Global Pulse

分类： world

  • At least 2,571 killed in Iran’s protests, US-based rights group HRANA says

    At least 2,571 killed in Iran’s protests, US-based rights group HRANA says

    A comprehensive report from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has documented a staggering death toll of 2,571 individuals during recent protests in Iran, marking the most significant challenge to the country’s clerical leadership in years. The verified figures include 2,403 protesters, 147 government-affiliated personnel, 12 minors under age 18, and nine civilians not participating in demonstrations.

    This disclosure coincides with heightened international tensions as former U.S. President Donald Trump explicitly encouraged continued protests while hinting at potential external intervention. When pressed by journalists to clarify his statement that ‘help is on the way,’ Trump remained ambiguous, suggesting they ‘would have to figure that out’ while previously acknowledging military action among considered options.

    Iranian authorities have responded with counter-accusations, alleging that the United States and Israel have been actively fueling violence within the nation. Government officials attribute the fatalities to ‘terrorist operatives’ receiving foreign guidance to instigate unrest. For the first time since the protests began over two weeks ago, an Iranian official acknowledged approximately 2,000 deaths, though this figure remains substantially lower than HRANA’s documentation.

    The protests initially emerged from widespread economic despair but have evolved into a broader confrontation with Iran’s governance structure. This domestic crisis occurs against a backdrop of intensified international pressure following coordinated Israeli and U.S. military strikes against Iranian targets last year, creating a complex geopolitical scenario with potentially global ramifications.

  • France bans British far-right activists targeting migrant boats

    France bans British far-right activists targeting migrant boats

    French authorities have imposed entry bans on ten British nationals affiliated with the far-right organization ‘Raise the Colours,’ prohibiting them from entering or remaining on French territory. The French Interior Ministry announced the measure on Wednesday, citing the group’s systematic campaign to locate and destroy small vessels utilized by migrants attempting to cross the English Channel.

    The ban, formally enacted on Tuesday, targets identified militants within the movement who have conducted operations on French soil. According to official statements, these activists have not only engaged in the physical destruction of migrant boats but have also conducted propaganda activities along the northern French coastline. These efforts specifically targeted British citizens, encouraging them to join the movement’s ranks with the explicit goal of halting migration flows.

    The ministry’s announcement did not disclose the identities of the banned individuals but emphasized they were recognized as active participants in the group’s operations. This development occurs against the backdrop of increasingly strained Franco-British relations regarding cross-Channel migration, which has emerged as a particularly contentious political issue in the United Kingdom.

    Recent statistics from the UK Home Office reveal that over 41,000 individuals undertook the perilous Channel crossing in small boats last year. While this figure represents a decrease from the 2022 record of more than 45,000 migrants, it indicates an increase compared to 2024 numbers, maintaining pressure on both nations to address this complex humanitarian and political challenge.

  • Thailand crane collapses onto train, killing 32

    Thailand crane collapses onto train, killing 32

    A catastrophic construction accident has struck northeastern Thailand, claiming at least 32 lives after a massive crane collapsed onto an active passenger train. The incident occurred Wednesday in Nakhon Ratchasima province, approximately 250 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, when heavy equipment from the China-backed high-speed rail project crashed down on the moving train, causing immediate derailment and multiple carriages to catch fire.

    Eyewitness accounts describe hearing thunderous noises followed by explosions as the industrial crane’s metal framework sliced directly through the second passenger carriage. Verified footage from the scene showed the crane’s broken structure resting precariously on concrete pillars while smoke billowed from the wreckage below. Rescue operations continued into the night as emergency workers used additional cranes to search for survivors among the twisted metal.

    The construction site belongs to the $5 billion Sino-Thai high-speed rail initiative, part of China’s expansive Belt and Road infrastructure program intended to connect Bangkok with Kunming, China via Laos by 2028. Italian-Thai Development PLC, Thailand’s major construction contractor responsible for this project segment, has acknowledged the incident and pledged full responsibility for victim compensation and medical expenses.

    This tragedy marks the latest in a series of fatal accidents involving Italian-Thai Development projects. Engineering consultant Theerachote Rujiviphat, an adviser on the rail project, confirmed the company held sole responsibility for the crane operation and noted similar previous incidents under their management.

    Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has called for immediate investigation and accountability, suggesting legal reforms to blacklist construction firms with repeated safety violations. The disaster has raised serious questions about safety protocols in Thailand’s infrastructure expansion, particularly regarding the aging railway network that spans approximately 5,000 kilometers throughout the country.

    China’s Foreign Ministry expressed condolences and emphasized Beijing’s commitment to project safety, while transport authorities confirmed 195 passengers were aboard the train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province when the collision occurred.

  • No power or water and -19C: Kyiv seeks relief from Russian strikes and cold

    No power or water and -19C: Kyiv seeks relief from Russian strikes and cold

    Amid subzero temperatures and relentless Russian strikes on critical infrastructure, Ukraine’s innovative ‘Invincibility Trains’ have emerged as crucial sanctuaries providing warmth, power, and community support for displaced civilians enduring the harshest winter of the conflict.

    At a suburban Kyiv railway station, two specially configured carriages painted in Ukrainian Railways’ blue and white livery remain stationary yet vitally operational, their diesel engines generating heat and electricity as snow blankets the capital. These mobile shelters represent a strategic response to what President Volodymyr Zelensky characterizes as Russia’s deliberate targeting of energy infrastructure to exploit winter conditions.

    The trains serve multiple functions: warming centers, charging stations for electronic devices, and safe spaces for social interaction. For Alina, a mother residing on the 17th floor of a building without elevator service, electricity, or running water, the train provides essential respite for her infant son Taras and an opportunity for her daughter to socialize safely. Her emotional account reveals the personal toll of the conflict, including the loss of her father during summer offensives near Bakhmut two years prior.

    Kyiv’s energy crisis has reached critical levels, with temperatures plunging to -19°C with wind chill effects. Mayor Vitali Klitschko’s controversial suggestion that residents temporarily evacuate to conserve resources was exploited by Russian propaganda as admission of defeat, though most citizens remain stoically resilient.

    The situation exemplifies a devastating cumulative effect from targeted strikes on energy installations. Olena Pavlenko of the DiXi Group think tank confirms this winter presents the most severe conditions yet, with ice-covered infrastructure making repairs two to four times more complex. Engineers from Kyiv Electric Networks work around the clock in emergency modes, acknowledging their repairs constitute temporary fixes with equipment operating at critical parameters.

    For residents like Yulia Mykhailiuk and Ihor Honcharuk, heating apartment bricks on gas stoves provides minimal warmth for their one-year-old son Markiian. After their home sustained partial damage in August attacks, they’ve endured power outages lasting days, rendering purchased power banks useless for heating applications. The family represents many reluctantly heeding evacuation recommendations despite official denials of coercion.

    The human impact transcends generations. Eleven-year-old Stanislav recalls with chilling clarity the conflict’s initial explosions nearly four years ago, now fearing nocturnal drones more than artillery. His remarkable resilience underscores how wartime conditions have become normalized for Ukraine’s youngest citizens.

    Despite air raid interruptions that periodically evacuate the trains, civilians consistently return, demonstrating both the necessity of these services and the indomitable community spirit defining Kyiv’s response to adversity. While the extreme cold will eventually abate, the overwhelming consensus among citizens indicates no foreseeable end to the conflict itself remains their greatest concern.

  • West Bank Bedouin community driven out by Israeli settler violence

    West Bank Bedouin community driven out by Israeli settler violence

    In a distressing exodus, Bedouin communities in the occupied West Bank are being systematically displaced following relentless violence from Israeli settlers, marking a severe humanitarian crisis in the region. The semi-nomadic herders of Ras Ein al-Auja, who have inhabited these lands for generations, now dismantle their homes under duress, with approximately half of the village’s 130 families already fleeing their ancestral territories.

    This displacement pattern represents what watchdog organizations term ‘pastoral colonialism’—a strategy where settlers use agricultural expansion and livestock competition to force indigenous populations off contested lands. According to United Nations documentation, October alone witnessed an unprecedented 260 settler attacks against Palestinian communities, creating an environment of pervasive fear and instability.

    Beyond physical violence, settlers have employed sophisticated tactics to render Bedouin life unsustainable. Critical water sources have been diverted, power supplies systematically cut, and grazing lands appropriated. The community’s namesake spring in Ras Ein al-Auja—once the lifeblood of their self-sufficient existence—was commandeered in May, severing their primary water access.

    Despite military assurances of increased presence and monitoring technology implementation, residents report inadequate protection and frequent arrests when attempting to defend their properties. “If you defend your home, the police or army will come and arrest you. We can’t do anything,” lamented Naif Zayed, echoing the community’s desperation.

    The displacement creates a devastating ripple effect, as displaced families attempting to resettle in other rural areas face repeated evictions. Farhan Jahaleen, a Bedouin representative, notes that families previously displaced from Jiftlik village faced secondary displacement in the Jordan Valley, revealing a pattern of persistent territorial pressure.

    Spray-painted slogans reading “No future in Palestine” now adorn West Bank roadways, encapsulating the collective despair of communities witnessing the erosion of their centuries-old pastoral traditions and cultural identity under expanding settlement regimes.

  • India: Delhi airport to halt flight operations for 2.5 hours every day from Jan 11-26

    India: Delhi airport to halt flight operations for 2.5 hours every day from Jan 11-26

    In preparation for India’s Republic Day celebrations, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will suspend all flight operations for two and a half hours daily from January 21 to January 26. The temporary closures, scheduled from 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM each day, are part of enhanced security measures to facilitate military rehearsals and aerial displays for the national event.

    The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by Indian authorities confirms the operational pause, which aviation analytics firm Cirium estimates could affect over 600 flights during the six-day period. The shutdowns will allow for comprehensive rehearsals of the Republic Day parade, including aerial flypast exercises, defense demonstrations, and cultural processions scheduled for January 26.

    This security measure coincides with challenging weather conditions in northern India, where dense fog and severe cold have already been disrupting flight operations, compounding travel inconveniences for passengers. The timing presents particular challenges for airlines and travelers during this period.

    Republic Day, observed annually on January 26, commemorates the adoption of India’s Constitution in 1950 and features elaborate celebrations in the capital city. The airport restrictions reflect the heightened security protocols typically implemented for major national events in India.

    Aviation authorities advise passengers with travel plans during this period to consult their airlines for schedule adjustments and alternative arrangements. The temporary measures demonstrate the balance between national security requirements and civilian air travel infrastructure.

  • Russia strikes power plant, kills four in Ukraine barrage

    Russia strikes power plant, kills four in Ukraine barrage

    In a relentless escalation of hostilities, Russian forces unleashed a massive barrage against Ukrainian infrastructure early Tuesday, killing four civilians and critically damaging energy facilities. The assault involved 25 missiles and 293 drones, marking another chapter in Moscow’s systematic campaign to cripple Ukraine’s power grid during winter’s peak.

    The eastern Kharkiv region bore the brunt of the attack, where rescue workers operated in freezing temperatures to extract survivors from rubble. Andriy Pidnebesny, a manager at a postal facility struck in the offensive, described being thrown by blast waves while attempting to free trapped colleagues. Simultaneously, Ukraine’s largest energy provider DTEK reported its eighth power plant attack since October, with Russian forces having targeted their facilities over 220 times since the invasion began.

    President Volodymyr Zelensky reported ‘several hundred thousand’ households near Kyiv lost electricity, urgently appealing for enhanced air defense systems from Western allies. ‘The world can respond to this Russian terror with new assistance packages,’ Zelensky stated on social media, emphasizing that ‘cold will not help Russia win the war.’

    In a parallel maritime development, two Greek-owned oil tankers—the Maltese-flagged Matilda and Liberian-flagged Delta Harmony—sustained attacks in the Black Sea. The Matilda, en route to load Kazakh oil at Russia’s Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal near Novorossiysk, maintained seaworthiness despite the assault according to Kazakh energy officials. The incident represents the latest in a series of strikes targeting the crucial CPC terminal, through which Kazakhstan transports 80% of its oil exports.

    Ukraine’s military, while not claiming responsibility for the tanker incidents, has consistently targeted Russian energy infrastructure to diminish Moscow’s war-funding capabilities. The strategic strikes have drawn concern from Kazakhstan, whose economic interests are increasingly entangled in the conflict’s ripple effects.

  • Fashion student, teen footballer: Who were the young victims of Iran’s protests?

    Fashion student, teen footballer: Who were the young victims of Iran’s protests?

    Iran’s recent wave of civil unrest has resulted in a tragic loss of young lives, with emerging artists, athletes, and students numbering among those killed by security forces during nationwide demonstrations. According to documentation compiled by international human rights organizations, victims included a promising fashion designer, a teenage football prospect, and a champion bodybuilder—all shot during protests initially sparked by economic grievances.

    Verified reports from Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) indicate security personnel employed lethal force against demonstrators, with many fatalities resulting from close-range gunshot wounds. Director Mamood Amiry Moghaddam confirmed the organization has documented 648 protest-related killings, including nine minors and six women, though the actual death toll is feared to be significantly higher.

    The victims represented Iran’s diverse ethnic and regional backgrounds. Rubina Aminian, 23, a textile and fashion design student at Tehran’s prestigious Shariati College, drew inspiration from her Kurdish heritage and Baluch cultural influences. She was fatally shot in the head from behind while participating in demonstrations on January 8. Her family faced official obstruction when attempting to reclaim her body and were prohibited from holding traditional mourning ceremonies.

    Seventeen-year-old Rebin Moradi, a Kurdish football talent participating in Tehran’s premier youth league with Saipa Club, was killed by security forces on January 7. Despite confirmation of his death, his family has been denied access to his remains for proper burial.

    Mehdi Zatparvar, 39, a respected sports physiologist and former national weightlifting champion from Gilan province, was shot dead during protests on January 9. Simultaneously, Erfan Faraji from Rey had just celebrated his eighteenth birthday before being killed during demonstrations, his body eventually identified among dozens held at the Kahrizak morgue.

    Iranian authorities have attributed casualties to confrontations with “rioters” and blamed foreign instigators for transforming economic protests into sustained unrest. Official statements acknowledge dozens of security force members died during the clashes, though independent verification remains challenging amid restricted media access and official transparency.

  • Death toll rises to 2,003 in Iran’s protests, says rights group

    Death toll rises to 2,003 in Iran’s protests, says rights group

    A U.S.-based human rights monitoring organization has released verified figures indicating a devastating human cost from recent civil unrest in Iran. HRANA, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, reported on Tuesday that its thorough investigation has confirmed 2,003 fatalities connected to the protests.

    The comprehensive breakdown provided by the group reveals that the vast majority of those killed, approximately 1,850 individuals, were identified as participants in the demonstrations. The casualty figures also include 135 persons affiliated with government security forces or institutions. Notably, the verified data confirms that at least nine minors under the age of 18 were among the deceased, alongside nine civilians who were not participating in protest activities.

    The announcement from HRANA represents one of the most detailed accountings of casualties to emerge from the recent period of significant social unrest in Iran. Independent verification remains challenging within the country’s restricted media environment, making external documentation efforts crucial for understanding the scale of the events. These figures highlight the intense and widespread nature of the protests and the severe response they encountered, marking a significant moment in Iran’s contemporary civil society challenges.

  • India hunts rampaging elephant that killed 20 people

    India hunts rampaging elephant that killed 20 people

    Indian authorities have launched an extensive search operation to locate a destructive wild elephant responsible for a deadly rampage that claimed 20 lives in Jharkhand’s rural regions. The solitary male elephant, exhibiting unusually aggressive behavior, terrorized West Singhbhum district over a nine-day period starting in early January, leaving communities in profound distress.

    According to government forest officer Aditya Narayan, coordinated efforts involving drone surveillance and ground patrols are underway to track the elusive pachyderm, which hasn’t been sighted since last Friday despite intensive search operations. The victims include vulnerable children, elderly residents, and even an experienced elephant handler (mahout), highlighting the severity of the situation.

    The escalating crisis has forced inhabitants across more than 20 villages to abandon agricultural activities or implement nighttime barricades for protection. Local elected official Pratap Chachar confirmed that security teams are providing nocturnal assistance to frightened communities living under constant threat.

    This tragic incident underscores the growing human-elephant conflict in India, where shrinking habitats force these endangered giants into increasingly frequent contact with human settlements. Parliamentary data reveals that elephant attacks resulted in 629 fatalities during the 2023-2024 period alone. Wildlife experts suggest the aggressive behavior may be linked to ‘musth’—a physiological condition in male elephants characterized by heightened testosterone levels and increased aggression during mating periods.

    India hosts the world’s largest population of wild Asian elephants, recently estimated at 22,446 individuals by the Wildlife Institute of India. These elephants, classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, now inhabit merely 15% of their historical range due to expanding human infrastructure, mining operations, and agricultural development.