Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Striking the right note to advance climate change action

    Striking the right note to advance climate change action

    Despite significant logistical hurdles, Chinese participants at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, demonstrated remarkable resilience and creativity in advancing global climate dialogue through unconventional mediums including music, gaming, and traditional art.

    The journey to COP30 proved exceptionally challenging for many Chinese delegates. Yang Yuntong, a senior sustainability official at Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, endured a 10-hour travel ordeal instead of the planned three-hour flight from Sao Paulo to Belem, resulting in missed speaking engagements. Undeterred, she delivered her climate messages via recorded videos while stranded at the airport. This experience was not isolated—many Chinese attendees faced similar travel disruptions, including flight cancellations and even a venue evacuation due to a fire incident.

    Despite these challenges, Chinese organizations made significant impacts through innovative engagement methods. The Boke Foundation introduced its SDG Hero board game, an educational tool that transforms complex sustainability concepts into engaging gameplay. The multilingual game attracted substantial attention from global educators and delegates, serving as a prominent example of China’s cultural exports addressing global issues.

    Music emerged as another powerful bridge for climate communication. The Plant Technology Alliance presented a specially composed anthem, “Love Never Ends,” featuring collaborative performances by 123 children from over 100 countries. The song’s lyrics emphasize practical climate actions while promoting global unity. Cheng Dan, the alliance’s co-founder who composed the piece, noted that the musical initiative originated from inspiration gained at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

    Traditional Chinese art also played a role in cross-cultural dialogue. Jiang Xinyu, a Tsinghua University representative, conducted well-attended workshops on classical Chinese landscape painting, using Fan Kuan’s Northern Song Dynasty masterpiece “Travelers Among Mountains and Streams” to illustrate philosophical perspectives on humanity’s relationship with nature. The sessions attracted standing-room-only crowds, demonstrating art’s ability to transcend cultural boundaries.

    Beyond cultural exchanges, the challenging journey to Belem fostered unexpected camaraderie among Chinese participants. Liu Shuo, climate director at Onewo Space-Tech Service, noted that the shared travel difficulties created strong bonds that laid groundwork for future collaborations in climate initiatives, including her company’s Zero-Carbon Partner Initiative.

    These diverse approaches collectively demonstrated China’s growing and multifaceted contribution to global climate discourse, moving beyond traditional diplomatic channels to create meaningful connections through cultural and educational exchanges.

  • Bureaucratic mishap delayed gun license for accused Bondi Beach shooter in Australia

    Bureaucratic mishap delayed gun license for accused Bondi Beach shooter in Australia

    A devastating antisemitic attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives has revealed significant deficiencies in Australia’s firearm licensing bureaucracy. The perpetrator, Sajid Akram, who was fatally shot by police during the December 14 rampage, legally owned six rifles and shotguns despite concerning circumstances that should have raised red flags.

    New South Wales Premier Chris Minns confirmed Tuesday that bureaucratic inefficiencies rather than security concerns caused the three-year delay in processing Akram’s firearm license application in 2000. The standard processing time typically ranges from six to ten weeks, indicating systemic failures within the licensing system.

    The tragedy has prompted urgent legislative action, with proposed reforms that would establish Australia’s toughest gun laws. The new measures include making Australian citizenship a prerequisite for firearm ownership, which would have excluded Akram as an Indian permanent resident. The proposed legislation also eliminates appeal rights for license denials based on security agency recommendations and imposes strict limits on firearm ownership—four guns for recreational shooters and ten for farmers and sports shooters.

    Court documents reveal the Akrams adhered to a “religiously motivated ideology linked to Islamic State,” adding complexity to the security implications. The younger Akram, Naveed, who participated in the attack, had previously been investigated by Australian Security Intelligence Organization in 2019 for extremist connections.

    The state government has initiated a royal commission to examine both the massacre circumstances and the surge of antisemitism in Australia since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. As victims’ funerals continue and twelve wounded remain hospitalized—four in critical condition—the nation confronts its worst mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy that previously catalyzed Australia’s landmark gun reform legislation.

  • South Korea lawmakers pass bill to establish rebellion courts after complaints about Yoon case

    South Korea lawmakers pass bill to establish rebellion courts after complaints about Yoon case

    South Korea’s National Assembly has enacted significant judicial legislation on Tuesday, establishing specialized court panels to handle cases involving rebellion, treason, and foreign subversion. The bill passed with overwhelming support in a 175-2 vote, though it faced substantial opposition from conservative lawmakers who boycotted the proceedings.

    The newly approved legislation mandates that both Seoul Central District Court and Seoul High Court must constitute at least two specialized judicial panels, each composed of a three-judge bench selected by the courts’ judicial councils. This structural reform responds to mounting concerns regarding the handling of high-profile cases, particularly the ongoing rebellion trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

    Notably, the final version of the bill contains crucial modifications from its original draft. Lawmakers amended the language to explicitly exclude ongoing trials from its jurisdiction, addressing criticisms that the initial proposal potentially compromised judicial independence. This compromise means the legislation will not affect Yoon’s current legal proceedings, which are expected to conclude with a verdict in early 2026.

    The legislative process encountered significant obstacles, including a 24-hour filibuster by Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the conservative People Power Party. Conservative opponents maintained that the bill remained unconstitutional despite revisions and accused the Democratic Party of attempting to influence judicial outcomes. Following the vote, conservative leaders urged President Lee Jae Myung to exercise his veto power.

    The political context surrounding this legislation stems from the dramatic events of December 2024, when then-President Yoon declared martial law against what he termed “anti-state” liberal forces. Yoon was subsequently removed from office in April and re-arrested in July following an unsuccessful power consolidation attempt. He now faces multiple severe charges, including rebellion, which carries potential penalties of life imprisonment or capital punishment.

    The Democratic Party has consistently criticized the handling of Yoon’s case, particularly targeting Judge Jee Kui-youn of Seoul Central District Court. Liberals expressed dissatisfaction with the pacing of proceedings and questioned the traditional practice of random judge assignment for cases of exceptional national importance. Tensions escalated when other judges rejected arrest warrants for key figures associated with Yoon, including former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and senior conservative lawmaker Choo Kyung-ho.

  • Asian shares climb after US stocks rise at the start of a holiday-shortened week

    Asian shares climb after US stocks rise at the start of a holiday-shortened week

    Asian equity markets exhibited divergent trends on Tuesday as regional investors navigated a holiday-shortened trading week while monitoring currency movements and economic indicators. The trading session unfolded against a backdrop of Wall Street gains and heightened anticipation for key U.S. economic data releases.

    Japanese markets experienced notable pressure as the Nikkei 225 dipped 0.1% to 50,359.78, coinciding with the yen’s strengthening against the dollar. This currency movement followed explicit warnings from Tokyo officials regarding potential intervention should the yen exhibit excessive weakness. The dollar-yen exchange rate settled at 156.03, down significantly from Monday’s 157.04 level, while the euro strengthened to $1.1777.

    Regional performance varied considerably across Asian bourses. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 outperformed with a robust 1.1% surge to 8,795.70, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.3% to reach 4,117.15. China’s Shanghai Composite edged marginally higher by 0.1% to 3,920.16, though Hong Kong’s Hang Seng relinquished early advances to close 0.1% lower at 25,762.64. Taiwan’s Taiex posted a respectable 0.6% advance, while India’s Sensex remained essentially flat.

    The commodity sector witnessed significant movements as gold prices climbed nearly 1% to unprecedented levels, reaching $4,512.40 amid expectations of forthcoming Federal Reserve rate reductions. Silver similarly achieved record territory with a 1.2% increase. Conversely, oil prices retreated slightly early Tuesday after previous session gains, with U.S. benchmark crude declining 23 cents to $57.78 per barrel and Brent crude falling 22 cents to $61.85.

    Market participants awaited crucial U.S. economic reports scheduled for release during the abbreviated trading week, including third-quarter GDP estimates, weekly jobless claims data, and December consumer confidence figures. These indicators are expected to provide further insight into the American economic trajectory amid concerns about persistent inflation, moderating employment conditions, and weakened retail sales.

    Corporate developments included substantial gains for ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft, both advancing over 2.5% following announcements regarding planned robotaxi services in London. Media sector activity intensified as Paramount Skydance elevated its takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery with substantial financial backing from Oracle founder Larry Ellison, resulting in a 4.3% share price increase.

  • ‘A miracle’: Officer shot in head during Bondi attack home from hospital

    ‘A miracle’: Officer shot in head during Bondi attack home from hospital

    SYDNEY – Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, the rookie police officer critically wounded during the Bondi Beach terror attack, has been discharged from hospital to continue his recovery at home. The 22-year-old officer, merely four months into his service, was providing security at a Hanukkah celebration when two assailants opened fire in an assault that claimed 15 lives and left over 40 injured.

    Hibbert sustained severe injuries from gunshot wounds to his head and shoulder during the November incident. While medical complications have resulted in permanent vision loss in one eye, his family expressed profound gratitude for his survival and release in time for Christmas celebrations, describing the homecoming as ‘nothing short of miraculous.’

    In an official statement, Hibbert’s relatives extended their appreciation for the overwhelming public support and commended healthcare professionals for their exceptional dedication. They emphasized that despite his discharge, the young constable requires continued space and positive encouragement throughout his rehabilitation journey.

    Eyewitness accounts from fellow officers present during the atrocity reveal Hibbert’s extraordinary bravery, with multiple colleagues testifying that he continued assisting festival attendees despite his critical injuries. ‘Rather than retreating from danger, Jack advanced toward those in need until his physical capabilities were exhausted,’ the family statement detailed.

    NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who visited Hibbert during his hospitalization, characterized the probationary officer as an exceptionally positive individual. The police force has committed to providing comprehensive support and identifying suitable duties upon Hibbert’s eventual return to service.

    The second injured officer, Constable Scott Dyson (25), remains hospitalized according to the latest police assessment. Court documents unsealed this week allege the attackers – 24-year-old Naveed Akram (now facing 59 charges including murder and terrorism offenses) and his father Sajid Akram (fatally shot by responders) – conducted months of meticulous planning, including a reconnaissance visit to Bondi Beach two days prior to the assault. Security authorities have classified the violence as an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.

  • Team official investigates drinking of England cricketers on Ashes tour as Duckett video emerges

    Team official investigates drinking of England cricketers on Ashes tour as Duckett video emerges

    MELBOURNE, Australia — England’s men’s cricket managing director Rob Key has announced a formal investigation into the team’s drinking patterns during the Ashes tour following concerning social media footage that surfaced this week. The inquiry comes amid England’s disappointing performance, having lost the first three Tests against Australia, resulting in Australia retaining the Ashes in just 11 days of play.

    The controversy centers around the team’s scheduled break at the Noosa beach resort on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast between the second and third Tests. While the break was intended as a planned relaxation period during the lengthy tour, videos circulating on social platform X (formerly Twitter) appear to show concerning behavior from players.

    One particularly troubling video depicts opening batsman Ben Duckett in a seemingly disoriented state, unable to recall directions to his hotel when questioned by a woman. Another clip shows squad member Jacob Bethell, who hasn’t participated in the Test series, dancing in a local club.

    The England and Wales Cricket Board has acknowledged the circulating content, stating they will refrain from further commentary until completing a factual assessment of the situation.

    Duckett’s on-field performance has notably declined throughout the series, with his highest score reaching just 29 runs across six innings—a significant drop from his usual form that previously yielded six Test centuries. His third Test performance proved particularly disappointing, being bowled by Nathan Lyon after showing brief promise and lasting just two deliveries in the second innings.

    Key, who did not accompany the team to Noosa, expressed that while he initially had no concerns about the break, excessive drinking would warrant serious attention. ‘If evidence emerges that our players consumed alcohol excessively, we will certainly examine those circumstances,’ Key stated from Melbourne, where the fourth Test begins Friday. ‘Heavy drinking has no place in professional cricket at any stage.’

    The managing director noted that preliminary reports suggest players behaved appropriately, enjoying meals with moderate alcohol consumption and avoiding late-night outings. However, he emphasized that any behavior exceeding these parameters would be treated as a serious matter.

    This incident follows previous alcohol-related concerns during England’s New Zealand tour preceding the Ashes, where limited-overs captain Harry Brook and Bethell were spotted socializing before a one-day international. Key addressed that situation through informal warnings rather than formal disciplinary action, describing it as ‘a necessary wake-up call’ for professional standards.

    Key concluded that while players may responsibly enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, any consumption beyond that level would be considered unacceptable for international athletes representing their country.

  • From daunting debut to title dreams: Maura Duggan and The A Team target UGC laurels

    From daunting debut to title dreams: Maura Duggan and The A Team target UGC laurels

    The Ultimate Golf Challenge (UGC) has emerged as one of the United Arab Emirates’ most captivating amateur team tournaments, with Irish golfer Maura Duggan’s journey epitomizing the event’s competitive spirit and camaraderie. In Season 2, Duggan made her debut with The A Team, owned by Aman and Ayesha Chopra, forming a formidable partnership with fellow female golfer Nonita Chand. Their stylish and highly competitive squad narrowly missed claiming the championship, falling to Noble Legacy Masters in a tightly contested finale.

    Reflecting on her inaugural UGC experience, Duggan described initial apprehensions: ‘It was genuinely daunting having heard about Season One’s intensity. Meeting teammates at Aman’s house and understanding their expectations after their third-place previous finish added pressure.’ However, the tournament’s organization and welcoming atmosphere quickly alleviated her concerns. ‘The Ultimate Challenge is impeccably organized with no external pressures beyond playing your best game. Opponents were incredibly friendly yet competitively focused.’

    The team’s silver medal achievement represented a remarkable comeback after disappointing initial rounds. ‘We were thoroughly depressed after rounds one and two,’ Duggan recalled. ‘But our final round surge to second place provided one of my golfing career’s highlights—hearing our team named for silver medals generated an incredible buzz.’

    Being selected among Aman Chopra’s ‘Forever Eight’ direct picks carried profound significance for Duggan. ‘Aman’s confidence in players is absolute. His hands-on approach extends to every detail—from hat selection to daily shirt colors—creating unparalleled team cohesion. His loyalty to retaining top performers during player auctions demonstrates exceptional leadership.’

    With Season 3 scheduled for 2026, Duggan and The A Team approach the competition with renewed determination. ‘Our aspiration is unequivocally gold—we’ve achieved third and second places, leaving victory as the only remaining objective,’ she stated. ‘Last year’s experience will prove invaluable when competing alongside players of varying abilities. The strategy remains focusing on individual performance while maximizing point accumulation for team success.’

    The A Team’s distinctive culture, built on trust, loyalty and dedicated ownership, positions them as formidable contenders for the upcoming season. As Duggan prepares to don the team jersey again, her combination of talent, dedication and team spirit embodies the tournament’s growing prestige in UAE’s amateur golf landscape.

  • Pakistan seals $4bn arms deal to sell Chinese warplanes to Libya’s Khalifa Haftar: Report

    Pakistan seals $4bn arms deal to sell Chinese warplanes to Libya’s Khalifa Haftar: Report

    Pakistan has finalized a landmark $4.6 billion military agreement to supply advanced weaponry to General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA), a move that could dramatically shift Libya’s military equilibrium. The deal, confirmed during Pakistani military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Benghazi, represents Pakistan’s largest arms export agreement in history.

    The comprehensive arms package includes 16 JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jets—jointly developed by Pakistan and China—along with 12 Super Mushak trainer aircraft, plus additional land, sea, and air equipment to be delivered over a two-and-a-half-year period. This transaction significantly enhances Haftar’s military capabilities in eastern Libya, where he controls territory opposed to the UN-recognized government in Tripoli led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.

    Field Marshal Munir’s visit featured symbolic rhetoric, with the military leader referencing Libyan resistance hero Omar al-Mukhtar and declaring that ‘Libya is a land of lions’ during an address to LNA officers. The agreement consolidates Pakistan’s growing role as an arms exporter while potentially complicating its diplomatic relationships, particularly with Turkey, which supports the Tripoli government and maintains close security ties with Pakistan.

    The deal emerges against a backdrop of prolonged conflict in Libya, where Haftar’s failed 2019 offensive on Tripoli was backed by UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Russia. Meanwhile, Turkey intervened to defend the western-based government. Recent years have seen shifting alliances, with Gulf states establishing ties to Tripoli while Turkey has engaged in outreach to Haftar through his son Saddam, who met with Munir during the Benghazi visit.

    Pakistan’s cash-strapped government is actively pursuing arms exports, leveraging military technology tested in conflicts with India. The transaction occurs despite a UN arms embargo imposed on Libya since 2011 and may strain Pakistan’s relationship with Turkey, even as Islamabad’s ties with the United States have improved following high-level meetings between Pakistani officials and former President Donald Trump.

  • Amazon blocks 1,800 job applications from suspected North Korean agents

    Amazon blocks 1,800 job applications from suspected North Korean agents

    Amazon’s Chief Security Officer Stephen Schmidt has revealed that the technology conglomerate successfully intercepted over 1,800 job applications from suspected North Korean operatives attempting to infiltrate remote IT positions. In a detailed LinkedIn post, Schmidt exposed how these individuals utilized stolen or fabricated identities to secure employment within American companies, with the ultimate goal of diverting wages to fund Pyongyang’s weapons development programs.

    The sophisticated operation involves North Korean agents collaborating with ‘laptop farm’ operators—clusters of computers physically located in the United States but controlled remotely from abroad. Schmidt noted a concerning 30% surge in such fraudulent applications over the past year, indicating an escalating trend affecting the broader technology sector.

    Amazon’s defense strategy employs a dual-layered approach combining artificial intelligence screening tools with human verification processes to identify suspicious patterns. Schmidt highlighted evolving tactics including the hijacking of dormant LinkedIn accounts through compromised credentials and the targeting of legitimate software engineers to enhance credibility.

    This revelation follows significant Justice Department actions, including the June disclosure of 29 illegal laptop farms operated across the U.S. and the recent sentencing of an Arizona woman to eight years imprisonment for facilitating North Korean IT workers’ access to over 300 American companies. The scheme allegedly generated approximately $17 million in illicit revenue for both the operatives and the North Korean regime.

    Security experts warn that this represents a systematic, industry-wide threat requiring enhanced vigilance in hiring practices, particularly regarding discrepancies in phone number formatting and educational background inconsistencies.

  • Some Afghans told to attend government check-ins on Christmas, New Year’s Day

    Some Afghans told to attend government check-ins on Christmas, New Year’s Day

    In a controversial move, U.S. immigration authorities have scheduled mandatory document check-ins for at least two Afghan evacuees on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day—both federal holidays when legal resources are typically limited. The advocacy group #AfghanEvac revealed these unusual scheduling practices, expressing concern that they may be designed to limit access to due process protections.

    The situation occurs amid the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on immigration, particularly affecting Afghan nationals who assisted American forces during the two-decade war. Immigration experts fear these holiday check-ins could be used to detain individuals for deportation, as has become increasingly common during routine appointments where masked federal agents sometimes take immigrants to undisclosed locations.

    #AfghanEvac President Shawn VanDiver is urging affected Afghans to contact his organization for support, noting that lawyers generally advise attendance at all check-ins regardless of timing to avoid immediate deportation orders. The group is currently gathering information to determine the scope of this practice across the immigration system.

    The political context includes significant policy shifts: the Trump administration eliminated the Operation Enduring Welcome program and the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, which previously supported Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) processing. While not officially ending the SIV program, these moves have drastically slowed processing for tens of thousands of applicants despite a federal court order to expedite cases.

    Additionally, the administration stripped Afghans of Temporary Protected Status earlier this summer, leaving over 11,000 individuals in legal limbo. Recent statements from President Trump following a shooting incident in Washington have further emphasized a restrictive approach toward Afghan immigrants, with calls to re-examine all entries since the Biden administration and remove those deemed not beneficial to the country.

    The Department of Homeland Security has implemented extensive screening measures, including putting asylum processing on hold and conducting full-scale reexaminations of Green Cards from designated high-risk countries. A new vetting center was announced in December to enhance screening with focus on identifying potential threats.

    According to data, USCIS has referred over 14,400 immigrants to ICE since January 20, with at least 2,400 arrests occurring at its offices. Approximately 70,000 Afghans have arrived in the U.S. since the August 2021 withdrawal, with another 260,000 awaiting processing through various immigration channels amid significant backlogs.