A groundbreaking international passenger rail service linking Mohan Railway Station in China’s Yunnan Province and Boten Railway Station in Laos commenced trial operations on November 3. This marks the first commuter-style international rail link between the two nations, offering five daily round-trips in each direction. The 16-kilometer journey, which takes approximately 50 minutes, includes stops at border ports for passenger boarding and customs clearance. Operated by Yunnan Tourism Co Ltd, the service aims to provide a seamless and efficient travel experience, integrating directly with the China-Laos Railway for enhanced road–rail intermodal transport. Xia Mo, deputy general manager of Yunnan Tourism Co Ltd, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, professionalism, and dedication, ensuring travelers experience the convenience and warmth of this ‘road of friendship.’ The new rail line is expected to significantly improve cross-border travel convenience and strengthen regional connectivity, fostering closer ties between China and Laos.
标签： Asia
亚洲
-
From Japan to Colombia and beyond: Dubai-born dancer has taken ‘bhangra’ to 57 countries
Hardy Singh, a Dubai-born bhangra artist, has transformed the traditional Punjabi dance into a global phenomenon, performing in 57 countries across six continents. His journey began with childhood mimicry of family members dancing at celebrations, eventually evolving into a professional career that defied his academic background in business and finance. Hardy’s passion for bhangra led him to form a dance troupe, which started with university competitions and expanded to international stages, including sold-out workshops in Colombia and Japan. His teaching philosophy emphasizes joy, simplicity, and inclusivity, making bhangra accessible to diverse audiences. Despite challenges like financial instability and being undervalued as performers, Hardy has built a brand that transcends cultural barriers. His ultimate goal is to perform in Antarctica, completing his mission to dance on every continent. Hardy’s story is a testament to the universal language of dance and the power of cultural exchange.
-
Nepal registers 125 parties for post-uprising polls
Nepal’s Election Commission announced on Wednesday that 125 political parties have registered to participate in the country’s first parliamentary elections since a mass uprising in September 2025 toppled the government. The polls, scheduled for March 2026, mark a critical juncture for the Himalayan nation as it seeks to rebuild its political landscape. While many established parties are in the fray, the election also sees the emergence of new movements, particularly those spearheaded by youth activists who played a pivotal role in the anti-corruption protests earlier this year. Registration remains open until November 18, after which the final list of participating parties will be released. The September protests, initially sparked by a temporary social media ban, quickly escalated into a nationwide outcry against economic hardship and government corruption. The unrest resulted in violent clashes, claiming at least 73 lives and causing significant damage to government institutions. In the aftermath, former chief justice Sushila Karki was appointed interim prime minister to oversee the transition until elections. Despite the commission’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and impartial election, deep public distrust of established parties poses a significant challenge to the credibility of the process. The political instability has further strained Nepal’s fragile economy, with the World Bank warning of a projected economic growth decline to 2.1 percent in 2026. With 82 percent of the workforce engaged in informal employment and a GDP per capita of $1,447 in 2024, the stakes for Nepal’s political and economic future remain high.
-
PR boss embroiled in Palestine Action ‘placed story’ row is Labour councillor
Georgia Pickering, a Labour Party councillor and managing director of CMS Strategic, has been embroiled in controversy following allegations that she claimed involvement in placing a story in *The Times* suggesting Iran was funding Palestine Action. The claims, reported by *Private Eye*, were vehemently denied by both CMS Strategic and the Labour Party. The article, published in June 2025, coincided with the UK government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organization after activists targeted an RAF base and CMS Strategic’s office. Pickering, who chairs the Bracknell Forest Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Commission and co-chairs the Labour in Communications’ defence and aerospace policy network, has been a Labour councillor since May 2023. The controversy has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, given CMS Strategic’s ties to Israeli arms firm Elbit, a frequent target of Palestine Action protests. A Labour Party spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “categorically untrue,” emphasizing that all relevant declarations had been made in accordance with council rules. Meanwhile, Palestine Action dismissed the *Times* article as “baseless” and “ridiculous,” while three prisoners linked to the group launched a hunger strike over alleged mistreatment in custody.
-
Death toll tops 100 as Philippines digs out after typhoon
The Philippines is reeling from the catastrophic aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has claimed over 100 lives and left a trail of destruction in its wake. The central province of Cebu bore the brunt of the storm, experiencing the worst flooding in recent memory. Unprecedented floodwaters swept through towns and cities, carrying away vehicles, riverside shanties, and even massive shipping containers. Cebu spokesman Rhon Ramos reported that 35 bodies were recovered from Liloan, a town within Cebu City’s metro area, bringing the death toll in Cebu alone to 76. On Negros Island, at least 12 people perished, and 12 remain missing after volcanic mudflows triggered by the typhoon buried homes in Canlaon City. The disaster has exposed vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change, with scientists warning that warmer oceans and a moisture-laden atmosphere are intensifying storms. The tragedy has also reignited public outrage over a corruption scandal involving ‘ghost’ flood-control projects, which allegedly siphoned billions of dollars meant for disaster mitigation. As the Philippines braces for more storms, the nation faces an uphill battle in rebuilding and addressing systemic issues that amplify the impact of such natural disasters.
-
Beijing receives climate award at COP30 Local Leaders Forum
Beijing has been recognized for its outstanding contributions to climate resilience by receiving the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Local Leaders Climate Award. The prestigious accolade was presented on Tuesday during the COP30 Local Leaders Forum held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The award, jointly organized by Bloomberg Philanthropies, C40 Cities, and other partners, highlights local governments that have achieved significant, impactful, and people-centered climate breakthroughs. Beijing’s efforts in ‘building a climate-resilient Beijing municipal administrative center’ were specifically commended by the organizers. This recognition underscores the city’s commitment to addressing climate challenges and fostering sustainable urban development. The COP30 Local Leaders Forum serves as a global platform for cities and local governments to share innovative solutions and strategies for combating climate change. Beijing’s achievement not only highlights its leadership in climate action but also sets a benchmark for other cities worldwide to follow. The award ceremony was attended by representatives from various cities, international organizations, and climate experts, who gathered to discuss collaborative efforts in tackling the global climate crisis.
-
Sri Lanka targets big fish in anti-corruption push
Sri Lanka is making significant strides in its battle against corruption, targeting some of the nation’s most influential figures. The campaign, which gained momentum after the economic collapse of 2022, has seen former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, ex-ministers, and top officials from the police, prisons, and immigration departments face legal scrutiny. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), led by Ranga Dissanayake, has been granted extensive powers to recover stolen assets, even without criminal convictions. Although official data on state corruption losses is unavailable, activists estimate the figure to be in the billions of dollars over several decades. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has emphasized the urgency of anti-graft measures, urging accelerated recruitment to CIABOC. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has made tackling corruption a cornerstone of his administration, addressing systemic delays in justice and the misuse of power. Public outrage over shortages of essential goods in 2022 led to widespread protests and the ousting of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Despite a $2.9 billion IMF bailout secured by his successor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the latter was arrested in August for allegedly misusing state funds. Sri Lanka’s ranking of 121 out of 180 in Transparency International’s 2024 Global Corruption Index underscores the severity of the issue. The Rajapaksa family, once untouchable, is now under intense pressure, with several members facing legal consequences. The nation’s economic collapse, marked by inflation nearing 70% and a mass exodus of citizens, has been attributed to rampant corruption. As Sri Lanka seeks to rebuild, the anti-corruption drive represents a pivotal moment in its governance.
-
India’s Modi readies bellwether poll in poorest state
As India’s poorest state, Bihar, prepares for its pivotal elections on November 6 and 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is vying to secure a decisive victory that could reshape its political trajectory ahead of the 2026 national elections. Bihar, with a population comparable to Mexico, remains a bellwether state in the Hindi-speaking north, where the BJP has yet to govern independently. The party is leveraging economic incentives to appeal to voters, particularly in a region where poverty and unemployment dominate daily life. For Rajkumari Devi, a 28-year-old housewife from Muzaffarpur district, survival hinges on her husband’s irregular earnings as a daily wage laborer, highlighting the economic struggles faced by millions. Despite Bihar’s grim poverty indicators, the state has seen progress over the past decade, with multidimensional poverty rates dropping from over 50% in 2016 to about a third in 2021. Modi’s recent announcements of $8 billion in infrastructure projects and an $844 million initiative for women entrepreneurs aim to bolster the BJP’s appeal. However, the party faces stiff competition from the opposition alliance led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, which promises job creation and economic revival. Political analysts suggest that a BJP victory in Bihar could energize its campaign in other key states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, setting the stage for a strong performance in the 2026 elections. The outcome of this election will ultimately hinge on which party voters believe can secure their economic future.
-
Wife of abducted Malaysian pastor wins landmark lawsuit against state
In a groundbreaking verdict, the Malaysian High Court has ruled that the government and police are responsible for the abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh, who has been missing for eight years. The court also awarded his family a record-breaking compensation of over 31 million ringgit (£5.7 million; $7.4 million), marking the largest damages payout in Malaysian legal history. The case has drawn national attention and raised significant questions about enforced disappearances in the country. Raymond Koh was forcibly taken from his car by masked men in a Kuala Lumpur suburb in 2017, an incident captured on CCTV and witnessed by passers-by. His family has long maintained that he was abducted by the police, a claim the authorities consistently denied. The court’s ruling on Wednesday declared that Koh had been forcibly disappeared, holding the government and police accountable. The judge also ordered the state to reopen the investigation to determine Koh’s whereabouts and imposed a daily compensation of 10,000 ringgit (£1,830; $2,385) from the day of his abduction until his location is disclosed. In an emotional statement, Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, expressed gratitude for the verdict but emphasized that it does not bring her husband back. She dedicated the legal victory to Koh and all victims of enforced disappearances. The case is closely linked to the abduction of activist Amri Che Mat, whose wife, Norhayati, was awarded three million ringgit in a separate lawsuit. Both men’s disappearances occurred within months of each other in 2016 and 2017, sparking widespread public speculation. Investigations by Malaysia’s human rights commission and the government concluded that the abductions were likely carried out by the police’s elite Special Branch, targeting the men for their perceived threats to mainstream Islam. The government report, previously classified as secret, revealed that “rogue cops” with extreme views against Christians and Shia Muslims were responsible. Koh, a Christian pastor, was suspected of proselytizing to Muslims, while Che Mat, a Shia Muslim, was targeted for his religious affiliation. The court’s ruling has been hailed as a significant step toward accountability, though the families of the missing men continue to seek answers about their loved ones’ fates.
-
Natl fire safety month promotes public safety awareness, risk prevention
China has officially launched its National Fire Safety Month 2025, a nationwide initiative designed to elevate public awareness about fire safety and enhance risk prevention measures. The campaign, inaugurated on November 4, 2025, is spearheaded by the Office of the State Council Work Safety Committee, the Ministry of Emergency Management, and the National Fire and Rescue Administration.