Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • US investigators ‘say American strike most likely responsible’ for Iranian school massacre

    US investigators ‘say American strike most likely responsible’ for Iranian school massacre

    Multiple investigative reports are converging on the conclusion that U.S. military forces were responsible for a devastating attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in the Iranian city of Minab, which resulted in 165 fatalities. The incident, which occurred last Saturday, is being characterized as a ‘double-tap’ strike—a tactic where an initial explosion is followed by a second strike targeting first responders and survivors.

    According to two U.S. officials speaking to Reuters, while the investigation remains ongoing and no final conclusion has been reached, initial findings point toward U.S. responsibility. This assessment aligns with separate investigations conducted by The New York Times and Middle East Eye (MEE), which utilized satellite imagery, open-source evidence, and verified video footage. Their analysis confirms the school was severely damaged by a precision strike that coincided with attacks on a nearby Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval base.

    The MEE investigation specifically revealed that the school was hit by two separate strikes, with the second missile killing civilians, including children, who had sought shelter or arrived to aid victims. The BBC later corroborated these findings, reporting based on satellite data that the area suffered ‘multiple simultaneous or near-simultaneous strikes.’

    Earlier misleading claims on social media, which attempted to attribute the bombing to the IRGC, have been thoroughly debunked. In response to the allegations, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that ‘the Iranian regime targets civilians and children, not the United States of America,’ noting that the Department of War is investigating the matter. Israel, another actor in the regional conflict, has also announced it is looking into the incident.

    The severity of the attack has prompted international concern. The UN human rights office has called for a transparent investigation into the strike. ‘The onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it,’ stated spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani during a press briefing in Geneva, without explicitly assigning blame.

  • Is Nepal’s ex-rapper mayor on track to be new PM?

    Is Nepal’s ex-rapper mayor on track to be new PM?

    Nepal stands on the brink of a political transformation as early election results indicate a commanding lead for Balendra Shah, the 35-year-old rapper-turned-mayor who now appears poised to become the nation’s next prime minister. His centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is currently leading in over two-thirds of the directly elected parliamentary seats according to BBC Nepali reports.

    The Thursday general election pitted Shah against established political veterans including former Prime Minister KP Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal UML and Gagan Thapa of the Nepali Congress, both of whom trail significantly in current tallies. The election commission estimates approximately 60% turnout among Nepal’s nearly 19 million registered voters.

    Shah’s remarkable rise from the Nepali hip-hop scene to political prominence represents a dramatic departure from Nepal’s traditional political landscape. Popularly known as Balen, the structural engineer-turned-rapper gained national recognition through socially conscious music, including his viral YouTube hit “Balidan” (Sacrifice) that garnered millions of views.

    His political momentum surged during last year’s widespread protests against social media bans, corruption, unemployment, and economic stagnation. The demonstrations resulted in 77 fatalities, primarily protesters shot by police, and ultimately forced then-Prime Minister Oli’s resignation. Shah’s vocal support for protesters, including his characterization of Oli as a “terrorist,” resonated strongly with youth voters but drew criticism from establishment figures.

    As Kathmandu mayor until January, Shah’s administration faced criticism from human rights groups for heavy-handed tactics against street vendors and unlicensed businesses. His campaign strategy notably avoided media engagement, with Shah bypassing journalists while wearing signature black sunglasses on election day.

    The electoral process incorporates both first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems, with voters casting two ballots to determine 275 parliamentary members. Final results may require days due to Nepal’s challenging topography, with helicopters deployed to collect ballots from remote mountainous regions. The 2022 election required over two weeks for complete results.

    This election marks a potential watershed moment for Nepali politics, which has been characterized by unstable coalition governments dominated by three major parties for over three decades. With 800,000 first-time voters and numerous independent candidates, the political landscape demonstrates a clear appetite for change among Nepal’s youthful electorate.

  • Voices from Iran: protests, fear and scarcity

    Voices from Iran: protests, fear and scarcity

    Across the diverse landscapes of Iran, from the northwestern region of Kurdistan to the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and the capital of Tehran, citizens are grappling with the multifaceted challenges of life amidst ongoing military conflict. The persistent threat of aerial bombardment, coupled with severe economic strain and a palpable climate of fear, is defining daily existence for millions.

    In the city of Bukan, located in Iranian Kurdistan, the immediate aftermath of strikes is visible. Reza, a 36-year-old cafe owner, describes a scene of devastation near his establishment, with government and Revolutionary Guards buildings destroyed. Despite the proximity to danger, a sense of grim normalcy persists; patrons even seek outdoor seating to observe the bombardments. This resilience, however, is tempered by a severe liquidity crisis. Banks have ceased cash distributions and blocked numerous cards, prompting acts of community solidarity like Reza’s offer of free coffee to those unable to pay.

    The economic repercussions are acutely felt nationwide. From Bandar Abbas, reports indicate a halt to work and soaring inflation, with essential goods like cooking oil experiencing price increases exceeding 500%. This scarcity has forced many, including migrant workers, to flee.

    In Tehran, the psychological toll is profound. A 26-year-old teacher describes a life put on hold, dominated by stress and the constant consumption of news. The vulnerability of children is particularly noted, with widespread internet blackouts preventing normal distractions and exacerbating fear. The city’s atmosphere is described as tense and emptier, with many residents having fled. Enhanced security measures, including armed checkpoints and patrols, aim to prevent looting but contribute to public apprehension.

    The conflict has also sharpened long-standing social and political divisions. Accounts from Shiraz describe starkly different public reactions to recent events, with some citizens celebrating while government supporters stage mourning processions. This highlights the deep fissures within Iranian society. Furthermore, on the island of Kish, increased military surveillance, including searches of vehicles and mobile phones, has instilled a climate of suspicion, causing many to retreat indoors and limit movement to essential errands. The collective narrative emerging from Iran is one of a population enduring a complex crisis, balancing survival with economic hardship under the shadow of conflict and internal strife.

  • BBC looks at how Cubans are living with fuel shortages

    BBC looks at how Cubans are living with fuel shortages

    Cuba is confronting one of its most severe energy crises in recent history, with widespread fuel shortages creating profound challenges for daily life. The BBC’s on-the-ground reporting from Havana reveals a population adapting to extended power outages and transportation paralysis. Correspondent Will Grant documents how citizens spend hours in queues for rationed gasoline while businesses operate on limited schedules due to unreliable electricity supply.

    The current situation stems from a complex combination of factors including tightened US sanctions, structural deficiencies in domestic infrastructure, and broader economic vulnerabilities. These elements have converged to create an energy emergency that impacts nearly every aspect of Cuban society.

    Interviews with local residents reveal innovative adaptation strategies, from carpooling initiatives to revived bicycle transportation. Many describe reorganizing their lives around the predictable unpredictability of power availability, scheduling cooking, work, and family activities during windows of electricity access.

    The energy deficit has particularly affected medical services, education, and food preservation, raising concerns about public health implications. Despite these challenges, the reporting captures a resilient population demonstrating remarkable ingenuity in navigating the crisis while maintaining hope for improved conditions.

  • Xi visits political advisers, joins discussion at annual session

    Xi visits political advisers, joins discussion at annual session

    Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in substantive discussions with political advisers during a joint group meeting at the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Friday. The meeting brought together representatives from the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, the Jiusan Society, and professionals from medicine, health, welfare, and social security sectors.

    In his capacity as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President Xi actively participated in the dialogue, carefully considering the recommendations and insights presented by the advisers. The exchange focused on critical national development priorities and policy enhancements across multiple sectors.

    The interaction demonstrated the continued importance of multi-party cooperation and political consultation in China’s governance framework. Advisers presented well-researched proposals addressing current challenges and opportunities in healthcare reform, social welfare enhancement, and sustainable development strategies.

    This high-level engagement occurs during the annual legislative sessions, where political advisers provide specialized expertise to shape national policies. The participation of sector-specific professionals underscores the government’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and inclusive governance approaches that incorporate diverse perspectives from across Chinese society.

  • Russia was behind parcel fires in UK and Europe, investigators say

    Russia was behind parcel fires in UK and Europe, investigators say

    European judicial authorities have revealed a sophisticated cross-border sabotage operation allegedly orchestrated by Russia’s military intelligence service. The coordinated investigation, spearheaded by Eurojust, has identified 22 individuals suspected of deploying incendiary parcels across multiple European nations and the United Kingdom.

    The plot unfolded in July 2024 when several parcels containing concealed explosive devices were dispatched from Lithuania. These packages, cleverly disguised with electronic timers hidden within vibrating massage pillows, spontaneously ignited at various locations including a DHL distribution center near Birmingham, United Kingdom, and a sorting facility at Leipzig Airport in Germany.

    According to investigative findings, the operation extended beyond immediate European targets. Authorities discovered two test packages previously sent to destinations in the United States and Canada, with additional intercepted parcels in Amsterdam intended for similar transatlantic routes. Polish prosecutors characterized these incidents as tactical dry runs designed to potentially sabotage commercial flights to North American destinations.

    The suspected operatives, reportedly recruited from Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Ukraine, were allegedly selected based on their vulnerable socioeconomic circumstances. European officials indicate that two cases have already progressed to judicial proceedings, though Russia has consistently denied involvement in sabotage operations against NATO member states.

  • Hebei eyes stronger regional integration

    Hebei eyes stronger regional integration

    Hebei Province has announced comprehensive strategies to accelerate regional integration within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei metropolitan cluster during China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). The development blueprint focuses on infrastructure connectivity, industrial relocation, and sustainable growth initiatives.

    Provincial leadership revealed that Hebei will systematically absorb non-capital functions relocated from Beijing while actively cultivating new quality productive forces. This coordinated approach aims to transform the region into a demonstration zone for Chinese modernization, leveraging Hebei’s strategic position between two major municipalities.

    Ni Yuefeng, Secretary of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee, highlighted the province’s remarkable economic performance with 5.6% GDP growth in 2025, exceeding national averages. Environmental progress accompanied economic development, with renewable energy constituting over 70% of installed power capacity and significant air quality improvements.

    The integration strategy already shows tangible benefits: Hebei supplies agricultural products to Beijing’s markets while providing workforce resources, substantially increasing per capita incomes for provincial residents. This symbiotic relationship enhances regional living standards while optimizing resource distribution.

    Xiong’an New Area emerges as a cornerstone of this development vision, having attracted annual investments exceeding 200 billion yuan ($28.98 billion) with cumulative investment surpassing 1 trillion yuan. The area has developed 215 square kilometers as a centralized hub for Beijing’s relocated functions.

    Zhang Guohua, Secretary of Xiong’an New Area Working Committee, outlined ambitious targets to enhance the area’s economic strength, technological innovation capabilities, and international profile. The development plan emphasizes infrastructure modernization, talent attraction, and improved public services.

    Educational integration forms another critical component, with Hebei University of Technology Party Secretary Han Xu advocating for deepened collaboration with Beijing and Tianjin institutions. The province will implement digital education strategies to create an open, intelligent educational ecosystem, cultivating high-caliber talent to drive innovation and sustainable development.

  • Belarus leader pardons 18 prisoners in an effort to improve ties with US

    Belarus leader pardons 18 prisoners in an effort to improve ties with US

    In a significant diplomatic development, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has issued pardons for 18 additional prisoners, marking the latest gesture in his administration’s ongoing efforts to normalize relations with the United States. The presidential decree, announced Thursday, primarily benefits individuals convicted on extremism charges—a classification frequently employed against political dissidents in the Eastern European nation.

    Notably, 11 of the newly pardoned prisoners are women, according to official statements released through government channels. This action represents the most recent chapter in a carefully orchestrated prisoner release initiative that has gained momentum since August, when direct communication occurred between Lukashenko and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

    The current wave of releases has seen 123 detainees regain freedom since summer, including Nobel Peace Prize recipient Ales Bialiatski and opposition leaders Maria Kolesnikova and Viktar Babaryka. Washington has responded with tangible concessions, including the lifting of economic sanctions targeting Belarus’ vital potash fertilizer industry and its national carrier, Belavia Airlines.

    U.S. Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale publicly applauded the developments on social media platform X, characterizing the pardons as ‘another notable step in the relationship between the U.S. and Belarus’ while acknowledging his mandate from President Trump to secure the release of all political prisoners.

    Despite these diplomatic overtures, human rights organizations report that 1,140 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Belarusian correctional facilities. The Viasna Human Rights Center documents ongoing repression, noting that new arrests and convictions continue unabated even as some detainees are released.

    This paradoxical situation manifested clearly this week as authorities sentenced prominent musician and poet Aleh Khamenka to three years imprisonment plus substantial fines for alleged extremist activities related to his collaboration with a banned radio station. Simultaneously, Belarus designated the PEN Belarus writers’ association as an extremist organization—a move that potentially criminalizes its 100+ members, including Nobel literature laureate Svetlana Alexievich and recently freed peace prize winner Bialiatski.

    Tatsyana Nyadbay, head of PEN Belarus, condemned the government’s classification as ‘horrendous,’ warning that it deliberately endangers writers who remain within the country’s borders.

  • US releases Epstein files with uncorroborated Trump allegations

    US releases Epstein files with uncorroborated Trump allegations

    The U.S. Justice Department has unveiled additional investigative files concerning convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, releasing previously withheld FBI interview summaries that contain unverified allegations against former President Donald Trump. The documents, made public on Thursday, include three FBI 302 reports from 2019 featuring a woman’s claims that Epstein introduced her to Trump during the 1980s when she was reportedly between 13 and 15 years old.

    According to the interview summaries, the woman alleged that Trump attempted to force her into non-consensual sexual acts during an encounter arranged by Epstein. She further claimed to investigators that she resisted by biting Trump, who then allegedly struck her before having her removed from the room. The documents explicitly note that these allegations remain uncorroborated, and investigators did not indicate whether they found her account credible. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

    The release forms part of a congressional mandate to publicize millions of pages of Epstein-related records. Justice Department officials explained that these particular documents were initially withheld from earlier releases due to being mistakenly coded as duplicates during the review process.

    The newly published material includes summaries of four FBI interviews conducted with the woman between July and October 2019, following Epstein’s arrest. In these interviews, she detailed multiple instances of sexual abuse by Epstein and claimed he arranged encounters with other prominent men. However, when agents pressed for additional details about the alleged interaction with Trump in later interviews, she declined to elaborate and eventually severed contact with investigators.

    The White House has vehemently denied the allegations, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating: ‘These are completely baseless accusations, backed by zero credible evidence, from a sadly disturbed woman who has an extensive criminal history.’ Leavitt further emphasized that the Justice Department had known about these allegations for four years without taking action, suggesting this demonstrated their lack of credibility.

    The document release has intensified scrutiny of the government’s handling of Epstein records, with critics accusing the Justice Department of improperly withholding or redacting information. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have initiated an inquiry, arguing that key records may have been improperly withheld. In a rare bipartisan move, the committee recently voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about the department’s handling of the Epstein files.

  • Islamic militants abduct more than 300 people in northeastern Nigeria, officials say

    Islamic militants abduct more than 300 people in northeastern Nigeria, officials say

    ABUJA, Nigeria — Islamic extremist groups launched a series of coordinated attacks across northeastern Nigeria this week, culminating in the mass abduction of more than 300 civilians from the town of Ngoshe in Borno state on Friday. Local officials confirmed the large-scale kidnapping targeting women and children, marking one of the most significant security breaches in recent months.

    According to Bulama Sawa, an official from the Gwoza area, the Ngoshe assault appears to be retaliatory action following a Nigerian military operation that eliminated three high-ranking Boko Haram commanders. The attack demonstrates the militants’ continued operational capability despite sustained counterinsurgency efforts.

    Military spokesperson Uba Sani reported simultaneous assaults on multiple communities—Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok—between Wednesday and Friday. While Nigerian forces successfully repelled these attacks, Sani acknowledged significant military casualties, including the death of a senior officer and “a number of brave soldiers [who] paid the supreme price in the line of duty.”

    Security analysts point to evolving tactical capabilities among jihadist groups operating in the region. Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation noted increased cross-border coordination between militant factions and their adoption of drone technology for reconnaissance missions. “The army is fighting a ghost—fighters descending with motorbikes on villages and disappearing into the bush before the army can respond in time,” Laessing observed.

    The security landscape has grown increasingly complex with the convergence of multiple extremist organizations, including Boko Haram, its Islamic State-affiliated breakaway faction (Islamic State West Africa Province), and IS-linked Lakurawa. Additionally, the crisis has expanded to include Sahel-based militants from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which conducted its first Nigerian attack last year.

    United Nations data indicates several thousand fatalities resulting from Nigeria’s security crisis, with analysts criticizing the government’s inadequate protection of civilians. The United States has deployed military advisors to assist Nigerian forces, but the persistent violence underscores the challenges in containing the multifaceted insurgency.