Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • Kipyegon announces plans for maternity ward in hometown

    Kipyegon announces plans for maternity ward in hometown

    World-renowned Kenyan middle-distance runner Faith Kipyegon, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, is channeling her athletic success into addressing critical healthcare disparities in her rural hometown. The 32-year-old athlete has initiated construction of a maternity facility in Keringet, where expectant mothers currently face dangerous 35-kilometer journeys to access hospital care.

    The Dare to Dream Maternity Ward, funded by Kipyegon’s shoe partner Nike as a legacy project, aims to eliminate the alarming rate of maternal and infant mortality in the region. Kipyegon, who became a mother herself in 2018, described witnessing heartbreaking scenarios where women in labor “come back empty-handed” despite beginning their journey “full of hope, carrying life, carrying dreams.”

    “Many give birth without proper facilities, without enough medical support, without dignity or safety,” Kipyegon stated during Sunday’s groundbreaking ceremony, which incorporated a children’s Cross Country event. The athlete emphasized that the consequences of inadequate healthcare extend beyond individual families, ultimately impacting “our future” as a community.

    Tanya Hvizdak, Global Head of Running for Nike, characterized the project as “a commitment to mothers, to local families, and to the next generation,” noting that “when women have safe, dignified care in childbirth, entire communities rise up around them.” The facility represents a transformative investment in rural healthcare infrastructure that will serve generations to come.

  • Trump says Iran wants talks as US aircraft carrier deploys

    Trump says Iran wants talks as US aircraft carrier deploys

    Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, a US naval strike group spearheaded by the USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed to Middle Eastern waters, according to US Central Command. The deployment coincides with Iran’s explicit threats to retaliate against any military aggression, creating a volatile standoff between the two nations.

    President Donald Trump presented contradictory statements regarding US intentions, simultaneously highlighting military capabilities while asserting his belief that Iranian leadership desires diplomatic negotiations. “We have a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela,” Trump told Axios, referencing recent US military actions. However, he added, “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk.”

    The current crisis stems from Iran’s severe crackdown on domestic protests, which rights groups describe as the deadliest suppression of dissent in the country’s history. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), verified casualties include 6,126 fatalities—among them 5,777 protesters, 86 minors, and 263 security personnel and bystanders—with an additional 17,091 potential deaths under investigation. The organization reported at least 41,880 arrests, noting that security agencies continue tactics of “mass arrests, intimidation, and control of the narrative.”

    Intelligence assessments cited by The New York Times indicate the Iranian government’s hold on power may be at its weakest point since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Senator Lindsey Graham reinforced this perspective, stating that the ultimate US objective is regime change: “They may stop killing them today, but if they’re in charge next month, they’ll kill them then.”

    Iranian officials have responded with measured rhetoric while simultaneously issuing military warnings. Revolutionary Guards spokesman Mohammad Ali Naini cautioned that any entry of US vessels into Iranian territorial waters would trigger targeting procedures. Conservative media outlets echoed these threats, with Javan newspaper declaring Iran’s readiness to seize the strategic Strait of Hormuz in response to aggression.

    The information landscape remains severely compromised by an almost three-week internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities, which watchdogs argue aims to obscure the full extent of government repression. Activists have additionally reported raids on hospitals to arrest injured protesters, though Iran’s health ministry denies these allegations.

  • French lawmakers approve bill banning social media for children under 15

    French lawmakers approve bill banning social media for children under 15

    French legislators have overwhelmingly passed groundbreaking legislation prohibiting social media access for children under 15, marking a significant shift in digital child protection policy. The National Assembly approved the measure with a decisive 130-21 vote late Monday, positioning France as a European leader in youth digital safety initiatives.

    The comprehensive bill, which also extends mobile phone restrictions to high school environments, represents one of President Emmanuel Macron’s final major policy initiatives before his term concludes next year. Macron championed the legislation, declaring that “our children’s brains are not for sale—neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks” and emphasizing that youthful “dreams must not be dictated by algorithms.”

    This legislative action aligns with broader European movements addressing digital safety concerns. The French proposal has been carefully crafted to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act, which establishes rigorous online protection standards. Notably, the British government recently announced similar considerations regarding social media restrictions for teenagers.

    Support for the measure transcended traditional political divisions within the fractured National Assembly, though some left-wing critics raised civil liberties concerns. The legislation follows previous French laws prohibiting phone usage in primary and middle schools.

    Alarming statistics from France’s health watchdog reveal the urgency behind these measures: 90% of adolescents aged 12-17 access the internet daily via smartphones, with 58% actively engaged on social platforms. Research indicates extensive smartphone usage ranging from two to five hours daily among half of French teenagers.

    The health agency’s December report documented serious consequences including diminished self-esteem and increased exposure to content promoting self-harm, substance abuse, and suicide. Several French families have initiated legal proceedings against TikTok, alleging connections between platform content and teenage suicides.

    The legislation exempts educational resources, scientific directories, and open-source software platforms from restrictions. Australia’s implementation of similar age restrictions has already resulted in social media companies blocking approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to minors, sparking international debates balancing technology use, privacy concerns, and mental health protection.

    The bill now advances to Senate consideration, with Macron advocating for expedited approval to implement the restrictions by the upcoming September school year.

  • Xi’s vision for China’s winter sports

    Xi’s vision for China’s winter sports

    China Daily Information Co (CDIC) maintains rigorous copyright control over all digital materials published through its platforms, according to the company’s publicly available terms of use. The comprehensive protection extends to textual content, photographic images, multimedia information, and all other proprietary materials appearing on the company’s websites.

    Explicit written authorization from CDIC represents the only legitimate pathway for republication or utilization of protected content in any form. This stringent copyright enforcement framework underscores the company’s commitment to intellectual property protection in the digital publishing landscape.

    The publication platform recommends optimal viewing through browsers supporting 1024*768 resolution or higher, ensuring premium user experience for site visitors. CDIC operates under official publishing license No. 0108263 and maintains registration number 130349 with relevant authorities.

    Beyond content protection policies, China Daily provides information regarding corporate background, advertising opportunities, contact channels, and employment prospects including specialized sections for expatriate recruitment. The organization maintains an active presence across multiple digital platforms, encouraging audience engagement through various follow options.

  • 10 still missing after ferry carrying 344 sinks in S Philippines

    10 still missing after ferry carrying 344 sinks in S Philippines

    Rescue operations continue in the southern Philippines as authorities search for ten missing individuals following the sinking of the inter-island ferry M/V Trisha Kerstin 3. The vessel, which capsized early Monday in waters off Basilan province, was carrying 344 passengers and crew according to revised figures released by the Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday.

    The maritime disaster has claimed 18 confirmed lives while rescue teams have successfully recovered 316 survivors from the treacherous waters. The Coast Guard adjusted initial passenger counts downward from 359 after verification revealed 15 individuals listed on boarding manifests never actually embarked on the ill-fated voyage.

    Coast guard personnel were photographed attending to survivors in the aftermath of the tragedy, providing emergency medical care and transportation to safety. The incident represents one of the most significant maritime accidents in the region in recent years, raising questions about safety protocols for inter-island transportation in the Philippine archipelago.

    The sinking occurred in a region known for challenging maritime conditions, though the exact cause of the disaster remains under investigation. Search and recovery operations continue with coast guard assets deployed across the affected area, working against time and weather conditions to locate the remaining missing persons.

  • Fascist salutes from the podium: Cortina’s forgotten ‘mini-Olympics’ during World War II

    Fascist salutes from the podium: Cortina’s forgotten ‘mini-Olympics’ during World War II

    CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — As the world prepares for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, a largely erased chapter of sports history resurfaces from the very grounds where Olympic events will unfold. The current curling arena and mobile-home Athletes’ Village stand precisely where fascist imagery once dominated during the 1941 World Ski Championships—an event orchestrated by Mussolini’s Italy and Nazi Germany as a propaganda spectacle.

    While Cortina’s 1956 Winter Games are well documented, the 1941 championships remain conspicuously absent from official records. The International Skiing Federation (FIS) expunged all results after World War II, effectively erasing the event from historical memory. Recently discovered archival materials and amateur films reveal athletes performing Nazi salutes on podiums, swastika flags throughout the resort town, and a substantial military presence.

    According to University of Bologna sports historian Nicola Sbetti, “The Italian republic has never been interested in taking responsibility for the championships.” He characterizes the event as part of an Axis powers strategy “to create a new world order” through sports, maintaining normalcy while war ravaged Europe.

    The competition excluded Allied nations while featuring Axis countries and puppet states. Germany—bolstered by annexed Austria’s skiers—and Italy dominated the Alpine events, claiming all 18 medals between them. Austrian-born Josef Jennewein and German skier Christl Cranz achieved multiple gold medals, with Cranz’s record-equaling performances only recently matched by American Mikaela Shiffrin.

    Communications director Max Vergani, author of “Cortina41: The Phantom World Championship,” describes how Mussolini transformed the event into a “mini-Olympics” after the cancellation of the 1944 Winter Games. The championships served as a demonstration of fascist power similar to Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics.

    Tragically, many 1941 medalists perished in subsequent war operations, including Jennewein shot down over the Soviet Union and Cranz’s brother killed on the Eastern Front. Italian slalom champion Celina Seghi continued competing after the war, eventually earning a bronze medal at the 1950 worlds before passing away in 2022 at age 102.

    The FIS formally nullified the championships at its first postwar congress in 1946, with the motion passing unanimously. Today, few physical traces remain beyond souvenir shop items featuring the event’s official poster—a ghostly reminder of sports’ complex relationship with political propaganda.

  • S Korea says no official notice on Trump’s tariff hike plan, trade minister to visit US

    S Korea says no official notice on Trump’s tariff hike plan, trade minister to visit US

    South Korean officials have stated they have received no formal communication from Washington regarding President Donald Trump’s announced plan to increase tariffs on select South Korean goods from 15% to 25%. The presidential office in Seoul confirmed this lack of official notification on Tuesday, following Trump’s Monday declaration.

    In response to the potential economic measure, South Korea is mobilizing its diplomatic and trade resources. An interagency meeting is scheduled to convene later today to coordinate the government’s approach. Furthermore, Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan, currently concluding an official visit to Canada, will extend his travel itinerary to include the United States for urgent discussions with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

    President Trump justified the proposed tariff escalation by accusing the South Korean legislature of failing to enact a previously agreed bilateral trade pact. This development threatens to destabilize recent trade accommodations between the two nations.

    According to reports from Yonhap News Agency, a foundation for this agreement was established during the October summit in Gyeongju. A resulting joint fact sheet outlined a compromise: The United States would reduce tariffs on South Korean products, including automobiles, contingent upon South Korea committing to $350 billion in investments within the US. A subsequent memorandum, signed on November 14, detailed that these tariff reductions would be applied retroactively from the first day of the month in which the relevant implementation legislation was submitted to South Korea’s National Assembly.

    The ruling Democratic Party did submit the required special bill on US investment on November 26. Honoring the agreement, the US retroactively lowered tariffs on South Korean automobiles to 15% effective December 4. The announced tariff hike appears to reverse this recent progress, creating fresh uncertainty in US-South Korea trade relations.

  • Russian drones injure Ukrainian children and a pregnant woman as Zelenskyy urges swifter diplomacy

    Russian drones injure Ukrainian children and a pregnant woman as Zelenskyy urges swifter diplomacy

    Ukrainian authorities reported a devastating Russian drone assault on the southern port city of Odesa, leaving 23 civilians wounded—including two children and a pregnant woman. The attack, which utilized over 50 advanced drones, targeted critical infrastructure and residential areas, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis during an exceptionally harsh winter.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urgently appealed for accelerated U.S. diplomatic intervention to resolve the nearly four-year conflict, emphasizing that each Russian strike undermines ongoing peace negotiations. Despite reported progress in diplomatic channels, fundamental disagreements persist regarding the status of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.

    Military analysts suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin remains strategically patient, betting on waning Western support and Ukrainian fatigue. Meanwhile, Russia continues enhancing its drone capabilities, recently deploying the jet-powered ‘Geran-5’ model capable of carrying 90-kilogram warheads over 1,000 kilometers.

    In response, Ukraine has significantly ramped up production of interceptor drones while developing long-range offensive capabilities. The overnight exchange saw Russian air defenses claim 19 Ukrainian drones destroyed across multiple regions.

    Notably, Russia’s military recruitment strategies have expanded to include cash incentives, prisoner releases, and the exploitation of foreign laborers—with an Associated Press investigation revealing Bangladeshi workers being deceived into combat roles under false pretenses.

  • Anger as branch of ICE to help with security at Winter Olympics

    Anger as branch of ICE to help with security at Winter Olympics

    A significant diplomatic controversy has emerged following the confirmation that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will participate in security operations for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. The announcement has triggered vehement opposition from Italian political leaders and human rights advocates, who cite the agency’s controversial record on immigration enforcement.

    ICE confirmed through an official statement that its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) branch would assist the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and Italian authorities by conducting risk assessments targeting transnational criminal organizations. The agency emphasized that all security operations would remain under Italian jurisdiction and clarified that its activities in Italy would be entirely separate from its domestic immigration enforcement operations conducted by its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division.

    The revelation has ignited strong reactions across Italy’s political spectrum. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala delivered a particularly scathing assessment, characterizing ICE as a ‘militia that kills’ and stating unequivocally that the organization was ‘not welcome’ in his city, which will host several Olympic events. The mayor’s comments included a direct challenge to U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, asking ‘Can’t we just say no to Trump for once?’

    Further condemnation came from Alessandro Zan, a European Parliament member representing Italy’s centre-left Democratic Party, who denounced the arrangement as ‘unacceptable,’ asserting that Italy should not welcome organizations that ‘trample on human rights and act outside of any democratic control.’

    The controversy has been amplified by recent incidents involving ICE operations in the United States, particularly the deaths of two civilians during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Italian authorities have attempted to clarify the scope of ICE involvement, with regional officials suggesting the agency’s role would be limited to providing security for U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the opening ceremony. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi asserted that ‘ICE, as such, will never operate in Italy,’ though this statement appears to contradict the agency’s confirmed participation.

    The International Olympic Committee has deferred all inquiries regarding the security arrangements to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, maintaining its distance from the growing diplomatic dispute.

  • China’s social security funds post 10-trillion-yuan balance at end of 2025

    China’s social security funds post 10-trillion-yuan balance at end of 2025

    China’s social security framework has achieved a monumental financial milestone, with official data revealing a collective balance of 10.2 trillion yuan (approximately $1.46 trillion) across key insurance programs by the conclusion of 2025. This substantial reserve encompasses the nation’s basic pension schemes, unemployment insurance, and work-related injury compensation systems.

    The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security disclosed these figures on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, highlighting the robust financial health of China’s social safety net. In a parallel development, the ministry reported that professionally managed basic pension funds have surpassed 2.98 trillion yuan through investment entrustment programs, demonstrating sophisticated financial stewardship of public reserves.

    This financial achievement represents a significant strengthening of China’s social welfare infrastructure, providing enhanced security for millions of workers and retirees nationwide. The substantial fund balance indicates successful long-term planning and management of social insurance resources, ensuring sustainable support for citizens facing retirement, unemployment, or workplace injuries.

    The growth trajectory of these funds reflects China’s continuing economic stability and strategic fiscal policies aimed at maintaining comprehensive social protection systems. This financial buffer becomes increasingly critical as demographic shifts and economic transitions present new challenges to social welfare programs globally.