Global Pulse

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  • Sister of former Pakistani leader Imran Khan says he is in good health, quelling rumors

    Sister of former Pakistani leader Imran Khan says he is in good health, quelling rumors

    ISLAMABAD — In a highly anticipated family visit to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Prison, Uzma Khan, sister of incarcerated former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, reported Tuesday that the opposition leader remains in good physical health but is experiencing extreme distress due to prolonged solitary detention conditions.

    The visitation marked the first familial access granted to Khan since November 4, ending weeks of speculation about the politician’s wellbeing that had prompted concerns among his supporters nationwide. During her brief meeting, Uzma Khan characterized her brother’s condition as “perfectly in good health” but noted he expressed profound anger regarding his isolation, which he described as “mental torture worse than physical abuse.”

    Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had mobilized hundreds of supporters outside the prison facility throughout the day, awaiting confirmation about their leader’s status. Security forces responded with significant deployments around the complex and implemented rally bans in both Rawalpindi and the capital Islamabad to prevent large gatherings.

    The 73-year-old former cricket icon has been serving multiple concurrent prison sentences since 2023 following convictions on corruption and other charges that his supporters allege are politically motivated attempts to dismantle his political career. His wife, Bushra Bibi, remains incarcerated in the same facility on graft convictions, though prison authorities prohibit direct contact between the couple except during court appearances.

    Khan’s spokesperson, Zulfiquar Bukhari, condemned the restrictive visitation policies as inadequate, demanding regular access for both family members and legal representatives while characterizing the isolation measures as psychological torture.

    The political context remains intensely charged, with Khan’s party maintaining that their electoral mandate was illegitimately overturned in the 2024 parliamentary elections through systematic rigging favoring current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—allegations the sitting government consistently denies. Khan was originally removed from power through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022 and now leads the opposition movement from his prison cell.

  • Look: Hong Kong fire survivor recalls story of saving beloved pet from blaze

    Look: Hong Kong fire survivor recalls story of saving beloved pet from blaze

    In the aftermath of Hong Kong’s most devastating residential fire in decades, a story of canine rescue has emerged as a poignant symbol of hope. Jacky Lee, a 43-year-old airline engineer, experienced an emotional rollercoaster when the Wang Fuk Court complex—her residential estate—became engulfed in flames that would claim at least 151 lives and rage for over 40 hours.

    Upon hearing news of the inferno, Lee immediately rushed back to save Jason, her 15-year-old grey poodle left inside their 27th-floor apartment. She joined anxious residents at a temporary shelter where a district councillor delivered the grim news that pet rescue operations had been suspended due to intensifying flames.

    Just as hope seemed lost, Lee received an unexpected phone call from a firefighter confirming they had located her dog in unit 2703 of the Wang Kin House tower. The rescue team had been guided by handwritten notes Lee had posted throughout her apartment identifying her pet.

    The following day, Jason was delivered safely into Lee’s arms by volunteers, trembling but physically unharmed. ‘He was still shaking when I saw him from afar, then I called his name, he saw me and stopped. Then he smiled,’ Lee recounted to AFP, describing her overwhelming emotional response to the reunion.

    The successful rescue operation highlighted broader concerns about pet welfare during emergencies. Hong Kong’s social media platforms were flooded with posts from distressed pet owners throughout the 40-hour blaze, while animal welfare organizations worked tirelessly to match rescued animals with their families.

    The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) reported that 209 animals were extracted from the burned complex, with 63 fatalities among various species including dogs, cats, fish, and hamsters.

    District Councillor Lau Chun-hoi emphasized animals’ ‘very strong will to live’ and proposed measures to support remaining strays within the damaged structures. The tragedy has sparked calls for improved emergency protocols for pets, with Lee advocating for pet-friendly temporary housing arrangements for displaced residents.

    Despite psychological trauma that has left the poodle timid and clingy, veterinary examination confirmed Jason suffered only mild dehydration and has since returned to his normal disposition—a small victory amid overwhelming tragedy.

  • Indonesia to repatriate 2 convicted Dutch drug traffickers, including one on death row

    Indonesia to repatriate 2 convicted Dutch drug traffickers, including one on death row

    In a significant diplomatic development, Indonesia and the Netherlands have formalized an agreement to repatriate two Dutch citizens convicted of serious drug offenses in Indonesia. The arrangement, signed simultaneously in Jakarta and Amsterdam on Tuesday, involves 74-year-old Siegfried Mets, who faces capital punishment, and 65-year-old Ali Tokman, currently serving a life imprisonment sentence.

    The transfer initiative emerged following a formal appeal from Dutch King Willem-Alexander and the Netherlands’ foreign ministry, citing the detainees’ deteriorating health conditions as primary humanitarian grounds. Indonesian Senior Law Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who endorsed the agreement during a ceremonial signing in Jakarta, confirmed that President Prabowo Subianto had authorized the arrangement with an anticipated transfer date of December 8.

    Siegfried Mets received the death penalty for his involvement in smuggling 600,000 ecstasy tablets from the Netherlands to Indonesia in February 2008, having spent 17 years in Jakarta’s detention facilities. Ali Tokman was apprehended at Surabaya Airport in December 2014 after customs officials discovered approximately 6 kilograms of MDMA in his possession, serving 11 years of his life term.

    Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel concurrently signed the agreement in Amsterdam, with diplomatic delegations from both nations witnessing the proceedings. Marc Gerritsen, Netherlands Ambassador to Indonesia, expressed profound gratitude for Indonesia’s humanitarian consideration, noting that the transfer would enable both detainees to be nearer to their families while demonstrating strengthened bilateral cooperation in judicial matters.

    This development aligns with President Prabowo’s administration pattern of facilitating foreign prisoner repatriations through bilateral agreements. Previous transfers include a Filipina facing drug-related execution, five Australians convicted of heroin trafficking, and two British nationals sentenced for drug smuggling offenses.

    Despite maintaining some of the world’s strictest narcotics regulations, Indonesia remains a significant trafficking hub according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Recent data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Immigration and Corrections indicates approximately 530 individuals await execution on death row, primarily for drug-related crimes, including nearly 100 foreign nationals. The country last performed executions in July 2016, involving one Indonesian and three foreign citizens.

  • 2 former South African apartheid police officers are convicted of killing an activist 38 years ago

    2 former South African apartheid police officers are convicted of killing an activist 38 years ago

    In a landmark ruling that addresses historical injustices, two former apartheid-era police officers in South Africa have been found guilty of the 1987 murder of anti-apartheid activist Caiphus Nyoka. The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg delivered the verdict on Tuesday, convicting Abraham Engelbrecht and Pieter Stander, both in their sixties, while acquitting a third former officer.

    The case, which remained unresolved for over three decades, was reopened following a stunning public confession in 2019 by former Reaction Unit member Johan Marais. Marais pleaded guilty to Nyoka’s killing and received a 15-year prison sentence last July.

    Court documents and a 1988 pathology report reveal the brutal nature of Nyoka’s death. The student leader was shot at least twelve times when police units stormed his family home before dawn. Forensic evidence indicates he was initially shot while sitting up in bed, with subsequent shots fired into his chest, arms, and hands after he had fallen.

    During apartheid, authorities cleared the officers of wrongdoing by claiming self-defense—a common tactic used to conceal political assassinations. The case was examined by South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1997, but no perpetrators came forward at that time.

    This conviction occurs amidst renewed efforts to address apartheid-era crimes. Recent developments include a October ruling that anti-apartheid leader Albert Luthuli was beaten to death by security police in 1967, contradicting the original finding of a train accident. Authorities have also announced new investigations into the 1977 death of Steve Biko and potential obstruction of justice by post-apartheid governments.

  • Venezuela to continue accepting deported migrants despite Trump’s airspace closure suggestion

    Venezuela to continue accepting deported migrants despite Trump’s airspace closure suggestion

    In a significant diplomatic development, Venezuela has authorized the continuation of U.S.-operated deportation flights despite escalating tensions between the two nations. The administration of President Nicolás Maduro reversed its earlier position on Tuesday, confirming that twice-weekly flights transporting deported migrants would proceed following an official request from the Trump administration.

    This reversal comes just days after Venezuelan authorities had indicated that U.S. immigration officials had unilaterally suspended the deportation program. Documentation revealed that U.S.-based Eastern Airlines submitted formal overflight and landing applications on Monday, seeking permission for arrivals commencing Wednesday. Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister made these applications publicly available.

    The continuation of deportation operations occurs against a backdrop of heightened military activity. Recent U.S. military strikes targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific and near Venezuela’s Caribbean coast have not disrupted the migration program. The Trump administration maintains these operations target drug cartels allegedly connected to Maduro’s government, while simultaneously considering potential strikes on the Venezuelan mainland.

    This year has witnessed a substantial increase in deportations, with over 13,000 migrants returned to Venezuela via dozens of chartered flights. The policy shift represents a significant departure from Maduro’s long-standing refusal to accept deportees from the United States, a position abandoned under substantial White House pressure. Regular arrivals now occur at Caracas’ international airport through flights operated by both U.S. government contractors and Venezuela’s state-owned airline.

  • Nigeria’s president nominates ex-military chief for defense minister weeks after he was forced out

    Nigeria’s president nominates ex-military chief for defense minister weeks after he was forced out

    LAGOS, Nigeria — In a significant political reversal, President Bola Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Musa, the recently retired military chief, as Nigeria’s new defense minister. This appointment comes merely weeks after General Musa’s forced retirement during a comprehensive military reshuffle.

    The nomination, pending parliamentary confirmation, follows the abrupt resignation of former Defense Minister Badaru Abubakar on Monday, who cited health reasons for his departure. No official explanation has been provided regarding the sudden reinstatement of General Musa, who commanded Nigeria’s armed forces from 2023 until October.

    This leadership shakeup occurs against the backdrop of escalating security challenges in Nigeria’s northern regions, where bandit groups and militants continue to perpetrate mass abductions and deadly violence. The United States has intensified pressure on Nigerian authorities to enhance their counterinsurgency efforts, though President Tinubu has publicly disputed American assertions that Christian communities are disproportionately targeted by the violence.

    In response to the deteriorating security situation, Tinubu’s administration recently dispatched a diplomatic delegation to Washington, resulting in newly established security cooperation agreements. Additionally, the president declared a state of emergency last week and authorized large-scale police recruitment to strengthen domestic security forces.

  • Hand in hand towards tomorrow with the spirit of the community

    Hand in hand towards tomorrow with the spirit of the community

    Dubai-based financial services provider LuLu Exchange has emerged as a testament to the United Arab Emirates’ inclusive national ethos, transforming from a single branch operation into one of the nation’s most trusted financial networks. The company’s growth trajectory mirrors the UAE’s development as a global hub that offers dignity, security, and belonging to millions of expatriates from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and beyond.

    The UAE’s unique environment has enabled diverse communities to thrive simultaneously, creating a rich social fabric that LuLu Exchange serves through its financial operations. The exchange recognizes that each transaction represents human stories—parents supporting families abroad, workers building homes in their villages, or young professionals investing in their futures.

    Aligning with the UAE’s designation of the ‘Year of Community’ under the theme ‘Hand in Hand,’ LuLu Exchange has reinforced its commitment to community empowerment. The company has implemented outreach programs, financial education initiatives, and inclusive activities across its branches, positioning itself as a genuine partner in people’s lives rather than merely a service provider.

    During the Eid Al Etihad celebrations marking the UAE’s unity, LuLu Exchange joins both Emirati citizens and expatriate residents in honoring the nation’s progress and shared purpose. The company’s leadership emphasizes that their mission extends beyond business to encompass a responsibility built on trust, care, and mutual aspirations for continued prosperity.

  • Zambian-American influencer sentenced to 18 months for hate speech

    Zambian-American influencer sentenced to 18 months for hate speech

    A Zambian-American social media influencer has been handed an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to hate speech charges against Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. Ethel Chisono Edwards, a 42-year-old real estate agent from New York who maintains dual citizenship, was convicted under Zambia’s recently enacted Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Acts for her persistent online criticisms of the head of state.

    Known to her substantial following as ‘One Boss Lady,’ Edwards built her digital reputation through two years of vehement commentary targeting President Hichilema’s administration. Her case reached its climax when authorities detained her at Zambia’s primary airport three months ago during a visit to attend her grandmother’s funeral proceedings.

    During proceedings at Lusaka’s magistrate court, Edwards admitted to unlawfully publishing content motivated by hatred toward the presidency. Magistrate Webster Milumbe emphasized the court’s obligation to issue a strong deterrent against the growing trend of hate speech, despite the defendant’s expression of remorse and direct apology to the president, his family, and the Zambian nation.

    Defense attorney Joseph Katati portrayed his client as a contrite first-time offender with significant philanthropic contributions, including sponsorship of a girls’ football team that would suffer from her incarceration. The magistrate acknowledged these mitigating factors by backdating the sentence to her arrest date.

    The sentencing has sparked vigorous debate within Zambia regarding free speech boundaries. While some citizens support the judicial outcome as necessary for maintaining respect for leadership, others perceive the punishment as disproportionately limiting expressive freedoms. This case emerges despite President Hichilema’s 2021 elimination of criminal defamation laws specifically targeting the presidency, indicating that other legislation remains applicable to criticism of government figures.

    This prosecution follows another unusual case from September, where two individuals received two-year prison terms for allegedly attempting to use witchcraft against the president, demonstrating the ongoing legal complexities surrounding presidential protection in Zambia.

  • Southeast Asia floods kill 1,200, leaving hundreds of thousands stranded

    Southeast Asia floods kill 1,200, leaving hundreds of thousands stranded

    Southeast Asia confronts one of its most devastating natural disasters in recent history as catastrophic flooding claims over 1,200 lives across four nations. The region faces immense humanitarian challenges with hundreds of thousands displaced and critical supply chains disrupted.

    Unprecedented monsoon deluges, intensified by dual tropical cyclones, unleashed destruction across Sri Lanka, Indonesia’s Sumatra island, southern Thailand, and northern Malaysia last week. Although floodwaters have begun receding, the aftermath reveals widespread devastation that has overwhelmed local response capabilities.

    Indonesia’s Aceh province emerges as among the hardest-hit areas, where survivors describe tsunami-like waves that swept through communities without warning. “The water was unstoppable, resembling a tsunami wave,” recounted Zamzami, a 33-year-old East Aceh resident. Critical infrastructure damage has severed road access, creating severe supply shortages and dramatic price inflation for essential goods, with chili peppers reaching approximately $18 per kilogram.

    The Indonesian government has initiated large-scale relief operations, distributing 34,000 tonnes of rice and 6.8 million liters of cooking oil to Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized the urgency: “There can be no delays” in assistance delivery.

    Humanitarian organizations warn of impending food crises if supply routes remain compromised. Islamic Relief cautioned that “communities across Aceh face severe risk of food shortages and hunger” without restored access within seven days. The organization deployed 12 tonnes of supplies via Indonesian naval vessels arriving Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, Sri Lanka confronts parallel devastation with at least 390 confirmed fatalities and 352 individuals missing. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a national state of emergency, characterizing the event as “the most challenging natural disaster in our history” and appealing for international support. Military forces from India and Pakistan have joined evacuation and supply delivery operations.

    Meteorological experts note that climate change contributes to more intense precipitation events, as warmer atmospheric conditions retain increased moisture while elevated ocean temperatures amplify storm intensity. This scientific context underscores the growing frequency and severity of such extreme weather phenomena across vulnerable regions.

  • Paleontologists uncover ancient elephant relative in Ningxia

    Paleontologists uncover ancient elephant relative in Ningxia

    In a significant paleontological discovery, researchers have unearthed a remarkably well-preserved fossil of a tetralophodon—an ancient progenitor of modern elephants—from a retired mining site in Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The specimen, estimated to be approximately 9 to 11 million years old, represents the first completely intact large-mammal fossil recovered in the region over the past decade.

    The excavation team, comprising leading paleontologists, conducted meticulous fieldwork at the location, revealing the exceptional preservation of the skeletal remains. Tetralophodons, characterized by their four-ridged molar teeth, inhabited various ecosystems during the Miocene epoch and are considered crucial evolutionary links in understanding proboscidean development.

    This discovery provides unprecedented insight into the migration patterns and anatomical evolution of prehistoric elephant species across Asia. The finding’s significance extends beyond mere anatomical preservation, offering researchers valuable data about regional climate conditions and ecological systems that existed millions of years ago in what is now northwest China.

    The Ningxia discovery marks a substantial contribution to vertebrate paleontology, potentially reshaping understanding of proboscidean dispersal routes across the Asian continent. Local authorities have implemented enhanced protective measures at the excavation site while scientists continue detailed analysis of the specimen, which may reveal new information about the species’ adaptation mechanisms and eventual extinction.