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On September 18, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted to pass a resolution proposed by Palestine, calling for Israel to withdraw from Gaza within one year and to end its occupation of Palestinian territories, including dismantling parts of the separation wall built in the West Bank. The vote resulted in 124 in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions. While UNGA resolutions are not legally binding, they hold significant political weight internationally. This has put Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a diplomatically isolated position, especially with his planned speech at the UNGA on the 26th.

The resolution is part of the Palestinian National Authority's (PNA) new rights, including UNGA membership and the ability to propose resolutions. The first resolution called for Israel to "immediately end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories."

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour stated, "We are using the pressure of the international community at the UNGA and the historic ruling of the International Court to compel Israel to change its behavior." He urged countries to vote on the "right side of history" and to uphold international law, freedom, and peace. The Palestinian Islamic group Hamas welcomed the resolution, viewing it as international support for the Palestinian people.

Fourteen countries, including the U.S. and Israel, voted against the resolution. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein criticized it as a "distorted decision" that encourages terrorism and undermines peace, reflecting the cynicism of international politics.

European countries had mixed positions: France, Portugal, Malta, Belgium, Spain, and Norway voted in favor, while Germany, Sweden, Italy, the UK, Austria, and the Netherlands abstained. The Czech Republic and Hungary voted against.

The resolution also called for a halt to the import of any products from Israeli settlements and to stop supplying or transferring weapons, ammunition, and related equipment to Israel, particularly if there is a risk of those weapons being used in Palestinian territories.

Distinguished guests joined Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze for the cake-cutting ceremony during the anniversary celebration of Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Pasadena.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Middle East this week with the goal of promoting a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. This marks his tenth visit to the region since the outbreak of conflict. As hostilities escalate, resulting in significant civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis, Blinken’s diplomatic efforts have become increasingly urgent.

The conflict between Israel and the Palestinian territories has intensified, particularly in Gaza, where thousands have lost their lives and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Blinken's visit primarily aimed to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to seek a lasting ceasefire agreement.

On the first day of his visit, Blinken emphasized U.S. support for Israel while also calling for respect for the rights of civilians. He pointed out that ongoing military actions only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and could have long-term implications for regional stability. He expressed hope that all parties would work together to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Following their meeting, Netanyahu reiterated Israel's security needs, emphasizing that Hamas must cease its attacks to achieve peace. He also thanked the U.S. for its support and pledged to consider the international community's calls for a peaceful resolution.

Blinken then traveled to Egypt for in-depth discussions with el-Sisi. As a key player in the Middle East, Egypt has long played an important role in mediating between Israel and Hamas. El-Sisi indicated that Egypt is willing to continue providing a platform for dialogue among the parties and called on the international community to increase support for humanitarian aid. After their meeting, Blinken and el-Sisi held a joint press conference, reaffirming their commitment to peace. Blinken stressed that the international community must work together to promote dialogue between Israel and Palestine, laying the groundwork for lasting peace.

This visit has attracted significant attention, with experts noting that Blinken's frequent trips reflect the U.S. commitment to the Middle East situation and the urgent need within the international community to address the current crisis. As the regional situation grows more complex, all parties continue to face substantial challenges in their pursuit of peace.

South Korean hospital doctors have been on strike for over six months. In response to a shortage of medical personnel during the Chuseok holiday, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 15th a new guideline for "appropriate reasons for refusing treatment under the Emergency Medical Act." This is the first time emergency rooms are allowed to refuse patients, with specific criteria set for patient rejection, which can continue after the holiday.

According to the new guidelines, if hospitals lack the necessary personnel or equipment to provide emergency care, they can refuse patients. Based on the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS), emergency rooms can turn away patients classified as level 4-5, such as those with mild conditions like colds, gastroenteritis, or diarrhea, without facing penalties. Additionally, emergency staff can refuse treatment if they encounter verbal abuse, threats, or violence.

Reports indicate that during the Chuseok holiday, there was little difference in emergency room activity compared to regular days. However, one male patient who had severed a finger was delayed for two hours before being sent to a hospital 94 kilometers away for surgery due to local medical staff shortages. Another man in his sixties, who injured himself after a family argument, was refused by ten hospitals before finally receiving treatment after more than four hours. South Korean media have reported that this year’s biggest wish for Chuseok is "not to get sick."

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump narrowly escaped a second assassination attempt at his own golf course in Florida on the 15th. Trump was unharmed in the incident and later reassured his supporters via social media. This attack comes just 64 days after a previous attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris promptly issued statements condemning the violent act. The 58-year-old suspect, named Ralph, was arrested while fleeing the scene.

The 58-year-old gunman, who attempted to assassinate Trump, was wearing a pink outfit and surrendered with his hands raised before being handcuffed and taken away by police. He appeared in federal court for the first time on the 16th, facing two federal firearm felony charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with a removed serial number. The FBI revealed that the shooter had been lying in wait on the golf course for 12 hours, clearly targeting Trump. However, authorities stated the gunman never had a chance to open fire.

President Biden publicly praised the Secret Service for preventing Trump's assassination, emphasizing that "there is no place for political violence in America—zero tolerance. I have always condemned political violence, and I always will." Trump, on the other hand, pointed fingers at the Democratic Party, blaming Biden and Harris for their "incendiary rhetoric." As the election approaches, tensions surrounding political rhetoric and election violence may be difficult to quell.

Extreme Weather Ravages the Globe: Storm Boris Strikes Central and Eastern Europe with FurySince the 12th, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia have been battered by strong winds and heavy rainfall due to Storm Boris. Romanian rescue teams reported that the storm-triggered floods have caused four deaths and left 25,000 homes without power.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stated, "We are once again facing the impacts of extreme weather, which are becoming increasingly apparent in Europe, with severe consequences." Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu visited the hardest-hit region of Galati, where four lives were lost, around 5,000 homes were damaged, and 25,000 homes were left without electricity. Romania’s emergency services noted that eight counties are severely affected by flooding.

The water levels at the Czech-Polish border have exceeded the warning line, surging nearly 2 meters overnight. Czech authorities ordered immediate evacuation, while northern and northeastern regions experienced power outages in 51,000 households. In response to the situation, flood prevention measures were swiftly enacted, recalling the devastating floods that hit the capital, Prague, in 2002.

In Hungary, the Danube River is expected to approach historic high levels in the coming days. Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak issued a warning about severe weather changes, particularly in the southwestern regions, based on the grim forecast.

Southern Austria has been hit by strong winds reaching 146 kilometers per hour. Local media reported that since the 14th, firefighters in the capital Vienna have been deployed approximately 150 times to clear debris from the streets and pump water from flooded basements. Some northeastern regions of Austria have already been declared disaster zones.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris are each holding rallies in key swing states. On Friday, the 13th, Trump announced during a campaign event that if re-elected, he plans to deploy federal law enforcement officers to begin mass deportations of immigrants, starting in Ohio and Colorado. Meanwhile, racial tensions concerning Haitian immigrants have escalated.

According to CNN, Harris received widespread praise for her performance in the October 10th presidential debate. Polls now show Trump and Harris are nearly tied in support. Both candidates have ramped up their campaigns in swing states. Recently, Trump brought national attention to Springfield, Ohio, after a Facebook post claimed a neighbor had found a missing cat in a Haitian immigrant’s yard, suggesting they intended to eat it. This rumor, later picked up by the media and debunked by authorities, fueled anti-immigrant sentiment. Springfield is home to over 12,000 Haitian refugees legally residing under U.S. law. Trump has stated these immigrants are "ruining their way of life" and promised to "mass deport" them.

Springfield’s local government reported potential bomb threats, leading to the closure of some government buildings and schools last Thursday. Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance, has also used Springfield as an example of failed immigration policies. Without evidence, Trump claimed armed illegal immigrants are "taking over our country from the inside." President Joe Biden has condemned Trump's attacks on immigrants, with the co-chair of the Congressional Haitian Caucus calling these remarks "rooted in racist stereotypes."

Meanwhile, Harris's team announced she will appear in a live event with Oprah Winfrey on the 19th. Last Friday, Pope Francis referred to the U.S. presidential election as a choice between “the lesser of two evils,” criticizing both Trump’s anti-immigrant stance and Harris’s support for abortion rights, arguing they are contrary to the sanctity of life. A U.S. think tank study shows that in the 2020 election, Catholic voters were split in their support for Trump, though 60% of Catholics believe abortion should be legal in most cases.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced on the 13th that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will visit the U.S. from September 21 to 23, during which he is expected to attend the Quad leaders' summit and the United Nations General Assembly. This will be Kishida’s final overseas trip before stepping down as Prime Minister. As the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Kishida has already announced that he will not seek re-election as party president. This U.S. visit will be his last foreign trip before relinquishing his role as Prime Minister, coinciding with the LDP presidential election scheduled for September 27.

Kishida's itinerary includes a visit to Wilmington, Delaware, the hometown of U.S. President Joe Biden, on September 21 (local time), to attend the Quad leaders' summit, where Kishida, Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet.

Additionally, during his U.S. visit, Kishida is also expected to participate in the "Summit of the Future," which will be held alongside the United Nations General Assembly and will address global issues such as climate change. He is scheduled to deliver a speech at this international conference.

The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan has announced that nine candidates will run in the party's presidential election, with voting set to take place on September 27. According to a poll conducted by Japan's Jiji Press, Shinjiro Koizumi, the 43-year-old former environment minister and son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, is currently leading in support.

In the poll, conducted from September 6 to 9, the top four candidates were Shinjiro Koizumi (25.5%), former secretary-general Shigeru Ishiba (24.2%), Minister of Economic Security Sanae Takaichi (8.5%), and Digital Minister Taro Kono (4.9%). Among Liberal Democratic Party supporters, Koizumi's support rises to 35.6%, compared to Ishiba's 27.1%. This marks a shift from a poll in early August, where Ishiba led with 18.7%, about 6.2% ahead of Koizumi, who was second at the time.

The poll also surveyed voter intentions for the upcoming House of Representatives election. The Liberal Democratic Party leads with 31.2%, followed by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party at 10.2%, the Japan Innovation Party at 5.5%, and the Komeito Party at 4.2%. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's cabinet approval rating has remained below 20% for ten consecutive months, dropping by another 0.7% this time to just 18.7%.

The poll surveyed 2,000 men and women aged 18 and older through individual interviews, with a valid response rate of 58.5%.

Pope Francis departed Timor-Leste today for Singapore, marking the final stop of his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour, traveling from one of the world’s poorest regions to one of its wealthiest. This signifies the last leg of his Asia tour.

During his visit to Timor-Leste, the Pope emphasized the importance of peace, reconciliation, and uplifting marginalized communities. His itinerary included meetings with government officials, religious leaders, and youth, where he praised the country's progress since independence and acknowledged its ongoing challenges.

Upon arriving in Singapore, the Pope’s schedule includes meetings with local Catholic leaders, interfaith dialogues, and discussions on issues of social justice and environmental protection. His visit to Singapore underscores his commitment to promoting dialogue among different faiths and fostering harmony in a multicultural society.

The Asia tour, which covered multiple countries, focused on themes of peace, unity, and service to the poor, reflecting Pope Francis' mission of bringing hope and solidarity to diverse communities across the region. The tour is expected to conclude in the coming days, leaving a lasting impact on the countries he visited.