标签： Asia

In a decisive political stance, members of Cornell Graduate Students United (CGSU-UE Local 300) have overwhelmingly approved a referendum endorsing the Palestinian liberation struggle. The three-day voting period concluded Tuesday, with results formally announced Wednesday, marking a significant institutional shift toward activist positioning.

The union’s resolution explicitly condemns Cornell University for allegedly supporting human rights violations against Palestinians through research collaborations and financial ties to weapons manufacturers. This decision formally commits the graduate student body to joining the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to pressure Israel through non-violent economic and academic measures.

CGSU’s statement draws historical parallels, noting the BDS movement’s inspiration from anti-apartheid efforts in South Africa. The union further contextualizes Cornell’s involvement by referencing the university’s endowment origins in the sale of indigenous Cayuga Nation lands, drawing connections between historical dispossession and contemporary military research partnerships.

The resolution outlines concrete actions including demanding funding transparency for graduate assistantships, supporting members who refuse military-linked funding, and pressuring the university to protect pro-Palestinian activists from disciplinary measures. The statement additionally claims the American working class has indirectly financed Israel’s military operations through tax dollars, citing $12.5 billion in direct military aid since 2023.

This development occurs against a backdrop of heightened campus activism nationwide, with Cornell among approximately 60 institutions facing federal pressure to regulate pro-Palestinian expression. The university previously faced financial repercussions when the Trump administration threatened to withhold $1 billion in research funds, ultimately resulting in a $60 million settlement agreement announced November 7.

A New Zealand mother, Hakyung Lee, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her two children, whose bodies were discovered in suitcases years after the crime. The tragic incident occurred in 2018, shortly after Lee’s husband, Ian Jo, succumbed to cancer. Lee, 45, was found guilty in September of killing her eight-year-old daughter, Yuna Jo, and six-year-old son, Minu Jo. She must serve a minimum of 17 years before being eligible for parole. During the trial, Lee’s defense argued that she was insane at the time of the murders, citing her deteriorating mental health following her husband’s death. However, High Court Judge Geoffrey Venning noted that her actions were calculated, despite her mental health issues. The children’s remains were discovered in 2022 by a couple who purchased the contents of an abandoned storage unit in Auckland. Lee had attempted to kill herself and her children by administering a lethal dose of the antidepressant nortriptyline mixed in juice but miscalculated the dosage, leading to the children’s deaths. Prosecutors described the act as a selfish attempt to escape the burdens of single parenthood. After the murders, Lee changed her name and fled New Zealand, only to be arrested in South Korea in September 2022 and extradited back to New Zealand. The court heard emotional statements from both families, with Lee’s mother expressing regret for not seeking counseling for her daughter, who had lost the will to live after her husband’s death. Ian Jo’s brother, Jimmy, described the tragedy as an ongoing sentence from which he can never be paroled. A psychiatric assessment revealed that Lee was likely suffering from atypical depression and prolonged grief at the time of the murders. Justice Venning ordered that Lee be treated as a ‘special patient’ during her imprisonment due to her mental state.

In a significant development, Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, is set to be granted Lebanese citizenship, as announced by the Lebanese Football Association (LFA) on Tuesday. This decision comes during Infantino’s two-day visit to Lebanon, accompanied by his Lebanese wife, Lina al-Ashkar. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun extended this honor, which the LFA described as a recognition of Infantino’s contributions to football development and his ongoing support for Lebanese football. Infantino expressed his pride and happiness, stating, ‘I feel very good, I feel very proud, I feel very happy. And I’m Lebanese since many, many years already, so it’s good that we formalise this as well.’

Despite Lebanese women being unable to pass citizenship to their spouses or children under a 1925 law, Infantino’s case is an exception. During his visit, Infantino also discussed plans to build a state-of-the-art football stadium in Lebanon, fully funded by FIFA. ‘I feel that there is one thing that we need here in Lebanon, which is a ‘state-of-the-art’ football stadium. A stadium where the national team can play its home games, a stadium where Lebanon will be proud and will be happy,’ he remarked.

Following his visit to Lebanon, Infantino will travel to Qatar to watch an Arab Cup qualifier match between Lebanon and Sudan. Since becoming FIFA president in 2016, Infantino has maintained close ties with former US President Donald Trump, under whose administration the US, Mexico, and Canada were awarded the 2026 World Cup. However, Infantino has faced criticism for FIFA’s handling of Israel’s actions in Gaza, with calls for Israel’s suspension from FIFA and UEFA. Infantino has defended FIFA’s stance, emphasizing its role in promoting peace and unity rather than addressing political issues.

Nearly two decades after the discovery of 19 dismembered bodies near a bungalow in Noida, India, dubbed the ‘house of horrors,’ the case has resurfaced with the acquittal of Surinder Koli, the last of the two men convicted. On November 12, the Supreme Court overturned Koli’s conviction, citing that his confession—which included admissions of cannibalism and necrophilia—was extracted under torture. The case, which dates back to December 2006, involved the murders of women and children, predominantly from the impoverished Nithari slums, near the affluent neighborhood where the crimes occurred. Businessman Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant Koli were arrested after body parts were found near their residence. Pandher was acquitted in 2023 due to insufficient evidence, and Koli’s recent release has concluded the judicial process in one of India’s most infamous criminal cases. Families of the victims, many of whom have moved away from Nithari, are left grappling with unanswered questions. Jhabbu Lal Kanaujia, whose 10-year-old daughter Jyoti was among the victims, expressed despair, burning all case-related documents he had collected over the years. The Supreme Court criticized the police and investigative agencies for a flawed investigation, accusing them of negligence and implicating Koli without substantial evidence. The court also highlighted the failure to explore leads, including a potential organ trade angle. Families like Pappu Lal’s, whose daughter Rachna was among the victims, continue to seek justice, questioning the integrity of the criminal justice system. Despite the acquittals, the emotional scars remain, with victims’ families urging the government to ensure accountability and justice for their children.