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The United Kingdom, France, Australia, Canada, and Portugal have recently announced their recognition of the State of Palestine, emphasizing that the move is intended to advance the “two-state solution” and promote peace in the Middle East. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said this represents a commitment to a better future for both Palestinians and Israelis, stressing that Hamas must not take part in any future Palestinian government. Leaders of Australia, Canada, and Portugal also expressed support for Palestinian self-determination, saying the step could help move the peace process forward.

Israel, however, strongly objected. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the recognition of Palestine, calling it a “huge reward” in the wake of Hamas’s deadly attacks on October 7, 2023, and reaffirmed that “no Palestinian state will be established in the West Bank.” Israel also warned it could retaliate against the countries involved, possibly by annexing parts of the West Bank.

The United States has taken a cautious stance. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in Washington that President Trump sees the move as “rewarding Hamas” and argued it does nothing to secure the release of hostages or end the Gaza war. A brother of David, one of the hostages held in Gaza, also said that international recognition of Palestine would encourage Hamas to prolong the conflict and undermine Israel’s rescue efforts. Some British Conservative Party members criticized Prime Minister Starmer, accusing him of bowing to pressure from the party’s radical left wing.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the decisions, calling them a return to historical justice and a boost to efforts for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. More than 150 countries worldwide have now recognized Palestine, but its borders, capital, and sovereignty remain unsettled and lack broad international consensus. While the recognition by the UK, Canada, Australia, and France carries symbolic significance, opposition from the United States and Israel, along with internal Palestinian political challenges, has once again highlighted the complexity and sensitivity of the Middle East peace process.

U.S. Conservative Commentator Charlie Kirk Shot Dead at Utah Valley University; CNN’s Van Jones Reveals His Final Message and Calls for Renewed Dialogue

American conservative political commentator and online influencer Charlie Kirk was shot dead on September 10 while giving a speech at Utah Valley University. He was 31. The news shocked the U.S. political sphere and public opinion.

According to CNN, journalist Van Jones revealed that just one day before his death, Kirk had sent him a message on social media platform X, inviting him to appear on his program to engage in a rational dialogue on crime and race. Jones lamented that he had not yet replied before Kirk was tragically killed.

Kirk and Jones had previously clashed over a murder case involving Ukrainian refugees. Kirk argued the crime was driven by “hatred of white people,” a claim Jones strongly criticized as baseless. Their debate escalated into heated exchanges on social media. Jones recalled that he received a wave of racist death threats after challenging Kirk’s remarks, creating a tense atmosphere. Yet amid the turmoil, Kirk extended an olive branch, seeking constructive dialogue.

Jones emphasized that although he frequently criticized Kirk’s views, he never questioned his right to speak. “He had the freedom to express himself, and he had the right to return home safely. That is America’s most fundamental value,” Jones said, condemning the killing in the strongest terms.

On the day of Kirk’s death, Jones posted on social media: “This attack on Kirk is horrifying and heartbreaking. He chose to fight with words, not weapons. Our society cannot allow political violence. The perpetrator must swiftly be brought to justice.” He also offered prayers to Kirk’s family, the shocked students and faculty at Utah Valley University, and all those affected by the tragedy.

Reflecting on his own childhood during the turbulent year of 1968, when violence and assassinations tore apart American society, Jones warned that history seemed to be repeating itself. “Political murder has no justification,” he declared, adding that Kirk’s death should become a turning point for Americans to reopen dialogue. He urged both the left and right to set aside malice and hostility, and instead seek common ground. As Kirk had said in his final message, differences should be addressed with civility — through dialogue, not bloodshed.

The Estonian government on the 19th accused three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets of entering Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland and lingering near Vaindloo Island for about 12 minutes. The incident prompted condemnation from the EU and NATO, which described it as a dangerous act of provocation.

According to Estonian and Italian officials, Italian F-35 fighter jets under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission were immediately scrambled to intercept the Russian aircraft and issue a warning.

The Estonian Defense Forces stated that the three Russian jets had not filed a flight plan, had switched off their transponders, and refused to communicate with Estonian air traffic control. Estonia stressed that such actions undermine international norms and threaten regional security.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart criticized Russia’s move as “reckless and provocative,” adding that NATO had demonstrated its ability to respond immediately to challenges. Several EU countries also voiced concern and expressed support for Estonia’s position.

However, Russia’s Ministry of Defense later denied the airspace violation. Moscow claimed the aircraft were on a routine flight, following a designated route through neutral Baltic airspace, at least three kilometers from Estonia’s border, and never entered its airspace. Russia emphasized that it has “objective verification data” proving Estonia’s accusations are unfounded.

The incident has since escalated into a new diplomatic dispute between Estonia and Russia. Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Russian diplomats to deliver a note of protest and has called on NATO and the EU to strengthen security along their eastern borders.

Since returning to the White House and imposing massive tariffs on China, U.S. President Donald Trump held a second phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 19th. During the two-hour hotline conversation, the two leaders discussed issues including the Russia-Ukraine war, Gaza, and U.S.-China trade, but did not mention Taiwan.

After the call, Trump stated that the TikTok agreement is progressing smoothly and that China has already approved it. However, both sides' public summaries made no mention of specific terms, suggesting that negotiations are still ongoing or that final confirmation from involved companies is still required. China also reiterated that if the U.S. does not lift its “unilateral trade restrictions,” the outcomes of the previous four rounds of trade talks may be affected.

Following the call, Trump posted on social media that he had a productive conversation with Xi Jinping, noting progress on several key issues, including trade, fentanyl, the need to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and the approval of the TikTok agreement. Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet for a U.S.-China summit at the APEC meeting in South Korea on October 31, six weeks from now. Trump also announced plans to meet Xi in China early next year, laying the groundwork for future bilateral interactions.

As for whether the call touched on the Taiwan issue—a point of public concern—the Presidential Office stated it would continue to monitor and assess the international situation closely.

Media reports indicate that tensions are once again escalating along the Thailand-Cambodia border. In July of this year, intense armed clashes between the two countries broke out at the border, resulting in 48 deaths. However, less than two months after a ceasefire was declared, large-scale violent clashes erupted again on the 17th in a disputed border village, leaving at least 23 people injured.

According to reports, Thailand claims the disputed village is Ban Nong Ya Kaew, located in Sa Kaeo Province. Thai authorities had set up barbed wire in the area. However, Cambodia asserts that the area belongs to Prey Chan Village in Banteay Meanchey Province. Protests by civilians on both sides of the border escalated into violent confrontations on the 17th.

Cambodian authorities stated that Thai forces used tear gas, rubber bullets, and long-range acoustic devices, resulting in injuries to at least 23 Cambodian civilians. The Thai military, however, countered that they were in the process of installing barbed wire when around 200 Cambodians gathered to protest, causing unrest and illegally crossing the border. The Thai side claimed they had no choice but to use tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd and restore order.

The report also noted that the 817-kilometer Thai-Cambodian border has been a source of long-standing disputes since it was demarcated during the French colonial period in 1907. The U.S. government has urged both sides to exercise restraint. The U.S. State Department has called for the swift deployment of a monitoring mission, made up of ASEAN member states, to both sides of the border to carry out long-term surveillance and prevent further escalation of the conflict.

Leaders from multiple countries of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened in Doha on the 15th for an emergency summit to show solidarity with Qatar and to condemn Israel's attack on Doha on the 9th, which resulted in six deaths. Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) pledged to "activate a joint defense mechanism", marking the most substantial outcome of the summit.

The "Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit" was hosted by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In his opening remarks, Al Thani stated:
"The capital Doha was attacked, targeting a residence sheltering family members of Hamas leaders and negotiation representatives."
At the time, Hamas leaders were reportedly discussing a U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan for Gaza. He described the Israeli bombing as "a blatant act of betrayal and cowardice." Al Thani called on the international community to take "concrete action to address the situation caused and perpetuated by the Israeli government's obsession with power, arrogance, and bloodlust." He emphasized that this attack on mediators proves Israel’s "lack of sincerity for peace" and its intent to "sabotage negotiations to end the war in Gaza."

The Arab League and OIC also issued a joint statement declaring:
"We condemn in the strongest terms Israel’s cowardly and illegal attack on Qatar, and express full solidarity with the measures taken by Qatar."

The statement praised Qatar's crisis response and its mediating role alongside Egypt and the United States, while rejecting any justification for further aggression. It also condemned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s "renewed threats to strike Qatar."

The interim presidential election of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) enters a critical phase of declarations this week, with candidates gradually revealing their intentions. On September 16, former Minister for Economic Security Takayuki Kobayashi held a press conference to officially announce his candidacy. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi also clearly expressed his intention to run and is expected to unveil his policy platform—dubbed the “Hayashi Plan”—later this week. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Shinjiro Koizumi is currently preparing his candidacy announcement, while another former Minister for Economic Security, Sanae Takaichi, is scheduled to hold a press conference on the 19th. Including former LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, who declared his candidacy last week, a total of five candidates are expected to compete for the party’s top post.

Fifty-year-old Kobayashi is focusing his campaign on building a tech-driven nation and implementing tax cuts. At his press conference, he declared that the LDP is facing an existential crisis, warning that “this could be the party’s last presidential election,” and emphasized his strong sense of urgency. He proposed large-scale investments in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and the space industry, aiming to restore Japan’s status as a leading technological power.

Kobayashi, currently serving his fifth term as a member of the House of Representatives, is seen as a representative of the younger generation of conservatives. He launched his campaign support team with a ceremony at the National Diet, attended by 20 lawmakers—half the number from last year, but still demonstrating considerable mobilization capability. In terms of policy, he advocates a "flat-rate tax cut" targeting the younger and working generations, and is exploring a new income tax system to strengthen the middle class. He also supports tighter controls on foreign investment, increased defense spending, and opposes overreliance on solar energy from specific countries.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, 64, has held key positions including Foreign Minister and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. He is currently Chief Cabinet Secretary and is the second-in-command of the former Kishida faction. This marks his third bid for the party presidency. He plans to continue the policies from his previous campaign, aiming to achieve “wage growth that outpaces inflation” and to promote constitutional revision. According to *Sankei Shimbun*, he has asked former Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Norihisa Tamura to serve as his campaign manager, strengthening his election team.

On September 16, Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, expressed his intent to run in a Diet interview and is preparing an official announcement. He has invited Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato to serve as his campaign manager. Kato, known for his close ties to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is seen as a counterbalance to Koizumi’s liberal image.

On the 12th, Russia and Belarus launched “Zapad 2025”, a large-scale joint military exercise that will run until the 16th, mobilizing around 30,000 troops to showcase military deterrence against NATO. Russia’s Ministry of Defense released footage highlighting the Northern Fleet’s frigate Admiral Golovko successfully test-firing a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile in the Barents Sea, striking its target with precision. According to President Vladimir Putin, the Zircon can reach speeds of up to Mach 9, has a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers, and can carry a 300–400 kilogram warhead, making it a key weapon designed to penetrate NATO’s defenses.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones struck deep into Russian territory, about 800 kilometers inside the border, successfully bombing the Kirishi Refinery—one of Russia’s largest oil processing facilities. The explosion sent massive flames into the sky and caused extensive damage. The refinery has an annual capacity of roughly 20 million tons, accounting for 6.4% of Russia’s total crude output. The strike dealt a heavy blow to Russia’s energy infrastructure and once again demonstrated Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capability.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, the combination of large-scale drills and deep strikes has drawn significant international attention. U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his criticism that current sanctions against Moscow are insufficient, warning that he is prepared to impose harsher measures targeting Russia’s oil sector. With NATO and Russia ramping up military activity, geopolitical risks are rising, threatening renewed volatility in global energy markets and security dynamics.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the 14th warned that Russian drones had violated Polish airspace earlier this week during attacks on Ukraine, calling it an “unfortunate and dangerous development.”

In an interview in Washington, Rubio said the key question was whether the drones intentionally entered Polish territory: “If evidence shows it was deliberate, the situation will clearly escalate.”

U.S. President Donald Trump had stated on the 11th that the Russian drones may have “strayed” into Polish airspace, but his remarks raised doubts among European nations. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk immediately pushed back, writing on X: “Of course we hope it was accidental, but that is not the case—we know the truth.”

Polish authorities reported that a total of 17 Russian drones crossed into the country’s eastern airspace on the 10th, all of which were shot down. While no casualties or major damage occurred, debris confirmed their Russian origin. The incident comes as Moscow rejected Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

As a NATO member, Poland’s security is guaranteed by U.S.-led allied forces. Many European countries and the European Union see this incident as a test of Russia’s willingness to challenge NATO’s resolve.

After the bloody turmoil in early September, Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki to lead a transitional government. Karki was sworn in on the 12th, becoming Nepal’s first female prime minister in history.

The political shift was triggered when the government blocked Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms, sparking public protests that quickly escalated into broader anger over corruption, nepotism, and high unemployment. The movement was largely driven by Generation Z, who organized through social media and online forums, demonstrating unprecedented political influence. During the unrest, multiple public buildings in the capital Kathmandu were set on fire, while clashes between police and protesters left at least 51 people dead and thousands injured. The situation spiraled out of control, with demonstrators storming and torching the homes of senior officials. Indian media reported that a former prime minister’s wife was burned to death. Ultimately, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli submitted his resignation to President Paudel on the 9th before fleeing with several cabinet members.

President Paudel immediately announced the dissolution of the House of Representatives and tasked Karki with forming an interim government. Karki, known for her strong anti-corruption stance and commitment to judicial independence during her tenure as chief justice, declared upon taking office that her mandate would be limited to six months. She pledged to stabilize the country and prepare for new parliamentary elections, tentatively scheduled for March 5 next year. Karki emphasized that the transitional government’s top priority would be to respond to young people’s demands for transparency, integrity, and fairness, while investigating responsibility for deaths and injuries during the protests and rebuilding public trust in government. She said: “We will listen to the voices of the new generation. This is not just a transition but the beginning of a new chapter for Nepal.”

However, President Paudel’s decision to dissolve parliament has been challenged by several political parties, including the Communist Party of Nepal, who argue it is unconstitutional and demand the legislature be restored. Protesters, meanwhile, had listed the dissolution of parliament as one of their key demands, fueled by anger at politicians’ lavish lifestyles and corruption. Despite the change in leadership, the country still faces the aftermath of unrest and unresolved security issues, including the pursuit of fugitives after prison riots, compensation for victims, and reconstruction of public facilities. The military’s role during the crisis has also raised concerns about possible political intervention by the armed forces.

The international community has broadly called for calm and stability in Nepal. Neighboring countries such as India and China have expressed both concern and congratulations to the new government, hoping for a smooth transition and urging Nepal to prevent unrest from spilling over its borders.