Global Pulse

分类： world

  • UAE offers condolences to Nepal after bus crash kills 19

    UAE offers condolences to Nepal after bus crash kills 19

    The United Arab Emirates has formally expressed its profound sympathy and solidarity with the nation of Nepal following a catastrophic bus accident that claimed multiple lives in the mountainous Dading region. Through an official statement released by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the government, and the people of Nepal, while also extending wishes for a swift recovery to those injured in the tragedy.

    The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when a passenger bus veered off a treacherous mountain road in western Nepal, plummeting an estimated 200 meters (650 feet). According to police reports cited by Reuters, the crash resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals, including three foreign nationals identified as citizens of Britain, China, and India. The vehicle was carrying 44 passengers at the time of the accident.

    In addition to the fatalities, 25 people sustained injuries, among them a New Zealander and another Chinese national. The injured victims are currently receiving medical treatment at hospitals in the capital city of Kathmandu. The bus was reportedly en route to Kathmandu when the devastating plunge occurred, highlighting the ongoing challenges of road safety in Nepal’s difficult terrain.

  • Philippines’ Duterte authorised murders, ICC told as hearings open

    Philippines’ Duterte authorised murders, ICC told as hearings open

    The International Criminal Court commenced landmark proceedings on Monday, hearing explosive allegations that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte personally authorized murders and hand-selected victims during his controversial anti-drug campaign. Despite being deemed fit to participate, the 80-year-old former leader was absent from The Hague after his defense team successfully petitioned for his non-appearance.

    ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang opened the week-long confirmation hearings by asserting that the proceedings serve as “a reminder that those in power are not above the law.” Prosecutors presented a meticulously constructed case detailing Duterte’s alleged pivotal role in extrajudicial killings spanning his tenure as mayor of Davao City through his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

    The prosecution team presented video evidence showing Duterte repeatedly threatening to eliminate criminals, with prosecutor Julian Nicholls stating emphatically: “He repeatedly promised to kill people. He said it. He did it. That is who he is.” The charges encompass three distinct counts of crimes against humanity involving at least 76 specific murders, though prosecutors emphasized this represents “merely a fraction” of the actual death toll estimated to reach thousands.

    Defense attorney Nicholas Kaufman mounted a vigorous counter-argument, characterizing the charges as “grievously misplaced and politically motivated.” While acknowledging his client’s unconventional leadership style filled with “hyperbole, bluster and rhetoric,” Kaufman maintained Duterte’s complete innocence and asserted that prosecutors selectively edited his speeches while ignoring numerous instances where he emphasized legal compliance.

    The proceedings attracted polarized demonstrations outside the courthouse, reflecting the deep divisions surrounding Duterte’s legacy. Victims’ families gathered at a Manila community center expressed disappointment at Duterte’s absence, with one relative speculating “maybe he does not want to own up to his sins.”

    The confirmation hearings will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to a full trial, with judges required to issue their written decision within 60 days following the week’s proceedings.

  • Medical charter flight from Ranchi to Delhi crashes with 7 onboard: Indian media

    Medical charter flight from Ranchi to Delhi crashes with 7 onboard: Indian media

    A specialized medical transport aircraft operating between Ranchi and New Delhi has crashed under tragic circumstances in India’s eastern Jharkhand state. The Beechcraft King Air B90L aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways, vanished from radar surveillance shortly after departure on Monday evening with seven individuals aboard.

    According to aviation authorities cited by India’s ANI news agency, the ill-fated flight was conducting a dedicated medical evacuation mission. The passenger manifest included a patient requiring urgent medical transfer accompanied by a specialized medical team consisting of a doctor and paramedic, in addition to flight attendants and crew members.

    Emergency response teams have been dispatched to the suspected crash site in Chatra district, approximately 110 kilometers from Ranchi. Search and rescue operations are currently underway amid challenging terrain conditions, though officials have not yet confirmed any survivor accounts from the remote crash location.

    The aviation incident marks another concerning episode in India’s regional air safety record, coming amidst increased scrutiny of medical evacuation protocols and charter flight operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has initiated a formal investigation to determine the precise cause of the tragedy, examining factors ranging from technical failure to weather conditions prevalent during the evening departure.

    This medical evacuation tragedy echoes similar incidents globally, including a recent private jet accident in Maine, United States, that claimed eight lives, highlighting the inherent risks associated with specialized air transport operations even with advanced safety protocols in place.

  • Ukraine marks four years since Russian invasion

    Ukraine marks four years since Russian invasion

    As Ukraine solemnly observes the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale military offensive, the nation stands resilient yet profoundly altered by Europe’s most devastating conflict since World War II. The February 24th commemoration brought heightened diplomatic activity to Kyiv, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa visiting the war-torn capital to demonstrate unwavering continental solidarity.

    The human cost remains staggering, with tens of thousands perished since Kremlin forces initiated what was anticipated as a swift operation in 2022. Instead, they encountered determined Ukrainian resistance that transformed into a protracted war of attrition. Current estimates indicate Russia occupies approximately twenty percent of Ukrainian territory, maintaining daily bombardment campaigns that have triggered the most severe energy crisis since the invasion’s inception.

    Despite extensive sanctions forcing Moscow to redirect oil exports toward Asian markets, Russian forces have achieved incremental advances in recent months, particularly within the eastern Donbas region that Moscow seeks to annex. Diplomatic efforts, rejuvenated by United States mediation, remain deadlocked. President Volodymyr Zelensky maintains demands for concrete security guarantees before considering territorial compromises, while Russia rejects proposals for European troop deployment following any potential ceasefire.

    The conflict’s global repercussions continue to reshape geopolitical realities, with numerous European nations significantly boosting defense expenditures in preparation for potential confrontation. A comprehensive assessment published Monday by the World Bank, European Union, and United Nations estimates postwar reconstruction will require approximately $558 billion over the coming decade—a monumental financial challenge for what was already among Europe’s most economically vulnerable nations.

    President Vladimir Putin, during ceremonies marking Russia’s ‘Defenders of the Fatherland Day,’ reiterated claims that military operations protect national borders and ensure ‘strategic parity.’ Conversely, Ukrainian leadership characterizes the conflict as a resurgence of Russian imperialism, with Zelensky telling the BBC he believes Putin has effectively initiated World War III by attempting to ‘impose on the world a different way of life.’

  • Look: Empty airport, cars buried under snow as blizzard rages through northeast US

    Look: Empty airport, cars buried under snow as blizzard rages through northeast US

    A severe winter storm has brought the northeastern United States to a standstill, creating unprecedented disruption across multiple states. Major transportation hubs, including international airports, have suspended all operations, leaving terminals eerily empty and runways blanketed in deep snow. Ground transportation has suffered equally severe impacts, with countless vehicles completely submerged under massive snowdrifts, rendering roads impassable.

    The powerful blizzard, characterized by hurricane-force winds and near-zero visibility conditions, has triggered widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. Emergency services have issued stern warnings for citizens to remain indoors as conditions continue to deteriorate rapidly. Meteorological agencies report this storm system represents one of the most intense winter events to hit the region in decades, with snowfall accumulations already exceeding historical records in several areas.

    State governments have activated emergency response protocols, deploying National Guard units to assist in rescue operations for stranded motorists. The comprehensive shutdown of infrastructure has affected commerce, education, and essential services, with no immediate timeline for restoration of normal operations. Weather models indicate the system will continue to generate dangerous conditions throughout the region for at least another 24-48 hours before gradually moving offshore.

  • US forces to complete withdrawal from Syria within a month

    US forces to complete withdrawal from Syria within a month

    The United States military is poised to complete its withdrawal from Syrian territory within the next month, according to multiple anonymous sources familiar with the matter. This development marks a significant shift in the regional security architecture nearly twelve years after American forces first intervened against the Islamic State group.

    Convoys of US military vehicles have been observed moving along highways outside Qamishli, transporting armored vehicles and prefabricated structures from key bases. The withdrawal process has accelerated in recent weeks, with American forces already vacating strategic positions at Al-Tanf in southeastern Syria and Shadadi in the northeast.

    The phased departure coincides with Damascus expanding its administrative control over northeastern regions previously governed by US-aligned Kurdish forces. This territorial consolidation follows last month’s agreement between Kurdish authorities and the Syrian government to integrate their institutions.

    Security concerns persist despite these geopolitical realignments. Islamic State remnants demonstrated their ongoing threat capability with a recent attack in Raqa that killed four Syrian security personnel. While territorially defeated in 2019, IS maintains operational sleeper cells and recently issued calls for intensified attacks against Syrian authorities.

    The approximately 1,000 remaining US troops will complete their exit within 20-35 days, according to various sources. A diplomat from a US-allied country indicated that American air operations might continue from regional bases despite the ground force withdrawal.

    Concurrently, humanitarian challenges emerge as Syria assumes control of detention facilities previously managed by Kurdish forces. The transfer of thousands of IS suspects to Iraqi custody and the chaotic dissolution of the al-Hol camp—which housed relatives of suspected militants—have raised concerns among international observers. Human Rights Watch has highlighted the precarious situation of approximately 8,500 individuals, mostly women and children detained without charge, whose countries have failed to facilitate repatriation.

  • Despite drop in 2025, Russian oil exports exceed pre-war volumes: report

    Despite drop in 2025, Russian oil exports exceed pre-war volumes: report

    A comprehensive analysis by Finland’s Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reveals that Russian crude oil exports have maintained volumes approximately 6% above pre-invasion levels in the fourth year of the Ukraine conflict, despite extensive Western sanctions. This persistent export flow has been facilitated by an elaborate “shadow fleet” consisting of aging tankers with opaque ownership structures, specifically designed to circumvent restrictions imposed by the EU, US, and G7 nations.

    While export volumes remain elevated, Russia’s oil revenues have experienced a significant downturn, dropping 18% to €85.5 billion in the year leading to February 24 compared to the previous year. This financial contraction stems from Moscow’s forced adoption of substantial price discounts to maintain market access. According to CREA analyst Isaac Levi, while enforcement measures have impacted Russian earnings, critical loopholes continue to enable high-volume exports.

    The report identifies several systemic vulnerabilities in current sanction regimes, including false flagging of vessels and re-exportation of refined petroleum products derived from Russian crude to sanctioning nations. Notably, 93% of Russian crude exports now flow to three nations: China, India, and Turkey.

    CREA researchers have called for enhanced enforcement measures, including detaining shadow fleet vessels that pose environmental and security risks to European coastlines. The European Union currently lists 598 vessels suspected of shadow fleet operations, prohibiting their access to EU ports and services. The report additionally highlights continued imports by Hungary and Slovakia, which saw an 11% increase in Russian crude imports during the first ten months of 2025 under EU exemption clauses.

  • Indian, British, Chinese citizens among 19 killed in Nepal bus crash

    Indian, British, Chinese citizens among 19 killed in Nepal bus crash

    A catastrophic bus accident in Nepal’s mountainous Dhading district has resulted in 19 fatalities and 25 injuries, with citizens from multiple nations among the victims. The tragedy occurred in the pre-dawn hours of Monday when the vehicle veered off a treacherous mountain road near Behighat, plummeting approximately 200 meters (650 feet).

    The ill-fated bus was transporting 44 passengers from the popular tourist destination of Pokhara to the capital city of Kathmandu when the accident transpired approximately 80 kilometers west of the capital. According to official police statements, the deceased included citizens from the United Kingdom, China, and India. Among the injured, who are currently receiving medical treatment at Kathmandu hospitals, were a New Zealander and another Chinese national.

    This devastating incident highlights the persistent road safety challenges in Nepal’s difficult mountainous terrain, where inadequate infrastructure and hazardous conditions contribute to frequent accidents. The Nepalese government has promptly responded by initiating a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

    Road transportation accidents remain a critical public safety concern throughout Nepal, with hundreds of fatalities recorded annually. The country’s rugged geography and underdeveloped road network present ongoing challenges for both local commuters and international visitors alike. This particular tragedy underscores the vulnerabilities of road travel in developing nations with complex topographies.

  • Over 7,000 US flights cancelled; New York closes schools as blizzard slams US Northeast

    Over 7,000 US flights cancelled; New York closes schools as blizzard slams US Northeast

    A catastrophic winter storm has brought the Northeastern United States to a virtual standstill, triggering massive travel disruptions, widespread power outages, and emergency declarations across multiple states. The powerful blizzard, which began its assault on Monday, has dumped over a foot of snow (30cm) throughout the region, with some areas anticipating accumulations reaching two feet.

    The aviation sector has been particularly devastated, with FlightAware.com reporting approximately 5,700 Monday cancellations and an additional 1,600 Tuesday flights preemptively scrapped. The air travel collapse has been most severe at major Northeastern hubs including New York’s John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, Boston’s Logan, and Newark Liberty International airports.

    New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued urgent pleas for residents to remain indoors as emergency crews battled to clear impassable roads. ‘I’m urging every New Yorker to please stay home,’ Mamdani emphasized. The city’s public school system joined numerous districts across the region in closing facilities amid the dangerous conditions.

    Meteorologist Bob Oravec from the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center confirmed the storm met official blizzard criteria, characterized by sustained wind gusts reaching 40-60 mph from Delaware through Boston. ‘It’s a pretty big storm and it’s definitely a blizzard,’ Oravec stated, noting that some areas including Eastern Long Island and Nantucket recorded gusts exceeding 60 mph.

    The storm’s impact extended beyond transportation, knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses while forcing the unprecedented closure of the United Nations headquarters complex in Manhattan. New York Governor Kathy Hochul activated 100 National Guard members to assist in Long Island, New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley—regions expected to bear the brunt of the heavy snow and coastal winds.

    State responses varied across the affected region. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency and ordered non-essential government workers to remain home. Connecticut implemented commercial vehicle bans on limited-access highways, while New Jersey suspended train and bus commuter lines indefinitely. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority announced complete service suspension through Monday.

    The Department of Homeland Security warned that powerful wind gusts reaching 70 mph created significant risks of falling trees and extended power outages across the Northeast. Despite ongoing funding challenges, FEMA confirmed its disaster-response operations continue uninterrupted with life safety and property protection remaining top priorities.

  • An attacker detonates an explosive device in Moscow, killing a police officer and himself

    An attacker detonates an explosive device in Moscow, killing a police officer and himself

    A lethal suicide bombing struck central Moscow in the early hours of Tuesday, resulting in the death of a police officer and the assailant, with two additional officers wounded. The explosive detonation occurred adjacent to a patrol vehicle near the Savyolovsky Train Station shortly after midnight, as confirmed by the Moscow Interior Ministry branch.

    According to official reports, the unidentified individual approached a traffic police car and activated an explosive device. The immediate blast killed one officer instantly. The two injured law enforcement personnel were promptly transported to a medical facility for treatment. Russia’s top investigative body, the Investigative Committee, has initiated a criminal probe into the incident. Authorities have thus far withheld the assailant’s identity, potential motivations, or any possible affiliations.

    The timing of the assault carries significant symbolic weight, coinciding with the four-year anniversary of President Vladimir Putin’s decisive order to commence military operations in Ukraine. The attack underscores ongoing security challenges within the Russian capital, raising questions about motive and potential connections to broader geopolitical tensions.