Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Kyrgyzstan holds snap parliamentary vote as opposition faces crackdown

    Kyrgyzstan holds snap parliamentary vote as opposition faces crackdown

    Voters in Kyrgyzstan headed to the polls on Sunday for an unscheduled parliamentary election conducted under circumstances that critics describe as a systematic erosion of democratic norms. The electoral process unfolds against a backdrop of detained opposition leaders and shuttered independent media outlets, signaling a profound political shift in this Central Asian nation.

    President Sadyr Zhaparov, who has consolidated power since assuming office, appears poised to strengthen his parliamentary majority through this early ballot. Officials justified the expedited timeline by citing a need to avoid proximity to the scheduled 2027 presidential election.

    Substantial electoral reforms have reshaped the political landscape, with the nation divided into 30 constituencies each electing three representatives to the 90-seat Jogorku Kenesh (unicameral parliament). Among 467 registered candidates, a gender quota mechanism mandates the election of at least one female legislator per district.

    Political analysts attribute Zhaparov’s anticipated electoral success to Kyrgyzstan’s robust economic performance, partially driven by the country’s strategic positioning amid international sanctions against Russia. As a participant in Russian-led economic and security alliances and host to a Russian military installation, Kyrgyzstan maintains strong ties with Moscow while having previously accommodated a U.S. air base during Afghanistan operations. The nation remains one of the most economically vulnerable states to emerge from the Soviet collapse, heavily reliant on Russian economic assistance.

  • Sumatra residents loot for food and water after deadly floods

    Sumatra residents loot for food and water after deadly floods

    MEDAN, Indonesia — Desperate survivors of catastrophic flooding on Indonesia’s Sumatra island have resorted to looting essential supplies as aid delivery struggles to reach isolated communities, authorities confirmed Sunday. The devastating floods and subsequent landslides have claimed at least 303 lives, with officials warning the death toll will likely increase as recovery operations continue.

    The disaster, which struck nearly a week ago, has created unprecedented challenges for rescue teams. Inaccessible road networks, compromised communication infrastructure, and persistent adverse weather conditions have severely hindered relief efforts. The hardest-hit regions of Sibolga city and Central Tapanuli district remain particularly vulnerable due to delayed assistance.

    Disturbing social media footage captured residents navigating through hazardous floodwaters and damaged structures to access food, medical supplies, and fuel from compromised retail establishments. The looting incidents, first documented by North Sumatra Police on Saturday, occurred primarily before organized aid could reach stranded communities.

    Police spokesperson Ferry Walintukan explained the desperation behind these actions: ‘The looting happened before logistical aid arrived. Residents were unaware assistance was forthcoming and faced legitimate concerns about starvation.’

    The Indonesian government has mobilized substantial resources, deploying eleven helicopters from Jakarta for ongoing logistics distribution operations. Military aircraft have been conducting aerial supply drops to remote villages, where survivors have been seen desperately signaling for help. Additionally, four naval vessels have docked to support relief operations.

    Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya acknowledged the operational challenges: ‘Unpredictable weather continues to hamper our aid delivery, particularly to areas where land access remains completely severed.’

    Indonesia’s geographical position on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ makes it exceptionally vulnerable to natural disasters, including frequent seismic activity, volcanic eruptions, and seasonal flooding that regularly triggers deadly landslides across the archipelago nation of 280 million people.

  • Faf du Plessis pulls out of IPL 2026 auction to play in Pakistan Super League

    Faf du Plessis pulls out of IPL 2026 auction to play in Pakistan Super League

    In a significant shift for international T20 cricket, former South African captain Faf du Plessis has announced his departure from the Indian Premier League after fourteen consecutive seasons. The veteran batsman revealed through social media that he will not participate in the upcoming IPL 2026 auction, instead opting to join the Pakistan Super League for the forthcoming season.

    Du Plessis, who has been an integral part of the IPL since its early years, expressed profound gratitude for his extensive career in the Indian tournament. Having represented four franchises—Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and most recently Delhi Capitals—the 41-year-old cricketer acknowledged the transformative impact of his IPL journey on both his professional and personal development.

    The decision comes after a comparatively challenging final season with Delhi Capitals, where du Plessis managed 202 runs across nine matches with an average of 22.44. Despite this, his overall IPL legacy remains impressive: 154 matches, 4,773 runs at an average of 35.10, and a strike rate of 135.79, highlighted by two championship victories with Chennai Super Kings in 2018 and 2021.

    In his emotional Instagram statement, du Plessis emphasized that this move represents neither retirement nor permanent departure from Indian cricket, but rather an intentional pursuit of fresh competitive stimulation. The Pakistani league offers him unprecedented opportunities to experience new cricketing environments, engage with different playing styles, and contribute to the growing prestige of PSL.

    The 2026 IPL auction, scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, will proceed as a single-day mini-auction without the participation of one of the league’s most recognizable international stars. This development marks a notable moment in the evolving landscape of global T20 leagues, demonstrating increased player mobility between major tournaments.

  • Thousands in Philippines protest corruption and demand return of stolen funds from flood projects

    Thousands in Philippines protest corruption and demand return of stolen funds from flood projects

    MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine capital witnessed significant civil unrest on Sunday as thousands of citizens, including prominent Roman Catholic clergy members, organized coordinated demonstrations demanding immediate accountability for government officials embroiled in a widespread corruption scandal involving misappropriated flood control funds.

    In a powerful display of public outrage, left-wing activist groups staged separate protests at Manila’s central park, issuing uncompromising demands for the resignation and prosecution of all officials connected to the scandal. The corruption scheme allegedly diverted billions of pesos intended for critical infrastructure projects, resulting in substandard, defective, or completely nonexistent flood control systems across the disaster-prone archipelago nation.

    President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration has been working to contain the political fallout from the scandal, which has exposed systemic graft within legislative and public works sectors. The presidential palace complex implemented stringent security measures, deploying over 17,000 police officers throughout metropolitan Manila and establishing barricades with anti-riot forces, military trucks, and barbed wire installations.

    Amid the heightened tensions, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional democracy, supporting a statement endorsed by 88 retired generals—including three former military chiefs of staff—that condemned calls for military intervention against the current administration.

    Catholic churches nationwide facilitated the anti-corruption rallies, with the primary gathering occurring at the historic EDSA highway ‘people power’ monument. Approximately 5,000 demonstrators, predominantly dressed in symbolic white attire, demanded the imprisonment of legislators, officials, and construction executives responsible for the infrastructure failures. Reverend Flavie Villanueva, a prominent Catholic priest known for his advocacy work, addressed the crowd, declaring: ‘Jail all the corrupt and jail all the killers.’

    The ongoing investigation has yielded concrete results: seven public works officers have been incarcerated on graft charges, former government engineer Henry Alcantara has returned 110 million pesos ($1.9 million) in kickbacks, and authorities have frozen approximately 12 billion pesos ($206 million) in assets connected to the scandal. President Marcos has publicly committed to seeing numerous implicated senators, congress members, and business executives imprisoned before Christmas, though protesters demand even swifter justice and full restitution of stolen public funds.

  • Hong Kong mourns as deadly fire claims 128 lives and sparks safety crackdown

    Hong Kong mourns as deadly fire claims 128 lives and sparks safety crackdown

    HONG KONG — A devastating inferno that consumed a residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has claimed 128 lives, triggering massive urban safety reforms and corruption investigations. The Wang Fuk Court complex fire, which raged for 40 hours before being fully extinguished Friday, represents the city’s most lethal blaze in recent memory.

    Mourners continued gathering Sunday at the blackened buildings, creating makeshift memorials with white roses, carnations, and handwritten notes. The emotional tributes reflected a city in collective grief as residents bowed in prayer toward the scorched towers where many elderly residents and migrant workers perished.

    The catastrophe has exposed critical safety failures in building renovations. All eight 31-story towers were shrouded in bamboo scaffolding draped with nylon netting and polystyrene panels—highly combustible materials that accelerated the fire’s spread. Preliminary investigations indicate the blaze originated Wednesday afternoon on lower-level scaffolding before winds propelled flames upward and across buildings.

    Hong Kong authorities have taken decisive action against Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, suspending all 28 of its ongoing projects. Government statements cited “serious deficiencies in site safety management,” particularly the extensive use of flammable foam boards that violated safety protocols.

    The legal aftermath has expanded significantly, with anti-corruption authorities arresting eleven individuals including company directors, engineering consultants, and scaffolding subcontractors. Three initially arrested for suspected manslaughter were re-arrested by the Independent Commission Against Corruption amid allegations of gross negligence.

    The human toll continues to emerge, with approximately 150 residents still unaccounted for and 44 bodies awaiting identification. Among confirmed fatalities are two Indonesian migrant workers and one Filipino domestic helper, whose government noted she had “made innumerable sacrifices to provide a better life for her family.

    In response, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management announced immediate nationwide inspections of high-rise buildings, targeting bamboo scaffolding, non-flame-retardant materials, and firefighting equipment deficiencies. The tragedy has prompted wholesale reevaluation of urban safety protocols across China’s densely populated cities.

  • UAE condemns Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, calls for immediate action

    UAE condemns Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, calls for immediate action

    The United Arab Emirates has issued a formal condemnation of Israel’s recent military operations within Syrian territory, characterizing these actions as a dangerous escalation in regional tensions. The UAE government expressed profound disapproval of attacks targeting villages in the Damascus countryside, emphasizing its categorical rejection of any violation of Syria’s national sovereignty and the consequent threat to regional security and stability.

    In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Emirates called upon the global community to implement immediate measures aimed at ceasing the recurrent assaults on Syrian soil. The statement further urged international stakeholders to prevent further escalation and refrain from any activities that might exacerbate tensions in the Middle East, potentially jeopardizing both regional and international peace and security frameworks.

    The UAE’s diplomatic position reflects growing concern among Middle Eastern nations regarding the destabilizing effects of cross-border military operations. This development occurs amid complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, where multiple international actors maintain strategic interests. The Emirates’ statement underscores the importance of respecting national boundaries and adhering to international law principles governing interstate relations and conflict resolution.

  • Pakistan outclass Sri Lanka to win T20I tri-series

    Pakistan outclass Sri Lanka to win T20I tri-series

    Pakistan secured a commanding six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the T20I tri-series final on Saturday at Rawalpindi Stadium, showcasing exceptional bowling prowess that dismantled their opponents’ batting lineup. The match concluded with eight balls remaining as Pakistan comfortably chased down a modest target of 115 runs.

    The bowling attack, led by Mohammad Nawaz (3-17) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-18), proved devastatingly effective. Sri Lanka, after being sent in to bat, collapsed dramatically from a promising position of 84-1 to a meager 114 all out in 19.1 overs. This spectacular collapse saw nine wickets fall for just 30 runs, highlighting Pakistan’s relentless bowling pressure.

    Opener Kamil Mishara provided the lone resistance for Sri Lanka with a solid 59 off 47 balls, including four sixes and two boundaries. His 64-run partnership with Kusal Mendis (14) established what appeared to be a foundation for a competitive total. However, once both batsmen departed within three overs of each other, Sri Lanka’s innings unraveled completely against Pakistan’s disciplined attack.

    In response, Pakistan’s chase was anchored by solid contributions throughout their lineup. Openers Saim Ayub (36) and Sahibzada Farhan (23) established a 46-run partnership in the first eight overs, providing crucial momentum. Despite losing captain Salman Agha (14) and Fakhar Zaman (3) in quick succession, Babar Azam’s unbeaten 37 ensured a smooth victory without further complications.

    Pakistan captain Salman Agha praised his team’s comprehensive performance, noting: ‘This has been a very good two months for us, we won against South Africa and now against Sri Lanka.’ Meanwhile, Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka acknowledged his team’s shortcomings: ‘We couldn’t build on a good platform because Pakistan bowled very well. We need to fine-tune our game ahead of the next series and the World Cup.’

    The tri-series, which also included Zimbabwe who finished bottom after losing three of their four matches, serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for February-March next year, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

  • Sri Lanka flood death toll rises to 159, many more missing

    Sri Lanka flood death toll rises to 159, many more missing

    Sri Lanka faces a catastrophic humanitarian crisis as the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah claims 159 lives with over 200 individuals still unaccounted for, marking one of the nation’s most severe weather disasters in recent history. According to the Disaster Management Centre, the devastating floods and mudslides have obliterated more than 20,000 residential structures, forcing approximately 108,000 citizens to seek refuge in government-operated temporary shelters.

    The widespread destruction has left nearly one-third of the country without essential utilities including electricity and clean running water, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency. Emergency evacuation protocols have been activated in multiple regions as water levels in the Kelani River continue to surge at alarming rates.

    Kandy and Badulla districts report the highest concentration of fatalities, with numerous communities remaining completely isolated due to impassable roads blocked by landslides. Saman Kumara, a resident of Maspanna village in Badulla, described the desperate situation: ‘We lost two villagers… others are sheltering in the only standing structures. We’re trapped with diminishing supplies of food and clean water.’

    Tragic incidents include the drowning of 11 elderly residents at a care facility in Kurunegala district, while dramatic rescue operations saved 69 passengers from a submerged bus in Anuradhapura. Survivor WM Shantha recounted the harrowing experience: ‘The navy helped us reach a building roof that partially collapsed during the ordeal.’

    The Sri Lankan government has formally requested international assistance and is appealing to overseas citizens for financial contributions to support relief efforts. Meteorologists note that while Cyclone Ditwah has moved away from the island nation after making landfall on Friday, the country continues to experience unprecedented monsoon conditions that exceed typical seasonal patterns.

    This disaster represents the most severe flooding event since the 2003 catastrophe that claimed 254 lives, coinciding with widespread flooding across Southeast Asia affecting millions in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

  • Abu Dhabi T10: Stallions reach final as Bulls set up do-or-die clash with Quetta

    Abu Dhabi T10: Stallions reach final as Bulls set up do-or-die clash with Quetta

    The Abu Dhabi T10 tournament witnessed dramatic developments on Saturday as two crucial matches determined the finalists lineup. In Qualifier 1, the Aspin Stallions secured their place in the championship final with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Quetta Qavalry at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

    The Stallions’ triumph was orchestrated by West Indies powerhouse Sherfane Rutherford, who delivered a spectacular unbeaten 66 runs from just 22 deliveries. His explosive innings, featuring six boundaries and six maximums, marked his first half-century of the tournament and propelled his team to chase down Quetta’s total of 102 with seven balls remaining.

    Despite early trouble at 13-2, Rutherford’s crucial 64-run partnership with captain Rahmanullah Gurbaz (19) stabilized the innings. The match reached its climax when Rutherford unleashed a devastating assault, scoring 22 runs from four consecutive balls against pace bowler Khuzaima Tanveer to seal the victory.

    Earlier, Quetta’s batting lineup struggled against the Stallions’ bowling attack, particularly Karim Janat (2/9) and Binura Fernando (2/14), who restricted them to 102-6 despite several batters making promising starts.

    In the Eliminator match, UAE Bulls kept their championship hopes alive with a dominant 47-run win against Ajman Titans. The Bulls posted the tournament’s highest total this season—162-3—fueled by Phil Salt’s 59 (26 balls), Tim David’s rapid 40 (13 balls), and Rovman Powell’s unbeaten 32 (10 balls). Their collective six-hitting exhibition overwhelmed the Titans.

    Although Ajman’s openers Alex Hales (35) and Aneurin Donald (37) mounted a strong 68-run partnership in 5.1 overs, UAE pace bowler Junaid Siddique turned the tide by dismissing both Hales and Rilee Rossouw in successive deliveries during the sixth over. The Titans eventually collapsed to 115-4, eliminating them from contention.

    The stage is now set for Sunday’s decisive Qualifier 2 between UAE Bulls and Quetta Qavalry at 3:30 PM, with the winner advancing to face Stallions in the championship final at 5:45 PM on the same ground.

  • UAE Lottery: Last Dh100 million remains unclaimed, 7 win Dh100,000 in latest draw

    UAE Lottery: Last Dh100 million remains unclaimed, 7 win Dh100,000 in latest draw

    The UAE Lottery’s latest Lucky Day draw has produced another group of fortunate winners while leaving the massive Dh100 million grand prize unclaimed for yet another drawing cycle. In the recently concluded 26th edition, seven participants secured guaranteed prizes of Dh100,000 each, adding to the growing list of lottery beneficiaries across the Emirates.

    The winning combination for the November 29th draw featured day numbers 16, 30, 25, 5, 26, and 20, complemented by the month number 3. The victorious Lucky Chance IDs that secured the substantial prizes have been officially identified as: BY4914265, AL1016451, BP4066235, DU9788071, CG5712673, DB7877266, and AH0600495.

    This latest distribution of winnings marks a significant milestone for the UAE Lottery initiative, bringing the total count of Dh100,000 winners to 233 participants since the program’s inception. The lottery scheme has consistently rewarded players through multiple editions, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to creating financial opportunities for residents.

    Despite the substantial payouts to these seven winners, the draw results published on the official lottery portal confirmed that no participants matched the required numbers for the top three tier prizes. The premier Dh100 million jackpot, along with the secondary and tertiary awards, will consequently roll over to subsequent draws, potentially creating even larger prize pools for future participants.

    The UAE Lottery continues to operate as a prominent gaming platform within the country, offering residents regular opportunities to participate in draws with life-changing monetary rewards. The ongoing unclaimed jackpot situation adds an element of anticipation to future draws, potentially driving increased participation as the prize pool accumulates.