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Donald Trump Jr. Gains Key Influence Over Cabinet Appointments, Replacing Ivanka as the Family’s Most Influential Advisor. Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has gained significant influence in shaping the new administration’s cabinet appointments. His selections often favor loyalists with limited experience rather than seasoned professionals for high-ranking government positions. Controversial appointments include Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, alongside his opposition to Mike Pompeo, known as "the most pro-Taiwan Secretary of State," joining the administration. Trump Jr. has effectively replaced his sister Ivanka as the family’s most influential advisor.

Reports indicate that Trump, who has long relied on family members for counsel, is now heavily influenced by his eldest son in forming his cabinet. Among Trump Jr.’s key recommendations is his friend J.D. Vance, whose anti-corporate rhetoric, opposition to aid for Ukraine, and controversial remarks about women had alienated some donors and supporters. Despite this, Vance ultimately gained Trump’s favor and emerged as a vice-presidential contender. Trump Jr.’s preferences lean toward anti-establishment figures, advocating for policies such as protectionist economics, reduced military interventions, and cuts to foreign aid, ensuring loyalty to Trump within the administration.

Trump Jr. is also expected to join the conservative venture capital firm 1789 Capital while continuing to host a political podcast that serves as a platform for Trump’s political messaging. However, he is unlikely to engage in routine government affairs after Trump assumes the presidency.

Meanwhile, other family members, including Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, daughter Ivanka Trump, and second son Eric Trump, are not expected to join the new administration. Kushner is anticipated to play an unofficial role in Middle East policy, building on the "Abraham Accords" he facilitated in 2020 to normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations, with potential efforts to strengthen ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Sources suggest that with Susie Wiles, the disciplined White House Chief of Staff nominee, assisting in streamlining operations, Trump’s reliance on family input is significantly diminished.

Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria, 47, a mother of two, recently underwent intensive Marine Corps training at the Muskö naval base near Stockholm. Dressed in military gear, including a bulletproof vest and holding a rifle, she prepared herself for her future role as head of state.

Amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Sweden joined NATO in March of this year. In April, the Swedish Royal Court announced that the Crown Princess would undertake special officer training in the fall to gain deeper insights into tactics, military science, and strategy. She stated, "My current goal is to fully commit to officer training to best represent Sweden and its armed forces in the future."

This isn’t Princess Victoria’s first military experience; she completed a three-week basic training program at the Swedish Armed Forces International Centre in 2003. The Royal Court has also planned for her 12-year-old daughter, Princess Estelle, who is second in line to the throne, to complete similar training when she comes of age.

In recent years, other European royals have pursued similar military education programs. For instance, Spain’s Princess Leonor, 18, began a rigorous three-year course at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza last year. Her training includes a transition to the Naval Academy for comprehensive armed forces education in her second year and a final year at the Air Force Academy.

A New York State Supreme Court judge has ruled to delay the sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump in the hush money case involving an adult film actress. The sentencing, initially scheduled for November 26, will now be indefinitely postponed, ensuring Trump will not face sentencing before his inauguration.

The judge also allowed Trump's legal team to file a motion to dismiss the case entirely. Trump's attorneys must submit their motion by December 2, while prosecutors have one week to respond.

No new sentencing date has been set, and the judge made no further statements regarding the delay. Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, described the judge's decision as a "decisive victory" for Trump.

In May, a jury convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The charges stemmed from falsifying documents to conceal $130,000 in hush money paid by Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The payment was allegedly made to prevent her from disclosing an extramarital affair ahead of the 2016 election. Sentencing had been planned for November 26 but was postponed indefinitely after Trump won the presidential election.

Trump’s legal team argued that his presidential immunity and return to the White House warrant the dismissal of the charges, to avoid constitutional challenges to his governance. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office opposed dismissing the case, noting that Trump has already been convicted, but agreed to the delay. Sources indicate prosecutors are willing to suspend sentencing for up to four years, until Trump completes his presidential term.

On the 21st, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, accusing them of war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law. In response, U.S. President Joe Biden issued a statement expressing that the U.S. cannot accept the warrants and emphasized that America will always stand with Israel.

Following the issuance of the warrants, Netanyahu strongly condemned the move as an anti-Semitic act, stating that it would not deter him from defending Israel and that he would not yield to pressure. The White House also released a statement rejecting the arrest warrants. As neither the U.S. nor Israel are members of the ICC, both countries reject the court's jurisdiction. Israel also stated that Deif was killed in an airstrike in July, though Hamas has not confirmed this.

Reactions to the validity of the warrants have been mixed globally. The U.S. has rejected the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, but did not comment on the warrant for Deif. The Argentine government has expressed opposition to the warrants, arguing that they overlook Israel's right to engage in lawful self-defense against terrorist organizations.

EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell stated that the court's decision must be respected and enforced. Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed support for the ICC's decision, while also indicating that Italy would work with its allies to assess future actions.

Indonesia's Parliament has officially approved the relocation of the capital to Nusantara in eastern Indonesia, with Jakarta set to become a special region. However, Jakarta will remain the country's economic and cultural center. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo also highlighted this issue during the G20 summit in Brazil.

Jakarta, with a population of over 10 million and potentially over 30 million when including satellite cities, faces overcrowding and economic concentration, leading to an imbalance in national development. Additionally, the city is threatened by natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis due to its geographic location. Experts predict that by 2050, nearly 95% of Jakarta will be submerged due to the long-term use of groundwater and rising sea levels. The relocation to Nusantara, 1,200 kilometers from Jakarta, aims to balance eastern and western development and accelerate economic growth in the eastern region. Despite being located on just 6.6% of the country's total land area, Java, where Jakarta is situated, contributes over 57% of Indonesia's GDP.

The Indonesian government announced the relocation plan back in 2019, with Nusantara meaning "archipelago," reflecting Indonesia's identity as an "archipelagic nation." Construction of Nusantara began in 2022 and will be carried out in five phases, with completion expected by 2045. Indonesia's Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, stated that President Prabowo hopes the main government and parliament buildings in the new capital will be completed within four years.

Former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, a key proponent of the relocation, has repeatedly emphasized that moving the capital will help Indonesia realize its "global maritime fulcrum" strategy and become a new political symbol for the country.

Oscar Arias Sanchez, 1987 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of Costa Rica, center, receives the FOWPAL Peace Bell Award from Dr. Hong.

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.