Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Thailand’s parliament is dissolved for a new election early next year

    Thailand’s parliament is dissolved for a new election early next year

    BANGKOK — Thailand’s political landscape entered a period of heightened uncertainty Friday as Parliament was officially dissolved, triggering snap elections scheduled for early next year. The dissolution comes amid escalating military confrontations with neighboring Cambodia over longstanding border disputes.

    Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul secured royal approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn before announcing the dissolution, which took effect upon its publication in the Royal Gazette. The move follows Anutin’s social media statement late Thursday declaring his intention to “return power to the people.”

    Under constitutional provisions, elections must occur within 45 to 60 days following royal endorsement. During this interim period, Anutin will lead a caretaker administration with restricted authority, including the inability to approve new budgetary measures.

    The dissolution occurs during a particularly complex geopolitical moment, with Thailand engaged in intensive combat operations along the Cambodian border. The timing reflects both domestic political pressures and external security challenges that have defined Anutin’s brief three-month tenure as premier.

    Political analysts suggest the dissolution was precipitated by deteriorating relations with the opposition People’s Party, which had threatened a no-confidence vote. This development followed disagreements over constitutional amendment procedures that opposition leaders believed violated their September power-sharing agreement.

    Anutin’s administration has adopted an increasingly hawkish military stance regarding the border conflict, positioning itself as defending national sovereignty against Cambodian incursions. This nationalist rhetoric has temporarily overshadowed domestic criticisms regarding the government’s handling of recent southern flooding that claimed over 160 lives and ongoing corruption scandals.

    The renewed fighting has resulted in approximately two dozen confirmed casualties this week alone, with hundreds of thousands displaced on both sides. Thai military sources estimate 165 Cambodian combat fatalities, though Phnom Penh has not officially confirmed these numbers.

    International attention has intensified, with former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly engaging in diplomatic outreach. Anutin confirmed Friday that he had communicated with Trump, reiterating Thailand’s position of continuing military operations until Cambodian forces no longer threaten Thai sovereignty.

  • Thai PM says ‘to return power to people,’intending to dissolve parliament

    Thai PM says ‘to return power to people,’intending to dissolve parliament

    In a significant political development, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has indicated plans to dissolve parliament and restore decision-making authority to the Thai electorate. The announcement came through an official social media communication on Thursday, where the premier declared his intention to “request to return power to the people.

    The statement, widely interpreted by political observers as foreshadowing a parliamentary dissolution, suggests Thailand may be approaching a new electoral cycle. Such a move would typically precede the organization of general elections, allowing citizens to determine their political representation anew.

    This development occurs within Thailand’s complex political landscape, where transitions of power have historically carried substantial significance. The Prime Minister’s carefully worded message aligns with constitutional protocols that grant the head of government authority to recommend parliamentary dissolution to the monarchy, a necessary step before elections can be scheduled.

    Political analysts are now examining the potential timing and implications of this move, considering both domestic political dynamics and Thailand’s international relationships. The dissolution of parliament would trigger a formal election process, enabling Thai citizens to participate in shaping their nation’s political direction through democratic means.

  • Crypto fraudster sentenced for ‘epic’ $40bn stablecoin crash

    Crypto fraudster sentenced for ‘epic’ $40bn stablecoin crash

    In a landmark ruling that sends shockwaves through the cryptocurrency industry, former digital currency entrepreneur Do Kwon has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for orchestrating what federal prosecutors describe as an “epic, generational” financial fraud. The sentencing by New York District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer concludes a dramatic case involving the catastrophic collapse of two interconnected cryptocurrencies that wiped out approximately $40 billion in investor funds.

    The South Korean national, who co-founded Singapore-based Terraform Labs, admitted to systematically misleading investors about the stability and mechanics of TerraUSD—a so-called stablecoin designed to maintain parity with the US dollar. The sophisticated scheme unraveled in 2022 when both TerraUSD and its sister currency Luna experienced catastrophic failure, triggering widespread repercussions across the cryptocurrency market and contributing to the collapse of several digital asset companies.

    During Thursday’s emotionally charged hearing in Manhattan federal court, Judge Engelmayer delivered scathing remarks about the Stanford-educated entrepreneur’s conduct. “In the annals of federal prosecutions, there are few frauds that have inflicted comparable financial devastation,” the judge stated, emphasizing how Kwon had repeatedly deceived investors who placed their trust in his technological expertise.

    Court documents reveal that when TerraUSD initially dropped below its promised $1 valuation in May 2021, Kwon allegedly instructed a trading firm to secretly purchase massive quantities of the digital coin to artificially inflate its price—while publicly attributing the recovery to sophisticated computer algorithms. This manipulation created a false appearance of stability that prolonged the scheme until its inevitable collapse.

    Kwon, who pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to defraud and wire fraud charges, expressed contrition during the proceedings. “I have devoted nearly every waking moment of recent years contemplating alternative actions and seeking ways to rectify the damage caused,” the disgraced entrepreneur told the court.

    The case represents one of the most significant prosecutions in the ongoing regulatory crackdown on cryptocurrency misconduct, establishing a crucial legal precedent for holding digital asset creators accountable for fraudulent representations about their products’ stability and underlying technology.

  • Tricked, abducted and abused: Inside China’s schools for ‘rebellious’ teens

    Tricked, abducted and abused: Inside China’s schools for ‘rebellious’ teens

    A groundbreaking BBC Eye investigation has uncovered widespread physical and sexual abuse within a network of Chinese disciplinary schools operated by military veteran Li Zheng and his associates. The investigation reveals how these institutions, marketed as solutions for rebellious youth, have systematically violated human rights with parental consent and impunity.

    Former students provided harrowing accounts of their experiences at Lizheng Quality Education School and affiliated institutions. Baobao (pseudonym), now 19, described six months of torture at age 14 where instructors beat non-compliant students until they couldn’t sleep on their backs. The psychological trauma remains so severe that the smell of rain-soaked soil still triggers panic attacks, reminding her of military drills behind locked gates.

    The investigation compiled testimony from 23 former students who reported brutal beatings, forced extreme exercise, and sexual violence. Zhang Enxu, a 20-year-old transgender woman, recounted being abducted by men posing as police with her parents’ approval and subsequently raped at Shengbo Youth Psychological Growth Training School. She also suffered permanent hearing damage from beatings.

    Undercover footage exposed the network’s abduction methods, with staff impersonating internet regulators to forcibly transport students. Parents pay substantial fees—approximately $5,700 for six months—for programs that promise behavioral correction through military-style discipline but deliver systematic abuse instead.

    Despite numerous abuse allegations over years and Li Zheng’s recent arrest for organized crime, the network persists through rebranding and relocation. Former associates have established new facilities, with one counselor boasting of ‘huge profits’ and suggesting annual fees of $25,000 per student in potential expansions.

    Chinese authorities have intermittently closed facilities following public outcry or student suicides, but regulatory gaps enable continuous operation. The industry operates in a governance vacuum between local education, civil affairs, and market regulation authorities, creating a ‘shadow industry’ that persists without centralized oversight.

    The Chinese embassy in London stated that all educational institutions must comply with regulations protecting minors, but victims continue fighting for full closure of all disciplinary schools they describe as fundamentally flawed systems that ‘simply shouldn’t exist.’

  • Thai PM dissolves parliament to ‘return power to people’

    Thai PM dissolves parliament to ‘return power to people’

    Thailand’s political landscape faces renewed upheaval as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dissolved parliament, triggering snap elections within 45-60 days. This decisive move comes amid escalating border tensions with Cambodia that have resulted in deadly clashes over the past week.

    The minority government, in power for merely three months, has struggled to contain the deteriorating border situation along with other pressing challenges. In an official decree published Friday, Anutin acknowledged his administration’s difficulties in managing these crises effectively.

    “The appropriate solution is to dissolve parliament… which is a way to return political power to the people,” stated the Prime Minister, who assumed leadership in September 2023. The business magnate becomes Thailand’s third premier since August 2023, highlighting the nation’s prolonged political instability.

    While Anutin had previously committed to dissolving parliament by January’s end, the timeline accelerated considerably due to an impending no-confidence vote that threatened his fragile coalition government. The administration has additionally faced severe criticism for its handling of catastrophic flooding that devastated southern Thailand last month, further undermining public confidence.

    The dissolution marks a critical juncture for Thai democracy as the nation prepares for its first general election since the previous government’s collapse. Political analysts suggest the border conflict with Cambodia and domestic disaster response failures have created a perfect storm that forced Anutin’s hand in calling early elections.

  • Fears grow that world’s rarest apes were swept away in Sumatran floods

    Fears grow that world’s rarest apes were swept away in Sumatran floods

    Conservationists are confronting a deeply troubling silence across the mountainous forests of Batang Toru in North Sumatra, Indonesia, where the world’s rarest great ape—the Tapanuli orangutan—has vanished following the catastrophic Cyclone Senyar. The storm ravaged the island on November 25, triggering deadly floods and landslides that have claimed over 900 human lives and left hundreds missing. But the ecological impact may extend to pushing an already critically endangered species closer to extinction.

    Since the cyclone, field workers have reported no sightings or vocalizations of Tapanuli orangutans in their primary habitat. The alarming disappearance has been compounded by the discovery of a primate carcass, believed to be one of the great apes, partially buried under mud and debris in Pulo Pakkat village. Deckey Chandra, a humanitarian responder and former orangutan conservation worker, described the grim finding: “I have seen several dead bodies of humans… but this was the first dead wildlife. They used to come to this place to eat fruits. But now it seems to have become their graveyard.”

    Satellite imagery analysis led by Professor Erik Meijaard of Borneo Futures reveals catastrophic habitat loss. Preliminary estimates indicate between 4,800 to 7,200 hectares of primary forest—critical orangutan territory—were obliterated by landslides. “The destroyed areas would have contained some 35 orangutans,” noted Prof. Meijaard. “Considering the violence of the destruction, it wouldn’t surprise us if they are all dead. That’s a major blow to the population.”

    The Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis), formally identified as a distinct species in 2017, numbers fewer than 800 individuals. Its survival is intricately linked to this specific region of Sumatra. Experts like Prof. Serge Wich of Liverpool John Moores University explain that while orangutans instinctively shelter during heavy rain, the scale and suddenness of these landslides would have made escape nearly impossible.

    Further compounding the crisis, the cyclone severely damaged vital research and conservation infrastructure, including the historic Ketambe research station in Aceh—the world’s first orangutan research center. Dr. Ian Singleton emphasized the urgent need for rebuilding to continue forest protection efforts.

    The disaster has also impacted other endangered species, such as the Sumatran elephant, highlighting the broad ecological toll of the cyclone. As Indonesia grapples with severe weather aftermath, the fate of the Tapanuli orangutan hangs in a precarious balance, symbolizing the profound intersection of climate disasters and biodiversity conservation.

  • Myanmar’s army says it wants to eradicate scam compounds. Is it really doing that?

    Myanmar’s army says it wants to eradicate scam compounds. Is it really doing that?

    Thunderous explosions shattered the tranquility of the Moei River bordering Thailand and Myanmar as military forces deployed explosives to demolish structures within the infamous KK Park scam compound. The operation marks an unprecedented convergence of Myanmar’s protracted civil conflict and its multi-billion dollar cybercrime epidemic that has plagued Southeast Asia.

    Myanmar’s junta, reinforced by Russian and Chinese military equipment including drones, has launched counter-offensives against insurgent groups ahead of controversial elections scheduled later this month. In Karen State, the military successfully pushed back the Karen National Union (KNU), which has resisted military rule for eight decades. The October assault on KK Park represented a dramatic shift in policy toward the scam operations that authorities had previously ignored.

    Videos released by state media showed soldiers confiscating thousands of electronic devices and satellite equipment before systematically destroying buildings. Yet skepticism surrounds these actions, as the military has long benefited from alliances with local warlords who protect and profit from Chinese-led criminal syndicates operating these facilities.

    The global impact of these scam centers is staggering. Billions of dollars have been stolen through sophisticated romance scams, fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes, and fake investment opportunities targeting vulnerable populations worldwide. The industry’s darkest aspects involve human trafficking, forced labor, and systematic abuse of workers lured into the compounds.

    International pressure, particularly from China whose citizens comprise both perpetrators and victims, has intensified. While the KK Park operation appears responsive to these concerns, evidence suggests the demolition was largely performative. Many buildings remain functional, and Starlink satellite dishes visible on rooftops indicate ongoing operations. Most scam bosses have simply relocated to more remote border areas, with new compounds already emerging near contested border crossings.

    The KNU’s unexpected capture of two additional scam compounds in Minletpan provided rare insight into the industry’s workings. Unlike the military’s evidence destruction, the KNU documented operations and invited international scrutiny before junta shelling forced abandonment of the sites.

    This borderland drama underscores the junta’s desperate attempt to gain legitimacy through elections while continuing to profit from criminal enterprises that remain deeply embedded in Myanmar’s conflict economy.

  • Chief of S Korea’s high-stakes exam quits over ‘insane’ English test

    Chief of S Korea’s high-stakes exam quits over ‘insane’ English test

    South Korea’s formidable college entrance examination, known as Suneung, has ignited intense national discourse following widespread criticism of its exceptionally challenging English section. The eight-hour academic marathon, administered annually in November, represents one of the world’s most demanding standardized tests, with profound implications for students’ university admissions, career trajectories, and social standing.

    The recent examination’s English component provoked such significant controversy that Oh Seung-geol, the chief administrator of Suneung, resigned from his position. He publicly acknowledged that the test’s difficulty level was inappropriate and expressed regret that the assessment fell short of expectations despite undergoing multiple review stages.

    Among the most contentious questions was one involving complex gaming terminology that required students to identify where a specific sentence should be inserted within a dense philosophical paragraph about virtual reality perception. Another question drew from Immanuel Kant’s legal philosophy, pushing the boundaries of what constitutes appropriate testing material for secondary education.

    The gaming terminology question, worth three points, presented students with a technical excerpt from Steve Swink’s game design book Game Feel. Many educators and students criticized the question’s phrasing as unnecessarily convoluted, with some online commentators describing it as fancy smart talking that failed to effectively communicate concepts.

    Statistical evidence underscores the examination’s increased difficulty, with only 3% of test-takers achieving the highest grade in English this year compared to 6% in the previous administration. Students reported spending excessive time deciphering questions where answer choices appeared remarkably similar, creating significant uncertainty during the testing process.

    Educational experts remain divided on the examination’s appropriate difficulty level. Professor Jung Chae-kwan of Incheon National University, formerly involved with Suneung’s administration, contends that the test doesn’t measure English proficiency but rather rewards test-taking strategies. He argues that this approach renders the material educationally useless, as teachers increasingly focus on examination tricks rather than language acquisition.

    Conversely, Professor Kim Soo-yeon from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies maintains that the specialized passages legitimately assess students’ readiness for university-level comprehension. The intentionally challenging content, she suggests, effectively evaluates whether students can handle the complex material they will encounter in higher education.

    Beyond academic debates, Suneung represents a cultural phenomenon that brings South Korea to a virtual standstill each November. Construction halts, flight schedules adjust, and military training suspends to create optimal testing conditions. Parents frequently participate in religious ceremonies, lighting candles at Buddhist temples to pray for their children’s success in this high-stakes assessment that many students begin preparing for from early childhood through extensive cram school attendance.

    The examination’s administrative leadership has proven notably unstable, with only four of twelve Suneung chiefs completing their full three-year terms since the test’s inception in 1993. While previous resignations typically resulted from factual errors in test questions, Mr. Oh’s departure marks the first instance of resignation primarily attributable to examination difficulty concerns.

  • Report: China a ‘reliable partner’

    Report: China a ‘reliable partner’

    A comprehensive analysis by Australia’s Lowy Institute reveals China is strengthening its position as a dependable regional partner during periods of global uncertainty, while United States policies are diminishing American influence across Asia. The findings come from the think tank’s 2025 Asia Power Index, a meticulous assessment tracking power distribution shifts across the continent through 131 indicators spanning economic capability, diplomatic relations, and cultural influence.

    The annual index, which evaluated 27 nations and territories, maintained the United States in the top position for comprehensive power, with China securing second place and India ranking a distant third. Notably, the capability gap between the two superpowers has continued to narrow significantly. The report specifically highlighted how China has demonstrated remarkable resilience against US economic coercive measures, with Beijing effectively presenting itself as a staunch opponent of protectionism and unilateralism to regional partners.

    Susannah Patton, project lead for the Asia Power Index, detailed at the Melbourne launch that multiple US policies have collectively undermined American standing. These include substantial tariff impositions on numerous countries, reductions in development assistance to the region, funding cuts to global media agencies, and restrictive travel and educational policies affecting Asian visitors.

    East Asia senior fellow Richard McGregor emphasized that the index confirms China and the US have reached peer power status throughout Asia. China’s capacity to access diverse global markets beyond the United States has contributed substantially to its confident response to American tariff strategies.

    The research also documented China’s impressive recovery in people exchanges and connectivity metrics, nearly returning to pre-pandemic levels after severe restrictions between 2020 and 2022. Recent visa-free travel arrangements with several Asian nations, including Indonesia, have accelerated tourism recovery and strengthened regional ties.

    Australia ranked sixth in comprehensive power, though the report noted the nation faces challenges due to declining economic resources relative to other countries, requiring more strategic efforts to maintain regional influence. International relations expert Bec Strating observed that America’s diminishing regional standing presents both opportunities and concerns for Australia and other nations like Japan, New Zealand, and the Philippines regarding the stability of regional order frameworks.

  • Travel alert about Japan secures safety of Chinese

    Travel alert about Japan secures safety of Chinese

    China’s Foreign Ministry has formally issued a comprehensive travel advisory urging Chinese citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Japan, citing both imminent seismic hazards and ongoing diplomatic strains. The advisory, released jointly by China’s embassy and consulates in Japan, specifically warns Chinese nationals to exercise heightened caution regarding earthquake preparedness and secondary disasters.

    The travel alert recommends that Chinese citizens in Japan strictly adhere to local evacuation protocols, implement robust personal safety measures, and avoid coastal regions and other high-risk zones. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun emphasized that the advisory stems from legitimate concerns about citizen welfare following recent seismic events across Japan that have resulted in casualties and widespread tsunami warnings.

    Japanese media outlets had speculated that the travel warning represented a diplomatic response to provocative remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. Guo Jiakun dismissed these allegations, stating that the advisory reflects purely humanitarian considerations rather than political retaliation. “Safeguarding the safety of Chinese citizens overseas constitutes both a fundamental duty of China’s diplomacy and a natural component of its people-centered foreign policy,” Guo stated during a regular press briefing in Beijing.

    The diplomatic friction extends beyond travel advisories, as Tokyo recently expressed concerns about joint strategic aerial patrols conducted by Chinese and Russian military aircraft near Japanese airspace. Guo characterized these operations as routine annual exercises that demonstrate regional commitment to security cooperation and stability maintenance. “There exists no necessity for Japan to exaggerate these activities or presume itself specifically targeted,” he remarked.

    Regarding Prime Minister Takaichi’s repeated offers for bilateral dialogue, Guo referenced critical commentary from Atsushi Okamoto, former CEO of Japanese publishing house Iwanami Shoten, who questioned the sincerity of these overtures. Okamoto suggested that genuine dialogue requires mutual respect and equal footing—conditions allegedly absent from Takaichi’s approach. Academic expert Wang Peng of Huazhong University of Science and Technology further noted that the Takaichi administration has significantly damaged bilateral relations by inappropriately linking Taiwan matters to Japan’s security agenda.