Global Pulse

分类： world

  • Dutch court sentences Eritrean man to 20 years for cruel people smuggling

    Dutch court sentences Eritrean man to 20 years for cruel people smuggling

    THE HAGUE, Netherlands — In a landmark ruling addressing transnational human trafficking, an Eritrean national has received the maximum 20-year prison sentence from a Dutch court for orchestrating a brutal smuggling network that preyed on vulnerable migrants. Tewelde Goitom, operating under the alias Amanuel Walid, was convicted on multiple counts of people smuggling and extortion by the Overijssel District Court.

    The court established that Goitom led a criminal enterprise that subjected migrants to what Presiding Judge René Melaard described as “cruel, violent, and degrading treatment” throughout their Mediterranean crossing attempts. Migrants were held captive in Libyan camps under horrific conditions while their families in the Netherlands were systematically extorted for payment.

    Judge Melaard characterized the case as “exceptionally serious” due to both the scale of operations and the particularly brutal methods employed. “You and your accomplices were merciless, unscrupulous, and devoid of regard for human dignity,” Melaard stated during sentencing, emphasizing that the crimes represented “gross undermining of Dutch and European immigration policy.”

    The prosecution demonstrated that Goitom’s network operated a sophisticated extortion scheme where migrants were forced to contact relatives under duress, with payments processed through multiple jurisdictions including the United Arab Emirates. Only upon full payment were migrants permitted to continue their perilous journeys toward Europe.

    Goitom, who was extradited from Ethiopia in 2022 where he faced similar convictions, maintained throughout the trial that he was a victim of mistaken identity. The court rejected this defense along with jurisdictional challenges from his legal team, though acquitted him on two specific migrant cases due to insufficient evidence.

    In addition to the prison term, Goitom was ordered to pay over €30,000 ($35,000) in victim compensation. The ruling comes as Dutch authorities pursue another high-profile trafficker, Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam, recently extradited from the UAE after escaping custody during his Ethiopian trial.

  • Iran official says businesses’ internet access may be restored in coming days

    Iran official says businesses’ internet access may be restored in coming days

    Iranian authorities have indicated that international internet access for businesses might be restored within days, following an 18-day nationwide blackout imposed during widespread anti-government protests. Hossein Rafieian, a senior digital economy official, stated through the Mehr news agency that corporate internet connectivity could return within “the next day or two,” though he acknowledged the final decision rests beyond his direct authority.

    The internet shutdown, which monitoring group Netblocks confirms has persisted for over two weeks, has drawn international condemnation as rights organizations report it has enabled a violent crackdown on demonstrators. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the confirmed death toll has reached 5,848 individuals, including 209 security personnel, with an additional 17,091 potential fatalities under investigation. The organization estimates at least 41,283 arrests have occurred.

    Iranian officials provided their first official casualty figures last week, claiming 3,117 deaths—mostly security forces and civilians allegedly killed by protesters described as “rioters.” The protests initially emerged in late December over economic concerns but rapidly evolved into a broad movement challenging the Islamic Republic’s leadership, culminating in massive demonstrations beginning January 8.

    The economic impact of the digital blackout remains contested. Iran’s deputy telecommunications minister estimated daily losses between $3-4 million, while NetBlocks calculated a significantly higher economic damage exceeding $37 million daily. The internet monitor also noted authorities were intensifying filtering measures to limit circumvention while promoting state-approved narratives through whitelisted accounts.

  • Last remaining twin giant pandas in Japan depart for China

    Last remaining twin giant pandas in Japan depart for China

    Japan’s panda chapter closed on Tuesday as the nation’s final remaining giant pandas, twin siblings Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, departed from Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens en route to China. This historic departure marks the first absence of giant pandas in Japan since 1972, when the iconic bears first arrived as symbols of normalized diplomatic relations between the two nations.

    The beloved twins, born in 2021 to parents Shin Shin and Ri Ri (who returned to China in September 2024), were transported via specialized truck convoy to Narita International Airport for their scheduled flight to China. Their departure fulfills a bilateral agreement between China and Japan that stipulated the pandas’ return by February 2026, with Japanese authorities coordinating an earlier transfer date through diplomatic channels.

    In their final days at Ueno zoo, the pandas attracted unprecedented public attention. The institution implemented a combined reservation-and-lottery system to manage overwhelming visitor demand, offering approximately 4,400 daily viewing slots. Mainichi Shimbun reported extraordinary public engagement, with 311,500 applications submitted and final-day reservations exceeding capacity by 24.6 times. Even those unsuccessful in the lottery gathered at the zoo to bid emotional farewells to the departing celebrities.

    Mikako Kaneko, deputy director of Ueno zoo, expressed profound gratitude to the countless supporters who had followed and nurtured the pandas’ development throughout their residence. This departure follows the June 2025 return of four giant pandas from Wakayama Prefecture, completing the gradual repatriation of China’s loaned pandas across Japanese institutions.

    The panda diplomacy program, initiated five decades ago, has served as both a conservation effort and diplomatic bridge between China and Japan. The current absence represents a significant moment in Sino-Japanese cultural exchange, though future panda loans remain possible through ongoing bilateral agreements.

  • Philippines grounds ferry operator’s fleet after deadly sinking

    Philippines grounds ferry operator’s fleet after deadly sinking

    Philippine authorities have imposed an immediate suspension on all passenger vessels operated by Aleson Shipping Lines following the catastrophic sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 that claimed 18 lives. The dramatic maritime disaster occurred during early morning hours on Monday off the southwestern coast of Mindanao, with 344 passengers and crew aboard the ill-fated ferry.

    Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced the comprehensive grounding order on Tuesday, revealing that the maritime regulator and coast guard would conduct an intensive safety audit over the next ten days. The decisive action comes as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a full-scale investigation into the tragedy. “If it turns out the shipowners were deficient, they will expect the full force of the law,” Lopez stated during a press briefing, emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance approach to maritime safety violations.

    The sunken vessel now rests approximately 76 meters (249 feet) beneath the ocean surface, creating challenging conditions for recovery operations. Coast Guard Commandant Ronnie Gavan confirmed that 10 individuals remain missing, including the ship’s captain, eight crew members, and a safety marshall. Search-and-rescue missions continue as priority, with 16 technical divers and remotely operated vehicles being deployed from Manila to assist in both recovery efforts and the forthcoming investigation.

    Disturbingly, this incident marks the second tragedy on nearly identical routes within three years. In 2023, the Lady Mary Joy 3 ferry fire resulted in 31 fatalities—another vessel owned by the same shipping company. Lopez disclosed that Aleson Shipping Lines has experienced 32 recorded safety “incidents” at sea, though specific details were not immediately provided.

    Survivor accounts paint a troubling picture of potential negligence. Aquino Sajili, a 53-year-old lawyer who survived the sinking, recounted to AFP that crew members failed to alert passengers as the vessel began tilting dangerously. “No one from the crew alerted us,” Sajili described, noting how passengers rushed to one side in a desperate attempt to counterbalance the listing ship before hearing a “loud snap” that preceded rapid submersion. Survivors spent hours floating in life jackets awaiting rescue, with Sajili indicating that legal action against the shipping company appears inevitable.

    The Philippines continues to grapple with maritime safety challenges in its extensive archipelago nation, where inter-island ferries serve as vital transportation links between more than 7,000 islands. This latest incident recalls previous tragedies including the 2015 Leyte Island capsizing (60+ fatalities) and the 1987 Dona Paz collision with an oil tanker—the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster claiming over 4,000 lives.

  • Watch: Huge landslide in Sicily after Storm Harry

    Watch: Huge landslide in Sicily after Storm Harry

    A catastrophic landslide has struck the eastern coastline of Sicily, prompting the emergency evacuation of over a thousand residents. The disaster occurred in the wake of Storm Harry, which unleashed torrential rains that destabilized the terrain in the Catania province.

    Dramatic footage captured the moment vast sections of earth and vegetation cascaded down hillsides, threatening residential areas and critical infrastructure. Italian civil protection authorities and emergency services executed a rapid response operation, relocating citizens to temporary shelters as a precautionary measure against further geological activity.

    Meteorological experts attribute the landslide’s severity to a combination of saturated soil conditions from prolonged precipitation and potentially vulnerable geological formations characteristic of the region. This event highlights growing concerns about extreme weather patterns and their impact on Mediterranean communities, particularly in areas with significant coastal development.

    The regional government has declared a state of emergency in affected municipalities, initiating damage assessment procedures and requesting federal support for reconstruction efforts. Geotechnical teams are currently evaluating slope stability across adjacent areas to determine additional evacuation needs.

  • Ukrainians battle harsh winter after Russia targets energy infrastructure

    Ukrainians battle harsh winter after Russia targets energy infrastructure

    Millions of Ukrainian civilians are confronting a severe humanitarian crisis as a brutal winter sets in, following a sustained campaign of targeted strikes on the nation’s critical energy infrastructure. With thermometers consistently registering at approximately -15°C (5°F), the destruction of power generation and distribution facilities has precipitated widespread blackouts, depriving entire cities of essential heating and electricity.

    The strategic offensive against Ukraine’s energy grid has resulted in a catastrophic degradation of basic services. Urban centers, including the capital Kyiv, are experiencing rolling blackouts, compelling residents to seek refuge in emergency shelters and rely on communal heating points established by local authorities. The systematic nature of the attacks has hampered repair efforts, leaving utility crews struggling to restore even minimal functionality against the backdrop of ongoing security threats.

    This energy warfare has profound implications beyond immediate discomfort. The disruption affects vital medical services, water supply systems, and telecommunications, creating a cascading effect on public health and safety. International aid organizations are ramping up efforts to deliver generators, warm clothing, and essential supplies, yet the scale of the need vastly outstrips the current response. The situation exemplifies a new dimension of modern conflict, where civilian comfort and survival are directly targeted to apply strategic pressure during winter months.

  • 10 still missing after ferry carrying 344 sinks in S Philippines

    10 still missing after ferry carrying 344 sinks in S Philippines

    Rescue operations continue in the southern Philippines as authorities search for ten missing individuals following the sinking of the inter-island ferry M/V Trisha Kerstin 3. The vessel, which capsized early Monday in waters off Basilan province, was carrying 344 passengers and crew according to revised figures released by the Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday.

    The maritime disaster has claimed 18 confirmed lives while rescue teams have successfully recovered 316 survivors from the treacherous waters. The Coast Guard adjusted initial passenger counts downward from 359 after verification revealed 15 individuals listed on boarding manifests never actually embarked on the ill-fated voyage.

    Coast guard personnel were photographed attending to survivors in the aftermath of the tragedy, providing emergency medical care and transportation to safety. The incident represents one of the most significant maritime accidents in the region in recent years, raising questions about safety protocols for inter-island transportation in the Philippine archipelago.

    The sinking occurred in a region known for challenging maritime conditions, though the exact cause of the disaster remains under investigation. Search and recovery operations continue with coast guard assets deployed across the affected area, working against time and weather conditions to locate the remaining missing persons.

  • Fascist salutes from the podium: Cortina’s forgotten ‘mini-Olympics’ during World War II

    Fascist salutes from the podium: Cortina’s forgotten ‘mini-Olympics’ during World War II

    CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — As the world prepares for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, a largely erased chapter of sports history resurfaces from the very grounds where Olympic events will unfold. The current curling arena and mobile-home Athletes’ Village stand precisely where fascist imagery once dominated during the 1941 World Ski Championships—an event orchestrated by Mussolini’s Italy and Nazi Germany as a propaganda spectacle.

    While Cortina’s 1956 Winter Games are well documented, the 1941 championships remain conspicuously absent from official records. The International Skiing Federation (FIS) expunged all results after World War II, effectively erasing the event from historical memory. Recently discovered archival materials and amateur films reveal athletes performing Nazi salutes on podiums, swastika flags throughout the resort town, and a substantial military presence.

    According to University of Bologna sports historian Nicola Sbetti, “The Italian republic has never been interested in taking responsibility for the championships.” He characterizes the event as part of an Axis powers strategy “to create a new world order” through sports, maintaining normalcy while war ravaged Europe.

    The competition excluded Allied nations while featuring Axis countries and puppet states. Germany—bolstered by annexed Austria’s skiers—and Italy dominated the Alpine events, claiming all 18 medals between them. Austrian-born Josef Jennewein and German skier Christl Cranz achieved multiple gold medals, with Cranz’s record-equaling performances only recently matched by American Mikaela Shiffrin.

    Communications director Max Vergani, author of “Cortina41: The Phantom World Championship,” describes how Mussolini transformed the event into a “mini-Olympics” after the cancellation of the 1944 Winter Games. The championships served as a demonstration of fascist power similar to Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics.

    Tragically, many 1941 medalists perished in subsequent war operations, including Jennewein shot down over the Soviet Union and Cranz’s brother killed on the Eastern Front. Italian slalom champion Celina Seghi continued competing after the war, eventually earning a bronze medal at the 1950 worlds before passing away in 2022 at age 102.

    The FIS formally nullified the championships at its first postwar congress in 1946, with the motion passing unanimously. Today, few physical traces remain beyond souvenir shop items featuring the event’s official poster—a ghostly reminder of sports’ complex relationship with political propaganda.

  • Russian drones injure Ukrainian children and a pregnant woman as Zelenskyy urges swifter diplomacy

    Russian drones injure Ukrainian children and a pregnant woman as Zelenskyy urges swifter diplomacy

    Ukrainian authorities reported a devastating Russian drone assault on the southern port city of Odesa, leaving 23 civilians wounded—including two children and a pregnant woman. The attack, which utilized over 50 advanced drones, targeted critical infrastructure and residential areas, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis during an exceptionally harsh winter.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urgently appealed for accelerated U.S. diplomatic intervention to resolve the nearly four-year conflict, emphasizing that each Russian strike undermines ongoing peace negotiations. Despite reported progress in diplomatic channels, fundamental disagreements persist regarding the status of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.

    Military analysts suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin remains strategically patient, betting on waning Western support and Ukrainian fatigue. Meanwhile, Russia continues enhancing its drone capabilities, recently deploying the jet-powered ‘Geran-5’ model capable of carrying 90-kilogram warheads over 1,000 kilometers.

    In response, Ukraine has significantly ramped up production of interceptor drones while developing long-range offensive capabilities. The overnight exchange saw Russian air defenses claim 19 Ukrainian drones destroyed across multiple regions.

    Notably, Russia’s military recruitment strategies have expanded to include cash incentives, prisoner releases, and the exploitation of foreign laborers—with an Associated Press investigation revealing Bangladeshi workers being deceived into combat roles under false pretenses.

  • Anger as branch of ICE to help with security at Winter Olympics

    Anger as branch of ICE to help with security at Winter Olympics

    A significant diplomatic controversy has emerged following the confirmation that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will participate in security operations for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. The announcement has triggered vehement opposition from Italian political leaders and human rights advocates, who cite the agency’s controversial record on immigration enforcement.

    ICE confirmed through an official statement that its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) branch would assist the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and Italian authorities by conducting risk assessments targeting transnational criminal organizations. The agency emphasized that all security operations would remain under Italian jurisdiction and clarified that its activities in Italy would be entirely separate from its domestic immigration enforcement operations conducted by its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division.

    The revelation has ignited strong reactions across Italy’s political spectrum. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala delivered a particularly scathing assessment, characterizing ICE as a ‘militia that kills’ and stating unequivocally that the organization was ‘not welcome’ in his city, which will host several Olympic events. The mayor’s comments included a direct challenge to U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, asking ‘Can’t we just say no to Trump for once?’

    Further condemnation came from Alessandro Zan, a European Parliament member representing Italy’s centre-left Democratic Party, who denounced the arrangement as ‘unacceptable,’ asserting that Italy should not welcome organizations that ‘trample on human rights and act outside of any democratic control.’

    The controversy has been amplified by recent incidents involving ICE operations in the United States, particularly the deaths of two civilians during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Italian authorities have attempted to clarify the scope of ICE involvement, with regional officials suggesting the agency’s role would be limited to providing security for U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the opening ceremony. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi asserted that ‘ICE, as such, will never operate in Italy,’ though this statement appears to contradict the agency’s confirmed participation.

    The International Olympic Committee has deferred all inquiries regarding the security arrangements to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, maintaining its distance from the growing diplomatic dispute.