Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • 604 killed in floods, landslides in Indonesia

    604 killed in floods, landslides in Indonesia

    Indonesia faces a mounting humanitarian crisis as catastrophic flooding and landslides across Sumatra Island have resulted in 604 confirmed fatalities with 464 individuals still unaccounted for, according to the latest figures released by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) on Monday.

    The devastating natural disasters have triggered massive displacement, forcing approximately 570,000 residents from their homes across three severely impacted provinces: North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. Rescue operations are proceeding at maximum capacity despite significant logistical challenges caused by damaged infrastructure and compromised communication networks that have rendered numerous affected zones unreachable by conventional ground transportation.

    Aerial reconnaissance from the Palembayan region of Agam regency in West Sumatra province reveals the extensive devastation wrought by sudden torrential downpours that triggered deadly flash floods. Relief efforts are currently heavily dependent on air support for delivering essential supplies to isolated communities.

    Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized the government’s full-scale mobilization of rescue and relief initiatives while simultaneously highlighting the critical need for enhanced climate change adaptation strategies. The president called for more substantial involvement from local governments in both environmental conservation measures and preparedness planning for increasingly frequent extreme weather phenomena.

  • Dh500 fine: Police warn of punishment for illegal driving in parade, gathering

    Dh500 fine: Police warn of punishment for illegal driving in parade, gathering

    In preparation for the UAE’s 54th National Day celebrations, law enforcement agencies across the Emirates have issued stringent warnings against unauthorized vehicular participation in parades and public gatherings. Sharjah Police specifically emphasized that driving in organized processions without obtaining proper permits constitutes a serious traffic violation.

    The regulatory framework establishes clear consequences for non-compliance: offenders face a financial penalty of Dh500, accumulation of four black points on their driving license, and potential vehicle impoundment for a duration of 15 days. These measures aim to maintain public order during the Eid Al Etihad festivities, which traditionally bring together diverse nationalities through colorful performances and community events.

    Transport authorities throughout the UAE have implemented coordinated road closure protocols for parade routes, with detailed communications provided to the public regarding alternative routes and timing. Dubai Police previously released comprehensive guidelines for National Day observances, which include prohibitions against displaying foreign flags and recommendations for early airport travel during the celebration period.

    The enforcement initiative reflects broader efforts to balance celebratory traditions with public safety considerations, ensuring that the patriotic gatherings remain secure and organized for all participants and spectators.

  • Sudanese children abducted for recruitment by RSF and allies in South Kordofan raid

    Sudanese children abducted for recruitment by RSF and allies in South Kordofan raid

    In a disturbing escalation of Sudan’s ongoing conflict, paramilitary forces and rebel factions have been implicated in the systematic abduction of 21 children from South Kordofan state with the apparent intention of coercing them into military service. According to multiple eyewitness accounts and verification from the Sudan Doctors Network, the incident occurred on November 24th when joint forces from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Abdelaziz al-Hilu’s faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) overran the al-Zallataya gold mining region.

    The operation resulted in the capture of approximately 150 individuals, predominantly young males, with the targeted children all being between 14 and 15 years of age. Witness testimony reveals the abductions were conducted through aggressive house-to-house raids and workplace detentions, despite the area experiencing no active hostilities at the time. A local activist described how victims were subsequently held in confined recruitment facilities with no means of escape.

    This development is particularly alarming as it follows the RSF’s recent announcement of a unilateral three-month humanitarian ceasefire. Medical authorities confirmed at least four casualties during the raid, which targeted an area previously under Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) control before most troops were redeployed.

    The incident reflects the rapidly deteriorating security situation in strategically vital South Kordofan state, where fighting has intensified significantly in recent days. The region has witnessed reciprocal allegations of civilian targeting, including rebel claims of a SAF drone strike that allegedly killed 45 civilians, mostly children.

    This abduction campaign appears consistent with previously documented patterns of child recruitment by Sudanese paramilitaries. United Nations reports from October 2023 already indicated the RSF was systematically recruiting vulnerable children, particularly those from impoverished or unaccompanied backgrounds. Humanitarian organizations have documented the catastrophic impact of the conflict on children, with Save the Children reporting approximately one child displaced every ten seconds since hostilities began in April 2023.

    The alliance between the RSF and SPLM-N factions has evolved from tacit cooperation to formal integration, with al-Hilu now participating in the RSF’s parallel governance structure. This partnership has significantly altered the dynamics of Sudan’s complex conflict, which has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 13 million people.

  • Groundbreaking HIV prevention shots begin in Africa

    Groundbreaking HIV prevention shots begin in Africa

    A new era in HIV prevention has commenced across Southern Africa with the landmark public rollout of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking injectable medication demonstrating unprecedented efficacy against HIV transmission. The revolutionary prevention tool, administered just twice annually, has shown remarkable 99.9% effectiveness in clinical trials, positioning it as a functional equivalent to a powerful vaccine against the virus.

    South Africa, Eswatini, and Zambia initiated their respective programs on World AIDS Day, marking the first real-world implementation of this long-acting preventive solution in low- and middle-income nations. The Wits University research unit in South Africa—where approximately 20% of adults live with HIV—spearheaded the rollout through an initiative funded by Unitaid, the United Nations global health agency.

    The launch ceremonies featured significant public engagement, with dozens lining up for injections in Eswatini’s Hhukwini constituency amid celebratory songs and dances. Eswatini’s Prime Minister Russell Dlamini declared the development “a turning point in our national HIV response” that provides “fresh hope and a powerful tool to protect our citizens.”

    Despite the enthusiasm, significant challenges remain regarding accessibility and cost. The medication carries a staggering $28,000 annual price tag per person in the United States, raising concerns about affordability in resource-limited settings. Under a current arrangement, manufacturer Gilead Sciences has committed to providing lenacapavir at no profit to two million people in high-HIV burden countries over three years through a US program.

    Notably, South Africa—despite its participation in clinical trials—will not receive doses through this initiative due to ongoing policy disagreements between Washington and Pretoria. A senior US State Department official indicated that countries with substantial means should fund their own prevention programs.

    Health advocates emphasize the critical need for expanded access throughout Eastern and Southern Africa, which accounts for 52% of the global HIV burden according to 2024 UNAIDS data. The region continues to face severe challenges, with Zambia reporting approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV and 30,000 new infections annually.

    The future outlook appears promising, with generic versions expected to become available by 2027 through agreements between Unitaid, the Gates Foundation, and Indian pharmaceutical companies. These generic alternatives are projected to cost approximately $40 annually, potentially transforming HIV prevention accessibility across more than 100 countries.

  • Luigi Mangione faces key evidence hearings over US healthcare exec’s killing

    Luigi Mangione faces key evidence hearings over US healthcare exec’s killing

    A pivotal legal proceeding commenced Monday in the case against Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old defendant charged with the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The hearings, presided over by Judge Gregory Carro in state court, will determine the admissibility of crucial evidence in Mangione’s upcoming murder trial.

    The case stems from the December 2024 fatal shooting of Thompson on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk, an act that drew widespread condemnation from public officials while simultaneously making Mangione an unlikely folk hero among Americans frustrated with exorbitant healthcare costs. Mangione has entered not guilty pleas to all charges in both state and federal jurisdictions, with federal prosecutors indicating they will seek capital punishment.

    This week’s hearings will scrutinize the circumstances surrounding Mangione’s arrest in Pennsylvania, where defense attorneys allege constitutional violations occurred. The defense team is motioning to exclude evidence recovered from Mangione’s backpack—including a 3D-printed firearm, silencer, electronic devices, and journal entries allegedly connecting him to the homicide—claiming it was obtained through illegal search procedures.

    Additionally, defense counsel is seeking to suppress statements Mangione made during interrogation, asserting law enforcement failed to properly advise him of his Miranda rights. Prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office have vigorously contested these motions, maintaining the investigation was conducted lawfully.

    While Judge Carro dismissed two terrorism charges in September due to insufficient evidence of intent to intimidate insurance workers or influence policy, Mangione still faces second-degree murder charges—which carry life imprisonment for intentional killing—alongside seven weapons possession counts and one false identification charge.

    The defendant remains in federal custody in Brooklyn as both state and federal trial dates await scheduling. Outside the courthouse, a small group of supporters demonstrated, including one individual costumed as a video game villain bearing a sign that read, ‘When patients die, profits rise,’ highlighting the polarized public reaction to this case.

  • Council removes proposal to rename park named after former president of Israel

    Council removes proposal to rename park named after former president of Israel

    A contentious proposal to rename Herzog Park in Dublin has been abruptly withdrawn from the city council’s agenda following the discovery of significant procedural errors. The park, named in 1995 after Belfast-born former Israeli President Chaim Herzog, was targeted for renaming by councillors until Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare identified critical flaws in the legal process.

    The motion, scheduled for a Monday vote, faced intense criticism from both national and international observers. Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the proposal as “overtly divisive and wrong,” while Tánaiste Simon Harris denounced it as contrary to Ireland’s inclusive values. The office of current Israeli President Isaac Herzog, son of Chaim Herzog, expressed concerns that the renaming would appear “shameful and disgraceful.”

    At the council meeting, Lord Mayor Ray McAdam revealed that a commissioned report on the naming process was legally unsound, providing no basis for the proposal. Shakespeare publicly apologized for administrative oversights, admitting he had “failed miserably” in ensuring proper procedure. The error was discovered after a housing official questioned the proposal’s legality on Saturday night.

    Councillors voted 35-25 (with one abstention) to move the proposal to a committee meeting later this month. The debate revealed deep divisions, with some councillors arguing the Jewish community had been hurt by the “fiasco,” while others maintained the Herzog name should be replaced with another Jewish figure.

    The controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding commemorative practices. In 2014, a blue plaque marking Herzog’s Belfast birthplace was removed after vandalism and security concerns. The current situation demonstrates the complex intersection of local governance, international relations, and historical recognition in contemporary Ireland.

  • Stunning images reveal razor-sharp detail of Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot

    Stunning images reveal razor-sharp detail of Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot

    Astronomical imaging breakthroughs have unveiled Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot with extraordinary clarity, revealing the massive storm’s intricate structure in razor-sharp detail. The stunning new photographs, captured from the Oukaimeden Astronomical Observatory in Morocco on November 30, showcase the gas giant’s atmospheric phenomena with remarkable precision.

    Recent data from NASA’s Juno mission has fundamentally altered scientific understanding of Jupiter’s atmospheric dynamics. Contrary to previous assumptions, the planet’s storms penetrate dramatically deeper into its atmosphere than previously documented. While some tempests extend approximately 100 kilometers beneath the cloud tops, the colossal Great Red Spot plunges an astonishing 350 kilometers into the Jovian atmosphere.

    The Astronomy Centre’s released images display unprecedented textural details, bright atmospheric features, and complex swirling patterns within the planetary system. These observations occurred during a lunar transit event, providing optimal viewing conditions for capturing the celestial spectacle.

    This astronomical revelation continues a series of extraordinary celestial events observed throughout 2025. Earlier phenomena included Venus appearing in its crescent phase from UAE perspectives on March 23, when the planet reached surface conjunction at 9:18 AM local time. This positioning created a rare visual effect where Venus appeared as a slender crescent suspended 8.4 degrees from the Sun.

    The current year has provided astronomers with multiple observational highlights, including a planetary parade featuring four visible planets and two requiring telescopic observation. Such alignments recall the extraordinary April 2022 event when Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn formed a straight-line alignment in the eastern sky—a configuration last witnessed a millennium earlier.

  • White House doctor releases Trump’s ‘perfectly normal’ MRI results

    White House doctor releases Trump’s ‘perfectly normal’ MRI results

    The White House has publicly disclosed the results of President Donald Trump’s recent preventative MRI scan, with his physician declaring the 79-year-old leader remains in “excellent overall health.” Captain Sean Barbabella, the president’s doctor and a US Navy emergency physician with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, released a detailed medical memo on Monday confirming advanced imaging of both the president’s cardiovascular system and abdominal organs returned “perfectly normal” results.

    The comprehensive examination, conducted during Trump’s October physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, was characterized as standard preventive care for men in his age demographic. According to the medical assessment, there is no evidence of arterial narrowing that would impair blood flow, nor any abnormalities detected in the president’s heart or major vessels. The abdominal imaging similarly revealed all evaluated organs “functioning within normal limits with no acute or chronic concerns.”

    This transparency initiative comes amid increasing scrutiny from Democratic officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who have expressed concerns about the president’s age and physical capacity during his second term. The disclosure follows Trump’s Sunday comments aboard Air Force One, where he expressed willingness to release the results while humorously noting the scan didn’t examine his brain since he had “aced” a recent cognitive test.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt presented the findings during Monday’s press briefing, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to transparency. The release addresses ongoing public discussion about Trump’s health, which has included observations of swollen ankles, bruising on his right hand, and instances of the president dozing during meetings. Previous medical disclosures revealed a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a vein condition that can cause leg swelling.

    The timing of the medical disclosure follows Trump’s recent harsh criticism of a New York Times reporter who co-authored an article examining his age and physical stamina, highlighting the politically charged nature of presidential health discussions.

  • Onana left out of Cameroon Afcon squad & coach sacked

    Onana left out of Cameroon Afcon squad & coach sacked

    Cameroon’s national football team has been plunged into administrative chaos just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, with head coach Marc Brys dramatically dismissed and several key players, including Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, excluded from the squad.

    The Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), under president Samuel Eto’o, issued a comprehensive statement detailing multiple allegations of professional misconduct against Belgian coach Brys. The accusations include inciting players to defy federation authority, evading press conference obligations, failing to attend crucial meetings, and jeopardizing sponsor relationships. The federation further alleged Brys engaged in “active collaboration with unknown individuals within Fecafoot” and consistently refused to disclose his training programs.

    Brys, originally appointed by Cameroon’s sports ministry in April 2024 against Eto’o’s objections, has been replaced by his assistant David Pagou. The experienced Cameroonian coach now faces the formidable task of preparing the squad for AFCON in Morocco, beginning December 21st, amid significant institutional conflict.

    Pagou’s 28-man selection reveals notable absences beyond Onana, including team captain Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and defender Michael Ngadeu. While Anguissa’s exclusion is attributed to a hamstring injury, no official explanations have been provided for the other omissions.

    This coaching controversy represents the latest chapter in the ongoing power struggle between Fecafoot and Cameroon’s sports ministry. The conflict dates to Eto’o’s election in December 2021, when he immediately oversaw the dismissal of Toni Concecao despite the coach’s successful third-place finish in the 2021 AFCON. The pattern continued with Rigobert Song’s appointment under presidential instructions and subsequent dismissal after Cameroon’s poor showing at the last AFCON.

    The current situation echoes previous tensions between Eto’o and Brys, including the Belgian’s temporary dismissal and reinstatement within a two-day period earlier this year following a heated confrontation with the federation president.

    For Onana, this exclusion continues a turbulent relationship with the national team. The goalkeeper, currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor from Manchester United, was previously sent home early from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and lost his starting position during the 2023 AFCON after delaying his tournament arrival to play an extra club match.

    Cameroon now faces a challenging Group F against defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon featuring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Mozambique. Local analysts express concern about the team’s preparation, with Cameroonian football expert Njie Enow noting the practical difficulties of implementing a new playing system weeks before a major tournament.

    The sports ministry, which funds the head coach position, has remained silent regarding Brys’ dismissal, leaving unresolved whether it will acquiesce to Fecafoot’s decision as the tournament approaches.

  • WHO backs GLP-1 treatments to tackle obesity epidemic

    WHO backs GLP-1 treatments to tackle obesity epidemic

    In a landmark move to combat the escalating global obesity pandemic, the World Health Organization has issued its first-ever clinical guidelines endorsing GLP-1 agonist medications as essential long-term treatments for obesity management. This decisive recommendation comes as obesity rates threaten to double worldwide by 2030 without immediate intervention, currently affecting over one billion people and claiming 3.7 million lives annually from related complications—surpassing combined fatalities from malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV.

    The UN health agency recognizes obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease requiring comprehensive, lifelong care strategies. While emphasizing that pharmaceutical interventions alone cannot reverse the epidemic, WHO experts highlight that GLP-1 therapies—including widely known brands Ozempic and Mounjaro—represent a transformative component within integrated treatment approaches. These appetite-suppressing medications have demonstrated significant efficacy, though the organization calls for expanded research on their long-term safety profiles.

    WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that these therapies ‘can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms’ when combined with intensive behavioral interventions promoting nutritional education and physical activity. The guidelines specifically recommend GLP-1 agonists for non-pregnant adults while stressing the necessity of population-level policies creating healthier environments.

    Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for health promotion, cautioned against viewing these medications as ‘a magic bullet,’ but acknowledged their profound potential to reshape healthcare outcomes for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The economic implications are equally staggering, with obesity-related costs projected to reach $3 trillion annually by 2030, potentially rendering healthcare systems ‘untenable’ without effective intervention strategies.

    Addressing accessibility concerns, WHO has already included GLP-1 drugs in its Essential Medicines List, advocating for affordable generic versions to ensure equitable distribution across low- and middle-income nations. This initiative aims to prevent worsening global health disparities while leveraging scientific innovations to tackle one of modernity’s most pressing public health challenges.