Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • 2.83 million people sit China’s civil service exam

    2.83 million people sit China’s civil service exam

    A staggering 2.83 million candidates participated in China’s highly competitive civil service examination for central government institutions on Sunday, November 30, 2025, according to official data released by the State Administration of Civil Service. This massive turnout represents one of the largest concentrations of applicants for government positions worldwide, highlighting the enduring appeal of public sector careers among Chinese youth.

    The examination, administered nationwide, comes as China continues to implement policy reforms including the recently raised eligibility age cap, which has expanded opportunities for older applicants seeking government service. The record participation rate demonstrates the sustained prestige associated with civil service positions despite growing opportunities in China’s private sector.

    This year’s examination cycle follows significant developments in China’s public employment landscape, including increased digitalization of examination procedures and enhanced transparency measures in the recruitment process. The testing coincided with several other national developments, including rising influenza cases across the country and ongoing recovery efforts from the tragic Hong Kong residential fire that claimed 146 lives.

    The civil service examination system remains a cornerstone of China’s governance structure, ensuring a continuous pipeline of qualified personnel for government institutions. The overwhelming response underscores the competitive nature of public sector employment in the world’s second-largest economy, where government positions are traditionally viewed as offering stability, prestige, and opportunities for national service.

  • Netanyahu formally asks for pardon from Israeli president

    Netanyahu formally asks for pardon from Israeli president

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally submitted a request for presidential clemency to President Isaac Herzog as he confronts ongoing corruption allegations. The unprecedented appeal argues that a pardon would serve the nation’s broader interests by alleviating social tensions exacerbated by his prolonged legal proceedings.

    Netanyahu articulated in his petition that concluding the judicial process would ‘reduce the intensity of the flames’ in public discourse, emphasizing his commitment to national reconciliation during a period of significant security challenges. The Prime Minister stated his dedication to healing societal divisions and restoring institutional trust, while calling for unified support from all government branches.

    The corruption charges against Netanyahu include serious allegations of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust, all of which he has vehemently denied. Specific accusations involve the alleged acceptance of luxury items exceeding $260,000 from wealthy benefactors in exchange for political favors, along with purported attempts to influence media coverage through backchannel negotiations with Israeli news organizations.

    The timeline of Netanyahu’s court proceedings has experienced multiple postponements, attributed variously to Israel’s military engagements in Gaza, Syria, and Iran. Concurrently, the Prime Minister’s controversial judicial reform initiatives—which opponents argued would undermine judicial independence—sparked widespread protests that subsided following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.

    International support for Netanyahu’s pardon has emerged from notable figures including former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently communicated directly with President Herzog. Trump’s endorsement highlighted Netanyahu’s diplomatic achievements in normalizing relations with Arab nations, characterizing these developments as historic breakthroughs pursued for millennia.

  • Fire death toll jumps to 146 after Hong Kong police search four high-rise blocks

    Fire death toll jumps to 146 after Hong Kong police search four high-rise blocks

    Hong Kong authorities have confirmed a devastating death toll of 146 individuals following a catastrophic blaze that engulfed multiple residential towers in the city’s northern Tai Po district. The tragedy, now recognized as Hong Kong’s deadliest fire incident in over seven decades, has plunged the community into profound mourning while triggering significant public demands for accountability.

    Police officials announced that the comprehensive search operation across four severely damaged high-rise buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing complex will require approximately three to four weeks to complete. The inferno, which rapidly spread across seven residential towers undergoing exterior renovations, also left at least 79 individuals injured, with many victims remaining hospitalized in critical condition.

    Investigators have identified several critical safety failures that contributed to the scale of the disaster. The building’s fire alarm system was completely non-operational at the time of the incident, while highly flammable foam insulation materials and extensive bamboo scaffolding wrapped in green mesh facilitated the rapid spread of flames. The exact ignition source remains under active investigation by forensic teams.

    The human toll of the catastrophe has manifested in overwhelming public displays of grief. Thousands of mourners formed queues extending over a kilometer along nearby canal banks to lay white floral tributes and personal notes addressed to victims. The pervasive smell of smoke continued to linger over the area four days after the fire was extinguished.

    Among the confirmed fatalities are seven Indonesian domestic workers and one Filipino helper, with dozens of migrant workers still unaccounted for. The city’s Filipino community gathered for an outdoor prayer vigil attended by hundreds on Sunday, reflecting the international dimension of the tragedy.

    The disaster has sparked substantial public activism, with online petitions demanding independent investigations into potential corruption and construction oversight failures accumulating over 10,000 signatures before being abruptly closed. Authorities have detained Miles Kwan, a 24-year-old activist associated with the petition movement, though official charges remain unspecified.

    Beijing has issued a stern warning regarding potential protests, emphasizing that national security legislation would be enforced against any demonstrations perceived as ‘anti-China’ in nature. This statement has created additional tension amidst the community’s legitimate demands for transparency and reform of building safety regulations.

  • Dubai salon shut down after 5 workers caught without valid work permits

    Dubai salon shut down after 5 workers caught without valid work permits

    Authorities in Dubai have permanently shuttered a women’s beauty salon after a coordinated inspection uncovered significant breaches of labor and residency regulations. The operation, conducted as part of ongoing compliance efforts, revealed five female employees working without valid work permits.

    Investigators determined that all five workers had originally entered the United Arab Emirates on visit visas. Two individuals had overstayed their visas without renewal or penalty payment, while three others were found to be working illegally despite holding technically valid visit documents. UAE immigration regulations explicitly prohibit employment on visit visas, requiring proper labor approval and work permits before commencing any professional duties.

    The salon owner faced separate violations, discovered to be operating the establishment while holding a work permit tied to another business entity. For approximately eighteen months, she had managed the salon independently while employing workers without proper sponsorship transfers or authorization.

    During judicial proceedings conducted via video conference, all parties admitted to the violations. The court imposed substantial penalties: fines for all workers operating without permits, one-month prison sentences or alternative fines for the two visa overstayers followed by deportation, and a significant AED 50,000 fine for the owner—multiplied by the number of unauthorized employees.

    This case occurs within the context of broader enforcement initiatives. According to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), UAE authorities apprehended over 32,000 visa violators during the first half of this year. These inspections represent sustained efforts to ensure foreign nationals comply with the country’s residence and employment legislation, particularly within sectors like beauty and fitness that directly impact public health and safety standards.

  • Two-goal Foden helps Manchester City overcome reliance on Haaland

    Two-goal Foden helps Manchester City overcome reliance on Haaland

    In a dramatic Premier League showdown at Etihad Stadium, Phil Foden delivered a masterclass performance that secured Manchester City’s crucial 3-2 victory over Leeds United on Saturday. The English midfielder netted twice, including a spectacular stoppage-time winner, demonstrating his growing importance to the squad as star striker Erling Haaland extends his goalless streak to three consecutive matches.

    Manager Pep Guardiola lavished praise on the 25-year-old phenomenon, describing him as ‘a gift’ to manage and highlighting his extraordinary development since joining the club as a teenager. ‘This season has been the Phil we met a long, long time ago,’ Guardiola reflected. ‘When he arrived at 16, 17 years old at the training sessions, it was, ‘Oh my God, what a player.”

    The victory comes at a critical juncture for City, who suffered recent defeats against Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen despite Haaland’s league-leading 14 goals this season. Guardiola emphasized Foden’s tactical flexibility and winning mentality as key differentiators: ‘Some players when the situation is uncomfortable, they make a step back. Phil is completely the opposite. He says, ‘Give me the ball because I want to dribble, I want to score, I want to win the game.”

    Foden’s resurgence has earned him a recall to the England national team for the first time since March, with both Guardiola and England manager Thomas Tuchel agreeing that his optimal position lies centrally behind the striker. ‘A guy who has this sense of goal has to be close to the ball,’ Guardiola affirmed, acknowledging Foden’s evolving role as a creative and scoring threat.

    The performance signals a potential strategic shift for City, suggesting reduced dependency on Haaland’s scoring prowess as Foden continues to demonstrate his capacity to deliver decisive moments in high-pressure situations.

  • New Kuwait drug law imposes death penalty, life imprisonment

    New Kuwait drug law imposes death penalty, life imprisonment

    Kuwait has established one of the world’s most stringent anti-drug frameworks with legislation set to take effect December 15, 2025. The comprehensive law introduces extreme penalties including capital punishment and life imprisonment for serious narcotics offenses, while simultaneously creating innovative rehabilitation pathways for addicts.

    The legislative framework specifies severe consequences for importing, smuggling, manufacturing, or cultivating illicit substances, with financial penalties reaching two million Kuwaiti dinars. Particularly stringent measures target those exploiting minors in drug-related activities, utilizing drugs within institutional settings including rehabilitation centers and educational facilities, and coercing others into substance use.

    The legislation addresses sophisticated criminal operations by establishing enhanced penalties for managing drug trafficking organizations, planting narcotics on others to facilitate false accusations, and abusing public office for drug-related crimes. Additionally, the law criminalizes the fraudulent issuance of prescriptions for controlled substances.

    A distinctive feature of the legislation is its dual approach combining harsh penalties with treatment opportunities. Individuals struggling with addiction may seek treatment voluntarily or through confidential reports filed by relatives within the third degree of kinship. Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, emphasized the complete confidentiality of these reports, with severe penalties for malicious filings or unauthorized disclosures.

    The timing of this legislative overhaul follows numerous successful interdictions of drug smuggling operations throughout Kuwait. Minister Al-Sabah characterized the new framework as enabling security forces to ‘tighten the noose on criminal networks’ through the strongest punitive system in Kuwait’s history.

    Complementing the legal measures, Kuwait will launch an extensive public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the law’s provisions and available legal recourse mechanisms.

  • China recording rapid increase in flu cases

    China recording rapid increase in flu cases

    China is currently experiencing a significant upsurge in influenza cases, with health authorities reporting a rapid nationwide increase that is projected to intensify in the coming weeks. According to recent data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the influenza positivity rate among patients presenting influenza-like symptoms has reached nearly 45% during the week beginning November 17, marking a substantial rise from the previous week’s 38% rate.

    The national health agency has classified the current flu epidemic at a medium intensity level, with several provinces already reporting high influenza activity. Health officials have identified a particular vulnerability among school-aged children, noting that infection clusters within educational institutions continue to multiply. Children between five and fourteen years old are demonstrating significantly higher positivity rates compared to other age demographics.

    While influenza dominates current respiratory concerns, other viruses including rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and enterovirus remain in circulation, though their transmission rates show a declining trend while maintaining noticeable presence.

    The China CDC has issued specific guidance for high-risk environments, urging nursery care facilities, schools, and elderly care institutions to implement rigorous health monitoring protocols and respond promptly to any detected infection clusters. Public health recommendations emphasize preventive measures, particularly advocating for vaccination among vulnerable populations including healthcare workers, elderly individuals, and those with preexisting medical conditions. The agency further advises mask-wearing in public spaces as an additional protective measure against respiratory virus transmission.

  • Indonesia searches for hundreds missing in deadly floods

    Indonesia searches for hundreds missing in deadly floods

    Southeast Asia is grappling with a humanitarian catastrophe of immense proportions following the devastating impact of an exceptionally rare tropical storm, Cyclone Senyar. Torrential cyclonic rains triggered catastrophic flooding and lethal landslides across the region nearly a week ago, with Indonesia’s island of Sumatra bearing the brunt of the destruction.

    The Indonesian government confirms the death toll has surged past 440, while rescue teams are engaged in a desperate search for at least 400 individuals reported missing, many feared buried under massive mudslides. The National Disaster Management Agency identified the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra as particularly hard-hit areas where numerous people remain unaccounted for.

    Aid distribution faces significant logistical challenges. While assistance is being delivered by air and sea, numerous villages remain completely isolated and have yet to receive any help. Agency head Suharyanto specifically highlighted Central Tapanuli and Sibolga as cities requiring urgent attention due to their isolated conditions, with ships expected to reach Sibolga on Monday.

    The situation has grown increasingly desperate in some areas. Police spokesperson Ferry Walintukan acknowledged reports of looting, with residents breaking into shops to secure food and water. Police units have been deployed to restore order. ‘The looting happened before logistical aid arrived,’ Walintukan explained. ‘Residents didn’t know that aid would come and were worried they would starve.’

    In villages like Sungai Nyalo, approximately 100km from West Sumatra’s capital Padang, floodwaters have receded but left behind a landscape blanketed in thick grey mud, covering homes, vehicles, and agricultural land. Despite the devastation, many residents like 55-year-old Idris have chosen to remain, reluctant to abandon their homes even as clearing operations have yet to begin.

    The crisis has drawn international response, with Malaysia sending critical medical supplies to the devastated Aceh province. In a significant technological assistance move, tech billionaire Elon Musk has pledged to provide free Starlink satellite internet services to support emergency communications throughout the disaster response.

    The regional impact of the severe weather is extensive. Neighboring Thailand reports at least 170 flood-related fatalities, while Malaysia has also recorded several deaths. The Philippines faces a dual crisis, with floods killing over 200 people this month sparking massive anti-corruption protests involving tens of thousands of citizens. Sri Lanka is simultaneously confronting one of its worst weather disasters in years, with at least 193 lives lost to floods and mudslides.

  • New gas pipeline to benefit southern Xinjiang

    New gas pipeline to benefit southern Xinjiang

    China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has inaugurated a major natural gas infrastructure project in Xinjiang, marking a significant advancement in regional energy security. The newly commissioned 378-kilometer pipeline, constructed by CNPC’s Tarim Oilfield division, commenced operations on Sunday following an eight-month construction period that began on March 10.

    The pipeline establishes a critical energy corridor stretching from the Yingmaili oil and gas field transmission station in Aksu prefecture to the Sancha distribution station in Kashgar prefecture. This strategic route along the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains incorporates substantial infrastructure development, including 11 newly constructed valve chambers and distribution stations, complemented by the expansion of three existing natural gas facilities.

    With an impressive maximum daily supply capacity of 7.2 million cubic meters, the pipeline creates a secondary supply route specifically designed to alleviate chronic gas shortages throughout the region. The project represents a substantial upgrade to the area’s energy infrastructure, addressing long-standing limitations in transmission capacity and pipeline coverage.

    Kang Chun, Chief Expert at Tarim Oilfield, emphasized the project’s transformative potential: “This infrastructure will directly enhance living standards for over two million residents across multiple ethnic groups. The pipeline services five counties and cities, including Aksu city and Bachu county, plus two agricultural and pastoral regiments, ensuring reliable access to clean energy for diverse communities.”

    The project demonstrates China’s continuing investment in western regional development while supporting the country’s broader transition toward cleaner energy sources. The enhanced natural gas distribution network is expected to reduce dependence on traditional solid fuels, contributing to improved air quality and environmental outcomes across southern Xinjiang.

  • China holds first national civil service exam since raising eligibility age cap

    China holds first national civil service exam since raising eligibility age cap

    BEIJING, Nov. 30, 2025 – China witnessed a landmark national civil service examination on Sunday, marking the first administration since the government implemented significant age eligibility reforms. The historic testing session attracted over 3.7 million candidates competing for approximately 37,800 positions within central authorities and their subsidiary agencies, creating an average competition ratio of 98 applicants per available post.

    The testing environment reflected the substantial policy shift that has eliminated the traditional 35-year age barrier that long characterized China’s employment landscape. Authorities have now established a general age ceiling of 38 for most applicants, while extending special consideration to advanced degree holders. Graduates from master’s and doctoral programs now benefit from an expanded eligibility threshold of 43 years.

    According to official statistics, approximately 70% of the available positions remain designated exclusively for recent college graduates, maintaining the government’s commitment to youth employment initiatives. The age reform represents a strategic response to demographic challenges and evolving workforce patterns, acknowledging the valuable contributions of experienced professionals seeking public service careers.

    The massive turnout demonstrates both the enduring appeal of civil service positions and the pent-up demand among older applicants previously excluded by age restrictions. Examination centers across the country reported smooth operations as invigilators monitored the high-stakes testing process that could determine career trajectories for millions.

    This policy adjustment aligns with broader governmental efforts to create more inclusive employment practices while addressing the nation’s complex socioeconomic needs. The reformed eligibility criteria potentially unlock new talent pools for China’s public administration system at both central and local levels.