Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Sri Lanka issues landslide warnings as cyclone toll hits 618

    Sri Lanka issues landslide warnings as cyclone toll hits 618

    Sri Lankan authorities escalated landslide alerts on Sunday as torrential rains continued to batter regions already crippled by Cyclone Ditwah, with the official death count climbing to 618 casualties. The catastrophic weather system has impacted over two million residents—representing nearly ten percent of the nation’s population—through devastating floods and landslides marking the most severe natural disaster this century.

    The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that ongoing monsoon conditions are exacerbating the situation, saturating hillsides and increasing instability across central mountainous zones and northwestern midlands. Aviation units are conducting critical supply missions to isolated communities in the country’s interior, where landslide debris has severed access routes.

    International assistance continues to arrive, with the Sri Lanka Air Force receiving a humanitarian shipment from Myanmar on Sunday. Official statistics reveal 209 individuals remain missing, while the number of displaced persons in government shelters has decreased to 100,000 from a peak of 225,000 as floodwaters gradually recede.

    Structural damage assessment indicates over 75,000 homes suffered impairment, including approximately 5,000 completely destroyed properties. In response, the government unveiled a comprehensive compensation initiative on Friday to facilitate reconstruction of residences and revitalization of businesses devastated by the calamity.

    Financial support measures include offers of up to 10 million rupees ($33,000) for survivors to acquire safer land and construct new dwellings, alongside one million rupees compensation for families of deceased or permanently disabled victims. The central bank has mandated commercial lenders to restructure outstanding loans amid recovery efforts.

    The disaster strikes as Sri Lanka demonstrates fragile economic recovery from its 2022 financial collapse. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake acknowledged to parliament that while economic indicators had improved, the nation lacks sufficient resilience to independently manage reconstruction costs potentially reaching $7 billion. The International Monetary Fund is evaluating Sri Lanka’s request for an additional $200 million in emergency funding beyond its existing $2.9 billion bailout program.

  • Sri Lankans in UAE unite behind ‘Tears to Smiles’ campaign for Cyclone Ditwah victims

    Sri Lankans in UAE unite behind ‘Tears to Smiles’ campaign for Cyclone Ditwah victims

    The Sri Lankan diaspora in the United Arab Emirates has mobilized an extensive humanitarian response following Cyclone Ditwah’s catastrophic impact on their homeland. Multiple professional associations, alumni networks, and the Sri Lankan Welfare Association (SLWA) have united to coordinate relief efforts for victims of the devastating storm that claimed 618 lives and caused an estimated $7 billion in reconstruction costs.

    Central to these efforts is the ‘Tears to Smiles’ initiative launched December 1st, which aims to provide essential clothing packages to affected communities across Sri Lanka’s hardest-hit districts. The campaign has already demonstrated significant progress, with 530 gift packs valued at Dh42,000 distributed to flood victims in Badulla, Matale, and Anuradhapura regions—representing 53% of their initial 1,000-pack target.

    The Sri Lankan Bankers Association (SLBA)-UAE is collaborating with diplomatic missions to establish transparent, coordinated support channels ensuring direct assistance reaches those most affected. Association President M. Isthiaq Raziq emphasized the importance of systematic coordination with authorities in Sri Lanka to maximize the effectiveness of their relief operations.

    Community leaders expressed profound gratitude toward UAE leadership for their substantial support while highlighting the collective determination of expatriates to aid recovery efforts. Sanjaya R. Jirasinha of SLWA-Sahana noted the campaign demonstrates that affected compatriots ‘are not alone,’ while representatives from banking, management, and travel sectors reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing support through coordinated action with Sri Lankan diplomatic posts in the UAE.

  • Gaza talks at ‘critical moment’, ceasefire not complete, Qatar’s prime minister says

    Gaza talks at ‘critical moment’, ceasefire not complete, Qatar’s prime minister says

    Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani declared on Saturday that negotiations to solidify the U.S.-backed truce in Gaza have entered a critically sensitive phase. Speaking with measured urgency, the Qatari leader emphasized that current conditions cannot yet be classified as a complete ceasefire, noting that a genuine cessation of hostilities requires full Israeli military withdrawal and restored stability enabling free civilian movement throughout Gaza.

    The Prime Minister, whose nation has served as a pivotal mediator in the conflict, confirmed ongoing diplomatic efforts to advance the next phase of the truce arrangement. These efforts specifically focus on establishing unimpeded civilian movement within the besieged territory, a fundamental requirement for sustainable peace.

    Despite the overall reduction in violence since the October 10 truce implementation, hostilities have not fully ceased. Palestinian health authorities reported seven fatalities in northern Gaza communities on Saturday, including a seventy-year-old woman allegedly killed in a drone strike. Israeli military officials countered these claims, stating their forces—positioned behind established withdrawal boundaries—engaged and eliminated three militants who crossed demarcation lines in separate incidents. The military explicitly denied conducting any drone strikes in the area.

    Parallel negotiations continue regarding the implementation of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s conflict resolution proposal. This plan envisions establishing an interim technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, supervised by an international ‘board of peace’ and supported by a multinational security force. However, discussions concerning the composition and mandate of this proposed force have encountered significant obstacles.

    The initial phase of Trump’s proposal nears completion following recent developments. Hamas has released all twenty surviving hostages and returned twenty-seven bodies in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. An Israeli delegation met with mediators in Cairo to negotiate the return of the final remaining deceased hostage, after which Israel committed to opening the Rafah Crossing for both exit and entry operations.

    Both conflicting parties continue to exchange allegations of truce violations, with Israel maintaining targeted operations against what it identifies as Hamas infrastructure, underscoring the fragile nature of the current arrangement.

  • Free shuttles provided for residents affected by Tai Po fire to vote

    Free shuttles provided for residents affected by Tai Po fire to vote

    Hong Kong authorities have implemented special transportation measures to ensure voting accessibility for residents impacted by last month’s devastating Tai Po fire. As the 2025 Legislative Council general election commenced Sunday morning, complimentary shuttle bus services were deployed to facilitate round-trip transit between affected neighborhoods and designated polling stations.

    The initiative represents a collaborative effort between election officials and district support services to maintain democratic participation amidst recovery operations. The fire, which occurred in November, had displaced numerous households and damaged local infrastructure, potentially creating transportation challenges for residents seeking to exercise their voting rights.

    Election Commission representatives emphasized that the shuttle program aligns with the government’s commitment to inclusive electoral processes. The free buses operated on scheduled routes throughout the polling hours, connecting temporary accommodation centers with voting facilities across the Tai Po constituency.

    This accommodation demonstrates Hong Kong’s procedural adaptability in ensuring all eligible voters can participate in the electoral process regardless of temporary personal circumstances. The measure received acknowledgment from community leaders who noted its importance in maintaining civic engagement during the recovery period.

  • Global influencers unlock scenic and cultural charms of Hechi

    Global influencers unlock scenic and cultural charms of Hechi

    A delegation of international content creators recently concluded an immersive cultural expedition through Hechi in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, uncovering the area’s unique blend of natural wonders and ethnic traditions. From December 6-7, 2025, these global influencers documented their journey through regions celebrated for both scenic beauty and cultural significance.

    The itinerary featured deep exploration of Bama Yao Autonomous County, internationally recognized for its exceptional longevity demographics and wellness practices. Participants experienced firsthand the lifestyle factors contributing to the region’s remarkable population of centenarians.

    The creators then ventured into Donglan County, where they marveled at spectacular karst formations surrounding pristine lakes and engaged with the vibrant bronze drum culture of the Zhuang ethnic group. The journey culminated in Yizhou District, where they discovered the enduring legacy of Liu Sanjie, the legendary ‘Song Fairy’ whose folk music traditions continue to resonate through generations.

    Throughout the expedition, the content creators captured extensive multimedia documentation of Hechi’s diverse attractions, from its breathtaking landscapes to its rich tapestry of ethnic customs. The initiative aimed to showcase Hechi’s cultural assets and wellness tourism potential to international audiences through the creators’ global platforms.

    Local cultural authorities facilitated authentic interactions with ethnic communities, providing the visitors with opportunities to participate in traditional practices and gain deeper understanding of the region’s cultural heritage. The program represents part of Hechi’s broader strategy to promote cultural tourism and international exchange.

  • IndiGo restores 95% of flights after week of cancellations

    IndiGo restores 95% of flights after week of cancellations

    India’s aviation sector witnesses operational stabilization as budget carrier IndiGo announces restoration of 95% flight connectivity following severe network disruptions that plagued the first week of December. The airline confirmed operating approximately 700 flights across 113 destinations on December 5th, characterizing the measure as a strategic ‘network reboot’ to reset systems and crew rosters.

    By December 6th, the carrier progressed toward operating over 1,500 daily flights, successfully reinstating services to 135 of its 138 destinations. The operational crisis had previously stranded tens of thousands of passengers nationwide, creating airport chaos and exhausting frontline personnel.

    In an official statement released via social media platform X, the airline acknowledged the substantial trust deficit created among travelers while expressing commitment to rebuilding passenger confidence. Management extended gratitude to governmental authorities, aviation partners, and ground staff for their support during the critical operational recalibration.

    The airline’s communication emphasized early signs of system improvement while recognizing the ongoing journey toward complete operational normalization. Industry analysts monitor the situation closely given IndiGo’s dominant market share in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, where operational reliability directly impacts national economic activity and passenger mobility.

  • ‘We can manage for now’: HK rallies with fire recovery efforts on track

    ‘We can manage for now’: HK rallies with fire recovery efforts on track

    Hong Kong’s community spirit and governmental coordination have emerged as cornerstones of the ongoing recovery efforts following last month’s devastating high-rise fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The tragic incident, which claimed multiple lives and displaced thousands of residents, has triggered an unprecedented mobilization of resources from both central and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region governments.

    Structural safety assessments across all affected buildings were completed within a remarkable 24-hour timeframe, according to Daniel Leung Hung-wai, Deputy Director of the Housing Bureau’s Development and Construction Department. This rapid response was made possible through substantial material support from the central government, which provided critical equipment including protective gear and specialized lighting for working in pitch-black environments. Over 100 personnel conducted simultaneous operations in a large-scale demonstration of emergency response capabilities.

    The humanitarian aspect of the disaster response has seen significant progress, with transitional housing operator Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society quickly allocating more than 20 units on the night of the blaze. The organization has since rehoused over 80 households, with rental payments waived and flexible lease agreements designed to accommodate varying recovery timelines. Project Development Manager Cherry Lee Yim-ming noted the ‘remarkable’ community mobilization that assembled vast quantities of aid supplies—from bedding and food to household appliances and cleaning products—within less than a week.

    As of recent figures, 1,369 affected residents have been accommodated in youth hostels, camps, or hotels through the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, while 2,499 have moved into transitional housing provided by the Housing Bureau and the Hong Kong Housing Society. The government’s ‘one-household, one-social worker’ mechanism has proven vital for long-term recovery planning, with care teams providing personalized assistance to vulnerable residents.

    Despite the profound personal losses experienced by many—including one resident who lost all financial cards and possessions—the collective response has provided a foundation of stability. ‘With the help from the government and all those around us, we can manage for the time being,’ one displaced resident acknowledged, capturing the tempered optimism that characterizes the ongoing recovery journey.

  • Inside UAE’s most ambitious AI model: Teaching robots how to think

    Inside UAE’s most ambitious AI model: Teaching robots how to think

    Researchers at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) have developed PAN, a groundbreaking AI model that represents a significant leap beyond conventional video generation systems. Unlike text-to-video models like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo that focus on visual replication, PAN employs a sophisticated hybrid architecture that understands physical dynamics, cause-effect relationships, and real-world semantics.

    The system functions as a comprehensive world model, enabling robotic agents to simulate thousands of interactions within virtual environments before physical execution. This approach addresses a fundamental challenge in robotics development: the prohibitive costs and risks associated with real-world training. Where current robotics companies require hundreds of human operators and thousands of repetitive demonstrations to teach basic skills, PAN accelerates learning by approximately 430,000 times compared to physical training methods.

    Jon Carvill, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at MBZUAI, explains that PAN’s architecture combines diffusion models for visual fidelity with large language model capabilities that maintain world semantics over extended sequences. This allows the system to maintain internal memory of scene elements and object movements, updating its understanding frame-by-frame rather than generating complete videos in a single pass.

    The implications extend across multiple domains, from autonomous vehicles navigating complex traffic scenarios to household robots performing domestic tasks like laundry folding and dishwasher loading. By compressing decades of physical practice into computational hours, PAN dramatically reduces development costs and accessibility barriers for advanced robotics.

    This development positions MBZUAI at the forefront of embodied AI research—systems that understand physical consequences rather than merely recognizing data patterns. The university’s distributed development model, leveraging teams in both Abu Dhabi and Silicon Valley, has accelerated PAN’s creation through clearly defined research pipelines and global talent integration.

    Looking toward 2030, researchers envision PAN-like world models becoming the standard foundation for intelligent agents, enabling safe autonomous systems and AI that comprehends consequence rather than mere correlation.

  • Foreign media urged to report truthfully on HK matters

    Foreign media urged to report truthfully on HK matters

    The Office for Safeguarding National Security of China’s Central Government in Hong Kong has issued a formal admonition to international media organizations operating within the special administrative region. During high-level discussions held on Saturday, December 7th, 2025, the office expressed serious concerns regarding what it characterized as deliberately misleading reporting on Hong Kong affairs.

    According to the official statement, the security office specifically cited two instances of problematic coverage: distorted portrayals of the Hong Kong government’s emergency response to the catastrophic Wang Fuk Court residential complex fire, and biased reporting on the recent Legislative Council General Election. The office asserted that such coverage has exacerbated social tensions, caused emotional distress to Hong Kong residents, and presented a distorted picture to the international community.

    The security authority emphasized that foreign media outlets must comply with local regulations while maintaining journalistic integrity through adherence to truth, accuracy, objectivity, and fairness in their reporting. The office simultaneously reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lawful rights of foreign journalists operating in Hong Kong and pledged continued support for the HKSAR government in providing necessary assistance to legitimate media activities.

    This development highlights the ongoing tensions between China’s national security framework and international media operations in Hong Kong, particularly regarding coverage sensitive to China’s governance model and political processes.

  • Lee: Vote to drive reform and help HK fire victims

    Lee: Vote to drive reform and help HK fire victims

    Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu exercised his democratic right on Sunday, December 7, 2025, casting his ballot in the eighth Legislative Council General Election. Following his vote at Raimondi College polling station in Mid-Levels, Lee issued a compelling appeal to all eligible voters across the special administrative region to participate in the electoral process.

    The Chief Executive emphasized the critical importance of selecting representatives committed to driving substantive reform while simultaneously addressing the urgent needs of victims affected by last month’s devastating Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po. The tragic incident, which claimed at least 159 lives, has highlighted the necessity for robust legislative support and systemic improvements.

    Lee praised the electoral arrangements implemented for this election, noting his voting experience was both ‘convenient and smooth.’ Special provisions included dedicated polling stations and an extended two-hour voting period designed to maximize public participation in the democratic process.

    In a significant commitment, the Chief Executive announced his intention to propose a comprehensive disaster relief motion during the inaugural session of the newly elected Legislative Council. This initiative aims to establish collaborative mechanisms between the executive and legislative branches to support affected residents through accelerated recovery and reconstruction efforts.

    ‘The first meeting of the Legislative Council will prioritize discussions on supporting disaster victims,’ Lee stated. ‘We will engage in consultations with lawmakers promptly to ascertain truth expeditiously and facilitate efficient recovery operations.’

    The election represents a pivotal moment for Hong Kong’s governance framework, balancing long-term reform objectives with immediate humanitarian response requirements following one of the territory’s most devastating residential fires in recent history.