World | WPN World People News

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.

Following the election of U.S. President Trump, many anticipate that the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has lasted over two and a half years, may soon come to an end. However, hostilities between the two sides remain intense. On the 10th, Ukraine launched at least 70 drones to strike six regions within Russia, with 34 of these drones shot down near Moscow. This attack forced flights to be diverted at three major Russian airports and injured a 52-year-old woman while also setting two residential buildings on fire.

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency reported that a total of 36 flights were affected at Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky airports, causing temporary diversions before resuming operations. Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, has frequently been targeted by Russian drone and missile attacks. In response, Ukraine has attempted drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, airports, and even strategic radar systems to bolster its war efforts. Despite this latest Ukrainian drone assault on Moscow, the impact was relatively minor, with only one injury reported and no major damage.

Russia quickly retaliated: Russian forces launched a record-breaking 145 "Shahed" and other combat drones in a nighttime assault on Ukraine. Kyiv reported that its air defense systems intercepted 62 of them. In addition to the attack on Moscow, Ukraine claimed it targeted a Russian ammunition depot in the Bryansk region, though it was unclear if the strike was successful; 14 Ukrainian drones were reportedly shot down.

The recent escalation between Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah has raised concerns about a broader conflict. Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and has warned that if Hezbollah intensifies its involvement, it may lead to expanded operations against Iran. This situation has garnered significant regional and international attention.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has cautioned that the consequences of further conflict expansion could be "irreversible" and urged restraint to avoid being drawn into a larger war. Both the United States and the European Union have called for all parties to exercise caution, warning of the risks of escalation into a full-scale war. The U.S. has also announced additional troop deployments to the Middle East to support Israel and has warned Iran not to interfere.

These heightened tensions in the Middle East are raising fears that the military actions could lead to a wider regional conflict.

On the 8th of November, U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump announced his first round of staff appointments, naming his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, as White House Chief of Staff. Wiles will make history as the first woman to ever hold the position.

At 67 years old, Wiles has an extensive political background. She is a senior Republican political consultant who helped Ronald Reagan during his 1980 presidential campaign and served as his advance secretary during his presidency. Wiles also led Trump's campaign efforts in Florida in both 2016 and 2020, and in 2024, she is expected to play a central role in Trump's reelection team.

Wiles is known for her low-key, behind-the-scenes approach, which has earned her respect from both Republicans and Democrats. Trump expressed strong support for her appointment, praising her as strong, intelligent, and innovative, and noted that she is widely admired and respected. He also referred to her as the "Ice Maiden," highlighting her outstanding contributions behind the scenes.

As White House Chief of Staff, Wiles will oversee personnel management, presidential scheduling, team operations, and communication with other government departments and congressional members. Her influence is expected to be significant in shaping the administration’s day-to-day functions.

On the 6th of November, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, a member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), effectively causing the collapse of Germany's current coalition government. This could potentially lead to an early election in March of next year. The coalition, known as the "traffic light coalition" due to the colors of the participating parties, consists of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the FDP. However, since 2021, the coalition has faced internal disagreements over policy direction, and Germany's economic recession has led to a decline in the coalition's approval ratings. The latest conflict centers around the budget and whether the government should take on debt to cover a budget shortfall.

The "debt brake" (Schuldenbremse) is a provision in Germany's Basic Law (Grundgesetz) under Article 109, which aims to balance the budget and prevent excessive debt accumulation. Unless the country is in an emergency situation, government spending must be balanced with income, which primarily comes from taxes, without resorting to borrowing. The debt brake had been temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Now, due to a €10 billion budget shortfall, the SPD and the Greens are advocating for borrowing to fill the gap, while the FDP insists on upholding the debt brake. This disagreement has led to a fallout between Chancellor Scholz and the Finance Minister.

On the evening of the 6th, Christian Dürr, head of the FDP parliamentary group, announced that all four FDP ministers in the coalition would resign. However, aside from the dismissed Finance Minister Lindner, only Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann announced their resignations. Volker Wissing, the Minister for Digital and Transport, declared that he would leave the FDP but remain in his position.

Chancellor Scholz announced that a confidence vote would be held in the Bundestag on January 15th. If the vote fails, he can formally ask President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag within 21 days and call for elections within 60 days. This could result in the national elections being moved from their scheduled date in September to March. A poll by ARD shows that 54% of Germans would welcome an early election, and as many as 85% are dissatisfied with the performance of the coalition government.