Global Pulse

分类： world

  • Cuba hit by total blackout as US fuel blockade bites

    Cuba hit by total blackout as US fuel blockade bites

    Cuba experienced a complete nationwide power grid collapse on Monday, plunging all 9.6 million residents into darkness amid worsening fuel shortages exacerbated by US sanctions. The state-owned electricity provider Union Nacional Electrica de Cuba (UNE) confirmed the total system failure and immediately initiated restoration efforts.

    The catastrophic blackout represents the most severe manifestation of Cuba’s ongoing energy crisis, where daily power interruptions lasting up to 20 hours have become routine across many regions. The island’s deteriorating power infrastructure, combined with critical fuel shortages, has created an unsustainable energy situation.

    This energy emergency intensified significantly following the January 9 cessation of oil imports to the island. The Trump administration’s effective oil blockade, initiated after the US ouster of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, has severely constrained Cuba’s access to essential petroleum products. The fuel shortage has created cascading effects beyond the energy sector, forcing airlines to reduce flights and dealing a substantial blow to Cuba’s vital tourism industry.

    The political dimension of the crisis continues to intensify as President Donald Trump openly advocates for regime change in Havana. Meanwhile, domestic tensions are rising as Cubans face simultaneous shortages of electricity, food, and medicines. Recent weeks have seen unprecedented protests, including pot-banging demonstrations and calls for freedom, culminating in the vandalism of a provincial Communist Party office.

    President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged public frustration regarding the extended blackouts through social media, condemning protest violence while recognizing legitimate grievances. The government has implemented gasoline rationing and reduced hospital services due to the fuel crisis. Díaz-Canel confirmed last week that his administration has engaged in diplomatic communications with the United States amid the escalating crisis.

    President Trump characterized the fuel blockade as a response to what he termed an ‘extraordinary threat’ from Cuba, while simultaneously suggesting potential negotiations. Aboard Air Force One, Trump indicated that a resolution might be possible following current administration priorities regarding Iran.

  • Israel army says ground assault against Hezbollah underway in Lebanon

    Israel army says ground assault against Hezbollah underway in Lebanon

    The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the initiation of targeted ground operations within Lebanese territory on Monday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah militants. Military officials described these incursions as “limited” missions focused on dismantling terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon’s strategic strongholds.

    This development follows two weeks of intensified hostilities that have reportedly displaced over one million Lebanese citizens, with approximately 132,000 seeking refuge in collective shelters according to Beirut’s estimates. The Lebanese National News Agency documented continuous Israeli strikes across southern regions, with official reports indicating 886 fatalities, including 111 children, since fighting commenced on March 2.

    The current confrontation originated when Hezbollah, backed by Tehran, launched attacks against Israel in retaliation for the elimination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during joint US-Israeli operations. Israel responded with comprehensive aerial bombardments before progressing to ground maneuvers.

    Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani disclosed that operations target new locations where Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit allegedly positions threats against Israeli civilians. “We understand Hezbollah is intending to expand their operations… firing hundreds of rockets daily,” Shoshani stated, emphasizing the defensive nature of these missions.

    Hezbollah countered with rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel, striking the city of Nahariya where emergency responders treated one individual for blast injuries and six others for smoke inhalation. An AFP correspondent observed smoke rising from Khiam following Israeli bombardment, where Hezbollah reports direct clashes with Israeli forces.

    International reactions have emerged strongly, with Turkey condemning the ground operation as worsening regional instability and potentially creating “another humanitarian catastrophe.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cautioned Israel against this path, labeling it “an error.”

    Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that displaced Lebanese would not return south of the Litani River until security guarantees for northern Israeli residents are established. Notably, Israel has not implemented evacuations in its northern territories despite the intensified conflict, diverging from previous engagement protocols.

  • Afghan govt accuses Pakistan after new strikes on Kabul

    Afghan govt accuses Pakistan after new strikes on Kabul

    Afghan authorities have formally accused Pakistan of conducting aerial assaults on Kabul territory, marking a significant escalation in cross-border hostilities between the neighboring nations. The allegations follow a series of explosions that rocked the Afghan capital during evening hours on Monday, triggering widespread panic among civilians.

    Multiple detonations occurred between approximately 9:00 pm and 9:15 pm local time, with visible smoke plumes rising from central districts including Shahr-e-Naw and Wazir Akbar Khan. Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of chaos as families who had just broken their Ramadan fast scrambled for shelter, with many seeking protection in basement facilities as anti-aircraft defenses engaged.

    Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued an official statement via social media platform X, characterizing the incident as both a territorial violation and ‘an act of inhumanity.’ Mujahid specifically claimed the strikes targeted a civilian drug rehabilitation center, resulting in multiple fatalities, though independent verification remains pending. Pakistani military officials offered no immediate commentary when contacted by international media.

    This incident represents the latest development in a deteriorating border conflict initially sparked by Pakistan’s allegations that Taliban authorities provide sanctuary to extremist elements conducting cross-border operations. The confrontation first intensified in October with significant casualties, temporarily subsided, then reignited in February with increased severity.

    According to United Nations documentation, at least 75 Afghan civilians have perished since the conflict escalation began on February 26. Most recently, provincial officials reported three children and one woman killed during overnight shelling in eastern border regions between Sunday and Monday. Cumulative Afghan government figures indicate 18 civilian fatalities within the past week alone.

    The humanitarian consequences continue to mount, with approximately 115,000 residents displaced from border regions according to UN refugee agencies. The World Food Programme has initiated emergency food distribution to over 20,000 affected families, warning that continued instability could push millions toward hunger. Distribution sites in eastern provinces like Paktia have seen displaced civilians gathering at dawn to receive fortified biscuits and essential supplies.

  • Pope’s upcoming Africa odyssey takes him to a mosque, a prison and the site of a deadly 2021 blast

    Pope’s upcoming Africa odyssey takes him to a mosque, a prison and the site of a deadly 2021 blast

    The Vatican has unveiled comprehensive details for Pope Leo XIV’s forthcoming diplomatic journey across four African nations, scheduled from April 13-23. This significant tour will emphasize Christian-Muslim reconciliation, offer solace to victims of violence, and engage with Catholic communities in countries with complex colonial histories.

    The pontiff’s itinerary begins with a groundbreaking visit to Algeria, marking the first papal visit in the nation’s history. In Algiers, His Holiness will conduct high-level meetings with government officials, tour the renowned Great Mosque, and engage with local Catholic faithful. The Algerian leg continues in Annaba (ancient Hippo), the final resting place of St. Augustine, where Pope Leo will convene with Augustinian religious orders and celebrate Mass at the capital’s St. Augustine Basilica.

    Cameroon represents the tour’s second stop, where the Pope will host a major ‘peace meeting’ in Bamenda on April 16. This northwestern region has suffered devastating violence since 2017, with English-speaking separatists clashing with government forces, resulting in over 6,000 fatalities and 600,000 displacements according to International Crisis Group data. The visit occurs amid political tensions following President Paul Biya’s controversial re-election, with some activists expressing concern about potential political instrumentalization of the papal visit.

    Angola, a predominantly Christian former Portuguese colony, will welcome the Pope to its capital Luanda and the significant Marian shrine at Muxima. This 16th-century sanctuary, originally established by Portuguese colonizers, served as a baptismal site for enslaved Africans before their transatlantic passage, representing both deep religious significance and colonial legacy.

    The final destination, Equatorial Guinea, maintains one of Africa’s highest Catholic populations at approximately 70%. Pope Leo will visit three dioceses, meet with prison inmates, and pray at a memorial for victims of the 2021 military barracks explosion that claimed over 100 lives. The nation’s political landscape remains dominated by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Africa’s longest-serving leader, who has maintained power since 1982 amid allegations of autocratic rule despite the country’s oil wealth and widespread poverty.

  • Pope Leo will accept the Liberty Medal in a remote broadcast from Rome

    Pope Leo will accept the Liberty Medal in a remote broadcast from Rome

    In a significant departure from tradition, Pope Leo XIV will accept the prestigious Liberty Medal from Rome via remote broadcast on July 3rd, rather than traveling to Philadelphia during the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations. The first American pontiff, born Robert F. Prevost in Chicago and educated at Villanova University, will instead mark Independence Day on the Italian island of Lampedusa—a symbolic location known as a primary landing point for African migrants seeking refuge in Europe.

    The National Constitution Center, which bestows the annual honor, announced the decision Monday, recognizing Pope Leo’s lifelong dedication to advancing religious freedom, conscience rights, and expression liberties worldwide—fundamental principles embedded in America’s First Amendment. The Liberty Medal traditionally celebrates individuals of exceptional courage and conviction who have significantly contributed to global liberty, with previous recipients including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis.

    Vatican officials confirmed the Pope’s packed travel schedule for the year includes extensive tours throughout Italy and visits to four African nations, but explicitly excludes any journey to the United States despite a personal invitation from President Donald Trump. This strategic decision aligns with Pope Leo’s continued emphasis on migrant advocacy, following the path of his predecessor Pope Francis who made Lampedusa his first official visit outside Rome in 2013. During that historic trip, Francis conducted Mass on an altar constructed from wrecked migrant boats and condemned what he termed the ‘globalization of indifference’—a stance that previously created diplomatic tensions with the Trump administration.

    The Pope’s deliberate choice to stand in solidarity with migrants on America’s independence celebration reinforces his commitment to humanitarian causes over ceremonial appearances, continuing the Vatican’s focus on global displacement crises despite the symbolic significance of the U.S. semiquincentennial.

  • Australia battered by climate ‘whiplash’ as Climate Council warns of dangerous new era of extreme weather

    Australia battered by climate ‘whiplash’ as Climate Council warns of dangerous new era of extreme weather

    A new analysis from the Climate Council reveals Australia has endured a summer of severe climate ‘whiplash,’ where identical geographical areas suffered through catastrophic bushfires only to be deluged by record-breaking floods mere weeks later. This rapid oscillation between opposing weather extremes is emerging as a dangerous hallmark of the nation’s altered climate patterns.

    Dr. Andrew Watkins, a meteorologist with the Council, emphasized that climate change is now the dominant force steering Australia’s temperatures. He pointed to the paradoxical fact that 2025, a year bookended by a cooling La Niña weather pattern, still ranked as Australia’s fourth-hottest year on record and the globe’s third-hottest. ‘That tells us the baseline has shifted,’ Dr. Watkins stated.

    This elevated thermal baseline accelerates evaporation, supercharging the atmosphere with moisture. The result is a devastating cycle: extreme heat desiccates the landscape, priming it for intense fires, which is then followed by storms capable of unleashing unprecedented rainfall. This precise sequence was observed in western Queensland, where some towns received their entire annual average rainfall within the first five weeks of 2026. Subsequently, a tropical low in February triggered flood watches across nearly half the continent, isolating inland communities that had been sweltering under 45°C heat just a month prior.

    The report, released Tuesday, quantifies the escalating financial toll, noting insurance companies paid out an average of $4.5 billion annually from 2019 to 2024—more than double the yearly average for the preceding three decades.

    Specific instances of whiplash were stark. In Victoria, January’s fire storms ignited over 200 bushfires, with towns like Walpeup and Hopetoun setting a new statewide record of 48.9°C. Astonishingly, residents along the Wye River who evacuated under catastrophic fire warnings were, a week later, witnessing floodwaters washing cars out to sea. New South Wales witnessed its own records, with Tibooburra receiving 273mm of rain in February—ten times its monthly average—after enduring a record six consecutive days of 45°C heat in January.

    NSW Fire Commissioner Greg Mullins, who also serves on the Climate Council, warned that the frequency of extreme disasters is accelerating. ‘We used to think of catastrophic fire conditions as once-in-a-generation events. Now they’re arriving every decade,’ he said. This new reality is stretching emergency services to their limits, as evidenced by Victorian firefighters combating 200 fires in a single day—a event that ultimately resulted in the loss of 451 homes. Commissioner Mullins directly linked the ballooning insurance costs and community devastation to fossil fuel pollution, urging governments to accelerate the transition to clean energy to curb these accelerating extremes.

  • Children are among the latest killed as Pakistan and Afghanistan keep fighting

    Children are among the latest killed as Pakistan and Afghanistan keep fighting

    KABUL, Afghanistan — Intensified cross-border hostilities between Taliban-led Afghanistan and Pakistan entered a critical phase this Monday, resulting in significant civilian casualties and drawing urgent international attention. Afghan authorities confirmed that at least four civilians, including two children, perished during artillery exchanges along the volatile southeastern frontier.

    The United Nations Security Council responded to the escalating crisis by unanimously adopting a resolution demanding Afghanistan’s Taliban government enhance counterterrorism measures. While the resolution refrained from explicitly naming Pakistan, it delivered a forceful condemnation of all terrorist activities occurring within the region. Concurrently, the Council authorized a three-month extension of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

    Pakistan maintains persistent allegations that Kabul provides sanctuary to militant organizations, specifically the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—a US-designated terrorist group—alongside Baloch separatist factions. These groups are accused of executing attacks against Pakistani security personnel and civilians. Afghan leadership consistently denies these accusations.

    Provincial spokesperson Mustaghfar Gurbaz reported that mortar projectiles launched from Pakistani territory struck residential areas in Khost province, demolishing homes and wounding ten additional individuals. This incident follows Sunday’s tragedy in Pakistan’s Bajaur district, where a mortar round allegedly fired from Afghan territory destroyed a home, claiming four lives from a single family and injuring a five-year-old child.

    Pakistani military operations have targeted alleged militant positions across the border, with Islamabad characterizing the situation as ‘open war.’ Recent developments include Pakistan’s deployment of airstrikes near Kabul and Kandahar, targeting what it describes as militant infrastructure. Afghan officials counter that these strikes hit a drug rehabilitation center and an inactive security post, causing minimal damage.

    Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi emphasized national sovereignty defense as a fundamental citizen duty while expressing profound regret over civilian losses. The conflict originated in late February following Afghan retaliatory attacks against Pakistani airstrikes that killed Afghan civilians. This violence has effectively nullified the Qatar-mediated ceasefire established in October, which previously mitigated border tensions.

  • Russia agrees to stop using Kenyan recruits in Ukraine conflict, Kenya says

    Russia agrees to stop using Kenyan recruits in Ukraine conflict, Kenya says

    In a significant diplomatic development, Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi has announced that Russia has formally agreed to cease the deployment of Kenyan nationals to fight in its war against Ukraine. The agreement was reached during high-level talks in Moscow between Mudavadi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

    Minister Mudavadi, speaking alongside his Russian counterpart, stated unequivocally: “We have now agreed that Kenyans shall not be enlisted through the Russian Ministry of Defence – they will no longer be eligible to be enlisted. There will be no further enlisting.” This commitment comes in response to a Kenyan intelligence report from February that warned over 1,000 citizens had been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine.

    The recruitment issue has been particularly contentious as numerous Kenyans have reported being deceived with promises of lucrative civilian employment, only to find themselves coerced into military service. Russian officials, including Lavrov, have maintained that all foreign recruits, including Kenyans, enlisted voluntarily “in full compliance with Russian law.”

    Beyond halting future recruitment, Mudavadi is actively negotiating the repatriation of Kenyans who wish to return home. Authorities have already returned 27 citizens who had been fighting for Russia, providing them with psychological support to address trauma and facilitate de-radicalization. The exact number of Kenyan casualties remains unclear, as Russia has not formally addressed such reports.

    The Kenyan government has taken domestic measures to combat the problem, closing more than 600 recruitment agencies suspected of duping citizens with false overseas job offers. Lawmakers have further alleged that rogue state officials collaborated with human trafficking networks to recruit citizens for Russian forces.

    Public pressure has mounted significantly, with families of those believed to be fighting in Ukraine holding protests outside parliament in Nairobi in February, demanding government action and the return of their relatives.

    Mudavadi’s visit also aims to broaden bilateral relations, with negotiations underway for an agreement that would provide Kenyans easier access to the Russian job market. “We do not want for any reason our partnership with Russia to be defined from the lenses of the special operation agenda only,” Mudavadi emphasized. “The relationship between Kenya and Russia is much broader than that.”

    The issue extends beyond Kenya, with Ukrainian intelligence estimating that more than 1,700 people from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. In a similar case, South Africa repatriated 17 citizens in February who reported being trapped in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being deceived into fighting for Russia. Ukraine itself has faced criticism for attempts to recruit foreign nationals, including Africans, to fight on its side.

  • French national jailed for 10 years in Azerbaijan for spying

    French national jailed for 10 years in Azerbaijan for spying

    In a case that has significantly strained international relations, a French national has been convicted of espionage activities against Azerbaijan’s military infrastructure and sentenced to ten years in a maximum-security prison. Martin Ryan, the individual at the center of this diplomatic storm, faced allegations of gathering classified intelligence regarding Baku’s defense collaborations with Turkey and Pakistan, as well as recruiting French-speaking Azerbaijani citizens to cooperate with French intelligence services.

    The judicial proceedings, which concluded recently, also saw Azerbaijani citizen Azad Mamedli receive a twelve-year sentence for treason alongside Ryan. Prosecutors asserted that Ryan had systematically collected sensitive information concerning Azerbaijan’s strategic relationships with multiple nations including Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and companies connected to Russia and China. The prosecution further claimed Ryan facilitated meetings between Mamedli and French intelligence operatives, who allegedly tasked Mamedli with recruiting individuals from Azerbaijan and Russia at his Moscow university.

    Throughout the trial, Ryan maintained his innocence, delivering a final statement to the court that acknowledged only unintentional contact with embassy personnel. “I consider myself guilty only in that I should not have established contacts with some embassy employees, or that I should have shared information about them with the appropriate authorities,” Ryan declared. “I did not spy. I am not a spy, and during the court case I tried to prove this.

    The case unfolds against a backdrop of deteriorating Franco-Azerbaijani relations, particularly regarding France’s perceived support for Armenia in the ongoing regional conflicts. Tensions escalated notably in November 2024 when Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev publicly accused France of human rights violations in New Caledonia, referencing fatal protests that resulted in numerous casualties. These remarks prompted France’s environment minister to boycott the COP29 climate conference hosted in Baku.

    Despite these developments, President Aliyev suggested in October that past misunderstandings between the nations had been resolved following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Copenhagen. The French government has consistently denied all espionage allegations, characterizing Ryan’s detention as arbitrary and demanding his immediate release, framing the case as collateral damage in broader diplomatic tensions.

  • EU weighs action to keep Strait of Hormuz open

    EU weighs action to keep Strait of Hormuz open

    BRUSSELS — European Union foreign ministers convened on Monday to deliberate strategic measures aimed at safeguarding maritime passage through the critical Strait of Hormuz, as the ongoing tripartite conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States enters its third week. The escalating warfare has triggered substantial disruptions to global energy markets and international supply chains, prompting urgent diplomatic coordination.

    EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the bloc’s vested interest in maintaining open access to the strategic waterway during pre-meeting remarks in Brussels. ‘Preserving freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains imperative to European interests,’ Kallas stated, outlining two potential contingency plans under consideration.

    The proposed solutions include either expanding the existing Aspides naval mission—currently deployed to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi rebel attacks—into the Persian Gulf, or establishing a ‘coalition of the willing’ wherein member states would contribute military assets on an ad hoc basis. This deliberation follows direct appeals from U.S. President Donald Trump for allied nations to assist in securing vital shipping lanes.

    The conflict, ignited by February 28 airstrikes conducted by Israeli and American forces, has produced severe economic repercussions worldwide. Brent crude prices have surged over 40%, while broader supply chain disruptions extend beyond petroleum products to include pharmaceuticals from India, Asian semiconductor exports, and Middle Eastern fertilizer shipments.

    Maritime logistics have been severely compromised, with cargo vessels either stranded in the Gulf or forced to undertake extended detours around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. Air freight operations throughout the region remain grounded, creating mounting concerns about impending shortages and inflationary pressures across multiple commodity sectors.

    France has initiated preliminary discussions with European, Indian, and Asian partners regarding potential international escort missions, though President Emmanuel Macron stressed such operations would require appropriate security conditions and reduced combat intensity.

    German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized the necessity for clearer military objectives from U.S. and Israeli authorities before determining subsequent steps. ‘We require greater transparency regarding their operational endpoints,’ Wadephul noted, while simultaneously characterizing the Iranian government as a persistent threat to regional stability, maritime security, and global economic interests.

    Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel highlighted the EU’s current non-commitment to military involvement, stating the bloc must first determine whether direct participation aligns with collective interests.

    Concurrently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concerns about potential refugee crises emerging from prolonged conflict, urging full mobilization of diplomatic migration tools despite no immediate influx being observed.