Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • From silence to song: Iran team’s anthem shift in Australia at soccer’s Women’s Asian Cup

    From silence to song: Iran team’s anthem shift in Australia at soccer’s Women’s Asian Cup

    GOLD COAST, Australia — In a striking reversal from their previous match, the Iranian women’s national football team collectively sang and saluted during their national anthem prior to their Women’s Asian Cup encounter against Australia on Thursday. This display stood in stark contrast to their silent protest during the anthem before Monday’s opening fixture against South Korea.

    The emotional weight surrounding the team became evident when star striker Sara Didar, visibly distressed and fighting back tears, expressed the squad’s profound anxiety for their families’ safety amid escalating Middle Eastern conflicts during a pre-match press conference. The 21-year-old athlete, who began Thursday’s match on the bench, symbolized the personal struggles faced by players competing under extraordinary circumstances.

    Despite the shifted approach to anthem protocol, the competitive outcome remained unchanged as tournament favorite Australia delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Iran. The match was played under heavy rain on the Gold Coast, where Iran is hosting all its Group A fixtures.

    Team management, including head coach Marziyeh Jafari, has maintained strict focus on athletic objectives, refusing to comment on recent military developments or the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Jafari emphasized the priority of qualifying for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

    The team’s anthem demonstration echoes the symbolic gestures of Iran’s men’s squad during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where players initially remained silent before later matches. That tournament occurred during widespread domestic protests following Mahsa Amini’s death in morality police custody.

    Amid the sporting action, clusters of protesters gathered outside Gold Coast Stadium advocating against Iran’s regime. Iranian-Australian supporter Nasrin Vaziri voiced admiration for the players, telling broadcasters: “They are brilliant despite limited opportunities. They compete under immense pressure, and as a woman, I’m profoundly proud of them.”

    With two decisive losses, Iran now requires an overwhelming victory against the Philippines in their final group match to keep quarterfinal hopes and World Cup qualification possibilities alive.

  • Deputy eyes early intervention to stem juvenile crime

    Deputy eyes early intervention to stem juvenile crime

    China has achieved a notable breakthrough in juvenile justice with the first recorded ‘double reduction’ in youth-related prosecutions, according to recent data from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate. The 2025 figures reveal a 9.8% year-on-year decrease in juvenile crime prosecutions alongside a 2.2% decline in offenses targeting minors, marking a significant turnaround in the nation’s approach to youth delinquency.

    The progress follows comprehensive policy initiatives spearheaded by National People’s Congress deputy Wu Meifang, a professor from Anhui province whose extensive research into juvenile protection has shaped national strategy. Wu’s advocacy emerged from concerning fieldwork observations, including the case of a student left unsupervised by migrant worker parents who subsequently associated with delinquent peers.

    ‘Cases involving inadequate guardianship and negative environmental influences proved disturbingly common,’ Wu noted. ‘These vulnerable minors face dual risks of both engaging in unlawful behavior and becoming victims of exploitation.’

    Her formal recommendation to the legislature catalyzed a multidimensional response framework emphasizing proactive prevention, targeted intervention, and effective rehabilitation. The Supreme People’s Procuratorate implemented these principles through coordinated efforts with police departments, women’s federations, and community organizations.

    Key initiatives include strengthened family education guidance through publicized case studies, enhanced legal education programs in schools with tailored minor-specific curricula, and the establishment of over 2,100 youth legal education centers nationwide. Authorities have additionally intensified oversight of entertainment venues including bars, KTV studios, and gaming hotels while collaborating with internet regulators to create safer digital environments for young users.

    Wu particularly commended the focus on rural areas, vocational schools, and challenged institutions through targeted campaigns addressing bullying, sexual assault, and fraud prevention. ‘While policy formation is encouraging, the tangible impact of these actions represents the true achievement,’ she observed.

    The deputy’s commitment to juvenile protection spans her entire tenure since 2018, during which she has submitted 34 motions and suggestions—six specifically addressing healthy minor development. Her initiatives have covered mental health education, school safety protocols, juvenile court reform, smartphone usage regulation, and enhanced ideological education for educators.

    ‘Service as a deputy means transforming identified issues and public concerns into actionable legislative suggestions,’ Wu stated. ‘I remain dedicated to advocating for effective laws and policies, with particular focus on safeguarding children’s healthy development.’

  • Political adviser seeks to commercialize research

    Political adviser seeks to commercialize research

    Shan Chongxin, Vice-President of Zhengzhou University and member of China’s National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, has positioned the commercialization of scientific research as a critical national priority during the ongoing Two Sessions political gatherings. The renowned ultra-hard materials expert emphasized that integrating education, technological advancement, and talent development forms the fundamental strategic support for achieving China’s high-level self-reliance in technology.

    With China’s ultra-hard materials industry now leading globally in scale and application breadth, Shan identified persistent challenges preventing true innovation leadership. While acknowledging six decades of significant progress, he noted three critical gaps: insufficient original innovation in material systems, unstable high-end supply chain consistency, and persistent barriers between research, equipment manufacturing, and downstream applications.

    Shan’s proposals focus on creating synergistic ecosystems where education aligns with industry needs, research targets national bottleneck areas, and talent retention receives prioritized attention. He emphasized that core competition in high-end materials ultimately constitutes talent competition, which must be fostered through integrated education-technology partnerships.

    At Zhengzhou University, these principles are being implemented through strategic positioning that aligns with national needs, regional development endowments, and technological frontiers. The institution aims to serve as both an explorer of cutting-edge science and a solver of major technological challenges while cultivating strategic talent.

    Looking toward China’s 2035 education system goals, Shan envisions universities functioning as vital connectors between regional development and the national innovation system, addressing international academic frontiers while simultaneously supporting economic and social development objectives.

  • Appeal trial of Yoon case begins with public access

    Appeal trial of Yoon case begins with public access

    The Seoul High Court has inaugurated the appeal proceedings for former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s ongoing political and judicial saga. The 65-year-old former leader appeared personally before the appellate court on Wednesday, contesting his five-year imprisonment sentence for obstruction of justice charges stemming from his controversial 2024 martial law declaration.

    Yoon’s legal representatives vehemently disputed the initial verdict, asserting that the sentencing failed to account for his extensive public service career and contributions to state governance. They characterized the five-year term as disproportionately severe given the circumstances. The defense maintains Yoon’s complete innocence regarding all allegations.

    This legal battle originates from December 3, 2024, when Yoon’s unexpected martial law proclamation sent shockwaves through the nation and international community. Within hours, the National Assembly nullified the decree, culminating in his impeachment and official removal from office by the Constitutional Court in April 2025.

    The former president currently faces eight distinct trials connected to the martial law incident. In a particularly severe ruling last February, he received a life sentence for insurrection charges. The special prosecution team has concurrently appealed January’s verdict, arguing that the five-year punishment is “excessively lenient and unjust” considering Yoon’s consistent refusal to apologize and his persistent offering of what they term “incomprehensible excuses.”

    In an unprecedented move toward judicial transparency, the court approved the special counsel’s request to publicly broadcast the appeal process through delayed, anonymized video recordings. David Tizzard, a prominent Korean studies professor at Seoul Women’s University and Hanyang University, interpreted this decision as a sophisticated balancing act between preserving courtroom integrity and addressing overwhelming public demand for accountability.

    Professor Tizzard observed, “Substantial pressures surround this case, with authorities clearly apprehensive about potential influence from online platforms and media channels.” He further noted that South Korea remains trapped in a cycle of political retaliation, suggesting that societal progress hinges on resolving the martial law controversy.

    Echoing calls for transparency, former judge Cha Sung-an, now a professor at the University of Seoul Law School, advocated for complete disclosure of the insurrection ruling, including all identified names, to enable comprehensive public examination and discourse.

  • Veteran Bihar chief minister to step down for move to parliament

    Veteran Bihar chief minister to step down for move to parliament

    In a significant political development, Nitish Kumar has announced his resignation as Chief Minister of Bihar, India’s eastern state, marking a pivotal transition in regional governance. The 75-year-old political stalwart revealed his decision through a social media post, confirming his intention to transition to federal parliamentary duties while offering “full cooperation and guidance” to the incoming state administration.

    This strategic move concludes Kumar’s remarkable tenure spanning nearly two decades during which he dominated Bihar’s political scene through nine separate terms as chief minister. His unprecedented tenth oath-taking in November followed a decisive electoral victory where his Janata Dal (United) party and BJP coalition secured 202 of 243 assembly seats.

    Multiple sources within Kumar’s political circle attribute this transition to the leader’s declining health, though the veteran politician framed the decision as a natural evolution in his service to constituents. “The trust and support of voters enabled our government to serve with complete dedication,” Kumar stated in his announcement.

    The resignation timing appears strategically aligned with parliamentary procedures, as five Rajya Sabha positions from Bihar become vacant in April. With the ruling coalition commanding sufficient legislative strength, political analysts anticipate Kumar’s party and BJP allies will comfortably secure four upper house seats.

    This leadership change potentially enables Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP to claim Bihar’s chief ministerial position for the first time in history. BJP national spokesperson RP Singh confirmed to media outlets that “the new chief minister will be from the BJP,” with the party’s parliamentary board determining the specific candidate.

    However, the transition faces internal resistance from JD(U) members who campaigned specifically under Kumar’s leadership. Party colleague Rajeev Ranjan Patel expressed concern: “We sought votes for Nitish Kumar. If he’s no longer chief minister, where will Bihar’s people turn?”

    The leadership succession carries profound implications for Bihar’s 74 million residents in India’s most economically challenged state, where migration for employment remains a persistent challenge. This development represents a fundamental realignment in one of India’s most politically significant regions.

  • Kiosk keeper’s life journey inspires theatrical debut

    Kiosk keeper’s life journey inspires theatrical debut

    The National Theatre of China in Beijing witnessed an extraordinary theatrical event in January with the premiere of ‘The Last Newsstand,’ a production drawing inspiration from Shanghai’s final operating newsstand. The play captivated full-capacity audiences across two consecutive evenings, transforming a simple urban structure into a powerful symbol of cultural memory.

    Central to the staging stood a deconstructed newsstand installation, surrounded by a suspended matrix of newspapers that visually compressed three decades into the intimate theatrical space. This innovative scenography served as the backdrop for a narrative journey beginning in 1995, tracing the newsstand keeper’s evolution from novice to thirty-year veteran against the sweeping transformation of information dissemination.

    Audience members across generations discovered profound emotional connections to the production. The play’s emotional power emerged not through dramatic theatrics but through meticulous attention to mundane details—yellowing newspapers, curled magazine edges, and weathered accounting notes—that evoked collective memories of a fading era.

    Former postal worker Yang, among the attendees, expressed how the performance resurrected personal nostalgia: ‘Operating a newsstand was once a coveted occupation during our golden years. Before I could realize that aspiration, these establishments began vanishing from our urban landscape. This theatrical recreation provided a deeply moving opportunity to revisit those memories.’

    Playwright Chen Yinuo revealed her inspiration originated from journalistic coverage about Shanghai’s last newsstand operator, Jiang Jun, who has devoted 38 consecutive years to maintaining the establishment despite reaching retirement age, responding to loyal readers’ requests to continue his service.

  • Shanghai’s last newsstand finds new lease of life

    Shanghai’s last newsstand finds new lease of life

    In an extraordinary cultural resurgence, Shanghai’s last surviving newsstand has experienced unprecedented commercial success following its highly publicized relocation on New Year’s Day. The revitalized operation, now situated near the historic Bund area on Zhapu Road, has become an unexpected cultural landmark attracting both nostalgic older patrons and a new generation of younger customers seeking alternatives to algorithm-driven digital content.

    Jiang Jun, the 67-year-old proprietor who has dedicated 38 years to print retail, reports that daily visitor numbers have nearly doubled since the move. The newsstand’s new location within a cultural zone adjacent to Shengli Cinema—provided rent-free by the cinema management—has transformed it into a weekend destination for tourists and local residents alike.

    This remarkable turnaround follows what seemed like the inevitable closure of the city’s final print outlet. In 2019, when Jiang reached standard retirement age, thousands of newsstands had already shuttered across Shanghai due to digital media disruption and unsustainable business models. His newsstand, then located 200 meters from its current position, remained the solitary survivor.

    Rather than retire, Jiang made the extraordinary decision to continue operations, driven by his conviction that print media maintained irreplaceable social value. His dedication to the trade is legendary—for decades he maintained a grueling schedule, waking at 4:30 AM to collect newspapers from printing facilities, opening by 6 AM, and working until after 6 PM without taking a single day off throughout the year.

    The newsstand’s future was secured when news of its impending closure sparked public outcry last year. Multiple district governments, cultural institutions, and office parks offered rent-free locations, ultimately resulting in relocation to the current spacious 30-square-meter venue that now stocks over 1,000 different publications.

    The revitalized operation has particularly resonated with younger demographics. Parents like 42-year-old Qi Feng report that their children have developed unexpected interest in print media, with one primary school student spontaneously purchasing 424 yuan worth of science and humanities publications after seeing media coverage of the newsstand.

  • Collective effort uplifts Tianjin villagers

    Collective effort uplifts Tianjin villagers

    In Huzhangzhuang village, Tianjin’s Dongli District, 92-year-old Chen Yuying now enjoys apartment living, collective dividends, pension benefits, and holiday allowances—a dramatic improvement from her former existence in three earthen rooms earning barely 200 yuan annually. Her current yearly income exceeds 30,000 yuan, symbolizing the village’s extraordinary transformation under Party Secretary Yang Baoling’s decades-long leadership.

    When Yang began her tenure, Huzhangzhuang faced severe challenges: saline-alkali soil dominated the landscape, infrastructure was inadequate, and economic opportunities were scarce. Residents endured mud-brick housing while struggling with educational access, healthcare availability, and employment prospects.

    The turning point emerged in 2007 when Tianjin initiated a pilot program for small-town development. Yang recognized the housing exchange initiative’s potential, becoming the first to enroll and personally advocating door-to-door about the benefits of modernized living. Her efforts achieved remarkable ‘Huzhangzhuang speed’—95% participation rates and rapid environmental transformation.

    Understanding that relocation alone couldn’t guarantee prosperity, Yang focused on strengthening the collective economy. She revitalized the traditional grape industry, leveraging her experience as a former trader to expand national sales channels and establish the ‘Huzhangzhuang Rose Fragrance’ brand under China’s ‘One Village, One Product’ initiative. This generated over 11 million yuan in annual revenue, funding comprehensive welfare programs including medical insurance coverage, elderly subsidies, and university student support. During recent Spring Festival celebrations, each villager received 4,000 yuan in collective allowances.

    Now 68 and serving as a deputy to the National People’s Congress, Yang remains innovatively engaged. She recently welcomed two post-2000 born university graduates to the village committee to enhance agricultural e-commerce through livestreaming platforms. Concurrently, she explores agricultural waste recycling solutions, investigating methods to convert pruned grapevines into organic fertilizer.

    Despite her national legislative role, Yang maintains hands-on involvement in daily village affairs, frequently fielding calls from residents seeking assistance. The village’s evolution demonstrates how sustained collective effort and leadership can fundamentally reshape communities beyond mere infrastructural development.

  • California governor Newsom questions US support for ‘apartheid state’ Israel

    California governor Newsom questions US support for ‘apartheid state’ Israel

    In a significant departure from mainstream U.S. political discourse, California Governor Gavin Newsom has openly challenged the long-standing military partnership between the United States and Israel while criticizing the Trump administration’s coordinated operations with Iran. During a Tuesday appearance on Pod Save America in Los Angeles, Newsom expressed profound disappointment with Israel’s current leadership under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

    When directly questioned by host Jon Favreau about whether Washington should reconsider its military support for Israel, Newsom responded with remarkable candor: ‘It breaks my heart because the current leadership in Israel is walking us down that path where I don’t think you have a choice about that consideration.’ The Democratic governor notably endorsed commentary that appropriately characterizes Israel as ‘an apartheid state,’ particularly amid discussions about annexing the occupied West Bank.

    Newsom’s critique extended beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to address the recent joint military operations between the U.S. and Israel against Iran. He sharply questioned the strategic wisdom of regime change objectives, noting: ‘We’re talking about regime change?… For two years, they haven’t even been able to solve the Hamas question in Israel.’

    The governor’s comments emerge amid visible tensions within the Trump administration regarding Iran policy. President Trump contradicted Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s previous statements by claiming he ‘might have forced Israel’s hand’ into conflict with Iran based on negotiation assessments. This divergence follows Rubio’s justification that preemptive strikes were necessary to prevent higher U.S. casualties.

    The human cost of these operations has been substantial, with local reports and witness accounts confirming over 1,000 civilian fatalities in Iranian territories, including more than 150 schoolgirls. Tehran has responded with retaliatory strikes against Israeli and U.S. military installations across the Middle East, escalating regional tensions significantly.

  • A green guide for progress, protection

    A green guide for progress, protection

    China is poised to enact a comprehensive ecological and environmental code that represents a transformative leap in environmental legislation, aligning national strategies with global sustainability goals. The code, expected to be ratified during the current National People’s Congress session, will become China’s second formal statutory code following the Civil Code of 2020.

    The groundbreaking legislation establishes a unified legal framework addressing pollution control, ecological conservation, green development, and climate action. According to NPC spokesman Lou Qinjian, the code creates a solid legal foundation for achieving modernization through harmony between humanity and nature, making environmental legislation more systematic, integrated, and responsive to emerging challenges.

    The development process involved unprecedented stakeholder engagement. Lyu Zhongmei, vice-chairperson of the NPC Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee, revealed that the drafting process incorporated over 200,000 characters of revision suggestions from scholars, enterprises, and government bodies through more than 50 research meetings. The current version contains more than 420 substantive changes from the initial draft, meticulously aligned with China’s updated climate commitments.

    Notably, the code introduces innovative provisions addressing human-wildlife conflicts that have emerged alongside ecological improvements. The legislation establishes compensation mechanisms for injuries or property damage caused by protected wildlife and exempts legal liability for emergency self-defense actions, prioritizing human safety while maintaining conservation principles.

    The code also tackles longstanding governance fragmentation, particularly in water management, by mandating integrated approaches to water resources, environment, and ecosystems. This addresses the notorious ‘nine dragons managing water’ phenomenon where multiple agencies have overlapping responsibilities.

    In waste management, the code strengthens extended producer responsibility requirements, particularly for traction batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Manufacturers must establish recovery systems aligned with their sales volume, either independently or through third parties. The legislation also promotes recycled materials through certification systems and usage mandates.

    The code establishes China’s first legal framework for climate action, incorporating mechanisms for controlling total carbon emissions and intensity based on China’s 2030 peak carbon and 2060 neutrality goals. This represents a significant evolution from the current energy consumption control system.

    International environmental law experts recognize the code’s global significance. Dimitri de Boer of ClientEarth noted that China’s comprehensive approach offers developing nations a template for integrating pollution control, biodiversity protection, and climate governance into a coherent legal architecture. The code demonstrates how major economies can achieve full-scale green transformation while maintaining economic development.