Global Pulse

标签： Oceania

大洋洲

  • Extreme cold grips millions as US digs out of deadly snowstorm

    Extreme cold grips millions as US digs out of deadly snowstorm

    A catastrophic winter storm of unprecedented scale has plunged the United States into a deep freeze, resulting in at least 23 fatalities and creating widespread chaos across multiple states. The deadly weather system, characterized by a vicious combination of heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and powerful winds, has left municipalities from New Mexico to Maine struggling with recovery efforts.

    The human toll continues to mount as authorities investigate additional deaths in New York City amid plummeting temperatures. Causes of death range from hypothermia to accidents involving traffic, snowplows, and recreational activities, with one victim discovered unresponsive in the snow still clutching a shovel.

    Energy infrastructure remains critically compromised, with over 600,000 customers still without power according to Poweroutage.com. Southern states including Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana—regions typically unaccustomed to such extreme winter conditions—face particular challenges due to inadequate preparation for the prolonged cold snap.

    The National Weather Service reports approximately 190 million Americans under some form of extreme cold alert, with temperatures as low as -23°F (-30.6°C) recorded in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The meteorological phenomenon stems from an elongated polar vortex, an Arctic weather system that has shifted from its typical circular formation to an oval shape, releasing frigid air across North America.

    Emergency response efforts are underway nationwide, with at least 20 states and Washington D.C. declaring states of emergency. Municipalities are establishing warming shelters and task forces to transport vulnerable residents to safety. The recovery process is complicated by the storm’s widespread impact, preventing better-prepared northern states from sharing resources with overwhelmed southern regions.

    Scientific discussions continue regarding potential connections between such extreme weather events and climate change, though the debate remains unsettled regarding the precise mechanisms involved. Meteorologists note the particularly challenging nature of the ‘dry, fluffy’ snow characteristic of this storm, which reduces visibility and hampers clearing operations through easy wind dispersion.

  • Nat Sciver-Brunt makes history as the first player to score WPL century

    Nat Sciver-Brunt makes history as the first player to score WPL century

    English cricket superstar Nat Sciver-Brunt has etched her name in the history books by scoring the first-ever century in the Women’s Premier League. The monumental achievement occurred during Mumbai’s thrilling 15-run triumph over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mumbai, ending a 1059-day wait for the competition’s inaugural triple-figure score.

    Sciver-Brunt’s spectacular 57-ball century featured an explosive display of batting prowess with 16 boundaries and one six, propelling Mumbai to a formidable total of 4-199. Her record-breaking performance was particularly fitting given her status as the WPL’s all-time leading run-scorer with 1,346 runs at an impressive average of nearly 52.

    The milestone had eluded numerous elite players throughout the league’s history, with Australian opener Georgia Voll and New Zealand veteran Sophie Devine both falling agonizingly short at 99 runs. Australian legends Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney had also approached the mark with unbeaten 96-run performances.

    Reflecting on her historic achievement, Sciver-Brunt stated: ‘I’d seen a few players get out in the 90s, so I didn’t want to replicate that. I wanted to get as many runs as possible for the team. I’m really pleased we could get up to that total and personally really happy as well. This is my first T20 hundred, so I’m really happy to get over that milestone, and hopefully it’s not the last.’

    The victory was secured despite the efforts of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who fell short in their run chase as Australian players Grace Harris and Georgia Voll failed to deliver significant contributions with the bat.

  • Cold streets, hot fury: Minnesota mourns, rages after federal killings

    Cold streets, hot fury: Minnesota mourns, rages after federal killings

    MINNEAPOLIS – A profound sense of grief and outrage has engulfed Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by federal border agents last Saturday. This incident marks the second killing of a U.S. citizen within weeks under President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement operations, following the death of Renee Good on January 7th.

    The site where Pretti lost his life has been transformed into a solemn memorial, with mourners braving temperatures reaching -22°C (-8°F) to pay their respects. The makeshift shrine, located just blocks from where Good was killed, has become both a place of mourning and a symbol of community resistance against perceived governmental overreach.

    Eyewitness accounts and community tributes portray Pretti as having died while attempting to assist a woman who had been pushed to the ground. Federal agents reportedly dragged him to his knees before shooting him. This narrative stands in stark contrast to official government statements that have attempted to characterize Pretti as a violent threat.

    Stephen McLaughlin, a 68-year-old retired Minnesotan, expressed the sentiment shared by many mourners: ‘Corruption is now the rule – you cannot trust the government. It’s frighteningly despicable when you can execute someone in cold blood in the street and then defame them and lie about what happened.’

    The memorial has evolved beyond a simple gathering place, becoming a focal point for citizens grappling with fear, loss, and the unsettling feeling that fundamental American values are eroding. Taylor Stoddart, a 25-year-old local business owner, articulated the community’s frustration: ‘They are trying to tell us not to believe our own eyes. Are you kidding me? It’s really sad and it’s really, really scary.’

    For healthcare professionals like Tricia Dolley, a fellow nurse, Pretti’s death carries particular significance. ‘This is not an America that we can live in. That is not what any of us wants, it can’t be,’ she stated.

    The emotional gathering featured handwritten notes, floral arrangements, and personal reflections from strangers united in their condemnation of the shootings. Jessica, a Minneapolis resident who preferred to remain partially anonymous, framed the situation as constitutional crisis: ‘What’s happening is an assault on the constitution and the rights of American citizens. The freedoms that are being abridged currently are the freedoms that we fought for.’

    As police monitored the ongoing vigil, the community’s quiet anger continued to simmer alongside their mourning, creating a potent combination of sorrow and determination that shows no signs of diminishing.

  • ‘We’ve lost enough to have a gold’: Painful Olympics moment plays key role as star siblings delay code switch to sign new deal

    ‘We’ve lost enough to have a gold’: Painful Olympics moment plays key role as star siblings delay code switch to sign new deal

    Driven by the heartbreak of their Paris Olympic performance and an unwavering ambition for gold, Australian rugby sevens stars Maddison and Teagan Levi have committed their futures to Rugby Australia, declining a high-profile cross-code move to the NRLW. The sisters have inked new contracts that will keep them in the national sevens program through the end of 2028, setting the stage for their campaign at the Los Angeles Olympics.

    Despite significant interest from the Gold Coast Titans NRLW team, who were poised to sign the duo for the 2026 season, the logistical challenges of a code switch proved insurmountable. The upcoming World Series concludes in June, which would have allowed merely a four-week preparation period for an entirely new sport—a timeline the athletes deemed insufficient for achieving the competitive standard they demand of themselves.

    Financial incentives from the league offer were acknowledged but ultimately dismissed as a primary factor. Maddison Levi, already a legendary figure sitting third on the all-time SVNS World Series try-scoring list with 221 tries, emphasized that their decision was rooted in passion. ‘Money is nice, but it’s not the be all and end all. We both play for the love of the game,’ she stated, highlighting the unparalleled value of a full-time training regimen and global travel with the national team.

    The profound disappointment from the Paris Games, where Australia fell to Canada in the semi-finals and then suffered a devastating loss to the USA in the bronze medal match, serves as a powerful motivator. The team uses this experience as fuel, with Maddison noting that the loss has left the squad ‘rattled’ but increasingly hungry. A giant poster of Charlotte Caslick from Australia’s gold-medal triumph at the 2016 Rio Olympics now serves as a daily reminder of their ultimate objective in Los Angeles.

    While the door remains open for a future transition to rugby league—a sport in their bloodline, as their father Jason played for Manly in the 1990s—the immediate focus is on building a legacy in sevens. The sisters, also drafted by the Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW, are among Australia’s most gifted multi-sport athletes. They confirmed that future offers will be considered individually, as they are not a ‘package deal,’ but for now, their mission is clear: Olympic redemption and dethroning the dominant New Zealand team on the world series circuit.

  • Why Adam Voges’ coaching record should interest post-Ashes England

    Why Adam Voges’ coaching record should interest post-Ashes England

    As England’s cricket establishment conducts a comprehensive performance review following their 4-1 Ashes defeat, attention is turning toward potential successors to current coach Brendon McCullum. While McCullum remains in position despite the disappointing outcome against Australia, speculation about his replacement has intensified significantly.

    Amid this coaching conversation, Australian Adam Voges has emerged as an unexpectedly compelling candidate through his extraordinary domestic achievements. The 46-year-old coach recently added to his impressive resume by guiding the Perth Scorchers to another Big Bash League championship—his third BBL title to complement three Sheffield Shield and One Day Cup victories.

    Voges’s coaching methodology successfully ended Western Australia’s two-decade domestic drought and initiated an unprecedented period of dominance across multiple formats. His approach demonstrates a distinctive balance between extracting peak performance from experienced veterans while simultaneously developing future international talent.

    Despite not being formally mentioned in current speculation that includes names like Jonathan Trott and Eoin Morgan, Voges’s record presents a compelling case for consideration. The Western Australian will step down from his state role at season’s end while maintaining his position with the Scorchers and recently signing as coach of the Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket.

    This international expansion suggests potential openness to coaching opportunities abroad. Unlike the flamboyant ‘BazBall’ philosophy, Voges would offer England a stable, pressure-tested formula refined through consistent success in high-stakes environments.

    His credentials extend beyond coaching—as a player, Voges represented Australia across all three formats and concluded his Test career with a remarkable average of 61.87. With Ashes performance historically determining coaching tenures, England’s potential interest in Voges represents a strategic consideration of appointing someone intimately familiar with Australian conditions and mentality.

  • Australian Open 2026: Ben Shelton says his game is ‘different’ to previous meetings with Jannik Sinner

    Australian Open 2026: Ben Shelton says his game is ‘different’ to previous meetings with Jannik Sinner

    American tennis sensation Ben Shelton has boldly asserted that he is a transformed athlete compared to the player decisively defeated by Jannik Sinner in last year’s Australian Open semi-final. Following an impressive four-set victory over Casper Ruud (3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4) in Monday’s late-night fourth-round clash, Shelton has secured another highly anticipated encounter with the world No. 2 Italian.

    Shelton presented a compelling case for his improved capabilities, emphasizing significant enhancements in his net game execution after losing just one point at the net against Ruud. The young American highlighted substantial evolution in his baseline strategy and forehand technique, which he previously considered a weakness requiring careful management.

    “I’ve never hit my forehand this good,” Shelton declared, expressing newfound confidence in this crucial aspect of his game. “I feel like I have great control, I’m hitting it bigger than ever, and my return game has improved dramatically. A year ago, I wasn’t comfortable hitting a forehand return and had to rely heavily on the chip. Now I’m reaching lockdown mode where I feel I can’t miss.”

    The quarter-final scheduling remains undetermined, with potential conditions presenting different advantages. While indoor conditions aided Sinner during Saturday’s heat, allowing recovery from full-body cramps with the roof closed, Shelton expressed openness to either scenario. The American noted his comfort with daytime play under the Melbourne Park sun, which generates favorable action on his serve, while also acknowledging the advantages of night matches.

    Shelton’s mental approach appears equally developed as his technical skills, stating he maintains “a really good head space” regardless of scheduling circumstances. This evolved combination of physical weapons and psychological readiness forms the foundation of Shelton’s conviction that he can now challenge tennis elites like Sinner and world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz through offensive play capable of dethroning the reigning champion.

  • Tokyo pandas head for China, leaving Japan bereft of beloved bears

    Tokyo pandas head for China, leaving Japan bereft of beloved bears

    Japan enters its first panda-free period in over half a century as twin bears Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao depart Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens for China on Tuesday. The four-year-old pandas, born and raised at the renowned zoo, were transported via specialized truck in a move that has left countless Japanese admirers heartbroken.

    The sudden repatriation, occurring approximately one month ahead of their official loan expiration in February, coincides with notable diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. These strains emerged following comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting potential military intervention regarding Taiwan—a position that provoked strong opposition from China, which considers Taiwan part of its sovereign territory.

    Pandas have long served as symbols of Sino-Japanese friendship since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1972, operating under China’s strategic ‘panda diplomacy’ program. On Sunday, Ueno Zoo hosted a final viewing event for 4,400 selected lottery winners, though many additional fans gathered outside wearing panda-themed apparel and carrying memorabilia to express their affection.

    Despite current geopolitical friction, experts suggest the pandas’ return might not be exclusively politically motivated. Professor Masaki Ienaga, an East Asian relations specialist at Tokyo Woman’s Christian University, noted that China routinely recalls pandas from international locations and indicated that future improvements in bilateral relations could facilitate the return of pandas to Japan.

    Meanwhile, China has recently discouraged tourism to Japan and restricted exports of critical rare-earth materials, further complicating the relationship. Japanese officials have reportedly initiated efforts to secure a new pair of pandas, hoping to restore this cherished cultural and diplomatic bridge.

  • Nigerian military officers to face trial over 2025 coup plot

    Nigerian military officers to face trial over 2025 coup plot

    Nigeria’s military command has announced it will formally prosecute several officers for their alleged involvement in a foiled 2025 plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government. The Defense Headquarters confirmed the conclusion of investigations on Monday, reversing the administration’s initial denial of the conspiracy. Major General Samaila Uba, speaking for the military, stated that investigators had identified specific officers with connections to the plot and that those with established cases would face a military judicial panel. While no trial date has been set, legal experts indicate the accused could potentially face capital punishment if convicted.

    The affair first surfaced in October when military authorities announced the arrest of 16 personnel for ‘issues of indiscipline,’ though multiple government and military sources independently confirmed to AFP the detentions were coup-related. Despite official statements downplaying the incident, President Tinubu subsequently executed a significant reshuffle of the nation’s top military leadership—a move characterized by a senior administration official as addressing ‘a gap in intelligence.’ Notably, General Christopher Musa was initially removed as chief of defence staff but later reappointed as defence minister.

    This alleged conspiracy threatened to disrupt a quarter-century of uninterrupted democracy in Africa’s most populous nation, which transitioned to civilian rule in 1999 after prolonged periods of military junta governance post-independence from Britain. The initial reports of a thwarted coup emerged in Nigerian media before being overshadowed by diplomatic tensions with the United States regarding religious violence and counterterrorism efforts.

    The development occurs against a backdrop of significant security challenges for Nigeria’s military, which is engaged in multifront conflicts against Boko Haram and Islamic State affiliates in the northeast, rampant banditry in the northwest, and separatist movements in the southeast. These operations have stretched military resources thin, with analysts noting rising violence projections for 2025 and periodic reports of troop grievances over unpaid wages and operational conditions. The United States has recently enhanced security cooperation with Nigeria, conducting joint strikes against insurgents and expanding intelligence sharing to support aerial campaigns in northern regions.

  • Minneapolis killing pushes Trump to brink of government shutdown

    Minneapolis killing pushes Trump to brink of government shutdown

    A fatal encounter between federal immigration agents and a Minneapolis civilian has escalated into a full-scale political crisis, placing the Trump administration on the verge of its second government shutdown. The shooting death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, during a weekend confrontation has fundamentally altered the political calculus in Washington, where a fragile bipartisan budget agreement has now collapsed.

    Until recently, Congressional leaders appeared poised to pass critical funding legislation before Friday’s deadline. The House had already approved remaining fiscal year 2026 appropriations, and Senate Republicans expressed confidence in securing sufficient Democratic support. However, the Minneapolis incident has unified Democratic opposition against funding the Department of Homeland Security without substantial reforms to immigration enforcement practices.

    The political fallout has been immediate and substantial. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer formally declared that Democrats would block the entire funding package if it includes DHS appropriations without additional constraints on Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Numerous Democratic senators, including Mark Warner of Virginia, have publicly committed to withholding support, citing the administration’s ‘violent federal takeovers’ of cities.

    Contradictory narratives have emerged regarding the shooting itself. While White House officials and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the incident as self-defense against an armed assailant, multiple witness videos depict Pretti holding a phone while recording the altercation before being subdued with chemical spray and shot. The victim was legally licensed to carry a concealed weapon according to local authorities and family members.

    The budgetary impasse threatens to disrupt operations across multiple federal agencies including Defense, Health and Human Services, Transportation, and crucially, Homeland Security. Republican leadership continues advancing the original funding package despite growing unease within their own party. Several Republican senators, including longtime Trump allies, have called for independent investigations and expressed concerns about ICE’s credibility.

    With the House out of session this week, the path to compromise appears increasingly narrow. The administration has dispatched its border security coordinator to Minneapolis, but state and local officials demand complete withdrawal of federal agents and an independent probe into the shooting. As budget negotiations enter uncharted territory, the prospect of a temporary government shutdown grows increasingly likely.

  • Rushdie warns of political violence as he recounts his attack

    Rushdie warns of political violence as he recounts his attack

    Author Salman Rushdie delivered a sobering warning about escalating political violence in the United States during the Sundance Film Festival premiere of “Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie” on Sunday. The documentary, directed by Alex Gibney, serves as a cinematic companion to Rushdie’s memoir detailing the horrific 2022 attack that left him blind in one eye and with permanent injuries.

    Rushdie characterized his near-fatal stabbing as symptomatic of broader societal dangers, stating that ‘everybody’s in danger now’ in America’s increasingly volatile climate. His comments coincided with recent fatal shootings of protesters by federal agents and an assault on Congressman Maxwell Frost at the same festival.

    The film incorporates graphic footage of the Chautauqua, New York attack where 24-year-old Hadi Matar stabbed Rushdie 15 times on stage. It also explores the historical context of the 1989 fatwa issued by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini, which forced Rushdie into decade-long hiding after declaring his novel ‘The Satanic Verses’ blasphemous.

    Rushdie connected his personal ordeal to wider patterns of authoritarian violence targeting cultural institutions. ‘For the authoritarian, culture is the enemy,’ he observed, citing current attacks on journalism, universities, and literature through book bans and rhetorical assaults. The author specifically referenced the Trump administration’s crackdown on higher education and immigration enforcement operations that have resulted in civilian casualties.

    Despite the documentary’s original focus on his personal trauma, Rushdie acknowledged its unintended relevance to contemporary political tensions. ‘I’m now beginning to think that maybe the film is here at a kind of apposite moment,’ he noted, suggesting that all citizens now face similar risks of ideological violence.

    Hadi Matar, sentenced to 25 years for the attack, admitted to barely reading Rushdie’s controversial work while claiming the author had ‘attacked Islam.’ The documentary juxtaposes this limited engagement with the profound consequences it inspired, examining how political manipulation transforms cultural disagreements into violent acts.

    The Sundance screening occurred against a backdrop of heightened security concerns, reflecting the very dangers Rushdie described in his warning about America’s deteriorating civic landscape.