Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • Explosion at cookie factory in central Greece kills at least 4

    Explosion at cookie factory in central Greece kills at least 4

    A catastrophic explosion and subsequent fire ripped through the Violanta biscuit manufacturing facility in central Greece, resulting in a significant loss of life and injuries. The incident, which occurred during the night shift near the city of Trikala, approximately 320 kilometers north of Athens, has left the local community in shock.

    Emergency services confirmed that the blast claimed the lives of at least four female workers, with one individual still unaccounted for as search operations continue. Seven others, including a responding firefighter, sustained injuries and were transported to Trikala Hospital for treatment. Officials reported that none of the injured are in serious condition.

    The force of the explosion and the intensity of the resulting fire caused extensive damage, gutting the industrial plant. Firefighting crews engaged in a prolonged battle against the blaze for several hours before gaining sufficient control to begin recovery operations and retrieve the victims.

    Preliminary investigative findings from police authorities indicate the explosion may have originated in the vicinity of the factory’s industrial ovens, which maintain continuous 24-hour operation. Specialized arson investigators and emergency response teams remain deployed at the disaster site, conducting a thorough examination to determine the precise cause and sequence of events that led to this industrial tragedy.

  • Restored wetlands welcome new flocks of migratory birds

    Restored wetlands welcome new flocks of migratory birds

    China’s comprehensive wetland restoration initiative is demonstrating remarkable success as critical habitats along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway witness unprecedented surges in migratory bird populations. At Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake and a crucial wintering terminus, systematic ecological management has transformed the region into a biodiversity hotspot supporting nearly 400 bird species and approximately 700,000 birds during wintering seasons.

    The transformation stems from a multi-faceted approach combining advanced technology with traditional conservation methods. The Jiangxi Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve has implemented an intelligent management platform featuring high-definition cameras and sensors that operate continuously, utilizing artificial intelligence to identify and document bird species, population numbers, and distribution patterns. This technological integration complements drone patrols on preset flight routes and ground-based monitoring, creating a comprehensive ecological oversight system.

    Beyond technological innovation, regulatory measures have played a pivotal role. Since January 2020, a comprehensive fishing ban has been enforced throughout the Jiangxi section of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake basin. Additionally, Jiangxi implemented China’s first provincial regulation specifically targeting phosphorus pollution in lake basins in January 2024, significantly improving water quality and ecosystem health.

    The conservation success extends beyond Poyang Lake. In Heilongjiang province’s Sanjiang Plain, large-scale wetland restoration has revitalized the northern starting point of the migration corridor. Over 3,000 hectares of wetlands have been restored following the implementation of the Heilongjiang Wetland Protection Regulation a decade ago, with the province now recording 390 bird species, including 297 migratory and summer-resident species.

    Critical stopover sites like Tianjin’s Qilihai Wetland have implemented sophisticated management strategies, including scientific water level adjustments during migration seasons to facilitate feeding for species such as oriental storks. These measures have yielded significant breakthroughs, including the first confirmed nesting of spoonbills in the western wetland area.

    International collaboration has further strengthened these efforts. The Food and Agriculture Organization and Global Environment Facility’s provincial-level wetland protection project has trained over 3,000 government officials and technicians through more than 60 capacity-building programs, fostering expertise in wetland management, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainable development.

    The appearance of rare species like the great white pelican—typically found in Africa, eastern Europe, and parts of South and Central Asia—at Poyang Lake signals the exceptional improvement in ecosystem conditions. Conservation experts note that healthy wetland environments, abundant food resources, and enhanced safety measures are attracting these unusual visitors, demonstrating that years of dedicated protection along the entire flyway are converging to create optimal conditions at migration destinations.

  • Myanmar military using paramotors and gyrocopters for aerial attacks on civilians, opposition forces

    Myanmar military using paramotors and gyrocopters for aerial attacks on civilians, opposition forces

    BANGKOK — Myanmar’s military junta is increasingly deploying commercially available paramotors and gyrocopters as improvised aerial weapons in its ongoing civil war, according to a comprehensive report by human rights organization Fortify Rights. These low-tech aircraft enable forces to conduct surprise attacks on civilian populations and anti-government militias across central Myanmar’s flat terrain.

    The documented use of paramotors (motorized paragliders) emerged in early 2024, with gyrocopters (ultralight rotorcraft) joining the arsenal by March 2024. Pilots manually drop mortar shells from these aircraft, often cutting engines during final approach for silent, undetected attacks. The organization verified through eyewitness interviews that these tactics have resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including a October attack that killed 24 protesters at a candlelight vigil in Sagaing region.

    Analysts note these cheap, operable-from-field aircraft provide strategic advantages despite vulnerability to sophisticated defenses. They carry 30-40 shells for three-hour missions, allowing the military to preserve advanced aircraft for border conflicts while dominating central lowlands where opposition forces lack aerial defense capabilities.

    The escalation coincides with the junta’s contested electoral process, with attacks intensifying during voting periods that critics describe as legitimacy-building exercises. Fortify Rights documented 304 paramotor/gyrocopter attacks on civilians between December 2024 and January 2026, though conflict databases suggest approximately 350 total incidents involving these aircraft during this period.

    Despite territorial gains by ethnic minority groups and pro-democracy forces, the persistent aerial threat demonstrates ongoing challenges in protecting civilians. While China and Russia continue military supplies to Myanmar, other nations maintain sanctions that Amnesty International reports are being circumvented by ‘ghost ships’ smuggling aviation fuel with disabled tracking systems.

    Human rights organizations are urging strengthened sanctions enforcement specifically targeting components for these aerial weapons, emphasizing the need to prevent the Myanmar military from adapting commercial technology for warfare against civilians.

  • A search for 6 presumed dead in a New Zealand landslide is expected to take days

    A search for 6 presumed dead in a New Zealand landslide is expected to take days

    WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Recovery operations for six individuals presumed deceased in a catastrophic landslide at Beachside Holiday Park, one of New Zealand’s premier coastal camping destinations, are anticipated to extend over several days due to perilous ground conditions. Authorities confirmed the challenging search efforts resumed Monday following a weather-induced suspension over the weekend.

    The devastating incident occurred Thursday when torrential rains triggered a massive mudslide from Mount Maunganui during a severe summer storm across the North Island. The missing victims, ranging from 15 to 71 years old, include international visitors from Sweden and Italy alongside New Zealand residents.

    Police Superintendent Tim Anderson emphasized the operational challenges, stating, ‘We’re maintaining hope for improved weather conditions as saturated ground remains our primary concern. What we require are consecutive days of dry weather to ensure recovery team safety.’

    The landslide unleashed a torrent of mud that engulfed the picturesque campground, crushing vehicles, travel trailers, and facility buildings beneath debris. Initial rescue efforts Thursday detected voices beneath the rubble, but by Saturday, authorities concluded no survivors remained among the missing.

    Identified victims include Lisa Anne Maclennan (50), Måns Loke Bernhardsson (20), Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler (71), Susan Doreen Knowles (71), Sharon Maccanico (15), and Max Furse-Kee (15).

    The tragedy struck during New Zealand’s peak summer holiday period, with the surrounding Tauranga region recording its wettest 24-hour period since 1910. The storm system claimed three additional lives elsewhere on the North Island, including two residents buried in a separate Papamoa landslide and a Kiribati national swept away by floodwaters.

    Growing questions about evacuation protocols have emerged after revelations that fire services relayed a public landslide warning to Tauranga City Council four hours before the fatal event. The council, which owns the campground land, has committed to an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

  • Actor’s fans raise funds to save hospital

    Actor’s fans raise funds to save hospital

    In an extraordinary display of public solidarity, hundreds of thousands of supporters converged on actor Li Yapeng’s Douyin livestream Friday evening, creating a charity-driven purchasing frenzy for Yunnan Pu’er tea products. The massive digital gathering aimed to generate crucial funds for Beijing Smile Angel Children’s Hospital, a specialized facility co-founded by Li in 2012 that provides free and subsidized cleft lip and palate surgeries to children in need.

    The hospital’s financial crisis came to public attention earlier this month when Li revealed the institution faced accumulated debts exceeding 26 million yuan ($3.5 million) in unpaid rent and operational fees, pushing it to the brink of permanent closure. This disclosure triggered an immediate public response, with donations to the Smile Angel Foundation—established by Li in 2006 under the Chinese Red Cross Foundation—surpassing 23 million yuan from hundreds of thousands of contributors within days.

    However, experts subsequently clarified that these donations were legally restricted to covering medical procedures rather than operational expenses, necessitating alternative fundraising approaches. Li’s strategic pivot to e-commerce philanthropy proved remarkably successful, with his Friday livestream dominating Douyin’s sales charts by generating 16.84 million yuan ($2.42 million) in revenue—nearly quadruple the sales of the platform’s second-ranked broadcaster.

    During the broadcast, Li demonstrated ethical entrepreneurship by repeatedly urging viewers toward rational consumption. “I know why everyone is here,” he acknowledged, directly referencing the hospital’s predicament while encouraging viewers to “only buy if you drink tea.”

    The overwhelming response forced Li’s commercial partner, a Yunnan Pu’er tea company, to announce a temporary suspension of upcoming livestreams to focus exclusively on processing the unprecedented volume of orders. “The order volume far exceeded expectations,” the company stated Saturday, explaining the pause would ensure “timely and accurate delivery.”

    Despite this remarkable show of public support, the hospital’s future remains uncertain. Wednesday’s official statement confirmed ongoing negotiations with the landlord regarding potential relocation or lease renewal, with no final resolution reached.

  • Heihe ices hub status for cold vehicle testing

    Heihe ices hub status for cold vehicle testing

    The northern Chinese border city of Heihe has solidified its position as the world’s premier destination for cold climate automotive testing, leveraging its uniquely frigid conditions to drive innovation in new energy vehicle technology and aerospace systems. During the recently concluded fifth Heihe Cold Region Automobile Testing Festival, temperatures plunged to -23°C as engineers from leading manufacturers conducted rigorous evaluations on the frozen surfaces of the Heilongjiang River.

    This remote city, where temperatures can reach an astonishing -48°C, now commands an impressive 85% of China’s national market share and 45% of the global market for cold-weather vehicle testing. The 2024-25 testing season attracted 147 companies and research institutions, including industry giants Tesla, BYD, FAW, and SAIC, with more than 4,000 test vehicles evaluated by 5,000 technical personnel.

    The economic impact has been substantial, generating 170 million yuan ($24.4 million) in direct testing fees and approximately 430 million yuan in related service industry revenue encompassing hospitality, tourism, and logistics.

    According to Wang Luyang, an engineer from SAIC-GM-Wuling, “Heihe represents an exceptionally rare testing environment where battery endurance, cold-start performance, and braking systems can be comprehensively evaluated under extreme low-temperature conditions that remain a critical technical challenge for new energy vehicles.”

    The city’s transformation from hosting China’s first frigid condition automobile tests in 1989 to its current status as a global testing hub reflects strategic government planning and substantial infrastructure investment. A landmark 260,000-square-meter all-season low-temperature testing facility, currently in final construction phases, will become the world’s largest facility capable of offseason testing for traditional, new energy, and intelligent connected vehicles.

    Heihe’s testing capabilities have now expanded beyond terrestrial vehicles to include drones and flying cars, capitalizing on the emerging low-altitude economy. The city recently hosted the inaugural test flight of China’s domestically produced C919 commercial aircraft and has established Asia’s largest mobile outdoor icing wind tunnel project in the Wudalianchi scenic area.

    Xu Lei, an expert at the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute, notes that “Heihe has systematically developed a comprehensive cold-region vehicle testing ecosystem encompassing technical standards, service assurance, and industrial extension through sustained government investment and strategic planning.”

  • Zigong lantern festival lights up

    Zigong lantern festival lights up

    The 32nd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival commenced on January 23, 2026, transforming Sichuan province’s historic “salt capital” into a breathtaking panorama of light and innovation. This annual spectacle, renowned for blending ancient Chinese traditions with cutting-edge technology, unveiled its most ambitious installation to date: an awe-inspiring 210-meter-long depiction of the mythical kunpeng creature from Zhuangzi’s philosophical texts.

    Spanning ten meticulously curated thematic zones, the festival showcases eleven monumental lantern sets complemented by over 200 smaller displays. Each installation represents a masterful synthesis of traditional artisan craftsmanship, cultural narrative depth, and sophisticated modern illumination technologies. The kunpeng exhibit particularly captivates visitors with its dynamic representation of the legendary transformation from colossal fish to majestic bird, symbolizing boundless potential and metamorphosis.

    Beyond the Zhuangzi-inspired centerpiece, the festival incorporates interactive light installations, holographic projections, and environmentally sustainable lighting systems that reduce energy consumption by 40% compared to previous editions. Organizers have integrated augmented reality features allowing visitors to access cultural explanations through smartphone interactions with specific displays.

    This year’s event marks a significant evolution from purely traditional lantern exhibitions to immersive technological experiences while maintaining the authentic craftsmanship that earned Zigong its reputation as China’s lantern capital. The festival runs through March and is expected to attract over two million domestic and international visitors, contributing significantly to regional cultural tourism and nighttime economic development.

  • First 3D metal print test held in space

    First 3D metal print test held in space

    China has marked a historic milestone in space technology by successfully executing the first-ever metal 3D printing experiment in orbit. This groundbreaking achievement represents a quantum leap in the nation’s extraterrestrial manufacturing capabilities and positions China at the forefront of space-based industrial technology.

    The pioneering experiment was conducted aboard the Lihong-1 Y1 suborbital vehicle, a commercially developed recoverable spacecraft designed for space tourism operations. Following its successful inaugural test flight from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on January 12th, the spacecraft carried specialized scientific equipment developed by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

    Upon crossing the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary separating Earth’s atmosphere from outer space—at an altitude of approximately 120 kilometers, the payload autonomously fabricated metal components under microgravity conditions. This successful demonstration transitions China’s metal additive manufacturing technology from theoretical ground-based research to practical in-space engineering verification.

    The CAS emphasized the extraordinary complexity of conducting metal additive manufacturing in space, where factors such as microgravity, extreme temperatures, and vacuum conditions present significant engineering challenges. Research teams overcame critical obstacles including stable material transport and formation processes, full-process closed-loop control systems, and ensuring high-reliability coordination between the experimental payload and launch vehicle.

    Following completion of the experiment, the payload capsule successfully returned to Earth via parachute-assisted landing, delivering invaluable firsthand data to scientists. Researchers have obtained crucial information regarding melt pool dynamics, material transport mechanisms, solidification behavior, and the geometric precision and mechanical properties of space-manufactured components.

    The Lihong-1 Y1 vehicle, noted for its cost-effectiveness and operational flexibility, has demonstrated its capability as a reliable platform for space technology verification. This breakthrough is expected to significantly accelerate the development of China’s space manufacturing capabilities and serve as a critical enabler for future orbital infrastructure development, potentially revolutionizing how space missions approach manufacturing, repair, and construction beyond Earth.

  • At least three dead in Greece biscuit factory fire

    At least three dead in Greece biscuit factory fire

    A devastating industrial fire has resulted in multiple casualties at a food manufacturing facility in central Greece, with rescue operations continuing into Monday. The tragedy unfolded at the Violanta biscuit factory near Trikala during early morning operations when 13 employees were present on site.

    Local authorities confirmed three fatalities with two workers remaining unaccounted for following the intense blaze. Emergency responders successfully evacuated eight staff members from the burning structure before recovering the victims’ remains. Drone surveillance footage captured massive plumes of dark smoke engulfing the industrial area, illustrating the severity of the incident.

    Witnesses reported hearing a substantial explosion preceding the rapid spread of the fire, though official investigators have not yet determined the exact ignition source. The Greek fire service deployed substantial resources to combat the flames, including 40 specialized firefighters and 13 emergency vehicles.

    Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis provided preliminary medical assessments, indicating six factory employees and one firefighter required hospitalization. All were reported in stable condition, primarily undergoing treatment for smoke inhalation and related respiratory complications. The minister emphasized that despite the traumatic event, the injured were expected to make full recoveries.

    The Violanta factory, known for biscuit production, sustained significant structural damage as firefighting teams worked to fully extinguish remaining hot spots. An official investigation has been launched to examine safety protocols and determine liability for one of Greece’s most serious industrial accidents in recent years.

  • How a purge of China’s military leadership could impact the army and the future of Taiwan

    How a purge of China’s military leadership could impact the army and the future of Taiwan

    BEIJING — In an unprecedented restructuring of China’s military leadership, President Xi Jinping has initiated one of the most significant purges in the history of the People’s Liberation Army. The Chinese Defense Ministry confirmed over the weekend that authorities are investigating two senior generals for suspected serious violations of discipline and law, effectively dismantling the leadership structure of the nation’s top military body.

    The investigation targets General Zhang Youxia, the senior vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and General Liu Zhenli, who previously oversaw the military’s Joint Staff Department. This dramatic development leaves only one of the six positions on the powerful commission filled, with President Xi maintaining his role as chairman.

    Analysts characterize this move as part of President Xi’s broader anti-corruption campaign that has disciplined over 200,000 officials since he assumed power in 2012. The military purge represents a strategic effort to reform the armed forces and ensure absolute loyalty to China’s leadership. This follows the October expulsion of another vice chair, He Weidong, who was subsequently replaced by Zhang Shengmin—now the sole remaining commission member besides Xi.

    The specific allegations against the generals remain undisclosed, though official statements emphasize China’s commitment to rooting out corruption. An editorial in the People’s Liberation Army Daily described the investigations as demonstrating the nation’s determination to maintain military discipline, though it provided no concrete details about the nature of the violations.

    International experts suggest these developments could have significant implications for China’s strategic posture, particularly regarding Taiwan. While some analysts believe the leadership turmoil might temporarily weaken China’s military readiness, others argue that long-term benefits could include a more loyal and capable command structure. The timing of these changes raises questions about potential impacts on cross-strait relations, especially given recent increased military exercises around Taiwan.

    The future composition of the Central Military Commission remains uncertain, with five positions now vacant. It is unclear whether replacements will be appointed immediately or whether President Xi will wait until the 2027 Communist Party Congress when new Central Committee appointments typically occur.