Global Pulse

分类： world

  • Turkey foils Iran plot at US Incirlik base: Report

    Turkey foils Iran plot at US Incirlik base: Report

    Turkish authorities have successfully dismantled an Iranian intelligence operation attempting to conduct surveillance on the strategic Incirlik Air Base, according to a report by Sabah newspaper. The sophisticated espionage network, led by Iranian agents operating under codenames ‘Haji’ and ‘Doctor,’ was neutralized through coordinated operations across five Turkish provinces.

    The investigation revealed that Iranian operatives recruited Turkish nationals to photograph and monitor the jointly operated US-Turkish military installation in Adana. Among the six individuals apprehended, five were Turkish citizens while one held Iranian nationality. Court documents indicate the suspects faced charges of ‘obtaining confidential state information for political or military espionage purposes.’

    Evidence uncovered during the probe shows the cell received specialized drone training in Iran between August and September 2025. The network allegedly attempted to ship armed drones to the Republic of Cyprus using front companies, with some members traveling to Iran to facilitate these operations. The group communicated through encrypted channels under the codename ‘Pigeon’ while masking their activities as commercial drone trading.

    This security breach emerges amid escalating regional tensions. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf recently issued warnings about potential preemptive strikes against US military assets, stating Tehran would not hesitate to target American bases and ships if attacked. Meanwhile, the US has significantly enhanced its military presence in the region, deploying advanced warplanes, air defense systems, and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to Middle Eastern waters.

    According to sources familiar with US deliberations, Washington is considering precision strikes against Iranian officials believed responsible for the violent suppression of protests that have resulted in approximately 4,000 casualties. The situation presents President Trump with multiple military options despite his earlier expressed openness to diplomatic engagement with Iranian leadership.

  • Inside Syria’s largest oilfield after the battle for control

    Inside Syria’s largest oilfield after the battle for control

    In the scarred landscapes of northeastern Syria, Abu Aicha navigates a perimeter of strategic importance. Flanked by armed guards, he patrols the apocalyptic terrain of al-Omar oilfield—Syria’s largest petroleum reserve—where rusted pipelines and bomb-cratered earth testify to years of conflict. Recently reclaimed by Syrian government forces after nearly a decade under Kurdish-led administration, this facility represents far more than energy infrastructure: it symbolizes the economic lifeline that has repeatedly shifted Syria’s balance of power.

    The transfer of control followed a January 18 agreement between Damascus and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi, effectively ending Kurdish autonomous administration in the northeast. The fighting that preceded the agreement lasted nearly two hours, with soldiers like Abu Taim recalling the operation’s urgency. “Before, we were forced to buy oil from them. These are resources that belong to the country,” he states, reflecting the sentiment among government forces.

    For local soldiers like 23-year-old Omar, the reclaiming carries profound significance: “I felt my land had been colonised by the SDF. Everything was transported to Hasakah. Deir Ezzor suffered economically from losing access to its own resources.” Another soldier, Mohamed Othman, 25, describes the emotional impact: “It’s as if we were born again.”

    Despite the symbolic victory, operational challenges remain staggering. Engineer Raed al-Sadoun describes damage exceeding 90 percent, requiring complete rehabilitation of wells, stations, and transfer points. “Each well needs to be studied individually,” he explains, noting that production goals of 30,000 barrels daily depend entirely on reconstruction resources and timelines.

    The economic implications are monumental. According to Benjamin Fève, a Syria specialist at Karam Shaar Advisory, oil revenues constituted approximately 77% of the Kurdish administration’s total revenues—$416 million in the first half of 2025 alone. These funds supported 220,000 public employees and 85,000 fighters, making autonomy financially viable. “Oil did not trigger the Syrian conflict, but it financed its prolongation,” Fève observes, noting how control over energy resources allowed armed actors to build rival governance systems.

    While immediate budget impacts may be limited, al-Omar’s light crude compatibility with Syria’s Baniyas refinery makes it strategically vital for reducing imports and relaunching national production. With recoverable reserves estimated at 520 million barrels, the field remains a prize worth fighting for—even amidst the devastation that requires intensified patrols against looters and complex reconstruction efforts that may require years to complete.

  • Panic on crowded train – passenger tells BBC of moment of Russian drone strike

    Panic on crowded train – passenger tells BBC of moment of Russian drone strike

    A Ukrainian military officer from the 93rd Brigade, identified by his call-sign Omar, has provided a harrowing firsthand account of the immediate rescue efforts following a Russian drone strike on a civilian passenger train in northeastern Ukraine. The attack, which President Zelensky condemned as an act of terrorism, resulted in five fatalities but could have claimed significantly more lives without Omar’s decisive intervention.

    Omar, a drone unit commander who happened to be traveling on the Chop-to-Barvinkove route, described the sequence of events that began when the first of three Russian drones struck near the train, forcing an emergency halt. Moments later, another explosion rocked the carriage as a second drone found its mark. Recognizing the tactical pattern of a drone operator observing and adjusting strikes, Omar immediately instructed panicked passengers to evacuate before the targeted carriage erupted in flames.

    The military officer’s trained response proved critical as 291 passengers faced the rapidly developing crisis. After ensuring the initial evacuation, Omar returned to the smoldering wreckage with other volunteers to search for survivors, discovering five casualties in the process. His most poignant encounter was with a terrified young mother clutching her infant, who revealed she was traveling to the front lines so her soldier husband could meet their child for the first time.

    This attack represents an escalation in targeting Ukraine’s extensive railway network, a critical infrastructure system that has become a symbol of national resilience since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Despite previous attacks on rail infrastructure, Ukraine’s rail company Ukrzaliznytsia has maintained remarkable operational continuity across its 21,000-kilometer network, though increasing attacks and severe weather have caused growing delays.

    In response to the attack, railway stations across Ukraine flew flags at half-mast, and the nation’s daily moment of silence was dedicated to the victims. Demonstrating the system’s resilience, service on the Barvinkove-Chop line resumed within hours of the attack, even as the incident highlighted the increasing vulnerability of civilian transportation networks in the conflict.

  • Israeli raids across West Bank leave one dead and dozens detained

    Israeli raids across West Bank leave one dead and dozens detained

    Israeli military operations across the occupied West Bank have escalated, resulting in the death of a young Palestinian man and the detention of numerous individuals during widespread overnight raids. According to Palestine’s Ministry of Health, 20-year-old Mohammed Rajih Nasrallah from al-Dhahiriya succumbed to abdominal gunshot wounds sustained during an Israeli operation south of Hebron on Tuesday evening. Medical staff at Dura Hospital reported his condition remained critical until he was pronounced dead.

    Concurrent operations unfolded across multiple regions. In the Bethlehem area, Israeli forces apprehended at least three individuals. More extensively, in the village of Amatin east of Qalqilya, troops conducted two-hour home raids, arresting ten Palestinians and allegedly causing substantial property damage according to local accounts.

    The Nablus region witnessed particularly aggressive maneuvers as Israeli forces stormed the villages of Madma and Burin, detaining dozens for interrogation and making several arrests. The security situation prompted the local Directorate of Education to transition schools in Burin, Madma, and Asira al-Qibliya to remote learning until Thursday.

    Additional incidents were reported in Tulkarm, where forces shot and wounded Khader Mohammed Shahada in the thigh before taking him into custody as he departed his residence with his sister. Hebron governorate saw twelve Palestinians arrested, including two women, during operations characterized by property searches and alleged assaults on residents. Separate raids in the Aqbat Jabr camp south of Jericho resulted in two further detentions.

    Amid these security operations, settler violence continued with Israeli settlers uprooting 200 olive trees in Turmus Ayya north of Ramallah, reflecting the ongoing expansion of attacks targeting Palestinian agricultural resources.

    The context for these developments remains deeply troubling. Israeli forces routinely detain Palestinians without specific charges, with thousands currently held in Israeli prisons under conditions described as dehumanizing. Since October 2023, documentation from Israeli rights organization B’Tselem indicates at least 84 Palestinians, including one child, have died in Israeli detention facilities, highlighting systematic concerns regarding treatment and accountability.

  • Japan’s last two giant pandas return to China

    Japan’s last two giant pandas return to China

    Japan’s five-decade chapter of hosting giant pandas officially closed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, as the nation’s last two specimens embarked on their journey back to their ancestral homeland. The departure of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei from Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo marks a significant milestone in Sino-Japanese panda diplomacy that began in 1972.

    The young pandas, both born in 2021 to parents Shin Shin and Ri Ri (who returned to China in September 2024), arrived at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Sichuan province at approximately 1:00 AM local time. Following arrival procedures, the animals were transported to the specialized Ya’an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where they will undergo standard quarantine protocols before integration into the conservation program.

    This repatriation represents the culmination of Japan’s panda conservation partnership with China, which has seen multiple generations of the endangered species hosted in Japanese zoos. The program has served both conservation purposes and as a symbol of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Chinese wildlife officials confirmed the animals’ condition as stable following the transport, with specialized caretakers accompanying the pandas throughout their journey.

    The return follows established protocols under China’s panda conservation loans, where overseas-born pandas typically return to participate in breeding programs that maintain genetic diversity. Wildlife experts emphasize that such controlled exchanges remain crucial for the species’ long-term survival, despite the emotional significance attached to individual animals by host countries.

  • Netherlands ‘insufficiently’ protects Caribbean island from climate change: court

    Netherlands ‘insufficiently’ protects Caribbean island from climate change: court

    In a landmark environmental justice ruling, the Hague District Court declared Wednesday that the Netherlands has provided “insufficient” protection to its Caribbean territory of Bonaire against climate change impacts. The court found the Dutch government in violation of human rights by treating Bonaire’s 27,000 residents differently from citizens in the European Netherlands without justification.

    The case was brought forward by Bonaire residents in collaboration with Greenpeace, demanding concrete measures to shield the low-lying island from rising sea levels and extreme weather events. The court ordered the Netherlands to establish binding interim targets for economy-wide greenhouse gas reductions within 18 months.

    This ruling represents the first major test case of a state’s climate obligations following the International Court of Justice’s recent advisory opinion, which stated that violating climate commitments constitutes an unlawful act. The decision could set a globally significant precedent for climate litigation.

    Greenpeace Netherlands director Marieke Vellekoop hailed the judgment as “groundbreaking” and “truly historic,” noting that Bonaire residents finally received recognition that the government has discriminated against them in climate protection measures.

    Evidence presented during hearings revealed the sea could submerge up to one-fifth of Bonaire by century’s end, according to research from Amsterdam’s Vrije Universiteit. Residents testified about increasingly unbearable heat making traditional activities impossible in areas where they once worked, played, and fished.

    The court emphasized that while European and Caribbean climates differ, this provides no justification for delayed or less systematic protection measures for Bonaire residents, who face more immediate and severe climate impacts. The ruling signals growing judicial recognition that major polluters bear responsibility for climate-related damages across vulnerable territories.

  • Watch: Giant pandas play in Washington DC snowstorm

    Watch: Giant pandas play in Washington DC snowstorm

    Amidst a major winter storm that blanketed the US capital, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo became the stage for an enchanting display of panda playfulness. The institution’s beloved giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, were captured on video embracing the wintry conditions with unmistakable joy. The footage showcases the young bears engaging in characteristic panda behavior, demonstrating their remarkable adaptation to seasonal changes despite their tropical mountain origins.

    The captivating scenes depict the black-and-white mammals tumbling down snow-covered slopes with childlike exuberance, climbing frost-laden trees with their specialized wrist bones that function as natural climbing equipment, and racing across the transformed landscape. Their thick, woolly coats—an evolutionary adaptation to cold high-altitude environments—provided perfect insulation against the freezing temperatures, allowing extended outdoor activity that delighted both zookeepers and virtual observers.

    This behavioral exhibition offers more than mere entertainment; it provides valuable insights into bear enrichment practices and cold-weather adaptations of Ailuropoda melanoleuca. Animal care specialists note that such naturalistic play supports physical conditioning and mental stimulation essential for captive wildlife wellbeing. The timing proved particularly fortuitous as Washington DC experiences relatively mild winters with significant snowfall occurring only every few years, making this snow play session a rare opportunity for both pandas and observers alike.

  • Plane crashes with Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar onboard, 6 feared dead

    Plane crashes with Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar onboard, 6 feared dead

    A tragic aviation incident has shaken India’s political landscape after a aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed on Wednesday morning. The disaster, which occurred around 8:41 AM local time on January 28, 2026, is believed to have claimed the lives of all six individuals aboard according to preliminary reports.

    The aircraft, whose specific make and model remain under investigation, was en route to an undisclosed destination when it went down under circumstances that aviation authorities have yet to fully determine. Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the crash site, though the severity of the impact suggests minimal chances of survival for those on board.

    Ajit Pawar, a prominent political figure and key leader within the Nationalist Congress Party, held significant influence in Maharashtra state politics. His potential demise creates immediate political ramifications for the state’s governing coalition and raises questions about succession within both the administration and his political party.

    The crash has prompted an urgent investigation by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, with officials working to establish both the cause of the accident and the complete list of casualties. Aviation experts are examining multiple potential factors including weather conditions, mechanical failure, and human error.

    This incident marks one of the most significant political tragedies in recent Indian history, drawing national attention and condolences from across the political spectrum. The government has announced heightened security protocols for officials traveling by air while the investigation continues.

  • Plane carrying Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar crashes, ‘no survivors’ yet authority says

    Plane carrying Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar crashes, ‘no survivors’ yet authority says

    A private aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, crashed under tragic circumstances on January 28th in the Baramati region of western India. Aviation authorities confirmed the politician was traveling with four other individuals—two additional personnel and two crew members—aboard the ill-fated flight.

    According to an official statement released by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), preliminary assessments indicate no survivors from the catastrophic incident. The aircraft was reported to have been completely engulfed in flames upon impact in Pune district, with emergency response teams immediately deploying to the scene.

    Rescue operations continue intensively as firefighting crews work to extinguish the remaining blaze at the crash site. The DGCA has initiated a comprehensive investigation to determine the precise cause of the accident, though adverse weather conditions or technical malfunctions remain speculative at this early stage.

    The incident has sent shockwaves through India’s political establishment, particularly in Maharashtra state where Pawar served as a prominent political figure and key government official. The veteran politician held significant influence in regional politics and was actively involved in state governance matters at the time of the tragedy.

    Aviation safety experts emphasize that this accident represents one of the most serious incidents involving high-ranking Indian officials in recent years. The international community has begun expressing condolences while awaiting further developments in the investigation.

  • A new report warns that combined war casualties in Russia’s war on Ukraine could soon hit 2 million

    A new report warns that combined war casualties in Russia’s war on Ukraine could soon hit 2 million

    A sobering analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) projects that combined military casualties in Russia’s war against Ukraine could approach two million by spring 2025, representing the highest toll for any major power since World War II. The Washington-based think tank’s comprehensive assessment, released Tuesday, reveals Russia has suffered approximately 1.2 million casualties including up to 325,000 fatalities since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

    Ukraine, despite its smaller population and military capacity, has endured between 500,000 to 600,000 casualties with an estimated 140,000 deaths according to the report. These staggering figures emerge as both nations continue to manipulate casualty reporting for strategic purposes, with Moscow officially acknowledging only 6,000 military deaths amid systematic suppression of accurate loss documentation in Russian media.

    The CSIS analysis, incorporating data from independent Russian news outlet Mediazona, BBC research, British government estimates, and official interviews, portrays a conflict of devastating attrition with minimal territorial gains. Despite controlling battlefield initiative throughout 2024, Russian forces have advanced at an exceptionally sluggish pace of 15-70 meters daily in their most significant offensives—slower than nearly any major military campaign in the past century.

    Concurrent with the report’s release, fresh attacks demonstrated the war’s ongoing brutality. Ukrainian officials confirmed two civilians killed in overnight strikes on Kyiv’s outskirts, while nine others were wounded in separate assaults targeting Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, and the front-line Zaporizhzhia region. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 75 Ukrainian drones overnight, with significant activity over the Krasnodar region and annexed Crimea.

    The report concludes that Russia is paying an extraordinary human cost for marginal strategic advantages, fundamentally diminishing its status as a major global power despite claims of battlefield momentum.