Global Pulse

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  • Brazil’s Congress ratifies EU-Mercosur trade deal

    Brazil’s Congress ratifies EU-Mercosur trade deal

    SAO PAULO — In a landmark decision, Brazil’s Senate has given unanimous approval to the monumental free-trade agreement between the Mercosur trade bloc and the European Union, signaling a major advancement toward the pact’s implementation. This decisive move follows similar ratification by Brazil’s lower house and positions the agreement closer to realization than at any point in its quarter-century negotiation history.

    The agreement, which would create an integrated market encompassing over 700 million consumers, represents one of the most significant trade partnerships globally. With Argentina and Uruguay having previously ratified the deal, and Paraguay expected to follow shortly, the Mercosur bloc demonstrates unified progress. Bolivia, as the newest Mercosur member, retains the option to join the agreement in subsequent years despite not participating in initial negotiations.

    Brazil, as Mercosur’s dominant economy with a projected GDP exceeding $2.3 trillion by 2025, has been instrumental in advancing the agreement. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emerged as a pivotal advocate for the pact, which still requires validation from the European Union’s top court before full implementation.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has repeatedly acknowledged President Lula’s diplomatic efforts in overcoming European opposition. The combined economic power of the participating nations amounts to approximately $22 trillion in GDP, underscoring the agreement’s global significance.

    Despite legal proceedings in Europe, Brazilian officials including Vice President Geraldo Alckmin indicate the agreement could partially take effect within months—a timeline von der Leyen supports. Senate President Davi Alcolumbre characterized the ratification as demonstrating “institutional maturity” and alignment with Brazilian societal interests.

    The trans-Atlantic trade pact, formally signed on January 17 after 25 years of stalemate, faces continued resistance from European agricultural sectors concerned about competitive imbalances. Recent months have witnessed tractor-blocking protests and firework demonstrations by European farmers in Brussels opposing the agreement.

    French President Emmanuel Macron, among the pact’s most prominent critics, has insisted on implementing robust safeguards against economic disruption, enhanced regulatory standards in Mercosur nations regarding pesticide usage, and intensified import inspections at EU ports.

  • US sub sinks Iranian warship in intl waters near Sri Lanka

    US sub sinks Iranian warship in intl waters near Sri Lanka

    In a significant naval escalation, a United States submarine has sunk an Iranian warship during a military operation in the Indian Ocean. The incident occurred in international waters off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, marking the first torpedo sinking of an enemy vessel by U.S. forces since World War II.

    U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the engagement during a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday, stating, “An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo.”

    The targeted vessel was identified as the IRIS Dena, a Soleimani-class frigate of the Iranian navy. According to Sri Lankan officials, the attack resulted in substantial casualties. Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra reported that at least 80 crew members aboard the Iranian frigate were killed in the sinking.

    The incident represents a dramatic escalation in ongoing military operations between the United States and Iran. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) disclosed that American forces have now struck or sunk more than 20 Iranian vessels since joint U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran commenced on Saturday morning.

    Notably, the IRIS Dena had recently participated in multinational naval exercises held in the Bay of Bengal from February 18-25, according to official exercise documentation. The sinking has raised concerns about further regional instability and potential impacts on crucial shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean.

    Recovery operations are underway, with photographs showing bodies of Iranian sailors being transported to the mortuary at Karapitiya Hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka, highlighting the human cost of the confrontation.

  • ‘They’re going to take over’: Jamal Fogarty praises young halves for driving him to be a better player

    ‘They’re going to take over’: Jamal Fogarty praises young halves for driving him to be a better player

    A compelling narrative of mentorship and self-preservation is unfolding within the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles camp as veteran playmaker Jamal Fogarty confronts the dual reality of his role. The 32-year-old halfback, one of the NRL’s most significant acquisitions last year, finds himself in the unique position of both tutor and student, guiding the club’s promising young talents while simultaneously evolving his own game to retain his starting position.

    Fogarty, who secured a three-year contract with the northern beaches club, acknowledges that the emergence of teenage prospects Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large serves as powerful motivation. “Healthy competition is great competition,” Fogarty told NewsWire. “I know that they are very exciting young prospects at the club, and that pushes me to keep bettering myself each week. I’ve got to keep evolving my game because if I don’t, then they’re going to take over.”

    The former Canberra Raider demonstrates remarkable humility in his approach, actively seeking to learn from his junior counterparts despite their age difference. He particularly praises Walsh’s rugby union background, noting his exceptional passing skills, craft, and deceptive ball handling. Fogarty has made a conscious effort to study these techniques during training sessions, recognizing the value they could add to his own arsenal.

    This Saturday marks a significant milestone for Fogarty as he prepares to face his former team while partnering with Luke Brooks in the halves, filling the considerable void left by longtime Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans. His extensive experience provides stability during this transitional period, though club insiders suggest 19-year-old Walsh is rapidly developing toward NRL readiness.

    Walsh, who made his debut in the final round of the 2025 season, maintains a focused perspective on his development. “My main goal this year is just to play consistent footy,” Walsh stated. “We have some unreal halves here at the club who are very experienced, so I just want to learn as much as I can from Jamal, Brooksie and also having Foz (Kieran Foran) and Noddy (Brett Kimmorley) here on the staff.”

    The new interchange rules, allowing six players on the bench with four available each game, present interesting strategic possibilities for Walsh’s integration into first grade. Regardless of deployment decisions, both athletes demonstrate unwavering commitment to team success and continuous improvement, creating a productive competitive environment that could significantly benefit the Sea Eagles’ premiership aspirations.

  • Watch: Moment wolf rescued from canal in northern Italy

    Watch: Moment wolf rescued from canal in northern Italy

    In a remarkable display of interspecies compassion, Italian firefighters successfully rescued a distressed wolf from a canal in northern Italy. The dramatic operation, captured on official video footage released by the Vigili del Fuoco (Italian Fire Brigade), shows emergency personnel carefully hoisting the exhausted animal to safety from beneath a bridge structure where it had become trapped.

    The rescue required specialized technical expertise as firefighters navigated the challenging aquatic environment to reach the struggling canine. Using professional rescue equipment and techniques typically employed for human water emergencies, the team worked methodically to secure the animal without causing additional stress or injury.

    Wildlife experts note that such interventions represent a growing awareness of human responsibility toward wild animals in increasingly urbanized environments. The incident highlights the expanded role of emergency services in responding to non-human distress calls across Italy’s diverse ecosystems.

    The rescued wolf, believed to be from one of the growing populations in Italy’s northern regions, was examined by veterinary specialists following the extraction. Conservation authorities have been notified to monitor the animal’s recovery and eventual reintegration into its natural habitat, demonstrating Italy’s commitment to protecting its native wildlife species.

  • Forty nations meet in The Hague to discuss measures against Israel’s West Bank annexation

    Forty nations meet in The Hague to discuss measures against Israel’s West Bank annexation

    In a significant diplomatic mobilization, representatives from forty nations assembled in The Hague on Wednesday to formulate coordinated international responses to Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories. The conference, orchestrated by The Hague Group—a coalition established in January 2025 to address legal accountability for Israel’s actions—marked the largest gathering since the group’s inception.

    Convened against the backdrop of Israel’s controversial E1 settlement approval and recent governance overhaul in the West Bank, the meeting brought together diverse nations from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Co-chaired by South Africa and Colombia, the assembly focused on translating political condemnation into concrete state-level actions regarding what participants characterized as de facto annexation of Palestinian lands.

    Participants unanimously reaffirmed commitment to fundamental international principles including the UN Charter, prohibition of territorial acquisition by force, and the right to self-determination. The conference yielded three specific measures for further development: enhanced accountability protocols for alleged international crimes including military service screening mechanisms, non-recognition policies through settlement goods import bans and corporate activity restrictions, and arms transfer halts with revised public contracting procedures.

    Colombian Vice-Minister of Multilateral Affairs Mauricio Jaramillo framed the discussion as addressing systemic impunity, stating Israel was ‘carrying out dispossession in plain sight.’ Palestinian Ambassador Ammar Hijazi welcomed the initiative as a rare operationalization of legal obligations, emphasizing that ‘the legal framework is not in dispute’ but implementation remains lacking.

    The meeting builds upon previous actions including The Hague Group’s July 2025 emergency summit in Bogotá, which demanded international sanctions against Israel. Recent months have seen several nations including Turkey, Spain, and Ireland implement independent sanctions aligned with the group’s objectives.

  • Millions of Cubans plunged into darkness as fuel crisis deepens

    Millions of Cubans plunged into darkness as fuel crisis deepens

    A catastrophic power failure left millions of Cubans without electricity on Wednesday, marking one of the most severe blackouts in recent history as the nation grapples with an escalating energy crisis. The outage engulfed approximately two-thirds of the island, including the capital Havana, following an unexpected technical failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermal power plant located 100km east of Havana.

    This incident represents the latest manifestation of Cuba’s deteriorating energy infrastructure, which has been crippled by chronic fuel shortages exacerbated by intensified U.S. sanctions. The national electricity utility UNE immediately initiated restoration efforts, though the scale of the outage presented significant challenges to recovery operations.

    The current energy crisis has been compounded by multiple factors including aging infrastructure, reduced fuel imports from key ally Venezuela, and stringent U.S. embargo measures. Venezuela had previously supplied approximately 35,000 barrels of oil daily—covering nearly half of Cuba’s requirements—before the U.S. intervention in Venezuelan oil exports earlier this year.

    The repercussions extend beyond household electricity, with critical services including hospital emergency wards, dialysis treatment facilities, and water pumping stations experiencing severe disruptions. The energy shortage has also crippled public transportation systems and garbage collection services, creating secondary public health concerns.

    In a related development, Air France announced the suspension of its Havana services from late March through mid-June, citing insufficient aviation fuel availability. This follows similar decisions by other international carriers, further isolating the island nation and damaging its vital tourism industry.

    The current situation reflects the prolonged geopolitical tensions between the United States and Cuba that have persisted since the 1959 revolution. Recent measures under the Trump administration have explicitly targeted Cuba’s energy imports, threatening tariffs on nations providing oil to the Caribbean nation and actively intercepting fuel shipments destined for Cuban ports.

  • Turkey says Iranian missile over its airspace destroyed by Nato defences

    Turkey says Iranian missile over its airspace destroyed by Nato defences

    Turkish defense authorities confirmed on Wednesday that NATO air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed an Iranian ballistic missile transiting toward Turkish airspace. The incident represents a significant escalation in regional tensions and demonstrates NATO’s active defensive posture in the Eastern Mediterranean.

    According to official statements from Ankara, the projectile had traversed Iraqi and Syrian airspace before being neutralized by NATO’s integrated air and missile defense network. Ministry officials reported that missile fragments recovered in Hatay province’s Dortyol district confirmed the successful interception. The incident resulted in no casualties or property damage.

    Turkey’s defense ministry issued a stern warning following the interception, emphasizing the nation’s capability to protect its territorial integrity against any threat regardless of origin. While reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to regional stability, the statement explicitly reserved the right to respond to hostile actions against Turkish sovereignty.

    The incident occurs amid deteriorating regional security conditions following recent military actions against Iranian leadership. Iranian forces have employed a decentralized retaliation strategy, targeting Gulf nations with missile strikes that damaged infrastructure in Dubai and Saudi Arabia while disrupting Qatar’s LNG exports.

    Ankara’s diplomatic efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran have collapsed following recent military actions. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan acknowledged the failure of mediation attempts despite proposing creative solutions to nuclear and ballistic missile disagreements. Fidan emphasized that any successful negotiations would require multilayered engagement given the unpredictable nature of current hostilities.

    Meanwhile, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party criticized external intervention in Iran, arguing that regime change should emerge from internal popular will rather than foreign imposition. The party expressed concern that current military actions fail to address the aspirations of Iran’s diverse ethnic communities while acknowledging the Iranian regime’s history of human rights abuses.

  • Tech firms pledge to pay for AI data centre power costs. But will they?

    Tech firms pledge to pay for AI data centre power costs. But will they?

    In a significant move addressing America’s growing energy challenges, seven leading technology corporations—Google, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, xAI, OpenAI, and Amazon—have formally committed to financing new power generation capacity for their artificial intelligence data centers. The commitment came during a White House meeting where executives signed what President Donald Trump termed the “ratepayer protection pledge,” an initiative unveiled last month to prevent AI expansion from driving up household electricity bills.

    The pledge emerges as data center proliferation creates substantial strain on national power grids, with utility costs becoming a pivotal voter concern ahead of November’s midterm elections. Under the agreement, companies will directly fund new power infrastructure upgrades, negotiate state-level rate structures with utility providers, and prioritize local hiring for data center construction projects.

    President Trump praised the commitment, stating it would “help keep down utility bills very substantially,” though he acknowledged results would require time. Energy Secretary Chris Wright reinforced the administration’s dual commitment to AI leadership and stable electricity pricing.

    However, policy experts express skepticism regarding enforcement mechanisms. John Quigley of the University of Pennsylvania’s Kleinman Center for Energy Policy noted the complexity of power project regulation across multiple government layers, suggesting the administration bears the “burden of proof” to demonstrate the pledge transcends political theater.

    Compounding these challenges are external factors including supply chain disruptions from the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, which have triggered spikes in global oil and natural gas prices. Additionally, increased natural gas exports—driven by lucrative international demand—are contributing to domestic price pressures. These developments occur alongside a 6% average increase in residential electricity prices during 2025, despite campaign promises to slash energy costs.

  • At least 200 dead in a Congo coltan mine collapse, authorities say, as rebels dispute toll

    At least 200 dead in a Congo coltan mine collapse, authorities say, as rebels dispute toll

    A catastrophic mine collapse at a coltan mining operation in eastern Congo’s Rubaya region has resulted in massive casualties, with conflicting reports emerging about the actual death toll. Congolese authorities reported at least 200 fatalities from Tuesday’s incident, while the M23 rebel group controlling the mine claims only five deaths occurred.

    The Congolese Ministry of Mines confirmed the collapse occurred at the Rubaya mines, which have been under M23 control since the group seized the town in May 2024. This represents the latest in a series of mining disasters plaguing the mineral-rich but conflict-ridden eastern territories of the Central African nation.

    Fanny Kaj, a senior M23 official, vehemently disputed the government’s account, asserting that the incident resulted from ‘bombings’ rather than a structural collapse. ‘I can confirm that what people are publishing is not true. There was no landslide; there were bombings, and the death toll isn’t what people are saying. It’s simply about five people who died,’ Kaj stated.

    However, firsthand accounts from miners at the site contradict the rebel narrative. Ibrahim Taluseke, a miner who participated in recovery efforts, reported helping retrieve over 200 bodies from the rubble. ‘We are afraid, but these are lives that are in danger,’ Taluseke revealed. ‘The owners of the pits do not accept that the exact number of deaths be revealed.’

    The Rubaya mining region sits at the heart of eastern Congo’s protracted humanitarian crisis, where violence between government forces and various armed groups has displaced over 7 million people, including more than 300,000 since December alone. The M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have intensified the conflict through their recent resurgence.

    Coltan mining represents a critical economic activity for the region, with Congo supplying approximately 40% of global production in 2023 according to U.S. Geological Survey data. The black metallic ore contains tantalum, an essential component in manufacturing smartphones, computers, and aircraft engines. Since capturing Rubaya, M23 rebels have imposed taxes on coltan trade and transport, generating an estimated $800,000 monthly according to UN reports.

    The tragedy occurs amidst ongoing peace negotiations between Congolese and Rwandan governments, brokered by the United States. While the diplomatic process continues, fighting persists across multiple fronts in eastern Congo, resulting in continued civilian and military casualties. The recent agreement also facilitates increased access to critical minerals for U.S. government and American companies.

    This incident follows a similar collapse last month that claimed over 200 lives, highlighting the dangerous working conditions and regulatory challenges in rebel-controlled mining territories.

  • A Canadian town says it’s the ‘birthplace’ of ice hockey. Some historians aren’t so sure

    A Canadian town says it’s the ‘birthplace’ of ice hockey. Some historians aren’t so sure

    A legislative proposal in Nova Scotia has ignited a fiery historical debate among scholars regarding the true origins of modern ice hockey. The controversial bill, introduced by lawmaker Melissa Sheehy-Richard in late February, seeks to officially designate the town of Windsor as hockey’s “birthplace” based on documented accounts of “hurley on the ice” being played there as early as 1810.

    The proposed legislation traces hockey’s evolution from these early ice adaptations of hurling—an ancient Irish field sport—to British soldiers playing organized games in Halifax by the mid-1850s, before the sport gained widespread popularity in Montreal where the first Stanley Cup was awarded in 1893.

    However, prominent historians have challenged this narrative. Jean-Patrice Martel, co-author of “On the Origin of Hockey,” presented evidence suggesting the sport was played earlier in Manhattan, though his research ultimately points to 1607 Scotland during The Great Frost as the earliest documented instance of shinty played on ice.

    Indigenous communities have also voiced strong objections. Mi’kmaw historian Cheryl Maloney testified that her ancestors were playing ice games with tree roots in Tufts Cove, Dartmouth, as early as 1749—decades before the Windsor documentation. Local historian David Jones supported this claim, emphasizing the Mi’kmaq’s significant role in hockey’s evolution and suggesting the bill should be scrapped entirely.

    Sheehy-Richard has responded to critics, stating the bill was “not intended to be exclusionary” and that she remains open to amendments. The controversy mirrors other Canadian historical disputes, including the origins of poutine and butter tarts, highlighting the complex nature of tracing cultural heritage.