Global Pulse

分类： world

  • Immediate end to tensions urged

    Immediate end to tensions urged

    Amid escalating hostilities across the Middle East, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued an urgent appeal for an immediate cessation of military operations during a critical phone discussion with British counterpart Yvette Cooper on Thursday. The diplomatic exchange occurred against a backdrop of unprecedented attacks on energy infrastructure that threaten global economic stability.

    Minister Wang emphasized that the continuing conflict severely jeopardizes regional peace while simultaneously disrupting international energy markets, financial systems, trade networks, and shipping corridors. He warned that prolonged warfare would yield no victors, asserting that ceasefire implementation represents the collective aspiration of the global community.

    As permanent UN Security Council members, China and Britain bear special responsibility for maintaining international security, Wang noted. He advocated for enhanced bilateral communication to uphold UN Charter principles and preserve fundamental international norms, preventing further deterioration of the world order.

    The diplomatic urgency follows Israel’s first-known strike on Iran’s massive South Pars natural gas field on Wednesday, triggering retaliatory attacks against energy facilities across Gulf nations. Iran’s shared offshore field with Qatar suffered direct hits to gas tanks and refinery sections, forcing worker evacuations as firefighters battled ensuing blazes.

    Qatar’s critical Ras Laffan LNG complex—accounting for approximately 20% of global liquefied natural gas supply—endured a ballistic missile strike that caused extensive damage. In response, Doha expelled Iranian security attaches within 24 hours. Simultaneously, Iranian attacks targeted UAE’s Habshan gas facility and Bab field, suspending operations, while Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich Eastern Province came under fire.

    These coordinated energy infrastructure assaults propelled oil prices to nearly $110 per barrel, exacerbating existing supply chain vulnerabilities. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan declared shattered trust with Tehran while reserving rights to military response during emergency regional talks in Riyadh.

    Cooper conveyed Britain’s perspective on the turbulent situation, expressing desire for continued Sino-British coordination to facilitate diplomatic negotiations and pursue sustainable conflict resolution. Both officials concurred on advancing their comprehensive strategic partnership through enhanced exchanges and implementation of existing bilateral understandings.

  • Iranian diaspora marks Nowruz with heavy hearts as war cuts contact with loved ones

    Iranian diaspora marks Nowruz with heavy hearts as war cuts contact with loved ones

    PARIS — The ancient Persian celebration of Nowruz, traditionally marking renewal and hope with the spring equinox, has been overshadowed by conflict and grief for the global Iranian diaspora this year. As war ravages their homeland and communications falter, families separated by geography are united in anguish, transforming festive gatherings into somber reflections.

    Shayan Ghadimi, a 41-year-old Paris restaurateur, embodies this collective sorrow. Her story reveals the personal toll of Iran’s turmoil that began with the 2025 nationwide protests. Her septuagenarian mother, having witnessed the initial uprising on television from Paris, felt compelled to return to Iran, declaring ‘I want to be there.’ Now trapped amid bombardment and severed communications, she remains isolated in Tehran while her daughter imagines her ‘all alone at home, with no way to stay in contact, watching the sky.’

    The cultural institutions that typically preserve Iranian traditions abroad have adopted mourning postures. Parisian cultural centers that previously organized musical Nowruz events have canceled festivities, while Iranian American communities across the United States have significantly scaled back celebrations.

    Shakiba Edighoffer, a makeup artist shopping for Nowruz provisions, describes the community’s psychological state as a ‘kind of emotional roller coaster’ as war rages between Israel, the United States, and Iran’s Islamic Republic. ‘You hear news about this or that leader of the Islamic Republic being eliminated… about executions or bombings,’ she noted, emphasizing the stress of attempting to verify the safety of loved ones under bombardment through largely severed communication channels.

    For those gathering despite the circumstances, Nowruz provides minimal comfort against overwhelming psychological pressure. ‘All these oppressors want is for us to be sad, to forget our millennia-old Persian and Iranian traditions,’ Edighoffer asserted. ‘We must not give them that victory.’

    At Ghadimi’s spice-scented Paris restaurant, where flame-grilled kebabs and spiced rice typically fuel celebration, patrons now express polarized emotions. Some view the conflict as potentially bringing a new dawn, while others mourn the destruction wrought by Israeli and U.S. strikes. ‘I have people in tears. I have people who cry for joy,’ Ghadimi observed. ‘They say, ‘Did you see? They are coming. We are going to be saved.’ Others say, ‘Our country is being destroyed.’

    The personal becomes political as Ghadimi reveals she has spoken to her mother only twice since January. Her mother, who had promised to return to Paris for Nowruz, instead declared her intention to remain in Iran indefinitely. Having witnessed the 1979 Islamic Revolution, she now wants to witness Iran’s next chapter, telling her daughter: ‘I am staying here until the end.’

  • UN chief urges US, Israel to end war, warns of global consequences

    UN chief urges US, Israel to end war, warns of global consequences

    UNITED NATIONS, March 19, 2026 – In a stark address delivered during the European Council meeting in Brussels, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued an urgent plea for the immediate cessation of hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran, warning of catastrophic global repercussions if diplomatic solutions aren’t prioritized.

    Guterres emphasized that the ongoing military confrontation, initiated on February 28th, has created a dangerous escalation that risks spiraling ‘completely out of control’ while inflicting ‘immense suffering to civilian populations.’ The Secretary-General’s statement came as EU leaders convened to address the Middle East crisis and its profound implications for European energy security and regional stability.

    The conflict has already triggered severe disruptions across global markets, with energy prices experiencing unprecedented volatility. European benchmark gas prices witnessed a dramatic surge of over 30 percent during Thursday’s trading session, reaching €70.7 per megawatt-hour before moderating slightly. This represents a more than doubling of pre-conflict prices that previously stood at approximately €32 per megawatt-hour.

    Simultaneously, international oil markets experienced significant pressure, with Brent crude futures climbing above $116 per barrel – a price level not seen in recent years. Guterres specifically highlighted the disproportionate impact on developing nations, noting that the economic shockwaves ‘threaten to create particularly tragic consequences for the world’s least developed countries.’

    The UN leader’s intervention underscores growing international concern that the military action could evolve into a broader regional conflict with far-reaching implications beyond immediate security concerns. European leaders are now faced with addressing both the humanitarian aspects of the crisis and its destabilizing effect on global economic frameworks.

    Guterres concluded with a powerful appeal for diplomatic resolution: ‘The time has come for dialogue and negotiation to supersede military action. We must choose the path of peace before this conflict generates irreversible damage to global stability.’

  • Somaliland centre saves cheetahs from trafficking to Gulf palaces

    Somaliland centre saves cheetahs from trafficking to Gulf palaces

    In the Geed-Deeble savannah of Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, 127 rescued cheetahs now reside in a specialized sanctuary operated by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). These magnificent felines represent survivors of a devastating wildlife trafficking network that supplies exotic pets to wealthy buyers in Gulf nations.

    The cheetahs, all forcibly separated from their mothers as cubs, were destined for luxurious palaces across the Arabian Peninsula before intervention by Somaliland authorities. The CCF facility provides critical care for these traumatized animals, many arriving in dire condition after brutal smuggling attempts.

    According to conservation experts, the illicit trade poses an existential threat to the species. With only approximately 600 cheetahs remaining in the Horn of Africa region—and merely 7,000 surviving globally in the wild—the sanctuary supports a significant portion of the endangered population. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies African cheetahs as ‘critically endangered’ outside southern Africa.

    Chris Wade, director of the facility, describes the heartbreaking reality of rescue operations. Eight recently arrived cubs, part of a group of 11 intercepted by Somaliland’s coastguard, required intensive medical care after being discovered severely dehydrated and parasite-ridden aboard a smuggling vessel. Tragically, three succumbed within days of arrival.

    The trafficking pipeline typically begins with villagers in Somaliland or Ethiopia capturing cubs for meager payments of $50-$100. These animals then undergo perilous journeys across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen before reaching final destinations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where they command prices reaching $20,000.

    Despite both UAE (2016) and Saudi Arabia (2022) implementing laws criminalizing possession and trade of dangerous animals, enforcement remains challenging. Animal trafficking expert Daniel Stiles reports continuing sightings of new cheetahs appearing on social media platforms, indicating persistent demand.

    The survival statistics are grim: for every cub successfully delivered, four to five perish during transportation. Those reaching their destinations typically survive only one to two years due to improper care, malnutrition, and disease, according to CCF founder Laurie Marker.

    A 2021 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime estimated approximately 300 cheetahs are smuggled annually from East Africa and the Horn of Africa, primarily destined for palatial residences. At this rate, experts warn the species faces ‘virtual extinction.’

    While most sanctuary residents have become too habituated to humans for wild release—missing crucial hunting development that enables their legendary 120 km/h speeds—the center is developing a 1,500-hectare rewilding area to rehabilitate younger arrivals for potential return to nature, offering hope for future rescues.

  • Israel strikes ‘decimated’ Iran as war roils markets

    Israel strikes ‘decimated’ Iran as war roils markets

    The Middle East conflict entered a dangerous new phase on Friday as Israel launched fresh strikes against Tehran, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring Iran was being “decimated” in the ongoing hostilities. The Israeli military confirmed targeting “infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime” in the capital, which has endured near-daily bombardment since the war began on February 28.

    Netanyahu asserted at a press conference that the conflict had effectively neutralized Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities and ballistic missile production as the confrontation approaches its fourth week. “We are winning and Iran is being decimated,” the Israeli leader stated, while predicting the war would conclude “a lot faster than people think” without providing specific timelines.

    The Iranian response has intensified with retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf nations, particularly targeting energy infrastructure that has triggered global concerns about potential energy supply disruptions. Several explosions were reported over Jerusalem Thursday night, while the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia all reported missile and drone attacks during the Eid al-Fitr observances marking Ramadan’s conclusion.

    The conflict’s regional expansion has proven devastating for Lebanon, where health officials report over 1,000 fatalities from Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has renewed calls for truce negotiations, which French officials indicated would require Israel’s participation.

    Energy markets have experienced significant volatility following Iranian missile strikes on Qatar’s massive Ras Laffan natural gas complex, which Qatar’s state energy company estimates could cause $20 billion in annual lost revenue and require five years for complete restoration. The attacks have driven natural gas prices upward and maintained oil prices near $100 per barrel, though crude prices saw modest relief during early Asian trading in response to Netanyahu’s optimistic timeline predictions.

    The human toll continues to mount across the region, with many families canceling traditional Eid celebrations amid displacement and economic hardship. Beirut resident Aziza Ahmad captured the somber mood: “There’s nothing to celebrate. Maybe it’s different for the rich, but the joy of Eid is missing here… We have no money, and the displaced people can’t even go back home.”

    International diplomatic efforts remain complex, with former President Trump acknowledging coordination with Israel while distancing himself from specific operations. Pentagon officials indicated no clear endpoint for the conflict, emphasizing that resolution would occur “at the president’s choosing” when strategic objectives are achieved.

  • The war in Iran raises pressure on Ukraine while Russia prepares new offensives

    The war in Iran raises pressure on Ukraine while Russia prepares new offensives

    As U.S.-mediated peace negotiations remain suspended amid Middle Eastern hostilities, Russian President Vladimir Putin appears poised to intensify military operations against Ukraine. This strategic shift occurs amid growing fractures within Western alliances and concerns over diverted military resources.

    Russia’s war economy is experiencing unexpected financial reinforcement from surging global oil prices, substantially bolstering Moscow’s military budget. Concurrently, U.S. air defense capabilities face significant strain from Iranian attacks in the Gulf region, raising alarms about depleted resources available for Ukrainian support during the fifth year of sustained conflict.

    European allies have reiterated commitments to sustain assistance, yet internal disputes over a crucial €90 billion European Union loan package reveal deepening challenges in maintaining unified support. The refusal of NATO members to deploy naval assets to secure the Strait of Hormuz has provoked strong criticism from President Donald Trump, exposing additional geopolitical fissures with potential consequences for Ukrainian defense efforts.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has attempted to maintain Washington’s engagement by offering military expertise in countering Iranian drone technology, deploying over 200 specialists to the Gulf. This overture has been dismissed by Trump, who asserted that American forces require no assistance from Kyiv.

    Military analysts indicate Russian forces are preparing for renewed offensive operations across the 1,200-kilometer front line. The Institute for the Study of War reports intensified artillery barrages and drone attacks aimed at weakening Ukrainian defenses before anticipated ground assaults. Russian objectives reportedly include securing remaining Ukrainian-held territories in Donetsk and establishing bridgeheads toward key industrial centers.

    Ukrainian forces have launched counteroffensives in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, successfully complicating Russian operational planning. According to assessments, these tactical victories force Moscow to choose between defensive responses and allocating resources for planned offensive operations elsewhere along the front.

    The nature of combat has evolved from initial rapid maneuvers to protracted attrition warfare characterized by small-unit engagements in urban environments. Drone surveillance has limited large-scale troop movements, while Russia has increasingly employed long-range strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

    Personnel recruitment presents challenges for both nations. Following Russia’s unpopular mobilization of 300,000 reservists, military planners have shifted toward volunteer recruitment and foreign fighters attracted by financial incentives. Current estimates suggest approximately 700,000 troops are engaged on each side.

    Peace negotiations remain stalled with fundamental disagreements persisting. Moscow demands Ukrainian withdrawal from four annexed regions, NATO membership renunciation, military reduction, and cultural concessions. Kyiv insists on ceasefire arrangements with security guarantees and maintains territorial integrity claims.

    European nations accuse Russia of deliberately prolonging negotiations while pursuing military advantages, though Moscow rejects European participation in peace talks. Kremlin officials have stated they would consider European monitoring forces as legitimate targets.

    Analyst Sam Greene of King’s College London characterizes Moscow’s strategy as engaging Washington sufficiently to prevent Ukrainian military advantages while keeping European involvement minimized without enabling substantive diplomatic progress.

    The U.S. has granted Russia temporary sanctions waivers for oil shipments already in transit, drawing criticism from European and Ukrainian officials. Trump has increasingly portrayed Zelenskyy as obstructing potential peace agreements, claiming Putin demonstrates greater readiness for diplomatic resolution.

    Zelenskyy has expressed growing concern that Middle Eastern conflicts are negatively impacting Ukraine’s military position, noting postponed negotiations, Russian financial benefits from elevated oil prices, and potential shortages of critical air defense systems including Patriot missiles.

  • Energy fallout from Iran war signals a global wake-up call for renewable energy

    Energy fallout from Iran war signals a global wake-up call for renewable energy

    The ongoing conflict in Iran has dramatically revealed the world’s precarious dependence on fragile fossil fuel supply chains, intensifying calls for an accelerated transition to renewable energy sources. With hostilities effectively halting oil exports through the critical Strait of Hormuz—a narrow maritime passage handling approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG)—energy markets have experienced significant disruptions. These developments have triggered price surges and placed substantial strain on import-dependent economies worldwide.

    Asia, as the primary destination for these oil shipments, has borne the brunt of the impact, though European and African nations likewise face considerable challenges. European policymakers are implementing energy demand reduction measures, while Africa prepares for escalating fuel costs and inflationary pressures.

    Unlike previous energy crises, renewable power now presents cost-competitive alternatives to fossil fuels in numerous markets. The International Renewable Energy Agency reports that over 90% of new renewable projects initiated in 2024 offered cheaper electricity generation than fossil fuel alternatives.

    The crisis extends beyond electricity generation, affecting fertilizer production, plastics manufacturing, and numerous other industries. Nations with more developed renewable infrastructure demonstrate greater resilience, as these systems utilize domestic solar and wind resources rather than imported fuels.

    Energy analyst James Bowen of ReMap Research observes: “These crises regularly occur. They are a feature, not a bug, of a fossil fuel-based energy system.”

    China and India, the world’s two most populous nations, present contrasting approaches to energy security. China has established global leadership in renewable adoption while remaining the largest crude oil importer and primary purchaser of Iranian oil. Approximately 10% of Chinese vehicles are now electric, significantly reducing import dependence according to International Energy Agency data.

    Lauri Myllyvirta of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air notes that without this transition, China would be “far more vulnerable to supply and price shocks.”

    India has pursued renewable expansion at a slower pace with less governmental support for manufacturing and grid integration. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India prioritized energy security through discounted Russian oil purchases and increased coal production. While solar and wind capacity provided some cushioning effect, the country now faces cooking gas shortages affecting restaurants and industries.

    Wealthy nations have responded variably to the crisis. Some European governments initially attempted to reduce fossil fuel dependence but subsequently focused on securing alternative suppliers. Germany constructed LNG terminals to replace Russian gas with American exports, potentially slowing its energy transition. Research indicates Europe’s fossil fuel spending since the Ukraine conflict represents approximately 40% of the investment required for full transition to clean energy.

    Japan has predominantly diversified fossil fuel imports rather than investing substantially in domestic renewables, with solar and wind constituting merely 11% of its energy production.

    Developing nations face particularly severe challenges, competing with wealthier countries for limited gas supplies. Import-dependent economies across Africa and Asia—including Benin, Zambia, Bangladesh, and Thailand—confront potentially devastating impacts from sustained high prices.

    Kennedy Mbeva of the University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk emphasizes that African nations should strategically build long-term energy security through cleaner investments. While South Africa considers new gas infrastructure, Ethiopia has banned gasoline and diesel vehicles to promote electric transportation.

    Renewable energy has provided measurable protection for some nations. Pakistan’s solar expansion has prevented over $12 billion in fossil fuel imports since 2020, with potential savings of $6.3 billion in 2026 alone. Vietnam’s solar generation stands to save hundreds of millions in avoided coal and gas imports.

    Countries without renewable buffers are implementing emergency measures: Bangladesh has closed universities to conserve electricity and instituted fuel rationing, while Thailand has suspended petroleum exports and increased domestic production.

    As research fellow Areeporn Asawinpongphan of the Thailand Development Research Institute concludes: “The time for promoting domestic renewables should have happened a long time ago.”

  • Australians told to shelter in place as Tropical Cyclone Narelle hits Queensland

    Australians told to shelter in place as Tropical Cyclone Narelle hits Queensland

    A major weather emergency unfolded across northern Australia on Friday as Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall, bringing catastrophic winds and torrential rainfall to the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland. The powerful storm system initially struck the coast as a severe Category 4 cyclone with wind gusts reaching 220 km/h (137 mph) before weakening to Category 3 intensity, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

    The cyclone’s impact has been widespread, with emergency services reporting significant damage including roof losses, downed trees, and power outages affecting approximately 3,500 homes across regional Queensland. While the small community of Coen (population 350) was initially expected to bear the brunt of the storm, residents north of the town reported substantial structural damage, with one local describing “losing roofs everywhere” in interviews with the ABC.

    Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned that many residents were experiencing the strongest winds witnessed in the region “for a long, long time,” noting that the cyclone system contained “a lot of rain” that threatened already saturated catchments. Meteorological authorities forecast up to 500mm of rainfall in some areas, creating dangerous flash flooding conditions across the peninsula.

    Emergency response efforts have been mobilized comprehensively, with police and rescue crews deploying helicopters, boats, medical teams, and additional electrical crews to affected areas. State Disaster Coordinator Chris Stream urgently advised residents to shelter in place, cautioning against any false sense of security during the eye’s passage and emphasizing that “we cannot underestimate the potential risk to life.”

    The cyclone’s effects extended surprisingly far south, with the tourist destination of Port Douglas—approximately 400km from the landfall location—experiencing significant beach erosion. Further south in Cairns, northern beaches suffered substantial erosion as well.

    Meteorological projections indicate Narelle will continue moving across the Cape York peninsula, potentially affecting predominantly Indigenous communities, before crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria. Weather experts warn that warm waters in the Gulf could cause the cyclone to reintensify as it approaches the Northern Territory. As a precautionary measure, hundreds of residents from the remote community of Numbulwar have already been evacuated to Darwin.

  • ​The A-10 is reborn in the Iran war

    ​The A-10 is reborn in the Iran war

    The venerable A-10 Thunderbolt II, long targeted for retirement by the U.S. Air Force, has emerged as a critical asset in ongoing operations against Iranian threats throughout the Middle East. Despite years of efforts to phase out the aging fleet, the heavily armored close-air support aircraft has been transformed through comprehensive upgrades that include advanced networking capabilities, artificial intelligence integration, and precision weapon systems.

    Operating primarily from Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base in Jordan and Al-Dhaffra Air Base in the UAE, the modernized A-10s perform multiple combat roles. These include neutralizing Iranian Shahed-136 suicide drones using the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS II), providing maritime force protection for U.S. Navy operations, eliminating shore-based missile sites, destroying fast attack boats threatening Persian Gulf shipping, and targeting Iranian proxy militias in Iraq.

    The aircraft’s survivability, demonstrated during previous conflicts, remains unmatched. The A-10’s design features—including titanium armor protection, redundant systems, and engine placement—have proven effective against modern threats. During Operation Desert Storm, nearly half of the deployed A-10s sustained combat damage yet returned safely, a testament to the aircraft’s rugged construction.

    Significant technological enhancements have transformed the platform’s capabilities. The integration of Link 16 networking technology enables real-time data sharing with advanced platforms like the F-35, while AI-assisted targeting systems can generate attack plans in seconds rather than minutes. The APKWS II guidance system, combined with new proximity fuses and specialized software, has made the A-10 particularly effective against low-cost drones, providing a cost-efficient solution to the drone threat.

    Despite these demonstrated capabilities, the Air Force continues its planned retirement of the fleet. Congressional mandates currently prevent reducing the inventory below 103 aircraft through September 2026, with complete retirement scheduled for 2029. This ongoing phase-out occurs even as the modernized A-10s demonstrate unprecedented effectiveness in current combat operations, raising questions about the timing of their retirement given their proven combat value.

  • Anti-apartheid activist, human rights campaigner and UN diplomat Nicholas Haysom dies at age 73

    Anti-apartheid activist, human rights campaigner and UN diplomat Nicholas Haysom dies at age 73

    Nicholas Haysom, the eminent South African constitutional architect and United Nations diplomat whose legal expertise helped shape post-apartheid South Africa, has passed away at age 73 in New York following prolonged cardiopulmonary complications. His death was confirmed by his daughter Rebecca Haysom on Tuesday.

    Haysom’s legacy spans continents and causes, most notably his foundational role as Chief Legal and Constitutional Advisor to President Nelson Mandela during South Africa’s democratic transition. He was instrumental in drafting the nation’s groundbreaking constitution that institutionalized equal rights for all citizens regardless of race—a document internationally acclaimed for its progressive vision.

    Before his distinguished UN career, Haysom emerged from a liberal Durban family as a fierce opponent of apartheid. His activism led to multiple arrests and six months in solitary confinement around 1980. He later channeled this commitment into legal scholarship, becoming president of the anti-apartheid National Union of South African Students and eventually joining Mandela’s African National Congress Constitutional Commission.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised Haysom’s lifelong dedication to “justice, dialogue, and reconciliation,” noting his service in some of the world’s most challenging conflict zones including Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, and South Sudan. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, himself a former anti-apartheid activist, remembered Haysom for applying “legal acumen, mentorship, wisdom and integrity to the development of our constitution.”

    Haysom’s diplomatic career focused on resolving ethnic conflicts, from mediating Hutu-Tutsi violence in Burundi to facilitating North-South peace negotiations in Sudan. His approach recognized that sustainable peace requires constant engagement, noting that even successful agreements eventually face challenges.

    He is survived by his wife Delphine, five children, and a global community of colleagues inspired by his perseverance in advancing human rights and constitutional democracy.