Chinese leader Xi Jinping is convening a key plenum to outline China's next five-year strategy, focusing on economic security and technological innovation amid US tensions and domestic challenges, while also potentially reshuffling key personnel in the military and party leadership.
The article argues that the arrest of Mother Han in South Korea lacks legal basis and is part of a broader political and religious purge targeting religious leaders and supporters of the former president, rather than a genuine anti-corruption effort, raising concerns about religious liberty and democracy in Korea.
The article discusses the increasing efforts by government officials and political figures to target and suppress left-wing organizations and speech, especially in the wake of recent political violence and the assassination of Charlie Kirk's supporter, leading to a broader crackdown on perceived threats and dissent in the political landscape.
China's defence minister, Li Shangfu, has been dismissed from his position, sparking rumors and speculation about the reasons behind his removal. Li's dismissal comes amidst rumors of a scandal involving Qin Gang, the former foreign minister, who was also stripped of his additional titles as state councillor. Both Li and Qin were seen as protégés of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, making their sudden downfall surprising. The Communist Party's penchant for secrecy has fueled speculation, with netizens questioning if there are hidden reasons behind the dismissals. Charges of corruption have also been laid against a former police chief, further adding to the atmosphere of political purges and rumors in China.
Former Burundi Prime Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni has been arrested in the capital city of Bujumbura, seven months after his sacking in a high-level political purge. The charges he will be facing are not yet known. Bunyoni was considered the number two in the country’s ruling party and was a close ally of former President Pierre Nkurunziza, who died in office in 2020. He has been under United States sanctions since 2015 over his alleged role in violating human rights during violence sparked by Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term in office.