Global Pulse

标签： Oceania

大洋洲

  • Russian strikes in Ukraine kill 12, target passenger train

    Russian strikes in Ukraine kill 12, target passenger train

    In a devastating escalation of violence, Russian military forces have launched coordinated attacks across multiple Ukrainian regions, resulting in at least 12 civilian fatalities and significant damage to critical infrastructure. The assault occurred overnight Tuesday, just days after diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the prolonged conflict.

    The northeastern Kharkiv region witnessed one of the most tragic incidents when a Russian drone struck a passenger train carrying nearly 200 people, killing at least five individuals. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed the attack via social media, while President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as militarily unjustifiable, emphasizing that civilian targets have no place in warfare.

    Simultaneously, the southern port city of Odesa endured a massive barrage of over 50 Russian drones, killing three people and injuring more than 30, including a woman in her 39th week of pregnancy and two young girls. Regional Governor Oleg Kiper reported extensive damage to residential buildings, educational facilities, and religious structures throughout the city.

    The attacks extended to energy infrastructure, with Ukrainian energy conglomerate DTEK reporting ‘enormous’ damage to one of its facilities in the Odesa region. The assault has exacerbated the already critical energy situation, leaving millions without power during freezing winter conditions.

    Additional casualties were reported across multiple regions: a married couple killed in Sloviansk (Donetsk region), their 20-year-old son surviving the attack; a 58-year-old man killed in Zaporizhzhia; and a 72-year-old woman killed in her home in Kherson.

    Ukrainian air defense reported intercepting 165 attack drones overnight, though several strikes successfully hit targets, including an infrastructure facility in the western Lviv region. State gas company Naftogaz reported one of its facilities was set ablaze, marking the fifth such attack this month.

    President Zelensky characterized these attacks as undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts, urging international partners to increase pressure on Moscow. The strikes come despite recent US-brokered talks in the United Arab Emirates, with another round scheduled for February 1st according to Ukrainian officials.

  • ‘Got to deal with it’: Michael Maguire reveals how the Broncos will handle rule changes

    ‘Got to deal with it’: Michael Maguire reveals how the Broncos will handle rule changes

    The National Rugby League (NRL) is confronting significant resistance from its clubs regarding a series of proposed rule modifications slated for the 2026 season. While certain adjustments like expanded match day squads permitting six players on the bench and alterations to 20-meter restarts during scoring acts have garnered relative acceptance, others have sparked considerable controversy.

    The most contentious proposal centers on a fundamental change to kick-off procedures. Under the current system, the team conceding points automatically restarts play with a kick-off. The new framework would grant that team the strategic choice to either receive or kick off, a move the NRL argues is designed to mitigate dramatic momentum swings within games. However, club officials are vehemently opposing this change, highlighting the existing option for short kick-offs to contest for possession renders the proposed alteration unnecessary and potentially disruptive.

    Broncos coach Michael Maguire, fresh from leading his team to premiership victory under the 2025 rules, adopted a pragmatic stance. He acknowledged the interesting strategic dilemmas the kick-off change would present, forcing coaches to devise new methods to leverage the rule to their advantage. Maguire emphasized adaptation, stating, ‘You’ve just got to work with the rules,’ signaling his readiness to tackle whatever regulatory environment the league implements.

    Further proposed changes include a major revision to ruck penalties, where set restarts would be awarded for infringements occurring outside the attacking team’s 20-meter zone, a significant expansion from the 2025 threshold of the 40-meter line. This adjustment is anticipated to accelerate gameplay, increase fatigue among larger players, and punish ill-disciplined teams, reminiscent of high-scoring patterns observed during the COVID-affected seasons.

    With official trials commencing imminently, the NRL is under pressure to finalize its decisions to provide clubs adequate preparation time for the upcoming season. Amidst this regulatory uncertainty, Maguire and his Broncos squad remain focused on their title defense, including an upcoming World Club Challenge match against Hull KR in the UK.

  • Greg Lynn: Update after former pilot conviction overturned over alleged murder of Carol Clay in Victorian High Country

    Greg Lynn: Update after former pilot conviction overturned over alleged murder of Carol Clay in Victorian High Country

    Former Jetstar training pilot Greg Lynn, 59, has made a reappearance in court following a landmark decision by Victoria’s Court of Appeal to overturn his murder conviction. The appellate court ruled in December that a “substantial miscarriage of justice” had occurred during Lynn’s 2024 trial for the death of 73-year-old Carol Clay, ordering a complete retrial for the high-profile case.

    The judicial panel, consisting of three appeal judges, upheld Lynn’s appeal on two critical grounds. They found the trial prosecutor had violated fundamental fair trial principles through an improper character attack on the defendant and mishandling of ballistic evidence presented by police specialist Paul Griffiths. This decision nullifies Lynn’s previous 32-year sentence imposed just over a year ago.

    The case stems from the mysterious disappearance of elderly campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill in March 2020 within Victoria’s remote Wonnangatta Valley. Lynn was charged twenty months after the couple vanished following an extensive police investigation. Notably, the original jury had acquitted Lynn of murdering Mr. Hill while convicting him of Ms. Clay’s murder.

    Throughout his initial trial, Lynn maintained his innocence regarding murder charges, presenting an alternative account of accidental deaths followed by panicked attempts to avoid wrongful blame. The Court of Appeal judges emphasized that while ordering a retrial, they found “no reason to think that the fundamental unfairness which permeated the first trial will carry over to the new trial.”

    Lynn has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to return to court in late July for proceedings related to the retrial. The judicial panel underscored the “powerful public interest in ensuring that a fair trial is held for alleged wrongdoing of this high order” in their rationale for ordering a new trial.

  • ‘Starstruck’: Meeting with rugby royalty that could help emerging Storm fullback make his NRL debut in 2026

    ‘Starstruck’: Meeting with rugby royalty that could help emerging Storm fullback make his NRL debut in 2026

    A strategic partnership with Irish rugby powerhouse Leinster is accelerating the development of Melbourne Storm’s emerging talent Hugo Peel, who stands poised to make his NRL debut in 2026. The 20-year-old fullback, fresh from a transformative training exchange in Ireland, is leveraging his unique cross-code experience to challenge for a first-grade position.

    The vacancy created by Ryan Papenhuyzen’s departure has intensified competition for Melbourne’s number one jersey, with dynamic fullback Sua Fa’alogo initially favored for the role. However, Peel’s exceptional performance in junior competitions and recent international exposure positions him as a formidable long-term contender.

    Peel’s developmental trajectory accelerated dramatically following a two-and-a-half-week immersion with Leinster’s academy and first-grade squads in October. The exchange program, part of an ongoing collaboration between the Storm and the European rugby giants, provided unprecedented access to elite training methodologies and mentorship.

    The career highlight emerged through an unexpected mentoring session with Josh van der Flier, the 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year. “He sat me down for half an hour in the lunch room just to chat,” Peel recalled. “Having someone of that quality be so open and honest was surreal. He provided invaluable insights on professional athletic development across sporting codes.”

    Peel’s athletic background proves remarkably diverse. Before switching codes, he captained St Kevin’s College’s prestigious rugby program to a 2023 premiership victory. His transition to rugby league began through touch football connections at age 17, eventually leading to a starring role in Melbourne’s 2025 Jersey Flegg premiership victory where he scored two tries in the grand final.

    The Storm’s expanded NSW Cup involvement and roster changes create additional pathways for Peel’s advancement. While primarily training at fullback, he’s developing versatility across wing, center, and five-eighth positions. “My goal remains earning debut selection,” Peel stated. “I’m focused on demonstrating value through fitness, speed, and ball involvement wherever opportunity arises.”

    As trial matches approach, Peel’s unique blend of rugby union fundamentals, league-specific training, and elite international experience establishes him as one of Melbourne’s most intriguing prospects for the 2026 season.

  • Trump warns US to end support for Iraq if Maliki returns

    Trump warns US to end support for Iraq if Maliki returns

    Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iraq regarding its political future, threatening to terminate all American support if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reassumes power. Through his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, Trump characterized Maliki’s potential return as a “very bad choice” for the nation, referencing the former leader’s previous tenure which he claimed plunged Iraq into “poverty and total chaos.”

    The political context revolves around the Coordination Framework, a Shiite parliamentary alliance with varying Iranian affiliations, which recently endorsed Maliki as their prime ministerial candidate. This development follows Iraq’s parliamentary elections and occurs amid delicate U.S.-Iraq relations. Trump explicitly stated that Maliki’s “insane policies and ideologies” would result in complete withdrawal of American assistance, dramatically concluding with his trademark slogan adapted for Iraq: “MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN!”

    Historical tensions underscore this diplomatic confrontation. Maliki previously left power in 2014 following U.S. pressure, with American officials blaming his sectarian policies for creating conditions that enabled the Islamic State’s rise. The United States maintains significant economic leverage over Iraq through an arrangement established after the 2003 invasion, whereby most Iraqi oil revenue—accounting for approximately 90% of government income—is held at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York.

    The Trump statement aligns with recent diplomatic communications. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly expressed similar concerns to current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and political sources indicate Washington formally communicated its negative view of Maliki to Iraqi politicians.

    Iraq’s political process has encountered obstacles, with parliament abruptly delaying Tuesday’s presidential election after Kurdish parties requested additional time to reach consensus. Traditionally, Iraq’s presidency goes to a Kurd while the prime minister comes from the Shiite majority, a convention established after Saddam Hussein’s fall.

    Regional implications are substantial. A Maliki-led government would significantly benefit Tehran amid Iran’s recent setbacks, including domestic protests and reduced influence in Syria. The current Sudani administration has maintained smoother relations with Washington, cooperating on security matters including Islamic State prisoner transfers and restraining Iran-aligned armed groups.

    Trump’s intervention marks a notable departure from conventional diplomatic practice, continuing his pattern of open political meddling in foreign nations. This approach has recently included endorsing right-wing candidates in European and Latin American elections, plus authorizing military action in Venezuela.

  • ‘Game changer’: New way Aussies can shop using AI

    ‘Game changer’: New way Aussies can shop using AI

    Australian consumers are poised to experience a transformative shift in digital shopping as Mastercard pioneers the world’s first secure ‘agentic transaction’ system utilizing artificial intelligence. This groundbreaking development addresses longstanding security concerns that have hindered AI-assisted commerce.

    Recent data reveals nearly half (48%) of Australians already employ AI tools for online purchases, with 78% anticipating these technologies will become mainstream. However, traditional security models have struggled to verify whether transactions were genuinely initiated by the account holder when conducted through AI assistants.

    Mastercard’s innovation, developed in collaboration with Commonwealth Bank and Westpac, successfully demonstrated its capability through two practical applications: purchasing movie tickets at Events Cinemas and booking a Thredbo vacation. The system utilizes locally developed AI technology named ‘Matilda’ by Australian firm Maincode, showcasing domestic innovation in global payment solutions.

    The core breakthrough lies in embedded security features that replace the current practice of inputting credit card details into chat interfaces. Instead, the system incorporates biometric verification methods like facial recognition alongside detailed transaction visibility, creating robust fraud detection capabilities and streamlined dispute resolution processes.

    Surin Fernando, Mastercard’s Australasian Senior Vice President, emphasizes this represents a fundamental evolution in consumer behavior: ‘Australians will discover products through increasingly personalized methods while gaining the ability to execute transactions immediately or schedule future purchases based on shopping intent.’

    Industry leaders highlight the significance of this development. Paul Monnington, Mastercard’s Australasia lead, describes it as ‘one of the most significant shifts in consumer behavior in decades.’ Banking executives note the technology will make consumer spending ‘quicker and easier’ while maintaining stringent security standards that benefit both merchants and customers.

    This advancement effectively bridges the experiential gap between physical retail’s seamless tap-and-pay convenience and the traditionally cumbersome online checkout process, potentially setting new global standards for AI-commerce security.

  • Mortgage holders warned ‘make or break’ inflation figure could trigger multiple interest rate rises

    Mortgage holders warned ‘make or break’ inflation figure could trigger multiple interest rate rises

    Australian homeowners face an anxious wait for Wednesday’s crucial inflation data, with economists warning this single release could determine whether the Reserve Bank imposes further interest rate pain. The Australian Bureau of Statistics will unveil the December quarterly consumer price index at 11:30 AM, providing critical insight into the nation’s inflationary trajectory ahead of the RBA’s first 2024 policy meeting next week.

    Financial experts have identified a precise threshold that could force the central bank’s hand. Judo Bank chief economist Warren Hogan cautioned that should quarterly inflation reach or exceed 0.8%, the RBA would likely announce a rate hike when it meets on February 4. ‘Current interest levels remain insufficient to restore price stability to target parameters,’ Hogan stated during a Sky News interview, suggesting multiple increases might be necessary.

    The economic landscape presents conflicting signals for policymakers. While headline annual inflation moderated to 3.4% in November from the previous 3.8%, the more significant trimmed mean inflation—which excludes volatile price movements—stood at 3.2%. Oxford Economics Australia’s Harry Murphy Cruise identified this trimmed mean figure as the decisive ‘magic number,’ noting that results exceeding 3.2% would likely warrant immediate monetary tightening.

    Compounding the pressure on borrowers, December’s unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to 4.1% from November’s 4.3%, with 65,000 new workers entering employment. This robust labor market performance potentially fuels consumer spending capacity, creating conditions where businesses might more easily transfer rising costs to customers—a development that could sustain inflationary pressures.

    Despite recent methodological changes incorporating full monthly inflation data, the ABS continues producing quarterly figures that remain the RBA’s primary reference. With the central bank balancing dual mandates of full employment and price stability, Wednesday’s release represents what Betashares economist David Bassanese characterized as a ‘make-or-break’ moment for February’s rate decision.

  • US sued over deadly missile strikes on alleged drug boats

    US sued over deadly missile strikes on alleged drug boats

    The United States government faces a landmark wrongful death lawsuit following a series of lethal military strikes targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking. The legal action, initiated by bereaved families from Trinidad and Tobago, represents the first judicial challenge to the Trump administration’s controversial maritime operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters.

    Filed in Massachusetts federal court, the litigation stems from an October 14 incident that claimed six lives, including those of Chad Joseph (26) and Rishi Samaroo (41). While President Trump characterized the deceased as ‘six male narcoterrorists’ transporting narcotics from Venezuela, the plaintiffs contend the victims were civilian laborers returning from fishing and agricultural work. Notably, no substantiating evidence regarding drug cartel connections or terrorist designations has been publicly disclosed by Washington.

    The complaint leverages the Death on the High Seas Act and Alien Tort Statute, alleging these ‘premeditated and intentional killings’ constitute unlawful extrajudicial executions without legal justification. Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and Center for Constitutional Rights, plaintiffs Lenore Burnley (Joseph’s mother) and Sallycar Korasingh (Samaroo’s sister) seek punitive damages through jury determination.

    Legal director Baher Azmy condemned the operations as ‘lawless killings in cold blood; killings for sport and killings for theater,’ emphasizing that the suit aims to establish accountability for potential war crimes. The case follows a separate December petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights by relatives of Colombian national Alejandro Carranza Medina, similarly killed in September strikes despite family assertions he was engaged in legitimate fishing activities.

    This developing legal confrontation highlights escalating tensions between counter-narcotics operational protocols and international human rights standards, with implications for extraterritorial use of lethal force and governmental accountability mechanisms.

  • US border enforcer set to leave Minneapolis as Trump tries to calm crisis

    US border enforcer set to leave Minneapolis as Trump tries to calm crisis

    Minneapolis is witnessing the withdrawal of certain federal border enforcement personnel following two fatal protester shootings that have ignited nationwide condemnation and placed President Trump’s immigration policies under unprecedented scrutiny. The anticipated departure of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, recognized for his militarized approach to immigration enforcement, coincides with the arrival of new White House envoy Tom Homan, who is tasked with deescalating tensions through improved communication with local officials.

    The crisis reached a critical point when 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot multiple times at point-blank range during an altercation with federal agents on an icy road this past Saturday. This incident occurred less than three weeks after another U.S. citizen, Renee Good—a mother of three—was similarly killed inside her vehicle on January 7th. Both shootings involved masked, heavily armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents operating under Trump’s aggressive deportation initiative.

    Initially, administration officials falsely characterized Pretti as a ‘domestic terrorist’ intending to harm federal agents, claims that were visibly contradicted by multiple video recordings. Although President Trump initially amplified these allegations on social media, he subsequently adopted a more conciliatory stance as political backlash intensified.

    The repercussions have extended to Washington, where rare bipartisan criticism has emerged. Republican Senator Rand Paul called for the immediate administrative leave of agents involved in Pretti’s shooting, while centrist Democratic Senator John Fetterman demanded the dismissal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing gross incompetence.

    Meanwhile, Minneapolis protesters braving sub-zero temperatures expressed cautious relief at the partial withdrawal of federal forces. Local demonstrators described months of community trauma and brutality, viewing the reduced presence as both a vindication of their protests and a welcome relief from sustained violence.

    Simultaneously, legal challenges are progressing through Minnesota courts. A federal judge is considering whether the deployment of federal officers violates state sovereignty, and ICE’s acting director has been ordered to appear in court regarding a detention challenge.

  • ‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closer to midnight, a year into Trump term

    ‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closer to midnight, a year into Trump term

    In a sobering announcement marking heightened global instability, the symbolic Doomsday Clock has been adjusted to 85 seconds before midnight—the closest it has ever been to representing total planetary catastrophe. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the organization behind the clock, cited escalating nuclear threats, climate inaction, and the corrosive spread of disinformation as primary drivers of this alarming shift.

    The decision, made following consultations with experts including eight Nobel laureates, reflects a world where major powers like Russia, China, and the United States have grown increasingly adversarial and nationalistic. A statement released with the update warned that ‘hard-won global understandings are collapsing,’ accelerating great-power competition and undermining international cooperation on critical risks including nuclear war, climate change, and the misuse of emerging technologies.

    Key factors influencing the move include the impending expiration of the New START nuclear arms treaty between the U.S. and Russia, alongside the Trump administration’s push for a space-based missile defense system dubbed ‘Golden Dome.’ The board also highlighted record-breaking carbon emissions following a sharp reversal of U.S. climate policy and backtracking by other nations.

    Adding to the crisis, the bulletin pointed to an ‘information Armageddon’—a collapse of public trust fueled by predatory technology that spreads falsehoods and profits from societal division, as noted by Nobel Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa.

    Founded in 1947 by Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer, the Doomsday Clock began at seven minutes to midnight. This year’s four-second advance follows a one-second move last year, erasing earlier guarded optimism about diplomatic engagement under Trump’s second term.