Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia intensify with airstrikes and artillery attacks

    Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia intensify with airstrikes and artillery attacks

    Tensions along the contested Thai-Cambodian border have dramatically escalated with renewed military engagements, including alleged airstrikes and heavy artillery exchanges. The Cambodian Defense Ministry reported Thursday that Thai fighter jets dropped three bombs in border regions, accusing Thailand of violating international laws through deployment of heavy weapons and troop incursions. Thailand’s military countered that these actions were responses to Cambodian artillery and mortar attacks on their positions the previous night.

    The conflict has resulted in significant human casualties, with approximately two dozen reported fatalities this week and hundreds of thousands displaced on both sides. Thailand confirmed nine soldier deaths since Monday, while Cambodia reported eleven civilian fatalities and seventy-four wounded. The fighting has damaged residential areas near the border, with Thailand claiming destruction of Cambodian military infrastructure including a strategic crane near the historic Preah Vihear temple.

    International concern continues to mount, with Pope Leo XIV expressing deep sadness at the renewed conflict and civilian suffering. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) voiced strong concern about fighting near the World Heritage-listed Preah Vihear temple, offering technical assistance for its protection.

    The current escalation follows the collapse of a July ceasefire brokered by Malaysia under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened trade privilege suspensions. Despite the agreement, minor cross-border violence and propaganda campaigns persisted. President Trump expressed confidence in his ability to reinstate peace, planning Thursday phone discussions with both nations’ leaders.

    The border dispute originates from competing territorial claims based on a 1907 French colonial-era map and was exacerbated by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that granted Cambodia sovereignty over the temple area, a decision that remains contentious in Thailand.

  • Goa nightclub owners held in Thailand over deadly fire

    Goa nightclub owners held in Thailand over deadly fire

    Indian authorities have confirmed the detention in Thailand of two brothers sought in connection with a catastrophic nightclub fire in Goa that resulted in 25 fatalities. Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, proprietors of the Birch By Romeo Lane establishment, were apprehended in Phuket after fleeing India shortly following the Sunday morning incident.

    Nagesh Singh, India’s Ambassador to Thailand, stated publicly on Thursday that the brothers will be repatriated to India. This development occurred one day after a Delhi court rejected their petition for protection from arrest, prompting the Goa state government to formally request the revocation of their passports through India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

    The devastating blaze erupted in the early hours of Sunday within a popular nightlife district of the tourist-centric state. Preliminary investigations indicate pyrotechnics ignited inside the venue triggered the rapid conflagration. Among the deceased, most were club employees while five victims were identified as international tourists.

    While the Luthra brothers have maintained public silence since the tragedy, their legal representative asserted in court proceedings that they were subjected to a ‘witch hunt.’ Saurabh Luthra, identified on social media as chairman of the operating company, posted a statement Monday expressing ‘profound grief’ and promising the management’s ‘unwavering solidarity’ with affected families alongside commitments of full cooperation.

    Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant disclosed Wednesday that six individuals have already been arrested regarding the incident, with additional arrests anticipated. Indian investigators revealed that upon raiding the brothers’ Delhi residence hours after the fire, they discovered the suspects had already fled the country, necessitating Interpol assistance in the international manhunt.

    Goa, renowned for its beaches and vibrant tourism industry, faces renewed scrutiny over safety regulations in its entertainment venues following this tragic event.

  • Hundreds in Japan get car driving licences suspended for drink cycling

    Hundreds in Japan get car driving licences suspended for drink cycling

    Japanese authorities have implemented a stringent crackdown on alcohol-impaired cycling, resulting in the suspension of driving licenses for nearly 900 individuals caught operating bicycles while intoxicated. According to local media reports, law enforcement officials determined these offenders presented a ‘significant danger’ comparable to drunk car drivers.

    The dramatic increase in license suspensions from January to September follows the implementation of revised traffic regulations enacted in November 2024. These laws substantially heightened penalties for cycling under the influence, introducing potential imprisonment of up to three years or fines reaching 500,000 yen (approximately $3,200).

    Notably, the legal threshold for punishment has been significantly lowered. Cyclists now face penalties if breath alcohol tests detect concentrations of 0.15 milligrams per liter or higher—a substantial departure from previous standards that primarily penalized visibly impaired cycling ability.

    The legislative scope extends beyond individual riders to include those who provide alcohol to cyclists or make bicycles available to potentially intoxicated users. This comprehensive approach reflects authorities’ determination to address what they identify as a serious public safety concern.

    Police statistics reveal extensive enforcement efforts, with over 4,500 individuals apprehended for drunk cycling between November 2024 and June 2025. This crackdown occurs against a backdrop of increasing bicycle popularity during the pandemic era, which unfortunately correlated with rising accident rates. Official data indicates bicycles were involved in more than 72,000 accidents throughout 2023, accounting for over 20% of all traffic incidents nationwide.

    The regulatory expansion continues with additional rules scheduled for April implementation targeting common cycling infractions. These will penalize behaviors including umbrella use while riding, mobile phone operation, traffic signal violations, and nighttime riding without proper illumination.

    This represents a significant cultural shift for Japan, where alcohol has historically served as a social lubricant for business negotiations and delicate discussions for centuries. The new regulations challenge traditional attitudes toward alcohol consumption and transportation safety, creating a new paradigm for personal responsibility in public spaces.

  • Farmers will get more money from Trump. They still have more problems

    Farmers will get more money from Trump. They still have more problems

    American agricultural producers are confronting a complex economic landscape as former President Donald Trump’s proposed $12 billion federal assistance package meets mixed reactions across the nation’s farming heartlands. The emergency relief comes as retaliatory trade measures from China continue to disrupt agricultural exports, particularly affecting soybean and sorghum growers who traditionally depend on international markets for over half their production.

    In Randolph, Minnesota, fourth-generation farmer Charlie Radman characterizes the government support as merely “a bridge” rather than a permanent solution. His sentiment echoes throughout agricultural communities where multigenerational farming operations face mounting pressure from declining commodity prices, escalating production costs, and shrinking international market access. Despite these challenges, many growers maintain political support for Trump while expressing concerns about the sustainability of federal stopgap measures.

    The agricultural sector’s predicament stems from China’s strategic shift toward Brazilian and other South American suppliers during recent trade disputes. Although the Trump administration negotiated commitments for China to purchase substantial American soybean volumes—12 million metric tons by February’s end with promised annual purchases of 25 million metric tons over three years—current fulfillment rates hover around merely 25% of these targets, raising doubts about the reliability of such trade agreements.

    Beyond immediate financial assistance, farmers are advocating for diversified market strategies. Minnesota grower Glen Groth emphasizes the need to “open up markets outside of China,” while agricultural organizations promote expanding domestic applications including biodiesel, ethanol, aviation fuel, and animal feed production. Southeast Iowa farmer Dan Keitzer notes that technological advancements and consistent bumper harvests have created surplus production capacities that require expanded demand rather than government subsidies.

    The current $12 billion aid package follows previous Trump-era agricultural bailouts totaling $22 billion in 2019 and $46 billion in 2020, with the latest initiative implementing a $155,000 per-farmer compensation cap and eligibility restrictions for operations exceeding $900,000 in adjusted gross income. Concurrently, the administration has initiated investigations into potential anti-competitive practices throughout the agricultural supply chain, addressing concerns about fertilizer, seed, equipment, and meatpacking conglomerates.

    As farmers finalize planting decisions and financing arrangements for the upcoming season, many express gratitude for governmental recognition of their challenges while maintaining that sustainable solutions must emerge from market access expansion rather than temporary fiscal interventions.

  • China builds an electromagnetic kill zone in the South China Sea.

    China builds an electromagnetic kill zone in the South China Sea.

    China has significantly enhanced its electronic warfare capabilities across the Spratly Islands, transforming the South China Sea into a strategically contested electromagnetic battlespace according to recent analyses. Between 2023 and 2025, Beijing has quietly deployed advanced surveillance and jamming infrastructure on its artificial island bases, fundamentally altering the regional security balance.

    Satellite imagery analysis by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative reveals sophisticated antenna arrays and mobile electronic warfare vehicles positioned on Fiery Cross, Mischief, and Subi reefs. The installations include at least six purpose-built sites with monopole antennas oriented seaward, complemented by vehicle-mounted jamming systems targeting specific electromagnetic frequencies. Infrastructure developments include specialized shelters at Subi Reef and a circular concrete platform at Mischief Reef designed for rapid antenna deployment.

    The technological upgrades extend to two new radomes at Subi Reef, creating overlapping intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage patterns matching previous installations on other reefs. These developments are complemented by fortified coastal emplacements capable of hosting artillery or mobile weapons systems.

    A November 2025 US-China Economic and Security Review Commission report highlights how these capabilities directly threaten the networked systems that form the core of US military operations. The People’s Liberation Army has developed sophisticated capacity to disrupt, degrade, or paralyze US reconnaissance, communications, and targeting systems—potentially impairing access to satellites and networked sensors during both peacetime and conflict scenarios.

    Technical assessments indicate China could utilize these outposts as regional electronic warfare hubs, enabling communications jamming, radar disruption, and geolocation of foreign forces. Mobile jammers, high-frequency direction-finding arrays, and satellite communication interception sites provide triangulation capabilities and sensor overwhelming capacity.

    Operational concepts reportedly focus on crippling US Navy carrier strike groups by targeting critical sensors and data-sharing systems. Priority targets include the AN/SPY-1 phased-array radar on Aegis ships, vulnerable to jamming and drone-generated false returns. China also aims to disrupt the E-2C Hawkeye’s coordination role and exploit signal transponders to compromise the Cooperative Engagement Capability network.

    Recent incidents suggest these capabilities may already be operational. The October 2025 loss of a US Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter from the USS Nimitz within 30 minutes of each other potentially resulted from electronic warfare interference with aircraft systems, though official investigations remain inconclusive.

    Strategically, these developments support China’s efforts to establish a submarine bastion in the South China Sea, creating a protective reconnaissance and defensive network for its nuclear ballistic missile submarines. This system enables submarine maneuverability while evading foreign tracking and maintaining nuclear deterrence patrols.

    In contrast, US Lieutenant General John Caine acknowledged in April 2025 congressional testimony that US joint forces remain inadequately protected against advanced electronic warfare capabilities, noting America has ‘lost some muscle memory’ after decades operating in permissive electromagnetic environments.

  • Japanese chess player calls out association’s pregnancy bias

    Japanese chess player calls out association’s pregnancy bias

    Japan’s professional shogi community is confronting a significant gender equity controversy following public criticism from one of its most accomplished players regarding pregnancy-related competition bans. Kana Fukuma, a decorated shogi master, has compelled the Japan Shogi Association to apologize and reconsider regulations that effectively force female players to choose between motherhood and their professional careers.

    The current framework mandates that pregnant competitors must withdraw from title matches during a 14-week period surrounding their expected delivery date—spanning six weeks before through eight weeks after childbirth. This policy results in automatic forfeiture of all tournaments and potential titles during this mandatory absence, creating what Fukuma characterizes as a system that “significantly restricts reproductive rights” for professional players.

    At a Wednesday news conference, the 33-year-old player—who has competed professionally since 2003—shared her personal struggle: “I hesitated to have a child while pursuing my career in shogi, which is everything to me.” Before welcoming her first child in December 2024, Fukuma was compelled to withdraw from multiple tournaments due to pregnancy-related health considerations.

    In a formal request submitted Tuesday, Fukuma proposed specific reforms: adjusting match schedules or venues for pregnant players, permitting competition during pregnancy when medically advisable, and guaranteeing that titles remain protected during maternity leave. The association has responded by committing to review the regulations after consulting medical experts and evaluating both player safety and competitive fairness.

    The controversy has ignited vigorous discussion across Japanese social media platforms, with critics labeling the current rules as fundamentally misogynistic. Comparative discussions have emerged referencing more accommodating policies in international professional sports, such as tennis’s “protected rankings” system that enables athletes returning from extended absences—including maternity leave—to compete in major tournaments based on their pre-leave standings.

    This development occurs against the backdrop of Japan’s ongoing national concerns about demographic decline and gender equality in traditional institutions, positioning the shogi association’s response as a potentially significant indicator of evolving attitudes toward working mothers in the country’s professional spheres.

  • The Philippines tests ‘transition credits’ to cut coal use in novel experiment

    The Philippines tests ‘transition credits’ to cut coal use in novel experiment

    The Philippines has embarked on a groundbreaking experiment with a novel form of carbon financing designed to accelerate the retirement of coal-fired power plants. Dubbed ‘transition credits,’ this innovative mechanism aims to create financial value from preventing future greenhouse gas emissions, channeling funds toward converting fossil fuel infrastructure into renewable energy facilities.

    At the forefront of this initiative is the 270-megawatt South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. power plant in Calaca City, where proponents envision demonstrating how carbon markets can fund energy transition. The concept, developed by The Rockefeller Foundation, has garnered support from major corporations including Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp., with potential applications across approximately 60 coal plants throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

    Transition credits differ fundamentally from conventional carbon credits by monetizing emissions that would have occurred without intervention. This approach specifically targets Southeast Asia’s coal dependency problem—the region ranks as the world’s third-largest coal consumer after China and India, with electricity demand projected to double by 2050 according to International Energy Agency forecasts.

    Proponents argue these credits could unlock approximately $110 billion in public and private capital by 2030, providing crucial financing for energy transitions in developing economies. ‘If successful, this creates a playbook for coal asset owners worldwide,’ stated Irene Maranan of ACEN Corp., which committed to retiring the Calaca plant by 2040—decades ahead of its typical lifespan.

    However, the initiative faces substantial skepticism from climate policy experts and environmental advocates. Critics point to longstanding integrity issues within carbon markets, including greenwashing accusations, miscalculated emissions reductions, and human rights concerns in previous offset projects. Energy transition analyst Patrick McCully characterized transition credits as ‘old wine in a new bottle,’ warning they could divert resources from direct renewable energy development.

    The debate unfolds against urgent climate realities: the world likely overshoots the 1.5°C warming threshold while Southeast Asia’s emissions continue rising. As the Philippines tests this controversial financial instrument, the global community watches to see whether innovative carbon markets can genuinely accelerate decarbonization or merely create another distraction from concrete climate action.

  • US freedom ranking drops to ‘obstructed’ for 2025

    US freedom ranking drops to ‘obstructed’ for 2025

    The United States has experienced a significant decline in civic freedoms, according to the latest annual assessment by the Civicus Monitor. The Johannesburg-based research organization downgraded the nation’s rating to “obstructed” status, placing it alongside countries like Gabon, Mauritania, and Senegal in terms of civil liberties protection.

    The comprehensive People Power Under Attack report evaluates civic space conditions worldwide based on data gathered from civil society organizations and human rights groups. This year’s findings reveal a concerning trend of deteriorating democratic institutions in the US, particularly following the return of President Donald Trump to office.

    Key factors contributing to the downgrade include the suppression of Palestine solidarity activism, aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations targeting immigrant communities, and increasing press censorship. The report documents a pattern of militarized responses to large-scale protests and systematic efforts to undermine democratic norms through executive actions.

    Notably, the assessment highlights widespread censorship measures, including the cancellation of major talk shows, funding reductions for independent media outlets, and restricted White House press access. Judicial harassment and political interference have created a challenging environment for free expression and assembly.

    Globally, fourteen other countries faced similar downgrades, with Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, and Israel among those moved to either “obstructed” or “repressed” categories. Switzerland declined from “open” to “narrowed,” while Burundi, Oman, and Sudan received the lowest possible classification as “closed” societies.

    The crackdown on Palestine solidarity efforts emerged as a particularly significant factor in the global rankings. The report details disproportionate measures against academic institutions, including disciplinary actions against students and faculty, funding freezes, and suspension of student organizations.

    Additionally, the assessment criticizes US sanctions against International Criminal Court officials, Palestinian human rights organizations, and UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. The report concludes with recommendations for governments worldwide to create enabling environments for civil society, recognize minority group needs, and investigate law enforcement excesses.

  • Trump administration issued ultimatum to ICC: Report

    Trump administration issued ultimatum to ICC: Report

    The Trump administration has issued a stark ultimatum to the International Criminal Court, demanding fundamental changes to its founding treaty and the termination of specific investigations under threat of additional sanctions, according to multiple diplomatic sources.

    Recent reports indicate that U.S. officials have pressured the ICC to amend the Rome Statute to prevent investigations against President Donald Trump, senior administration members, and Israeli politicians. These demands specifically target ongoing probes into the Gaza conflict—recognized as genocide by UN experts and scholars—and potential war crimes by U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

    The pressure campaign has intensified through diplomatic channels, with the U.S. allegedly conditioning the lifting of existing sanctions on the ICC’s compliance with these demands. Additionally, Washington has called upon member states to support treaty amendments that would grant immunity to citizens of non-signatory nations, a move that would effectively shield American and Israeli officials from prosecution.

    This development occurs amidst unprecedented challenges to the ICC’s authority. The court currently faces multiple pressures, including Israeli legal challenges to its jurisdiction in Palestine and a separate complaint questioning the prosecutor’s impartiality. Meanwhile, ICC judges already face sanctions for their work on the Afghanistan investigation, which has notably shifted focus away from U.S. nationals since 2021.

    The Assembly of States Parties meeting last week became a focal point for these tensions, with diplomats confirming that U.S. representatives attempted to leverage sanctions relief to influence the court’s investigative priorities. The proposed treaty changes would also impact other investigations, including those concerning alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine, as Russia is also a non-member state.

    ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, currently on voluntary leave pending a UN investigation into impartiality allegations, has been a specific target of U.S. sanctions since February, alongside deputy prosecutors, judges, and Palestinian organizations.

  • Big tech bets big on AI – but can India keep pace in the global race?

    Big tech bets big on AI – but can India keep pace in the global race?

    Global technology leaders Amazon and Microsoft have committed unprecedented investments exceeding $50 billion in India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, signaling confidence in the nation’s digital future. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a historic $17.5 billion commitment—the company’s largest Asian investment—to develop India’s AI infrastructure and sovereign capabilities. Amazon followed with a $35 billion pledge through 2030, dedicating substantial portions to AI advancement.

    This investment surge arrives as financial institutions identify India as a strategic counterbalance to overheated AI markets. Jefferies analyst Christopher Wood characterizes Indian equities as a ‘reverse AI trade’ that could outperform global markets if the current AI bubble bursts. HSBC similarly positions India as a diversification hedge against concentrated AI valuations, particularly as foreign capital has favored Korean and Taiwanese tech stocks throughout 2024.

    India demonstrates significant AI potential despite resource disparities. The nation ranks among global leaders in AI talent concentration—boosting 2.5 times more skilled professionals than the worldwide average—and maintains top-five status for AI startup funding according to the Stanford AI Index. However, challenges persist: India’s $1.25 billion sovereign AI program pales beside France’s $117 billion or Saudi Arabia’s $100 billion initiatives, while infrastructure gaps and talent retention issues complicate development.

    The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development notes India outperforms its economic development stage in AI readiness, alongside Brazil and the Philippines. Domestic innovation focuses on practical applications rather than competing directly in large language model development. Maharashtra’s AI app MahaVISTAAR exemplifies this approach, delivering agricultural guidance in Marathi to over 15 million farmers.

    Peak XV Partners Managing Director Shailendra Singh observes: ‘AI will democratize entrepreneurship over the next decade, creating massive downstream effects across India and Asia-Pacific.’ This optimism reflects in doubled AI startup investments year-over-year, though $1.16 billion in private funding remains dwarfed by America’s $100 billion and China’s $10 billion.

    Concerns persist regarding AI’s disruptive impact on India’s cornerstone IT services sector. Jefferies warns billion-dollar IT firms face significant vulnerability as AI transforms traditional business functions, with slowing growth, stock underperformance, and stagnant wages already emerging.