Global Pulse

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  • The US will face Italy in the men’s speedskating team pursuit Olympic final

    The US will face Italy in the men’s speedskating team pursuit Olympic final

    In a commanding display of athletic prowess at the Milan Cortina Olympics, the American speedskating trio of Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman, and Ethan Cepuran secured their place in the men’s team pursuit final with a decisive victory over China during Tuesday’s semifinal round. The U.S. team, boasting both a world record set in November 2023 and a bronze medal from the 2022 Beijing Games, finished with an impressive time of 3 minutes, 44.29 seconds, establishing an nearly 8-second advantage over their Chinese competitors.

    The American victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated gold medal confrontation against host nation Italy, creating a dramatic rematch of Sunday’s quarterfinal where the Italian team emerged victorious. The Italian squad, comprised of Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini, and Michele Malfatti, demonstrated exceptional form in their own semifinal matchup against the Netherlands, clocking in at 3:38.88 – more than 1.5 seconds faster than the Dutch team.

    This championship face-off carries historical significance for Italy, whose only previous medal in men’s team pursuit came from their gold medal performance at the 2006 Turin Games. Meanwhile, the United States continues its pursuit of its first-ever gold medal in the discipline, having previously earned bronze in both men’s and women’s team events.

    The competition format, which debuted at the 2006 Olympics, features three skaters from each nation racing together against the clock, with teams starting from opposite sides of the track. The men’s competition covers 3,200 meters across eight laps of the oval.

    In other notable developments, two-time defending champion Norway suffered an unexpected elimination during the quarterfinal round, while China and the Netherlands will compete for the bronze medal. The women’s team pursuit semifinals, scheduled for later Tuesday, will feature matchups between the United States and defending 2022 gold medalist Canada, and the Netherlands against Japan.

  • Germany beats France and Switzerland tops Italy to reach men’s hockey quarterfinals at Olympics

    Germany beats France and Switzerland tops Italy to reach men’s hockey quarterfinals at Olympics

    In a commanding display of ice hockey prowess, Germany secured an emphatic 5-1 victory against France during their Olympic matchup on Tuesday, setting the stage for a quarterfinal confrontation with Slovakia. The German team established their dominance early with a three-goal explosion in the opening period. Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl initiated the scoring with a precise low wrist shot on a power play at the 3:40 mark, assisted by Joshua Samanski. Frederik Tiffels extended the lead with an unassisted goal from an acute angle, followed by JJ Peterka of the Utah Mammoth capitalizing on a perfect setup from Tim Stutzle to beat French goalkeeper Julian Junca. Despite a second-period consolation goal from French captain Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Germany maintained control with additional goals from Samanski on the power play and Nico Sturm into an empty net. German netminder Philipp Grubauer delivered a solid performance in goal throughout the contest. The victory completes Germany’s group stage campaign while France concludes their Olympic tournament without a win in four appearances.

  • At least 2 killed, 3 critically injured in shooting at US ice rink

    At least 2 killed, 3 critically injured in shooting at US ice rink

    A targeted shooting at a Rhode Island ice rink during a high school hockey game has resulted in multiple casualties, with authorities confirming two fatalities and three individuals critically injured. The incident occurred Monday evening at Pawtucket’s Dennis M. Lynch Arena, sending terrified players and spectators scrambling for safety as gunshots echoed through the facility.

    Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves revealed preliminary findings indicate the violence stemmed from a targeted attack potentially connected to familial conflicts. While specific identities remain undisclosed, authorities confirmed the suspect was among the deceased. Three additional victims were transported to nearby medical facilities in critical condition following the exchange of gunfire.

    Eyewitness accounts and unverified social media footage depict chaotic scenes as approximately twelve shots rang out during the game. Players initially continued skating before recognizing the danger, with many rushing toward locker rooms or exits while spectators sought cover. One participant recounted to local media how teammates barricaded themselves in dressing rooms for protection.

    This tragedy marks the second significant shooting incident within Rhode Island’s small geographic area in recent months, occurring merely 5.6 kilometers from Brown University where another mass shooting transpired two months prior. The event reinforces concerning statistics regarding American gun violence, with the Gun Violence Archive documenting over 400 mass shooting incidents nationwide during 2025 alone—defined as episodes where four or more individuals are shot excluding the perpetrator.

    Comprehensive gun violence data from the previous year indicates at least 14,703 firearm-related fatalities occurred across the United States, not including suicide cases. The frequency of such incidents highlights ongoing debates regarding firearm accessibility under current legislative frameworks.

  • CBSE says all Grade 10 students must attempt first exam

    CBSE says all Grade 10 students must attempt first exam

    The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has instituted a stringent new examination requirement mandating all Class 10 students to participate in the initial board examination session. According to an official communication released on Saturday, the educational board clarified that attendance during the first examination series is compulsory for all registered candidates.

    The policy establishes that students who miss three or more subject examinations during the initial testing period will be automatically disqualified from participating in the second examination session. These students will be categorized under ‘Essential Repeat’ status, requiring them to wait until the following year’s main examinations in February to attempt their tests again.

    CBSE developed these guidelines in response to numerous student requests seeking permission to bypass the first examination and directly appear for the second session. The board’s comprehensive framework outlines specific eligibility criteria for second examination participation, including: improvement category applications for up to three main subjects, first/third chance compartment examinations, combined compartment and improvement attempts, and improvement opportunities for students who passed through subject replacement.

    The notification further specified that students receiving ‘Compartment’ results in the initial examination will be permitted to reappear in the second session under the compartment category, though additional subjects beyond the standard curriculum will not be permitted after passing Class X. The board explicitly stated it will not entertain any further queries regarding this policy, emphasizing the finality of these examination regulations.

  • Slalom is Mikaela Shiffrin’s last shot at an Olympic medal in Italy. Good news? It’s her best event

    Slalom is Mikaela Shiffrin’s last shot at an Olympic medal in Italy. Good news? It’s her best event

    CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — As the alpine skiing events at the Milan Cortina Olympics approach their conclusion, all eyes turn to American skiing phenomenon Mikaela Shiffrin as she prepares for her final medal opportunity in Wednesday’s slalom competition. The most decorated ski racer in history finds herself in an unfamiliar position—still seeking her first podium finish at these Games and her first Olympic medal in eight years.

    Shiffrin’s campaign at Tofane has been marked by near-misses and uncharacteristic performances. A surprisingly slow slalom run during last week’s combined event cost her a potential medal, while her 11th-place finish in giant slalom—though just three-tenths off the podium—demonstrated the razor-thin margins separating champions in this highly competitive field.

    The 30-year-old champion approaches her signature event having already secured a record ninth World Cup slalom title this season with two races remaining. Yet Olympic glory has remained elusive since her teenage triumph in Sochi twelve years ago. Shiffrin acknowledges the unique challenges of her discipline, noting that despite 71 career slalom victories, ‘it never gets easier—you become more aware of how challenging it is.’

    The psychological burden remains significant for the athlete who has rewritten her sport’s record books. Shiffrin arrived in the Dolomites confident she had moved past her disappointing zero-medal performance at Beijing 2022, but the combined event left her mystified and subdued. Her aggressive giant slalom performance, however, restored optimism.

    Slovakian rival Petra Vlhova, the reigning gold medalist returning from January knee surgery that shredded multiple ligaments, expressed empathy for Shiffrin’s position: ‘I can imagine what she’s feeling right now. She’s strong and I believe she can make it, but it takes a lot of energy.’

    The technical course setup appears flatter and potentially easier than typical World Cup venues, suggesting another tightly contested race similar to the giant slalom. Shiffrin’s margin for error—both physical and mental—may be smaller than usual. She has analyzed her combined performance where she placed 15th—her worst slalom finish since 2012—citing equipment misalignment, difficult light conditions, and an imperfect mindset.

    U.S. Ski and Snowboard president Sophie Goldschmidt has praised Shiffrin as ‘the ultimate role model,’ noting her grace under pressure and support for teammates even while processing her own challenges. However, the unique pressure of the quadrennial Olympic spectacle continues to present a distinctive challenge for the athlete widely considered the Greatest of All Time in her sport.

    As Shiffrin prepares for her two runs on Wednesday, she does so with open eyes: ‘I’m kind of going into it with my eyes open that we can see a very similar situation and I will try to handle it differently in my head.’ Whatever the outcome, those who know her best understand she will leave everything on the mountain.

  • Japan’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant resumes power transmission

    Japan’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant resumes power transmission

    In a landmark development for Japan’s energy sector, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has successfully recommenced electricity generation and transmission from its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear facility in Niigata prefecture. This reactivation marks the first operational resumption of a TEPCO-controlled nuclear unit since the catastrophic Fukushima Daiichi incident in March 2011.

    The Number 6 reactor at the plant initiated power delivery to the Tokyo metropolitan grid at 10:00 PM local time on Monday, ending an approximate 14-year suspension of nuclear energy distribution. The restart follows extensive safety evaluations and represents a pivotal moment in Japan’s gradual return to nuclear power generation.

    According to the operational timeline, TEPCO will incrementally increase the reactor’s output capacity to 50% of its maximum 1.35-million-kilowatt potential before implementing a temporary shutdown later this week. This planned pause will facilitate comprehensive testing of the power-generation infrastructure. Provided all systems perform within expected parameters, the utility company anticipates elevating output to full capacity and initiating commercial operations by March 18.

    The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, situated approximately 220 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, holds distinction as the world’s largest nuclear power plant by potential generation capacity. Despite its technical significance, the reactor’s reactivation has encountered substantial opposition from local communities and seismic experts who contend the plant resides above an active geological fault line, raising ongoing safety concerns.

  • France’s Macron holds bilateral talks with India’s Modi to boost economic and strategic ties

    France’s Macron holds bilateral talks with India’s Modi to boost economic and strategic ties

    NEW DELHI (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened in Mumbai on Tuesday for comprehensive bilateral discussions focused on enhancing economic and strategic cooperation. The high-level meeting emphasized the growing significance of the Indo-French alliance as both nations navigate evolving global dynamics and geopolitical realignments.

    The partnership, which has expanded across multiple sectors including defense, trade, technology, and energy, positions France as one of India’s most dependable European allies. During a joint press briefing, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the boundless nature of the India-France relationship, stating, “In today’s era of uncertainties, this partnership is a force for global stability and progress.”

    The leaders virtually inaugurated a final assembly line for H125 helicopter production, a collaborative venture between India’s Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. Located in Karnataka, this facility represents India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing plant.

    President Macron characterized the Franco-Indian relationship as entering an “acceleration phase” in response to international changes, noting their “special global strategic partnership” that brings new ambitions to bilateral ties. He identified space exploration, nuclear energy, rare earth minerals, aeronautics, and high-speed rail as priority sectors for collaboration while advocating for a free-trade agreement between India and the European Union.

    The discussions extended to global security concerns, with Macron urging India to collaborate on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine and inviting Modi to June’s G7 summit in Evian. Macron specifically called for “an immediate and lasting moratorium on strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure” while acknowledging the challenges in achieving a ceasefire.

    Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution in both Western Asia and Eastern Europe, though he avoided direct reference to Ukraine.

    The economic dimension of the partnership has shown substantial growth, with bilateral trade exceeding $15 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2025, making France India’s third-largest EU trading partner. French investments in Indian manufacturing, energy, defense, and infrastructure have deepened steadily.

    Defense cooperation remains central to the relationship, evidenced by last week’s preliminary approval from an Indian government panel for a $40 billion military equipment purchase that includes 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. This acquisition supports India’s strategic priority of maintaining air power amid persistent security challenges along its borders with nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and China. India already operates two Rafale squadrons and recently purchased 26 marine variants for its navy.

  • Kenya’s main airport resumes operations after 2-day strike

    Kenya’s main airport resumes operations after 2-day strike

    NAIROBI, Kenya — Operations at Kenya’s primary aviation hub are returning to normal following the resolution of a two-day labor strike that had severely disrupted air travel. The industrial action, which commenced on Monday and paralyzed activities at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, was called off on Tuesday after productive negotiations between airport workers’ representatives and government transportation officials.

    The work stoppage created significant travel disruptions, with flight delays extending up to six hours and airlines advising passengers to reschedule their journeys. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed in an official statement that airport functions would resume immediately following the successful mediation between the transport ministry and the trade union.

    Labor representatives had initiated the strike to demand improved working conditions, enhanced compensation packages, and better benefits for airport staff. These concerns were addressed during Tuesday’s discussions, which focused on implementing measures to meet the workers’ requirements.

    As a critical transportation nexus for both regional and international flights, the airport’s operational stability is considered vital to East Africa’s connectivity. Kenya Airways announced it was progressively normalizing its flight schedule, anticipating full operational resumption within 24 hours.

    Transport Minister Davies Chirchir reaffirmed the government’s dedication to maintaining stability within the aviation sector, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted airport operations. The labor union had previously issued a strike notice last week after authorities failed to execute portions of an earlier agreement addressing labor conditions and compensation.

  • USA’s Meyers Taylor makes history with monobob gold

    USA’s Meyers Taylor makes history with monobob gold

    CORTINA, Italy – American bobsled legend Elana Meyers Taylor has achieved the one accolade that had eluded her storied career: Olympic gold. At 41 years old, Meyers Taylor secured victory in the women’s monobob event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, establishing herself as the oldest individual Olympic champion in Winter Games history.

    Her triumph came by the narrowest of margins, with a combined time of 3:57.93 over four heats edging out Germany’s Laura Nolte by just 0.04 seconds and fellow American Kaillie Armbruster Humphries by 0.12 seconds. This gold medal completes an extraordinary collection that includes three silver and two bronze medals accumulated across five Olympic appearances spanning 16 years.

    “Finally the gold! It took long enough, right?” Meyers Taylor exclaimed to BBC Sport immediately following her victory. “It just goes to show you… just to keep persevering. My team and everybody behind me, it means so much to come away as Olympic champion.”

    The historic achievement cements Meyers Taylor’s status as the most decorated female bobsleigh pilot in history and marks her as the first mother to win Olympic bobsleigh gold. With six total Olympic medals, she now ties speed skater Bonnie Blair for the most decorated American woman in Winter Olympics history and stands as the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Games history.

    As her victory was confirmed, Meyers Taylor sank to her knees draped in the American flag, embracing her two young children, Nico and Noah, both of whom are deaf, with Nico also having Down syndrome. The emotional moment underscored her dual identity as elite athlete and dedicated mother.

    “This medal is also for all those moms who weren’t necessarily able to live their dreams, but their kids are now their dreams,” Meyers Taylor reflected. “Those people kept me going and those people are the ones who reach out to me when things are hard and encourage me.”

    The bobsled champion acknowledged the extensive support system that enabled her success, noting the sacrifices of her children, the dedication of multiple nannies over the years, and the unwavering support of her husband, former bobsledder Nic Taylor, with whom she travels the competition circuit for months at a time.

    Fellow athletes celebrated Meyers Taylor’s victory as particularly meaningful. John Jackson, British bobsled bronze medalist from Sochi 2014, remarked: “If there was one person on the whole circuit who I think any athlete and coach wanted to see win gold it was Elana. She is not only a ferocious athlete but also a beautiful human being and a genuine person.”

    The podium ceremony made additional history as Meyers Taylor shared it with 40-year-old Armbruster Humphries, marking the first time two women over 40 have stood on a Winter Olympics podium together. Both athletes, who have been on the podium together in five consecutive Olympics, celebrated with their children in a powerful display of motherhood and elite athleticism.

    The two champions are credited with advocating for the International Olympic Committee to add monobob to the women’s schedule, expanding opportunities for female athletes in a sport that previously only featured the two-woman event.

  • At least 14 killed in spate of attacks in northwest Pakistan

    At least 14 killed in spate of attacks in northwest Pakistan

    A series of coordinated violent incidents across northwest Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 14 people confirmed dead and 25 others wounded in multiple attacks on Monday. According to security officials speaking anonymously, the assaults included two separate bomb explosions and an intense firefight between police and militants.

    The deadliest incident occurred in Bajaur’s tribal district, where a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle against the wall of a religious college. This attack claimed the lives of eight security personnel from the police and Frontier Corps units stationed inside the seminary, while ten others sustained injuries. The blast’s impact caused structural damage to nearby residences, resulting in the tragic death of a child when roofs collapsed.

    Simultaneously, in the town of Bannu, a concealed explosive device planted within a rickshaw detonated outside the Miryan police station, killing two civilians and injuring 17 others. In a separate development in Shangla district, three police officers and three militants were killed during a targeted counter-terrorism operation.

    Pakistan’s security forces are currently confronting escalating insurgency movements across southern and northern regions bordering Afghanistan. This recent violence follows a major suicide bombing earlier this month claimed by Daesh (Islamic State), which killed 31 worshippers at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad.

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police force issued an official statement connecting the slain militants from the Shangla operation to previous attacks targeting Chinese nationals. This revelation highlights ongoing security challenges surrounding China’s substantial investments in Pakistan, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative—a crucial component of Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure project.

    Chinese citizens and projects have frequently been targeted by militant groups, including a March 2025 suicide bombing that killed five Chinese workers traveling along the Karakoram Highway. The police statement emphasized that the proximity of these attack zones to the Silk Road route presents persistent threats to strategic corridors and Chinese development projects, prompting intensified counter-terrorism operations across the region.