor from South Carolina. Insiders reveal that Trump remains undecided. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has openly criticized Bessent as being "status quo." Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) that maintaining the status quo is leading America toward bankruptcy, emphasizing the need for change and encouraging more public feedback for Trump to consider.

RFK Jr. also took to social media, calling Bitcoin a "currency of freedom" and stating that no one supports Bitcoin more passionately than Lutnick. Interestingly, RFK Jr. misspelled Lutnick’s name in his post.
Reports suggest that Trump was leaning toward appointing Bessent but unexpectedly brought Lutnick into consideration. Whether Musk and RFK Jr.'s remarks will influence Trump’s final decision remains unclear. Bessent has not responded to Musk’s comments, and Cantor Fitzgerald has declined to comment.

Musk, who invested over $100 million to support Trump’s election campaign, wields significant influence in Trump’s inner circle. Last Tuesday, Musk was appointed co-leader of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. The department aims to provide recommendations and collaborate with the White House Office of Management and Budget to create a "leaner, more efficient" government. Musk is currently staying at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, to assist in assembling the new administration.

Former President Donald Trump recently announced that Steven Chang, the communications director for his campaign, will serve as the director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. Cheung, a 42-year-old Chinese American, was born to Chinese immigrant parents and grew up in Sacramento, California.
Chang has been deeply involved in Trump's presidential campaigns, working closely with core team members Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita to help Trump return to the White House.

With extensive experience in public relations and politics, Cheung started his career as an intern and speechwriter in the office of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also participated in the 2008 McCain-Palin campaign. Later, he ventured into the sports industry, serving as a spokesperson for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In 2016, Chang joined Trump's first presidential campaign and subsequently served as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Public Liaison Office.

Known for his outspoken and sharp communication style, Chang frequently criticizes "fake news." He shares Trump's passion for combat sports and wrestling, earning him the nickname "my sumo wrestler" from Trump due to his sturdy physique. Despite his fiery rhetoric, Chang is pragmatic in dealing with the media, garnering respect from some journalists.
During this year’s campaign,Chang has been instrumental in damage control, quickly responding to controversies on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social. He has consistently demonstrated a strong stance and rapid response capabilities.

Chang’s experience and approach have made him an indispensable figure in Trump’s inner circle, seen as a crucial guardian of Trump’s core policies and public image.

Delhi and its surrounding areas, home to over 30 million people, have long struggled with some of the worst air pollution levels in the world during the winter months. Recently, the worsening air quality has disrupted flight operations, with even the iconic Taj Mahal obscured by a thick haze. The Indian government has banned non-essential construction projects and urged residents to avoid using coal for heating.

Cold air traps dust, pollutants, and smoke from illegal farm burning, creating a toxic mix of smog that New Delhi contends with every winter. According to real-time rankings from the Swiss air quality monitoring platform IQAir, New Delhi’s air quality index has reached 424, the worst among global capitals.

Reuters reported that Delhi's Chief Minister, Atishi, stated on the 14th that starting from the 15th, all non-essential construction will be paused, and elementary schools will shift to online classes. She also urged the public to use public transportation whenever possible and to avoid burning coal and wood for heating. The government will deploy dust-suppressant water sprays on the streets and send out cleaning machines.

The air quality in northern India has worsened over the past week, with poor visibility. By the afternoon of the 14th, 88% of flights departing from Delhi and 54% of arriving flights were delayed due to the smoke. Toxic smog has also caused landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, about 220 kilometers from Delhi, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar, a Sikh religious site, to appear shrouded in haze.

As regional security challenges grow increasingly complex, the United States, Japan, and South Korea conducted a joint military exercise in the Sea of Japan, codenamed "Freedom Blade," to enhance military cooperation and interoperability among the three nations. The focus of the exercise was to strengthen their combined operational capabilities in addressing regional security threats and to demonstrate a firm commitment to joint defense.

According to a statement from the U.S. Pacific Command, the exercise covered a wide range of areas, including maritime defense, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and information sharing. The participating forces included the U.S. Navy's *USS Nimitz* aircraft carrier, Japan's Self-Defense Forces destroyers, and South Korea's submarines and frigates. The three nations' forces conducted integrated training in a simulated high-intensity combat environment and successfully collaborated in responding to various emergency scenarios.

Following the exercise, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command remarked that the joint military drill not only showcased the three countries' ability to operate together using advanced technological weapons systems but also deepened strategic trust among them. He emphasized that the purpose of the exercise was to maintain regional stability and to send a clear message of unity in addressing any security threats.

The "Freedom Blade" exercise is part of the ongoing deepening of military cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea since 2023, particularly in response to growing military challenges posed by China and North Korea. Analysts pointed out that the drill not only highlighted the military alliance between the three countries in the Indo-Pacific region but also underscored their strong consensus on maintaining regional order and ensuring freedom of navigation.

As the exercise concluded, high-ranking officials from the three countries expressed their commitment to strengthening future cooperation and reiterated their intention to continue holding similar joint military drills to ensure the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who strongly supported Donald Trump during the election, has been rewarded with a new role following the election. Musk, having contributed to Trump’s campaign, will head the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. Interestingly, the department's acronym, DOGE, coincides with the name of the cryptocurrency—Dogecoin—that Musk had previously championed, leading to a 20% surge in its value.

In a statement, Trump announced that Musk, alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, will help lay the foundation for a more efficient government. CBS analysis suggests that this newly created department may operate outside the federal government and could be governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act. As a result, Musk and Ramaswamy may assume their positions without Senate confirmation and continue their work in private entities, without disclosing their assets or divesting from related jobs or investments to avoid conflicts of interest.

Trump aims to use this department to dismantle bureaucratic systems, eliminate unnecessary regulatory procedures, reduce wasteful spending, and restructure federal agencies. Musk has committed to "creating a shockwave through the entire government system and anyone involved in waste." Trump stated that the new organization will collaborate with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to provide recommendations and push for large-scale structural reforms.

Trump emphasized that he has tasked Musk and Ramaswamy with improving federal efficiency, stating, “They will work together to liberate our economy and make the U.S. government accountable to 'We the People.'"

The 29th United Nations Climate Summit (COP29) opened on November 11 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, for a 12-day session. On its first day, the summit approved a global carbon trading mechanism, allowing countries to freely trade carbon credits, marking a significant step toward achieving climate goals.

COP29 primarily focuses on issues such as "climate change, energy transformation, and carbon financing," as well as "climate risk adaptation measures." According to international reports, after a decade of preparation and discussion, the global carbon trading mechanism, led by the United Nations, was officially launched during this summit. It is expected to begin operating as early as next year. The system aims to push major polluting nations to reduce carbon emissions and provide financial assistance to developing countries in the fight against climate change.

Carbon credits, commonly referred to as carbon allowances, represent a permitted quantity of greenhouse gas emissions. One carbon credit equals the allowance to emit one ton of CO2 or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases. Countries and companies can invest in carbon reduction programs and purchase carbon credits to offset their own emissions.

Following the landmark Paris Agreement of 2015, COP29 furthered the concept of allowing countries to freely purchase carbon credits. Under this new global carbon market mechanism, carbon credit trading will be regulated by the United Nations, enabling countries and companies to buy and sell carbon credits within the UN framework despite potential political challenges, helping them meet their climate targets.

Notably, only UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from the G7 attended the summit, while leaders of the world's top 13 carbon-emitting countries were notably absent. Many major powers were not represented by their leaders.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump recently announced new appointments, naming Thomas Homan as the "Border Czar" responsible for overseeing border security on the southern and northern U.S. borders, as well as maritime and aviation security. Homan will also be in charge of deporting undocumented immigrants back to their countries of origin.

Homan is influential within Trump's inner circle. After Trump took office in January 2017, Homan served as Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Although Trump nominated him for the permanent role in November, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) delayed submitting Homan’s nomination to the Senate for confirmation. In June of the following year, Homan announced his retirement. In April 2018, with Democrats controlling the Senate, more than ten Democratic senators urged DHS to promptly submit Homan's nomination documents for review.

Trump stated that there’s no one more qualified than Homan when it comes to border patrol and control. The public anticipated that the 62-year-old Homan would return to Trump's administration. During Trump’s previous term, Homan’s enforcement of the “zero tolerance policy,” which separated thousands of migrant children from their families, sparked significant controversy. In an interview with Fox News Channel, Homan mentioned that ICE would carry out Trump’s plan “in a humane way,” and the military would not engage in unauthorized roundups or arrests of immigrants.

Immigration is a central theme of Trump’s 2024 campaign, with repeated promises to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. His campaign began formulating a large-scale deportation plan months before the election, focusing primarily on the 1.3 million individuals who had their asylum claims denied by the courts, as well as those with criminal records or charges.

Trump described the plan as targeted, with exact implementation details and costs yet to be determined. During his previous term, Trump similarly vowed to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, but budget constraints, legal obstacles, and public opinion ultimately prevented its execution.

Since his retirement in 2018, Homan has served as a commentator for Fox News. In a recent Fox News interview, he expressed his honor at becoming Trump’s new “Border Czar,” asserting that the border and undocumented immigration have been a “national security crisis” for the U.S. For years, he has voiced frustration over the Biden administration's policies on Fox News. Now, he’s returning to the government with the aim of addressing these issues.