TOP NEWS

Japan-China Relations
China: Japan has crossed a red line with Taiwan

Japan has crossed a red line for China through Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's previous statement that the country could intervene militarily in the event of a blockade of, or other incident around, Taiwan. This was reported by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday, AP reports.

- It is shocking that Japan's current leader has publicly sent the wrong signals about attempting military intervention in the Taiwan issue, he said.

Sanae Takaichi's statement has led to relations between China and Japan becoming increasingly frosty in recent weeks. Takaichi has stood by her statement but said that in the future she will avoid commenting on specific scenarios. 

Nationwide strike in Belgium - lasts for three days

A nationwide strike that will last for three days has begun in Belgium today, reports TT.

The strike will be carried out in three phases, with the first expected to have a major impact on train and public transport. Tomorrow, Tuesday, school and hospital employees will join, and a full general strike has been called for Wednesday.

The country's largest union has called the strike in response to the government's proposals for cuts and changes to labor law.

The climate threat • COP30
The UN chief's criticism of the COP: Crime against humanity?

UN human rights chief Volker Türk is anything but satisfied with the results of the COP climate summit in Brazil, reports AFP.

He calls the results "meager" and wonders whether the leaders' "fatal inaction" can be considered a crime against humanity in the future.

- I often wonder how future generations will judge the actions of our leaders - and their fatal inaction - when it comes to the climate crisis, he says at a forum in Geneva.

Many countries have been openly dissatisfied with the climate agreement adopted at COP30. The BBC's Matt McGrath wrote in an analysis that the agreement is complicated and lacks clear writings on phasing out fossil fuels and on deforestation.
 

Political situation in Spain
Spain's chief prosecutor resigns - leaked secret information

Spain's chief prosecutor Álvaro García Ortiz has resigned after he was convicted last week of leaking secret information about a case involving a partner of an opposition figure, reports The Guardian.

The verdict against Ortiz has been a blow to the country's left-wing coalition and to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has repeatedly defended Ortiz's innocence, writes Reuters.

In a letter seen by the news agency, Ortiz explains that the decision to resign is based on a "deep respect" for court decisions.

According to Reuters, his resignation was expected, even though the Supreme Court has not yet justified its ruling and Ortiz can still appeal it.