Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Ministry warns schools not to cut physical education classes

    Ministry warns schools not to cut physical education classes

    In a significant move to prioritize student wellness, China’s Ministry of Education has launched a stringent ‘health first’ initiative targeting educational institutions that reduce physical education classes or restrict outdoor activities during breaks. This crackdown comes alongside newly released data demonstrating remarkable improvements in national student fitness metrics over the past decade.

    During a high-level meeting convened in Beijing, education officials revealed that all provincial-level regions have now fully implemented policies guaranteeing primary and secondary students receive minimum two hours of daily physical activity, including mandated 15-minute inter-class breaks. The comprehensive approach represents a paradigm shift in educational priorities, placing physical wellbeing alongside academic achievement.

    The ministry’s report highlighted substantial workforce expansion, with physical education teachers in compulsory education increasing by 71.6% since 2012, while arts educators grew by 60.9% during the same period. These staffing investments have yielded measurable results: the 2024 National Student Physical Health Survey indicates a 9.3 percentage point improvement in overall excellence rates for physical health across all educational levels since 2016.

    Notable progress has been achieved in combating youth myopia, with national rates declining consistently for four consecutive years (2021-2024), reaching 50.3% in 2024. This achievement meets the government’s annual target of reducing myopia prevalence by 0.5 percentage points each year.

    Concurrently, school food safety management has been substantially enhanced, with 99.9% of institutions now monitored through a comprehensive online surveillance system covering kitchen operations and meal preparation facilities.

    Looking toward 2026, the ministry plans intensified efforts focusing particularly on kindergarten and primary school levels. Strategic measures will include guaranteed outdoor activity time, restricted electronic device usage, and improved classroom lighting conditions to alleviate visual strain.

    The ministry issued explicit warnings against ‘fake curricula’—schedules that appear compliant but aren’t implemented—and vowed rigorous investigation of any practices that compromise physical education requirements or prevent students from accessing outdoor spaces during designated break times.

  • Sudan’s Hemedti closely linked to Dubai property portfolio

    Sudan’s Hemedti closely linked to Dubai property portfolio

    A comprehensive investigation has uncovered substantial Dubai real estate holdings valued at approximately $1.7 million connected to Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. The findings, documented in a recent report from investigative organization The Sentry, reveal a complex network of property transactions and corporate entities that allegedly serve to conceal the assets of the Sudanese military leader known as Hemedti.

    The investigation identifies three residential apartments in Dubai’s eastern suburbs, purchased by Hemedti in March 2020 near the UAE’s al-Minhad military air base, along with commercial property in the emirate. Although initially acquired under his personal name, these assets were subsequently transferred in July 2022 to Prodigious Real Estate Management Supervision Services, a UAE-registered entity.

    Prodigious is wholly owned by Abo Zer Abdelnabi Habiballa Ahmmed (also known as Abozer Habib), whom the US Treasury sanctioned in 2025 as owner of the Capital Tap group. This conglomerate has longstanding connections to the RSF, with constituent companies allegedly providing financial and military equipment to the paramilitary force.

    The report estimates the three Dubai properties associated with Hemedti at nearly $1 million, while Prodigious maintains additional commercial holdings worth approximately $670,000. Between 2023 and 2025, these properties generated minimum annual rental income of $80,000 from tenants unaware of their landlords’ connections to the Sudanese conflict.

    The investigation utilized leaked Dubai property records from 2020 and 2022 obtained by the Centre for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS), with verification support from the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

    These findings emerge amid mounting evidence of substantial ties between the UAE and the RSF, despite official denials from Abu Dhabi. The relationship predates Sudan’s April 2023 conflict, with Hemedti previously acknowledging that Sudan provided 30,000 fighters—primarily from RSF ranks—to support the UAE and Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.

    The report further details a sophisticated gold smuggling operation from RSF-controlled territories in Sudan’s Darfur region to UAE markets through multiple transit routes. Companies including US-sanctioned Al-Junaid, along with UAE-based Glow Gold and AZ Gold, facilitate this trade that international statistics indicate has recently experienced a ‘massive surge’ through Kenya.

    Hemedti’s corporate empire reportedly extends beyond real estate and gold to include livestock, construction, tourism, and banking sectors, with previous connections to multinational companies such as UAE-based Tradive General Trading and Aoun Commercial Brokers.

  • Indian students in Iran seek help as March exams prevent return amid tensions

    Indian students in Iran seek help as March exams prevent return amid tensions

    Hundreds of Indian medical students pursuing education in Iranian universities find themselves caught between academic obligations and safety concerns as regional tensions persist. Primarily hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, these scholars report mounting anxiety as their crucial March examinations approach without postponement announcements from academic institutions.

    The academic impasse presents students with a difficult choice: either remain in Iran to complete their examinations or return home and potentially sacrifice an entire academic year. Despite operational flight services, uncertainty regarding the evolving geopolitical landscape has created significant distress among both students and their families back in India.

    The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has formally intervened by petitioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration for diplomatic assistance. The association specifically requests government engagement with Iranian authorities and educational institutions to negotiate examination postponements, thereby enabling concerned students to return home without academic penalty.

    Bilal Bhat, a medical student currently in Iran, conveyed via digital communication that while daily life continues normally, the underlying tension has substantially increased anxiety levels. ‘We want to return home since our families are naturally concerned,’ Bhat stated. ‘However, without exam postponement clarity, we risk compromising our entire academic progress.’

    Another student, identified as Musafid, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the community’s dual focus on safety and educational continuity. Mohammad Momin Khan, President of J&K AIMSA, clarified that students seek diplomatic mediation rather than immediate evacuation, hoping for academic schedule adjustments that account for the current exceptional circumstances.

    Families across India maintain vigilant observation of developments, hoping for resolution that ensures both student safety and educational preservation. The student community remains in a cautious waiting pattern, balancing academic responsibilities against growing safety apprehensions.

  • Magnitude 5.5 earthquake hits Afghanistan-Tajikistan border

    Magnitude 5.5 earthquake hits Afghanistan-Tajikistan border

    A notable seismic event registering 5.5 magnitude on the Richter scale occurred along the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region on Wednesday, according to data from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The substantial tremor originated at a considerable depth of approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles) beneath the Earth’s surface, which typically reduces surface impact while potentially widening the geographical area that experiences the quake. The remote, mountainous terrain where the seismic activity was centered presents significant challenges for immediate damage assessment and emergency response coordination. Earthquakes are relatively common in this seismically active region where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, creating complex geological pressures that periodically release through such events. International seismic monitoring networks continue to track aftershock potential while regional authorities remain on alert for possible infrastructure damage or humanitarian needs in the affected border communities. The depth of this particular quake may have mitigated more severe surface destruction that typically accompanies shallower seismic events of similar magnitude.

  • 3 scientists were charged in worm smuggling scheme. Lawyers say China helped get the case dismissed

    3 scientists were charged in worm smuggling scheme. Lawyers say China helped get the case dismissed

    In a significant reversal, federal prosecutors in Detroit have abruptly dismissed all charges against three Chinese research scholars from the University of Michigan following high-level diplomatic intervention from China’s government. The case, initially touted as a national security victory by U.S. officials, involved allegations of smuggling biological materials that ultimately proved to be harmless laboratory organisms.

    Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang faced federal charges including conspiracy and making false statements to authorities for their alleged involvement in receiving improperly labeled packages containing transparent microscopic worms from colleague Chengxuan Han. The scientists endured over three months of detention before the unexpected dismissal on February 5 at the Justice Department’s request.

    Defense attorneys revealed that diplomatic channels between the Chinese Consulate in Chicago and U.S. authorities led to the resolution. ‘We received notification that China was negotiating with the U.S. over these three students,’ stated defense attorney Ray Cassar, emphasizing that the researchers were PhD candidates whose careers would have been irreparably damaged by continued prosecution.

    The biological materials in question were identified as C. elegans worms, commonly used in scientific research for studying chemical reactions and light sensitivity. Legal representatives maintained there was no malicious intent, attributing the improper labeling to concerns about customs delays rather than concealment of hazardous materials.

    This development follows the earlier resolution of related cases involving Chinese researchers. Chengxuan Han pleaded no contest to smuggling charges and was deported after three months incarceration, while Yunqing Jian faced similar charges involving plant fungus before being deported after five months custody. Independent experts who reviewed the evidence confirmed the materials posed no risk to U.S. security.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on China’s role in the case dismissal, while the Chinese Consulate did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The resolution highlights the complex intersection of scientific collaboration, immigration policy, and international diplomacy in an increasingly interconnected research landscape.

  • Beijing ports see surge in travel during Spring Festival holiday

    Beijing ports see surge in travel during Spring Festival holiday

    Beijing’s international ports experienced a significant uptick in passenger traffic during the recent Spring Festival holiday period, recording approximately 566,000 inbound and outbound movements between February 15 and February 22, 2026. This represents an 11 percent increase compared to the same festive period last year, according to official data released by the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

    The travel surge reached its peak on February 22, when border authorities processed more than 73,000 crossings in a single day. The heightened activity has been largely attributed to China’s recently implemented visa facilitation measures, including temporary visa-free entry privileges extended to ordinary passport holders from several nations including Canada and the United Kingdom during the holiday season.

    Foreign national entries showed particularly robust growth, with Beijing ports handling 101,000 international trips—a striking 42.3 percent year-on-year increase. Notably, over 30,000 of these entries were made under visa-exemption or temporary entry permit arrangements, doubling the figures from the previous year’s Spring Festival period.

    Meanwhile, outbound travel enthusiasm among mainland Chinese residents remained strong, with more than 437,000 travelers passing through Beijing’s ports. Regional destinations including South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore continued to rank as preferred choices for holidaymakers seeking nearby international experiences.

  • Indian PM Modi arrives in Israel; aims to boost defence and trade ties

    Indian PM Modi arrives in Israel; aims to boost defence and trade ties

    In a landmark diplomatic engagement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced an official state visit to Israel on Wednesday, marking his second trip to the nation since 2017. The Indian leader was personally received at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling the elevated importance both nations attach to this bilateral engagement.

    The two-day visit represents a significant milestone in Indo-Israeli relations, with Prime Minister Modi becoming the first Indian head of government to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliamentary body. The itinerary includes comprehensive discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu focusing on enhanced defense collaboration and expanded trade partnerships, alongside an official meeting with President Isaac Herzog.

    Strategic cooperation forms the cornerstone of this diplomatic initiative, with both nations seeking to establish what Netanyahu described as ‘an axis of nations committed to stability and progress.’ The leaders will explore advanced security partnerships and technological innovation exchanges during their extended dialogues.

    A private dinner hosted by Netanyahu for Modi on Wednesday evening will provide an informal setting for further relationship building. Prior to his departure, Modi emphasized through social media channels that India profoundly values its ‘enduring friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation, and shared commitment to peace and progress.’

    This visit occurs against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia, with both nations positioning themselves as complementary powers in technology, defense manufacturing, and economic innovation. The strengthened partnership reflects a strategic recalibration as both countries face regional security challenges while pursuing technological advancement and economic growth.

  • Police arrest man, search for another after ‘axe and knife’ carried into Manchester mosque

    Police arrest man, search for another after ‘axe and knife’ carried into Manchester mosque

    A swift response from worshippers at Manchester Central Mosque prevented a potentially dangerous situation on Tuesday evening when two armed individuals entered the religious premises during late prayers. According to authorities, congregants discovered an axe, knife, and hammer in a large bag carried by one suspect before detaining him until police arrival.

    Greater Manchester Police confirmed the arrest of a man in his 40s on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon following reports of suspicious activity at the mosque. Police spokesperson Simon Nasim reported that while one individual was successfully apprehended, a second suspect managed to leave the premises before officers arrived and remains at large.

    The incident unfolded during evening worship sessions when attentive congregants noticed the suspicious behavior of the two men. Upon confrontation and discovery of the weapons, worshippers restrained one suspect in a secure room within the mosque complex while alerting authorities. Police emphasized that despite the alarming nature of the incident, no direct threats were made and no injuries occurred.

    In response to the event, Greater Manchester Police have intensified patrols in the surrounding area as investigations continue. Authorities reiterated their commitment to community safety, with Nasim stating: ‘There’s no place for weapons on our streets and we are committed to ensure all our communities feel safe to worship in peace.’

    Mosque representatives praised the quick thinking and responsible actions of their congregants, while also noting that British Muslims have faced increasing threats and hostility in recent years. The investigation continues as police work to locate the second suspect involved in Tuesday’s incident.

  • Israel killed most journalists worldwide in 2025

    Israel killed most journalists worldwide in 2025

    The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released a devastating report on Wednesday revealing that 2025 became the most lethal year for media professionals since the organization began documenting casualties over thirty years ago. With a record 129 journalists killed worldwide, Israel was responsible for approximately 86 deaths—representing nearly two-thirds of the global total.

    According to the press freedom watchdog, more than 60% of those killed by Israeli forces were Palestinian reporters operating in Gaza, where numerous human rights organizations and UN experts have acknowledged an ongoing genocide. The report highlighted that Israel’s unprecedented targeting of journalists resulted in back-to-back record years for press fatalities.

    The deadliest single incident occurred on August 25, when Israeli airstrikes conducted a ‘double-tap’ attack on Nasser hospital in southern Gaza, killing at least 20 people including five media staff—two of whom were journalists with Middle East Eye. This controversial tactic, which involves striking the same location twice after first responders and journalists have gathered at the scene, has been widely condemned by human rights experts and foreign governments.

    The CPJ report further noted a global increase in drone strikes against journalists, with Israel employing this method most frequently in 2025. Of the 39 documented drone-related journalist deaths worldwide, 28 were attributed to the Israeli military in Gaza.

    Israeli authorities routinely denied targeting journalists, claiming instead that they were militants posing as media personnel. Rights groups have dismissed these assertions as ‘smear campaigns,’ noting that Israel has provided no credible evidence to support these allegations.

    CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg emphasized the critical importance of protecting journalists, stating: ‘Journalists are being killed in record numbers at a time when access to information is more important than ever. Attacks on the media are a leading indicator of attacks on other freedoms, and much more needs to be done to prevent these killings and punish the perpetrators.’

    Israel has maintained a ban on international media entering Gaza independently since the conflict began in October 2023, a restriction that remained in place even after the ceasefire agreement took effect last October. Consequently, nearly all on-the-ground reporting during the genocide has been conducted by Palestinian journalists working under extreme conditions—including displacement, limited access to humanitarian aid, and intimidation of family members due to their journalistic work.

    The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate reported that the Israeli military has killed more than 700 family members of journalists since October 2023, noting that ‘the family has been transformed into a tool of pressure and collective punishment, violating the core principles of international humanitarian law.’

    Other countries with significant journalist fatalities included Sudan (9 deaths), Mexico (6), Russia (4), and the Philippines (3), with these five nations collectively responsible for 84% of all journalist killings in 2025.

  • Fujian coast guard conducts routine patrols in the waters near Jinmen

    Fujian coast guard conducts routine patrols in the waters near Jinmen

    The Fujian Coast Guard has initiated enhanced maritime surveillance operations in waters adjacent to Kinmen (Jinmen), a Taiwan-administered territory, marking a significant escalation in regional maritime enforcement activities. According to official statements released Wednesday, these patrols represent systematic efforts to strengthen administrative control over these contested waterways.

    Zhu Anqing, spokesperson for the Coast Guard’s East China Sea Bureau, confirmed the deployment of specialized vessel task forces throughout February to conduct continuous law enforcement missions. The operations are framed as protective measures aimed at safeguarding the lawful rights and security interests of all Chinese fishermen, including those operating from Taiwan region ports.

    Authorities emphasize these patrols serve dual purposes: ensuring safe navigation秩序 between Xiamen and Kinmen while reinforcing maritime legal frameworks. The Coast Guard characterizes these actions as necessary interventions to maintain standardized operational protocols and jurisdictional order in the strategically significant Taiwan Strait region. This development occurs amid ongoing tensions regarding maritime boundaries and fishing rights in East China Sea territories.