Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Eleven more bodies pulled from sea as Philippine ferry toll rises to 29

    Eleven more bodies pulled from sea as Philippine ferry toll rises to 29

    Rescue operations in the southern Philippines have recovered eleven additional victims from the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 ferry sinking, bringing the confirmed death toll to 29. The vessel capsized off the coast of Mindanao in the early hours of Monday, creating a significant maritime disaster that has now entered a critical investigation phase.

    Coast guard officials confirmed the latest casualties were predominantly discovered near Baluk-Baluk Island, adjacent to the sinking location. Local fishermen assisted in the recovery efforts, with verified social media footage showing the harrowing retrieval of victims still wearing life preservers. The discoveries have complicated initial passenger estimates, creating confusion about the actual number of people aboard during the incident.

    The Philippine Coast Guard has acknowledged discrepancies in the missing persons count. Captain Noemie Cayabyab, spokeswoman for the maritime agency, stated that while the official manifest indicated 10 missing individuals, including the ship’s captain and crew members, families have reported additional unaccounted passengers. This discrepancy has prompted authorities to expand their search and verification procedures.

    Specialized dive teams from Manila have joined the recovery mission, deploying unmanned submersible equipment to locate the wreckage resting approximately 76 meters (250 feet) below the surface. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ maritime regulatory body has grounded all vessels operated by Aleson Shipping Lines pending a comprehensive safety investigation.

    Survivor accounts describe chaotic scenes during the sinking, with passengers reportedly receiving no emergency alerts from crew members. Aquino Sajili, a 53-year-old attorney who survived the disaster, indicated potential legal action against the shipping company, citing negligence in safety protocols and emergency response procedures.

  • India should consider age-based curbs on social media, adviser says

    India should consider age-based curbs on social media, adviser says

    India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has called for significant restrictions on social media access for younger users, describing platform algorithms as “predatory” in their approach to maximizing user engagement. The recommendation, featured prominently in India’s annual economic survey published Thursday, suggests implementing age-based access limits and holding platforms responsible for age verification measures.

    The proposal aligns India with a growing global movement to protect children from digital addiction. Australia became the first nation to implement a comprehensive ban for children under 16 last year, while France’s National Assembly recently backed legislation prohibiting social media access for those under 15. Britain, Denmark, and Greece are reportedly studying similar measures.

    Nageswaran’s recommendations highlight particular concerns about younger users’ vulnerability to compulsive usage patterns and harmful content. The economic survey specifically notes that algorithms appear targeted at users between 15 and 24 years old, with cheap telecom data plans contributing to widespread adoption—approximately 75% of young smartphone users regularly engage with social media apps.

    The adviser recommended that families implement screen-time limits, device-free hours, and shared offline activities to counter digital addiction’s negative effects on academic performance and workplace productivity, which he attributed to distractions, sleep deprivation, and reduced focus.

    While the recommendations aren’t binding, they carry significant weight in policy discussions within Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Past economic survey recommendations have influenced tax reforms, investment rule changes, and digital infrastructure development.

    The proposal comes as several Indian states are already considering restrictions. The coastal state of Goa and southern state of Andhra Pradesh have both announced they’re studying Australia’s regulatory framework for potential implementation. Andhra Pradesh’s IT minister, Nara Lokesh, stated on social media platform X that “children are slipping into relentless usage, affecting their attention spans and education.”

    Social media platforms face substantial impact in India, their largest user market with approximately 750 million smartphones and one billion internet users. Research firm DataReportal indicates YouTube has 500 million users in India, followed by Instagram with 481 million and Facebook with 403 million users. The country currently doesn’t set a minimum age for social media access.

    Meta, Alphabet (YouTube’s parent company), and X didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Meta has previously expressed support for laws enabling parental oversight while cautioning that outright bans might push teenagers toward less regulated, potentially more dangerous platforms.

    Some digital rights activists and technology experts have expressed concerns that age-based restrictions might prove ineffective since children can bypass them using false identification. They instead advocate for measures that help children and parents develop healthier social media usage habits.

  • Strikes to inspire protests, much larger attack: What are Trump’s options on Iran?

    Strikes to inspire protests, much larger attack: What are Trump’s options on Iran?

    The Trump administration is actively contemplating a spectrum of military responses against Iran, ranging from targeted strikes to extensive bombing campaigns, according to multiple anonymous sources familiar with high-level deliberations. These considerations emerge amidst heightened tensions following Tehran’s brutal suppression of nationwide protests that resulted in thousands of civilian casualties.

    Washington’s strategic calculus involves potential attacks on Iranian security forces, military commanders, and critical infrastructure, with the dual objectives of empowering protest movements and crippling Iran’s military capabilities. While President Trump has not finalized any decision regarding military intervention, the recent deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier group to the region has significantly expanded American offensive options.

    Intelligence assessments and regional analyses suggest air power alone would be insufficient to achieve regime change in Tehran. Israeli officials and Arab diplomats have expressed concerns that military action could actually strengthen the Iranian regime’s position rather than weaken it, potentially triggering broader regional instability. The complex succession dynamics surrounding Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who retains ultimate authority despite reduced public visibility, further complicate potential intervention scenarios.

    Regional powers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Egypt have actively lobbied against military action, fearing retaliatory strikes from Iranian-aligned forces across the Middle East. Gulf states particularly worry about missile attacks and drone assaults from Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting their territories and critical infrastructure.

    The ongoing deliberations reflect the administration’s attempt to balance maximum pressure tactics with diplomatic overtures regarding Iran’s nuclear program. While Tehran has expressed willingness to negotiate based on “mutual respect and interests,” it has simultaneously prepared for potential military confrontation, creating a precarious standoff with global implications.

  • Dubai education fair helps families navigate studying abroad

    Dubai education fair helps families navigate studying abroad

    Dubai is set to host the Glinks Pathfinder Education Fair 2026 this Saturday, January 31st, providing families with direct access to international education opportunities. The event will take place at the Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, offering personalized guidance for students considering overseas studies.

    Unlike digital research alone, this fair facilitates face-to-face interactions with official representatives from over 25 prestigious universities across the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Canada. Participants can explore diverse academic disciplines including artificial intelligence, engineering, medical sciences, business administration, environmental studies, and creative arts.

    The initiative addresses the complex decision-making process surrounding international education, which typically involves evaluating academic compatibility, financial planning, and career prospects. Families will receive comprehensive information on admission criteria, scholarship opportunities, visa procedures, and post-graduate employment pathways.

    Prabhjeet Singh, Founder and CEO of Glinks International, emphasized the fair’s mission to replace uncertainty with concrete educational planning. ‘We designed this event to transform speculative research into actionable insights for families contemplating global education options,’ Singh stated.

    Prospective applicants will benefit from practical advantages including application fee waivers worth $150 for the 2026-2027 academic intake when applying to partner institutions during the event. The complimentary fair encourages early registration to ensure participants maximize their access to expert guidance and institutional comparisons.

    This gathering represents a significant opportunity for both students and parents to collaboratively plan educational journeys with verified information from source representatives, moving beyond digital research to personalized consultation.

  • Hunan scholar donates 104 artifacts documenting Japanese aggression

    Hunan scholar donates 104 artifacts documenting Japanese aggression

    In a significant contribution to historical preservation, Associate Professor Mao Chenghui from Central South University has donated a substantial collection of 104 artifacts documenting Japan’s wartime aggression against China to the Changsha History Museum of the Communist Party of China. The formal accession ceremony took place on Tuesday, marking an important addition to the museum’s historical archives.

    The collection, meticulously gathered by Professor Mao during his academic visits and personal travels overseas, contains historically significant items that provide tangible evidence of Japan’s military actions in China. Among the most notable artifacts is a dinner fork engraved with the inscription ‘Commemorating the Entry into Wuhan City’—a chilling reminder of the Japanese occupation during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

    Professor Mao’s decision to donate his personally acquired collection followed careful consideration of where these historical items would be most appropriately preserved and made accessible to the public. The Changsha History Museum, as an institution dedicated to documenting China’s modern history, provides an ideal repository for these artifacts that serve as material evidence of a crucial period in Sino-Japanese relations.

    The donation represents more than just a transfer of historical objects; it constitutes an important act of historical preservation that ensures future generations will have access to physical evidence documenting this difficult chapter in China’s history. Such artifacts play a vital role in historical education and maintaining collective memory of events that shaped modern China.

  • Indian rupee hits record low, RBI steps in to avert fall past 92 per dollar

    Indian rupee hits record low, RBI steps in to avert fall past 92 per dollar

    The Indian rupee plunged to an unprecedented low against the US dollar on Thursday, January 29, 2026, driven by substantial dollar demand from corporate hedging activities and the maturation of non-deliverable forward positions. The currency closed at 91.9550 per dollar, marking a 0.2% decline from its previous session, after briefly touching 91.9850 during trading hours.

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) executed strategic interventions to prevent the rupee from breaching the psychologically critical threshold of 92 per dollar, according to market traders. This defensive action created a complex policy dilemma for the central bank, as its foreign exchange market operations effectively counteract its simultaneous efforts to enhance banking system liquidity.

    The currency’s weakness has generated ripple effects across India’s financial markets. Government bonds experienced downward pressure, while interest rate swaps markets showed significant strain. Overnight index swap rates have climbed to levels that anticipate monetary tightening, despite macroeconomic indicators suggesting no fundamental justification for such policy moves.

    This currency depreciation presents a puzzling contrast to India’s robust economic performance. Official government projections indicate growth between 6.8%-7.2% for the upcoming fiscal year beginning in April, representing only a modest deceleration from the current year’s 7.4% expansion. The government’s annual economic survey noted that the rupee’s valuation fails to accurately reflect the nation’s strong economic fundamentals, while acknowledging that currency depreciation could partially mitigate the impact of elevated US tariffs.

    Foreign investor apprehension continues to weigh heavily on Indian markets. January has witnessed net foreign equity outflows exceeding $4 billion, compounding the record $19 billion withdrawn throughout 2025. Market analysts attribute this capital flight to geopolitical uncertainties and diminished investor confidence. DBS Bank India projects further rupee weakness to 93-94 levels this year as inbound investment flows continue to diminish.

    Financial experts emphasize that a comprehensive trade agreement with the United States would significantly improve market sentiment toward Indian assets. However, the current geopolitical landscape complicates long-term growth projections for Asia’s third-largest economy.

  • Iran army adds 1,000 new drones, vows ‘crushing response’ to any invasion

    Iran army adds 1,000 new drones, vows ‘crushing response’ to any invasion

    In a significant military escalation, Iran’s armed forces have integrated 1,000 advanced drones into their combat regiments, according to state television reports from Thursday, January 29, 2026. This strategic enhancement coincides with mounting geopolitical tensions as United States naval forces position themselves in regional waters.

    Army Commander Amir Hatami declared the deployment aligns with Iran’s defensive doctrine against emerging threats, emphasizing preparedness for “rapid combat and a crushing response to any invasion.” The military expansion represents Tehran’s most visible demonstration of defensive capabilities since the latest phase of nuclear negotiations reached an impasse.

    Diplomatic channels remain active despite military posturing. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi articulated Iran’s conditional openness to nuclear negotiations through social media platform X, stating: “Iran has always welcomed a mutually beneficial, fair and equitable NUCLEAR DEAL—on equal footing, and free from coercion, threats, and intimidation.” He reiterated Iran’s longstanding position that its nuclear program serves exclusively peaceful purposes and research development.

    The diplomatic overture contrasts sharply with warnings from Ali Shamkani, senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who characterized any military action as “the start of war” promising “immediate, all-out and unprecedented” retaliation targeting Tel Aviv and allied nations.

    This complex landscape emerges against President Donald Trump’s declaration that time is diminishing for diplomatic resolution, while simultaneously acknowledging potential for revised nuclear agreements. Trump referenced a “massive armada” of naval vessels positioned for rapid response capabilities, though specifics regarding deployment locations remained undisclosed.

    The geopolitical standoff represents one of the most critical tests of nuclear diplomacy since the original Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with military assets mobilizing as diplomatic communications continue through unconventional channels.

  • Skoda recalls some cars in UAE, Saudi Arabia due to faulty airbags

    Skoda recalls some cars in UAE, Saudi Arabia due to faulty airbags

    Skoda Auto has initiated a critical safety recall for multiple vehicle models across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, addressing potentially lethal defects in driver-side airbags supplied by Takata Corporation. The voluntary recall campaign follows global concerns that these airbag inflators could deteriorate over time, particularly in high-temperature climates, and deploy dangerously during collisions.

    The defective components contain gas generators that may become unstable with age due to environmental factors including heat and humidity. In the event of an accident, these compromised inflators pose dual threats: they might rupture their metal housing, propelling sharp fragments throughout the vehicle cabin, or fail to provide adequate protective force during deployment, increasing injury risks.

    Saudi Arabia’s consumer protection authorities formally announced the recall on January 22nd, identifying 256 affected vehicles including Octavia (2013-2020), Rapid (2012-2017), Fabia (2018-2021), Superb (2015-2017), and Kodiaq (2016-2021) models. Skoda representatives confirmed that all vehicles manufactured before 2018 potentially contain the faulty equipment.

    The Czech automaker has established complimentary replacement procedures at authorized service centers, with repairs requiring approximately two hours to complete. Vehicle owners can verify their car’s status through Skoda’s regional websites by entering their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), typically located on windshield markings or registration documents.

    This recall expands upon ongoing global safety initiatives addressing Takata airbag concerns, which represent one of the largest automotive safety campaigns in history. Skoda urges affected customers to promptly contact authorized dealerships in both countries to schedule free replacements, emphasizing that immediate action is crucial for occupant safety.

  • Former Inner Mongolia Party chief under investigation

    Former Inner Mongolia Party chief under investigation

    China’s top anti-corruption authorities have launched a formal investigation into Sun Shaocheng, former Communist Party secretary of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, for alleged serious violations of Party discipline and national laws. The announcement was made public through an official online statement released by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Commission of Supervision on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

    The brief notification provided no specific details regarding the nature of the alleged violations, maintaining the characteristic opacity typical of such high-level disciplinary investigations within the Chinese political system. The development marks another significant case in China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign that has persisted for over a decade.

    Sun Shaocheng, a 65-year-old native of Shandong province, boasts an extensive political career spanning more than four decades. His professional journey began in July 1984, with his Party membership commencing in May 1986. His administrative experience includes substantial tenure at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, where he ascended to vice-ministerial rank in 2009. Subsequent postings saw him serve as deputy governor of Shandong province in 2012, followed by a transfer to Shanxi province where he assumed deputy gubernatorial responsibilities in 2016.

    His portfolio later expanded to include roles within the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, demonstrating his broad administrative capabilities. Most recently, in October 2025, Sun was appointed deputy head of the 14th National People’s Congress Social Development Affairs Committee, a position he held concurrently with his Party responsibilities until the investigation was announced.

  • Israel holds first morning prayer at West Bank’s Joseph’s Tomb in 25 years

    Israel holds first morning prayer at West Bank’s Joseph’s Tomb in 25 years

    In a significant escalation of military presence in the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces established an extensive security perimeter east of Nablus early Thursday to facilitate a large-scale operation at Joseph’s Tomb. The operation enabled Jewish worshippers to conduct morning prayers at the contested site for the first time since 2000, marking a substantial shift in access policies.

    The raid involved participation from members of the Israeli parliament, far-right officials, and settler leaders, all operating under substantial armed protection. This event follows last month’s agreement by Israeli authorities to permit daylight prayers at the location, despite the tomb’s position within an area nominally under Palestinian Authority administrative control.

    Eyewitness footage from Amman Street and surrounding eastern neighborhoods documented military personnel expelling journalists from the area and compelling families to evacuate their homes to accommodate the operation. Residential buildings near the tomb were converted into temporary military installations, with sniper positions established on rooftops. Medical teams were systematically denied access to the area during the events.

    The historical context reveals deepening tensions surrounding the site. Since October 2023, settler-led incursions have increased in both frequency and scale, with groups entering under religious justification alongside military escort. UN data indicates that settler violence and access restrictions have displaced approximately 2,200 Palestinians from their homes over the past two years, with an additional 6,000 displaced through home demolitions and 40,000 from northern West Bank refugee camps during military operations.

    Joseph’s Tomb represents a focal point of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both communities maintaining competing historical narratives and religious claims. Israelis venerate the site as the burial place of the Prophet Joseph, a figure significant in both Islamic and Jewish traditions. Palestinians identify it as the tomb of Sheikh Yousef Dweikat, a local cleric from the early 20th century. The site has been a persistent flashpoint since Israel established a yeshiva there in the 1980s, with regular protected settler visits often triggering Palestinian protests that have frequently resulted in lethal military responses.