Global Pulse

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  • Which European countries have mandatory or voluntary military service

    Which European countries have mandatory or voluntary military service

    In response to heightened security threats following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, multiple European NATO members are implementing voluntary national service programs to bolster their military capabilities. This strategic shift marks a significant evolution from Cold War-era conscription models that diminished after the Soviet Union’s collapse.

    Currently, nine European NATO states maintain compulsory conscription systems: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and Turkey. Turkey, hosting NATO’s second-largest military after the United States, requires male citizens aged 20-41 to serve 6-12 months. Norway has adopted gender-neutral conscription with typically 12-month service periods.

    Several nations are introducing innovative voluntary approaches. Belgium’s defense ministry recently contacted 17-year-olds with monthly €2,000 incentives to join a new reservist program aiming to expand forces from 6,000 to 20,000. Similarly, France is launching a 10-month paid ‘national service’ program offering €800 monthly, targeting 18-19-year-olds with planned participation growing to 50,000 by 2035.

    Germany’s parliament approved a voluntary military service system requiring all 18-year-old men to complete questionnaires assessing their willingness and capability to serve. Chancellor Friedrich Merz aims to develop Europe’s ‘strongest conventional army,’ expanding active personnel from 183,000 to 260,000 by 2035 alongside 200,000 reservists. Despite government support, recent protests saw students in 90 German cities demonstrating against the initiative.

    Poland, possessing one of NATO’s largest armies, introduced one-month voluntary basic training in 2024, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk announcing plans for ‘large-scale military training for every adult male’ to build a 500,000-strong force including reservists.

    The United Kingdom maintains a professional military force comparable to France and Germany in conventional strength, uniquely permitting 16-year-olds to enlist with parental consent. Other NATO members with professional armies include Albania, Czechia, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

    Non-NATO European states demonstrate varied approaches: Austria maintains compulsory service for men aged 18-35, Cyprus mandates military service for male citizens over 18, while Switzerland requires male citizens aged 18-30 to serve in military or civilian capacities, recently rejecting a proposal to extend this obligation to women.

  • Iranian press review: Rouhani calls for regional bloc against Israeli air power

    Iranian press review: Rouhani calls for regional bloc against Israeli air power

    Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has issued a stark warning regarding Iran’s national security vulnerabilities, emphasizing that the nation’s airspace has become dangerously exposed following recent regional conflicts. With sixteen years of experience as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Rouhani criticized current administration officials for underestimating Iran’s defense shortcomings, particularly highlighting how easily Israeli aircraft can penetrate Iranian airspace.

    Rouhani asserted that Iran’s neighboring countries—including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan—have airspace effectively controlled by the United States and Israel, leaving Iran without genuine deterrence capabilities. He advocated for strengthened regional alliances, stating that helping neighboring nations achieve independence ultimately benefits Iran’s security interests through shared risks and common objectives.

    This security alert emerges alongside significant domestic controversies. Iranian police recently conducted a raid on a private villa in Lavasan, north of Tehran, detaining over twenty individuals including seven prominent actors. Charges included illegal assembly, public indecency, and alcohol-related offenses. Legal experts have condemned the operation as violating both Iranian law and religious principles, with media outlets comparing the incident to the restrictive early post-revolution years.

    Simultaneously, the Masoud Pezeshkian administration has implemented a controversial fuel price increase policy, triggering concerns about potential social unrest. Effective December 12, the new policy maintains a government allocation of 60 liters at 15,000 rials and 100 liters at 30,000 rials monthly, with additional fuel priced at 50,000 rials per liter. While energy experts acknowledge the economic necessity of aligning prices with market rates, the move remains sensitive given that the 2019 fuel protests resulted in hundreds of casualties.

    Regionally, diplomatic activity has intensified with simultaneous visits by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Saud bin Mohammed al-Sati and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Tehran. International relations analysts interpret these visits as reflecting growing regional concerns about Israel’s expanding influence. Experts suggest that despite historical rivalries, both Saudi Arabia and Turkey recognize the threat posed by Israel and may seek limited cooperation with Iran to establish regional balance and prevent further conflict escalation.

  • Turkey orders arrest of 29 footballers in betting scandal

    Turkey orders arrest of 29 footballers in betting scandal

    Turkish authorities have launched a sweeping crackdown on illegal sports betting, with an Istanbul prosecutor issuing arrest warrants for 46 individuals—including 29 professional footballers—in one of the nation’s most significant sports corruption investigations. The scandal has implicated players from top-tier clubs, with 27 athletes suspected of wagering on matches involving their own teams.

    Among the high-profile figures detained is Metehan Baltaci of reigning champions Galatasaray, who had previously received a nine-month suspension related to the scandal. The investigation has also ensnared Mert Hakan Yandas of Fenerbahce, who allegedly placed bets through a third-party account. Beyond players, the warrants target two club presidents accused of attempting to manipulate the outcome of a third-division match during the 2023-2024 season.

    The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has responded with unprecedented disciplinary measures, suspending over 1,000 players and nearly 150 referees connected to the scandal. Among sanctioned players, 25 were from the Super Lig, with penalties ranging from 45 days to 12 months. Senegalese winger Alastane Ndao of Konyaspor stands as the only foreign national suspended, receiving a full-year ban.

    Law enforcement officials confirmed that 35 of the 46 individuals named in the arrest order have been taken into custody as the investigation continues to unfold, shaking the foundation of Turkish football.

  • Panda ambassadors fostering China-France friendship

    Panda ambassadors fostering China-France friendship

    In a remarkable display of cross-cultural diplomacy, giant pandas have emerged as unexpected ambassadors strengthening the bond between China and France. The story centers on Yuan Meng, an eight-year-old panda who returned to his ancestral home in Sichuan province two years ago after capturing hearts in France. Now residing at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the charismatic bear has earned the affectionate nickname “Director Sheep” due to his distinctive vocalizations that resemble bleating sounds.

    Yuan Meng’s journey represents a much larger narrative of international cooperation. His parents, Huan Huan and Yuan Zai, were originally sent to France’s Beauval Zoo in 2012 as part of a comprehensive panda conservation initiative. Their presence transformed the French zoo, with annual visitor numbers skyrocketing from 600,000 to an impressive 2 million by 2024. The couple’s European legacy includes three offspring: Yuan Meng (born 2017, the first panda ever born in France) and twins Huan Lili and Yuan Dudu (born 2021).

    The panda exchange program operates under carefully structured agreements ensuring genetic diversity, typically requiring overseas-born cubs to return to China before age four. Yuan Meng’s departure was delayed until just before his sixth birthday due to his overwhelming popularity among French admirers. Such was his celebrity status that Beauval Zoo unveiled a 2.5-meter bronze statue in his honor in March 2024.

    This interspecies diplomacy has deep historical roots dating to 1869 when French Catholic priest and naturalist Pierre Armand David contributed to the scientific discovery of giant pandas in Sichuan. The Dengchigou Catholic Church, where David once resided, now serves as an educational center celebrating both panda conservation and Sino-French friendship, blending western Sichuan architecture with Gothic design elements.

    China’s conservation efforts have yielded significant results, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature reclassifying giant pandas from “endangered” to “vulnerable” in 2016. The establishment of the Giant Panda National Park in 2021 across three provinces represents the latest milestone, with Ya’an city containing nearly 40% of the park’s territory and Baoxing county reporting the nation’s highest density of wild pandas.

    The collaboration continues to evolve, with China’s forestry authority and the French Biodiversity Office recently agreeing to partner the Giant Panda National Park with France’s Pyrenees National Park. This alliance will focus on biodiversity monitoring, species protection, scientific education, and personnel training exchanges.

    As China and France celebrate 61 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, these charismatic black-and-white ambassadors symbolize both nations’ shared commitment to environmental stewardship and international cooperation, demonstrating how wildlife conservation can build bridges between cultures.

  • Who has been called up for Afcon 2025?

    Who has been called up for Afcon 2025?

    The 35th edition of Africa’s premier football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), is set to commence in Morocco on December 21, 2025, culminating in the final on January 18, 2026. This prestigious continental championship will feature 24 national teams competing for the title currently held by Ivory Coast, who claimed their third AFCON trophy by defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the 2023 final.

    In a significant development for the 2025 tournament, competing nations will be permitted to select expanded squads of up to 28 players, providing coaches with greater flexibility and depth throughout the competition. The official squad submission deadline is set for Thursday, December 11, with clubs mandated to release selected players by Monday, December 15.

    Preliminary squad announcements reveal intriguing selections across participating nations. Angola’s provisional roster features European-based talents including Cagliari’s Zito Luvumbo and Swansea City’s Manuel Benson. Benin’s preliminary selection includes Burnley’s Andreas Hountondji and Alanyaspor’s Steve Mounie among their attacking options.

    Cameroon’s preliminary squad showcases significant firepower with Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, while the Democratic Republic of Congo’s selection includes West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Celtic’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

    Mozambique’s preliminary roster features Sporting Lisbon’s Geny Catamo and Sunderland’s Reinildo Mandava, while South Africa’s squad includes Burnley’s Lyle Foster and Club Brugge’s Shandre Campbell among their attacking contingent.

    The tournament will feature traditional African football powerhouses including defending champions Ivory Coast, record seven-time winners Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Nigeria, Tunisia, Cameroon, and Zambia, all vying for continental supremacy in what promises to be a highly competitive edition of Africa’s most prestigious football competition.

  • Focus over targets: Dubai’s Rayhan Thomas lets the golf do the talking in Q-School

    Focus over targets: Dubai’s Rayhan Thomas lets the golf do the talking in Q-School

    Dubai-born golf professional Rayhan Thomas has demonstrated exceptional mental fortitude at Stage Two of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School in the United States, positioning himself for potential advancement through a remarkably composed performance. The 26-year-old representative of Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club carded a spectacular five-under-par 67 during Thursday’s critical round, bringing his tournament total to 11-under-par through 54 holes.

    Thomas’s strategic approach has centered on maintaining process-oriented focus rather than chasing numerical targets, a methodology that yielded impressive results during his third round. After completing an even-par front nine that included two birdies and two bogeys, Thomas ignited on the back nine with five birdies, including three consecutive conversions on holes 14 through 16.

    ‘My focus is solely on my game,’ Thomas emphasized after his round. ‘I have no idea what anyone is scoring while playing. If I keep going as I have been and go as low as I can, I hopefully will make progress.’

    The Indian talent currently shares ninth position on a tightly contested leaderboard, placing him directly on the qualification threshold with seven competitors tied at 11-under. With only the top 15 players advancing to the Final Stage, Thomas finds himself in a precarious position heading into Friday’s decisive round.

    Weather conditions may significantly impact the tournament’s conclusion, as meteorologists predict substantial rainfall that has prompted officials to adjust tee times and consider potential schedule extensions into Saturday. Successful qualification this week would secure Thomas a spot in the 72-hole Korn Ferry Final Qualifying event scheduled for December 11-14, 2025, at TPC Sawgrass facilities in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

    The ultimate prize remains substantial: the top five finishers at the final stage receive full PGA Tour playing privileges for the upcoming season, while the next 40 competitors earn full Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2026. Thomas, who enjoys sponsorship support from Hero, Wilson, Cadillac, and the Dubai Basketball Association, now stands one round away from potentially securing his professional future.

  • Six hospitals from Aster DM Healthcare network in the UAE recognised in Newsweek’s best specialised hospitals in Middle East 2026 list

    Six hospitals from Aster DM Healthcare network in the UAE recognised in Newsweek’s best specialised hospitals in Middle East 2026 list

    Aster DM Healthcare has secured exceptional recognition in Newsweek’s prestigious Best Specialized Hospitals Middle East 2026 rankings, with nine facilities across the GCC region earning distinguished placements. The comprehensive evaluation, conducted in partnership with global data firm Statista, identifies leading healthcare institutions across seven Middle Eastern countries based on rigorous criteria including international peer recommendations, accreditation standards, and implementation of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs).

    The UAE network demonstrated remarkable clinical excellence with six facilities receiving specialized accolades. Aster Hospital Al Qusais gained recognition for neurological care, while Aster Hospital Mankhool achieved dual PROMs-based distinctions in orthopedics. Medcare Hospital Al Safa earned gastroenterology honors, Medcare Hospital Sharjah secured neurology recognition, and specialized facilities Medcare Orthopedics and Spine Hospital along with Medcare Women and Children Hospital received orthopedics and pediatrics distinctions respectively.

    Beyond the UAE, Aster’s regional presence shone with Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital in Muscat achieving the broadest specialty recognition in Oman across five disciplines: gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, and pediatrics. Aster Al Raffah Hospital in Sohar received gastroenterology recognition, while Aster Hospital Qatar secured dual honors in gastroenterology and pediatrics, underscoring its expanding leadership in comprehensive family care services.

    Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, emphasized that this achievement reflects the organization’s robust clinical ecosystem and medical expertise. “With nine hospitals recognized across multiple specialties throughout the GCC, we demonstrate our sustained commitment to outcome-driven specialized care,” Moopen stated. “We continue to advance our mission of making world-class medical expertise accessible to patients across the Middle East within their communities.”

    The conglomerate, operating 15 hospitals throughout the GCC, maintains its commitment to healthcare excellence through expanded centers of specialization, integrated advanced diagnostics, and implementation of best-practice clinical protocols across its network. This widespread recognition across five specialized disciplines confirms Aster’s enduring dedication to delivering complex treatments with superior outcomes and enhanced patient experiences throughout the region.

  • Dragon-lion festival highlights tradition, unity in Jianghua

    Dragon-lion festival highlights tradition, unity in Jianghua

    The Jianghua Yao Autonomous County in Hunan Province became a vibrant tapestry of light and motion on December 3rd, 2025, as it hosted a magnificent dragon-lion lantern festival. This dazzling display formed a central part of the celebrations commemorating the region’s 70th anniversary since its establishment.

    Seventy performance troupes, including participants from neighboring areas, converged upon a central park square at 7:30 PM. In a remarkable demonstration of intergenerational unity, performers aged from 9 to 85 years old captivated onlookers with expertly choreographed traditional dragon and lion dances. Their movements synchronized perfectly with the powerful rhythm of drums and enthusiastic crowd cheers, creating complex and mesmerizing patterns.

    The spectacle featured several extraordinary highlights, most notably a breathtaking 200-meter-long dragon composed of 77 individual sections, presented by a team from Shengang Village. Another crowd-favorite was a brilliantly multicolored dragon operated by a coordinated team of 1,000 performers, creating an unforgettable visual masterpiece.

    Following the stationary performances, the celebration transitioned into a vibrant parade as performers processed through the county’s main thoroughfares, extending the festive atmosphere throughout the community.

    This dragon-lion lantern tradition, officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Yongzhou City, continues to thrive through the dedication of more than 300 active performance troupes who preserve and promote this important cultural practice.

  • Four countries to boycott Eurovision after Israel approved to participate

    Four countries to boycott Eurovision after Israel approved to participate

    The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) faces a significant credibility crisis as four national broadcasters—Spain (RTVE), Ireland, Slovenia (RTVSLO), and the Netherlands—have declared their withdrawal from the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. This collective boycott stems directly from the EBU’s controversial decision to permit Israel’s participation amidst ongoing military operations in Gaza.

    The dispute reached a critical point during the EBU’s General Assembly on Thursday, where eight member nations, led by Spain’s RTVE, formally requested a secret ballot to vote on Israel’s exclusion. The motion was ultimately denied, with the EBU stating a ‘large majority of members’ agreed no further vote was necessary. The assembly instead approved new contest safeguards aimed at preventing vote manipulation and limiting disproportionate promotional campaigns, particularly those supported by governments or third parties.

    National broadcasters issued strong statements condemning the decision. RTVE expressed ‘distrust of the festival’s organisation,’ citing ‘political pressure’ and Israel’s alleged use of the contest for political purposes. RTVSLO stated participation ‘would conflict with its values of peace, equality and respect.’ In contrast, broadcasters from the United Kingdom and Germany confirmed they would continue their participation.

    The controversy is intensified by the context of the previous contest. Israel’s 2024 entry, Yuav Raphael—a survivor of the October 7th Nova festival attack—finished second amid widespread allegations of vote manipulation during the public voting round, prompting RTVE to request an official audit. In response to these allegations and mounting boycott pressure, the EBU has enacted new rules, reducing the maximum number of votes per payment method from 20 to 10.

    The 2026 edition, marking the contest’s 70th anniversary, is scheduled to be held in Vienna following Austria’s victory this year. The final assembly vote saw 65% of delegates approve the new rules and end discussion on Israel’s participation, while 23% voted against and 10% abstained, highlighting a deeply divided membership.

  • China set to host World Conference of Science Journalists in 2029

    China set to host World Conference of Science Journalists in 2029

    In a landmark decision at the recently concluded World Conference of Science Journalists in Pretoria, South Africa, China has been selected to host the prestigious 2029 edition of this global gathering. This will mark the first time the conference is held in Chinese territory, representing a significant milestone for the nation’s scientific journalism community.

    The Chinese Society for Science and Technology Journalism successfully secured the hosting rights through a formal application process during the South African conference. The event, organized under the auspices of the World Federation of Science Journalists with support from UNESCO, serves as a premier platform for science communication professionals worldwide to exchange cutting-edge reporting methodologies and practical experiences in scientific storytelling.

    As a founding member of the World Federation of Science Journalists, the China Association for Science and Technology News has maintained consistent engagement with the international science journalism community. This longstanding participation has now culminated in the opportunity to host the global conference, which is expected to significantly enhance China’s role in international science and technology governance discourse.

    The 2029 conference is anticipated to facilitate greater integration of Chinese science journalists into global networks while strengthening China’s influence in shaping international science communication standards. The event will provide a forum for showcasing China’s scientific advancements and journalistic approaches to an international audience, potentially setting new benchmarks for science reporting practices worldwide.