Global Pulse

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  • Japan protests after Chinese fighter jets lock radar on Japanese planes

    Japan protests after Chinese fighter jets lock radar on Japanese planes

    Tensions between China and Japan have intensified following radar-locking incidents involving military aircraft over the East China Sea. Japan’s Defense Ministry reported that Chinese J-15 fighter jets activated targeting radars against Japanese aircraft on two separate occasions Saturday near the southern Okinawa islands.

    The incidents occurred at 16:32 and 18:37 local time, with the Chinese aircraft operating from the Liaoning aircraft carrier. Radar locking represents a significant military provocation as it typically precedes weapon deployment and indicates hostile intent.

    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi characterized the incidents as ‘extremely regrettable’ during a Sunday press briefing in Ishikawa prefecture, confirming that Tokyo had lodged a formal protest with Beijing and demanded preventive measures against future occurrences.

    China’s Navy dismissed Japan’s allegations as ‘completely inconsistent with the facts,’ asserting that their operations constituted routine training exercises that had been previously announced. Chinese officials further accused Japan of ‘harassing’ their forces during these exercises.

    The military confrontation follows deteriorating diplomatic relations that began last month when Prime Minister Takaichi suggested Japan might consider military involvement should China initiate hostilities toward Taiwan. Beijing maintains its claim over the self-governed island and reserves the right to employ force for reunification.

    These developments occur amidst broader regional tensions, including conflicting coast guard accounts regarding confrontations near disputed East China Sea islands and Japan’s planned missile deployment to Yonaguni island near Taiwan—a move that has drawn strong Chinese condemnation.

    The escalating bilateral tensions have manifested in civilian spheres, with China advising citizens against travel to Japan and implementing restrictions on Japanese seafood imports and film screenings.

  • India actor Dileep cleared in 2017 rape and abduction case of actress

    India actor Dileep cleared in 2017 rape and abduction case of actress

    In a landmark judicial ruling that has captured national attention, a trial court in Kerala’s Ernakulam district has exonerated renowned Malayalam actor Dileep of all charges related to the 2017 abduction and sexual assault of a prominent South Indian actress. The verdict, delivered by Principal District and Sessions Court Judge Honey M Varghese, concluded the lengthy legal proceedings that have unfolded over nearly six years.

    While the court cleared Dileep of criminal conspiracy allegations, it found six other defendants guilty for their direct involvement in the assault. The convicted individuals now face sentencing proceedings scheduled for December 12th, where they could receive substantial prison terms for crimes including gang rape, abduction, and criminal conspiracy.

    The case originated in February 2017 when the victim—an accomplished performer with over 80 film credits and multiple awards—was violently abducted while traveling from Thrissur to Kochi for a film dubbing session. Her assailants captured the assault on video, allegedly for blackmail purposes. The incident triggered widespread outrage and prompted intense scrutiny of gender-based violence within India’s entertainment industries.

    Despite legal protections that typically shield sexual assault survivors’ identities, the victim voluntarily waived her anonymity in 2022, granting a courageous interview to the BBC where she detailed her traumatic experience. She described how the attack ‘turned my life upside down’ and acknowledged her ‘difficult journey from being a victim to a survivor.’

    The judicial proceedings occurred under tight security, with barricades and significant police presence surrounding the courtroom. Dileep, who maintained his innocence throughout, had previously endured three months of incarceration before securing bail in 2017.

    This case catalyzed broader reforms within the Malayalam film industry. Following public outcry, the Kerala government established a special committee chaired by former High Court Justice Hema to investigate systemic issues affecting women in the industry. The committee’s damning report, published last year, exposed rampant sexual harassment and described an industry dominated by ‘a mafia of powerful men’ that routinely enabled exploitation.

    The victim retains the legal right to appeal Monday’s verdict in the Kerala High Court, potentially extending this already protracted legal battle. The case has highlighted both the persistent challenges facing sexual assault survivors in India’s judicial system and the courageous resilience of those who come forward despite institutional and social barriers.

  • Salah is destroying his legacy – Rooney

    Salah is destroying his legacy – Rooney

    Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has issued a stark warning to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, asserting that the Egyptian forward is jeopardizing his storied legacy at Anfield through his recent public criticisms of the club. The comments come in response to Salah’s post-match statements following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United, where the 33-year-old claimed he felt “thrown under the bus” by the club and revealed a fractured relationship with head coach Arne Slot.

    Rooney, speaking on his latest podcast episode, characterized Salah’s remarks as “disrespectful” and urged manager Arne Slot to demonstrate authority by excluding the Egyptian international from upcoming Champions League and Premier League fixtures. “Arne Slot must show his authority and pull him in to say ‘you are not traveling with the team, what you said is not acceptable’,” Rooney stated. “Take yourself off to Afcon and let everything calm down.”

    The situation has escalated rapidly as Liverpool struggles through a disappointing season, currently sitting ninth in the Premier League table with just seven wins from their opening fifteen games. Salah’s contribution has diminished significantly this campaign, with only four goals in thirteen top-flight appearances—a stark contrast to his 29-goal performance that propelled Liverpool to the title last season.

    Rooney particularly criticized Salah’s assertion that he shouldn’t have to “fight for my position because I earned it,” calling this attitude arrogant and detrimental to team morale. “Time catches up with all of us,” Rooney noted, “and this season he hasn’t looked at his best, at his sharpest. You want to see him roll his sleeves up and say ‘ok then, I’ll show you’.”

    The former England captain suggested that Salah’s comments have created negative energy around the training ground and damaged relationships with teammates, management, and fans alike. While acknowledging Salah’s incredible contributions to Liverpool—250 goals in 420 appearances since joining from Roma in 2017—Rooney believes the player will eventually regret his public outburst.

    The situation presents a critical juncture for both player and club, with Rooney emphasizing that the matter “needs to be sorted out quickly either way”—either through reconciliation or separation.

  • White South Africans divided on US refugee offer

    White South Africans divided on US refugee offer

    In South Africa’s rural Free State province, a white Afrikaner farmer identified only as Marthinus navigates daily life behind 4-meter electric steel gates topped with spikes, surrounded by barbed wire and surveillance cameras. This fortress-like environment reflects the pervasive fear driving his family’s decision to seek refugee status in the United States.

    Marthinus’s personal history fuels his anxiety: both his grandfather and his wife’s grandfather were murdered in farm attacks. He lives just two hours from where 21-year-old farm manager Brendan Horner was found dead five years ago, tied to a pole with a rope around his neck. “I will give my whole life just so that my wife and my kids can be safe,” Marthinus states, expressing a sentiment shared by thousands of Afrikaners applying for US refugee status since President Donald Trump signed an executive order prioritizing their resettlement.

    Contrary to claims of targeted racial persecution, the reality of farm violence appears more complex. The latest crime statistics reveal South Africa’s enduring security crisis, with an average of 63 daily murders in the first quarter of 2025. While showing improvement from 2024, this maintains the country’s position among the world’s highest homicide rates.

    Black farmer Thabo Makopo, tending 237 acres on the outskirts of Ficksburg, shares similar security concerns. “It’s all of us. I could be attacked today – it could happen to any of us,” he acknowledges, emphasizing the universal vulnerability of farmers regardless of race. This perspective is reinforced by official data: between October 2024 and March 2025, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu reported 18 farm murders nationwide, with 16 black victims and only 2 white.

    The term ‘white genocide’ promoted by some international figures faces strong rejection from within the farming community. White farmer Morgan Barrett, protecting his six-generation family farm with nightly patrols, challenges this narrative: “I don’t buy that narrative that in this area the attacks are against whites only. If they thought that the black guy had 20,000 rand sitting in his safe, they’d attack him just as quickly.”

    South Africa’s historical context adds complexity to current tensions. Despite apartheid ending in 1994, racial inequalities persist, with white farmers still controlling 72% of private farmland despite constituting just 7.3% of the population. The government’s land reform programs have shown limited progress, while new expropriation powers remain constrained to rare circumstances according to legal experts.

    Beyond farms, violence affects all communities. In Meqheleng township, Nthabiseng Nthathakana mourns her husband Thembani Ncgango, murdered during a robbery at their small store. With no arrests made, she now solely provides for their four children, representing the broader human cost of South Africa’s security challenges.

    As Marthinus prepares for relocation following his successful refugee application, he maintains his belief in targeted persecution: “A lot of people believe that it’s a political thing to get rid of us as white farmers.” Yet the evidence suggests a more nuanced reality—a nation grappling with widespread criminal violence that transcends racial boundaries, compounded by historical inequalities and inadequate police response that has driven millions to rely on private security forces now outnumbering the national police and army combined.

  • Asian shares are mixed ahead of Fed interest rate decision

    Asian shares are mixed ahead of Fed interest rate decision

    Financial markets across Asia exhibited a mixed performance as investors adopted a guarded stance ahead of a pivotal interest rate decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The prevailing caution was further compounded by escalating geopolitical friction between Japan and China.

    Market indices reflected this uncertainty. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 remained virtually flat, closing at 50,491.53. In a contrasting movement, South Korea’s Kospi edged up 0.2%, while Taiwan’s benchmark index saw a more substantial gain of 0.8%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 retreated by 0.3%. Chinese markets presented a divergent picture: the Shanghai Composite index advanced 0.6%, whereas Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined by 1%.

    The economic landscape was clouded by revised data from Japan, revealing a deeper-than-expected economic contraction. The nation’s economy shrank at an annualized rate of 2.3% in the July-September quarter, a significant downward revision from the initially reported 1.8% decline. This downturn was attributed to the adverse effects of U.S. tariffs on Japanese exports and a reduction in public investment.

    Geopolitical tensions intensified following a concerning military incident. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi formally protested after Chinese military aircraft locked radar on Japanese fighter jets—an act he described as ‘extremely regrettable’ and a ‘dangerous’ escalation. This event occurred amidst existing strain prompted by recent remarks on Taiwan from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, prompting calls for calm from both Japan and Australia.

    In the U.S., futures and oil prices registered modest gains. This followed a quiet yet positive end to the previous week on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 closed just below its record high. Corporate movements also captured attention, with Netflix’s announcement of a $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. sending ripples through related stocks.

    All eyes are now fixed on the Federal Reserve’s upcoming meeting. The widespread market expectation is for an interest rate cut, which would be the third of the year, aimed at bolstering a slowing U.S. job market. Recent inflation data, showing the Fed’s preferred core measure at 2.8%, aligned with economist forecasts, reinforcing these anticipations. However, the persistent risk remains that lower rates could potentially re-ignite inflationary pressures.

  • Somalia’s poets keep hope alive for storytelling and for peace

    Somalia’s poets keep hope alive for storytelling and for peace

    MOGADISHU, Somalia — In the shadow of past violence at Somalia’s National Theater, where a suicide bomber once detonated, elderly poets now gather to preserve the nation’s rich oral tradition. Among them is 70-year-old Hassan Barre, who recently stepped to the podium in the largely empty hall to recite verses emphasizing civic responsibility and national unity.

    These aging wordsmiths, some with henna-dyed beards and clouded eyes, represent a fading cultural beacon in one of the world’s most volatile nations. Their presence underscores a profound contrast: Somalia, often described as “a nation of poets,” has become better known for bombings than verse after decades of conflict stripped away its cultural wealth.

    Oral poetry remains Somalia’s highest art form, recited in remote outposts and even among militants in the bush. Legendary figures like Hadraawi—the “Shakespeare of Somalia” who died in 2022—achieved universal recognition for works spanning love songs to war laments.

    The current fragile federal government allocates most resources to national security, leaving cultural institutions like the National Theater and adjacent museum largely inactive. Access requires notifying intelligence agencies in advance with detailed vehicle information—a testament to security concerns that constrain artistic expression.

    Poets recall flourishing during Siad Barre’s iron-fisted rule (1969-1991), when some received free housing and were “treated like kings.” His ouster triggered civil war and the rise of al-Shabab militants, devastating cultural infrastructure.

    Despite challenges, traditional poets still perform at weddings, and verses air daily on radio stations. The Somali Council of Poets claims 400 members, including diaspora Somalis, all advocating for peace while avoiding direct politics.

    Culture Minister Daud Aweis acknowledges poets’ “vital role” as “a foundational pillar for cultural vitality” but offers limited funding. The ministry’s long-term goal is expanded support.

    The National Theater itself symbolizes resilience: inaugurated in 1967, closed in 1991, reopened in 2012 after AU peacekeepers pushed al-Shabab from Mogadishu, then attacked months later by a suicide bomber during a prime ministerial speech.

    Yet poets persist. Maki Haji Banaadir, the theater’s deputy director and popular cultural figure, exemplifies this determination. He helped lead a 2003 cross-country reconciliation tour now impossible due to limited government control outside the capital and secessionist movements.

    As these guardians of tradition work “day and night” to groom new generations, their verses continue echoing through a sandbagged city ringed by checkpoints—a testament to culture’s endurance amid conflict.

  • Water leak in Louvre damages hundreds of books

    Water leak in Louvre damages hundreds of books

    The Louvre Museum in Paris has encountered its third significant operational challenge within recent months following a water leakage incident that compromised hundreds of historical volumes. According to Deputy Administrator Francis Steinbock, approximately 300-400 books, primarily comprising specialized Egyptology journals and scientific documentation from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sustained water damage in the museum’s Egyptian department.

    The leakage, detected in late November, originated from infrastructure issues that museum management had acknowledged for several years. Repairs are formally scheduled for implementation in the upcoming year. Mr. Steinbock emphasized that no precious heritage artifacts or invaluable books were impacted by the incident. The affected materials, described as reference volumes frequently consulted by academic Egyptologists, will undergo a meticulous restoration process involving drying, professional bookbinding, and conservation treatments before returning to library shelves.

    This incident follows two other major disruptions at the world’s most visited museum. In November, structural vulnerabilities necessitated the partial closure of galleries exhibiting Greek vases and administrative offices. More dramatically, on October 19th, thieves executed a daring daylight heist, stealing crown jewels valued at €88 million ($102 million) while exposing critical security deficiencies. These jewels remain unrecovered, prompting the museum to relocate its most valuable gems to the secure vaults of the Bank of France.

    These recurrent problems align with concerns raised in an October report from France’s Cour des Comptes, the national audit authority. The report criticized the Louvre’s financial prioritization, noting excessive expenditure on artwork acquisitions had occurred “to the detriment of the maintenance and renovation of buildings,” potentially contributing to the current infrastructure challenges.

  • Thailand launches airstrikes along border with Cambodia as tensions reignite

    Thailand launches airstrikes along border with Cambodia as tensions reignite

    BANGKOK — Military tensions reignited along the Thailand-Cambodia border on Monday as both nations exchanged airstrikes and artillery fire while mutually accusing each other of initiating hostilities. The escalation represents a significant breach of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement established in October following deadly clashes in July that resulted in dozens of military and civilian casualties.

    Thai military authorities reported one soldier killed and four wounded, claiming Cambodian forces initiated the conflict with cross-border attacks. In response, Thailand deployed aircraft to strike what it identified as Cambodian military positions. “Our forces conducted aerial operations against multiple military targets to suppress Cambodian supporting fire attacks,” stated Thai Army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree, adding that civilian evacuations were underway in affected border regions.

    Cambodia’s Defense Ministry provided a contradictory account, with spokesperson Maly Socheata asserting that Thai military forces launched the initial assault. “Cambodia did not retaliate during the Monday morning attacks,” Socheata emphasized, while urging Thailand to “immediately cease all hostile activities threatening regional peace and stability.”

    The Cambodian Education Ministry implemented emergency measures, closing several border-area schools. Social media documentation showed students being hurriedly evacuated, with many transported via motorcycles as families sought safety from the renewed violence.

    This latest outbreak follows Sunday’s border skirmish that both sides similarly attributed to the other nation. The fragile U.S.-brokered truce, negotiated through President Donald Trump’s administration, had already been jeopardized last month when Thai troops sustained injuries from landmine explosions, prompting Thailand to indefinitely suspend its implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

    The current confrontation draws upon centuries of historical enmity between the neighboring nations, with modern territorial disputes originating from a 1907 French colonial-era map that Thailand contests. The International Court of Justice’s 1962 ruling granting Cambodia sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple area remains a particularly sensitive issue in bilateral relations.

    Despite the October ceasefire agreement, the fundamental border demarcation disputes remain unresolved, continuing to fuel tensions between the Southeast Asian neighbors.

  • Wildfires destroy 40 homes and kill a firefighter in Australia

    Wildfires destroy 40 homes and kill a firefighter in Australia

    A veteran firefighter has tragically lost his life while combating devastating wildfires that have swept through Australia’s New South Wales and Tasmania, resulting in the destruction of approximately 40 residential properties. The 59-year-old emergency responder was fatally injured on Sunday evening when a falling tree struck him during fire suppression operations near the town of Bulahdelah, approximately 115 kilometers north of Sydney.

    According to Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin, the experienced firefighter could not be resuscitated following the accident. The Bulahdelah blaze has already consumed approximately 3,500 hectares (8,650 acres) of woodland and destroyed four homes over the weekend, with officials anticipating the firefighting efforts would require several more days to contain the inferno completely.

    The crisis extends far beyond this single incident, with 52 separate wildfires actively burning across New South Wales as of Monday. Among these, nine fires remain classified as uncontrolled, posing continued danger to communities. Commissioner Curtin confirmed that wildfires in New South Wales alone had destroyed 20 homes during the weekend.

    Meanwhile, on the island state of Tasmania, emergency officials reported another 19 homes were lost to wildfires in the coastal community of Dolphin Sands. Local government representative Dick Shaw informed the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that while firefighters had successfully contained the Tasmanian blaze by Monday, critical access roads remained closed due to safety concerns. Authorities have advised residents that returning to their properties is not yet safe despite the improved fire conditions.

    The tragic death of the firefighter underscores the extreme dangers emergency personnel face during Australia’s increasingly intense wildfire seasons, which have been exacerbated by climate change and drought conditions across the continent.

  • Former Australian deputy PM joins anti-immigration party One Nation

    Former Australian deputy PM joins anti-immigration party One Nation

    In a significant political realignment, former Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has formally joined the anti-immigration One Nation party, marking a dramatic departure from the Nationals party he previously led. The controversial politician announced his defection during a Monday broadcast on his local Tamworth radio station, acknowledging his decision would likely “hurt” certain individuals.

    Joyce’s move concludes months of speculation about his political future and represents a substantial coup for One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, whose party has experienced growing popularity in recent polls. Hanson welcomed Joyce’s defection, emphasizing his “experience, advice and determination to get a fair go for farmers and regional Australia.” The party founder announced Joyce would represent One Nation in the lower house until the next federal election before transitioning to a Senate candidacy.

    The veteran politician justified his decision through a detailed Facebook post criticizing multiple government policies. Joyce condemned Australia’s energy platform as “eviscerated” in pursuit of “a ludicrous quest to change the weather” and argued that population growth through immigration had undermined housing affordability and natural population increase. He further articulated his cultural vision, stating that while Australia could embrace multiple faiths and races, it must unite under a singular Australian culture to navigate an increasingly uncertain world.

    Nationals leader David Littleproud expressed disappointment with Joyce’s alignment with what he characterized as a “party of protest which is never able to achieve anything other than headlines.” The criticism highlights the deepening divide between Joyce and his former colleagues in the conservative coalition.

    The defection follows a carefully orchestrated courtship between Joyce and Hanson, culminating in a steak dinner in Hanson’s parliamentary office exactly two weeks prior. Notably, this meal occurred hours after Hanson sparked controversy by wearing a burqa into Parliament as part of her longstanding campaign to ban the Muslim garment—an action condemned as “blatant racism” by colleagues and formally censured by the Senate.

    Joyce’s political career has been marked by both significant achievements and controversies. After serving as a Queensland senator from 2004-2013, he secured the New England seat in New South Wales. His tenure as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister (2016-2018) ended abruptly following public outrage over his extramarital affair with a staffer, which prompted the implementation of strict rules regarding relationships between politicians and staff.

    The politician has frequently captured international attention, most notably in 2015 when he threatened to euthanize Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Yorkshire Terriers after the celebrities attempted to smuggle them into Australia aboard their private jet in violation of quarantine laws.

    Hanson herself has consistently courted controversy throughout her political career. Her 2016 maiden speech to the Senate warning that Australia risked being “swamped by Muslims” echoed similar sentiments expressed in 1996 about being “swamped by Asians.”