Global Pulse

分类： world

  • Schools, institutions closed in Syria’s Aleppo as clashes persist

    Schools, institutions closed in Syria’s Aleppo as clashes persist

    The Syrian city of Aleppo has been plunged into a state of emergency as persistent armed confrontations between government forces and Kurdish-led factions entered their second consecutive day. The escalating violence has prompted authorities to implement widespread closures of educational institutions, government offices, and commercial establishments throughout the northern metropolis.

    According to state media reports, the renewed hostilities represent the most severe breach of a March 2025 agreement that envisioned the integration of Kurdish semi-autonomous administrations into Syria’s central governance structure. The conflict has already claimed nine lives, predominantly civilians, with conflicting accounts from both sides regarding responsibility for initiating the combat operations.

    Civil aviation authorities have enacted emergency measures, suspending all flight operations at Aleppo International Airport for 24 hours and diverting air traffic to Damascus International Airport. The transportation disruption compounds the city’s paralysis, with residents reporting complete blackouts in numerous neighborhoods and minimal civilian movement after dark.

    Eyewitness accounts depict a city under siege. Abdul Karim Baqi, a 50-year-old resident of one of Aleppo’s Kurdish-majority districts, described to AFP: ‘During nighttime, Aleppo transformed into an abandoned urban landscape—devoid of activity, with shuttered commercial establishments and extensive power outages creating pervasive darkness across numerous thoroughfares.’

    The Kurdish-administered neighborhoods of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsud have reportedly been completely encircled by government forces. Abdul Karim Omar, representing Kurdish autonomous administration in Damascus, asserted that these areas remain under the control of Kurdish security forces possessing only light weaponry, denying allegations that shelling originated from these districts.

    The current violence evokes traumatic memories of Aleppo’s destructive role during the Syrian civil war, when the city endured devastating urban combat before government forces reclaimed control in 2016. The present conflict emerges against the backdrop of failed implementation of the integration agreement, with Kurdish advocates continuing to push for decentralized governance arrangements that Syria’s current Islamist leadership has consistently rejected.

  • Intl mayors explore Hezhe cultural heritage

    Intl mayors explore Hezhe cultural heritage

    In a remarkable cultural prelude to the Global Mayors Dialogue in Harbin, municipal leaders from seven nations immersed themselves in the rich artistic traditions of China’s Hezhe ethnic minority on January 6th. The international delegation explored an exclusive exhibition of intangible cultural heritage, witnessing extraordinary craftsmanship that blends ancient techniques with contemporary expression.

    The mayors encountered three distinctive art forms that showcase Hezhe cultural preservation: wheat straw mosaic art demonstrating intricate natural material work, birch bark paintings depicting urban landscapes through indigenous perspectives, and innovative fish leather artistry utilizing piscine hides transformed into durable decorative pieces. This unique gallery experience provided a rare insight into how traditional craftsmanship maintains relevance in modern society.

    The cultural exchange event served as both diplomatic bridge-building and cultural education, allowing global city leaders to appreciate China’s diverse ethnic heritage while fostering mutual understanding. The Hezhe people, one of China’s smallest ethnic groups with a population of approximately 5,000, primarily inhabit the Heilongjiang region and are renowned for their fishing culture and distinctive artistic traditions.

    This intercultural engagement highlights how heritage preservation and international diplomacy can intersect, creating opportunities for cultural appreciation beyond formal political dialogues. The event demonstrated China’s commitment to showcasing its multicultural tapestry while building connections between local traditions and global leadership.

  • UN calls on Israel to end its ‘apartheid system’ in the West Bank

    UN calls on Israel to end its ‘apartheid system’ in the West Bank

    In a landmark declaration, United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has formally characterized Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank as an “apartheid system,” marking the first time a UN rights chief has applied this controversial term to the situation. A comprehensive report released Wednesday details what it describes as intensifying systematic discrimination against Palestinians across occupied territories.

    The UN investigation reveals that Israeli authorities enforce two distinct legal systems and policies for Israeli settlers and Palestinians, creating profoundly unequal treatment across critical areas including land rights, resource access, and judicial proceedings. Palestinians face large-scale land confiscation, resource deprivation, and systematic violations of due process rights through military court prosecutions.

    Turk emphasized that “every aspect of life for Palestinians in the West Bank is controlled and curtailed by Israel’s discriminatory laws, policies and practices,” from accessing water and education to seeking medical care and visiting relatives. The report specifically highlights the “systematic asphyxiation of the rights of Palestinians” through what it terms a “particularly severe form of racial discrimination and segregation.”

    Compounding the discrimination, the document details escalating settler violence that frequently occurs “with the acquiescence, support and participation of Israel’s security forces.” Since the start of the Gaza war following Hamas’s October 2023 attack, Israeli troops and settlers have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to figures from the Palestinian health ministry.

    The report documents an “almost complete impunity” for unlawful killings, noting that of over 1,500 Palestinian deaths between 2017 and September 2025, Israeli authorities opened just 112 investigations resulting in only one conviction. Additionally, thousands of Palestinians remain arbitrarily detained under administrative detention without charge or trial.

    The UN rights office has called on Israel to immediately repeal all laws, policies and practices perpetuating systemic discrimination based on race, religion or ethnic origin. It further urged Israel to end its “unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including by dismantling all settlements and evacuating all settlers,” while respecting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

  • Saudi Arabia sentences 3 to death for joining terrorist group, making explosives

    Saudi Arabia sentences 3 to death for joining terrorist group, making explosives

    Saudi Arabian authorities have carried out capital punishment against three individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses in the Qassim Region. The executions, conducted on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, followed comprehensive judicial proceedings that culminated in final verdicts upheld by the court of appeal.

    The convicted individuals—Rayan bin Yousuf bin Ibrahim Al-Dubaikhi, Mohammed bin Sulaiman bin Mohammed Al-Shuwaini, and Saudi national Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim bin Ahmed Al-Aybari—were found guilty of multiple severe crimes. Their charges included affiliation with an external terrorist organization, manufacturing explosive devices, illegal possession of firearms and live ammunition, financing terrorist operations, and providing shelter to perpetrators of terrorist acts.

    The Ministry of Interior issued an official statement emphasizing that these sentences demonstrate the kingdom’s unwavering commitment to national security and justice. The ministry further clarified that these measures align with Islamic Sharia rulings, which strictly prohibit attacks on innocent civilians and violations of their fundamental rights to life and security.

    This judicial action represents Saudi Arabia’s continued zero-tolerance approach toward terrorism and its ongoing efforts to combat extremist activities within its borders. The public announcement serves both as a deterrent to potential offenders and as reassurance to citizens and residents regarding the government’s dedication to maintaining stability and safety across the nation.

  • Accused scam boss Chen Zhi arrested in Cambodia, extradited to China: Phnom Penh

    Accused scam boss Chen Zhi arrested in Cambodia, extradited to China: Phnom Penh

    In a significant transnational law enforcement operation, Cambodian authorities have extradited Chinese-born business magnate Chen Zhi to China following his arrest in Phnom Penh. The development comes months after the United States Justice Department unsealed indictments identifying Chen as the alleged mastermind behind one of Asia’s most extensive cybercrime networks operating under the guise of legitimate business conglomerate Prince Holding Group.

    According to Cambodia’s Interior Ministry, the extradition operation conducted on Tuesday included two additional Chinese nationals—Xu Ji Liang and Shao Ji Hui—and was executed within the framework of international cooperation against transnational crime. The ministry’s statement revealed that Chen’s Cambodian citizenship had been formally revoked by royal decree in December 2023, paving the way for his transfer to Chinese authorities after months of joint investigative work.

    US prosecutors allege that Chen presided over a sophisticated criminal enterprise that operated forced labor compounds across Cambodia, where victims were coerced into executing elaborate cryptocurrency investment scams known as ‘pig butchering’ schemes. These operations, which targeted victims globally, reportedly generated billions in illicit profits through carefully orchestrated confidence tricks that built trust with targets before absconding with their funds.

    The international investigation gained momentum in October when US and British authorities imposed sanctions on Chen and his organization, followed by a series of asset confiscations across multiple jurisdictions. According to court documents, the scheme involved approximately 127,271 bitcoin seized by US authorities—valued at over $11 billion at current prices—with Chen facing up to 40 years imprisonment if convicted on wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges in the United States.

    The case has drawn attention to Cambodia’s problematic relationship with large-scale cybercrime operations, with experts noting that dozens of scam centers employing tens of thousands of people—both willing participants and trafficked victims—operate throughout Southeast Asia. Notably, Chen had maintained high-level political connections in Cambodia, serving as an advisor to both current Prime Minister Hun Manet and his predecessor father Hun Sen, highlighting the complex interplay between business, politics, and alleged criminal enterprises in the region.

    Prince Group has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining its operations were legitimate across real estate, financial services, and consumer businesses in more than 30 countries. Chinese authorities had not issued immediate commentary on the extradition as of late Wednesday.

  • Inside China’s expanding partnership with Africa

    Inside China’s expanding partnership with Africa

    China’s strategic partnership with African nations continues to expand significantly, moving beyond traditional infrastructure development into broader economic cooperation frameworks. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects are accelerating transformation across the continent, delivering substantial upgrades to transportation networks, enhancing energy infrastructure capabilities, and expanding digital connectivity systems.

    In a complementary move demonstrating deepened economic integration, China has implemented zero-tariff access for exports from all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. This trade policy, announced in June 2025, represents a substantial market access opportunity for African producers and exporters seeking to enhance their global trade competitiveness.

    The growing partnership reflects a multidimensional approach to international cooperation that combines physical infrastructure development with trade facilitation mechanisms. African nations are increasingly positioned to benefit from both the hard infrastructure improvements and the soft trade advantages created through this evolving relationship. The combination of infrastructure modernization and preferential market access is creating new economic pathways for African economies seeking greater integration into global value chains.

    This comprehensive cooperation model addresses both the physical constraints to economic development through infrastructure projects and the market access barriers through trade policy reforms. The dual approach demonstrates China’s evolving strategy in engaging with African partners, moving beyond a purely contractor-client relationship toward a more integrated economic partnership framework.

  • Video: Gaza year ender 2025

    Video: Gaza year ender 2025

    The protracted Palestine-Israel conflict continues into 2025 with no resolution in sight, maintaining its devastating trajectory that began in October 2023. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has reached staggering proportions, with confirmed fatalities exceeding 70,000 individuals according to ongoing assessments.

    China Daily correspondent Jan Yumul has engaged in critical dialogues with prominent stakeholders from both Palestinian and Israeli factions to examine the fundamental obstacles to peace. These exclusive discussions probe the core geopolitical, historical, and ideological divisions that have perpetuated the violence.

    The investigative reporting explores potential pathways for international intervention, analyzing how global institutions might facilitate meaningful dialogue between the conflicting parties. The report emphasizes the urgent need for multilateral cooperation to address the escalating humanitarian crisis while working toward sustainable political solutions.

    This comprehensive coverage comes as international bodies face increasing pressure to transform their diplomatic efforts into actionable results. The video documentation provides firsthand insights into the human cost of the conflict and the complex challenges facing peace negotiators attempting to bridge the deep-seated divisions between the two sides.

  • Big freeze causes travel chaos across western Europe

    Big freeze causes travel chaos across western Europe

    A severe Arctic weather system has plunged Western Europe into a deep freeze, unleashing heavy snowfall and widespread ice that triggered massive transport disruptions and tragic consequences. The relentless cold snap forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights, paralyzed rail services, and led to at least six weather-related fatalities across the continent.

    Aviation hubs faced unprecedented challenges. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, a critical regional nexus, cancelled over 700 flights on Wednesday amid a critical shortage of de-icing fluid. KLM, the Dutch flagship carrier, described an ‘exceptional situation’ with more than 1,000 stranded passengers requiring overnight accommodation. Emergency provisions including hundreds of temporary beds and sustenance were deployed throughout terminal facilities.

    France’s civil aviation authority mandated a drastic 40% reduction in flight schedules at Paris’s primary international airport. Charles de Gaulle Airport saw over 100 cancellations, with dozens more at Orly, Heathrow, and Brussels. Eurostar rail connections between London and Paris suffered significant delays and cancellations, compounding the continental transit crisis.

    The human impact turned grave with authorities confirming five fatalities in France due to perilous driving conditions, alongside one death in Sarajevo, Bosnia, where 40cm of snowfall accumulated. Nearly half of mainland France remained on high alert for heavy snow and black ice, with commercial truck traffic prohibited in multiple regions.

    Amid the adversity, contrasting human experiences emerged. While drivers like Carle Bruno sought refuge at service stations, stating ‘It’s better to be here than stuck on the road,’ the homeless population faced extreme danger. Boubacar Camara, a 19-year-old Guinean sleeping in a Parisian tent, articulated a desperate struggle for survival: ‘You just have to stay strong [and] make sure you don’t die.’

    Paradoxically, the historic snowfall transformed Paris into an impromptu winter playground. Residents and tourists embraced the rare phenomenon, skiing down Montmartre slopes and the Champs de Mars gardens beneath the Eiffel Tower. ‘It’s exceptional, it’s incredible… It’s magnificent and we’re enjoying it,’ remarked Pierre, a local resident, capturing the dual reality of crisis and momentary wonder.

    Transport officials warn of continuing knock-on effects, with further delays and cancellations anticipated across the region in coming days as Europe battles this exceptional winter ordeal.

  • Rare mountain gorilla twins born in Africa’s oldest national park

    Rare mountain gorilla twins born in Africa’s oldest national park

    In a significant conservation milestone, Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has welcomed the birth of twin mountain gorillas—an exceptionally rare event for this endangered species. The twins were discovered on Saturday by community trackers who found 22-year-old mother Mafuko tenderly holding her newborn sons. Both infants and their mother appear to be in good health.

    Twin births occur in only approximately 1% of mountain gorilla births, making this event particularly noteworthy for conservationists. The park has implemented enhanced monitoring protocols to support Mafuko and her twins during this critical early period, with rangers providing close observation and necessary intervention.

    This birth represents both hope and challenge for the species. Mafuko previously gave birth to twins in 2016, but tragically lost both infants within their first week of life. Young gorillas are exceptionally vulnerable, relying entirely on their mothers for care and protection in an environment that remains threatened by poaching activities and armed groups operating in the region.

    Mafuko’s own survival story adds poignancy to this event. Born in 2003 into the Kabirizi family, she lost her mother to armed attackers at just four years old. She later joined the Bageni family at age ten and has now experienced five pregnancies throughout her life.

    The Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest and largest protected area established exactly a century ago specifically to safeguard mountain gorillas, provides essential habitat for the species. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which maintains the Red List of threatened species, fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas remain in the wild, exclusively found in Virunga and neighboring national parks in Rwanda and Uganda.

    This twin birth—the first in Virunga since September 2020—signals continued progress for conservation efforts. Through anti-poaching patrols and community programs supported by the European Union and UNESCO, mountain gorilla populations in Virunga have demonstrated gradual recovery over the past decade. This positive trend led to the species’ conservation status improvement from “critically endangered” to “endangered” in 2018.

    Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning 7,800 square kilometers of diverse landscapes including active volcanoes, vast lakes, rainforests, and mountains, remains a critical sanctuary for biodiversity conservation in Central Africa.

  • Harbin hosts global mayors dialogue on ice and snow industry development

    Harbin hosts global mayors dialogue on ice and snow industry development

    Harbin transformed into a diplomatic hub for cold-climate cities as mayors from across the globe gathered at the Ice and Snow World complex on Tuesday evening for the Global Mayors Dialogue. The international delegation—representing municipalities from Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, South Korea, Thailand, and Türkiye—convened to exchange strategies for converting winter conditions into sustainable economic development.

    Under the thematic framework “White Gold: Urban Development Driven by the Ice and Snow Economy,” the dialogue salon featured substantive discussions on transforming climatic challenges into opportunities. Li Mian, Executive Vice-Mayor of Harbin, revealed that the current Harbin Ice and Snow World occupies the global lead as the largest ice-themed park, utilizing 400,000 cubic meters of ice—equivalent to approximately 160 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The attraction recorded 3.56 million tourist visits during its 68-day operational period last winter.

    “Harbin stands as China’s premier ice city, the cradle of modern winter sports, and an international hub for frost-season tourism,” Li declared. He elaborated on Harbin’s innovative approach to citywide tourism development, creating tailored experiences for diverse demographics and transforming the entire urban landscape into an integrated cultural destination rather than relying on isolated attractions.

    International representatives shared parallel initiatives. Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack described how his city reimagines winter as a cultural connector rather than a hardship, stating: “While many endure winter, cities like Harbin and Edmonton thrive through it. We create artistic festivals and sporting events that foster genuine community engagement.”

    From Rovaniemi—the official hometown of Santa Claus—City Council Second Chairman Heikki Kontiosalo detailed how extended snow seasons become tourism assets through enhanced ski infrastructure and hospitality investments. Erzurum Vice-Mayor Zafer Aynali highlighted municipal management of ski centers and announced ambitious development targets for 2026-2027 following a successfully hosted world championship.

    Even representatives from less frigid regions expressed interest in collaboration. Thorsten Kroll, Vice-Mayor of Magdeburg, noted his city’s limited snowfall but strong desire to partner with Harbin in tourism, pharmaceuticals, technology, and construction sectors.

    The gathering demonstrated a growing international recognition of cryospheric economics as a viable development model, with Harbin positioning itself as a central node in this emerging global network.