Global Pulse

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  • US to pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance concerns

    US to pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance concerns

    The United States State Department has announced a significant suspension of immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, citing concerns over immigrants becoming dependent on public assistance programs. The policy shift, announced on Wednesday, will take effect January 21 and affects nations including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea.

    Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated the pause will remain while the department reassesses immigration procedures to prevent the admission of foreign nationals likely to require welfare and public benefits. In U.S. immigration terminology, a “public charge” refers to individuals deemed likely to rely on government assistance for basic necessities.

    The decision follows the Trump administration’s recent expansion of travel restrictions, which now encompass 39 countries facing complete or partial entry bans. This visa processing suspension represents the latest in a series of immigration policy changes under the current administration, which has revoked over 100,000 visas since President Trump took office nearly one year ago.

    The full list of affected countries has not been publicly released, raising questions about the criteria used for selection. The move aligns with President Trump’s previously stated intention to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries,” which he expressed on his Truth Social platform following a shooting incident in the U.S. capital involving an Afghan national that resulted in the death of a National Guard member.

  • BHP and mining giants power ASX 200 gains as tech stocks falter

    BHP and mining giants power ASX 200 gains as tech stocks falter

    Defying a weak overnight session on Wall Street, the Australian sharemarket has notched its fourth consecutive day of gains, propelled primarily by a resurgent mining sector. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 advanced decisively, adding 41.10 points, or 0.47 per cent, to close at 8,861.70. The broader All Ordinaries index also climbed, rising 32.40 points, or 0.35 per cent, to settle at 9,184.20. In currency markets, the Australian dollar experienced a slight retreat, trading at 66.76 US cents. The trading session presented a mixed picture overall, with six of the eleven sectors finishing in positive territory. The materials sector emerged as the unequivocal leader, posting a robust gain of 1.09 per cent. The healthcare sector also contributed significantly to the market’s upward momentum. Mining behemoth BHP Group Ltd. was a standout performer, its shares surging 2.60 per cent to $49.37, edging it closer to overtaking Commonwealth Bank as the nation’s largest listed entity. Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group also closed higher, gaining 0.37 per cent and 0.44 per cent, respectively. BlueScope Steel witnessed a spectacular leap of 4.17 per cent to $31.00, fueled by ongoing takeover speculation. Simultaneously, South32 shares hit a two-year peak of $4.14, buoyed by skyrocketing copper prices. Market analyst Tony Sycamore from IG noted that the resilience of commodity stocks successfully insulated the local bourse from international weakness. ‘The resilience is largely thanks to the resurgent ASX200 Materials sector, which delivered its third successive fresh record high this week,’ Sycamore stated, highlighting an impressive 8.45 per cent month-to-date gain for the sector. Healthcare heavyweight CSL Ltd. jumped 1.03 per cent, while ResMed climbed 2.42 per cent. The energy sector managed to trade in the green despite a 5 per cent slump in oil prices due to eased geopolitical tensions concerning Iran. All four major banks reversed early losses to finish higher, with ANZ leading the charge with a 2.58 per cent gain. However, the information technology sector faced substantial headwinds, mirroring a sell-off on the tech-heavy Nasdaq. Life360, Xero, and Megaport all fell sharply, dropping between 3.95 and 5.12 per cent. In individual company news, Treasury Wine Estates shares slumped 4.85 per cent following a broker downgrade from Citi. Conversely, respiratory imaging firm 4DMedical soared 5.59 per cent after securing a $150 million institutional placement.

  • Palestine Action-linked prisoners end hunger strike

    Palestine Action-linked prisoners end hunger strike

    In a significant development for activist movements and UK-Israel defense relations, three prisoners affiliated with Palestine Action have terminated their prolonged hunger strike following the British government’s decision to withhold a multi-billion-pound contract from Elbit Systems UK, the British subsidiary of the Israeli arms manufacturer. The cessation marks the conclusion of the longest hunger strike in British penal history.

    Heba Muraisi and Kamran Ahmed, who had abstained from both food and water for over sixty days, alongside Lewie Chiaramello—who managed his Type 1 Diabetes while engaging in an alternating-day hunger strike for 46 days—agreed to end their protest late Wednesday. This decision coincided with urgent medical warnings that the strikers were nearing fatal organ failure.

    Simultaneously, four additional protesters—Teuta Hoxha, Jon Cink, Qesser Zuhrah, and Amu Gib—who had previously suspended their strikes in late 2023, formally agreed not to resume their action. The collective resolution brings a close to a highly publicized campaign that highlighted intersections of activism, incarceration, and international arms trading.

    The advocacy group Prisoners for Palestine condemned the ongoing detention of these individuals, labeling it a permanent stain on Britain’s democratic credentials. The organization asserted that Britain is effectively holding political prisoners in service of a foreign regime engaged in genocide, a statement that underscores the deeply polarized perspectives on the Gaza conflict.

    Family members expressed both relief and unresolved anger. Audrey Corno, a relative of Teuta Hoxha, described the ordeal as a ‘painfully traumatic experience’ for loved ones, noting that while victory is declared, critical refeeding processes and long-term health impacts for Muraisi and Ahmed remain a serious concern.

    Nida Gib, related to protester Amu Gib, sharply criticized the Labour government’s silence throughout the crisis, accusing ministers of attempting to isolate dissidents who challenge Britain’s complicity in overseas conflicts. She highlighted the harsh treatment prisoners endured, including being handcuffed to hospital beds during refeeding, and vowed that the movement built around this case would continue to demand accountability and expose perceived injustices.

  • Horrific footage captures moment Melbourne truck driver bashed outside Clyde North home while family sleeps

    Horrific footage captures moment Melbourne truck driver bashed outside Clyde North home while family sleeps

    A disturbing violent incident unfolded in Melbourne’s southeastern suburb of Clyde North early Thursday morning, leaving a local truck driver with significant injuries. At approximately 5:30 a.m., a 42-year-old man was preparing to depart for work from his Brumich Way residence when two unidentified assailants launched a surprise attack.

    Closed-circuit television footage obtained by authorities depicts the harrowing sequence of events. The visual evidence allegedly shows one individual striking the victim in the head with sufficient force to propel him backward onto the roadway. A second assailant then joined the assault, with both men proceeding to punch and kick the defenseless victim while he lay incapacitated on the ground.

    Despite sustaining a fractured skull and broken nose in the brutal beating, the victim demonstrated remarkable resilience by managing to return to his household where family members remained asleep during the altercation. His sister, Suman, provided a chilling account to Nine News, describing extensive blood distribution throughout the home and on the victim’s face. She characterized the assault as potentially lethal in intent, stating the attackers appeared determined to ensure his demise through targeted head trauma.

    Victoria Police representatives confirmed the victim received hospital treatment for injuries classified as non-life threatening. Law enforcement officials conducted comprehensive area searches but failed to locate the perpetrators. Although the precise motivations remain undetermined, authorities have explicitly stated they are not treating this as a random act of violence. The criminal investigation continues with police urging residents possessing relevant information or additional surveillance footage to contact Crime Stoppers immediately.

  • Rift at top of the Taliban: BBC reveals clash of wills behind internet shutdown

    Rift at top of the Taliban: BBC reveals clash of wills behind internet shutdown

    A profound internal power struggle is threatening the unity of Afghanistan’s Taliban government, pitting the reclusive supreme leader against powerful cabinet ministers in a clash over the country’s future direction. The conflict, revealed through a BBC investigation based on leaked audio and over 100 interviews with Taliban insiders, exposes two competing visions for the nation.

    At the center stands Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who rules from Kandahar with absolute religious authority. Surrounding himself with hardline ideologues, he advocates for a strictly isolated Islamic Emirate severed from modern global systems. His faction has implemented sweeping bans on girls’ education beyond primary school and women’s employment, enforcing rigid religious interpretations across Afghan society.

    Opposing this vision stands the so-called ‘Kabul group’—influential ministers including Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob, and political leader Abdul Ghani Baradar. While still conservative Islamists, these figures advocate for international engagement, economic development, and limited modernization. They particularly disagree with Akhundzada’s education bans and isolationist policies.

    The tension reached its climax in September 2025 when Akhundzada ordered a nationwide internet blackout, citing anti-Islamic content concerns. In an unprecedented act of defiance, Kabul-based ministers collectively pressured Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund to restore connectivity just three days later—an act described by insiders as ‘nothing short of rebellion.’

    This direct challenge to Akhundzada’s authority marked a seismic shift in Taliban dynamics. While the movement has historically valued obedience to leadership, the pragmatic ministers recognized that governing a modern state requires internet access for both administration and commerce.

    The power struggle reflects deeper ideological divisions. Akhundzada, a former Sharia court judge, believes himself accountable only to God and has consolidated power by moving key government functions to Kandahar. Meanwhile, the Kabul faction—many of whom negotiated with the United States and have international experience—seeks a governance model resembling Gulf states while maintaining Islamic principles.

    Despite the confrontation, open rupture remains unlikely. Both factions recognize that visible division could threaten their hold on power. As 2026 begins, the question remains whether these internal tensions will translate into meaningful policy changes for the Afghan people, particularly regarding women’s rights and international relations.

  • Voting begins in Uganda’s presidential election during internet shutdown and polling station delays

    Voting begins in Uganda’s presidential election during internet shutdown and polling station delays

    Uganda commenced presidential voting operations on Thursday under unprecedented digital censorship, as nationwide internet blackouts cast shadows over electoral integrity in East Africa’s longstanding political landscape. Despite scheduled 7 a.m. openings, numerous polling stations witnessed significant delays with electoral materials arriving tardily, prompting substantial voter queues across multiple districts.

    The electoral contest features 81-year-old incumbent Yoweri Museveni, seeking to extend his 35-year presidency against seven challengers. Most notably, opposition momentum centers around Robert Kyagulanyi—the charismatic musician-politician popularly known as Bobi Wine—who has mobilized youth-led movements demanding systemic political transformation.

    With approximately 45 million citizens and 21.6 million registered voters, Uganda’s electoral process unfolds amid international scrutiny regarding digital freedom and transparent governance. The government-enforced internet suspension, criticized by digital rights advocates as fundamentally anti-democratic, severely restricts independent monitoring capabilities and real-time information dissemination.

    Electoral officials acknowledge logistical challenges while maintaining that voting procedures will adhere to constitutional standards. However, the communications blackout raises profound concerns about transparency mechanisms in a nation where the same leadership has governed since 1986.

  • Two dead after another construction crane collapses in Thailand

    Two dead after another construction crane collapses in Thailand

    A deadly construction crane collapse has struck Thailand for the second consecutive day, killing two people on a highway in Samut Sakhon, a suburban area of Bangkok. The catastrophic incident occurred Thursday as the crane, operated by Italian-Thai Development PLC, was being used for expressway construction before crashing onto the roadway below.

    Dramatic footage captured the moment the massive structure gave way, crushing vehicles beneath its weight and blanketing the area in thick dust and debris. This tragedy follows Wednesday’s equally devastating accident in Nakhon Ratchasima province, where a crane collapsed onto a moving train, resulting in 32 fatalities and over 60 injuries.

    Both construction projects were managed by Italian-Thai Development, one of Thailand’s largest construction firms currently facing intense scrutiny. The company has a troubling safety record, including responsibility for a Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed during an earthquake in March when no other structures in the city were damaged.

    The latest collapse occurred on a route notoriously nicknamed ‘Death Road’ by local media due to its history of fatal accidents. According to AFP reports, approximately 150 people have lost their lives in numerous accidents over the past seven years on this road improvement project connecting Bangkok to southern regions.

    The repeated tragedies have exposed critical weaknesses in Thailand’s construction safety enforcement. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to address construction negligence following Wednesday’s incident, while the State Railway of Thailand has initiated legal action against Italian-Thai Development for the train catastrophe.

  • ICE agent shoots Minneapolis man in the leg

    ICE agent shoots Minneapolis man in the leg

    Minneapolis has become the epicenter of escalating tensions between federal immigration authorities and local officials following a second shooting incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers within a week. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), federal officers pursued a Venezuelan national residing illegally in the United States, culminating in a vehicle chase and subsequent altercation. During the confrontation, the suspect exited his vehicle and engaged with an ICE officer, prompting two additional individuals to emerge from a nearby apartment building and allegedly assault the officer. In what the DHS describes as a “defensive” measure against being “ambushed,” the officer discharged his firearm, striking the primary suspect in the leg. All three individuals are currently in custody, with both the suspect and officer receiving hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

    The incident has ignited fierce condemnation from Minneapolis leadership. City officials issued a statement on social media platform X demanding the immediate withdrawal of ICE from both the city and the state of Minnesota, acknowledging public anger while urging calm. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey sharply criticized federal officers, accusing them of “creating chaos” across Minnesota. This sentiment was echoed by Governor Tim Walz, who, in a social media address shortly before news of this latest shooting broke, passionately urged former President Trump to terminate what he termed the ICE “occupation” of the state.

    This event marks the second such confrontation in a week, coming on the heels of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. Federal authorities claimed Good attempted to run over agents with her vehicle, though Mayor Frey contested this, stating the agent had acted recklessly. Video evidence from that prior incident depicts agents approaching a stationary vehicle in the street before firing shots as it attempts to drive away. Both shootings are under investigation by the FBI.

    The political fallout has been immediate and severe. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche blamed state leadership directly, calling the situation a “Minnesota insurrection” and a direct result of a “FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement.” Meanwhile, protesters have gathered at the scene of the latest shooting, condemning ICE’s intensified operations. The agency has deployed approximately 3,000 officers to Minnesota in recent weeks, significantly heightening local tensions and fueling a deepening rift between state and federal authorities.

  • US, Denmark, Greenland to set up work group as ’fundamental disagreement’ persists

    US, Denmark, Greenland to set up work group as ’fundamental disagreement’ persists

    In a significant diplomatic development, the United States, Denmark, and Greenland have agreed to establish a high-level working group to address escalating tensions over the future status of the world’s largest island. The agreement came following a high-stakes meeting at the White House on January 14, 2026, involving US Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt.

    Despite characterizing the discussions as “frank but constructive,” Minister Rasmussen acknowledged that “fundamental disagreements” persist between the nations. The core dispute centers on US President Donald Trump’s persistent ambition to acquire Greenland, which he has deemed essential for national security and the controversial Golden Dome project—a stance that directly conflicts with Danish and Greenlandic sovereignty positions.

    The newly established working group will explore potential compromise areas while respecting what Rasmussen described as “red lines”—specifically the territorial integrity of the Danish Kingdom and Greenland’s right to self-determination. The minister emphasized that any proposals violating these principles would be “totally unacceptable,” reflecting the firm stance maintained by both Danish and Greenlandic leadership.

    The tension reached new heights earlier this week when Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen presented a united front in Copenhagen, denouncing what they characterized as “completely unacceptable pressure” from their traditional ally. Nielsen unequivocally stated that if forced to choose between the US and Denmark, Greenland would maintain its current constitutional relationship.

    This geopolitical standoff represents the latest chapter in Trump’s longstanding interest in acquiring Greenland, which dates back to his first presidential term. Despite repeated assertions from both Nuuk and Copenhagen that the island is not for sale, the White House recently declined to rule out the use of force, further complicating diplomatic relations between the NATO allies.

    Greenland, while enjoying self-governance in domestic affairs, remains under Danish sovereignty for defense and foreign policy matters. The United States maintains a strategic military presence at Thule Air Base, adding complex security dimensions to the ongoing negotiations that will commence within weeks.

  • Labubu toy manufacturer exploited workers, labour group claims

    Labubu toy manufacturer exploited workers, labour group claims

    A U.S.-based labor rights organization has raised serious allegations regarding working conditions at a Chinese manufacturing facility responsible for producing the globally popular Labubu dolls. China Labor Watch (CLW), a non-governmental organization, claims its investigation revealed concerning labor practices at Shunjia Toys Co Ltd, a Guangdong-based supplier for toy retailer Pop Mart.

    According to CLW’s report, researchers conducted 51 in-person interviews with factory employees, uncovering multiple labor violations. The investigation allegedly found evidence of excessive overtime shifts, problematic contract practices including blank or incomplete agreements, and denial of paid leave entitlements. While no child labor was identified, the report notes the factory employed 16-year-old workers without providing the special protections required under Chinese law for minor employees.

    The factory in Xinfeng County, described as a core manufacturing facility employing over 4,500 workers, also allegedly lacked adequate safety training and protections for workers. CLW emphasized that as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the factory operates under pricing and production schedules set by client companies, making brands directly responsible for conditions in their supply chains.

    Pop Mart, the Beijing-based toy company behind the wildly successful Labubu blind box toys, responded to the allegations by stating it is investigating the claims. The company acknowledged receiving the report details and committed to ‘firmly’ requiring corrective actions from suppliers if violations are confirmed. Pop Mart highlighted its existing audit processes, including annual independent third-party reviews conducted by internationally recognized inspectors.

    The Labubu phenomenon has generated global excitement with celebrity endorsements from Kim Kardashian and Blackpink’s Lisa contributing to its massive popularity. The current allegations present a significant challenge to the company’s ethical manufacturing claims as it continues its international expansion.