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On the 5th, the German Bundestag passed a military service bill introducing a voluntary service system—marking a major shift in Germany’s defense policy. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Germany has decided to strengthen its national defense, echoing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s goal of building Europe’s strongest army.

The Bundestag approved the reform with 323 votes in favor and 272 against, making Germany the latest European country to adopt a hybrid military service model. The goal is to gradually increase troop numbers from the current roughly 182,000 to 260,000 active soldiers by early 2030, along with 200,000 reservists, in order to meet NATO’s new force requirements. However, if the security situation deteriorates or volunteer numbers fall short, the parliament can activate conscription when necessary.

Under the new law, starting in January 2026, all German male citizens who turn 18 will receive a questionnaire about their willingness to join the military, while women may respond voluntarily. Beginning in July 2027, all 18-year-old men will be required to undergo a health examination to assess their fitness for potential service. If war breaks out, the military can use these questionnaires and medical evaluations to draft potential recruits. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that only universal health screening can ensure that Germany does not waste time determining “who can serve as defenders of the homeland and who cannot” in the event of an attack.

Although the government emphasizes that the system remains primarily voluntary, the policy has nonetheless sparked protests among young people. Organizers of the demonstrations wrote on social media: “We don’t want to spend half a year of our lives locked in barracks, marching in formation, obeying orders, and learning how to kill.”

During the Cold War, Germany maintained nearly 500,000 troops. But after the Cold War ended, European nations steadily downsized their militaries, and Germany abolished compulsory service in 2011 under former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Now, facing the threat from Russia and pressure from the United States, Chancellor Merz has pledged to rebuild the Bundeswehr into Europe’s most powerful conventional force.

To attract young recruits, the German military is offering a monthly salary of about €2,600. By comparison, France’s voluntary military service program pays only €800 per month.

On December 4 in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump, together with Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, signed a peace agreement and a critical-minerals cooperation plan. The initiative aims to end the decades-long conflict between the two countries and open a channel for the United States to access key rare-earth minerals. Despite strong U.S. backing, violence in eastern Congo has yet to subside, leaving the effectiveness of the agreement in question.

At the ceremony held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Trump said the deal could be a “great miracle,” emphasizing that the U.S. would work with both countries on rare-metal extraction—an endeavor expected to generate significant business opportunities. Eastern DRC, a region plagued by frequent unrest, contains abundant critical materials needed for modern technologies such as electric vehicles. However, the two African leaders were more cautious: Kagame acknowledged that “there will certainly be ups and downs ahead,” while Tshisekedi described the agreement as “a new beginning, but a difficult path.”

The long-standing turmoil in eastern Congo has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Recently, clashes have intensified between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group and the Congolese government forces. The United Nations has accused Rwanda of supporting M23, raising further concerns over whether the peace agreement can truly bring an end to the conflict.

On December 2, 2025, San Francisco, California, filed a lawsuit against ten major food manufacturers, accusing them of knowingly marketing “ultra-processed foods” that can lead to obesity and chronic diseases. Despite being aware of these risks, the companies allegedly continued to promote such products through aggressive marketing strategies modeled after those used by the tobacco industry, resulting in harm to public health. The complaint was filed by City Attorney David Chiu.

The companies named in the lawsuit include globally recognized brands such as Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, and Kellogg’s. Officials stated that these corporations have long produced and widely sold a range of “convenient and enticing” ultra-processed foods—including potato chips, soft drinks, processed meats, breakfast cereals, and frozen meals—while using advertising strategies targeting children and vulnerable communities to encourage excessive consumption.

The complaint further asserts that these foods are linked to chronic illnesses such as obesity, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, placing a heavy burden on the public healthcare system. San Francisco is calling on the court to order the companies to halt deceptive marketing practices and to compensate for the social costs incurred, including health and medical expenses.

If successful, this would be the world’s first class-action lawsuit brought by a local government against food companies over the health hazards of ultra-processed foods, potentially reshaping the regulatory landscape of the U.S. food industry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met at the Kremlin with U.S. negotiator Tim Swieczkowski and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner to discuss possible ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The talks lasted five hours. Both sides described the meeting as constructive, but said there was still no consensus on territorial matters.

Putin criticized European countries for undermining President Trump’s peace efforts. Speaking in a harsh tone, he warned Europe that if European nations choose to go to war with Russia, the conflict “will end very quickly for Europe—so quickly that we won’t even be able to find anyone left to negotiate with.”

As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its fourth year, with casualties reaching into the millions, Putin’s remarks have further heightened tensions between Russia and Europe. He accused Europe of proposing peace plans that they knew Russia could not accept, saying the intention to obstruct negotiations was obvious, and that this allows them to blame Russia for rejecting peace. He added that by cutting off communication with Moscow, European countries had essentially excluded themselves from the peace process and placed themselves on the side of war.

Since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, the conflict has become Europe’s bloodiest war since World War II. European nations have provided strong financial and military support to Ukraine, helping it reduce its dependence on Russian energy while simultaneously strengthening their own military capacity to prevent Moscow from seizing more territory by force. After nearly four years of war, Putin has still been unable to fully control Ukraine, while Ukraine and its European allies have repeatedly warned that a Russian victory would directly threaten NATO member states.

Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said that recent progress by Russian forces on the battlefield had positively influenced the peace talks held yesterday in Moscow with the U.S. envoy, describing the meeting as constructive and significant. He said that Ukraine’s potential accession to NATO was one of the key issues discussed, and added that he hoped Ukraine and its European allies would adopt a “more balanced attitude and perspective” toward the current situation.

Ushakov said after the meeting that both sides had carefully reviewed the new 19-point cease-fire draft proposed by the United States and Ukraine, but had not yet discussed any concrete plans or proposals. He stated that progress on territorial issues was “essentially zero.” When asked by reporters whether the talks had brought peace closer or pushed it further away, he responded that “it certainly hasn’t moved further away,” but emphasized that Washington and Moscow still had much to do and would continue negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was prepared to receive all outcomes of the talks and was ready to meet with President Trump, depending on how today’s discussions unfold.

U.S. retailer Costco has recently filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Court of International Trade, requesting a suspension of certain tariffs while the Supreme Court reviews the legality of tariffs imposed under the Trump administration. The company also seeks assurance that if the tariffs are ultimately ruled unlawful, businesses will be able to recover the duties they have already paid.

According to foreign media reports, Costco argues that the Trump administration invoked the *International Emergency Economic Powers Act* (IEEPA) to impose additional tariffs, creating uncertainty over whether companies can obtain refunds. Even if the Supreme Court later strikes down the tariffs, Costco is concerned that because the “liquidation deadline” is set to expire on December 15, the duties already paid may not be recoverable.

The complaint also asks the court to bar U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from collecting the tariffs before a ruling is issued, criticizing CBP for refusing to extend the liquidation deadline. In addition to Costco, dozens of companies—including tuna brand Bumble Bee Foods, Ray-Ban parent company EssilorLuxottica, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Revlon, and Yokohama Tire—have filed similar lawsuits. “Liquidation” refers to the final calculation of duties assessed on imported goods.

The Supreme Court held oral arguments on November 5, questioning whether Trump had lawfully invoked the 1977 *Emergency Powers Act* to impose tariffs, though it has not yet announced a decision date. Costco stated that in response to the tariffs, it has reduced the number of suppliers, increased local sourcing, and strengthened supply for its private label, Kirkland.

Days of torrential rain have caused severe disasters across Southeast Asia, with more than 600 deaths reported in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Indonesia has suffered the heaviest losses, with 435 fatalities. Massive landslides and floods have struck three provinces including West Sumatra, cutting off transportation and communications and leaving some areas completely isolated. Authorities have deployed helicopters to air-drop supplies and assist stranded residents. According to official statistics, 406 people remain missing, over 210,000 have been displaced, and some disaster-hit regions have even reported incidents of looting.

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health reported that the death toll has risen to 170, with 102 people injured. The southern province of Songkhla has been hit the hardest. Hat Yai, the largest city in the province, recorded 335 millimeters of rainfall on November 21 alone—a 300-year record for the area. Flooding triggered by the torrential rains has severely disrupted residents' daily lives, and rescue operations are still underway.

Malaysia has reported three deaths, with around 18,700 people still sheltered in emergency evacuation centers. Meteorological authorities have lifted the tropical storm warning, and weather conditions in most areas are expected to gradually improve. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that over 6,200 Malaysian tourists stranded in Thailand were assisted in evacuating last week, while one Malaysian national remains missing in West Sumatra.

Notably, Sri Lanka was also struck by Cyclone Ditva, which caused 334 deaths, left nearly 400 people missing, and affected more than one million people.

The office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed on the 30th that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally submitted a request for a presidential pardon in hopes of ending the years-long corruption proceedings against him. Netanyahu denies all charges and has entered a plea of not guilty.

According to reports, former U.S. President Donald Trump previously sent a letter to Herzog urging him to grant Netanyahu a pardon.

Herzog’s office stated that this “unusual and far-reaching” request is now under review, and the president will make a decision “responsibly and honestly” after gathering input from all sides. As for requests for comment, Netanyahu’s office has yet to respond.

Peruvian President José Jerí announced on the 28th that the Tacna region in the country’s south, which borders Chile, will be placed under a 60-day state of emergency. During this period, the Peruvian military will assist the police in tightening border controls. Peru stated that the move is mainly intended to address a potential influx of migrants and security threats stemming from Chile’s political situation.

The trigger for this development is Chile’s upcoming presidential election and the tough anti-immigration rhetoric of far-right candidate José Antonio Kast. During the campaign, Kast repeatedly expressed strong anti-immigrant positions, even issuing an ultimatum to the roughly 330,000 undocumented migrants in Chile, warning that if elected, illegal migrants must leave voluntarily within a few months or face deportation. Many of these undocumented migrants are Venezuelans fleeing their country’s economic collapse. Kast’s remarks have caused panic among them, prompting large numbers to try to cross the border into Peru before the Chilean government takes action.

Media outlets and government agencies in the Peruvian border region have reported that dozens of migrants are already stranded at Chilean border checkpoints, eager to enter Peru but lacking the necessary documents. The Peruvian government is concerned that a surge of migrants could bring a range of security and social challenges.

Chile, one of the most stable and affluent nations in South America and the region’s first OECD member, has experienced a major influx of migrants in recent years. Most come from Venezuela, along with others from Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Rising concerns over migrant-related crime and pressure on public resources have fueled domestic discontent, making immigration a central issue in this presidential election. Peru’s border emergency highlights not only the ongoing migration crisis across South America but also the diplomatic strains and humanitarian challenges that unilateral actions can create in the absence of regional consensus.

French President Emmanuel Macron on the 27th formally announced that, in response to increasingly serious international threats, France will reinstate the voluntary military service system—abolished nearly 30 years ago—to encourage young people to enlist and strengthen the nation’s defense capabilities.

The program is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026, recruiting 3,000 volunteers aged 18 to 19, with an upper age limit of 25. Both men and women may apply, and the service period will be ten months. A small number of older applicants with specialized backgrounds—such as in medicine or engineering—may also participate. Monthly pay will be at least 800 euros (about NT$30,000). The number of recruits will increase each year, with plans to expand to 10,000 by 2030 and 50,000 by 2035. The total budget for the program is 2 billion euros (about NT$73.5 billion).

Recruitment will be entirely voluntary and candidates will be selected based on the needs of the armed forces. To strengthen reserve capabilities, volunteers will only be assigned to missions within France in order to enhance national defense readiness. France currently has 200,000 active-duty soldiers and 47,000 reservists; these numbers are expected to grow to 210,000 and 80,000 respectively by 2030.

Media reports say that starting December 10, Australia will require social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to shut down the accounts of users under 16 years old. Platforms that fail to comply could face fines of up to 49.5 million AUD (about 1 billion NTD). On the 25th, the digital rights group *Digital Freedom Project* announced that it had taken legal action in an attempt to block the ban from taking effect.

According to the reports, the Digital Freedom Project stated that it had filed a lawsuit in the High Court of Australia together with two 15-year-old teenagers, arguing that the regulation constitutes unequal treatment in terms of freedom of expression. The group claims the ban directly infringes on young people’s right to political communication, depriving millions of young Australians of access to the “modern town square.”

Reports also note that Snapchat has announced that starting this week, users will be required to verify their age. Verification can be completed through an Australian bank account, government-issued ID, or by taking a facial photo through which a third party will estimate the user’s age range. Australia’s regulation banning children and teens under 16 from using social media has drawn significant global attention.

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