Global Pulse

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  • Why Pakistan has emerged as a mediator between US and Iran

    Why Pakistan has emerged as a mediator between US and Iran

    Amid escalating regional tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that commenced in late February, Pakistan has positioned itself as an unlikely diplomatic intermediary between Washington and Tehran. Despite its unconventional role in high-stakes international diplomacy, Islamabad has offered to facilitate negotiations, leveraging its relatively positive relationships with both nations while recognizing the substantial stakes involved in regional stability.

    Recent developments reveal that Pakistan has been instrumental in conveying a 15-point U.S. proposal to Iranian officials through weeks of discreet diplomatic channels. While Iranian authorities have publicly dismissed the proposal and denied direct negotiations, they have acknowledged submitting counter-proposals through indirect channels. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Turkey and Egypt are simultaneously engaged in behind-the-scenes efforts to bring both parties to the negotiating table.

    Security analysts attribute Pakistan’s unique positioning to its geographical proximity to Iran and longstanding strategic ties with the United States. Abdullah Khan of the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies suggests these mediation efforts may be contributing to measured responses from both sides, with the U.S. delaying threatened large-scale attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure and Iran exhibiting restraint toward U.S. interests in the Gulf region.

    The conflict presents significant economic vulnerabilities for Pakistan, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil and gas imports. Security analyst Syed Mohammad Ali notes that approximately five million Pakistani workers in Arab countries send remittances equivalent to the nation’s total export earnings. Rising oil prices have already forced a 20% fuel price increase, compounding domestic challenges including ongoing tensions with neighboring Afghanistan.

    Despite its rare appearance as a mediator, Pakistan possesses a historical record of facilitating significant diplomatic breakthroughs. Most notably, former President Gen. Yahya Khan enabled backchannel communications that led to President Nixon’s historic 1972 China visit, ultimately paving the way for normalized US-China relations. Pakistan also played crucial roles in the 1988 Geneva Accords and more recently facilitated talks between the Afghan Taliban and Washington that resulted in the 2020 Doha Agreement.

  • War in the Middle East: latest developments

    War in the Middle East: latest developments

    The Middle East conflict has entered a perilous new phase with Iran’s military issuing a stark warning that any hotel housing US soldiers in the region would be considered a legitimate target. Armed Forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi declared on state television that facilities accommodating American forces effectively become American installations from Iran’s perspective.

    Regional tensions intensified as Kuwait’s primary commercial port at Shuwaikh sustained material damage from a dawn drone attack, though authorities reported no casualties. Simultaneously, Lebanese media documented Israeli strikes hitting Beirut’s southern suburbs early Friday, with explosions reported in Hezbollah strongholds.

    Military actions expanded significantly as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for coordinated missile and drone strikes targeting sites in Israel and US military facilities across the Gulf region. The Guards specifically identified a maintenance facility for US Patriot air defense systems in Bahrain as among their targets.

    Diplomatic efforts accelerated with the UN Security Council scheduling emergency closed-door consultations on Friday following Russia’s formal request to address strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure. The Russian delegation cited attacks on educational and healthcare facilities as particularly concerning.

    Global energy markets felt immediate repercussions as Japan announced temporary suspension of restrictions on coal-fired power plants to address energy shortages exacerbated by the conflict. The year-long measure will permit full operation of older, less efficient plants beginning April. India concurrently slashed fuel taxes by 10 rupees per liter to mitigate economic pressure on one of the world’s largest crude importers.

    Saudi Arabia reported successful interception and destruction of four drones over its eastern territory, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined G7 foreign ministers in France to coordinate international response strategies. Rubio emphasized the critical importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz for global energy security.

    In a significant diplomatic development, US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause on previously threatened strikes against Iranian power plants, extending his deadline to April 2026 while characterizing ongoing negotiations with Tehran as progressing favorably despite media reports to the contrary.

  • Women secretly filmed, then ridiculed and abused online

    Women secretly filmed, then ridiculed and abused online

    A disturbing pattern of non-consensual recording has emerged across Kenya and Ghana, where women are being secretly filmed by a Russian national using concealed camera technology. The operation came to light when numerous videos surfaced online showing a man approaching unsuspecting women in public spaces while recording their interactions without consent.

    Joy Kalekye, a 19-year-old Kenyan student, discovered she had become one of these victims when a friend alerted her to a viral social media post on Valentine’s Day. The footage showed an encounter from March of the previous year that Kalekye had completely forgotten—a brief interaction on a Nairobi street where a man complimented her appearance while secretly recording the entire exchange.

    The investigation reveals this forms part of a global trend where individuals use hidden cameras to film private interactions for online monetization. The perpetrator, identified by Ghanaian authorities as 36-year-old Vladislav Liulkov, allegedly operated by approaching women in shopping centers and public areas while wearing camera-equipped smart glasses that captured intimate moments without disclosure.

    Despite Liulkov’s denial of involvement when contacted by BBC, evidence suggests a consistent pattern: geolocation data places recordings at major shopping centers in Nairobi and Mombasa, while Ghanaian encounters occurred near Accra Mall. Distinctive identifiers including a blue Casio watch and similar vocal patterns across videos strengthen the connection to a single individual.

    The content distribution network involves Russian social media channels and websites that have since been removed, where the perpetrator reportedly sold ‘approach guides’ for 250 rubles while monetizing the viral videos. Local content creators like Kelvin Karume, a 22-year-old Nairobi resident, amplified the harm by reposting the videos to build their online following, triggering secondary victimization through abusive comments and public harassment.

    Legal authorities in both countries have condemned the practice, with Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations warning that resharing the videos constitutes criminal offense, while Ghanaian officials seek Liulkov’s extradition under cybersecurity laws. Women’s rights advocates emphasize that the subsequent victim-blaming and moral scrutiny compound the original violation, creating barriers for victims coming forward.

    Kalekye, who has faced direct harassment including HIV-related slurs, continues to speak out against the culture of online judgment that exacerbates the trauma of non-consensual recording. Her courage highlights the urgent need for stronger protections against digital exploitation and societal shift away from victim-blaming narratives.

  • A nonprofit in France is fighting fast-fashion waste, one sneaker at a time

    A nonprofit in France is fighting fast-fashion waste, one sneaker at a time

    In a workshop east of Paris, an innovative nonprofit organization is tackling fashion waste through an unprecedented sneaker recycling initiative. SneakCœurZ processes hundreds of used athletic shoes weekly, employing a meticulous inspection system to determine which pairs can be salvaged and returned to circulation.

    The organization, which collected 30,000 pairs of used sneakers last year alone, has developed industrial-scale processes for sorting, cleaning, and redistributing footwear. According to Director General Mohamed Boukhatem, their operation represents the only project of this magnitude within the sneaker sector, combining comprehensive collection networks with advanced refurbishment techniques.

    This initiative addresses a critical environmental challenge: the textile industry ranks among the world’s most polluting sectors, accounting for up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to United Nations data. The European Parliament has identified textiles as the third-largest source of water degradation and land use within the European Union.

    France’s staggering consumption patterns underscore the urgency—Refashion, the government-approved eco-organization, reports 259 million pairs of shoes sold nationally in 2024, with only approximately one-third of used textiles and footwear being properly collected for recycling.

    At the Champs-sur-Marne workshop, technicians employ rigorous evaluation criteria. “Structural integrity determines refurbishment potential,” explained workshop manager Paul Defawes Abadie. “While superficial elements like Velcro straps or laces present no obstacle, the condition of outsoles and structural materials proves decisive.”

    Approved sneakers undergo comprehensive restoration including deep cleaning, disinfection, and specialized UV whitening treatments. Beyond environmental benefits, the program has already redistributed over 7,000 pairs to disadvantaged communities while creating 19 sustainable jobs.

    France complements such grassroots efforts with legislative action. The 2020 anti-waste law mandates that unsold nonfood goods must be reused, donated, or recycled rather than destroyed. Recent measures include a state-backed repair subsidy for clothing and footwear, while proposed legislation targeting the textile industry’s environmental impact advances through parliamentary processes.

  • Recalibrating officials’ view of governance achievements

    Recalibrating officials’ view of governance achievements

    The Communist Party of China has initiated a comprehensive ideological campaign targeting bureaucratic mindset reform, emphasizing long-term governance achievements over short-term visible projects. This movement, launched in late February and extending through July 2026, represents the latest effort by President Xi Jinping to recalibrate how official performance is evaluated across China’s administrative system.

    The campaign centers on what Xi describes as “a correct understanding of what it means to perform well” – a governance philosophy prioritizing tangible improvements in public welfare rather than economic indicators or vanity projects. This approach traces back to Xi’s early career in the 1980s when, as Party chief of Ningde prefecture in Fujian province, he emphasized that even ensuring access to basic necessities like light bulbs and soap for remote communities constituted meaningful governance.

    Central to this initiative is the eradication of what Xi has condemned as misguided achievement views that often manifest as whitewashed village facades in newly脱贫 areas, statistical inflation, or “invoice-driven” GDP growth where local authorities create artificial economic activity through rebate schemes. Instead, officials are urged to adopt a truth-seeking, pragmatic approach focused on sustainable development that “stands up in practice, in the eyes of the people, and over the course of time.”

    The timing coincides with the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), with Party theorists noting that fulfilling development goals will depend heavily on officials embracing proper governance achievement understanding. International observers like Eduardo Regalado of Cuba’s International Policy Research Center recognize this as a key concept in China’s new-era governance framework, potentially accelerating the country’s transition toward higher-quality, more equitable development.

    Parallel to mindset reform, Xi has emphasized strengthening institutional frameworks governing official conduct. The “three distinctions” principle protects officials who make errors with good reform intentions while distinguishing them from those deliberately violating discipline. Selection criteria now prioritize those demonstrating initiative, responsibility, and results recognized by both the Party and citizens.

    This philosophical shift extends to environmental and cultural preservation, where Xi has consistently emphasized long-term ecological security over short-term economic gains. Examples include halting a mining project in Fujian to protect archaeological sites and prioritizing Yangtze River environmental recovery despite its status as a vital economic artery.

    The campaign reflects China’s distinctive planning approach, where five-year plans serve as both metronomes and navigators of development. As analyst Alexander Davey notes, these plans provide crucial guidance for Party cadres on working priorities and achievement expectations, embodying what Xi characterizes as a “relay race” where each generation must strive to run its leg well in China’s national rejuvenation journey.

  • Gabon battles for baby sea turtles’ survival

    Gabon battles for baby sea turtles’ survival

    On the white sandy beaches of Gabon’s Pongara National Park, a critical conservation drama unfolds daily as tiny sea turtle hatchlings undertake their perilous first journey to the ocean. These palm-sized creatures face overwhelming odds—with an estimated survival rate of just one in a thousand—as they navigate natural predators and human-induced threats along Gabon’s 900 kilometers of coastline.

    Four species of sea turtles—green, olive ridley, hawksbill, and the critically endangered leatherback—return annually to Gabon’s shores from October to April, making the country Africa’s most significant nesting ground and the world’s premier leatherback nesting site. The nation’s wild coastline, favorable equatorial climate, and gently sloping beaches create optimal nesting conditions, but survival challenges abound.

    Conservationists from NGOs and the national parks agency conduct daily patrols during nesting season, relocating threatened nests to protected hatcheries where eggs can safely incubate for 60 days. “They need to build up their muscles so they can swim in the ocean,” explains volunteer Clémence, emphasizing why hatchlings must complete their treacherous sand crossing rather than being placed directly in water.

    The conservation effort faces a multidimensional crisis. Coastal erosion from rising sea levels, natural predators including crabs and birds, plastic pollution, industrial fishing, and poaching all threaten turtle survival. However, the most immediate threat emerges from funding shortages that have crippled monitoring operations.

    Since the suspension of U.S. grants during the Trump administration, turtle monitoring activities have “stopped or slowed down drastically,” according to Edouard Moussavou, Pongara Park’s deputy director. The financial crisis extends to Gabon’s eco-rangers—approximately 580 conservation professionals who regularly go unpaid. Sosthene Ndong Engonga, secretary-general of the National Union of Gabonese Ecoguards, reports that rangers frequently must “make a big fuss to get our salaries,” with some waiting months for payment.

    Despite these challenges, dedicated rangers like Alain Banguiya, who hasn’t been paid for two months, continue night patrols. “We have a duty to fight to the end,” Banguiya asserts. “Despite the obstacles, we stay the course: conservation.” Their perseverance highlights both the fragility of conservation systems and the unwavering commitment required to protect Earth’s most vulnerable species.

  • Hungarians’ growing anger at living in EU’s ‘most corrupt state’

    Hungarians’ growing anger at living in EU’s ‘most corrupt state’

    Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faces unprecedented political vulnerability as widespread public anger over systemic corruption and economic hardship converges ahead of critical parliamentary elections. Despite official declarations portraying modest personal wealth, evidence suggests Orbán’s inner circle has accumulated extraordinary fortunes through state-connected enterprises, fueling popular discontent in what Transparency International ranks as the European Union’s most corrupt nation.

    The growing public frustration stems from perceived inequities in wealth distribution, with citizens enduring sluggish economic growth, soaring inflation rates, and deteriorating public services while government allies prosper. Political analyst Zoltan Ranschburg notes that the government’s narrative maintained credibility during periods of relative economic stability but has rapidly deteriorated amid prolonged financial pressures.

    Independent investigations reveal staggering financial impacts, with anti-corruption crusader Akos Hadhazy documenting approximately €2.84 billion annually drained from state coffers since 2016 through graft mechanisms. This systematic corruption has manifested through Orbán’s family connections, including his father’s transformation into a major business figure with luxurious estates worth hundreds of millions, and his son-in-law’s rapid ascent through EU-funded public lighting contracts later flagged for serious irregularities by the EU anti-fraud office OLAF.

    Perhaps most symbolically significant is the trajectory of childhood friend Lorinc Meszaros, who evolved from plumbing to becoming Hungary’s wealthiest individual with a $4.8 billion fortune built largely on public contracts across construction, energy, banking, and media sectors. Industry insiders confirm the rigged nature of Hungary’s procurement system, with one contractor revealing that tender outcomes are frequently predetermined, creating payment delays that cripple smaller businesses while connected elites flourish.

    The European Union has responded by freezing €19 billion in funds designated for Hungary, citing persistent corruption concerns and rule-of-law violations. Opposition leader Peter Magyar has capitalized on this discontent, campaigning on promises to recover blocked EU funds and investigate the wealth accumulation of current leadership families, presenting the most substantial electoral challenge to Orbán’s 16-year administration.

  • Singapore denies Malaysian scholar entry, calling her ‘undesirable visitor’

    Singapore denies Malaysian scholar entry, calling her ‘undesirable visitor’

    Singaporean immigration authorities have barred Malaysian human rights advocate and scholar Fadiah Nadwa Fikri from entering the country, citing her political activism as grounds for exclusion. The Ministry of Home Affairs classified Fadiah as an “undesirable visitor” in an official statement released Friday, alleging she had encouraged Singaporean youth to embrace “radical advocacy” methods.

    The incident occurred when Fadiah attempted to enter Singapore to collect her PhD certificate from the National University of Singapore, where she graduated in January. She had also planned to deliver a guest lecture on her thesis, provide pet care for a friend, and retrieve personal belongings.

    According to documentation shared by Fadiah on social media platform X, immigration officials issued a formal refusal notice stating she was “ineligible for the issue of a pass under current immigration policies.” The scholar described the experience as “extremely distressing and outrageous,” characterizing the exclusion as “tantamount to a deliberate attack on my scholarly work.”

    The Ministry of Home Affairs elaborated that Fadiah had allegedly urged Singaporean youth to “go beyond protests” and pursue “disruptive and violent actions to support specific causes.” Authorities emphasized they “will not tolerate foreigners getting involved in our domestic politics, nor the promotion of unlawful, violent and disruptive methods of civil protest.”

    This incident reflects Singapore’s stringent approach to public demonstrations, which require police permits for any cause-related gatherings in public spaces. While the government maintains these regulations are essential for preserving peace and harmony in the compact city-state, critics argue they suppress freedom of expression and legitimate civil activism.

    The case follows similar exclusions, including last year’s denial of entry to Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law, who was invited to a private conference in Singapore. In 2024, Singaporean courts acquitted three women charged with organizing an illegal procession after they staged a pro-Palestinian march, a cause Fadiah has vocally supported on social media.

  • Ten photos from across China: March 20 – 26

    Ten photos from across China: March 20 – 26

    China Daily Information Co (CDIC) has established stringent intellectual property protections governing all content published across its digital platforms. The company’s comprehensive policy explicitly prohibits unauthorized republication or usage of any materials—including text, photographs, and multimedia information—without obtaining formal written authorization from CDIC.

    The protection framework extends to technical specifications, with the organization recommending 1024*768 or higher resolution for optimal browsing experience. The company maintains multiple regulatory credentials, including publishing license 0108263 and registration number 130349, underscoring its compliance with Chinese digital media regulations.

    CDIC has developed extensive organizational infrastructure supporting both commercial operations and user engagement. The platform offers advertising opportunities through its ‘Advertise on Site’ program while maintaining dedicated channels for stakeholder communication via ‘Contact Us’ portals. The company further facilitates career development through its ‘Job Offer’ and ‘Expat Employment’ sections, demonstrating commitment to international workforce integration.

    As part of its digital outreach strategy, CDIC encourages audience engagement through social media channels via its ‘FOLLOW US’ initiative. This multifaceted approach combines content protection with user accessibility, balancing intellectual property rights with information dissemination in the digital publishing landscape.

  • From rails to world: What we discovered in Zhengzhou

    From rails to world: What we discovered in Zhengzhou

    The remarkable metamorphosis of Zhengzhou from a regional Chinese city into a globally connected economic hub forms the core of an investigative journey undertaken by China Daily. Reporter Xia Ji, accompanied by Indian colleague Ali, documented how strategic rail development fundamentally reshaped the city’s destiny and global positioning.

    Their exploration began at Zhengzhou’s sprawling high-speed railway station, where they observed the seamless movement of passengers and goods that has become the city’s lifeblood. The investigation revealed how Zhengzhou evolved from a traditional railway crossroads into a sophisticated logistics nucleus, with rail infrastructure serving as the primary catalyst for economic expansion and international connectivity.

    The team proceeded to examine the China-Europe Railway Express import market, where commodities from across Eurasia arrive daily. This strategic trade corridor has established Zhengzhou as a critical node in Belt and Road Initiative logistics networks, facilitating unprecedented cross-continental commerce between China and European markets.

    Along the Yellow River basin, the reporters discovered how transportation development harmonizes with ecological preservation and cultural heritage conservation. The investigation demonstrated how rail infrastructure boosted tourism while protecting environmentally sensitive areas adjacent to China’s historic river of civilization.

    The comprehensive analysis concludes that Zhengzhou’s model of transit-oriented development offers valuable insights for urban planning worldwide. The city’s strategic investment in rail networks has generated economic diversification, international trade opportunities, and sustainable urban growth—positioning this once provincial city as a prototype of 21st century connectivity.