Global Pulse

标签： Oceania

大洋洲

  • ‘Oh my gosh’: Cruel reason Josh Giddey’s 25m shot didn’t count for the Bulls

    ‘Oh my gosh’: Cruel reason Josh Giddey’s 25m shot didn’t count for the Bulls

    Australian basketball sensation Josh Giddey has once again captured global attention with an extraordinary long-range shot during the Chicago Bulls’ matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the spectacular 25-meter heave that would have ranked among the longest in NBA history was controversially nullified due to a prior timeout call.

    The dramatic moment occurred with just four minutes remaining in Tuesday’s contest at the United Center in Chicago, where Giddey launched an seemingly effortless shot from approximately 82 feet that cleanly found the net. The astonishing basket evoked immediate comparisons to his game-winning three-pointer against the same Lakers team last March in one of the most memorable finishes of the previous season.

    NBA officials confirmed the shot’s invalidation as Chicago had already requested a timeout moments before Giddey’s release. The ruling prevented what would have been the sixth-longest made basket in league history, falling just short of Baron Davis’ record 89-foot (27m) achievement from 2001.

    Broadcast commentators captured the surreal moment with exclamations of “Oh my gosh, magic Giddey again!” and noted the player’s particular affinity for dramatic performances against the Lakers franchise.

    Despite the disappointment, Giddey delivered an impressive individual performance with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists coming off the bench in his third game returning from a hamstring injury. The Bulls ultimately fell 129-118 to the Lakers, who were led by Luka Dončić’s spectacular 46-point showcase.

    The return of Giddey provides crucial reinforcement for Chicago as they battle to secure automatic playoff qualification in the Eastern Conference and avoid the play-in tournament positioning.

  • Trump in trouble on immigration, as signature issue turns deadly

    Trump in trouble on immigration, as signature issue turns deadly

    President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy, once hailed as the cornerstone of his second-term agenda, now threatens to become a significant political liability following deadly shootings in Minneapolis. The fatal shooting of nurse Alex Pretti marks the second U.S. citizen killed this month during protests against militarized immigration raids, generating widespread public outrage and forcing the administration into a defensive position.

    Recent polling data reveals growing discomfort with the administration’s methods, even among traditional Republican supporters. A Siena/New York Times poll indicates 61% of Americans believe ICE tactics have ‘gone too far,’ while a subsequent YouGov survey shows 46% now support abolishing the agency entirely. This shift in public sentiment has alarmed Republican strategists ahead of crucial midterm elections.

    The backlash has extended to Trump’s allies, with influential voices like podcaster Joe Rogan comparing ICE raids to Nazi Germany’s Gestapo and Texas Governor Greg Abbott urging a recalibration of approach in Minnesota. In response, Trump has dispatched border officials to the state and adopted a more conciliatory tone with local Democratic leaders.

    Beyond immigration, Trump faces declining approval on multiple fronts. Polls show eroding support among key demographic groups that secured his 2024 victory, including Hispanic, Black, and young voters. A Pew Research Center survey reveals 65% of Hispanic voters reject his anti-immigration policies, while 61% express dissatisfaction with his economic approach.

    The political fallout has already manifested in Minnesota’s gubernatorial race, where Republican Chris Madel withdrew, citing national Republicans making statewide victories ‘nearly impossible.’ With control of Congress hanging in the balance, Republican lawmakers find themselves torn between their MAGA base and growing mainstream opposition to the administration’s enforcement methods.

  • Liberal MP Julian Leeser removes Israel pin after final remains returned

    Liberal MP Julian Leeser removes Israel pin after final remains returned

    In a deeply symbolic gesture marking the conclusion of a painful chapter, Australian Liberal MP Julian Leeser has removed the yellow ribbon pin that symbolized solidarity with Israeli hostages in Gaza. This act followed Israel’s recovery of police officer Ran Gvili’s remains on Monday, more than two years after he was killed during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack.

    The return of Gvili’s remains represents the final resolution of Israel’s hostage recovery efforts, closing a period of intense uncertainty for families and the global Jewish diaspora. The recovery operation occurred amid the devastating conflict that has left Gaza largely destroyed as Israel pursued its military objectives against Hamas.

    Leeser explained his gesture in a video statement: “With the return of the remains of the last hostage, the conflict has come to an end. It’s time for me to remove this badge, which has been a symbol of the fight to bring the hostages and their remains home.” The yellow ribbon pin bearing the words “bring them home” had become an enduring international symbol of support for the captives.

    This symbolic act was mirrored by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who similarly removed his pin in a social media video. The Zionist Federation of Australia also documented supporters removing yellow ribbons from their vehicles in a coordinated expression of closure.

    The Executive Council of Australian Jewry described the development as a “solemn milestone” that would finally allow Gvili’s family to conduct proper burial ceremonies. According to official figures, approximately 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 others have been returned since the current ceasefire took effect in early December, with at least 30 additional individuals returned during earlier truce agreements.

    Hamas reportedly assisted in locating Gvili’s remains in a cemetery near the Yellow Line—the demarcation between Israeli-occupied Gaza and territory controlled by Hamas. While significant, this development occurs amid ongoing challenges in implementing the ceasefire agreement, which includes provisions for Hamas disarmament, increased aid delivery through the Rafah border, and deployment of an international stabilization force.

    The conflict’s human cost remains staggering, with estimates suggesting over 70,000 Palestinian casualties since October 2023. Meanwhile, former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Israel for Holocaust Remembrance Day, condemning what he described as a “torrent of anti-Semitic hatred and violence” that has emerged globally since the conflict began.

  • Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka wasted no time in advancing through to the semi finals

    Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka wasted no time in advancing through to the semi finals

    Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka delivered a masterclass performance under scorching Melbourne conditions, advancing to the Australian Open semifinals with an emphatic 6-3, 6-0 victory over American teenager Iva Jovic. The world No. 1 showcased her formidable power and precision, firing 31 winners while demonstrating tactical intelligence by using the full width of the court to minimize extended rallies in the extreme heat.

    The match, played during the tournament’s hottest day, saw Sabalenka establish immediate dominance with a 3-0 lead within the opening 21 minutes. Despite a marathon 11-minute service game that prolonged the first set, the Belarusian maintained exceptional serving statistics, losing just one point off her first serve during crucial stages of the opening set.

    Sabalenka’s performance intensified in the second set as she executed what commentators described as her finest tennis of the championship, completing the match in just 59 minutes of court time. The victory sets up a highly anticipated semifinal clash against either fourth-seeded Coco Gauff or Ukrainian veteran Elina Svitolina.

    In her post-match interview, Sabalenka offered respectful assessment of her opponent: ‘These teenagers are testing me in the last couple rounds. Don’t look at the score—it wasn’t easy at all. I’m super happy with the win; it was a tough battle.’ The statement underscored her professional approach despite the seemingly one-sided scoreline.

  • US immigration agents face backlash after Minneapolis killings

    US immigration agents face backlash after Minneapolis killings

    Minneapolis has become the focal point of a heated national debate regarding federal immigration enforcement tactics following the fatal shooting of two civilians by federal agents. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both 37-year-old U.S. citizens, have triggered widespread condemnation and intensified scrutiny of agent training protocols and operational procedures.

    Political leaders across party lines have expressed grave concerns. Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski stated the incident raises serious questions about training adequacy within immigration enforcement. Minnesota’s Democratic Governor Tim Walz demanded the immediate withdrawal of approximately 3,000 federal agents from the state, asserting they lack proper training for urban operations.

    The controversy emerges amid a massive expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) forces. Department of Homeland Security figures indicate agent numbers have more than doubled from 10,000 to 22,000, fueled by Congressional funding increases and recruitment incentives including $50,000 signing bonuses.

    This rapid expansion has prompted significant training modifications. The standard preparation course has been reduced from five months to just 42 days through what DHS describes as ‘streamlined training’ eliminating redundancy while incorporating technological advancements. The agency maintains the condensed program covers essential components including arrest techniques, defensive tactics, conflict management, de-escalation methods, firearms proficiency, and use-of-force policies.

    Critics argue the abbreviated training leaves agents unprepared for complex urban environments. A report in The Atlantic suggested many recently hired agents might not have met standards under traditional hiring processes, with some appearing physically unsuited for demanding field operations.

    Despite training concerns, authorities confirmed the agents involved in the Minneapolis shootings were experienced personnel with multiple years of service. This contradiction highlights deeper systemic issues according to former acting ICE director John Sandweg, who served under the Obama administration. Sandweg noted that deploying border patrol agents accustomed to remote desert operations into urban protest environments creates high-risk situations where distinguishing between protected First Amendment activities and illegal obstruction becomes critically challenging.

    The ongoing presence of masked federal agents conducting patrols and raids in Minneapolis continues despite protests from local officials and residents who describe the tactics as constituting occupation rather than effective law enforcement.

  • Montreal ice dance academy churns out Olympic champions

    Montreal ice dance academy churns out Olympic champions

    In an unassuming Montreal sports complex, a revolutionary training ground is reshaping the landscape of Olympic ice dancing. The Ice Academy of Montreal (I.AM), nestled within the Gadbois facility in a formerly working-class neighborhood, has become the epicenter for world-class ice dancers who will soon compete as rivals at the upcoming Winter Games in Italy.

    Founded in 2014 by head coach Romain Haguenauer, the academy has developed an unprecedented training environment where future Olympic competitors from different nations share coaches, ice surfaces, and training methodologies. The facility’s extraordinary success is demonstrated by its remarkable track record: the last three Olympic champions have all trained at I.AM, and the academy anticipates sending approximately a dozen couples to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games—a number Haguenauer describes as “unheard-of in skating, and across all sports.”

    British skater Lilah Fear, who relocated to Montreal a decade ago with partner Lewis Gibson, attributes their success—including ending Britain’s 40-year medal drought with a World Championship bronze—to the academy’s unique approach. “We came here not really knowing anyone, so everything that we learned is from the people here,” Fear noted, describing the environment as “nurturing and loving.”

    The academy’s philosophy represents a deliberate departure from the rigid training structures that traditionally defined elite ice dance. French Olympic champion Guillaume Cizeron, a five-time world champion who has trained at I.AM for over a decade, emphasizes the “healthy” environment that keeps elite athletes returning to the Canadian city. “There’s a skating culture here—figure skating as well as ice hockey—that enables high-level athletes to thrive,” said Cizeron, who is now pursuing another gold medal with new partner Laurence Fournier Beaudry.

    The training dynamics at I.AM create a unique paradox: athletes who will soon compete against each other for Olympic medals routinely share coaching expertise and even ice time during critical pre-Games preparation. Fournier Beaudry describes the atmosphere as “a bit like a team sport here, but at the same time, everyone remains an individual,” noting that many athletes socialize together away from the rink.

    Despite these off-ice friendships, training sessions remain intensely focused, with athletes maintaining laser concentration during meticulously choreographed routines under coaches’ watchful eyes. The academy’s open-door policy allows enthusiasts like octogenarian Anne Belcourt-Lafleur, who attends practices multiple times weekly, to witness what she describes as “more fascinating than a show.”

    The Montreal model has proven so effective that international competitions have occasionally featured entirely I.AM-trained podiums, demonstrating the academy’s dominant position in shaping the future of Olympic ice dancing.

  • Canada’s Marineland gets ‘conditional approval’ to sell whales to US

    Canada’s Marineland gets ‘conditional approval’ to sell whales to US

    The Canadian federal government has issued conditional authorization for Marineland, the beleaguered theme park near Niagara Falls, to proceed with the sale of its 30 remaining beluga whales to aquatic facilities across the United States. This decision comes shortly after fisheries officials rejected the park’s previous proposal to export the marine mammals to China.

    Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Joanne Thompson announced the conditional approval Monday following discussions with park representatives. The authorization remains provisional pending Marineland’s submission of additional documentation required for final permit issuance.

    Marineland, which has ceased public operations, faces severe financial constraints that have compromised its ability to maintain proper care for its cetacean population. Park management had previously stated that euthanasia would become the only viable option if relocation efforts failed.

    The aquatic park’s history remains shadowed by controversy and tragedy. According to data compiled by The Canadian Press, twenty marine animals—including nineteen belugas—have died at the facility since 2019. While Marineland attributes all mortalities to natural causes, provincial animal welfare authorities in Ontario have maintained ongoing investigations into the park’s operations for several years.

    The rejected proposal to transfer whales to China’s Chimelong Ocean Kingdom was denied by Minister Thompson on grounds that it would perpetuate the commercial exploitation of these marine mammals. The newly approved American transfer initiative represents Marineland’s latest attempt to address both its financial troubles and animal welfare obligations.

  • ‘Come more often!’ Mexico leader urges K-pop stars BTS on sold-out tour

    ‘Come more often!’ Mexico leader urges K-pop stars BTS on sold-out tour

    In an unprecedented move highlighting the cultural phenomenon of K-pop, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has personally intervened following the instantaneous sell-out of BTS’s upcoming concert dates in Mexico City. The massive ticket demand—with nearly one million fans competing for just 150,000 seats—prompted the president to appeal directly to South Korean leadership for increased cultural exchanges.

    The frenzy began when tickets for the three May performances vanished within minutes of going on sale last weekend, leaving hundreds of thousands of disappointed fans. This overwhelming response demonstrates Mexico’s deepening fascination with South Korean culture, which has expanded dramatically from television dramas and cuisine to dominate the music scene through K-pop’s global influence.

    President Sheinbaum revealed she formally requested South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to facilitate more frequent visits by the “acclaimed K-pop artists” to accommodate Mexico’s enormous fanbase. Additionally, her administration approached event promoter Ocesa regarding potential additional shows, though organizers indicated no possibilities for expanding the current schedule.

    The Mexican government’s engagement with BTS isn’t new—Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, a self-professed fan, previously welcomed band member Jin via TikTok video when the tour was first announced. This official enthusiasm reflects strategic efforts to capitalize on the economic and cultural benefits of Korea’s entertainment exports.

    BTS will launch their global comeback tour in April, marking their return after a four-year hiatus during which all members completed mandatory military service. The group’s label announced a new album for March preceding what promises to be one of the year’s most extensive concert tours, spanning 34 cities worldwide.

  • French lawmakers pass bill banning social media for under-15s

    French lawmakers pass bill banning social media for under-15s

    French legislators have approved groundbreaking legislation that would establish one of the world’s most comprehensive digital protection frameworks for minors, prohibiting social media platform access for children under 15 years old. The National Assembly endorsed the measure with an overwhelming majority of 130-21 votes during an extended parliamentary session spanning Monday into Tuesday.

    President Emmanuel Macron celebrated this legislative achievement as a pivotal advancement in safeguarding French youth, declaring on social media platform X that the nation is taking decisive action against the potential manipulation of children’s emotions by foreign algorithms and platforms. The proposed law additionally reinforces existing restrictions on mobile phone usage within high school environments.

    This initiative positions France to become the second nation implementing such comprehensive age-based social media restrictions, following Australia’s similar prohibition for users under 16 enacted in December. The legislation emerges amid growing scientific consensus regarding the detrimental effects of excessive screen time on adolescent psychological development and mental wellness.

    The proposed implementation timeline specifies that new accounts would fall under these regulations beginning with the 2026 academic year. Gabriel Attal, leader of Macron’s Renaissance party, expressed optimism that the Senate will ratify the bill by mid-February, potentially enabling enforcement commencement on September 1st. Social media corporations would subsequently have until December 31st to deactivate non-compliant existing accounts belonging to underage users.

    Attal emphasized the measure’s dual purpose: addressing mental health concerns associated with digital platform engagement while countering external influences that seek to ‘colonize minds’ through social media. He characterized this legislation as potentially transformative for French youth and families while enhancing national sovereignty in the digital realm.

    Recent findings from France’s public health authority ANSES substantiate these concerns, documenting multiple adverse effects—particularly among female adolescents—linked to platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. Identified risks encompass cyberbullying incidents and exposure to violent content.

    The legislative text explicitly prohibits ‘access to online social networking services provided by digital platforms for minors under fifteen,’ while exempting educational websites and online encyclopedias. Effective implementation hinges upon developing robust age verification mechanisms, currently under development at the European level.

    Despite broad parliamentary support, the proposal faces criticism from both political and advocacy spheres. Left-wing politicians decry the approach as ‘digital paternalism,’ while child protection organizations advocate for enhanced platform accountability rather than outright access prohibition. The legislation now advances to Senate deliberation for final approval.

  • Big Bash League 2025-26: Glenn Maxwell will remain at Melbourne Stars for further two seasons

    Big Bash League 2025-26: Glenn Maxwell will remain at Melbourne Stars for further two seasons

    In a significant move for Australia’s Big Bash League, veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has opted against free agency to extend his tenure with the Melbourne Stars. The franchise officially announced on Tuesday that the 37-year-old has inked a two-year contract extension, solidifying his place as a cornerstone of their lineup.

    Despite a challenging recent season with the bat, Maxwell remains one of the world’s most formidable white-ball strikers. Having represented the Stars in over 100 matches, his pursuit of a maiden BBL title continues. Expressing strong belief in the team’s trajectory, Maxwell stated, ‘The Melbourne Stars have been a massive part of my cricket career and I’m really passionate about this team having success. I think this current group is building towards something special and I’m confident we’re in a place to contend for the title in the next two seasons.’

    Complementing Maxwell’s retention, the Stars have secured two other key signings. Promising top-order batsman Campbell Kellaway, who is on the radar for national Test selection, has also signed a two-year deal. Additionally, young fast bowler Austin Anlezark has been secured for another season, highlighting the club’s strategy of blending experience with emerging talent.

    Clint McKay, the Stars’ High Performance Manager, emphasized the equal importance of securing both established and young players. ‘Glenn has obviously been one of the best T20 players in the world for a long period of time… Signing Campbell was just as important as he adds some great stability to our top order,’ McKay remarked. He also expressed excitement about Anlezark’s development, noting the bowler’s potential to flourish within the club’s program. This series of signings signals a focused effort by the Melbourne Stars to assemble a competitive squad capable of challenging for the BBL championship in the coming seasons.