Global Pulse

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  • Fire relief allowance doubled to HK$100,000 for affected families in Hong Kong

    Fire relief allowance doubled to HK$100,000 for affected families in Hong Kong

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has significantly enhanced its support measures for families devastated by the recent Tai Po district fire, announcing a substantial increase in financial assistance. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen confirmed on Thursday that the living allowance for affected households has been doubled from HK$50,000 to HK$100,000 (approximately US$12,848) per family.

    This enhanced relief effort comes as part of a comprehensive government response that has already provided immediate emergency subsidies of HK$10,000 to each of the 1,929 impacted families. Social Welfare Department personnel have established contact with over 1,700 households, delivering crucial emotional support while coordinating essential supplies and practical daily assistance.

    The housing situation for displaced residents has seen substantial progress, with 1,241 individuals currently accommodated in hostels or hotels as of Thursday morning. An additional 2,235 residents have successfully transitioned into transitional housing or Housing Society units, providing more stable medium-term solutions.

    Financial support for recovery efforts has been bolstered by considerable community generosity. The specially established ‘Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po’ has received external donations totaling HK$2.5 billion, supplemented by HK$300 million in seed funding from the HKSAR government. This creates a substantial recovery fund of approximately HK$2.8 billion dedicated to helping residents rebuild their homes and lives.

    Complementing government efforts, the Education University of Hong Kong has activated its emergency response mechanism to support affected students and community members. The institution has opened indoor sports facilities and campus amenities while recruiting retired teachers, psychologists, and specialists to provide temporary learning spaces and emotional support services for families navigating the aftermath of the tragedy.

  • Canada drops terror sanctions on Syria, following US lead

    Canada drops terror sanctions on Syria, following US lead

    In a significant foreign policy reversal, Canada has formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and revoked the terrorist entity designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This decision, announced by Canada’s Foreign Ministry on Friday, aligns with similar measures recently implemented by key allies including the United States and United Kingdom.

    The policy shift comes precisely one year after HTS ousted former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and assumed control of the government in December 2024. Canadian officials emphasized that these determinations followed careful deliberation and reflect the evolving political landscape in Syria.

    Canada initially designated Syria as a state supporter of terrorism in 2012 during the early stages of the country’s civil war, which erupted when Assad’s regime violently suppressed pro-democracy protests. HTS, previously sanctioned for its connections to Al-Qaeda, has undergone substantial transformation according to Western assessments.

    The Foreign Ministry statement noted that these changes acknowledge ‘the efforts by the Syrian transitional government to advance Syria’s stability.’ Despite these modifications, Canada will maintain sanctions against 56 Syrian individuals, including former officials from the Assad regime and members of the Assad family.

    Since assuming power, Syria’s new leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa—a former jihadist—has actively worked to distance itself from its militant origins and present a more moderate governance approach to both the Syrian population and international community.

  • At least 11 killed in South Africa mass shooting

    At least 11 killed in South Africa mass shooting

    A hail of gunfire shattered the pre-dawn calm in a South African township Saturday, leaving a trail of death and injury in what authorities describe as the latest eruption of the nation’s severe violent crime epidemic. Armed assailants stormed an unlicensed drinking establishment in Saulsville, west of Pretoria, executing a brutal attack that claimed 11 lives—including a three-year-old child—and wounded 14 others.

    According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, at approximately 04:30 local time, a minimum of three unidentified gunmen entered the hostel premises and initiated indiscriminate fire upon a group of patrons. The victims included a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, highlighting the tragic collateral damage of such violence.

    Mathe characterized the location as an ‘illegal shebeen’ (an unlicensed tavern), pinpointing such establishments as frequent epicenters for mass casualty shootings. ‘We are facing a serious challenge with these illegal and unlicensed liquor premises,’ she stated in an interview with SABC, noting that ‘innocent people often become ensnared in the crossfire.’

    The precise motivation behind the assault remains undetermined, and no suspects have been apprehended. This incident represents merely the most recent in a devastating sequence of mass shootings plaguing South Africa, a nation grappling with one of the globe’s highest homicide rates. Official statistics from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime place the murder rate at 45 per 100,000 people for the 2023-24 period, with national police data indicating an average of 63 daily killings between April and September.

  • Putin and Modi meet in New Delhi

    Putin and Modi meet in New Delhi

    In a significant diplomatic engagement, Russian President Vladimir Putin received a ceremonial welcome in New Delhi on Friday, marking his first visit to India in four years. The meeting between Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House focused on critical issues including Ukraine peace initiatives, energy security, and defense cooperation.

    Prime Minister Modi explicitly stated India’s position on the Ukraine conflict, declaring: “India is not neutral—India has a position, and that position is for peace. We support every effort for peace, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with every initiative taken for peace.” President Putin acknowledged India’s mediation efforts, noting the detailed discussions about potential peaceful settlement of the crisis involving multiple partners, including the United States.

    The energy partnership formed a cornerstone of the bilateral talks, with Putin committing to “uninterrupted shipments” of fuel for India’s rapidly growing economy. “Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal, and everything that is required for the development of India’s energy,” the Russian leader affirmed. This commitment comes despite ongoing pressure from US tariffs imposed due to India’s Russian oil purchases.

    In a pre-meeting interview with India Today, Putin challenged US criticism of India’s energy imports, questioning: “If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn’t India have the same privilege?” He highlighted that the United States continues to purchase nuclear fuel from Russia for its own power plants.

    The defense relationship, traditionally a pillar of India-Russia relations, is undergoing transformation. Both nations agreed to reorient their defense partnership toward joint research, development, and production of advanced defense platforms, aligning with India’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

    The summit yielded multiple agreements across sectors including employment, healthcare, shipping, and chemicals. Notably, Russia’s Uralchem signed a memorandum of understanding with three Indian firms to establish a joint venture for constructing a urea plant in Russia.

    Both leaders expressed commitment to expanding bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, addressing the current trade imbalance skewed by India’s substantial energy imports from Russia.

  • Cambodia’s economic growth faces challenges

    Cambodia’s economic growth faces challenges

    Cambodia’s economic outlook for 2025-2026 shows moderated growth projections amid external pressures, though analysts characterize the disruptions as temporary rather than structural. The Southeast Asian kingdom now anticipates 5.2% GDP growth for 2025, a notable downward revision from the previously projected 6.3%, according to Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth.

    The economic headwinds stem primarily from two significant challenges: heightened border tensions with neighboring Thailand and substantial tariff impositions by the United States. Cambodia currently faces a 19% tariff on all exports to the American market, creating substantial pressure on the nation’s export-oriented sectors.

    Despite these challenges, Cambodia maintains robust economic fundamentals supported by strong domestic consumption and a growing trend of domestic product utilization. The government has responded with strategic fiscal measures, increasing the 2026 national budget to $10 billion—a 7.8% rise from 2025 expenditures—to bolster economic resilience.

    International economic institutions have adjusted their forecasts accordingly. The International Monetary Fund projects Cambodia’s growth to moderate to 4.8% in 2025 and further to 4% in 2026, citing export volatility, reduced remittances, tourism sector slowdown, and tempered domestic demand as contributing factors.

    Private sector leaders like Arnaud Darc, CEO of Thalias Hospitality, emphasize that current disruptions represent short-term adjustments rather than fundamental weaknesses. The Cambodia-Thailand border closure has particularly impacted regional trade, with bilateral commerce dropping over 90% during the closure period and forcing exporters to absorb 8-12% increased logistics costs through alternative routes.

    Looking forward, Cambodia is leveraging international partnerships through mechanisms like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement to enhance economic integration. A significant tourism initiative—a visa-free pilot program for Chinese visitors scheduled from June to October 2026—offers potential to revitalize the services sector and provide counterbalance to external pressures.

    Academic experts including Thong Mengdavid of the Royal University of Phnom Penh note that while immediate challenges highlight structural vulnerabilities, strategic investments in productivity, infrastructure, human capital, and governance reform position Cambodia for more resilient and diversified long-term growth.

  • US-China Business Council chief: US firms committed to China

    US-China Business Council chief: US firms committed to China

    In a significant demonstration of continued economic engagement, the US-China Business Council has reinforced American corporate commitment to the Chinese market during high-level trade discussions this week. The council’s leadership hosted a delegation led by Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, for a comprehensive roundtable dialogue on bilateral trade relations.

    Prior to the closed-door meeting, US-China Business Council President Sean Stein addressed media inquiries, directly countering narratives about American corporate withdrawal from China. “US firms are not leaving China,” Stein emphatically stated, adding that “more US multinational companies are actually deepening their engagement through collaborative ventures with Chinese partners.”

    The discussions occurred against the backdrop of ongoing economic diplomacy between the world’s two largest economies. Stein’s remarks highlight a contrasting narrative to recent geopolitical tensions, suggesting that business realities on the ground continue to drive cooperation despite political headwinds.

    The roundtable itself focused on practical business concerns and opportunities, with both sides exploring mechanisms to facilitate smoother commercial operations and joint innovation initiatives. This meeting represents the latest in a series of engagements between American business representatives and Chinese trade officials seeking to maintain productive economic ties.

    Industry analysts note that such business-to-business diplomacy often paves the way for more formal governmental agreements, with private sector commitments frequently preceding policy developments in US-China economic relations.

  • DRC, Rwanda sign peace deal, open resources to US

    DRC, Rwanda sign peace deal, open resources to US

    In a high-profile diplomatic ceremony at the recently renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington DC, the United States facilitated a landmark agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on Thursday. The trilateral meeting, hosted by former President Donald Trump, brought together Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to sign a peace framework addressing the protracted conflict in eastern DRC.

    The agreement includes significant economic components, with both African nations granting US corporations access to their substantial mineral reserves—critical resources essential for advanced manufacturing including military aircraft and consumer electronics. “We’ll be involved with sending some of our biggest and greatest US companies over to the two countries,” Trump announced during the proceedings.

    However, the diplomatic optimism contrasted sharply with realities on the ground. Within 24 hours of the signing, combat operations resumed in eastern DRC, with both government forces and M23 rebels exchanging accusations of ceasefire violations. The region has experienced intensified conflict since late 2021, with Congo maintaining allegations of Rwandan support for the rebel group—claims consistently denied by Kigali.

    The humanitarian situation in conflict-affected areas remains dire. Goma, a strategic city of approximately two million people currently under rebel control, continues to suffer from closed infrastructure, suspended government services, and severe economic hardship. Residents report escalating crime rates and surging commodity prices, conditions exacerbated by recent reductions in US aid funding that previously supported conflict relief efforts.

    The current violence traces its origins to colonial-era ethnic divisions between Hutu and Tutsi populations, divisions that ultimately catalyzed the 1994 Rwandan genocide and subsequent regional instability. Despite the newly signed agreement, analysts remain skeptical about immediate peaceful resolution, noting that active combat continues throughout the resource-rich eastern territories.

  • Overnight exchange of fire along the Afghan-Pakistan border kills 5 and wounds 8, officials say

    Overnight exchange of fire along the Afghan-Pakistan border kills 5 and wounds 8, officials say

    A fragile ceasefire along the contentious Afghanistan-Pakistan border collapsed overnight Friday, triggering a violent exchange of fire that resulted in multiple casualties on both sides. According to officials from both nations, the clashes near the Spin Boldak-Chaman crossing claimed the lives of five Afghan civilians, including three children and one woman, while injuring five others. On the Pakistani side, three civilians sustained wounds.

    The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions that have been simmering since October. Each government has accused the other of instigating the violation of the Qatar-mediated truce that had been largely holding for two months. The timing is particularly sensitive, occurring just one day after Pakistan announced it would permit United Nations relief supplies to transit through the crucial Chaman and Torkham border crossings, which had been mostly closed amid deteriorating relations.

    Afghan officials asserted that Pakistani forces initiated the aggression with unprovoked shooting and a hand grenade thrown into the Spin Boldak area, compelling their forces to respond defensively. In contrast, Pakistani authorities maintained that the firing originated from the Afghan side, with their troops acting in retaliation to protect territorial integrity. The conflicting narratives underscore the deep-seated mistrust between the neighboring nations.

    The underlying tensions are further complicated by Pakistan’s accusations that Afghanistan provides sanctuary to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), a militant group separate from but allied with the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan’s military separately reported neutralizing nine TTP militants in intelligence operations in northwestern border districts on Friday, highlighting the persistent security challenges.

    This violent episode represents the most severe border confrontation in recent years, threatening to derail ongoing diplomatic efforts and humanitarian initiatives in the region.

  • Japan’s PM accused of fund scandal

    Japan’s PM accused of fund scandal

    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is confronting renewed political turmoil as a formal criminal complaint alleges her violation of political funding regulations. The allegations center on a 10 million yen ($64,400) donation received by Takaichi’s local Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chapter in Nara prefecture from a corporate entity in August 2024, substantially exceeding the legal limit of 7.5 million yen for donors of that classification.

    Constitutional law professor Hiroshi Kamiwaki of Kobe Gakuin University filed the complaint on Thursday, marking another escalation in the ongoing financial scandal plaguing Japan’s ruling party. Simultaneously, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi faces parallel allegations regarding his Kanagawa prefecture LDP chapter’s acceptance of a similarly excessive corporate donation.

    Both political chapters claim to have returned the disputed funds, with Takaichi’s representatives attributing the violation to a ‘misjudgment’ of the donor’s size classification according to Kyodo News. These developments occur against the backdrop of the LDP’s protracted slush fund scandal initially uncovered in 2023, where party factions allegedly instructed lawmakers to sell fundraising tickets beyond assigned quotas without proper financial reporting.

    The controversy has directly impacted Takaichi’s administration, with seven senior officials appointed since her October assumption of office already connected to the scandal. Critics argue the Prime Minister has demonstrated ambiguous commitment to substantive reform, particularly following her November 26 suggestion that reducing Diet seats might preferable to tightening corporate donation restrictions.

    Opposition leaders have expressed skepticism regarding Takaichi’s reform intentions. Komeito party leader Tetsuo Saito noted ‘uncertainty about her commitment to political reform,’ while Constitutional Democratic Party senator Kiyomi Tsujimoto characterized Takaichi’s ascent as facilitated by the resurgence of politicians previously implicated in ‘black money’ controversies.

    The Prime Minister has subsequently clarified her parliamentary remarks, emphasizing that both campaign finance system improvements and legislative seat reduction constitute equally important aspects of ‘self-reform.’ However, scrutiny extends beyond these allegations to Takaichi’s substantial campaign expenditures, which reportedly reached 83.84 million yen for publicity during the 2024 LDP presidential race—dramatically exceeding opponents’ spending levels.

    This developing situation continues to challenge the stability of Japan’s political leadership while raising fundamental questions about accountability and transparency within the nation’s campaign finance architecture.

  • Legacy of Flying Tigers honored in California

    Legacy of Flying Tigers honored in California

    YORBA LINDA, California – Descendants of WWII veterans, community leaders, and officials convened at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum this week to commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion and celebrate pivotal milestones in Sino-American relations. The gathering served as a powerful reminder of the shared wartime history that continues to inspire cross-cultural exchanges between the two nations.

    Nell Chennault Calloway, granddaughter of General Claire Lee Chennault who commanded the legendary Flying Tigers squadron, emphasized history’s role as a reliable guide for future diplomacy. “History records our past and offers inspiration for the future,” Calloway stated, recalling President Nixon’s groundbreaking 1972 China visit as a transformative moment after decades of estrangement. She reiterated Nixon’s toast to Premier Zhou Enlai: “We have great differences today. What brings us together is that we have common interests which transcend those differences.”

    Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, highlighted the extraordinary significance of the Flying Tigers’ operations in China. “For the Chinese people and American pilots, this represents the most important chapter in our bilateral history—it brought our nations together in an unprecedented way,” Greene explained. He recounted how American volunteer pilots collaborated with Chinese forces against Japanese bombing campaigns, with Chinese civilians courageously rescuing downed US airmen despite facing lethal retaliation.

    California State Senator Bob Archuleta framed the Flying Tigers’ legacy as a living lesson for contemporary global challenges. “History proves we accomplish more through cooperation than conflict, and through mutual respect rather than division,” Archuleta noted. “This story demonstrates the power of building bridges instead of barriers, and seeking understanding rather than suspicion.”

    The commemoration also honored centenarian Flying Tigers veteran Mel McMullen and Zhang Sujiu, daughter of China’s renowned “peace general” Zhang Zhizhong, recognizing them as living connections between historical cooperation and present-day diplomacy. The event underscored how wartime collaboration established foundations for subsequent diplomatic breakthroughs, with Jane Zhang of the Nixon library observing that the Flying Tigers’ friendship helped enable Nixon’s “icebreaking” journey that opened a new chapter in US-China relations.