Global Pulse

标签： Asia

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  • Maccabi Tel Aviv declines tickets to UK game after Tommy Robinson vows to defend fans

    Maccabi Tel Aviv declines tickets to UK game after Tommy Robinson vows to defend fans

    In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv has opted not to sell tickets to its supporters for the upcoming match against Aston Villa in Birmingham on November 6. This decision follows a contentious ban imposed by West Midlands Police, which British government ministers labeled as antisemitic and vowed to overturn. The situation escalated when Israeli police canceled a local derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv, citing ‘public disorder and violent riots.’

    According to Jewish News, the club’s decision was heavily influenced by the involvement of Tommy Robinson, a controversial pro-Israel activist and convicted criminal. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, urged his followers to protest against ‘Islamist activists’ at the match and posted a photo of himself in a Maccabi Tel Aviv shirt. His presence in Israel, at the invitation of Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, has further complicated the situation.

    A source within the club revealed that the risk posed by anti-Israel protesters was significant, but the intervention of Robinson added another layer of danger. The club feared that their supporters could be wrongly associated with Robinson’s far-right activities, making the situation untenable for innocent fans.

    Maccabi Tel Aviv’s fans have a history of causing violence and disruption in European cities. In November, Amsterdam City Council banned the club from the Dutch capital after their fans caused chaos before and after a Europa League match against Ajax. Initially, Western media and politicians were sympathetic to the Maccabi fans, even describing the counterviolence as a pogrom. However, when footage and local reports contradicted this narrative, the focus on the events diminished.

    In an official statement, Maccabi Tel Aviv expressed concern over ‘divisive figures’ who do not represent the club’s values and accused various groups of exploiting isolated incidents for their own agendas. A UK government spokesperson emphasized the importance of allowing football fans to enjoy games without fear of intimidation or violence, while condemning the weaponization of the match to stoke division.

    In the UK Parliament, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy criticized the police ban, claiming it ‘chooses exclusion’ of Jews. However, it was revealed that West Midlands Police had previously banned fans of Legia Warsaw from attending a match due to violent behavior. The police classified the Maccabi Tel Aviv match as high risk based on ‘current intelligence and previous incidents,’ including violent clashes during the Ajax match in Amsterdam.

    Before the Amsterdam match, Maccabi supporters were filmed arming themselves with weapons and chanting racist slogans, further exacerbating tensions. The violent incidents that followed the game highlighted the ongoing challenges of managing fan behavior in high-stakes matches.

  • New IP protection center to foster innovation in Greater Bay Area

    New IP protection center to foster innovation in Greater Bay Area

    China is advancing its intellectual property (IP) protection framework with the establishment of a new national-level IP protection center in Dongguan, Guangdong province. Announced by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) on Tuesday, the center aims to streamline IP protection for industries specializing in intelligent terminals and new materials. This addition brings the total number of national-level IP protection centers in China to 81, with seven located in Guangdong alone. Dongguan, a city with a permanent population exceeding 10 million and a regional GDP of over 1 trillion yuan ($141 billion), is a manufacturing powerhouse with a thriving innovation ecosystem. The new center will serve as a ‘one-stop’ platform, integrating IP protection services and fostering synergy between innovation and industrial chains. CNIPA emphasized that the center will enhance coordination among existing protection centers in Guangdong, creating a regional IP protection hub to drive high-quality development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Notably, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster in the GBA recently topped the World Intellectual Property Organization’s 2025 Global Innovation Index, surpassing Japan’s Tokyo-Yokohama cluster for the first time.

  • Virginia Giuffre shines light on Epstein ordeal in new memoir

    Virginia Giuffre shines light on Epstein ordeal in new memoir

    In a newly released memoir, Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s primary accusers, has brought renewed attention to the disgraced financier’s network and its alleged ties to prominent figures, including Britain’s Prince Andrew. The book, titled ‘Nobody’s Girl,’ details Giuffre’s harrowing experiences, claiming she was forced into three sexual encounters with Prince Andrew, one of which she describes as an orgy involving Epstein, the prince, and ‘eight other young girls.’ These allegations have further tarnished Andrew’s reputation, leading him to renounce his royal title under pressure from King Charles III. Giuffre, who tragically took her own life in April at the age of 41, also sheds light on her interactions with former U.S. President Donald Trump, whom she admired for his promise to release the Epstein files. The memoir recounts how Giuffre was recruited into Epstein’s alleged sex-trafficking network at the age of 17 while working at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, where she feared she would ‘die a sex slave.’ The book also highlights her encounters with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice, who was later imprisoned for her role in the abuse. Despite Trump’s minimal presence in the memoir, his past association with Epstein has reignited discussions about their relationship. The publication of a controversial photo showing Prince Andrew with Giuffre has further fueled the scandal, leading to Andrew’s financial settlement with Giuffre in 2022. The memoir, written with the help of ghostwriter Amy Wallace, aims to provide a comprehensive account of Giuffre’s ordeal and her fight for justice.

  • Respect the power and beauty of Qomolangma

    Respect the power and beauty of Qomolangma

    Mount Qomolangma, often referred to as Everest, stands as a testament to nature’s grandeur and power. Its eastern slopes, renowned for their trekking routes, offer a mesmerizing blend of towering peaks, lush forests, and expansive grasslands. This natural spectacle serves as a poignant reminder of the need to approach such wonders with reverence and care. As more adventurers are drawn to its slopes, it is crucial to prioritize safety and environmental stewardship. A recent video highlights essential safety tips for trekkers, emphasizing the importance of respecting the mountain’s delicate ecosystem. Mount Qomolangma is not just a destination; it is a symbol of nature’s awe-inspiring beauty and a call to preserve it for future generations.

  • Drone attack hits Sudan’s Khartoum airport area ahead of reopening, witnesses say

    Drone attack hits Sudan’s Khartoum airport area ahead of reopening, witnesses say

    A drone attack targeted the vicinity of Khartoum International Airport early Tuesday, just one day before the facility was scheduled to reopen for domestic flights after a two-year closure. Witnesses reported hearing drones and explosions in central and southern Khartoum between 4am and 6am local time. The airport has been shut since April 2023, when violent clashes erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), causing extensive damage to infrastructure across the capital. Despite the army’s recent recapture of Khartoum and efforts to restore normalcy, drone attacks have persisted, with the RSF frequently accused of targeting military and civilian sites. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest strike, and details on casualties or damage remain unclear. This incident marks the third drone attack on Khartoum in a week, following strikes on two army bases last week. While the army has intercepted most drones, the attacks have exacerbated challenges in rebuilding the war-torn city. Over 800,000 people have returned to Khartoum since the army regained control, but large parts of the capital remain in ruins, with millions enduring frequent blackouts linked to RSF drone activity. Meanwhile, the conflict has intensified in western Sudan, where RSF forces are attempting to seize El-Fasher, the last major city in Darfur not under their control. The UN has warned of escalating violence in North and West Darfur, as the wider war in Sudan continues to devastate the nation, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing nearly 12 million people.

  • California man agrees to plead guilty to acting as Beijing’s agent

    California man agrees to plead guilty to acting as Beijing’s agent

    A California man, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, has agreed to plead guilty to charges of acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government while serving as a campaign advisor for a local politician in Southern California. Sun, a Chinese citizen legally residing in the U.S., is expected to appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday to enter his plea under a deal with federal prosecutors. The agreement, signed earlier this month by Sun, his attorney, and a prosecutor, stipulates that Sun could face a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison if the plea is accepted by a judge.

    According to the plea deal, Sun admitted to acting as a foreign agent on behalf of the People’s Republic of China from 2022 to 2024 without notifying the U.S. attorney general, as required by law. The case against Sun was filed during President Joe Biden’s administration amid growing concerns that the Chinese government had established a network of operatives to influence local U.S. elections to install politicians favorable to Beijing. Sun was accused of conspiring with Chen Jun, who was previously sentenced to 20 months in prison for similar charges.

    Sun allegedly received instructions from Chinese government officials to post pro-Beijing content on a website he co-managed with another individual, who later became a successful local candidate in 2022. Sun served as a campaign advisor for this individual and drafted a report for Chinese officials seeking funding and assignments for further pro-Beijing activities. The individual involved has not been named in court documents.

    Sun was listed as a campaign treasurer for Arcadia City Council candidate Eileen Wang in February 2022, according to city records. Arcadia, a city northeast of Los Angeles with a significant Asian population, has stated that Sun had no official affiliation with the city. Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto confirmed that Wang has not been charged and plans to cooperate with federal officials. Messages left for Wang at Arcadia City Hall have not yet been returned.

  • Japan’s first female PM prepares her Cabinet

    Japan’s first female PM prepares her Cabinet

    In a historic turn of events, Sanae Takaichi has been elected as Japan’s first female prime minister, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s political landscape. The 64-year-old leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured her position after a decisive victory in the Lower House elections, garnering 237 votes against her closest rival, Yoshihiko Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, who managed 149 votes. This was followed by a successful runoff in the Upper House, where she secured 125 votes, meeting the constitutional requirement for leadership. Takaichi’s ascension comes at a critical juncture for the LDP, which has faced consecutive electoral defeats, leading to a minority status in both houses of the Diet. To bolster her government, Takaichi has formed a coalition with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), whose 35 Lower House votes were pivotal in her election. The new coalition has pledged to focus on national revival and self-sustainability. As Takaichi prepares to assemble her cabinet, expectations are high for her to navigate Japan through both domestic and international challenges. Her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned after 386 days in office, expressed gratitude for public support and urged continued backing for the new administration. Takaichi’s leadership is anticipated to bring a fresh perspective to Japan’s governance, with her cabinet formation expected to reflect her commitment to innovation and resilience.

  • Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s Iron Lady 2.0

    Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s Iron Lady 2.0

    Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative and admirer of Margaret Thatcher, has made history by becoming Japan’s first female prime minister. Appointed by parliament on Tuesday, Takaichi’s rise to power comes amid significant political and economic challenges for the country. Her leadership, however, is not seen as a feminist milestone but rather as a continuation of her hardline stance on defense, economic security, and immigration. Takaichi, a former economic security minister, has been a vocal critic of China and a supporter of Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of strengthening security ties between Taipei and Tokyo. She has also been a regular visitor to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, though she recently toned down her rhetoric on China and avoided a festival at the shrine. Takaichi’s political journey is marked by her conservative views on gender, including her opposition to revising a 19th-century law requiring married couples to share the same surname. Despite this, she has vowed to improve the gender balance in her cabinet to ‘Nordic’ levels, addressing Japan’s poor ranking in gender equality. Takaichi’s policies echo those of her mentor, Shinzo Abe, including aggressive monetary easing and big fiscal spending, which could unsettle markets. Her tough stance on immigration and foreign influence is seen as an attempt to regain voters lost to a new nationalist party. On tariffs, Takaichi has indicated she will push for renegotiations with the United States if the current deal is deemed harmful to Japan.

  • Magnitude 5.3 earthquake hits south Iran; no effect in UAE

    Magnitude 5.3 earthquake hits south Iran; no effect in UAE

    A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 struck southern Iran on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, according to the National Seismic Network of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The tremor occurred at 12:02 PM UAE time, with its epicenter located at a depth of 10 kilometers. Despite the significant magnitude, the quake was not felt by residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and no adverse effects were reported in the region. The NCM confirmed that the seismic activity had no impact on the UAE, ensuring public safety and normalcy. This event follows a series of recent earthquakes in Iran, including a 5.5-magnitude quake on September 13 and a 5.2-magnitude tremor on September 14. Additionally, a more substantial 5.9-magnitude earthquake had shaken southern Iran in August, with tremors felt as far north as the country’s northern regions. Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely, emphasizing preparedness and public awareness.

  • Over 300,000 migratory birds expected to flock to China’s Guangdong

    Over 300,000 migratory birds expected to flock to China’s Guangdong

    South China’s Guangdong province is set to welcome an extraordinary natural spectacle as more than 300,000 migratory birds are expected to arrive during the autumn and winter migration season. According to the provincial forestry administration, these birds will flock to coastal mudflats, inland wetlands, and nature reserves across the region, underscoring Guangdong’s pivotal role in global bird migration routes. The migration season, which began in August as temperatures in North China dropped, sees Guangdong serving as a crucial stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. The peak period for bird migration through Guangdong spans from September to November, as highlighted by Zhang Qiang, deputy director of the Institute of Zoology at the Guangdong Academy of Sciences. With its extensive 4,114-kilometer coastline—the longest in China—and vast red mangrove forests, Guangdong offers abundant food resources, making it an ideal habitat for a diverse range of species. Historically, the province has recorded 584 species of wild birds, 412 of which are migratory. This annual event not only showcases the region’s ecological richness but also emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts to protect these vital habitats.