Global Pulse

标签： Oceania

大洋洲

  • Japan ex-PM Abe’s alleged killer faces verdict

    Japan ex-PM Abe’s alleged killer faces verdict

    A Japanese court is poised to deliver its verdict on Wednesday in the landmark trial of Tetsuya Yamagami, the 45-year-old defendant charged with assassinating former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022. The shooting, which occurred during a campaign speech in Nara, sent shockwaves through a nation unaccustomed to gun violence and triggered profound societal repercussions.

    Yamagami has admitted to the murder charges but continues to contest certain ancillary allegations, according to media reports. Despite his partial admission of guilt, Japanese legal procedures mandate the continuation of the trial. Prosecutors have sought life imprisonment, characterizing the assassination as an ‘unprecedented event in post-war history’ with ‘extremely serious consequences’ for Japanese society.

    The trial, which commenced in October, revealed Yamagami’s motive stemmed from his family’s financial devastation caused by his mother’s excessive donations to the Unification Church. Prosecutors asserted that Yamagami targeted Abe—Japan’s longest-serving prime minister—believing the assassination would expose the church’s political connections and ignite public criticism.

    Defense attorneys pleaded for leniency, emphasizing how Yamagami’s upbringing was marred by ‘religious abuse’ after his mother donated approximately 100 million yen (then equivalent to $1 million) to the church. These donations forced Yamagami to abandon higher education and preceded his brother’s suicide in 2005.

    The assassination exposed extensive ties between the Unification Church and conservative lawmakers within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, ultimately prompting the resignation of four government ministers. The case also revealed security shortcomings, as officials failed to immediately recognize the gunshot due to Japan’s exceptionally rare incidence of firearm violence.

    Public interest remains intense, with queues forming outside the Nara courtroom ahead of the verdict announcement. One attendee, 31-year-old logistics worker Manabu Kawashima, expressed his desire to ‘know the truth about Yamagami,’ describing Abe’s death as ‘the incident of the century.’

  • Jessie James Tumaliuan pleads guilty to murdering wife Czarina Gatbonton Tumaliuan

    Jessie James Tumaliuan pleads guilty to murdering wife Czarina Gatbonton Tumaliuan

    In a significant development to a tragic domestic violence case, Jessie James Tumaliuan, a 42-year-old Melbourne father, has formally entered a guilty plea for the murder of his wife, Czarina Gatbonton Tumaliuan. The admission occurred during a Supreme Court of Victoria hearing on Wednesday, just weeks before his trial was scheduled to commence on February 3.

    The horrific incident unfolded on the morning of March 27 last year, when emergency services discovered the body of the 42-year-old mother of four in the backyard of a residential property on Retford Close in Werribee. The victim, Czarina, was found with multiple fatal stab wounds. Tumaliuan was apprehended by Victoria Police at the scene shortly after the discovery.

    Legal proceedings saw a pivotal shift earlier this month when Tumaliuan sought a sentence indication from Justice Amanda Fox on January 16. Following this, his legal counsel informed the court that he had accepted the indication and intended to change his plea to guilty. The formal arraignment was subsequently delayed until an accredited Filipino interpreter could be present to assist, a measure Justice Fox deemed essential given the gravity of the charge, despite Tumaliuan’s demonstrated ability to communicate in English.

    With his guilty plea now officially recorded, Tumaliuan has been remanded in custody. The court has scheduled a pre-sentence hearing for March 13, during which a formal psychological assessment of the defendant will be presented to aid in determining his final sentence.

  • Albanese government’s housing target falls short by 81k homes as quarter-time called on housing accord policy

    Albanese government’s housing target falls short by 81k homes as quarter-time called on housing accord policy

    The Albanese government’s flagship National Housing Accord has reached its quarter-time mark with concerning performance gaps, as official data reveals Australia has fallen short of its housing targets by approximately 81,000 dwellings. Despite some progress in construction activity, the ambitious housing initiative continues to face significant challenges in meeting its objectives.

    According to the latest Building Activity report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, dwelling commencements experienced a 6.6% increase in September 2025, reaching 48,778 units. Private sector house commencements accounted for more than half of this growth, rising 6.9% to 28,845 units. However, the completion rates tell a different story, with finished private sector house dwellings declining by 5.1% compared to September 2024, totaling only 27,066 completions.

    Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest highlighted the concerning gap between targets and reality. “Under the National Housing Accord, the pro-rata new housing completions target for the first 15 months was 300,000,” Mr. Forrest stated. “Despite some improvement, the first 15 months saw only 218,974 new dwellings completed across Australia.”

    The state-level analysis reveals mixed results. New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, reported 47,198 commencements for the year ending September 2025—an increase of 4,186 from the previous year. However, the state completed only 55,557 new dwellings against an Accord target of 94,000 for the same period.

    Mr. Forrest identified critical systemic challenges hindering progress, including insufficient federal support for housing-enabling infrastructure and excessive state-level taxation on housing projects, particularly in NSW. “Today’s ABS data is a timely reminder to federal officials that more support is needed for housing-related infrastructure and taxation reform,” he emphasized.

    The Queensland government separately addressed construction productivity issues, with Home Ownership Minister David Janetzki attributing lagging housing construction to union deals under the previous administration. “The decade of declining construction productivity has reduced housing affordability and increased the cost of vital infrastructure projects,” Minister Janetzki stated.

    As the National Housing Accord moves beyond its initial phase, stakeholders emphasize that planning approvals alone are insufficient without the necessary infrastructure funding and tax reforms to convert approvals into actual housing completions.

  • Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka dismantled her second round opponent in straight sets

    Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka dismantled her second round opponent in straight sets

    Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus demonstrated why she remains a formidable force at the Australian Open, securing a decisive second-round victory against China’s Zhuoxuan Bai. Despite conceding only four games throughout the match, the top-seeded player exhibited visible frustration with aspects of her performance that fell short of her exacting standards.

    The match began with characteristic dominance as Sabalenka powered to a 5-0 lead within just 14 minutes in the opening set. However, Bai’s resilient response disrupted Sabalenka’s rhythm, forcing unexpected errors from the reigning champion. The Belarusian’s annoyance became particularly evident when she required multiple set points to finally close out the first set against her determined opponent.

    This pattern continued into the second set where Sabalenka again established early control by taking the first four games. Yet throughout the contest, the world No.1 expressed dissatisfaction with her serving performance and acknowledged Bai’s effective touch game. The match ultimately revealed both Sabalenka’s explosive power and her relentless pursuit of perfection, signaling an ominous warning to competitors as she progresses in the tournament.

    The performance, while statistically dominant, provided insight into the champion’s mindset—where even comprehensive victories undergo intense scrutiny. Sabalenka’s reaction to minor imperfections underscores her championship mentality and the elevated standards she maintains while defending her Australian Open title.

  • What is Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?

    What is Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?

    In a controversial diplomatic initiative, the Trump administration has formally proposed the establishment of an international ‘Board of Peace’ with extraordinary provisions granting former President Donald Trump permanent leadership authority. According to a charter document obtained by AFP, the organization would require nations to contribute up to $1 billion for permanent membership privileges.

    The proposed board, initially conceptualized for Gaza reconstruction efforts, now envisions a broader mandate to ‘promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.’ The charter explicitly states all operations would comply with international law.

    Central to the controversy are the sweeping powers designated to the chairman position, which would be occupied indefinitely by Donald Trump. The charter grants the chairman ‘exclusive authority to create, modify or dissolve subsidiary entities’ and appoint members to an executive board composed of ‘leaders of global stature.’ Notably, the chairman can only be replaced through ‘voluntary resignation or as a result of incapacity,’ potentially allowing Trump to maintain influence regardless of future political positions.

    The executive board structure reveals a notable concentration of Trump allies and associates, including:
    – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
    – Special negotiator Steve Witkoff
    – Senior advisor Jared Kushner
    – Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair
    – Billionaire financier Marc Rowan
    – World Bank President Ajay Banga
    – National Security Council aide Robert Gabriel

    Membership invitations have extended to both traditional allies and adversaries, including China, Russia, and Ukraine simultaneously—a particularly contentious arrangement given Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. While Hungary’s Viktor Orban and the United Arab Emirates have committed participation, Canada has explicitly rejected the $1 billion permanent membership fee. France has declined involvement, prompting retaliatory tariff threats from Trump against French wine exports.

    The board requires consent from three states to become operational, with annual decision-making conducted through majority voting where the chairman holds tie-breaking authority.

  • UN report declares global state of ‘water bankruptcy’

    UN report declares global state of ‘water bankruptcy’

    A groundbreaking United Nations report has declared that humanity has entered an unprecedented era of “global water bankruptcy,” marking a critical turning point in the planetary freshwater crisis. The comprehensive assessment from the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) reveals that decades of systematic overuse, pollution, and environmental destruction have pushed the world’s water systems beyond recovery thresholds.

    The research institute asserts that conventional terms like “water stress” and “water crisis” have become inadequate to describe the current emergency. These previously used descriptors implied a future scenario that could still be prevented, whereas the world has already transitioned into a new phase of irreversible damage to aquatic ecosystems.

    Water bankruptcy, as defined by the report, represents a condition where long-term water consumption drastically exceeds natural replenishment rates, causing such severe ecological damage that restoration to previous levels becomes virtually impossible. This alarming state manifests through multiple indicators: the dramatic shrinkage of major lakes worldwide, increasingly frequent instances of major rivers failing to reach oceans during dry seasons, and the disappearance of approximately 410 million hectares of wetlands over the past fifty years—an area nearly equivalent to the entire European Union.

    Groundwater depletion presents another critical symptom, with about 70% of major aquifers essential for drinking water and agriculture showing persistent long-term declines. This has led to rising occurrences of “day zero” scenarios where urban demand completely outstrips available supply.

    Climate change exacerbates the crisis, having driven the loss of over 30% of global glacier mass since 1970. This melting threatens the seasonal meltwater relied upon by hundreds of millions of people for survival and agriculture.

    UNU-INWEH Director Kaveh Madani emphasized that while not every nation individually faces water bankruptcy, the consequences are visible across all inhabited continents. He urged governments to confront this “bitter reality” immediately and implement policy overhauls rather than treating water scarcity as a temporary challenge. The report advocates for adopting the bankruptcy framework to facilitate honest assessment and prompt action before further irreversible damage occurs.

    The findings, drawn from extensive existing data and statistics, will be formally proposed in a peer-reviewed paper scheduled for publication in Water Resources Management journal. While some scientists not involved in the report acknowledge the value of highlighting water emergencies, they caution that a blanket global declaration might overlook significant progress being made at local levels to address water management challenges.

  • Trump heads for Davos maelstrom over Greenland

    Trump heads for Davos maelstrom over Greenland

    The World Economic Forum in Davos has become the stage for a significant geopolitical confrontation, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial interest in Greenland creating unprecedented strains within the NATO alliance. During his attendance at the Swiss summit—his first in six years—Trump confirmed he would conduct meetings specifically addressing Greenland, heightening tensions with European leaders who have united against his aggressive foreign policy approach.

    The situation escalated when Trump publicly mocked European counterparts, particularly French President Emmanuel Macron, by revealing private diplomatic communications. Macron had previously condemned Trump’s tariff threats against eight European nations as ‘unacceptable,’ while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned of a potential ‘downward spiral’ in EU-US relations.

    Greenland’s strategic significance has emerged as a central point of contention, with Trump emphasizing its mineral wealth and importance for Arctic security amid growing competition with Russia and China. The autonomous territory’s Prime Minister acknowledged the need to prepare for potential military implications, while Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda declared that any forceful action against a NATO ally would effectively mean ‘the end of NATO.’

    Despite these tensions, some U.S. lawmakers suggested the situation might de-escalate over time. Meanwhile, Trump’s planned announcement of a new international conflict resolution body—the ‘Board of Peace’ with $1 billion membership fees—and his invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin have further complicated the diplomatic landscape, particularly given Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

  • AFL 2026: A fit Jordan De Goey stood out at Collingwood main training

    AFL 2026: A fit Jordan De Goey stood out at Collingwood main training

    A revitalized Jordan De Goey has emerged as a pivotal figure in Collingwood’s pre-season preparations, demonstrating a dramatic return to form that could significantly alter the team’s dynamic for the upcoming AFL season. The premiership star, who endured a injury-plagued 2025 campaign limited to just 11 appearances, showcased his trademark explosiveness during Wednesday’s training session at Olympic Park.

    The 29-year-old midfielder dominated particularly in one-on-one combat drills, remaining undefeated in simulated ground ball scenarios while displaying visible confidence and cheerfulness throughout the session. This resurgence comes as welcome news for a squad that felt the substantial impact of his absence last season, particularly during their finals campaign.

    De Goey’s return to peak conditioning creates a cascading effect throughout the lineup, potentially reducing the immense pressure on both young sensation Nick Daicos and veteran champion Scott Pendlebury. Daicos, coming off a career-best season, had shouldered extraordinary responsibility in De Goey’s absence but now stands to benefit from shared midfield duties.

    Meanwhile, Pendlebury’s role appears to be evolving, with the veteran spending substantial time with the defensive unit during training. While speculation continues about a potential permanent move to the backline, the 37-year-old legend received treatment for hip and lower back areas but participated fully in the session.

    The Magpies implemented several innovative training exercises focused on skill development, including specialized drills emphasizing non-preferred foot kicking—a gradually disappearing art form in modern AFL. Additionally, forward Dan McStay engaged in specialized work with coaches, practicing safe landing techniques when brought to ground in tackles, particularly significant given his history of knee injuries.

    Among other observations, Ned Long appeared noticeably leaner and covered ground effectively, while Patrick Lipinski and draftee Tyan Prindable also impressed during the session. The strategic shift in player positioning and specialized skill work suggests coach Craig McRae is implementing nuanced adjustments aimed at optimizing the roster’s considerable talent.

  • Maggots discovered inside airconditioning vent at Newcastle hospital

    Maggots discovered inside airconditioning vent at Newcastle hospital

    A disturbing discovery of maggots emerging from air conditioning vents has triggered an emergency evacuation at Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle, New South Wales. The infestation occurred in the facility’s hematology ward, specializing in blood-related disorders and treatments.

    On Tuesday, hospital staff made the alarming finding when maggots reportedly fell from ventilation systems onto patient room floors. Hospital administration immediately sealed off the affected four-bed room and initiated patient relocations. Some hematology patients were transferred to alternative medical facilities while others were moved to different floors within the hospital complex.

    A hospital spokesperson emphasized that patient safety remained the highest priority, confirming that specialist pest controllers had been engaged to address the infestation. The incident marks the second recent environmental contamination issue at the facility, following previous discoveries of mold in cancer ward air conditioning systems between January 2024 and April 2025.

    The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association expressed serious concerns regarding the infestation. General Secretary Michael Whaites highlighted the need for urgent clarification regarding the source of the pest problem and whether it resulted from inadequate integrated pest management protocols within the hospital.

    Health Minister Ryan Park acknowledged the situation as unsatisfactory, noting that while short-term resolutions were implemented, a comprehensive long-term solution would be necessary. The minister has requested a full incident report and directed hospital leadership to expedite permanent corrective measures.

  • Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia website disappears after Labor passes sweeping hate speech laws

    Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia website disappears after Labor passes sweeping hate speech laws

    In a swift response to Australia’s newly enacted hate speech legislation, the controversial pan-Islamist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir has taken its Australian website offline. The digital disappearance occurred mere hours after Parliament passed Labor’s comprehensive hate speech reforms on Tuesday evening, which grant sweeping powers to designate and criminalize hate groups.

    The legislative overhaul, championed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and supported by ASIO intelligence assessments, establishes severe penalties for membership, recruitment, funding, or leadership of designated hate organizations. The laws specifically target groups advocating hate crimes based on race, national or ethnic origin.

    ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess had previously testified before a Senate inquiry that Hizb ut-Tahrir had mastered operating within legal boundaries while promoting divisive rhetoric. The organization had recently accused Burgess of employing ‘Islamophobic tropes’ during a Lowy Institute lecture where he compared their strategies to those of neo-Nazi groups.

    The Nationalist Socialist Network (NSN), another targeted organization, announced its dissolution last week following government scrutiny. Hizb ut-Tahrir, already banned in multiple countries including the UK, Germany, and China, maintains a controversial platform advocating for a unified Islamic caliphate while denying any violent intentions.

    Opposition Leader Sussan Ley negotiated crucial oversight mechanisms requiring ASIO’s support for designations and mandatory briefings of opposition leadership. The website’s unavailability, confirmed through multiple access attempts including VPN connections, signals the immediate impact of Australia’s strengthened counter-extremism framework.