Global Pulse

分类： world

  • Eurostar to resume services after Channel tunnel power glitch; passengers warned

    Eurostar to resume services after Channel tunnel power glitch; passengers warned

    Eurostar services are gradually recommencing after a significant power supply malfunction within the Channel Tunnel caused widespread cancellations on December 30, 2025, during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The technical fault, compounded by a separate failed LeShuttle freight train within the tunnel, led to the suspension of all cross-channel routes connecting London with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.

    The operator confirmed a partial reopening of the tunnel mid-afternoon, with the first services resuming around 4:00 PM GMT. However, Eurostar issued a strong advisory for passengers to postpone non-essential travel due to the persistent overhead power issue, warning that all resumed services would be subject to severe delays and potential last-minute cancellations. The disruption even affected some continental routes not utilizing the tunnel, such as Paris-Brussels services.

    The incident created chaos at major terminals, including London’s St. Pancras and Paris’s Gare du Nord, where crowds of stranded travelers scrambled to find alternative arrangements. Passengers shared their frustrations with AFP correspondents, with many expressing disappointment over ruined New Year’s Eve plans. While some adopted a philosophical attitude toward the disruption, others desperately sought alternative transportation options, including flights and ferries, despite limited availability during the peak holiday season.

    This incident represents the latest in a series of operational challenges for Eurostar, which transported a record 19.5 million passengers in 2024. The monopoly holder of Channel Tunnel passenger services since 1994 now faces emerging competition from Richard Branson’s venture and Trenitalia’s planned Paris-London service by 2029. Previous disruptions include an electrical fault in August 2025 and cable theft in northern France that caused June service interruptions.

  • Germany bank heist nets about 30million euros in cash, valuables, customers seek answers

    Germany bank heist nets about 30million euros in cash, valuables, customers seek answers

    In a meticulously orchestrated criminal operation reminiscent of a Hollywood thriller, professional thieves successfully infiltrated a German savings bank vault in Gelsenkirchen, making off with an estimated €30 million ($35 million) in cash, gold, and jewelry. The sophisticated heist, which unfolded over the weekend, represents one of Germany’s most substantial bank robberies in recent history.

    According to police reports, the perpetrators utilized industrial drilling equipment to penetrate the underground vault room of the Sparkasse savings bank from an adjacent parking garage. Investigators believe the criminal team operated extensively throughout the weekend, systematically breaching more than 3,000 individual safe deposit boxes in what appears to have been a carefully planned operation.

    The discovery occurred early Monday when emergency services responded to a triggered fire alarm and encountered the breach point. Witness accounts describe observing several individuals carrying large bags through the parking garage stairwell during the Saturday-to-Sunday overnight period. Security footage captured a black Audi RS 6, containing masked occupants, exiting the garage in the early hours of Monday morning. The vehicle’s license plate had been previously reported stolen in Hanover.

    A police spokesperson characterized the operation as ‘exceptionally professionally executed,’ drawing parallels to the precision depicted in the film ‘Ocean’s Eleven.’ The official noted that the complexity of the breach indicated either extensive prior knowledge of the bank’s security systems or significant criminal resources dedicated to planning the operation.

    The aftermath has left hundreds of distressed bank customers gathering outside the branch seeking information about their potentially lost assets. Many victims have reported that their actual losses substantially exceed the insured value of their deposit boxes, which averaged approximately €10,000 per box according to insurance assessments. The bank branch remained closed for security reasons following threats made against employees, with police maintaining presence to monitor the situation which has reportedly stabilized since initial concerns.

  • Saving South Africa’s threatened albatross from lethal fishing lines

    Saving South Africa’s threatened albatross from lethal fishing lines

    In the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 27 nautical miles from South Africa’s Cape Point, a specialized tour vessel operated by Cape Town Pelagics navigates toward fishing trawlers. This unconventional destination provides birdwatchers with rare sightings of endangered seabirds, including the majestic black-browed albatross, which congregate around fishing operations in astonishing numbers.

    The birds have developed an opportunistic relationship with commercial fishing vessels, trailing behind them to feast on discarded fish heads and guts thrown overboard during catch processing. While this behavior provides immediate sustenance, it places these magnificent seabirds in grave danger through accidental bycatch—a critical threat driving several albatross species toward extinction.

    British conservationist Tim Appleton explains the deadly mechanics: ‘They get caught on what they call long lines—commercial fishing lines that can extend 100 kilometers with 4,000 baited hooks. Birds attempting to snatch the bait become hooked, dragged underwater, and drowned.’ Additionally, birds become entangled in cable lines pulling nets toward vessels.

    Andrea Angel of BirdLife South Africa’s Albatross Task Force reveals the alarming statistics: ‘Of the 22 global albatross species, 15 face direct threat from fishing activities. These birds spend most of their lives at sea, exclusively feeding on squid and fish, making fishing vessel encounters inevitable.’ Their reproductive biology exacerbates the crisis—albatrosses mate for life, produce a single egg biennially, and both parents must participate in chick-rearing. The loss of one parent guarantees the chick’s death and disrupts the breeding cycle for years.

    An innovative solution has emerged through bird scaring lines—essentially nautical scarecrows featuring colorful plastic streamers that flutter above fishing gear, deterring birds from dangerous proximity. BirdLife South Africa has partnered with the Ocean View Association for Persons with Disabilities, training members to manufacture these life-saving devices.

    Deborah Gonsalves, manager of the association, notes the profound impact: ‘This collaboration enables our members to maintain productivity and self-worth while supplementing disability grants.’ The program represents a rare convergence of conservation, social empowerment, and economic incentive.

    Fisheries themselves benefit economically from implementing these measures, as Andrea Angel explains: ‘Fishermen would rather catch a $10,000 tuna than a worthless bird.’ Since the Albatross Task Force’s establishment in 2004, southern African fisheries have achieved a remarkable 90% reduction in seabird bycatch—a conservation success story offering hope for global replication.

  • A train crash on the line to Peru’s famed Machu Picchu kills 1 person and injures at least 30

    A train crash on the line to Peru’s famed Machu Picchu kills 1 person and injures at least 30

    A tragic collision between two tourist trains near Peru’s iconic Machu Picchu archaeological site resulted in one fatality and approximately 30 injuries on Tuesday. The incident occurred near Qoriwayrachina, another historical site along the rail route connecting the ancient Inca citadel with the city of Cuzco.

    According to Captain Jhonathan Castillo Gonzalez of the Cuzco police department, the deceased was identified as a railroad employee. The railway operator immediately suspended all services along the critical transport corridor following the accident, which involved a train departing from Machu Picchu colliding with another train heading toward the UNESCO World Heritage site in the early afternoon.

    Visual evidence from local media outlets showed substantial damage to the trains, with multiple cars exhibiting shattered windows and severely dented exteriors. The damaged trains remained stranded along the narrow rail passage, which winds through dense vegetation alongside imposing rock formations.

    Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Inca emperor sanctuary renowned for its precisely engineered stone architecture, attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors annually. The vast majority access the site via railway to the gateway town of Aguas Calientes, though adventurous travelers can undertake a four-day trek from Ollantaytambo.

    Despite a 25% increase in visitation over the past decade, tourism to the region has experienced disruptions due to political instability and ongoing management disputes. Protest activities have periodically resulted in blockades along the vital rail infrastructure serving the archaeological marvel.

    Authorities have not yet determined the precise cause of the collision, with investigations ongoing. The incident highlights the challenges of managing transportation infrastructure in Peru’s popular but geographically constrained tourist destinations.

  • Motorcycles worth $40m seized from FBI most-wanted Olympic snowboarder

    Motorcycles worth $40m seized from FBI most-wanted Olympic snowboarder

    In a significant international law enforcement operation, Mexican authorities have confiscated 62 high-value motorcycles valued at approximately $40 million belonging to Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder now accused of operating one of North America’s most extensive narcotics networks. The seizure represents the latest development in the ongoing multinational manhunt for Wedding, who is believed to be residing under the protection of powerful Mexican drug cartels.

    The operation, conducted across four properties in Mexico City and surrounding regions, was coordinated with assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Los Angeles Police Department according to an FBI statement. The confiscated collection features rare racing models, predominantly Ducatis, alongside luxury paintings, artworks, substantial drug quantities, and two mysterious Olympic gold medals whose provenance remains unclear.

    This seizure follows last month’s confiscation of a $13 million Mercedes CLK-GTR hypercar from Wedding’s assets. The former athlete, who competed for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics without medaling (finishing 24th in giant parallel slalom), now occupies a spot on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list with a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.

    Authorities allege that Wedding, operating under aliases including ‘El Jefe,’ ‘Giant,’ and ‘Public Enemy,’ established his criminal enterprise after his release from US federal prison in 2011 where he was serving time for cocaine distribution. The FBI accuses him of ordering dozens of murders across the US, Canada, and Latin America, while also facing charges for witness tampering, intimidation, money laundering, and drug trafficking. Law enforcement officials have drawn comparisons between Wedding and notorious drug lords Pablo Escobar and Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán.

  • US commits $480m in health funding to Ivory Coast, the latest to sign ‘America First’ health deals

    US commits $480m in health funding to Ivory Coast, the latest to sign ‘America First’ health deals

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — In a significant shift from traditional aid models, the United States has entered into a comprehensive health agreement with Ivory Coast, pledging $480 million to bolster the West African nation’s healthcare infrastructure. The pact, signed Tuesday in Abidjan, represents the latest in a series of “America First” global health funding agreements initiated by the Trump administration.

    The bilateral agreement focuses on critical health priorities including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, malaria control, maternal and child health services, and global health security preparedness. This partnership requires Ivory Coast to contribute approximately 163 billion CFA francs ($292 million) by 2030, representing 60% of the total commitment, demonstrating a shared financial responsibility model.

    U.S. Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba characterized the agreement as marking “a new phase” in bilateral relations, emphasizing the transition “beyond the traditional aid approach toward a model focused on trade, innovation, and shared prosperity.” The arrangement replaces previous health agreements administered through the now-dismantled United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which had invested $115 million in Ivory Coast supporting health, education, and refugee assistance programs.

    This development occurs against the backdrop of substantial U.S. aid reductions that have significantly impacted health systems across developing nations, particularly in Africa where many countries historically depended on American funding for essential disease response programs. The new approach aligns with the Trump administration’s transactional foreign policy philosophy, seeking to eliminate what it perceives as ideological bias and inefficiency in international assistance while promoting national self-sufficiency.

  • Canadian couple found dead while vacationing in Dominican Republic

    Canadian couple found dead while vacationing in Dominican Republic

    A Canadian couple’s dream retirement vacation in the Dominican Republic ended tragically when they were discovered dead in their accommodation on Christmas Day. Christine Sauvé and Alain Noël, who had been saving extensively for their worldwide travels, passed away unexpectedly during their holiday stay.

    According to family statements, the couple’s son made the distressing discovery after they failed to wake on the morning of December 26th. Gilles Sauvé Jr., Christine’s brother, revealed to Canadian media that his sister had reported feeling unwell and experiencing dizziness shortly before the incident. She had sought medical attention at a local hospital where preliminary bloodwork was conducted, with additional scans scheduled for the following day that ultimately never occurred.

    Dominican authorities have launched a formal investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the simultaneous deaths. The Canadian government, through Global Affairs Canada, has confirmed awareness of the situation and is providing consular support to the grieving family. Autopsy results, which might clarify the cause of death, are anticipated within 45 days according to official timelines.

    The tragic timing during the holiday season has complicated repatriation efforts, with family members reporting difficulties navigating bureaucratic processes due to closed embassies and government offices. The couple, described as typical ‘snowbirds’ who planned to escape Canadian winters through travel, had envisioned this trip as the beginning of their retirement adventures together.

  • ‘Genocide’ behind bars: 32 Palestinians killed in Israeli detention in 2025

    ‘Genocide’ behind bars: 32 Palestinians killed in Israeli detention in 2025

    A coalition of leading Palestinian prisoner advocacy organizations has issued a damning report alleging Israel is perpetrating a systematic genocide against detainees, with documented cases of 32 prisoner fatalities occurring in 2025 alone. The joint publication from the Palestinian Commission of Detainees’ Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS), and Addameer characterizes Israeli detention facilities as centers of torture engineered to inflict prolonged physical and mental suffering, effectively implementing slow-execution policies. Since October 2023, at least 100 prisoner deaths under these severe conditions have been officially acknowledged by Israeli sources, with 86 identities disclosed, though the actual Palestinian fatality count in Israeli prisons remains undetermined. The report further indicates that Israeli authorities continue to withhold 94 Palestinian bodies, including 83 individuals killed during the Gaza conflict. Advocacy groups emphasize that the brutality witnessed over the past two years represents an unprecedented escalation, with prisoner deaths equaling the total documented over the preceding 24-year period. Detainees reportedly endure systematic torture, deliberate starvation, medical neglect, sexual violence, mass isolation, and deprivation of fundamental human needs. The report also highlights a campaign of mass arrests across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, documenting over 21,000 detentions since October 2023—including 1,655 children and 650 women—with 7,000 arrests occurring in 2025 alone. This figure excludes Gaza arrests and detainees from Palestinian communities within Israel. Journalists and medical personnel are identified as particularly targeted groups. These operations allegedly involve systematic field executions, severe physical assaults, intentional property destruction, home ransacking, asset confiscation, and the use of human shields. As of December 2025, more than 9,300 Palestinians are imprisoned, with approximately 4,750 held without trial or charge. Israel continues to withhold information regarding hundreds of detainees seized from Gaza, leaving families without official knowledge of their relatives’ whereabouts or status. The report concludes that systematic impunity and judicial complicity enable these alleged crimes, reinforcing policies of apartheid and persecution.

  • UN aid workers describe Sudan’s el-Fasher as a ‘crime scene’ after RSF takeover

    UN aid workers describe Sudan’s el-Fasher as a ‘crime scene’ after RSF takeover

    United Nations aid personnel have finally gained access to Sudan’s el-Fasher city, only to discover a landscape of devastation following its capture by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Senior UN official Denise Brown, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, characterized the scene as a “crime scene” with remarkably few survivors remaining after the violent takeover.

    The carefully negotiated entry, which occurred on Friday after weeks of diplomatic efforts, revealed a city largely emptied of its population. Brown expressed particular concern for injured individuals who remained unseen during the assessment and those potentially detained by the paramilitary forces. The visit’s primary objective was to evaluate whether safe humanitarian access could be established for delivering essential supplies to the devastated region.

    According to displacement estimates, over 100,000 residents have fled el-Fasher since late October when the RSF, after maintaining a 500-day siege, wrested control from the Sudanese Armed Forces and their allied Joint Forces. Those who remained were typically individuals too elderly, ill, or severely injured to attempt escape.

    Disturbing evidence compiled by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab indicates the RSF has engaged in systematic efforts to conceal mass atrocities, including the destruction of evidence through burial and burning of victims. Multiple witnesses have reported to Middle East Eye that the paramilitary group has conducted mass executions targeting specific ethnic groups and perceived political opponents, alongside widespread incidents of sexual violence.

    Survivor testimonies describe horrific scenes, with one witness recounting how RSF forces methodically entered neighborhoods and opened fire on civilians. Another survivor reported extortion attempts, with family members detained until substantial ransoms were paid.

    The scale of violence has been so extensive that satellite imagery analysis has identified 38 distinct locations showing reddish discoloration consistent with blood spills visible from space. This episode represents one of the most brutal chapters in Sudan’s conflict that began in April 2023, creating what the UN has classified as the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis.

    International attention has increasingly focused on the United Arab Emirates’ alleged role as the primary sponsor of the RSF, despite Abu Dhabi’s consistent denials. The UAE now faces accusations of complicity in genocide at the International Court of Justice, though jurisdictional issues have complicated the case filed by the Sudanese government in April.

    The atrocities in el-Fasher have triggered global condemnation, with coordinated protests and targeted lobbying campaigns against the UAE emerging worldwide. In London’s Oxford Street, billboards have appeared directly linking the Emirates to the Sudan conflict, signaling growing international awareness and outrage over the humanitarian catastrophe.

  • Watch: Bomb cyclone hits parts of the US with heavy snow

    Watch: Bomb cyclone hits parts of the US with heavy snow

    A formidable bomb cyclone, characterized by its rapid intensification, has unleashed severe winter weather across significant portions of the United States. The powerful meteorological event delivered blizzard-like conditions, combining heavy snowfall with strong, gusting winds, primarily impacting regions in the Midwest and stretching to the Eastern Seaboard.

    The immediate consequences of the storm system have been substantial, with transportation networks experiencing significant disruptions. Numerous flight cancellations and delays were reported at major airports within the storm’s path, while highway travel became hazardous or impossible in the hardest-hit areas due to whiteout conditions and rapidly accumulating snow. Local authorities issued travel advisories, urging residents to avoid unnecessary journeys to ensure public safety and allow emergency and road crews to perform their duties effectively.

    This type of extreme weather event, known for a sharp drop in atmospheric pressure, typically results in widespread and severe impacts. Beyond travel, the storm threatens power outages from downed lines and poses serious risks to individuals without adequate shelter. The event underscores the continuing pattern of intense and disruptive winter storms affecting the continent, highlighting challenges for infrastructure and emergency preparedness in the face of such powerful natural forces.