Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Yoon planned martial law early on: Probe team

    Yoon planned martial law early on: Probe team

    A comprehensive 180-day investigation by South Korea’s special counsel has uncovered that ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol orchestrated preparations for martial law implementation for over a year before his controversial decree on December 3, 2024. The findings, announced by special counsel leader Cho Eun-suk on Monday, detail a systematic plan to neutralize political opposition through military force.

    According to the investigation, Yoon and his associates initiated martial law preparations as early as October 2023. The scheme involved using military power to paralyze the National Assembly and seize both legislative and judicial authority, fundamentally aiming to eliminate political adversaries and consolidate power indefinitely. The probe further revealed that Yoon authorized unusual military operations intended to provoke an armed response from North Korea (DPRK), which ultimately failed when no military reaction materialized.

    Faced with this failure, Yoon’s administration allegedly categorized routine political activities within the National Assembly as “anti-state acts” and “insurrection plots” to justify the emergency martial law declaration. Although announced on December 3 last year, the decree was rescinded mere hours later following overwhelming opposition from the legislature.

    The constitutional consequences were severe: in April 2025, South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld parliament’s impeachment vote, resulting in Yoon’s removal from office. The investigation has led to indictments against 24 individuals, including former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Yoon and several key associates remain in custody pending trial.

    Evidence supporting these findings includes seized notes from former Defense Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won, phone memoranda from former counterintelligence chief Yeo In-hyung, and testimonies from multiple witnesses. The investigation also uncovered Yoon’s longstanding hostility toward the Democratic Party, dating back to his tenure as prosecutor general. During a November 2022 meeting with People Power Party leadership, Yoon reportedly vowed to “sweep the DP away” even if it meant being “shot to death,” given emergency powers.

    In related developments, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former commander Noh to two years imprisonment for unlawfully collecting military intelligence officers’ personal information connected to the martial law scheme. Additionally, the Constitutional Court announced it will deliver its impeachment ruling on Thursday regarding National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho, accused of blocking lawmakers’ assembly access during the crisis.

  • Scientists alter mast cells to fight cancerous tumors

    Scientists alter mast cells to fight cancerous tumors

    In a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment, researchers at Zhejiang University have successfully transformed mast cells—typically known for triggering allergic responses—into precision weapons against cancerous tumors. This innovative strategy merges targeted immune system activation with advanced drug delivery mechanisms.

    The research, published in the prestigious journal Cell, represents a collaboration between Professors Gu Zhen and Yu Jicheng of Zhejiang University and Professor Liu Fujian of China Medical University. Their work focuses on repurposing mast cells, a type of white blood cell traditionally associated with allergic reactions such as hay fever or food sensitivities, into specialized carriers for oncolytic viruses designed to eliminate cancer cells.

    The scientific breakthrough involves equipping mast cells with immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specifically engineered to recognize unique protein markers on tumor cells. This biological reprogramming effectively converts these cells into precision-guided vehicles that seek out and infiltrate cancerous growths.

    Once these modified mast cells reach their target, they unleash their therapeutic payload through a controlled release mechanism reminiscent of an allergic reaction. This process delivers a concentrated dose of cancer-killing viruses directly to the tumor site while simultaneously activating additional immune defenses, including CD8+ T cells, to join the attack.

    In preclinical studies involving mouse models of melanoma, breast cancer, and metastatic lung cancer, the approach demonstrated significant tumor growth suppression and improved survival rates. Notably, in experiments using patient-derived tumor models with elevated HER2 protein levels (common in certain breast cancers), the treatment triggered robust immune responses and substantial tumor reduction.

    The platform’s adaptability allows for personalized cancer treatment by tailoring IgE antibodies to target patient-specific tumor proteins. Researchers suggest this mast cell technology could also be adapted to deliver other therapeutic agents, including small-molecule drugs or antibodies.

    The research team is currently advancing the technology toward clinical applications, focusing on optimizing production processes, selecting patient-specific IgE antibodies, and exploring combination therapies with existing immunotherapies.

  • La Nina conditions may hit rain, lead to drought

    La Nina conditions may hit rain, lead to drought

    Meteorological authorities warn that eastern and southern regions of China face heightened drought risks throughout winter and into spring 2026 due to persistent La Nina conditions in the equatorial Pacific. While climate experts confirm the unlikely development of a full-scale La Nina event, the existing oceanic cooling pattern continues to disrupt normal precipitation distribution across affected regions.

    The National Climate Center’s monitoring data indicates that La Nina conditions became established in October 2025, characterized by unusually cool sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. According to Zhang Daquan, Deputy Director of the center’s climate prediction division, meteorologists utilize the Nino 3.4 index as the standard measurement for such phenomena, with values dropping below -0.5°C indicating La Nina conditions.

    Climate scientists emphasize the critical distinction between La Nina conditions and official La Nina events. The latter requires the Nino 3.4 index to remain below the -0.5°C threshold for five consecutive months—a duration not expected in the current scenario. Forecast models project the cooling pattern will persist for two to three months before transitioning toward neutral conditions around February or March 2026.

    The meteorological mechanism involves La Nina generating cyclonic circulation anomalies over the western North Pacific and South China Sea. This atmospheric configuration produces prevailing northeasterly winds that impede moisture transport from tropical regions—China’s primary winter vapor source. Consequently, precipitation deficits are anticipated across eastern and southern provinces.

    Contrary to public assumptions linking La Nina with severe winter cold, temperature projections indicate near-average or slightly above-average winter temperatures nationwide. Zhang clarified that multiple factors beyond La Nina—including Arctic sea ice coverage, Eurasian snow accumulation, and natural atmospheric variability—collectively influence China’s seasonal climate patterns.

    The National Climate Center anticipates increased temperature volatility throughout winter, featuring more pronounced alternations between cold spells and warm periods. This variability occurs alongside the predicted precipitation reduction, creating complex weather challenges for agricultural and water resource management sectors.

  • Struggling patient breathes easier after critical surgery

    Struggling patient breathes easier after critical surgery

    A groundbreaking medical intervention in China’s remote southwestern region has dramatically transformed the life of a 62-year-old patient suffering from a rare combination of serious health conditions. Mr. Zha, a resident of Malipo county in Yunnan’s Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, has experienced remarkable improvement after Shanghai-based surgeons successfully removed a massive 1.3-kilogram tumor from his neck.

    The patient had been battling severe respiratory complications caused by Madelung’s disease—an uncommon disorder characterized by symmetric fat deposits—further complicated by advanced laryngeal cancer. His condition had progressively worsened, with local medical practitioners struggling to provide effective treatment as his neck swelled to an alarming size, severely constricting his airway.

    The turning point came in mid-October when a specialized medical team from Shanghai’s prestigious Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University arrived in Wenshan as part of a national healthcare initiative. Dr. Xu Chengzhi, who led the surgical intervention, described the critical condition upon initial examination: ‘During our free medical consultation on October 20, we encountered a patient whose neck had expanded to bucket-like proportions, with his airway compressed to a narrow slit.’

    This medical mission represents a broader national effort orchestrated by China’s National Health Commission. Since July, over 80 mobile medical teams have been deployed to underserved regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. The three-week program in Wenshan combined direct patient care with knowledge transfer, allowing Shanghai’s medical experts to both treat complex cases and enhance local medical capabilities through training and collaboration.

    Following the intricate surgery, Mr. Zha reported immediate relief and significantly improved breathing capacity, marking a profound enhancement in his quality of life despite necessary postoperative precautions.

  • Sydney taekwondo instructor gets life sentence for murdering student and parents

    Sydney taekwondo instructor gets life sentence for murdering student and parents

    In a landmark ruling at the New South Wales Supreme Court, 51-year-old Kwang Kyung Yoo received a life imprisonment sentence without parole eligibility for the brutal murder of his 7-year-old taekwondo student and the child’s parents. Justice Ian Harrison delivered the unprecedented sentence on Tuesday, citing the extreme nature of the crimes and the need for community protection.

    The court heard how Yoo, operating under the moniker ‘Master Lion’ at his Lion’s Taekwondo and Martial Arts Academy in western Sydney, committed the triple homicide in February of last year. Driven by financial envy toward the Korean immigrant family’s economic success, Yoo strangled the young boy and his 41-year-old mother within his martial arts studio before proceeding to the family residence, where he fatally stabbed the 39-year-old father.

    Justice Harrison characterized the killings as “horrific and violent acts, senselessly cruel and cynical, perpetrated without a trace of human compassion.” Despite Yoo’s subsequent expressions of remorse and claims of being “held captive by sin,” the judge emphasized that the severity of the crimes warranted permanent incarceration.

    The investigation revealed Yoo’s elaborate deception patterns extending beyond the murders. Evidence presented during November sentencing hearings detailed how the instructor fabricated stories about meeting Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart, qualifying for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and owning luxury vehicles. Psychological evaluations indicated these falsehoods escalated as Yoo struggled with cultural and parental expectations of success from his South Korean background.

    Yoo’s arrest followed his admission to a hospital with injuries sustained during the fatal confrontation at the family home, where he initially claimed to have been attacked in a supermarket parking lot. Police apprehended him at the medical facility after discovering the mother’s Apple watch and the family’s BMW in his possession.

    The sentencing marks a rare application of life without parole in New South Wales, where murder convictions typically carry standard nonparole periods of 20-25 years. The victims’ identities remain protected under state laws safeguarding child crime victims.

  • UN envoy calls on Japan to retract Taiwan comments

    UN envoy calls on Japan to retract Taiwan comments

    China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Fu Cong, has issued a stern rebuke of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent characterization of Taiwan as a potential military contingency for Japan. During Monday’s UN Security Council debate on Leadership for Peace, Fu demanded immediate retraction of these statements and warned Japan against persisting on this “wrong path.”

    The diplomatic confrontation stems from Prime Minister Takaichi’s unprecedented declaration to the Japanese parliament last month that a “Taiwan contingency” could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially justifying military intervention. This marked the first explicit threat of force toward China by a postwar Japanese leader.

    Ambassador Fu framed these comments within historical context, noting the international community’s ongoing reflection on World War II lessons. “Militarism and fascism once brought unprecedented catastrophes to humanity,” Fu stated, adding that any attempts to “whitewash or overturn the history of aggression challenge the bottom line of human conscience.”

    The Chinese envoy emphasized the necessity of upholding the postwar international order and UN Charter principles, including sovereign equality of states and opposition to unilateralism. His remarks coincided with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s criticism of the Security Council’s dysfunctionality, particularly citing the repeated use of veto power to shield allies from accountability.

    In parallel developments, China announced immediate sanctions against Shigeru Iwasaki, former chief of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces Joint Staff, for colluding with Taiwan independence forces. The measures include freezing all his assets in China, responding to his March appointment as a “political consultant” for Taiwan authorities.

    The diplomatic exchange highlights escalating tensions in East Asia, with China reinforcing its position that Taiwan represents an absolute “red line” in international relations that must not be crossed.

  • Sanctions on Japan’s former senior official announced

    Sanctions on Japan’s former senior official announced

    China has enacted comprehensive sanctions against Shigeru Iwasaki, former Chief of the Joint Staff of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, for his alleged collusion with Taiwanese separatist elements. The measures, announced by China’s Foreign Ministry on Monday, December 15, 2025, took immediate effect following the release of an official decree.

    The sanctions package includes the freezing of all movable and immovable properties and assets held by Iwasaki within Chinese territory. Additionally, Chinese organizations and individuals are expressly prohibited from engaging in any transactions or cooperative endeavors with the former Japanese official. Iwasaki will also be denied Chinese visas and entry into the country.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun articulated China’s position during a press briefing in Beijing, emphasizing that Taiwan represents a fundamental core interest and an inviolable red line in Sino-Japanese relations. The sanctions were implemented pursuant to China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, with authorities asserting that Iwasaki’s activities constituted serious violations of the one-China principle and the foundational political documents governing China-Japan relations.

    Official statements characterized Iwasaki’s acceptance of a political advisory role with Taiwan’s administration as a provocative act that amounts to blatant interference in China’s internal affairs. Despite multiple diplomatic protests to Japanese authorities, Iwasaki reportedly persisted in his engagements with Taiwanese separatist factions, ultimately necessitating the punitive measures.

  • Policy support urged to boost marriage rate

    Policy support urged to boost marriage rate

    Demographic experts are urging comprehensive policy reforms to address China’s persistently low marriage rates, highlighting the need for financial incentives and workplace culture transformations. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics reveals approximately 6.1 million couples registered marriages in 2024, with a modest increase observed during the first three quarters of 2025 compared to the previous year.

    Professor Jiang Quanbao of Capital University of Economics and Business identifies a fundamental demographic challenge: “China’s population of marriageable age—primarily those born after 1990—is contracting significantly. Contemporary youth exhibit markedly different attitudes toward matrimony than previous generations, increasingly opting to delay or forego marriage entirely.”

    The financial burden associated with traditional marriage practices presents a substantial barrier. Young couples face mounting pressures from housing costs, ceremonial expenses, and the custom of ‘bride price,’ compounded by rising childrearing expenditures. Simultaneously, evolving social norms have seen women achieving higher educational attainment and pursuing professional ambitions, further reshaping marital expectations.

    In response, authorities have implemented several supportive measures, including streamlined marriage registration procedures eliminating previous geographical restrictions. Financial interventions include annual subsidies of 3,600 yuan per child under age three, while the forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) emphasizes cultivating positive attitudes toward family formation through optimized incentives.

    Workplace discrimination remains a critical concern. Beijing financial analyst Wang Xuanyi, 29, notes: “Female employees frequently encounter career penalties associated with pregnancy, as some employers view childbearing employees as operational burdens.”

    Experts propose a multifaceted approach involving housing subsidies, tax benefits, and settlement allowances for newlyweds. Professor Jiang emphasizes the necessity of “fully implementing optimized maternity leave systems and encouraging shared parental responsibilities to mitigate the ‘motherhood penalty’ affecting women’s career progression.”

    Additional recommendations include expanding childcare services, relationship education programs, and community-organized social events to foster healthy perspectives on marriage and facilitate connections among young adults.

  • Xi stresses importance of raising minors’ moral standards

    Xi stresses importance of raising minors’ moral standards

    Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the critical importance of fostering intellectual and moral development among minors, declaring it a fundamental strategic priority for the nation’s future. In a significant directive, President Xi called for coordinated efforts across society to establish environments conducive to the healthy development of young people.

    The comprehensive approach underscores the sustained attention given to youth development since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012. President Xi highlighted the substantial progress achieved through various implemented measures while outlining the path forward on this new developmental journey.

    Central to this initiative is the persistent application of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to shape young minds. The strategy emphasizes strengthening collaborative mechanisms involving educational institutions, family units, and broader societal structures. This integrated approach aims to guide minors toward embracing lofty ideals, embodying core socialist values, and cultivating strong moral character and behavior patterns.

    The ultimate objective focuses on nurturing a new generation comprehensively developed in moral, intellectual, physical, and aesthetic dimensions, instilled with a diligent spirit capable of fully advancing socialist construction and perpetuating the socialist cause.

    President Xi urged Party committees, governmental entities at all levels, and relevant departments and organizations to synergize their efforts in creating optimal social conditions for minors’ healthy development. These directives were formally communicated during a symposium on intellectual and moral development work convened in Beijing, attended by senior Party officials including Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, and Li Shulei, head of the CPC Central Committee Publicity Department, who presided over the proceedings.

  • India charges Pakistan-based militant groups in Pahalgam attack

    India charges Pakistan-based militant groups in Pahalgam attack

    India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally charged two Pakistan-based militant organizations and six individuals for orchestrating the April tourist massacre in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, that resulted in 26 fatalities and brought nuclear-armed India and Pakistan to the brink of war.

    The comprehensive 1,597-page chargesheet, submitted to a special court in Jammu on Monday, names Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) – designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations – and The Resistance Front (TRF) with planning, facilitating, and executing the attack. The document also identifies six individuals, including three who were eliminated by security forces shortly after the incident.

    Among those charged is Sajid Jatt, whom the NIA describes as a ‘Pakistani terrorist handler,’ along with two other suspects who have been in NIA custody since June. According to agency statements, interrogation of these individuals revealed that the three armed assailants were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the banned LeT network.

    The accused face multiple charges under India’s criminal code and stringent anti-terrorism legislation, including waging war against the nation. The NIA’s extensive eight-month investigation has traced the conspiracy back to Pakistan, with further inquiries ongoing.

    The April 22 attack transformed the popular tourist meadow of Baisaran, approximately 7km from Pahalgam town, into a killing field. Militants specifically targeted and executed 25 male Hindu tourists, along with a local Muslim pony handler who attempted to assist the victims.

    This incident represents one of the deadliest militant attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir since 2019 and triggered significant diplomatic consequences. India subsequently revoked the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, while Pakistan responded by withdrawing from the 1972 Simla Agreement on bilateral dispute resolution. These actions precipitated a four-day conflict involving missile and drone exchanges between the neighboring nations, ultimately concluding with a fragile ceasefire.

    The Kashmir region remains a persistent flashpoint between India and Pakistan, with both nations asserting full claims over the territory while controlling only portions of it. The countries have engaged in two major wars over the disputed region throughout their history.