Monday marks one year since the autocratic regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad collapsed. The current interim government is contending with many challenges, such as a national divide that became worse during the long civil war. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa was a leader of an anti-government force. He has been spearheading nation-building efforts. The Assad family's authoritarian rule over the country lasted for more than half a century. The interim president has also been trying to restore Syria's international standing and build relations with other countries. Sharaa delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly in September. He was the first Syrian president to do so in about 60 years. During the past year, he also met with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the Syrian people are sharply divided, due to Assad-era government crackdowns and more than a decade of civil war. A human rights group says more than 110,000 of the people detained by the Assad regime during the internal conflict are missing. There has also been a succession of assaults against minority groups in Syria. The Islamic sect that Assad belonged to was among those targeted. Syria also has strained relations with neighboring countries. Turkey is in de facto control of part of northern Syria, and Israel has military forces stationed in a buffer zone on the border with Syria. Quiz 1: Who delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly in September? A. Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad B. The current interim government of Syria C. Ahmed al-Sharaa, the interim President of Syria D. Vladimir Putin, Russian President Quiz 2: How long did the Assad family rule over Syria? A. Less than a decade B. More than half a century C. About 60 years D. A few years in the 21st century Quiz 3: Which of the following is true about Turkey and Syria? A. Turkey has military forces stationed in a buffer zone on the border with Syria, but it does not control any part of northern Syria. B. Syria has military forces stationed in a buffer zone on the border with Turkey. C. Syria is in de facto control of part of northern Syria, and Turkey has military forces stationed in a buffer zone on the border with Syria. D. Turkey and Syria have no issues related to their borders. [Answer block] Answers: Quiz 1: C Quiz 2: B Quiz 3: C

A: Hey there! Guess what's going on? B: What's up? A: Security authorities in Hong Kong are getting more interested in foreign media reports about the fire at those high-rise apartments last month. B: Really? I didn't know that! A: Yeah, they called some bigwigs from foreign news organizations for a chat. They said it's because of that National Security Law thing they have. B: Oh, I remember that law... It's about anti-government stuff, right? A: Exactly! They think some media outlets are spreading false info and causing trouble. They said they will keep a close eye on the news coverage. B: Wow, that sounds serious. A: Yeah, it's rare for them to do this kind of thing. Maybe they're worried about the criticism they're getting over the fire... B: Makes sense. And it's happening during Hong Kong's election too, right? A: Yep! The voting started yesterday. I wonder if it has anything to do with that... B: Hmm, let's keep an eye on things and see what happens next!

Security authorities in Hong Kong are paying closer attention to foreign media reports on last month's fatal fire at high-rise apartment buildings. The Office for Safeguarding National Security announced on Saturday that the office had summoned executives and journalists from foreign news organizations based in Hong Kong for talks. The office said that the measure was taken in accordance with the National Security Law for Hong Kong. The law is designed to crack down on anti-government activity in the territory. It accused some foreign media outlets of ignoring facts, spreading false information and seeking to incite social division. The office said that it "will closely monitor relevant media coverage." The security office was set up in Hong Kong by the mainland government to oversee and guide the territory's government based on Hong Kong's National Security Law that went into effect five years ago. It was rare for the office to announce the summoning of foreign media journalists. The move is believed to reflect the authorities' nervousness toward media reports critical of them amid calls to pursue their accountability for the fatal fire. The action also comes amid Hong Kong's Legislative Council election which kicked off on Sunday. Quiz 1: Who summoned executives and journalists from foreign news organizations based in Hong Kong? A. The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the mainland government B. The Hong Kong Government C. The Foreign Media Organizations based in Hong Kong D. The National Security Law for Hong Kong Quiz 2: Why did the Office for Safeguarding National Security summon foreign media journalists? A. To discuss economic matters affecting Hong Kong B. To ignore facts and spread false information C. To seek to unite the society in a positive manner D. To discuss the upcoming Legislative Council election Quiz 3: What law is designed to crack down on anti-government activity in the territory of Hong Kong? A. The Office for Safeguarding National Security Law B. The National Security Law for Hong Kong C. The Anti-Government Activity Law D. The Media Freedom Act

A: Hey there! 🌞 B: Hi! What's up? 😃 A: Did you hear about the chat with Tedros, WHO's boss? 🤔 B: Nope, spill the beans! 🤯 A: He warned that another pandemic is coming. Not if, but when... Scary, huh? 😓 B: Whoa! We need to be ready then! What can we do? 🤔 A: Well, he said countries should work together more for future disease outbreaks through a treaty called the Pandemic Agreement. 🤔 B: So it's like an international pact against pandemics, right? 🤝 A: Exactly! He also mentioned that we all face the same enemy, no matter where we are. It doesn't care about maps or borders. 🌍 B: That's true. We should stick together like never before. 💪 A: Agreed! Unfortunately, he said some programs to fight diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis have been affected due to the US pulling out of the WHO. 😕 B: That's not good news. I hope they change their mind soon. 😔 A: Yeah, he said it's a loss for the world. But at the same time, he sees this as an opportunity to improve the WHO by finding new sources of funding and reducing staff. 💡 B: That sounds hopeful! I wonder what they'll do next... 🤔 A: Lastly, he mentioned something called "universal health coverage" or UHC. It means everyone should have access to quality healthcare without financial struggles. He thinks Japan can play a big role in making this happen globally. 🌐 B: Wow, that's a big responsibility! But I think we can do it if we work together! Let's stay safe and keep an eye on the news! 🙌

The head of the World Health Organization has called on the international community to work together to bolster preparations for the next pandemic. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke in an interview with NHK on Saturday in Tokyo. Referring to the coronavirus outbreak, he warned that the next pandemic is not a matter of if, but when. He stressed the importance of coordinated international measures against future outbreaks of infectious diseases through the Pandemic Agreement that was adopted by WHO member states in May. He said, "Humanity is confronted with a common enemy, like the COVID virus that doesn't recognize maps or borders, or doesn't need a visa." He went on to say that in a world that is getting smaller, solidarity is "our best immunity." When asked about the United States' announced withdrawal from the WHO and its suspension of funding, Tedros admitted that programs targeting HIV, malaria and tuberculosis have been affected. He expressed a strong sense of crisis, calling the US move a loss for the world. But he said he also sees the crisis as an opportunity to improve the WHO through diversification of financial sources and staff reductions. Tedros stressed the importance of "universal health coverage" or UHC, which is meant to ensure that all people have access to quality health services without financial hardship. He explained that UHC identifies health as a fundamental human right. The WHO chief voiced high expectations for Japan in global efforts to achieve this goal. Quiz 1: According to the WHO Director-General, when will the next pandemic occur? A. If B. When C. Maybe D. Never Quiz 2: What does the WHO Director-General refer to humanity as being confronted with in a small world? A. A unique challenge B. A common enemy C. A global opportunity D. An unstoppable force Quiz 3: Which of the following diseases has been affected due to the United States' withdrawal from the WHO and suspension of funding? A. Ebola B. HIV C. Malaria D. Zika virus

A: Hey there! Did you catch any news today? B: Nah, what's up? A: There was this cool thing happening! They opened Rainbow Bridge for cyclists! B: No way! That's awesome! Was it a big crowd? A: Yeah, around 6,000 people joined the event. It's usually off-limits for bikes, so this was quite special. B: Whoa, that must have been an amazing view! Did you hear about anyone famous joining? A: Yeah, there was a guy named Fujimoto Musashi. He won bronze in the men's road race at the Tokyo Deaflympics! B: That's cool! Who else went? A: Lots of regular folks like us! An 11-year-old kid said it was his second time, and he loved seeing the morning glow on the buildings. B: Nice! I bet they had a great time. Was it only one course or were there options? A: There were three different courses, from 8 to 37 kilometers long. All of them crossed Rainbow Bridge! B: Oh, cool! I wonder if they could see Mount Fuji from up there. A: Yeah, some said they did! One lady who's been four times said it was fun seeing the mountain while riding a bike instead of in a car. B: That sounds like an unforgettable experience! I hope we can do it next time they open it up again!

1. On December 8, 2025, approximately 6,000 cyclists were allowed to ride across Rainbow Bridge, an event usually off-limits for bikes. 2. The participants included Fujimoto Musashi, a bronze medalist in the men's individual road race at the Tokyo Deaflympics in November. 3. The event offered three courses ranging from 8 kilometers to 37 kilometers, allowing cyclists to cross Rainbow Bridge and enjoy views of Tokyo Bay, Mount Fuji, and the cityscape during morning glow.

Thousands of cyclists have seized a rare opportunity to ride across Rainbow Bridge that spans Tokyo Bay. The bridge is usually off limits to cyclists. About 6,000 people took part in the Rainbow Bridge Ride event on Sunday to enjoy the view they are usually not able to see while riding a bicycle. A guest cyclist was Fujimoto Musashi, who won bronze in the men's individual road race at the Tokyo Deaflympics in November. The participants set off one after another at the signal of Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko. Of the three courses, the longest is 37 kilometers and the shortest is 8 kilometers. All of the courses cross Rainbow Bridge. An 11-year-old boy said this was his second time taking part in the event. He said the morning glow reflecting off the buildings was beautiful, and that it felt more special than usual. A four-time participant in her 40s said she could see Mount Fuji and it was fun viewing the mountain not from a car, but while riding a bike. Quiz 1: Who won bronze in the men's individual road race at the Tokyo Deaflympics? A. Koike Yuriko B. Fujimoto Musashi C. An 11-year-old boy D. A four-time participant in her 40s Quiz 2: What is the longest course for Rainbow Bridge Ride event? A. 8 kilometers B. 37 kilometers C. The distance between Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge D. The circumference of Tokyo Bay Quiz 3: Where could a four-time participant in her 40s see from Rainbow Bridge Ride? A. The morning glow reflecting off the buildings B. The shortest course for Rainbow Bridge Ride C. Mount Fuji from a car D. The evening stars on a clear day

A: Hey there, any news from back home? B: Not much, just that our Defense Secretary Pete talked about US defense priorities. A: Oh, really? What did he say? B: Well, he wants to focus on deterring China and getting allies to share more of the defense burden. A: Deterring China? What does that mean exactly? B: I think it means making sure China doesn't get too powerful in the Indo-Pacific region. He said a balance of power is needed for peace, but not confrontation. A: Makes sense. But isn't he trying to weaken China? B: No, he said they're not trying to strangle China's growth. They just want to make sure the US and its allies are strong enough to balance China's power. A: Got it. And how does he plan to get more help from allies? B: He urged them to take on a larger share of defense spending, especially since free riding won't be tolerated anymore. A: I see. And what about NATO's defense spending? B: He commended NATO for spending five percent of GDP on defense and said he hopes other allies in the Indo-Pacific will follow suit in a few years using NATO's formula. A: Sounds like a tough job, but someone has to do it!

1. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has emphasized four main priorities: defending the US and western hemisphere, deterring China without confrontation, increasing defense burden sharing among allies, and strengthening the US defense industrial base. 2. Hegseth called for a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure peace, stating that the US is not aiming to hinder China's growth but to counterbalance its growing power. 3. The Defense Secretary urged US allies to contribute more to defense spending, commending NATO's 5% GDP commitment and expressing optimism that other Indo-Pacific allies will follow this model in the coming years.