Global Pulse

分类： world

  • UN faces turbulent year amid conflicts and calls for reform

    UN faces turbulent year amid conflicts and calls for reform

    The United Nations headquarters in New York witnessed a year of profound turbulence as the organization grappled with escalating global conflicts, deepening humanitarian emergencies, and intensifying geopolitical fractures. The multilateral system faced unprecedented strain throughout 2025, testing the institution’s capacity to maintain international peace and security.

    The Palestinian situation emerged as a dominant concern, culminating in the 80th UN General Assembly’s adoption of the ‘New York Declaration’ on September 12. This resolution, crafted through Franco-Saudi collaboration and supported by 142 nations, demanded an immediate ceasefire, prisoner releases, and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. This diplomatic achievement coincided with a wave of recognitions, with the UK, Canada, Australia, and numerous other states formally acknowledging Palestinian statehood. By late September, an overwhelming 157 of 193 member states had extended recognition.

    November marked a significant breakthrough when the Security Council finally endorsed a US-proposed Gaza ceasefire plan after two years of deadlock. The resolution authorized an International Stabilization Force to support reconstruction efforts, representing a notable shift from previous American vetoes that had blocked similar measures. China’s UN ambassador Fu Cong emphasized the urgency, stating: ‘Gaza already faces famine with rapidly spreading disease. As a permanent member, the US must support the council’s duties rather than undermine UN authority.’

    The organization simultaneously confronted internal challenges, including a deepening liquidity crisis exacerbated by reduced contributions from the United States and other Western donors. President Donald Trump’s extended General Assembly speech criticized the UN’s operational framework, accusing the organization of funding migratory assaults on Western nations.

    Structural reform gained momentum with the December launch of the Group of Friends of Global Governance, comprising 43 founding members. China championed reforms that would enhance developing nations’ representation and reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Ambassador Fu articulated this vision: ‘We must uphold the UN Charter’s principles, advance international relations democratization, and strengthen developing countries’ voice in global affairs.’

    The reform debate intensified when China opposed Japan’s Security Council aspirations, with Fu declaring Japan ‘totally unqualified’ following Prime Minister Takaichi’s comments regarding a potential ‘Taiwan contingency.’ China subsequently submitted formal objections to the Secretary-General reaffirming Taiwan as China’s internal affair.

    As the year concluded amidst ongoing conflicts, Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a poignant New Year’s message urging global leaders to ‘choose people and planet over pain,’ acknowledging that ‘chaos and uncertainty surround us’ as the world stands at a critical crossroads.

  • US military says five killed in latest strike on alleged drug boats

    US military says five killed in latest strike on alleged drug boats

    The US Southern Command has confirmed a new series of lethal maritime engagements as part of its intensified counter-narcotics operations. On Wednesday, US forces conducted strikes on two vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of five individuals aboard. This action follows another targeted operation just one day prior, where US military assets engaged what they described as a three-vessel narco-trafficking convoy, killing at least three people.

    These recent strikes represent the latest escalation in a controversial campaign that began on September 2nd, with over thirty vessels targeted and more than 110 fatalities recorded to date. The operations extend across international waters in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific regions, areas known for narcotics smuggling routes.

    The Trump administration has framed these operations as part of a non-international armed conflict against drug traffickers. However, this characterization has drawn scrutiny from legal experts who question its compliance with international laws governing armed conflict. Particularly controversial is the emergence of ‘double-tap’ strike patterns, where targets are engaged multiple times in quick succession.

    The initial September attack has come under particular congressional scrutiny after revelations that US forces struck the same vessel twice. Two survivors who had been clinging to the hull following the first strike were killed in the second engagement, raising concerns about potential violations of rules of engagement.

    In its most recent statement regarding the December 30th convoy engagement, US Southern Command reported that several individuals abandoned their vessels before subsequent engagements sank the boats. The command stated that the US Coast Guard was immediately notified to search for survivors, with Reuters reporting an anonymous US official confirming eight individuals were being sought. The current status of these survivors remains unknown.

    The military justification for these strikes rests on intelligence claims that targeted vessels were transiting known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in illegal activities, though concrete evidence of drug cargo has not been publicly provided despite repeated insistences from Southern Command.

  • BBC reports from the scene of Swiss resort bar fire

    BBC reports from the scene of Swiss resort bar fire

    A devastating fire erupted at a popular Swiss alpine resort during New Year’s Eve festivities, resulting in what authorities fear to be dozens of fatalities. The blaze tore through a crowded bar area where revelers had gathered to welcome the new year, transforming celebrations into tragedy within moments.

    Emergency responders from multiple jurisdictions rushed to the scene amid chaotic conditions, battling both the flames and challenging winter weather. Witnesses described scenes of panic as smoke rapidly filled the establishment, with some patrons attempting to escape through windows and emergency exits.

    The resort, located in the picturesque Alps region, typically draws international visitors during the holiday season. Local authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the fire’s origins while international assistance has been offered to help identify victims and support grieving families.

    This incident represents one of Europe’s most significant fire tragedies in recent years, raising urgent questions about safety protocols in seasonal entertainment venues. The Swiss government has announced plans for a nationwide review of fire safety standards at public gathering places following the catastrophic event.

  • Concerns voiced over situation in Gaza

    Concerns voiced over situation in Gaza

    A coalition of ten nations has issued a stark warning regarding the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip. The foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom collectively expressed grave concerns about the catastrophic situation unfolding in the region.

    According to the joint statement released through the British Foreign Office, civilians in Gaza are enduring appalling living conditions exacerbated by harsh winter weather. Heavy rainfall and dropping temperatures have created additional hardships for a population already suffering from severe shortages of food and inadequate access to healthcare facilities.

    The ministerial coalition called upon the Israeli government to ensure sustained and predictable operations for international non-governmental organizations working in Gaza. They emphasized the critical need for the United Nations and its partner agencies to maintain uninterrupted aid delivery throughout the territory. Specific demands included lifting restrictions on dual-use imports and opening additional border crossings to facilitate humanitarian assistance.

    Meanwhile, the Palestinian government has urgently appealed to international organizations and UN agencies to implement immediate protective measures for Gaza residents facing successive winter storms and extreme weather conditions. Officials in Ramallah specifically requested the entry of mobile homes and emergency shelter supplies into the territory.

    In a separate development, medical charity Doctors Without Borders faces potential expulsion from Gaza for non-compliance with new Israeli registration requirements for relief agencies. The organization, which provided medical care to approximately 500,000 people during the two-year Gaza conflict, warns that deregistration would eliminate life-saving medical assistance for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

    The Israeli military agency COGAT, which coordinates aid operations, stated that the charity refused to provide employee lists to Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism. The ministry claims individuals affiliated with the organization have links to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, allegations that Doctors Without Borders vehemently denies as unsubstantiated.

    The Gaza situation reflects broader global concerns expressed by outgoing UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi, who warned that increasing geopolitical fragmentation is fueling conflicts worldwide and exacerbating hostility toward refugees. Grandi noted that the world has become ‘totally unable to make peace,’ creating dangerous repercussions for vulnerable populations fleeing violence.

  • In pictures: New Year welcomed around the world

    In pictures: New Year welcomed around the world

    As the world transitioned into 2026, nations across the globe welcomed the new year with breathtaking pyrotechnic displays and diverse cultural traditions, while some celebrations carried poignant moments of remembrance.

    The Pacific atoll of Kiritimati in Kiribati became the first inhabited place to enter the new year, with one tourist describing a uniquely isolated celebration on a beach devoid of artificial light, surrounded only by natural darkness and countless crabs.

    Major global cities orchestrated spectacular visual festivities. Sydney’s iconic harbour illuminated with its famous fireworks display over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, though celebrations were tempered by a solemn tribute to the victims of December’s Bondi Beach attack. At 11 PM local time, the harbour fell silent for a minute of reflection, with crowds holding up lights and projections of “Peace, Unity” and a Jewish menorah appearing on the bridge pylons.

    Rio de Janeiro mounted an especially ambitious pyrotechnic show attempting to surpass its own 2024 Guinness World Record, while New York’s Times Square witnessed its traditional ball drop ceremony presided over by Mayor Eric Adams before an estimated million-strong crowd.

    European capitals showcased their distinctive celebrations: London’s skies dazzled with fireworks above the London Eye and Big Ben, Edinburgh maintained its Hogmanay traditions despite weather warnings, Berlin illuminated the Brandenburg Gate, and Paris presented a light show on the Arc de Triomphe.

    Asian metropolises contributed vibrant displays, with Singapore’s Marina Bay, Manila’s skyscraper-matched pyrotechnics, Bangkok’s riverfront gatherings, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa spectacle, Hong Kong’s live performances, Beijing’s Great Wall illumination, and Seoul’s laser shows over the Lotte World Tower.

    Beyond urban fireworks, unique cultural traditions marked the transition. Southern France witnessed a traditional sea dip at a nudist beach, Copenhagen swimmers braved icy waters for the Nytaarsbad tradition, Dutch residents practiced carbide shooting with milk cans, Japanese women in kimonos performed Shinto rituals, Polish runners participated in a New Year’s race through Krakow’s Old Town, and Balinese performers conducted traditional dances to welcome the new sun.

  • Waiting for New Year: It’s still 2025 in these countries

    Waiting for New Year: It’s still 2025 in these countries

    While the United Arab Emirates spectacularly welcomed 2026 with breathtaking fireworks and drone displays, numerous nations worldwide remained immersed in the final hours of 2025 due to global time zone variations. This temporal disparity creates a fascinating, staggered celebration pattern across the planet.

    Qatar, Russia, and Turkey, all operating in the UTC+3 time zone, celebrated precisely one hour after the UAE. Qatar marked the occasion with dazzling events at Lusail Boulevard and The Pearl-Qatar. Russia, for whom New Year is the most significant holiday, commenced an extended festive period from January 1st to 8th, characterized by lavish feasts, the iconic Kremlin chimes at midnight, and traditional activities like ice skating. Turkey celebrated with unique customs, including wearing red for good luck and purchasing lottery tickets, alongside large family dinners and fireworks over Istanbul.

    Egypt, two hours behind the UAE (UTC+2), welcomed the new year with vibrant parties in Cairo and coastal resorts, featuring traditional dishes such as stuffed pigeon. In Europe, France and Germany, both in the UTC+1 zone, celebrated three hours after the UAE. While France scaled back some public events for security reasons, Germany continued its tradition of grand firework displays and sharing lucky charms like marzipan pigs.

    Serbia, also on UTC+1, made the significant decision to cancel some public events in Belgrade due to safety concerns, particularly for children. The United Kingdom, observing UTC+0, celebrated four hours after the UAE with iconic traditions like singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and the Scottish custom of ‘first-footing’.

    The Americas witnessed the most delayed celebrations. Canada and the United States, operating across multiple time zones, began their festivities nine hours after the UAE. Cities like Vancouver were among the last to enter 2026. Mexico, ten hours behind, celebrated with symbolic rituals including eating twelve grapes at midnight and wearing colored underwear for luck, highlighting the diverse and rich global tapestry of New Year traditions.

  • What are Russians hoping for in 2026, asks Steve Rosenberg

    What are Russians hoping for in 2026, asks Steve Rosenberg

    As the conflict in Ukraine approaches its fourth consecutive year, BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg has conducted a series of ground-level interviews across Russia to gauge public sentiment about the nation’s future. The extensive reporting reveals a complex tapestry of expectations among Russian citizens as they look toward 2026.

    The investigation captures diverse perspectives ranging from economic concerns to geopolitical expectations. Many interviewees express profound anxiety about the prolonged duration of the military engagement and its cascading effects on daily life, international relations, and economic stability. Contrary to monolithic Western perceptions, Rosenberg’s findings illustrate significant variance in how ordinary Russians conceptualize their personal and national future.

    Economic stability emerges as a predominant concern, with citizens highlighting worries about inflation, currency valuation, and access to imported goods. The reporting also identifies nuanced perspectives on international isolation, with some expressing hope for normalized relations while others anticipate continued geopolitical tensions. Personal aspirations intertwine with national destiny in unexpected ways, creating a multifaceted portrait of a society navigating unprecedented circumstances.

    The temporal focus on 2026 provides a strategic midpoint perspective, allowing citizens to project beyond immediate wartime realities toward medium-term outcomes. Rosenberg’s methodology emphasizes authentic street-level conversations rather than official narratives, capturing voices often absent from international coverage. This approach reveals surprising resilience in some quarters alongside deep apprehension in others, presenting a more complete picture of the Russian psyche during this historical moment.

    The reporting concludes without definitive predictions, instead presenting the array of hopes and concerns as Russia continues to adapt to economic transformations and global repositioning. This ground-level account provides valuable insight into how geopolitical events translate into personal expectations for the future.

  • Trump’s return, Gaza truce, tariff war: How 2025 shaped the world

    Trump’s return, Gaza truce, tariff war: How 2025 shaped the world

    As the world ushered in 2026, reflections on the preceding year revealed a period defined by political upheaval, environmental crises, and fragile diplomatic accords. 2025 cemented its status among the warmest years in recorded history, with catastrophic climate events—devastating European wildfires, severe African droughts, and lethal Southeast Asian monsoon rains—leaving an indelible mark across continents.

    The year witnessed the dramatic return of Donald Trump to the White House, whose immediate imposition of aggressive tariff policies triggered significant volatility in global financial markets. His administration’s economic nationalism contrasted sharply with growing international anxiety over trade stability.

    October brought a precarious ceasefire to the Gaza conflict, brokered under intense U.S. pressure following two years of destruction that left the territory in ruins. The truce remained tenuous, with both Israel and Hamas exchanging accusations of violations shortly after its implementation. The conflict, originating from Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis, resulted in more than 70,000 Palestinian casualties according to UN-verified figures from Gaza health authorities.

    New Year’s celebrations carried somber undertones worldwide. Sydney, traditionally the “New Year’s capital of the world,” observed a minute of silence and illuminated its harbour bridge in white for peace, memorializing 15 victims from Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in three decades at Bondi Beach. Hong Kong canceled its famed fireworks display to honor 161 lives lost in a November housing estate tragedy.

    Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine approaches its fourth year with no ceasefire in sight despite renewed diplomatic efforts. Global leaders including China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin exchanged New Year’s greetings, with Xi emphasizing commitment to strengthened bilateral relations.

    Looking ahead, 2026 promises significant developments in space exploration with NASA’s Artemis II mission, ongoing scrutiny of artificial intelligence’s economic impact, and major international sporting events including the Winter Olympics in Italy’s Dolomites and an expanded FIFA World Cup across North America.

  • Israeli press review: Army hit by spate of suicides and study reveals population drop

    Israeli press review: Army hit by spate of suicides and study reveals population drop

    Israel is experiencing its lowest population growth rate since national establishment in 1948, dropping to just 0.9% according to recent analysis by Jerusalem’s Taub Center for Social Policy Studies. The independent research institute’s report ‘Israel 2025: A Demographic Fork in the Road’ identifies emigration as the primary driver behind this historic demographic shift, marking the first time since the early 1980s that growth has fallen below 1.5%.

    The comprehensive study reveals that approximately 120,000 more Israeli citizens have departed the country than returned over the past two years, creating a negative migration balance that persists even when accounting for new Jewish immigrants. Notably, while most emigrants were originally foreign-born, the report indicates a steady four-year increase in native-born Israelis leaving the country. Research director Alex Weinreb projects this negative migration trend will continue through at least June 2026, signaling a fundamental shift in Israel’s demographic trajectory.

    Concurrently, the Israeli military faces a mental health crisis with suicide rates reaching alarming levels. Official data confirms 21 active-duty soldiers died by suicide in the past year, though Ynet news reports an additional 15 discharged soldiers took their own lives, bringing the actual total to 36. Military sources acknowledge preparing for ‘even more complex years regarding suicide concerns,’ noting that while combat operations have ceased, ‘the psychological burden remains on the shoulders of those who served.’

    In a controversial decision, a military committee ruled that soldiers who die by suicide while off-duty will not receive ‘fallen soldier’ recognition, denying their families financial benefits typically granted to service members’ relatives. Since October 2023, there has been a documented increase in soldier suicides, with 279 recorded attempts between January 2024 and July 2025, including at least 64 since the Gaza conflict began.

    Amid these developments, Israel’s Central Command commander has authorized doubling the size of the Homesh settlement in the occupied West Bank, expanding its jurisdiction to 1,537 dunams. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also holds defense ministry responsibilities for West Bank civil administration, encouraged the move that will encircle Palestinian villages and establish jurisdictional areas for seven additional settlements. Smotrich described this as advancing ‘de facto sovereignty’ to prevent Palestinian statehood, while peace organization Peace Now condemned the action as ‘establishing a massive settlement that will constitute an enormous security burden while stealing private Palestinian land.’

  • Israel demolishes homes en masse in West Bank refugee camp

    Israel demolishes homes en masse in West Bank refugee camp

    The Israeli military initiated extensive demolition operations in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, leveling residential structures in the Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarm and rendering approximately 100 Palestinian families homeless. This action represents one of the largest single-day displacement events in recent months.

    According to eyewitness accounts and local officials, at least 25 buildings containing roughly 100 apartments were destroyed, affecting an estimated 400 residents. The demolitions followed a December 24th Israeli Supreme Court decision that rejected appeals from Palestinian residents against military demolition orders. The court reportedly relied on classified intelligence material submitted by the Israeli Public Prosecution, which was not disclosed to the petitioners or their legal representatives.

    Yasser al-Sayes, one of the displaced residents, described watching Israeli bulldozers demolish his family home remotely, nearly one year after Israeli forces initially expelled them during a major military operation in the northern West Bank. His building housed sixteen people, predominantly children, who were forced to evacuate under military pressure at the beginning of the incursion.

    Residents received merely two weeks’ notice before the demolitions and were granted only brief access to retrieve minimal belongings. Many salvaged nothing more than a few clothing items, with possessions now scattered throughout the streets without storage options. The displaced families face severe economic hardship, with most adults unemployed and unable to afford stable housing.

    The Tulkarm Governorate condemned the demolitions as a ‘dangerous escalation’ and symbolic attack on refugee camps that represent living monuments to the Nakba. Local authorities characterized the policy as collective punishment that violates international law and human rights conventions.

    According to Ibrahim al-Nimr of the Nur Shams camp emergency committee, approximately 60% of the camp’s homes—about 400 residential units—have been either fully or partially destroyed since the Israeli military operation began eleven months ago. All 11,300 original residents have been displaced, with many forced to inhabit substandard rental accommodations while facing winter conditions without adequate shelter, employment, or financial resources.

    International and local support systems have proven inadequate, with insufficient assistance from UNRWA, the Palestinian Authority, and the Department of Refugee Affairs. Despite repeated protests demanding cessation of demolitions and permission to return, Israeli officials have indicated the army will maintain its presence indefinitely, with troops having established barracks within abandoned Palestinian homes.