Global Pulse

分类： world

  • East China conference pools Maritime Silk Road development wisdom

    East China conference pools Maritime Silk Road development wisdom

    The 2025 Maritime Silk Road Urban Cooperation & Development Conference, alongside the International Travel Agents Conference, commenced on November 19 in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, East China. The event, themed ‘Integration and Innovation for Win-win Cooperation,’ brought together nearly 400 participants from countries including China, Italy, and Indonesia to explore collaborative growth opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

    Fu Hua, President of Xinhua News Agency, emphasized at the opening ceremony that China has paved the way for cooperation, opportunities, and shared prosperity with Maritime Silk Road partner nations. He pledged Xinhua’s commitment to fostering exchanges and supporting multi-field collaboration among these cities, aiming to enhance the high-quality development of the BRI.

    Lian Yimin, Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, underscored Zhejiang’s dedication to innovation-driven cooperation and sharing development achievements with Maritime Silk Road cities. The conference, running until November 21, is co-organized by Xinhua News Agency’s Zhejiang branch, the Wenzhou Municipal People’s Government, and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism.

    This gathering highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen international ties and promote sustainable development through the Maritime Silk Road, reinforcing China’s role as a global leader in fostering economic and cultural exchanges.

  • Ethiopia receives historic artefacts held in Germany for 100 years

    Ethiopia receives historic artefacts held in Germany for 100 years

    In a significant cultural restitution, twelve historical artefacts have been officially returned to Ethiopia after being held by a German family for over a century. The collection, which includes crowns, shields, and paintings of immense cultural and historical value, was originally gathered in the 1920s by Franz Weiss, Germany’s then-envoy to Ethiopia, and his wife Hedwig. The artefacts were ceremoniously handed over to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University on Wednesday. Germany’s current envoy to Ethiopia, Ferdinand von Weyhe, emphasized that these items symbolize the enduring and amicable relationship between the two nations. Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family’s diplomatic tenure in Ethiopia, facilitated the return, expressing the family’s desire to share these treasures with the public and preserve the cultural and historical legacy tied to his father’s birthplace. Ethiopia’s Tourism Minister, Selamawit Kassa, lauded the Weiss family for their dedication to preserving and returning these artefacts, marking this event as a pivotal moment in safeguarding Ethiopia’s cultural heritage. The artefacts will soon be accessible to the public for research and academic study. This repatriation aligns with broader efforts by African nations to reclaim looted cultural items, a movement that has seen some success in recent years, including Germany’s 2022 return of the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria as part of its reckoning with colonial history.

  • Volcano eruption forces the rescue of more than 170 climbers on Indonesia’s Mount Semeru

    Volcano eruption forces the rescue of more than 170 climbers on Indonesia’s Mount Semeru

    Indonesian authorities successfully assisted more than 170 climbers stranded during Mount Semeru’s sudden eruption on Wednesday, as seismic activity suggested the volcanic eruption would persist. The climbers, including tourists, guides, and porters, were ascending the 3,676-meter peak in East Java’s Lumajang district when they became trapped at the Ranu Kumbolo camping area. Priatin Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, confirmed their safety during a video news conference. Hetty Triastuty, another official, noted that Ranu Kumbolo lies outside the primary danger zone, though climbers may have been exposed to volcanic ash. The eruption unleashed pyroclastic flows and incandescent avalanches, with hot ash and gas traveling up to 13 kilometers down the slopes. Authorities raised the volcano’s alert to the highest level, warning residents to avoid the Besuk Kobokan River area. Nearly 1,000 villagers were evacuated, and while no casualties were reported, two motorcyclists suffered severe burns from hot ash. Mount Semeru, part of Indonesia’s volatile ‘Ring of Fire,’ has a history of deadly eruptions, including one in December 2021 that claimed 51 lives.

  • Africa sees rising role in global governance

    Africa sees rising role in global governance

    Africa is increasingly asserting its influence on the global stage, transitioning from a passive participant to an active shaper of international governance. This shift is underscored by the African Union’s (AU) inclusion in the G20 and its deepening engagement within the BRICS+ framework. The continent is leveraging these platforms to advocate for critical issues such as climate justice, trade equity, debt reform, digital sovereignty, and the restructuring of the global financial system. Experts highlight that Africa’s growing role is a response to the inadequacies of existing financial institutions, which were historically designed to serve Western interests rather than those of Africa and the Global South. Gordon K’Achola, CEO of the Nairobi-based nonprofit One Stop Development Agency, emphasized that Africa’s strategic importance, particularly in the global green transition driven by its vast mineral resources like cobalt, copper, and lithium, makes its inclusion in global discussions indispensable. The continent’s shift from ‘norm-taker’ to ‘norm-shaper’ is evident in its active participation in BRICS+, where countries like Egypt, South Africa, and Ethiopia are already members. K’Achola stressed that Africa must embrace broader engagement and reform its internal policies to capitalize on this momentum. James Shikwati, director of the Inter Region Economic Network, noted that Africa’s governance structures, originally designed for a unipolar world, must adapt to the emerging multipolar order. He believes Africa’s abundant natural resources, youthful population, and rapid urbanization position it to play a pivotal role in global supply chains and geopolitical frameworks. African leaders are also using platforms like the G20 and BRICS+ to push for equitable debt restructuring and fair financing conditions. K’Achola further highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in fostering intracontinental trade and reshaping global business norms. To solidify its influence, Africa must project a unified voice and pursue a policy-driven agenda within international forums.

  • Next year’s UN climate talks set for Turkey, as Australia backs out of bid in compromise

    Next year’s UN climate talks set for Turkey, as Australia backs out of bid in compromise

    In a significant development at the ongoing United Nations climate talks in Belem, Brazil, Turkey has been selected to host next year’s COP31 climate conference in the coastal city of Antalya. This decision came after Australia officially withdrew from the bidding process, ending a prolonged stalemate. Australian Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen made the announcement on the sidelines of the conference, emphasizing that while it would have been ideal for Australia to host, compromises were necessary. Under the agreement, Bowen will serve as the president of the COP31 negotiations, wielding full authority to manage discussions, appoint co-facilitators, draft texts, and issue final decisions. Environmental advocacy group Greenpeace described the arrangement as “highly unusual” but stressed the importance of maintaining urgency and focus on phasing out fossil fuels and halting deforestation. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has been confirmed as the host for COP32, with other nations, including India, already expressing interest in hosting subsequent conferences. The announcement underscores the growing global commitment to addressing climate change, even as logistical challenges and geopolitical considerations shape the hosting landscape.

  • Turkey set to host COP31 after reaching compromise with Australia

    Turkey set to host COP31 after reaching compromise with Australia

    In a surprising turn of events, Turkey has been selected to host the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, following Australia’s decision to withdraw its bid. The announcement came during the ongoing COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, where negotiations led to an unprecedented compromise. Under UN regulations, the hosting rights for COP31 were to be awarded to a group of countries including Western Europe and Australia, but neither party was initially willing to concede. After intense discussions, Australia agreed to support Turkey’s bid in exchange for its climate minister, Chris Bowen, chairing the talks. This arrangement marks a departure from the traditional practice of the COP president being from the host country, raising questions about how this partnership will function in practice. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the agreement as an ‘outstanding result,’ emphasizing the importance of Pacific issues in the global climate agenda. However, some Pacific leaders, including Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko, expressed disappointment over Australia’s withdrawal. The compromise ensures that a pre-COP meeting will be held on a Pacific island, while the main event takes place in Turkey. The decision has been welcomed by delegates at COP30, who were concerned about the potential embarrassment of failing to reach an agreement. Turkey’s bid was bolstered by its decision to step aside in 2021, allowing the UK to host COP26 in Glasgow. If no compromise had been reached, the event would have been held in Bonn, Germany, the headquarters of the UN’s climate body. The agreement is expected to be ratified by the 190+ countries attending COP30, with no significant objections anticipated.

  • Video: Indian Gangster Anmol Bishnoi in NIA custody after extradition from US

    Video: Indian Gangster Anmol Bishnoi in NIA custody after extradition from US

    Anmol Bishnoi, a key associate of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been extradited from the United States and placed in the custody of India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) for an 11-day remand. The special NIA Court at Patiala House granted the remand on Wednesday, and Bishnoi is scheduled to reappear before the court on November 29. Bishnoi, who had been absconding since 2022, is the 19th accused in a terror-gangster conspiracy case led by his brother Lawrence Bishnoi. The NIA alleges that Anmol Bishnoi played a pivotal role in coordinating terrorist activities from abroad, providing logistical support to gang operatives, and engaging in extortion. He is also linked to high-profile crimes, including the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique and the shooting outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence. Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi emphasized Bishnoi’s involvement with the Babbar Khalsa International gang and their efforts to revive the Khalistan Movement. Bishnoi’s legal team has pledged full cooperation with the investigation while denying any involvement in terrorist activities. Security was heightened around the court complex during the proceedings, and the NIA discreetly transported Bishnoi from Delhi Airport to avoid potential threats. The case underscores India’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the nexus between organized crime, terrorism, and arms smuggling.

  • Ukrainian teen saboteurs recruited on Telegram to attack their own country

    Ukrainian teen saboteurs recruited on Telegram to attack their own country

    In a chilling revelation, a Ukrainian teenager, now 18, has confessed to attempting to plant a bomb in a military conscription van under the direction of Russian handlers. The young man, identified only as Vlad to protect his identity, was promised $2,000 for the act of sabotage. However, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) had been monitoring him, ultimately thwarting the attack. Vlad is now awaiting trial on terrorism charges, which could result in a 12-year prison sentence.

    Vlad’s case is part of a broader pattern of Russian recruitment of Ukrainian minors for sabotage and attacks against their own country. According to the SBU, over 800 Ukrainians, including 240 minors, have been recruited by Russia in the past two years. Some of these recruits are as young as 11, with reports of attempts to recruit children as young as nine.

    The recruitment primarily occurs on platforms like Telegram, TikTok, and even video game platforms. The handlers exploit financial desperation, offering payments for increasingly dangerous tasks. Vlad, for instance, was initially reluctant but was persuaded to undertake a series of assignments, culminating in the bomb plot. He was paid a fraction of the promised cryptocurrency, highlighting the manipulative nature of these recruitments.

    Ukrainian officials have publicly named suspected Russian intelligence agents involved in these operations. While the BBC has not independently verified the Russian state’s direct involvement, several European governments have reported evidence of Russian agents recruiting young men for acts of vandalism, arson, and surveillance.

    The SBU has been proactive in countering these threats, conducting awareness campaigns in schools and removing some of the recruitment channels on Telegram. However, many of these channels remain active, with some even growing in subscribers. Telegram has stated that calls to violence are explicitly forbidden and removed when discovered, but the persistence of these channels suggests a significant challenge.

    Vlad’s story serves as a stark warning to others tempted by such offers. ‘It’s not worth it,’ he says. ‘They will either cheat you, and then you will end up in prison just like me, or you can take a bomb in your hands and it will simply blow you up.’

  • India expands visa-on-arrival for UAE nationals to 9 international airports

    India expands visa-on-arrival for UAE nationals to 9 international airports

    India has significantly expanded its visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility for UAE nationals, now including nine international airports across the country. The Indian Embassy in the UAE announced that Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad airports have been added to the list, which previously included Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. This move aims to streamline travel for UAE citizens who have previously obtained an e-Visa or regular visa for India. First-time visitors, however, must still apply for an e-Visa or regular visa before their trip. The VoA facility is available for UAE nationals visiting India for business, tourism, conference, or medical purposes, with a stay not exceeding 60 days. Applicants must hold a passport with a minimum validity of six months and may be required to provide proof of sufficient funds, accommodation, and a return or onward ticket. The VoA is non-extendable and non-convertible, but there are no restrictions on the number of times it can be availed. Notably, this facility is not available to individuals with Pakistani origins or residency. The application process involves filling out a form upon arrival, either online or via the ‘Indian Visa Su-Swagatam’ mobile app, and paying a fee of Rs 2,000 (Dh83) per passenger. This expansion follows the UAE’s earlier decision in February 2025 to broaden its visa-on-arrival program for Indian nationals, allowing entry with valid visas or residency permits from additional countries, including Singapore, Japan, and Australia.

  • Brussels Airport cancels all departing flights on November 26 due to strike

    Brussels Airport cancels all departing flights on November 26 due to strike

    Brussels Airport has announced the cancellation of all departing flights scheduled for November 26, 2025, due to a nationwide strike involving a significant portion of its security and handling staff. The airport issued a statement on Wednesday, November 19, warning travelers of potential disruptions. In addition to departures, some arriving flights may also face cancellations, and public transportation services to and from the airport could be severely impacted. The strike, which is part of broader labor actions across the country, is expected to cause widespread inconvenience for passengers and airlines alike. Authorities are urging travelers to monitor updates and make alternative arrangements if necessary. This disruption comes at a time when the aviation industry is already grappling with challenges such as fluctuating demand and operational complexities.