Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Pakistan and Afghanistan claim killing dozens of the other side’s troops in relentless fighting

    Pakistan and Afghanistan claim killing dozens of the other side’s troops in relentless fighting

    The volatile border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has descended into what Islamabad terms an ‘open war,’ with both nations engaging in intense cross-border military exchanges. The clashes, now entering their ninth consecutive day, represent the most severe escalation of hostilities between the neighboring countries in recent history.

    Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government asserted that its forces successfully targeted multiple Pakistani military installations across several provinces, including Nangarhar, Kandahar, and Khost. The Defense Ministry in Kabul reported inflicting significant casualties on Pakistani troops, though specific numbers remain unverified.

    Conversely, Pakistan’s state media detailed comprehensive counter-strikes involving both air force and ground units. These operations reportedly targeted not only Afghan military positions but also bases belonging to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant organization that Islamabad claims operates with sanctuary in Afghanistan.

    The conflict stems from Pakistan’s longstanding accusations that the Afghan Taliban government provides safe haven to TTP militants—charges that Kabul consistently denies. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, TTP has dramatically increased its offensive operations within Pakistani territory.

    Civilian casualties are mounting amid the fighting. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed at least 56 civilian fatalities on the Afghan side, while Pakistani officials reported injuries from mortar shells landing in border villages.

    The international community faces challenges in mediating the conflict despite intervention attempts. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered mediation services following discussions with Pakistani leadership, while Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has engaged with Taliban officials. These diplomatic efforts seek to restore a ceasefire previously brokered by Qatar and Turkey in October, which has now completely collapsed.

    The remote and militarily restricted nature of the border region makes independent verification of casualty claims—which vary dramatically between the two sides—virtually impossible. Pakistan maintains its military operations will continue until Afghanistan demonstrates verifiable action against militant groups operating from its territory.

  • Indonesia to ban social media and other online platforms for under 16s

    Indonesia to ban social media and other online platforms for under 16s

    Indonesia has announced sweeping restrictions prohibiting children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, positioning itself as the first non-Western nation to implement age-based digital access controls. Communications Minister Meutya Hafid confirmed the policy will take effect March 28th, targeting platforms deemed “high risk” including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.

    The groundbreaking decision stems from growing concerns about children’s exposure to online dangers. Minister Hafid cited multiple threats including pornography distribution, cyberbullying incidents, financial scams, and particularly platform addiction. “Our children face increasingly real threats,” Hafid stated, emphasizing that government intervention would help parents combat “algorithm-driven platform giants.”

    Support for the measure comes from worrying statistics. UNICEF’s 2023 research revealed approximately half of surveyed Indonesian children had encountered sexual content on social media. Parental responses have been largely positive, with working mother Amanda Kusumo expressing relief: “With government regulations like this, it really helps ease our worries.”

    However, the policy faces nuanced criticism from both youth and digital rights advocates. Seventeen-year-old Matt Joseph acknowledged screen time management issues but suggested more nuanced approaches than outright bans. Meanwhile, Nurul Izmi of the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy emphasized that effective child protection requires more than age restrictions, highlighting the need for “safety by design” principles and cautioning about data collection implications through age verification processes.

    Indonesia joins a global movement addressing children’s digital safety, following Australia’s December 2023 implementation of similar restrictions. Other nations including Spain and the United Kingdom are considering comparable measures, though concerns persist about technological implementation challenges and potential impacts on information access rights.

  • Israel unleashes its Gaza-tested AI killing machine on Iran

    Israel unleashes its Gaza-tested AI killing machine on Iran

    A growing chorus of experts is raising urgent concerns about the military application of artificial intelligence following Israel’s unprecedented use of autonomous targeting systems in recent conflicts. The debate has intensified as evidence emerges of AI-driven targeting with minimal human oversight in both Gaza and Iran.

    Trita Parsi, executive vice president at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, highlighted disturbing parallels between Israeli operations in Gaza and Tehran. “In both cases, it appears Israel is using AI without any human oversight,” Parsi stated on social media platform X. He cited the bombing of a Tehran park mistakenly identified as a police facility due to its name—’Police Park’—which AI systems apparently targeted based on keyword association rather than actual military function.

    Technology journalist Jacob Ward has characterized Israel’s post-Gaza AI deployment as “lethal beta” testing, describing Gaza as the “prototype” and Iran as the “launch.” This approach represents what Ward calls “a live-fire, live-ordnance lab experiment on people” that has subsequently become “a big industry in Israel” with export potential worldwide.

    The controversy centers on systems like Habsora, an Israeli AI platform capable of automatically selecting airstrike targets at exponentially faster rates than traditional methods. According to intelligence sources, this technology has transformed military operations into what one insider described as a “mass assassination factory” prioritizing “quantity over quality” of targets.

    Recent investigations reveal troubling operational protocols. Following the October 2023 Hamas-led attack, mid-ranking IDF officers received authorization to target any Hamas fighter regardless of rank, with initial civilian casualty limits of 20 per airstrike and 500 daily being quickly abandoned. Senior commanders occasionally approved strikes expected to kill over 100 civilians when targeting high-value objectives.

    One particularly devastating AI-assisted strike on Jabalia refugee camp in October 2023, targeting a single Hamas commander with multiple 2,000-pound bombs, killed at least 126 people including 68 children while wounding 280 others. Hamas reported that seven hostages also perished in the attack.

    The United States has similarly advanced its AI warfare capabilities, with the Washington Post reporting that Palantir’s Maven Smart System—incorporating Anthropic’s Claude AI language model—assisted US commanders in selecting 1,000 Iranian targets within the conflict’s first 24 hours.

    Paul Scharre of the Center for a New American Security emphasized the critical need for human oversight: “AI gets it wrong… We need humans to check the output of generative AI when the stakes are life and death.”

    The rapid militarization of AI has prompted international response. Academics and legal experts recently convened in Geneva for UN-sponsored talks on lethal autonomous weapons systems, examining risks posed by machines that can select and engage targets without meaningful human control. Craig Jones, a military targeting researcher at Newcastle University, warned that “the current failure to regulate AI warfare, or to pause its usage until there is some agreement on lawful usage, seems to suggest potential proliferation of AI warfare is imminent.”

    Contrary to claims that AI reduces civilian harm, Jones stressed that “there is no evidence that AI lowers civilian deaths or wrongful targeting decisions—and it may be that the opposite is true.”

    The technological infrastructure enabling these systems includes Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion cloud-computing and AI contract between the Israeli government and tech giants Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud. The agreement specifically prohibits the companies from refusing service to Israeli military or intelligence agencies.

    As autonomous weapons systems continue evolving without comprehensive international regulation, the ethical and practical implications of AI-driven warfare remain among the most pressing security concerns of the modern era.

  • Pakistani Shiites rally to denounce US-Israeli strikes on Iran as US Embassy issues a security alert

    Pakistani Shiites rally to denounce US-Israeli strikes on Iran as US Embassy issues a security alert

    Pakistani authorities deployed extensive security measures across major cities on Friday as hundreds of Shiite protesters demonstrated against the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli operations. The protests remained largely contained following violent clashes earlier this week that resulted in multiple casualties.

    In Islamabad, approximately 300 demonstrators staged a sit-in under heavy police surveillance, displaying portraits of the late Iranian leader while chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. Security forces preemptively blocked access routes to the U.S. Embassy using shipping containers, with protesters agreeing to maintain a 3-kilometer distance from diplomatic facilities.

    The port city of Karachi witnessed similar demonstrations, though protesters maintained a 4-kilometer buffer from the U.S. Consulate where violent confrontations occurred days earlier. Previous clashes in Karachi involved attempts to storm the consulate, resulting in police using batons, tear gas, and live ammunition that left 10 protesters dead and numerous injured. Additional fatalities were reported in northern regions including Skardu and Gilgit.

    Smaller Sunni Muslim groups also organized separate protests against U.S.-Israeli military actions in Iran, though these gatherings occurred at a distance from American diplomatic installations and concluded without violence.

    The U.S. Embassy issued multiple security advisories warning American citizens to restrict unnecessary movement and avoid travel to Balochistan province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir regions due to heightened risks of terrorism and kidnapping. Khamenei’s death has resonated deeply among Pakistan’s Shiite minority, which constitutes approximately 15% of the country’s 250 million population, reflecting the late leader’s significant religious influence across global Shiite communities.

  • Shohei Ohtani hits a grand slam at the World Baseball Classic after putting on a show in BP

    Shohei Ohtani hits a grand slam at the World Baseball Classic after putting on a show in BP

    TOKYO — Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani delivered a breathtaking performance that transcended the game itself as Japan dominated Taiwan with a decisive 13-0 victory in their Pool C opener at the World Baseball Classic on Friday.

    The two-way phenomenon ignited the Tokyo Dome with a second-inning grand slam that instantly became the tournament’s defining moment. His powerful swing sent the ball soaring beyond the park, creating an electric atmosphere that captivated the sold-out crowd of 40,000 spectators.

    Ohtani’s influence extended far beyond the diamond, attracting global celebrities including actor Timothée Chalamet and pop icon Bad Bunny to witness his mastery. The anticipation built hours before first pitch during batting practice, where Ohtani showcased his extraordinary power by launching approximately 10 balls out of the park during just 25 swings.

    Fans traveled extraordinary distances for the experience, with Lia Chan and her family flying seven hours from Singapore specifically to witness Ohtani’s performance. ‘When Ohtani came along, it’s just gone out of proportions,’ Chan remarked, highlighting baseball’s limited popularity in her home country.

    Following the game, Ohtani addressed the enthusiastic crowd in Japanese, expressing gratitude for their support. ‘It was a good game and we got off to a good start, so I think it was all because of your support,’ he stated amid rising applause. The superstar emphasized the importance of scoring first and maintaining momentum throughout the tournament.

    Starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto credited Ohtani’s grand slam for establishing crucial early momentum. ‘This was our first game of the tournament and to score the first run is always difficult,’ Yamamoto noted in his post-game comments. ‘But Shohei hit a huge home run to give us the momentum. So I tip my cap to him.’

    Ohtani’s pre-game preparation demonstrated his unique approach to the sport, taking time to greet sponsors, interact with teammates, and even personally thank the batting practice pitcher before gathering loose balls—gestures that further endeared him to fans and observers alike.

  • Manas in Xinjiang steps up improvement of sheep breeding

    Manas in Xinjiang steps up improvement of sheep breeding

    The pastoral regions of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are currently experiencing their annual lambing season, with Manas County in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture reporting remarkable agricultural progress. As of early March 2026, approximately 180,000 breeding ewes have successfully delivered around 130,000 lambs, with the lambing period expected to continue through early April.

    Agricultural authorities in Manas have implemented significant improvements to sheep breeding methodologies, focusing on enhancing overall productivity, increasing survival rates, and improving meat quality standards. These strategic advancements in livestock management have substantially reduced the time required for sheep to reach market readiness while simultaneously increasing the value-added potential of each animal.

    The breeding enhancement initiative has emerged as a crucial economic driver, boosting industrial efficiency throughout the region’s agricultural sector. Local herders have reported substantial income increases as a direct result of these improved breeding techniques and management practices.

    The ongoing lambing season represents a critical period for the region’s agricultural economy, with officials monitoring progress closely to ensure optimal outcomes for both livestock and herders. The success of these breeding improvements demonstrates Xinjiang’s commitment to modernizing its agricultural practices while supporting rural economic development.

  • Chinese scientists enable more realistic digital humans by building high-precision 3D facial database

    Chinese scientists enable more realistic digital humans by building high-precision 3D facial database

    A groundbreaking advancement in digital human technology has emerged from China, where scientists have constructed the industry’s largest high-precision 3D facial database. This development marks a significant leap toward creating exceptionally realistic virtual humans capable of natural emotional expression and identity recognition.

    The research collaboration between Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (Chinese Academy of Sciences) and Fujian University of Technology addressed a critical bottleneck in 3D facial landmark detection—the scarcity of large-scale, precisely annotated datasets. Previous methods predominantly relied on 2D texture assistance or synthetic 3D faces, resulting in limited generalization capabilities.

    At the core of this breakthrough is a novel curvature-fused graph attention network (CF-GAT) architecture that can directly predict facial landmarks from raw point clouds. This innovative approach facilitates a fundamental shift from generic ‘one-size-fits-all’ modeling to truly personalized facial reconstruction.

    The research team established a customized 3D/4D facial acquisition system to collect standardized data, ultimately compiling approximately 200,000 high-fidelity 3D facial scans. The comprehensive database system encompasses multiple specialized datasets including multi-expression 3D faces, standardized 3D facial landmarks, high-precision 3D human bodies, and dynamic 4D facial expressions.

    According to corresponding author Song Zhan, these databases now form the foundational infrastructure for humanoid robot development, enabling high-fidelity perception, expression modeling, and behavior generation. The technology promises to revolutionize human-computer interaction by creating more natural and intelligent interfaces.

    The study, recently published in IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, anticipates applications extending beyond digital humans to data-driven large-model humanoid robot systems, potentially transforming how humans interact with artificial entities across various sectors.

  • China to enhance childbirth support

    China to enhance childbirth support

    BEIJING – China has announced a sweeping suite of policy measures designed to bolster national childbirth rates through enhanced economic and social support systems. The initiative forms a cornerstone of the draft outline for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), submitted to the ongoing National People’s Congress for deliberation.

    The comprehensive strategy includes significant expansions to maternity insurance coverage, guaranteed maternity leave protections, and the regulated integration of assisted reproductive technologies into mainstream healthcare services. Additionally, the government plans to accelerate development of inclusive childcare service networks nationwide.

    Housing policy reforms will introduce preferential treatment for families with two or more children, marking a substantial shift in residential allocation criteria. These collective measures represent China’s most robust demographic intervention to date, addressing both immediate financial barriers and long-term support structures for parenting.

    The policy framework emerges against the backdrop of China’s evolving population challenges, with authorities seeking to rebalance demographic trends through coordinated multi-sector approaches. The draft outline specifies implementation through coordinated efforts across healthcare, social security, and urban planning authorities, with detailed regulatory guidelines expected following the plan’s formal adoption.

  • China’s top legislature reviews draft law on national development planning

    China’s top legislature reviews draft law on national development planning

    China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) has initiated deliberations on a groundbreaking legislative framework that would formally codify the nation’s development planning processes into law. The draft legislation, presented during the NPC’s annual session, establishes comprehensive legal procedures for the creation, implementation, and oversight of China’s strategic development blueprints.

    The proposed law represents the institutionalization of China’s seven-decade experience with five-year planning cycles, transforming established practices into a structured legal format. The legislation outlines meticulous provisions spanning six distinct chapters, covering everything from initial formulation to final evaluation of national development plans.

    Significantly, the draft law formalizes the collaborative process between the Communist Party of China Central Committee, which provides policy recommendations; the State Council, responsible for drafting detailed plans; and the NPC, which holds ultimate approval authority. This tripartite mechanism ensures both political direction and legislative oversight in shaping China’s developmental trajectory.

    The legislation mandates that national development plans must articulate China’s strategic objectives, governmental priorities, and provide clear guidance for societal stakeholders. Required components include thorough environmental analyses, development guidelines, quantifiable targets, strategic missions, policy measures, and concrete implementation mechanisms.

    A notable aspect of the draft law emphasizes public participation in the planning process. This commitment was demonstrated through last year’s month-long digital consultation for the 15th Five-Year Plan, which gathered over 3.11 million public submissions that substantially influenced the final document.

    The legislative journey began in April 2025, with the draft undergoing three rigorous review sessions before reaching the current plenary meeting. Upon enactment, this law will establish permanent mechanisms for mid-term and final evaluations of plan implementation, creating a continuous improvement cycle for China’s development strategy.

  • People-oriented service for grassroots impact

    People-oriented service for grassroots impact

    In a revealing personal account, a journalist gains newfound appreciation for China’s grassroots political advisory system through her father’s decade-long service as a local CPPCC member. The discovery began when an old classmate, now working in municipal government, messaged her after observing a political consultation session where her father—a lawyer from Macheng, Hubei province—delivered what was described as ‘thoughtful and substantial’ remarks.

    Previously focused on covering high-level diplomacy and national events, the journalist had considered local governance matters distant from her professional interests. This unexpected message prompted her to investigate what exactly grassroots political advisers accomplish. Through conversations with her father, she learned how his legal practice directly informs his policy proposals, creating a vital bridge between judicial reality and legislative improvement.

    His decade of service has produced concrete proposals addressing electric vehicle management, stone industry development, protection rights for children and elderly residents, and promotion of local chrysanthemum tea—all rooted in direct community engagement and judicial observation. The tangible outcomes include renovated urban streets, upgraded rural roads, and improved village sanitation facilities.

    The narrative expands to the national level as CPPCC National Committee member Chen Zhonghong emphasizes that proposals most effectively addressed are those ‘smaller and more specific’ and ‘closely linked to people’s livelihoods.’ With expertise in vulnerable group protections, Chen describes her identical role as a bidirectional conduit—bringing policies to grassroots communities while channeling local concerns to decision-makers.

    The account concludes by framing democracy not as abstract theory but as a practical process of bottom-up opinion aggregation, where national priorities emerge from daily life experiences and top-level designs originate from grassroots realities, embodying China’s whole-process people’s democracy.