Global Pulse

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  • Germany returns stolen fragments of Bayeux Tapestry to France

    Germany returns stolen fragments of Bayeux Tapestry to France

    In a significant act of historical restitution, Germany has formally repatriated two small fragments of the renowned Bayeux Tapestry to France. The pieces of unembroidered linen fabric, each measuring just a few centimeters, were stolen during the Nazi occupation of France in 1941.

    The fragments were discovered unexpectedly in 2023 by historians conducting an inventory at the state archives in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany. They were found among the collection of the late German textile specialist Karl Schlabow, preserved on a glass plate with identifying documentation. Schlabow, who died in 1984, had been sent to Bayeux as part of a Nazi SS research team studying Germany’s so-called ‘ancestral heritage’—a project steeped in racist and antisemitic ideology.

    Rainer Hering, head of the Schleswig-Holstein archive, presented the fragments to the mayor of Bayeux on Thursday, stating it was ‘obvious’ that these culturally significant artifacts, taken by the Nazis 85 years earlier, must be returned to France. The fragments are believed to have been removed from the underside of the tapestry.

    The Bayeux Tapestry itself is a massive 70-meter (230-foot) embroidery that vividly depicts the Norman conquest of England in 1066, including William the Conqueror’s seizure of the English throne from Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. The work features 58 scenes spanning two decades of history, with 626 characters and 202 horses.

    This restitution comes as the complete tapestry prepares for a controversial loan to the British Museum in London scheduled for September. The move has faced substantial opposition, with over 77,000 people signing a petition citing the artwork’s fragility. Prominent UK artist David Hockney has called the transportation plan ‘madness,’ asserting that ‘some things are too precious to take a risk with.’

    In response, the British Museum has vowed to implement stringent protective measures, backed by an unprecedented £800 million insurance policy from the UK government. Recognized for its immense historical value to both British and French heritage, the Bayeux Tapestry was inscribed on UNESCO’s ‘Memory of the World’ register in 2007.

  • Xi receives credentials of new ambassadors to China

    Xi receives credentials of new ambassadors to China

    China Daily Information Co (CDIC) has issued a formal copyright notice asserting exclusive ownership of all content published across its digital platforms. The comprehensive declaration covers textual materials, photographic content, multimedia information, and all other published elements appearing on the company’s website.

    The notice explicitly prohibits republication or utilization of any protected content without obtaining prior written authorization from CDIC. This legal safeguard extends to all forms of content usage, establishing clear boundaries against unauthorized distribution or commercial exploitation of the company’s intellectual property.

    Additionally, the publication provides technical recommendations for optimal user experience, suggesting browsers with 1024*768 resolution or higher for proper site functionality. The notice concludes with reference to the organization’s multimedia publishing license (0108263) and registration number (130349), further establishing its legitimate operational status.

    The footer section includes navigational links to organizational information pages, advertising opportunities, contact channels, and employment sections specifically catering to expatriate professionals. The company also encourages audience engagement through social media platforms with its ‘FOLLOW US’ prompt, indicating a balanced approach between content protection and community building.

  • Russian court considers central bank’s $232B lawsuit against Euroclear over seized assets

    Russian court considers central bank’s $232B lawsuit against Euroclear over seized assets

    MOSCOW – In a significant escalation of financial tensions, Moscow’s Arbitration Court commenced proceedings on Friday in a landmark lawsuit filed by Russia’s Central Bank against Brussels-based clearinghouse Euroclear. The legal action demands compensation totaling 18.2 trillion rubles ($232 billion) for damages allegedly incurred when Russia lost control over its frozen funds and securities held by the financial institution.

    The litigation unfolds against the backdrop of sweeping EU sanctions that immobilized approximately 210 billion euros ($244 billion) in Russian state assets following Moscow’s military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022. Euroclear, a key financial intermediary, holds the substantial majority of these frozen assets—approximately 193 billion euros.

    Notably, the Russian legal challenge proceeds despite recent developments in EU policy. Last month, the European bloc abandoned its initial proposal to directly utilize frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian assistance after failing to secure Belgian assurances regarding protection from Russian countermeasures. Instead, the EU opted for an alternative financing mechanism: borrowing 90 billion euros on capital markets to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan addressing its military and economic requirements for the coming two years.

    The Russian Central Bank has consistently condemned any potential use of its immobilized assets as fundamentally “illegal and contrary to international law,” maintaining that such actions violate established principles of sovereign immunity protecting state assets from foreign seizure or manipulation. The court proceedings are being conducted behind closed doors, reflecting the sensitive nature of this unprecedented financial dispute.

  • Michigan Trump supporters on his biggest successes and failures

    Michigan Trump supporters on his biggest successes and failures

    In the politically pivotal state of Michigan, a detailed examination of Donald Trump’s presidential tenure reveals complex perspectives among his steadfast supporters. Interviews conducted across Macomb County—a historically significant suburban region north of Detroit renowned for its electoral influence—provide nuanced insights into the perceived accomplishments and disappointments of the Trump administration.

    Voters who maintained their allegiance to the 45th president highlighted several key policy achievements. The rapid development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines through Operation Warp Speed received particular praise, alongside substantial tax reforms and the renegotiation of international trade agreements. Many supporters cited the reconfiguration of the North American Free Trade Agreement into the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement as a significant economic victory for Michigan’s automotive and manufacturing sectors.

    However, these interviews also revealed substantive criticisms from within Trump’s base. Several supporters expressed disappointment with the administration’s inability to comprehensively address healthcare reform, particularly the promised repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. The handling of the COVID-19 pandemic’s early stages and the subsequent economic repercussions drew mixed reviews, with some supporters believing alternative approaches might have yielded better outcomes.

    The political polarization that characterized Trump’s presidency emerged as both a praised attribute and a point of contention. While supporters appreciated his confrontational approach toward established political institutions, some acknowledged that this strategy potentially limited legislative achievements and broader consensus building.

    These reflections from Michigan voters carry significant implications for future electoral strategies. As a bellwether state that narrowly tipped the 2016 election and swung Democratic in 2020, understanding the complex perspectives of Trump’s base provides crucial insights into the evolving political landscape of America’s industrial heartland.

  • More than 100 dead in torrential rain and floods across southern Africa

    More than 100 dead in torrential rain and floods across southern Africa

    Southern Africa is confronting a severe humanitarian crisis as relentless torrential rains have triggered catastrophic flooding across multiple nations, resulting in a confirmed death toll exceeding 100 individuals. The disaster has inflicted widespread devastation in South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, with authorities issuing urgent warnings of impending severe weather conditions.

    In South Africa, the calamity has claimed at least 19 lives, primarily in the northern Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. President Cyril Ramaphosa, during a visit to the stricken Limpopo region, described scenes of utter destruction, noting one district where 36 houses were completely erased from the landscape. The South African Weather Service has escalated alerts to a red-level 10 warning, anticipating further life-threatening downpours and potential infrastructure collapse.

    The renowned Kruger National Park, spanning approximately 22,000 square kilometers, has been severely compromised. Park authorities have executed helicopter evacuations, rescuing approximately 600 tourists and staff members from flooded camps to higher ground. While the park reported no casualties, extensive damage to roads, bridges, and facilities has forced its complete closure to visitors.

    Neighboring Mozambique faces the most severe impact, with its Disaster Management Institute reporting 103 fatalities from various rain-related incidents including electrocution, drowning, structural collapses, and a cholera outbreak. The World Food Program estimates over 200,000 people have been affected in central and southern regions, with tens of thousands of homes damaged and widespread evacuations underway.

    Zimbabwe’s disaster agency confirmed 70 deaths and the destruction of more than 1,000 homes, alongside critical damage to educational institutions and transportation networks. The crisis has extended to Madagascar, Malawi, and Zambia, where additional fatalities have been reported.

    Meteorologists attribute the extreme weather pattern to the La Niña phenomenon, which historically delivers intensified rainfall to southeastern Africa. The U.S. Famine Early Warning System has noted flooding occurrences or expectations across at least seven nations in the region.

    The compounding disasters have exacerbated existing vulnerabilities. The World Food Program highlighted that over 70,000 hectares of crops in Mozambique have been waterlogged, severely impacting rice and corn production and deepening food insecurity for thousands of subsistence farmers. This event continues a troubling pattern of extreme weather in southern Africa, including recent cyclones and droughts that have strained the region’s resilience and food security.

  • Trump accepts Nobel medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Machado

    Trump accepts Nobel medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Machado

    In a remarkable political gesture at the White House on Thursday, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during their first face-to-face meeting. The symbolic exchange occurred as Machado seeks to influence Washington’s approach to Venezuela’s political future following the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro.

    Trump enthusiastically accepted the gold medal, despite the Norwegian Nobel Institute’s clear stipulation that Nobel prizes cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked. The president subsequently celebrated the gesture on social media, describing it as ‘a wonderful gesture of mutual respect’ acknowledging his work toward Venezuelan freedom.

    The meeting, which lasted approximately one hour, represented Machado’s diplomatic effort to position herself within Venezuela’s political landscape after Trump previously dismissed the possibility of installing her as the country’s leader. Machado, who escaped Venezuela by sea in December, characterized their discussion as ‘excellent’ and framed the medal presentation as recognition of Trump’s commitment to Venezuelan liberation.

    While the White House confirmed Trump’s intention to retain the physical medal, the honor remains exclusively Machado’s achievement. The event highlighted Trump’s longstanding interest in the Nobel Peace Prize, having openly campaigned for the recognition before Machado received it last month.

    Following the White House visit, Machado engaged with bipartisan U.S. senators on Capitol Hill, where she reportedly found more enthusiastic support than from the administration. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut expressed skepticism about Venezuela’s democratic transition despite meeting with Machado, noting that repression continues unchanged under interim President Delcy Rodriguez.

    The diplomatic developments occur against the backdrop of competing influences on U.S. policy, with both Venezuelan government representatives and opposition figures vying for Washington’s support. Trump has repeatedly praised Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy who assumed leadership after his capture, describing her as ‘very good to deal with’ and emphasizing American interests in Venezuelan oil access and economic reconstruction.

    Rodriguez, in her annual legislative address, called for diplomatic engagement with the U.S. and proposed oil industry reforms to attract foreign investment, signaling potential avenues for cooperation despite ongoing political tensions.

  • Ukraine’s battered power grid faces unprecedented challenge, energy minister says

    Ukraine’s battered power grid faces unprecedented challenge, energy minister says

    KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has sustained devastating damage from systematic Russian attacks, with not a single power plant remaining unscathed since the full-scale invasion began, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal revealed Friday. The intensification of aerial bombardments during extreme winter conditions has plunged hundreds of thousands into darkness and cold amid temperatures dropping to -18°C (-0.4°F).

    Addressing Parliament, Shmyhal characterized the situation as historically unprecedented, detailing that Russian forces executed 612 targeted strikes against energy facilities throughout the past year. This strategic targeting of critical infrastructure represents what Ukrainian officials describe as Moscow’s deliberate ‘weaponization of winter’ to break national resistance.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy concurrently highlighted the critical challenges in securing air defense missiles, disclosing that some systems had been completely depleted until a fresh shipment arrived Friday morning. The acquisition process remains fraught with diplomatic complexities due to allied nations’ stockpile limitations and legal restrictions.

    ‘Amid warfare, what significance do these regulations hold when we desperately require these missiles?’ Zelenskyy questioned during a Kyiv news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel.

    The humanitarian impact has reached crisis proportions. Jaime Wah of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies described this as ‘the hardest winter since the conflict’s escalation,’ with millions enduring extreme cold without heating or electricity atop years of violence and economic hardship.

    Emergency measures now include relaxed curfews to facilitate access to public heating centers, while businesses face requests to extinguish decorative lighting to conserve scarce power. ‘Prioritize providing energy to the people—this constitutes today’s utmost importance,’ Shmyhal urged.

    Diplomatic movements coincide with the crisis, as a Ukrainian delegation travels to Washington to finalize security guarantees and economic recovery documents. Potential signing could occur at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, where U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear.

    International support continues with Britain announcing an additional £20 million ($27 million) for energy infrastructure repairs during Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy’s Kyiv visit marking the UK-Ukraine ‘100-year partnership’ anniversary.

    Despite Russia’s military superiority, the conflict remains stalemated along the 1,000-kilometer front line, with Moscow controlling under 20% of Ukrainian territory since 2014.

  • US would need more firepower to launch large-scale strike against Iran: media

    US would need more firepower to launch large-scale strike against Iran: media

    Senior military advisers have reportedly informed President Donald Trump that the United States lacks sufficient military assets in the Middle East to execute a comprehensive offensive against Iran, according to exclusive reporting from The Wall Street Journal. The assessment, delivered to the White House this week, indicates that significant additional firepower would be required to protect American personnel and regional allies, particularly Israel, from potential Iranian retaliation.

    The strategic briefing highlighted the complex calculations facing the administration. Military experts and Middle Eastern partners warned that an extensive bombing campaign would likely fail to destabilize the Iranian government while potentially triggering broader regional conflict. Conversely, limited tactical strikes—while potentially boosting morale among Iranian protesters—would have minimal impact on the regime’s security apparatus and its harsh response to domestic unrest.

    Despite these warnings, officials confirmed that President Trump has directed military planners to position resources for potential large-scale operations, though no final decision has been made. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt maintained that “all options remain on the table” during Thursday’s press briefing.

    The administration faces mounting diplomatic pressure to exercise restraint. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly urged President Trump during a Wednesday conversation to postpone any military action against Iran. Regional allies including Türkiye, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have similarly counseled against military escalation.

    Diplomatic channels reveal heightened tensions, with Iranian officials allegedly warning governments across the region through intermediaries that any American attack would prompt retaliatory strikes against U.S. bases. The warnings were reportedly delivered to officials in Türkiye, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.

    The current crisis stems from widespread protests that began in Iranian cities in late December. What originated as peaceful demonstrations has evolved into violent confrontations resulting in casualties and significant damage to public infrastructure, including mosques, government buildings, and financial institutions. Iranian authorities have consistently blamed the United States and Israel for instigating the unrest.

  • KT must-reads: A dog rescue, planned Indian flight disruptions, and a horrific tragedy

    KT must-reads: A dog rescue, planned Indian flight disruptions, and a horrific tragedy

    In a reflective editorial piece, Khaleej Times Chief Content Officer Ted Kemp outlined the complex ethical landscape modern news organizations navigate, using three recent stories from the UAE as illustrative examples.

    The publication recently covered a heartwarming animal rescue operation after Pakistani expat Muhammad Zohaib spotted a stranded husky from his 50th-floor Sharjah residence. This initiated a coordinated effort involving digital journalist Laraib Anwer, animal rescuers, and dragon boat racers who successfully saved the dog named Meli from an uninhabited island and reunited it with its owners.

    Conversely, the newspaper reported on practical concerns affecting the UAE’s substantial Indian community. Indira Gandhi International Airport will implement enhanced security measures for Republic Day celebrations later this month, resulting in 2.5-hour daily flight disruptions throughout much of January. This coverage demonstrates the newspaper’s commitment to serving the informational needs of the UAE’s diverse expatriate populations.

    Most significantly, the editorial addressed the publication’s ethical stance regarding a tragic automobile accident in Abu Dhabi that claimed the lives of four siblings. While some media outlets and social media platforms circulated images of the minor victims, Khaleej Times maintained a firm policy against publishing photos of minors without familial consent, honoring the grieving family’s specific request despite the story’s widespread circulation elsewhere.

    This comprehensive approach reflects the newspaper’s operational philosophy: celebrating positive developments, providing practical information to communities, and maintaining ethical boundaries even when competitors choose different paths.

  • Australian Open 2026: Nick Kyrgios says Alex de Minaur has ‘all the tools’ to win slams

    Australian Open 2026: Nick Kyrgios says Alex de Minaur has ‘all the tools’ to win slams

    Australian tennis icon Nick Kyrgios has publicly endorsed compatriot Alex de Minaur as a future Grand Slam champion, though he acknowledges the world No. 6 faces a formidable path through the Australian Open draw. Kyrgios, who is skipping singles competition to focus on doubles with partner Thanasi Kokkinakis, made these observations following his participation in Red Bull’s ‘Bass Line’ exhibition event on Friday.

    De Minaur’s championship aspirations face immediate challenges, beginning with a first-round matchup against former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. The draw potentially sets up a subsequent encounter with Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, creating what Kyrgios described as a ‘brutal’ competitive landscape.

    Kyrgios expressed particular concern about Berrettini’s current physical condition, noting the Italian’s limited participation in recent exhibition matches. ‘Depending on what Berrettini’s physicality is like at the moment, he couldn’t even compete tonight,’ Kyrgios observed.

    Despite the daunting draw, Kyrgios maintains confidence in de Minaur’s capabilities. ‘He’s one of the best players in the world and he’s flying that Aussie flag from the front,’ Kyrgios stated. ‘I think he’s going to be fine.’

    The analysis acknowledges that de Minaur maintains a perfect record against lower-ranked opponents at his home Grand Slam. However, Kyrgios realistically assessed that a deep tournament run might require early exits from either Alcaraz or current form player Jannik Sinner.

    ‘Beating them both is unlikely but beating one is possible I think,’ Kyrgios commented. ‘The stars need to align for any tournament, luck plays a big part, we play a sport that’s fine margins.’

    Kyrgios concluded with strong national pride, emphasizing that de Minaur’s success would represent a significant achievement for Australian tennis, while acknowledging the narrow margins that often determine outcomes in elite tennis competition.