Global Pulse

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  • Search for missing flight MH370 to resume this month, Malaysia says

    Search for missing flight MH370 to resume this month, Malaysia says

    Malaysian authorities have announced the imminent resumption of the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, scheduling operations to commence on December 30th. This development marks the latest chapter in what remains one of aviation’s most perplexing unsolved mysteries.

    The Transport Ministry of Malaysia confirmed that Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company, will undertake renewed seabed exploration activities. The search mission is planned to span 55 days, though operations will be conducted intermittently to accommodate logistical considerations and potential weather challenges.

    This renewed effort follows a suspended search operation earlier this year in April, when adverse weather conditions in the southern Indian Ocean forced the temporary halt of investigative activities. The upcoming search represents continued determination to solve the disappearance that has baffled aviation experts and devastated families for over a decade.

    Flight MH370, operating a Boeing 777 aircraft, vanished during its scheduled flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014. The aircraft was transporting 239 individuals comprising 227 passengers and 12 crew members when it disappeared from radar contact, triggering the most extensive and costly aviation search in history.

    The upcoming search operation demonstrates ongoing international commitment to resolving aviation mysteries and improving flight safety protocols worldwide. While previous searches have covered vast areas of the Indian Ocean, technological advancements and refined data analysis have created renewed optimism among investigators and family members of those lost.

  • A 1-year-old was among 159 killed in Hong Kong apartment fires. 30 others remain missing

    A 1-year-old was among 159 killed in Hong Kong apartment fires. 30 others remain missing

    Hong Kong authorities confirmed Wednesday that the catastrophic high-rise apartment fire has claimed 159 lives, marking one of the deadliest residential blazes in the city’s history. The tragedy has triggered multiple arrests as investigators uncover alarming safety violations during ongoing renovation work.

    Police Commissioner Joe Chow announced the completion of body recovery operations across seven of the eight affected towers at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po district, though approximately 30 individuals remain unaccounted for. Search teams continue scouring collapsed bamboo scaffolding that encapsulated the buildings during a months-long renovation project.

    The victims span generations, with the youngest identified as a one-year-old infant and the oldest at 97 years. Among the deceased were ten migrant domestic workers—nine from Indonesia and one from the Philippines—alongside one firefighter who perished during rescue operations.

    Law enforcement officials revealed six additional arrests Wednesday, targeting individuals accused of deliberately deactivating fire alarm systems during maintenance activities. These arrests bring the total to 21 persons detained in connection with the investigation, which now encompasses allegations of corruption and criminal negligence.

    Forensic analysis indicates that substandard safety materials significantly contributed to the fire’s rapid escalation. Inferior netting covering external scaffolding and flammable foam window installations created ideal conditions for the blaze to spread with unprecedented speed through the residential complex.

    The conflagration, which ignited last Wednesday and required two full days to extinguish, exposed critical failures in fire safety protocols. Residents and officials confirmed that multiple alarm systems failed to activate during the initial outbreak, though the full extent of these malfunctions remains under investigation.

    Authorities continue evidence collection while nineteen victims await formal identification. The precise ignition source remains undetermined as forensic teams work to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to this devastating urban tragedy.

  • Steve Rosenberg: Putin showing no signs of compromise

    Steve Rosenberg: Putin showing no signs of compromise

    Following an intensive five-hour diplomatic session between Russian and American officials, BBC’s Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg reports that President Vladimir Putin demonstrates no indications of willingness to make concessions. The high-level peace talks, which addressed critical security concerns and ongoing geopolitical tensions, revealed a persistent deadlock as the Russian leadership continues to assert its fundamental demands without showing flexibility.

    Rosenberg’s expert analysis indicates that Moscow’s negotiating position remains fundamentally unchanged despite international pressure and diplomatic efforts. The discussions, which represented one of the most significant direct engagements between the two nuclear powers in recent months, failed to produce any breakthrough regarding Eastern European security arrangements or other contentious issues.

    The Russian delegation reportedly reiterated its core security requirements, including guarantees against NATO expansion eastward, while American officials maintained their commitment to the alliance’s open-door policy. This fundamental disagreement creates a substantial obstacle to meaningful progress, with both sides acknowledging the significant gap between their respective positions.

    Observers note that the extended duration of the talks suggests both parties recognize the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences of failed diplomacy. However, the absence of tangible results following the marathon session underscores the deep divisions and complex challenges facing international efforts to de-escalate tensions between Moscow and Western nations.

  • EU updates asylum guidance for Syrians a year after Assad’s fall

    EU updates asylum guidance for Syrians a year after Assad’s fall

    BARCELONA, Spain — The European Union has implemented significant revisions to its asylum application guidelines for Syrian nationals, reflecting the transformed political landscape one year after the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime. These updated directives, issued Wednesday by the European Union Agency for Asylum, could substantially impact the pending applications of approximately 110,000 Syrians awaiting asylum decisions across EU member states.

    The new guidance indicates that individuals who opposed Assad’s government or evaded military service no longer face automatic presumption of persecution risk. Conversely, the agency identifies several vulnerable groups that may still qualify for international protection, including former government affiliates and members of specific ethnic-religious minorities such as Alawites, Christians, and Druze communities.

    While asylum determinations remain within national jurisdiction, these EU-wide recommendations aim to foster greater consistency among the 27 member states plus Norway and Switzerland in granting international protection. Statistical data reveals a dramatic decline in Syrian asylum seekers, dropping from 16,000 monthly applications in October 2024 to just 3,500 by September 2025, though Syrians still constitute the largest group with pending cases.

    The agency characterizes Syria’s current situation as ‘improved but volatile’ since Assad’s ouster in December 2024, noting that ‘indiscriminate violence continues’ in certain regions. Despite the capital Damascus being deemed secure, recent sectarian violence in coastal areas and Sweida province has resulted in hundreds of casualties.

    Additional groups maintaining refugee eligibility include LGBTQ+ individuals and Palestinians in Syria who have lost UN assistance and protection. According to UNHCR data, over one million refugees and nearly two million internally displaced persons have returned to Syria since the regime change, marking a complex humanitarian transition following a conflict that claimed approximately 500,000 lives and displaced half the country’s pre-war population.

  • Winter scenery across China

    Winter scenery across China

    China Daily Information Co (CDIC) has issued a formal declaration regarding the intellectual property rights governing all content published across its digital platforms. The comprehensive copyright notice explicitly states that all materials—including textual content, photographic images, multimedia information, and other digital assets—remain the exclusive property of CDIC.

    The company has established stringent protections against unauthorized republication or utilization of its content in any form without obtaining prior written authorization. This policy reinforces CDIC’s commitment to safeguarding its intellectual property in accordance with international copyright standards.

    Additionally, the publication provides technical recommendations for optimal user experience, suggesting browsers with 1024*768 resolution or higher for best viewing performance. The notice also contains reference to official publishing licenses and registration numbers, including Multimedia Online Publishing License 0108263 and Registration Number 130349, underscoring the organization’s compliance with regulatory requirements.

    The footer section includes navigational links to corporate information pages, advertising opportunities, contact channels, and employment sections specifically catering to expatriate professionals. The announcement concludes with an invitation for readers to follow the organization’s official social media channels for ongoing updates.

  • Belgium urges Europe to drop plan for frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine

    Belgium urges Europe to drop plan for frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine

    Belgium has launched a forceful diplomatic offensive against the European Union’s controversial proposal to transform frozen Russian state assets into a reparations loan for Ukraine, warning the scheme could trigger national bankruptcy and decades of litigation. The escalating confrontation pits Belgian leadership against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and EU institutional leaders who champion the €140 billion plan.

    Prime Minister Bart De Wever has formally written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declaring the proposal “fundamentally wrong,” while Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot articulated specific legal and financial perils. Their central concern stems from Belgium hosting €185 billion of the €210 billion in frozen Russian assets at Euroclear, the Brussels-based securities depository, making the nation disproportionately vulnerable to Russian legal retaliation.

    “If Russia takes us to court, it will have every chance of winning,” Prévot stated bluntly. “We, Belgium, will not be able to repay those €200 billion because that represents the equivalent of an entire year of the federal budget. It would mean bankruptcy for Belgium.”

    The Belgian government proposes an alternative approach: the EU should borrow required funds on international markets using provisions within the existing shared budget of member states. This structure would distribute financial risk across the bloc rather than concentrating liability on Belgium.

    Legal experts substantiate Belgium’s concerns. Professor Veerle Colaert of KU Leuven University explained that Euroclear maintains contractual obligations to repay the Russian Central Bank upon demand, currently prevented only by sanctions. “If sanctions are lifted and Euroclear hasn’t got the money because it’s being lent to the EU,” Colaert noted, “Belgium would have to step in, but the amount involved is simply too large.”

    Russia has amplified pressure through Andrei Kostin, president-chairman of state-owned VTB Bank, who threatened “half a century of litigation” should the EU proceed. Moscow condemns the proposal as unacceptable seizure that would fund warfare rather than peace.

    The European Commission had intended to present a legal framework by late November, but public disagreements have delayed the process. With EU leaders scheduled to vote on the proposal at an upcoming Brussels summit, the deep divisions suggest a resolution remains uncertain as member states balance Ukraine’s urgent needs against financial stability and legal integrity.

  • Thailand relaxes afternoon alcohol ban to boost tourism

    Thailand relaxes afternoon alcohol ban to boost tourism

    In a landmark policy shift, Thailand has suspended its longstanding prohibition on afternoon alcohol sales, initiating a six-month pilot program aimed at revitalizing its tourism sector. Effective immediately, licensed venues including restaurants, bars, and retail stores are permitted to sell alcoholic beverages between 14:00 and 17:00 local time.

    This prohibition, originally enacted in 1972, was designed to prevent government workers from consuming alcohol during official hours. For decades, the regulation has perplexed international visitors in a nation globally renowned for its vibrant nightlife and hospitality culture.

    The suspension coincides strategically with the peak Christmas and New Year travel period, maximizing potential economic benefits. Under the temporary framework, alcohol sales are now permitted from 11:00 to midnight for 180 days, during which a special committee will meticulously evaluate the policy’s socioeconomic impact.

    The reform aligns with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s administration’s broader agenda to accelerate economic recovery following extended political instability. Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram recently articulated the government’s updated perspective, noting contemporary societal shifts have reduced concerns about civil servants drinking during work hours.

    Previously, violations carried substantial penalties, including fines reaching 10,000 baht (approximately $313). Thailand maintains one of Asia’s highest alcohol consumption rates according to World Health Organization data, with local brands like Chang and Singha enjoying widespread popularity.

    This experimental deregulation represents a significant balancing act between stimulating tourism revenue and maintaining social order in the Buddhist-majority kingdom.

  • India scraps order to pre-install state-run cyber safety app on smartphones

    India scraps order to pre-install state-run cyber safety app on smartphones

    The Indian government has abruptly withdrawn a controversial mandate requiring smartphone manufacturers to preinstall the state-developed Sanchar Saathi application on all new devices. The directive, initially issued last week but publicly disclosed on Monday, had triggered significant privacy concerns and industry resistance.

    The now-revoked order stipulated that companies like Apple and Samsung would have 90 days to embed the cyber safety application into new handsets in a manner that prevented users from disabling or restricting its functionality. While authorities defended the measure as essential for verifying handset authenticity and combating fraud, digital rights advocates and cybersecurity experts condemned it as a potential surveillance tool that violated privacy norms.

    Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia attempted to allay surveillance fears, asserting that “snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app.” The government cited the app’s “increasing acceptance” as justification for the reversal, noting substantial organic adoption with 14 million downloads to date and 600,000 new registrations recorded on Tuesday alone.

    The Internet Freedom Foundation, while welcoming the withdrawal, cautioned that “this should be treated as cautious optimism, not closure” until formal legal documentation is published and independently verified. Industry sources revealed that major smartphone manufacturers had resisted the directive due to concerns about its implementation without prior consultation and potential infringement on user privacy standards.

  • Thailand lifts ban on afternoon alcohol sales in time for year-end holiday festivities

    Thailand lifts ban on afternoon alcohol sales in time for year-end holiday festivities

    BANGKOK — In a landmark regulatory shift, Thailand has officially terminated a 53-year prohibition on afternoon alcohol sales, implementing a 180-day trial period effective immediately. The historic amendment to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, eliminates the longstanding 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM sales window that had been in effect since 1972.

    The policy revision permits retail establishments to sell beer, wine, and spirits from 11:00 AM until midnight, while entertainment venues may serve alcohol until 1:00 AM. The decision is strategically timed to capitalize on the year-end holiday tourism season, potentially generating significant revenue increases for bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and hospitality businesses.

    Originally instituted during Thailand’s military regime, the rationale behind the afternoon sales prohibition had become increasingly ambiguous over decades. Despite Buddhism’s discouragement of intoxicants—the predominant religion in Thailand—alcohol consumption remains culturally prevalent. Enforcement of the ban had been notoriously inconsistent, with exemptions for airports, hotels, and entertainment districts, while many small businesses operated in a regulatory gray area with discreet under-the-counter sales.

    The temporary suspension follows comprehensive alcohol sales bans implemented during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. While welcomed by tourism and hospitality sectors, some public health advocates express concerns about potential increases in drunk driving incidents and alcohol-related harms. Government officials emphasize the trial nature of the measure, with comprehensive evaluation scheduled after the 180-day period to assess social and economic impacts.

  • Humanitarians answer Gaza Civil Defense call for help: UN

    Humanitarians answer Gaza Civil Defense call for help: UN

    United Nations humanitarian agencies have responded to emergency distress calls from Gaza’s Civil Defense teams, coordinating rescue operations for injured civilians in the Tufah neighborhood of Gaza City. This intervention comes amid persistent reports of Israeli military operations across all five governorates of the besieged territory.

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed the rescue mission occurred Monday following an urgent request from local emergency services. While specific details regarding the nature of the emergency remain undisclosed, the operation highlights the critical role international organizations play in mitigating the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.

    Concurrently, the World Health Organization has successfully facilitated the medical evacuation of 18 critically ill patients alongside 54 companions for overseas treatment. Despite these efforts, WHO officials report that over 16,500 patients still require life-saving medical care unavailable within Gaza’s decimated healthcare infrastructure.

    With winter conditions approaching, humanitarian organizations are intensifying efforts to distribute cold-weather essentials across the strip. Relief partners have already provided tens of thousands of vital items including winter clothing, footwear, blankets, and towels to vulnerable children and families over the past two months.

    OCHA has reiterated its urgent appeal for the opening of all available border crossings and transit corridors to enable patient transfers to the West Bank and facilitate unimpeded access for international emergency medical teams. The office also expressed growing concern about recent Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank governorates of Tubas and Jenin, where reports indicate significant civilian displacement, infrastructure destruction targeting water networks, and the closure of commercial establishments.

    Disturbingly, OCHA documentation reveals that nearly two dozen Palestinian families have been forcibly displaced from their homes in the past 48 hours alone, with their properties subsequently converted into military observation posts.