East Asia & the Pacific
Cambodia: Cambodia, Rwanda sign deals on bilateral consultations, enhance exchanges
Khmer Times (Cambodia)
Cambodia and Rwanda have signed two deals establishing bilateral consultations and granting visa exemptions to holders of diplomatic and official or service passports, said a press release from Cambodia’s foreign ministry on Wednesday.
Indonesia: Indonesia’s Semeru volcano erupts, alert level raised to highest
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
Indonesia’s Semeru volcano has erupted, unleashing fast-moving pyroclastic flows as the country’s volcanology agency increased the alert level of Java island’s tallest mountain to the highest. The volcano spewed ash clouds as tall as 5.6km (3.48 miles) into the sky, the agency said on Wednesday, adding that residents should stay a 2.5km (1.55-mile) distance away due to risks.
Japan: Stimulus package tops 20 trillion yen, post-COVID high
Asahi Shimbun (Japan)
The government is preparing a comprehensive economic stimulus package worth more than 20 trillion yen ($128 billion), including major tax cuts, in what is expected to be the largest measure to date after the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials confirmed on Nov. 19 that the plan will include raising the income tax threshold and abolishing the long-standing additional gasoline tax rate.
Japan: Japan warns citizens in China about safety as diplomatic crisis deepens
Reuters (United Kingdom)
Following comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Japan’s survival in relation to Taiwan, the Japanese embassy in China has urged citizens to take extreme caution and to respect local customs when in China. In response to the comments, Beijing has urged its own citizens to not travel to Japan and has suspended upcoming Japanese film releases in mainland China.
Myanmar: Raids by Myanmar junta troops displace tens of thousands in northern Magway Region
Myanmar Now (Myanmar)
Villagers fled their homes as three columns of soldiers rampaged through northern Pauk Township near one of the regime’s many armaments factories in the region.
North Korea: Kim Jong Un opens 1st ‘modern’ hospital outside capital, vows 20 more next year
NK News (United States)
The North Korean leader attends inauguration near a key military town, though the facility doesn’t yet appear fully equipped. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended an inauguration ceremony Monday for the Kangdong County Hospital, according to state media, calling it the first “modern” health facility outside Pyongyang.
South Korea: South Korea, Egypt seek stronger defense industry ties
Korea Herald (South Korea)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi received President Lee Jae Myung during his official visit to the Middle Eastern country on Thursday to discuss deeper bilateral ties, with the Korean president stressing the importance of peace in the Middle East and broader defense industry cooperation. At a joint press conference held by the two leaders after the summit in Cairo, Lee described both South Korea and Egypt as “peace promoters” who jointly contribute to international peace, including the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East.
Taiwan: China-Japan spat over Taiwan contingency unlikely to end soon: NSB report
Focus Taiwan (Taiwan)
China is strongly responding to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s statements around the country’s possible actions of a Chinese blockade of Taiwan, remarking that the event could spark a “survival-threatening situation” and implied to usage of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.
Tonga: King Tupou VI to meet President Xi Jinping in China
Matangi (Tonga)
King Tupou VI of Tonga is in China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to hold a conversation about “an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.”
Europe & Eurasia
Denmark: Centre-left tipped to lose Copenhagen for first time in electoral history
The Guardian (United Kingdom)
The center-left could lose control of Copenhagen for the first time in the city’s electoral history as residents of the Danish capital go to the polls amid growing disillusionment with the divisive politics of the prime minister.
EU: Europe pledges over €15bn for clean energy for Africa
Yahoo News (United States)
The campaign, organized in collaboration with the international advocacy organization Global Citizen and with the policy support of the International Energy Agency, is aimed at driving public and private investment in supporting the clean energy transition in Africa, expanding access to electricity, and promoting Africa’s sustainable economic growth.
Europe: Drug boats from Venezuela are mainly moving cocaine to Europe – not fentanyl to the U.S., experts say
NBC News (United States)
Drug cartels operating vessels in the Caribbean, where roughly 50% recent US airstrikes have taken place, are mainly moving cocaine from South America to Europe — not to the United States, according to current and former U.S. law enforcement and military officials as well as narcotics experts.
Europe: Multiple people hospitalized after virus spreads across Europe
The Independent (United Kingdom)
A potentially lethal mpox variant, clade 1b, is spreading across Europe, with at least 45 cases recorded since August, leading to hospitalizations. An effective vaccine is available.
Europe: Airbus chair calls on Europe to acquire tactical nuclear weapons
Reuters (United Kingdom)
Rene Obermann, the chair of Airbus, has called upon European nations to expand their nuclear deterrence by acquiring tactical nuclear weapons in response to the deployment of Russian Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad. Obermann has expressed concern regarding the escalation of nuclear weapons deployment on top of those recently stationed in Belarus.
Germany: Ford’s final Focus rolls off the line in quiet farewell
Automotive News (Germany)
Ford has ended car production in Saarlouis, Germany, after 55 years, without offering any public comment on the milestone.
Kosovo: Kosovo president dissolves parliament after 2nd attempt to form new government failed
Anadolu Agency (Türkiye)
Following repeated failures to confirm a cabinet, the president moved toward snap elections, deepening the country’s internal political deadlock.
Kosovo: Kosovo’s Chief Prosecutor Sacked Amid Wartime Massacre Probe Allegations
Balkan Insight (Serbia)
The dismissal has triggered fierce domestic arguments over judicial independence and political interference in war crime cases.
Poland: Foreign state services behind Polish rail sabotage, says minister – as it happened
The Guardian (United Kingdom)
The government’s announcement of suspects has escalated internal debate about border policy, intelligence failures, and Poland’s political exposure to “hybrid war.”
Portugal: Antonio Costa wiretapped in Portugal without court approval
Euronews (France)
Costa, the former PM of Portugal and current president of the European Council, was under investigation for influence peddling, embezzlement and fraud. According to his chief of staff, he has unblocked concession files for mining operations.
Romania scrambles fighter jets after drone breach during Russian strike on Ukraine
Reuters (United Kingdom)
The Romanian government scrambled two Eurofighters and two Romanian F-16s to the counties of Tulcea and Galati when Russian drones were first detected 8km inside Romanian airspace. There were no reports of Russian drones hitting ground within Romania’s territory.
Spain rolls out $946 mln Ukraine aid package during Zelenskiy visit
Reuters (United Kingdom)
Spain has pledged 817 million euros in an aid package for Ukraine, with the bulk of the aid going toward procuring defense equipment through the NATO PURL initiative and as credits for companies investing in the reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure.
Ukraine/Russia/United States: Trump says Ukraine deal is not ‘final offer’ as officials gather for Geneva summit
The Guardian (United Kingdom)
The Trump Administration has proposed a 28-point peace plan for the ongoing war in Ukraine. The proposed plan has been met with extreme criticism by Ukrainians, many of whom see the deal as granting amnesty to Russia and crossing many of Ukraine’s red lines. The deal also faced backlash in the US following reports that the deal was a “wish list of the Russians.” The plan is being discussed in Geneva alongside European security partners.
Near East
Israel: Huckabee Held Meeting at U.S. Embassy With American Who Spied for Israel
The New York Times (USA)
Ambassador Mike Huckabee hosted a meeting at the US embassy in Jerusalem with Jonathan Pollard, the former spy who gave reams of classified American documents to Israel. The meeting reportedly took place in July. It is notable because Pollard served 30 years in a US prison following a high-profile conviction.
Lebanon: Lebanon arrests alleged drug kingpin sanctioned by US State Department
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
The Lebanese army has detained the country’s most infamous drug lord, two years after he was sanctioned by the United States over suspected links to narcotics rings in Syria. The Lebanese army confirmed they had arrested a citizen with the initials “NZ”, and three security sources confirmed to the Reuters news agency that the individual in question was the fugitive, Noah Zaitar.
Palestine: Israel troops launch new ground invasion over Gaza’s ‘yellow line’
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
Palestinians in northern Gaza neighborhoods are surrounded and running for their lives after Israel’s army launched a ground invasion into no-go areas under the US-brokered ceasefire.
Syria: A Grave Violation: Syrian Foreign Ministry Condemns Netanyahu’s Visit to Southern Syrian Territories
The Syrian Observer (Syria)
Syria issued a condemnation on Tuesday of a visit made by Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel to a region in Southern Syria. Syria described the visit as an unlawful incursion and a blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel moved to grab the chunk of land during the recent transition of power in Syria.
Saudi Arabia: MBS tells Trump he wants to join Abraham Accords, but path to Palestinian state crucial
The Times of Israel (Israel)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Tuesday during his White House meeting with US President Donald Trump that Riyadh wants to join the Abraham Accords but calls for the need to secure a path towards a two-state solution.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Africa: AU Under Scrutiny Over Inability to Prevent Wave of Coups
Africa Defense Forum (Nigeria)
In response to the coup in Madagascar led by Col. Michael Randrianirina and his subsequent swearing in on October 17, the African Union (AU) suspended the country’s membership to the organization. This act by the AU has led to criticism of the organization’s protocol for dealing with coups, with security analysts like Fidel Amakye Owusu citing reactionary measures that lack proactivity. Other critics point to the AU’s limitations in ensuring that acts such as coups face repercussions or accountability, with the usual suspensions and sanctions failing to safeguard democratic norms.
Africa: China’s DeepSeek Chatbot Expansion in Africa Raises Alarms
Africa Defense Forum (Nigeria)
China has provided a cheaper alternative to other AI models, like ChatGBT, for African users. Partnering with Chinese hedge fund High-Flyer, China’s Huawei Technologies Co. offers DeepSeekAI to African companies in exchange for the operating systems that store users’ information, which the Chinese government can access. Privacy advocates fear that Huawei can use this stored data to aid African authoritarian governments in spying on citizens.
Kenya: Coordinated Efforts Lead Kenya to Major Drug Bust
Africa Defense Forum (Nigeria)
In Mombasa, Kenya, six Iranian nationals were arrested and charged with Drug trafficking charges on October 25, 2025. Following a tip from the National Police Service about a suspicious vessel in Kenyan waters, a joint operation involving regional and international partners ensued. Kenyan Marine commandos intercepted the vessel called the Mashallah, which had previously avoided interception efforts in the western Indian Ocean, and seized 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine, worth $63 million.
Mali: JNIM Blocks Mali’s Fuel Supply, Driving Insecurity
Africa Defense Forum (Nigeria)
The terror group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has attacked and stopped hundreds of fuel supply trucks arriving from Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal in Mali since declaring in September that it would do so. The country is now facing a fuel shortage that is exacerbating the weakening economy, with educational institutions shutting down due to power failures. Given the lack of international powers, JNIM and other terror groups have seized the opportunity to blockade the capital Bamako, with many fearing that the fall of the military junta is inevitable.
Nigeria: Refutes U.S. Lawmaker Claims On Abducted Girls’ Faith
allAfrica (United States)
Following an attack in Kebbi State in Northwestern Nigeria in which twenty-five schoolgirls were abducted, U.S. lawmaker Miley Moore posted on X, formerly Twitter, that this kidnapping happened in a Christian enclave and urged the Nigerian government to act more. These claims were challenged by local Kebbi state officials, who claimed Moore’s comment was misleading and dangerous at a time when they were trying to get the girls released.
South Africa: Gender-based violence and femicide declared a national disaster
News24 (South Africa)
During the G20 social summit, which South Africa is hosting this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) a national disaster. Confirmed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Velenkosini Hlabisa, this moment has been described as a victory by the non-profit Organization, Women for Change, which organized a national shutdown with thousands of women participants.
South Africa: Massive Women’s Protest in South Africa Exposes Violence Crisis
allAfrica (United States)
As gender-based violence (GBV) spreads across South Africa, women’s rights groups have organized a nationwide movement that became the “G20 Women’s Shutdown”. The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has stated that declaring GBV as a national disaster is not supported by the legal framework. This shutdown called for women to refrain from working or attending school, to not contribute to the economy for a day, wear black in solidarity, and lie down at noon for 15 minutes in honor of victims of GBV.
South Africa: South Africa to refuse charter flights of Palestinians over fears of ‘cleansing agenda’
BBC (United Kingdom)
The South African government has refused to receive more chartered flights of Palestinians after the arrival of flight carrying 153 people from Gaza arrived under disputed and unclear circumstances. While Palestinians can travel to South Africa for 90 days without visas, the government fears that this ongoing effort is part of a campaign of forced relocation of Palestinians by Israel.
South & Central Asia
Afghanistan: WFP warns of deepening hunger crisis amid funding shortfall
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
Rising food security levels predicted for 2026 around the world with Afghanistan as one of the main areas of concern.
Kyrgyzstan: Protests in Kyrgyzstan have intensified protests against China
Azattyq (Kazakhstan)
There has been increasing conflict between Chinese and Kyrgyz workers in Kyrgyzstan, leading to anti-China protests on social media platforms and the arrest of 16 people.
Pakistan: Pakistani forces kill 23 fighters in wave of Afghan border raids
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
As tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue, Pakistan launched two raids near the Afghan border resulting in multiple deaths.
Western Hemisphere
Ecuador: Ecuadorian Voters Vote Against the Return of U.S. Military Bases to Tackle Drug Violence
Al Jazeera (Qatar)
As right-wing President Daniel Noboa pushed for direct military intervention by the U.S. to combat the only spiraling drug-fueled crisis in the country. An estimated 14 million people had cast their ballots this last Sunday as to whether to overturn or defend the constitutional ban on military bases in the country. It was not only just about a crackdown on drugs as the decision would’ve had an impact on the number of lawmakers that would’ve certainly been reduced if citizens voted to overturn the ban. Voters also rejected measures to cut public funding for political parties and create a constitutional assembly to rewrite the country’s constitution.
Mexico: Large-Scale “Gen Z” Protests in Mexico City Rise Up Against President Sheinbaum
NBC News (United States)
Several thousand people of Gen Z took to the streets of Mexico City to protest crime, corruption, and impunity as a result of the recent killing of the Mayor of Michoacan, Carlos Manzo, that has been radicalized by the alleged infiltration of opposition parties. Thus far, as many as 120 people have been injured, 100 of them police officers, and 20 others have been arrested.
Peru: Gen Z Protestors Take to the Streets in Protest of Ousted President Right Wing Successor
Waging Nonviolence (United States)
Since September 13th, thousands of protestors have been marching in Lima, the capital of Peru, as well as across indigenous states in the Andes Mountains like Cusco and Arequipa. The protestors, majorly young “Gen Zrs,” see the current president still not yet representative of them and have been growing more upset with the government’s leadership. The current government was handed power after the ousting of the former president and their right-wing successor who’s been involved in a similar history like them was put into power. Like his predecessor, he’s been involved in a bunch of corruption scandals and unlike his predecessor, has also been accused of sexual assault. “‘They’re putting in another person who obviously doesn’t represent us at all,’ Villaverde said.”
The SHU World Review is produced by the Student Research Assistants of the DiploLab at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. Some summaries may be copied from article text. Back issues are available in Seton Hall’s repository.