Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Duffy takes 5-42 as New Zealand bowls out the West Indies for 138 to win the 3rd test by 323 runs

    Duffy takes 5-42 as New Zealand bowls out the West Indies for 138 to win the 3rd test by 323 runs

    New Zealand secured a commanding 323-run victory against the West Indies in the third test at Mount Maunganui, concluding the three-match series with a 2-0 triumph. The decisive win came after the hosts bowled out the visitors for a mere 138 runs on a challenging fifth-day pitch that showed significant deterioration.

    Jacob Duffy emerged as the series hero, claiming 5-42 in the final innings and surpassing Richard Hadlee’s longstanding New Zealand record of 80 wickets in a calendar year. The pace bowler finished the series with 23 wickets at an impressive average of 15.4, including three five-wicket hauls. His remarkable consistency and endurance saw him bowl over 154 overs throughout the three tests, earning him the Player of the Series honor.

    The match witnessed extraordinary batting performances from New Zealand’s openers. Devon Conway scored 227 and 100 across both innings, while Tom Latham contributed 137 and 101, marking the first instance in test history where both openers scored centuries in each innings of a match. Their partnership totaled 515 runs, setting a new record for opening pairs. Conway also became the tenth test player and first New Zealander to achieve both a double-century and century in the same match.

    Both teams competed with significantly depleted pace attacks throughout the series. The West Indies missed Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, while New Zealand overcame injuries to Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Kyle Jamieson, Nathan Smith, and Blair Tickner.

    The final day’s play began with West Indies openers Brandon King (67) and John Campbell (16) showing resilience, but their dismissals within five balls triggered a collapse that saw five wickets fall before lunch. Duffy’s aggressive bowling proved particularly effective on the deteriorating pitch, with several deliveries lifting uncomfortably and creating challenges for the batsmen.

    Despite the loss, the West Indies demonstrated competitive spirit throughout the series, notably drawing the first test after batting 163.3 overs to reach 457-6 in pursuit of 531 runs—the highest fourth-innings score since tests were limited to five days.

  • DP World ILT20: Dubai Capitals clinch six-wicket victory over Gulf Giants

    DP World ILT20: Dubai Capitals clinch six-wicket victory over Gulf Giants

    In a dramatic turnaround at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium, Dubai Capitals clinched a decisive six-wicket victory against Gulf Giants in Sunday’s DP World ILT20 encounter. This crucial win propels the Capitals to second position in the tournament standings while extending the Giants’ losing streak to four consecutive matches.

    The match witnessed a spectacular bowling performance from Mustafizur Rahman, whose triple-wicket breakthrough in the 14th over dramatically shifted the game’s momentum. Despite a threatening 66-run partnership between James Vince (36 off 34) and Azmatullah Omarzai (43 off 26) that had positioned the Giants favorably, Rahman’s devastating spell triggered a collapse that restricted them to 156 all out.

    Chasing a modest target, the Capitals demonstrated strategic batting prowess. Shayan Jahangir anchored the innings with a composed 48 from 44 deliveries, providing crucial stability after early setbacks. The chase culminated in a spectacular finish as Rovman Powell’s unbeaten 47 from 31 balls, complemented by Mohammad Nabi’s explosive 25 not out from 14 deliveries, sealed the victory with four balls remaining.

    The Giants’ innings began promisingly with Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive 25 from 11 balls, but early breakthroughs from Haider Ali and Nabi left them struggling at 53-3 after the powerplay. The middle-order partnership between Vince and Omarzai offered temporary respite before Rahman’s intervention proved decisive. The Giants’ final hopes evaporated in a chaotic final over featuring three run-outs.

    Stand-in captain Mohammad Nabi praised the collective effort, highlighting Rahman’s game-changing over and Powell’s intelligent chase management. Opposite skipper James Vince acknowledged recurring patterns in his team’s performances, noting the tendency to lose multiple wickets in quick succession after establishing promising positions.

    Mustafizur Rahman deservedly earned Player of the Match honors for his match-defining bowling performance that ultimately shaped the contest’s outcome.

  • India denounces ‘misleading propaganda’ over Bangladeshi media reports after Delhi protests

    India denounces ‘misleading propaganda’ over Bangladeshi media reports after Delhi protests

    The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has formally addressed what it characterizes as misleading propaganda circulating within certain Bangladeshi media outlets regarding recent demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. The protests emerged in response to the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a youth in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, who was allegedly beaten to death by a mob over blasphemy accusations on December 18, with his body subsequently set ablaze.

    Official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified the nature of the gathering, stating that approximately 20-25 individuals assembled briefly on December 20 to voice their condemnation of the horrific incident and to advocate for the protection of minority communities in Bangladesh. The ministry emphasized that the demonstration posed no security threat to the diplomatic mission at any point, with local police dispersing the group within minutes without any attempts to breach the compound’s security perimeter.

    Reaffirming India’s dedication to international diplomatic protocols, the ministry highlighted its unwavering commitment to the Vienna Convention, which mandates the protection of foreign missions and diplomats. Jaiswal further noted that Indian authorities maintain ongoing communication with Bangladeshi officials, expressing serious concerns regarding the attacks on minorities and urging expedited justice for the perpetrators responsible for Das’s killing. The statement concluded with India’s intention to continue monitoring the situation closely as it develops.

  • Israel’s Ben Gvir proposes prison ‘encircled by crocodiles’ for Palestinians

    Israel’s Ben Gvir proposes prison ‘encircled by crocodiles’ for Palestinians

    Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has sparked international controversy with an extraordinary proposal to construct a detention facility surrounded by crocodiles for Palestinian prisoners. Israeli media outlet Channel 13 reported the unusual concept, which is currently under review by the Israel Prison Service as a potential deterrent against jailbreak attempts.

    The proposed facility would reportedly be situated near Hamat Gader, a hot springs resort in northern Israel’s occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The location already maintains a controlled alligator habitat, with plans to introduce additional crocodiles within a securely fenced enclosure to prevent escapes.

    Human rights advocates have condemned the proposal as extreme and dehumanizing. Orly Noy, chair of Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem, described the plan as “another grotesque example of the cannibal stage in which Israel is at right now.” Noy expressed concern about escalating security measures, noting that despite decades of physical barriers, public sense of security continues to deteriorate.

    The controversial proposal emerges alongside legislative efforts by Ben Gvir to implement capital punishment for Palestinian prisoners. The death penalty bill, currently advancing through the Knesset, would mandate execution for Palestinians convicted of planning or carrying out attacks, particularly those involved in the October 7, 2023 incidents. Notably, the legislation contains provisions that would exempt Israelis who kill Palestinians under similar circumstances.

    The bill requires two additional parliamentary readings before becoming law, with one scheduled for the coming week. These developments reflect increasingly hardline approaches to security and detention within Israel’s current political landscape, drawing criticism from human rights organizations and raising concerns about the treatment of Palestinian detainees.

  • In rebel-held Myanmar, civilians face devastating air strikes and a sham election

    In rebel-held Myanmar, civilians face devastating air strikes and a sham election

    In Myanmar’s western Chin State, a humanitarian catastrophe unfolds as thousands of civilians flee intensified military operations ahead of scheduled elections. Iang Za Kim, among those displaced, describes the terror of November 26 when airstrikes targeted her village of K-Haimual. ‘We thought the junta’s planes would bomb us too,’ she recounts, her voice trembling. ‘We grabbed what we could and ran into the jungles.’

    The military junta, which seized power in February 2021, has launched its most aggressive campaign in over three years to recapture rebel-held territories. The offensive combines aerial bombardments with ground operations, disproportionately affecting civilian infrastructure. According to the Chin Human Rights Organisation, at least three schools and six churches have been targeted since mid-September, resulting in 12 fatalities including six children.

    Verified evidence confirms the October 13 bombing of Vanha village school that killed two students—seven-year-old Johan Phun Lian Cung and twelve-year-old Zing Cer Mawi—during lessons. The military government has not responded to BBC’s inquiries regarding these allegations.

    Many displaced persons have crossed into India’s Mizoram state, finding temporary shelter in makeshift facilities like a repurposed badminton court in Vaphai village. Indian locals have provided basic sustenance, but conditions remain dire. Eighty-year-old Ral Uk Thang, having endured days in jungle shelters, states: ‘We’re afraid of our own government. They are extremely cruel.’

    The upcoming elections, scheduled to begin December 28, are widely condemned as illegitimate. With Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy barred from participation and most senior leaders imprisoned, civilians fear forced voting under threat of imprisonment and torture. ‘If we voted for a party not allied with the military, I believe they will steal our votes,’ Iang Za Kim asserts.

    Rebel groups characterize the electoral process as a sham designed to perpetuate military dictatorship. Sui Khar, Vice Chairman of the Chin National Front, notes the contradiction: ‘In Chin State, they hardly control much area, so how can they hold an election?’

    The human cost extends to combatants as well. At a rebel base hospital, eighteen-year-old Abel lies incapacitated after losing his right leg and sustaining severe hand injuries during recent fighting. Nearby, nineteen-year-old Si Si Maung, also amputated, declares: ‘I’ve lost a leg, but even if I’ve to give up my life I’m happy to make the sacrifice so that future generations have a better life.’

    Despite the overwhelming military advantage—with hundreds of soldiers supported by airstrikes, artillery, and drone units—the resistance continues its advance. Yet for elderly civilians like Ral Uk Thang, hope diminishes: ‘I don’t think I will live to see democracy restored in Myanmar. I hope my children and grandchildren can witness it some day.’

  • Celebrated matchmaker Priya Shah announces exclusive consultations in Dubai

    Celebrated matchmaker Priya Shah announces exclusive consultations in Dubai

    Dubai’s elite matrimonial market is set to receive exclusive access to one of the world’s most distinguished matchmaking experts as Priya Shah announces her return to the emirate for limited consultations from December 26, 2025, to January 4, 2026. The pioneering matchmaker, with over three decades of industry experience, will offer her premium services to high-net-worth families, business leaders, and professionals seeking discreet, personalized matchmaking solutions.

    With a career spanning 34 years since 1991, Shah has established herself as a trusted authority in premium matchmaking, serving prominent NRI and HNI families, industrialists, CEOs, and global professionals across India, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Her methodology combines deep cultural understanding with emotional intelligence, resulting in an exceptional track record of facilitating meaningful, lasting marriages.

    Dubai holds particular significance in Shah’s professional journey, with two decades of dedicated service to families across the UAE and wider Gulf region. Her commitment to privacy, precision, and personalized attention earned her dual recognition from the Dubai Government in 2025 for excellence in luxury matrimonial services and cross-border community relationship building.

    Beyond matchmaking, Shah founded India’s inaugural premium wedding publication, The Marriages of India, launched in 2004 with parliamentarian Hema Malini as chief guest. She is widely recognized for pioneering the ‘arranged love marriage’ concept, which harmoniously blends traditional values with modern compatibility assessment and emotional alignment.

    ‘Dubai feels like my second home,’ Shah remarked regarding her upcoming visit. ‘Families here have trusted me for years with their most important decisions. I provide absolute confidentiality, personal involvement in every match, and guidance not only for individuals but for entire families.’

    Her innovative approach merges human intuition with AI-powered compatibility tools, creating a contemporary framework that maintains cultural integrity. Due to the bespoke nature of her services, consultations during this period will be strictly limited and available exclusively through advance appointments.

  • Egypt lifts travel ban on activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah

    Egypt lifts travel ban on activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah

    Egyptian authorities have officially removed travel restrictions against prominent Egyptian-British political activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, enabling his international movement following years of imprisonment. The development occurred after his legal representative, Khaled Ali, formally petitioned for the ban’s revocation.

    This decision follows President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s September 22 presidential pardon that secured Abd el-Fattah’s release from Wadi el-Natrun prison, a facility notorious for housing political detainees. The activist had endured nearly ten years of incarceration across multiple sentences.

    The 43-year-old dissident rose to prominence as a symbolic figure during the 2011 Arab Spring revolution that reshaped Egypt’s political landscape. His imprisonment commenced following the 2013 military coup that brought President el-Sisi to power.

    Despite the presidential pardon, Egyptian border officials previously prevented Abd el-Fattah from departing Cairo International Airport last month as he attempted to travel to Britain. The activist had been scheduled to accept the 2025 Courage Under Fire award at the Magnitsky Human Rights Awards ceremony in London.

    Abd el-Fattah’s history of opposition spans two decades, beginning in the early 2000s when Egyptian activists pioneered digital dissent through social media platforms. His legal troubles intensified in 2014 when he received a 15-year sentence for organizing unauthorized protests, later reduced to five years upon appeal.

    Following his 2019 release, Abd el-Fattah remained under state supervision until his re-arrest later that year on charges of disseminating false information—a common accusation against government critics in Egypt. He received an additional five-year sentence for these allegations.

    Two months prior to his release, a Cairo criminal court formally removed Abd el-Fattah from Egypt’s terrorism watchlist after investigations concluded he maintained no connections to the banned Muslim Brotherhood organization.

    This case occurs against the backdrop of Egypt’s extensive political detention system, where human rights organizations estimate over 60,000 political prisoners remain incarcerated under deteriorating conditions. According to Freedom House’s 2025 global index, Egypt ranks 18th among 100 nations evaluated for political rights and civil liberties, with higher numerical rankings indicating greater restrictions on freedom.

    Human Rights Watch has consistently characterized Egypt’s governance approach as employing “wholesale repression” that systematically detains and penalizes peaceful activists while effectively criminalizing dissent. The organization’s latest world report documented thousands of detainees held in prolonged pretrial detention or serving sentences from unjust judicial proceedings.

  • Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon blast ‘Israel First’ at fractious Maga conference

    Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon blast ‘Israel First’ at fractious Maga conference

    A prominent conservative convention in the United States has erupted in internal conflict as leading figures within the Make America Great Again movement clash sharply over American foreign policy toward Israel.

    The Turning Point USA organization is currently hosting its America Fest event, marking its first major assembly since the passing of founder Charlie Kirk earlier this year. The gathering has become a stage for increasingly public divisions among right-wing commentators regarding the extent of U.S. support for Israel.

    During his address, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro launched a vehement attack against former Fox News host Tucker Carlson for his recent interview with right-wing influencer Nick Fuentes. Shapiro characterized Fuentes as ‘a Hitler apologist, Nazi-loving, anti-American piece of refuse’ and condemned Carlson’s decision to platform him as ‘an act of moral imbecility.’

    Carlson responded forcefully in his own speech, criticizing what he described as attempts to suppress legitimate criticism of Israel. ‘Most Americans have more in common with each other than they disagree on,’ Carlson asserted. ‘And almost everybody agrees on that. And almost everybody is willing to tolerate a good-faith argument about how to get there.’

    The former television host directly challenged Israel’s military actions, stating: ‘If a man commits a crime, do we kill his kids? I don’t care if it’s in Minneapolis or Gaza City. No, we don’t.’ He further emphasized that ‘God is not on any country’s side’ and condemned anti-Muslim bigotry as ‘disgusting.’

    Adding to the controversy, former White House strategist Steve Bannon declared that the late Charlie Kirk had opposed ‘this concept of greater Israel and Israel first.’ Bannon launched his own attack against Shapiro, describing him as ‘like a cancer, and that cancer spreads.’ In remarks that drew cheers from the audience, Bannon controversially claimed that ‘the number one enemy to the people in Israel are American Jews that do not support Israel and do not support Maga.’

    Broadcaster Megan Kelly observed that ‘there was a rift within the Maga movement even before we lost Charlie… and it revolves around Israel,’ indicating these divisions predate the current conflict.

    The event also featured political endorsements, with Charlie Kirk’s widow Erica Kirk, now leading Turning Point USA, publicly supporting US Vice President JD Vance for a potential 2028 presidential run.

  • Coldplay ‘cheating’ scandal, Ind-Pak handshake controversy: 10 viral incidents in 2025

    Coldplay ‘cheating’ scandal, Ind-Pak handshake controversy: 10 viral incidents in 2025

    The year 2025 witnessed an unprecedented convergence of celebrity culture, political upheaval, and digital phenomena that collectively dominated global online discourse. These incidents demonstrated the internet’s power to rapidly amplify stories, creating shared cultural moments that transcended geographical boundaries while simultaneously exposing deep societal divisions.

    A defining moment emerged from the music world when Coldplay’s July concert in Massachusetts unexpectedly triggered a corporate scandal. Frontman Chris Martin’s playful commentary during a kiss-cam segment inadvertently exposed astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR Chief Kristin Cabot in an intimate moment. The viral footage sparked immediate backlash, resulting in both executives resigning amid internal reviews and intense public scrutiny that escalated to death threats and widespread shaming.

    In parallel, the political landscape saw significant milestones with Zohran Mamdani’s historic election as New York’s first Muslim mayor. His victory against fierce opposition from conservative factions represented a cultural shift, while his marriage to Syrian-American artist Rama Duwaji became an unexpected internet sensation, humanizing the politician through their cross-cultural romance.

    The sports world confronted questions of sportsmanship when India’s cricket team deliberately avoided post-match handshakes with Pakistani opponents during the Asia Cup tournament. This diplomatic snub, defended as alignment with government policy, sparked international debate about politics’ encroachment into athletic competition.

    Entertainment controversies proliferated as Sydney Sweeney faced accusations of promoting Eurocentric beauty standards in an American Eagle advertisement, while Katy Perry’s space tourism expedition drew criticism for its perceived environmental insensitivity during economic struggles. The music world witnessed Kendrick Lamar’s politically charged Super Bowl performance, which incorporated his Drake diss track ‘Not Like Us’ alongside symbolic commentary on racial inequality.

    Legal dramas dominated headlines throughout the year, from Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively’s escalating $650 million mutual lawsuits to Diddy’s criminal conviction for transportation to engage in prostitution, resulting in a four-year prison sentence. The year’s most tragic incident came with the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus event, which sparked complex conversations about political violence and gun culture.

    Amid these high-profile events, a lighter moment emerged from Indonesia where 11-year-old Rayyan Arkan Dikha’s traditional dance on a racing boat spawned the ‘Aura Farming’ trend, demonstrating the internet’s capacity for joyful virality alongside its more divisive tendencies.

    Collectively, these incidents illustrated 2025’s digital landscape: a realm where authentic moments could trigger massive consequences, where political and cultural battles played out through viral content, and where the line between entertainment and serious discourse became increasingly blurred.

  • Look: UAE President receives French counterpart in Zayed National Museum for working visit

    Look: UAE President receives French counterpart in Zayed National Museum for working visit

    In a significant diplomatic engagement, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi on Sunday for a comprehensive working visit. The meeting marked a strengthening of bilateral relations between the two nations, with both leaders exchanging New Year greetings and expressing mutual wishes for continued progress and prosperity.

    The high-level discussions focused on enhancing the historical and strategic partnership between the UAE and France, with particular emphasis on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. Key areas of mutual interest included economic development, investment opportunities, cultural exchange, renewable energy initiatives, advanced technology integration, artificial intelligence development, and sustainability projects. These collaborative efforts align with both countries’ shared vision for long-term development and prosperity.

    The diplomatic gathering was attended by prominent UAE officials including Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs. The French delegation included multiple ministers and senior officials, reflecting the importance both nations place on this strategic partnership.

    President Sheikh Mohamed hosted an official luncheon in honor of President Macron and his accompanying delegation, following the productive working discussions. Macron’s arrival earlier in the day at the Presidential Flight in Abu Dhabi was formally received by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan alongside several senior UAE officials, demonstrating the high protocol extended to the visiting French leader.