Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • China’s new ‘condom tax’ draws skepticism and worries over health risks

    China’s new ‘condom tax’ draws skepticism and worries over health risks

    In a significant policy shift, China will eliminate its three-decade-long value-added tax exemption for contraceptive drugs and products effective January 1st. The move aligns with Beijing’s ongoing efforts to reverse declining birth rates by making contraception less financially accessible. Under the new regulations, products including condoms will be subject to the standard 13% VAT applied to most consumer goods.

    The policy change has generated substantial discussion across Chinese social media platforms, where users have expressed both skepticism and criticism. Many question the effectiveness of the approach, noting that the minimal tax increase pales in comparison to the substantial costs associated with raising children. The decision marks a dramatic reversal from China’s previous population control measures, which included forced abortions and severe penalties under the notorious one-child policy that remained in effect until 2015.

    Demographic experts express concerns about potential public health consequences. Dr. Qian Cai of the University of Virginia’s Demographics Research Group notes that “the tax’s impact on fertility rates will be very limited,” while warning that reduced contraceptive access could lead to increased unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Current data reveals concerning trends: China recorded approximately 9.5 million births in 2024, representing a significant decline from 14.7 million in 2019 despite favorable astrological conditions.

    The policy change disproportionately affects women, who bear primary responsibility for contraception in China. Current usage patterns show only 9% of couples relying on condoms, with 44.2% using intrauterine devices and 30.5% undergoing female sterilization. Many women view the policy as another governmental intrusion into bodily autonomy, with one teacher describing it as “a disciplinary tactic, a management of women’s bodies.”

    Public health experts warn the policy could exacerbate existing challenges, including China’s high abortion rates (9-10 million annually) and rising STI cases. Reported infections included over 100,000 gonorrhea cases and 670,000 syphilis cases in 2024, with HIV/AIDS infections reaching approximately 1.4 million.

  • Trump signs executive order to block state AI regulations

    Trump signs executive order to block state AI regulations

    In a significant move to centralize artificial intelligence governance, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday establishing federal preemption over state-level AI regulations. The administration contends that fragmented state laws would create compliance obstacles for American companies competing against Chinese rivals in the global AI dominance race.

    During an Oval Office briefing, President Trump emphasized the competitive dimension: ‘There’s only going to be one winner in artificial intelligence. China’s centralized approval system gives their companies a decisive advantage. If our innovators need 50 different state approvals, they cannot compete effectively.’

    The order mandates Attorney General William Barr to establish a task force specifically charged with challenging existing state AI laws through judicial avenues. Concurrently, the Commerce Department will identify regulations deemed detrimental to AI development. States maintaining non-compliant regulations face potential restrictions on federal broadband deployment funds and other grant programs.

    David Sacks, a venture capitalist overseeing Trump’s AI and cryptocurrency policies, clarified the administration’s targeted approach: ‘We will oppose the most burdensome regulatory examples but maintain support for reasonable child safety measures.’

    This federal intervention responds to regulatory actions already implemented by four states—Colorado, California, Utah, and Texas—which have enacted comprehensive AI legislation governing private sector applications. These laws primarily address data collection limitations, algorithmic transparency, and discrimination prevention in consequential decisions affecting employment, housing, lending, and healthcare.

    The state initiatives emerged from documented AI deficiencies, including demonstrated biases in gender and racial preferences within automated decision-making systems. Beyond comprehensive frameworks, numerous states have enacted targeted AI restrictions concerning election deepfakes, nonconsensual pornography, and government AI usage standards.

    Civil liberties organizations and bipartisan congressional members have consistently advocated for stronger AI oversight, arguing current frameworks insufficiently address the technology’s societal impacts. The executive order establishes a clear federalist conflict between state consumer protection objectives and the administration’s national competitiveness agenda.

  • War in Yemen: Who are the Southern Transitional Council? Why are they backed by the UAE?

    War in Yemen: Who are the Southern Transitional Council? Why are they backed by the UAE?

    Yemen’s protracted civil conflict has entered a new phase as forces aligned with the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) have consolidated control over the resource-rich Hadhramaut province. The operation, dubbed “The Promising Future,” marks a significant escalation in the southern separatist movement’s campaign for autonomy.

    The STC’s Hadrami Elite Forces captured the strategic city of Seiyun on December 3rd before expanding their territorial gains throughout the governorate. Their advance included seizure of critical oil infrastructure previously controlled by the Hadhramaut Tribal Alliance, with the operation culminating in the raising of the historic South Yemen flag over captured territories.

    This development occurs against the backdrop of Yemen’s complex historical divisions. The nation existed as separate entities for much of the twentieth century, with North Yemen gaining independence from Ottoman rule in 1918 while South Yemen remained under British control until 1967. The Marxist-Leninist People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen maintained tense relations with its northern neighbor throughout the 1970s before unification in 1990.

    The current conflict originated in 2014 when Houthi rebels captured the capital Sanaa, triggering a Saudi-led military intervention. The STC emerged as a powerful southern faction in 2017 with Emirati support, briefly seizing Aden in 2019 before joining the internationally recognized government through Saudi-mediated talks.

    Strategic significance underpins the STC’s offensive. Hadhramaut contains approximately 80% of Yemen’s modest oil reserves and stretches from the Gulf of Aden to the Saudi border. The province has also struggled with influence from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which the STC cites as justification for its intervention.

    Regional powers maintain complex relationships with the conflict. Saudi Arabia prioritizes border security and a political settlement with the Houthis, while the UAE has cultivated the STC as a proxy to advance its security and commercial interests. The UAE has established military bases throughout southern Yemen and seeks to secure maritime routes through strategic partnerships.

    The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic, with over half the population in government-controlled areas facing acute food insecurity according to June 2025 IPC reports. More than 4.5 million people have been displaced by the combined effects of conflict, extreme weather, and economic collapse.

    Analysts suggest the STC’s objectives focus on consolidating control over former South Yemen territories rather than confronting Houthi forces in the north. The group seeks international recognition and has signaled willingness to improve relations with Israel to gain Western acceptance.

    Despite the strategic gains, experts anticipate continued diplomatic maneuvering rather than direct military confrontation between regional powers and the emerging southern authority.

  • Eurovision winner to return award after Israel allowed to participate

    Eurovision winner to return award after Israel allowed to participate

    In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the international music community, Nemo—the groundbreaking non-binary Swiss artist who triumphed at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest—has announced the return of their prestigious award. This dramatic protest comes directly in response to the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) recent confirmation that Israel will retain its eligibility for the 2026 competition despite ongoing humanitarian concerns.

    The EBU, governing body of the world’s largest live music event, concluded its general assembly last week by upholding Israel’s participation rights while implementing enhanced voting safeguards. This decision directly contradicts the explicit boycott declarations from five national broadcasters—Spain (RTVE), Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Netherlands—who have withdrawn from the next contest in protest against Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

    Nemo articulated their position through a powerful Instagram statement, acknowledging profound gratitude for the Eurovision experience while condemning the organizational hypocrisy. ‘The contest claims to champion unity, inclusion, and universal dignity,’ the artist wrote, ‘yet Israel’s continued involvement amid UN-recognized genocide investigations creates an irreconcilable moral contradiction.’

    The controversy echoes the EBU’s prior expulsion of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, a precedent frequently cited by critics including Zoe Lawlor of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, who labeled the discrepancy ‘rank hypocrisy.’

    Additional scrutiny surrounds last year’s voting process, wherein Israeli entrant Yuav Raphael—a survivor of the October 2023 Nova festival attack—secured second place amid allegations of manipulated public voting. These claims prompted Spain’s formal request for vote audit review and ultimately led to the EBU’s November 21 announcement of strengthened anti-fraud mechanisms.

    The 70th anniversary Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled for May 2026 in Vienna, host city of reigning champion JJ’s victory with ‘Wasted Love.’ Meanwhile, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation maintains its participation commitment despite mounting pressure from pro-Palestine advocates seeking broader European broadcaster boycotts.

  • Thailand’s parliament is dissolved for a new election early next year

    Thailand’s parliament is dissolved for a new election early next year

    BANGKOK — Thailand’s political landscape entered a period of heightened uncertainty Friday as Parliament was officially dissolved, triggering snap elections scheduled for early next year. The dissolution comes amid escalating military confrontations with neighboring Cambodia over longstanding border disputes.

    Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul secured royal approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn before announcing the dissolution, which took effect upon its publication in the Royal Gazette. The move follows Anutin’s social media statement late Thursday declaring his intention to “return power to the people.”

    Under constitutional provisions, elections must occur within 45 to 60 days following royal endorsement. During this interim period, Anutin will lead a caretaker administration with restricted authority, including the inability to approve new budgetary measures.

    The dissolution occurs during a particularly complex geopolitical moment, with Thailand engaged in intensive combat operations along the Cambodian border. The timing reflects both domestic political pressures and external security challenges that have defined Anutin’s brief three-month tenure as premier.

    Political analysts suggest the dissolution was precipitated by deteriorating relations with the opposition People’s Party, which had threatened a no-confidence vote. This development followed disagreements over constitutional amendment procedures that opposition leaders believed violated their September power-sharing agreement.

    Anutin’s administration has adopted an increasingly hawkish military stance regarding the border conflict, positioning itself as defending national sovereignty against Cambodian incursions. This nationalist rhetoric has temporarily overshadowed domestic criticisms regarding the government’s handling of recent southern flooding that claimed over 160 lives and ongoing corruption scandals.

    The renewed fighting has resulted in approximately two dozen confirmed casualties this week alone, with hundreds of thousands displaced on both sides. Thai military sources estimate 165 Cambodian combat fatalities, though Phnom Penh has not officially confirmed these numbers.

    International attention has intensified, with former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly engaging in diplomatic outreach. Anutin confirmed Friday that he had communicated with Trump, reiterating Thailand’s position of continuing military operations until Cambodian forces no longer threaten Thai sovereignty.

  • Thai PM says ‘to return power to people,’intending to dissolve parliament

    Thai PM says ‘to return power to people,’intending to dissolve parliament

    In a significant political development, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has indicated plans to dissolve parliament and restore decision-making authority to the Thai electorate. The announcement came through an official social media communication on Thursday, where the premier declared his intention to “request to return power to the people.

    The statement, widely interpreted by political observers as foreshadowing a parliamentary dissolution, suggests Thailand may be approaching a new electoral cycle. Such a move would typically precede the organization of general elections, allowing citizens to determine their political representation anew.

    This development occurs within Thailand’s complex political landscape, where transitions of power have historically carried substantial significance. The Prime Minister’s carefully worded message aligns with constitutional protocols that grant the head of government authority to recommend parliamentary dissolution to the monarchy, a necessary step before elections can be scheduled.

    Political analysts are now examining the potential timing and implications of this move, considering both domestic political dynamics and Thailand’s international relationships. The dissolution of parliament would trigger a formal election process, enabling Thai citizens to participate in shaping their nation’s political direction through democratic means.

  • Crypto fraudster sentenced for ‘epic’ $40bn stablecoin crash

    Crypto fraudster sentenced for ‘epic’ $40bn stablecoin crash

    In a landmark ruling that sends shockwaves through the cryptocurrency industry, former digital currency entrepreneur Do Kwon has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for orchestrating what federal prosecutors describe as an “epic, generational” financial fraud. The sentencing by New York District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer concludes a dramatic case involving the catastrophic collapse of two interconnected cryptocurrencies that wiped out approximately $40 billion in investor funds.

    The South Korean national, who co-founded Singapore-based Terraform Labs, admitted to systematically misleading investors about the stability and mechanics of TerraUSD—a so-called stablecoin designed to maintain parity with the US dollar. The sophisticated scheme unraveled in 2022 when both TerraUSD and its sister currency Luna experienced catastrophic failure, triggering widespread repercussions across the cryptocurrency market and contributing to the collapse of several digital asset companies.

    During Thursday’s emotionally charged hearing in Manhattan federal court, Judge Engelmayer delivered scathing remarks about the Stanford-educated entrepreneur’s conduct. “In the annals of federal prosecutions, there are few frauds that have inflicted comparable financial devastation,” the judge stated, emphasizing how Kwon had repeatedly deceived investors who placed their trust in his technological expertise.

    Court documents reveal that when TerraUSD initially dropped below its promised $1 valuation in May 2021, Kwon allegedly instructed a trading firm to secretly purchase massive quantities of the digital coin to artificially inflate its price—while publicly attributing the recovery to sophisticated computer algorithms. This manipulation created a false appearance of stability that prolonged the scheme until its inevitable collapse.

    Kwon, who pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to defraud and wire fraud charges, expressed contrition during the proceedings. “I have devoted nearly every waking moment of recent years contemplating alternative actions and seeking ways to rectify the damage caused,” the disgraced entrepreneur told the court.

    The case represents one of the most significant prosecutions in the ongoing regulatory crackdown on cryptocurrency misconduct, establishing a crucial legal precedent for holding digital asset creators accountable for fraudulent representations about their products’ stability and underlying technology.

  • Tricked, abducted and abused: Inside China’s schools for ‘rebellious’ teens

    Tricked, abducted and abused: Inside China’s schools for ‘rebellious’ teens

    A groundbreaking BBC Eye investigation has uncovered widespread physical and sexual abuse within a network of Chinese disciplinary schools operated by military veteran Li Zheng and his associates. The investigation reveals how these institutions, marketed as solutions for rebellious youth, have systematically violated human rights with parental consent and impunity.

    Former students provided harrowing accounts of their experiences at Lizheng Quality Education School and affiliated institutions. Baobao (pseudonym), now 19, described six months of torture at age 14 where instructors beat non-compliant students until they couldn’t sleep on their backs. The psychological trauma remains so severe that the smell of rain-soaked soil still triggers panic attacks, reminding her of military drills behind locked gates.

    The investigation compiled testimony from 23 former students who reported brutal beatings, forced extreme exercise, and sexual violence. Zhang Enxu, a 20-year-old transgender woman, recounted being abducted by men posing as police with her parents’ approval and subsequently raped at Shengbo Youth Psychological Growth Training School. She also suffered permanent hearing damage from beatings.

    Undercover footage exposed the network’s abduction methods, with staff impersonating internet regulators to forcibly transport students. Parents pay substantial fees—approximately $5,700 for six months—for programs that promise behavioral correction through military-style discipline but deliver systematic abuse instead.

    Despite numerous abuse allegations over years and Li Zheng’s recent arrest for organized crime, the network persists through rebranding and relocation. Former associates have established new facilities, with one counselor boasting of ‘huge profits’ and suggesting annual fees of $25,000 per student in potential expansions.

    Chinese authorities have intermittently closed facilities following public outcry or student suicides, but regulatory gaps enable continuous operation. The industry operates in a governance vacuum between local education, civil affairs, and market regulation authorities, creating a ‘shadow industry’ that persists without centralized oversight.

    The Chinese embassy in London stated that all educational institutions must comply with regulations protecting minors, but victims continue fighting for full closure of all disciplinary schools they describe as fundamentally flawed systems that ‘simply shouldn’t exist.’

  • Thai PM dissolves parliament to ‘return power to people’

    Thai PM dissolves parliament to ‘return power to people’

    Thailand’s political landscape faces renewed upheaval as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dissolved parliament, triggering snap elections within 45-60 days. This decisive move comes amid escalating border tensions with Cambodia that have resulted in deadly clashes over the past week.

    The minority government, in power for merely three months, has struggled to contain the deteriorating border situation along with other pressing challenges. In an official decree published Friday, Anutin acknowledged his administration’s difficulties in managing these crises effectively.

    “The appropriate solution is to dissolve parliament… which is a way to return political power to the people,” stated the Prime Minister, who assumed leadership in September 2023. The business magnate becomes Thailand’s third premier since August 2023, highlighting the nation’s prolonged political instability.

    While Anutin had previously committed to dissolving parliament by January’s end, the timeline accelerated considerably due to an impending no-confidence vote that threatened his fragile coalition government. The administration has additionally faced severe criticism for its handling of catastrophic flooding that devastated southern Thailand last month, further undermining public confidence.

    The dissolution marks a critical juncture for Thai democracy as the nation prepares for its first general election since the previous government’s collapse. Political analysts suggest the border conflict with Cambodia and domestic disaster response failures have created a perfect storm that forced Anutin’s hand in calling early elections.

  • Fears grow that world’s rarest apes were swept away in Sumatran floods

    Fears grow that world’s rarest apes were swept away in Sumatran floods

    Conservationists are confronting a deeply troubling silence across the mountainous forests of Batang Toru in North Sumatra, Indonesia, where the world’s rarest great ape—the Tapanuli orangutan—has vanished following the catastrophic Cyclone Senyar. The storm ravaged the island on November 25, triggering deadly floods and landslides that have claimed over 900 human lives and left hundreds missing. But the ecological impact may extend to pushing an already critically endangered species closer to extinction.

    Since the cyclone, field workers have reported no sightings or vocalizations of Tapanuli orangutans in their primary habitat. The alarming disappearance has been compounded by the discovery of a primate carcass, believed to be one of the great apes, partially buried under mud and debris in Pulo Pakkat village. Deckey Chandra, a humanitarian responder and former orangutan conservation worker, described the grim finding: “I have seen several dead bodies of humans… but this was the first dead wildlife. They used to come to this place to eat fruits. But now it seems to have become their graveyard.”

    Satellite imagery analysis led by Professor Erik Meijaard of Borneo Futures reveals catastrophic habitat loss. Preliminary estimates indicate between 4,800 to 7,200 hectares of primary forest—critical orangutan territory—were obliterated by landslides. “The destroyed areas would have contained some 35 orangutans,” noted Prof. Meijaard. “Considering the violence of the destruction, it wouldn’t surprise us if they are all dead. That’s a major blow to the population.”

    The Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis), formally identified as a distinct species in 2017, numbers fewer than 800 individuals. Its survival is intricately linked to this specific region of Sumatra. Experts like Prof. Serge Wich of Liverpool John Moores University explain that while orangutans instinctively shelter during heavy rain, the scale and suddenness of these landslides would have made escape nearly impossible.

    Further compounding the crisis, the cyclone severely damaged vital research and conservation infrastructure, including the historic Ketambe research station in Aceh—the world’s first orangutan research center. Dr. Ian Singleton emphasized the urgent need for rebuilding to continue forest protection efforts.

    The disaster has also impacted other endangered species, such as the Sumatran elephant, highlighting the broad ecological toll of the cyclone. As Indonesia grapples with severe weather aftermath, the fate of the Tapanuli orangutan hangs in a precarious balance, symbolizing the profound intersection of climate disasters and biodiversity conservation.