Global Pulse

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  • Whitetip sharks obtain protection: UN

    Whitetip sharks obtain protection: UN

    In a landmark conservation decision, the oceanic whitetip shark has received the highest level of international protection at the ongoing UN wildlife conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The species becomes the first among more than 70 proposed shark and ray species to be uplisted to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), effectively banning all commercial international trade of these sharks and their products.

    The decision, adopted during the 20th Meeting of the CITES Conference of Parties (November 24-December 5), has been hailed by conservationists as a historic breakthrough for marine protection. The oceanic whitetip has experienced catastrophic population declines of 80-90% within just three generations due to relentless hunting for its fins and meat.

    Barbara Slee, senior program manager at the International Fund for Animal Welfare, described the move as “our last hope for the oceanic whitetips,” emphasizing that these ancient predators have roamed oceans for millions of years but faced systematic slaughter. Luke Warwick, director of shark and ray conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society, called the decision “a watershed moment for all sharks and rays,” noting it represents the first time CITES has granted full protection with a complete international trade ban to any shark species.

    The protection comes amid alarming scientific evidence about global shark declines. A recent study in Science Advances revealed that over 37% of shark species now face extinction threats due to overexploitation. Another study in PLOS One documented severe ecological stress in coastal marine protected areas, with researchers observing a disturbing trend of “fishing down the food web” where removal of large species forces targeting of increasingly smaller species, pushing ecosystems toward collapse.

    Lester Gittens, lead delegate from the Bahamas, stressed both economic and ecological imperatives for protection: “Sharks support jobs across our islands and further declines benefit no one. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the term critically endangered—the next category is extinct in the wild.”

    The Appendix I listing is expected to eliminate incentives for illegal fishing and provide the species with critical recovery opportunities. With over 3,000 delegates attending the conference, further discussions will address additional proposals for shark and ray species protections.

  • South Asia gains lifeline from COP30

    South Asia gains lifeline from COP30

    The landmark agreement reached at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, represents a critical turning point for climate-vulnerable nations across South Asia. After extended negotiations concluding on November 22, 2025, global leaders committed to tripling financial support for developing countries grappling with escalating climate impacts. This enhanced funding mechanism promises to deliver essential resources for disaster-resilient infrastructure, agricultural adaptation programs, and comprehensive social assistance initiatives throughout the region.

    Climate experts emphasize the agreement’s profound significance for South Asian nations confronting existential threats. Anjal Prakash, Research Director at the Indian School of Business’s Bharti Institute of Public Policy, noted that “regions severely affected by heat waves, flooding, and sea-level rise” including India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan will receive crucial support. The pact not only addresses immediate adaptation needs but also strengthens the region’s negotiating position for advocating climate justice and equitable carbon space through newly established global mechanisms.

    William Yu, CEO of the World Green Organisation, welcomed the agreement as a necessary step toward building resilience against climate disasters that potentially cost billions annually. The commitment comes as World Bank research identifies South Asia as exceptionally vulnerable due to population density, geographical exposure, and rising temperatures. Their recent report projects that by 2030, approximately 1.8 billion people (89% of the region’s population) will face extreme heat exposure, while 462 million remain at risk of severe flooding.

    Despite this progress, significant challenges persist. Pakistan’s Climate Change Secretary Aisha Humera Moriani highlighted the “disproportionate climate burden” borne by nations with minimal historical emissions. Experts caution that economic crises, political transitions, deforestation, and insufficient renewable energy funding continue to constrain the region’s adaptive capacity, underscoring the urgent need for effective implementation of COP30 commitments.

  • Thousands of protesters gather as German far-right party sets up new youth organization

    Thousands of protesters gather as German far-right party sets up new youth organization

    Thousands of protesters descended upon the western German city of Giessen on Saturday, demonstrating against the founding convention of a new youth organization established by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The gathering prompted significant civil unrest, with groups of activists attempting to blockade roads throughout the city of approximately 93,000 residents. Law enforcement officials reported deploying pepper spray in response to projectiles, including stones, being thrown at police officers at one demonstration site.

    The newly formed group, anticipated to be named ‘Generation Germany,’ replaces the party’s previous youth wing, Young Alternative, which was formally dissolved in late March. This predecessor organization had operated with considerable autonomy and was subsequently classified as a confirmed right-wing extremist group by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency. The AfD itself received a similar designation, though this classification remains suspended pending the outcome of a legal challenge initiated by the party.

    This organizational restructuring reflects AfD’s desire to exercise tighter control over its youth affiliate. The party has experienced substantial political gains, finishing as runner-up in Germany’s February national election with over 20% of the vote, establishing itself as the country’s principal opposition force. Recent polling indicates continued growth in popular support as Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition government struggles to maintain voter confidence.

    Youth wings traditionally associated with German political parties typically adopt more radical positions than their parent organizations. The AfD has strategically positioned itself as an anti-establishment movement, capitalizing on widespread political disillusionment. Initially gaining parliamentary representation in 2017 through leveraging public discontent regarding migration policies, the party has demonstrated remarkable aptitude in channeling dissatisfaction across various societal issues beyond its signature anti-immigration platform.

  • Memorial service held for victims of Hong Kong’s residential building fire

    Memorial service held for victims of Hong Kong’s residential building fire

    Hong Kong’s leadership gathered in a solemn ceremony Saturday morning to pay respects to those lost in the recent residential building fire in Tai Po. Chief Executive John Lee led the memorial service at government headquarters alongside principal officials and civil servants of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

    The ceremony occurred amidst visibly lowered flags across all government buildings, where both the national flag and the HKSAR flag flew at half-mast as a mark of respect for the tragedy’s victims. This gesture followed the devastating fire that struck the residential complex earlier this week, claiming multiple lives and injuring numerous residents.

    The memorial service represents the government’s formal recognition of the community’s collective grief and its commitment to supporting affected families. The tragedy has prompted renewed discussions about building safety standards and emergency response protocols throughout Hong Kong’s urban residential areas.

    Chief Executive Lee had previously expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and pledged comprehensive support for survivors and victims’ families. The government has initiated multiple investigations to determine the fire’s cause and identify potential preventive measures for future safety enhancements.

  • Experts share ideas on advancing human rights

    Experts share ideas on advancing human rights

    China is poised to significantly advance its human rights framework through both domestic policy implementation and enhanced international cooperation, according to expert discussions at a major symposium organized by the China Society for Human Rights Studies on Friday. The gathering brought together over 170 specialists from diverse sectors to formulate strategies for human rights advancement during the nation’s critical transition between five-year planning periods.

    The symposium focused on implementing directives from the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which emphasized comprehensive human rights development as a cornerstone of national policy. Padma Choling, president of the hosting organization, highlighted that the Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) establish promoting all-around human rights advancement as a key national priority.

    Central to China’s human rights philosophy is the principle that “the ultimate human right is for people to lead a happy life,” Choling stated. This approach emphasizes ensuring equitable distribution of modernization benefits and improving welfare through sustainable development. The strategy includes strengthening international cooperation, particularly with Belt and Road Initiative partners and Global South nations, while increasing China’s participation in multilateral institutions and global rule-making processes.

    Legal experts addressed judicial protections, with Li Xiao, former inspector of the Supreme People’s Court research office, emphasizing the need to balance leniency and severity in criminal enforcement while rigorously maintaining evidence-based judgments and presumption of innocence principles.

    Rural development received significant attention, with China Foundation for Rural Development deputy secretary-general Ding Yadong outlining programs that ensure farmers’ dignity through improved living conditions and development opportunities. These initiatives include expanding agricultural machinery access and providing skills training to support rural revitalization.

    Media representation emerged as another critical focus. China Daily deputy editor-in-chief Xing Zhigang noted that while Western media narratives often dominate global human rights discourse, support from Global South countries for China’s human rights achievements continues growing. He advocated for proactive agenda-setting to counter what he described as hypocritical Western narratives with double standards.

    In the technological sphere, Beijing Institute of Technology’s science and technology human rights center director Qi Yanping called for integrating human rights ethics and legal values into digital governance. This includes refining information rights standards and embedding dignity concepts into technology design to ensure digital intelligence serves broader societal benefits.

  • Grateful to be alive, residents who escaped the Hong Kong apartment blaze wonder what comes next

    Grateful to be alive, residents who escaped the Hong Kong apartment blaze wonder what comes next

    A catastrophic fire that erupted Wednesday afternoon at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court complex has been extinguished after raging for over 40 hours, marking the city’s most devastating blaze since 1948. The inferno, which engulfed seven of the complex’s eight buildings, has officially claimed 128 lives with approximately 200 residents still unaccounted for, according to latest reports.

    The tragedy unfolded with terrifying speed when flames ignited on bamboo scaffolding shrouded in nylon netting—safety installations meant for ongoing construction work. The fire rapidly consumed polystyrene panels covering windows, shattering glass and creating pathways for the blaze to penetrate residential units. Strong winds facilitated the fire’s jump between buildings in the densely packed complex.

    Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into multiple safety failures, including whether the scaffolding netting met fire-resistant standards, why windows were covered with highly flammable foam panels, and why building fire alarms remained silent during the emergency. Law enforcement has already apprehended eleven individuals, including construction company directors, engineering consultants, scaffolding subcontractors, and renovation project managers.

    Resident William Li, 40, described his narrow escape from his second-floor apartment after being alerted by his wife. “Everything went black before my eyes,” Li recounted to The Associated Press. “I thought to myself: I’m in serious trouble.” Despite initially detecting no signs of danger, Li found himself trapped by impenetrable black smoke when he attempted to exit his unit just eight minutes after the warning call.

    The Wang Fuk Court complex, located in Tai Po’s suburban neighborhood north of Hong Kong’s urban center, houses over 4,600 residents, more than one-third of whom are seniors aged 65 or older according to Midland Realty data based on the 2021 census. The district represents one of Hong Kong’s designated “new towns” developed in the late 1970s, accommodating approximately 300,000 of the city’s 7.5 million residents across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

    Survivors now face devastating losses and uncertain futures. Seventy-year-old Ding Chan, who worked multiple jobs while her husband worked as an electrician, lamented the destruction of their home that took over a decade to pay off. “Where am I going to stay?” she asked, expressing the anxiety shared by hundreds displaced by the disaster.

    The government has activated emergency assistance protocols, while community support has emerged through massive volunteer efforts and donations. Approximately 900 residents were relocated to emergency shelters, with off-duty medical professionals, social workers, and counselors providing critical support.

    Li documented his harrowing experience on social media, generating overwhelming community response with his post receiving over 1,000 comments and nearly 10,000 shares. His account described hearing explosions, considering jumping from his window, and ultimately sheltering two disoriented neighbors while awaiting rescue. Firefighters eventually reached his unit via scaffolding, conducting daring rescues amid falling debris and extreme heat.

    The emotional toll was palpable during Li’s reunion with his family. “My wife cried until her tears were completely dry,” he shared. “My daughter immediately rushed over to hug me saying ‘daddy didn’t die.’”

    Despite the outpouring of immediate support, residents face long-term challenges. Li noted the practical limitations of aid: “No matter how many supplies are given, they are of little use—we can only carry what our two hands can hold.” The incident has raised urgent questions about construction safety standards and emergency preparedness in Hong Kong’s densely populated residential areas.

  • Private firm enters missile production

    Private firm enters missile production

    In a significant development within China’s defense technology sector, private aerospace enterprise Lingkong Tianxing Technology has entered the hypersonic weapons arena with its newly unveiled YKJ-1000 missile system. This advancement marks a notable expansion beyond the traditionally state-dominated defense contracting landscape.

    The Beijing-based company publicly demonstrated the YKJ-1000 system through actual launch footage released on its official WeChat platform. The visual documentation reveals a sophisticated two-stage weapon system comprising a booster rocket and a hypersonic glide vehicle equipped with dual engines. The missile achieves remarkable performance parameters with a maximum operational range of 1,300 kilometers and peak velocity reaching Mach 7 (approximately 8,575 km/h), while maintaining a powered cruise duration of six minutes.

    Notably, the system features autonomous launch capability from containerized units, eliminating dependency on external support infrastructure. The demonstration footage illustrates the missile’s advanced operational capabilities, including mid-flight trajectory adjustment, autonomous navigation, and evasive maneuverability against naval defense systems. Additional testing sequences confirm successful terminal phase target engagement in desert environments.

    Company representatives have addressed circulating speculation regarding production costs, clarifying that internet claims of a 700,000 yuan (approximately $99,000) per-unit price are inaccurate. However, the firm has developed innovative manufacturing approaches utilizing standardized industrial components that enable cost-effective mass production compared to traditional aerospace-grade custom parts.

    Defense analyst Wu Peixin contextualized the system’s strategic value, noting that such hypersonic platforms create scalable defensive networks that can complement more sophisticated systems like the DF-17 while effectively depleting adversaries’ expensive interceptor inventories.

    The baseline YKJ-1000 has commenced mass production, with an enhanced intelligent variant incorporating artificial intelligence for decision-making and swarm coordination capabilities currently under development. This achievement precedes the company’s planned 2026 test flight of its ‘Cuantianhou’ supersonic technology demonstrator, which will incorporate revolutionary ram-rotor detonation engine technology.

  • Russian attacks kill 2 in Kyiv as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine gain momentum

    Russian attacks kill 2 in Kyiv as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine gain momentum

    KYIV, Ukraine — A deadly barrage of Russian missiles and drones struck Ukraine’s capital in the early hours of Saturday, resulting in multiple casualties and infrastructure damage just as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict intensified. According to Kyiv’s military administration, the assault killed at least two civilians and wounded 29 others, with falling debris from intercepted drones causing significant damage to residential structures in the western districts.

    The attack coincided with preparations for high-stakes peace negotiations between Ukrainian and American officials scheduled for the weekend. An anonymous official from Ukraine’s presidential administration confirmed that diplomatic teams were set to meet in the United States, followed by anticipated talks between U.S. representatives and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow later next week.

    This diplomatic push follows former President Donald Trump’s recently unveiled 28-point peace proposal, which has drawn criticism for its perceived favorability toward Russian interests. The proposal prompted urgent consultations from European leaders concerned about the implications of potential concessions to Moscow.

    In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the resignation of his chief of staff Andrii Yermak, who also served as lead negotiator with U.S. counterparts. The departure followed an unprecedented anti-corruption search of Yermak’s residence, creating potential complications for Ukraine’s negotiating position during a period of intense diplomatic pressure.

    Trump confirmed the deployment of special envoys Steve Witkoff and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to facilitate discussions with Russian and Ukrainian officials respectively, while suggesting the possibility of direct leader-level talks pending progress in preliminary negotiations.

  • Natl capacity to recycle now exceeds supply

    Natl capacity to recycle now exceeds supply

    China has developed substantial recycling capabilities for retired renewable energy equipment that now significantly exceed the nation’s current waste volumes, leaving specialized recycling plants operating below capacity. This revelation came from Guo Yijun, Director-General of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s Department of Solid Wastes and Chemicals, during a recent press conference.

    According to official projections, China anticipates processing approximately 1.5 to 2 million metric tons of decommissioned photovoltaic modules, 500,000 tons of wind turbine blades, and 1 million tons of power batteries by 2030. These estimates, however, are based on product lifespans and may not fully reflect actual disposal levels as some equipment will find secondary markets for reuse.

    The nation’s recycling infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with current annual capacity reaching approximately 2 million tons for solar panels and about 1 million tons for wind turbine components. Additionally, 148 Ministry of Industry and Information Technology-certified companies now possess a combined annual capacity of 2.5 million tons for processing discarded power batteries.

    Guo addressed concerns that China’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector might generate unmanageable waste streams, noting that the current reality demonstrates the opposite situation—recycling capacity outstrips supply. He described the phenomenon using the Chinese expression “cannot eat their fill,” indicating recycling facilities are operating below their potential.

    The official also highlighted China’s robust capacity for recycling conventional discarded products, including home appliances and vehicles. More than 90 qualified enterprises with a combined annual capacity of 180 million units recycled approximately 95 million home appliances in 2024, generating nearly 2 million tons of recycled materials. Similarly, China’s network of over 1,900 certified end-of-life vehicle recycling facilities processed 8.46 million vehicles in 2024, representing a 64 percent year-on-year increase.

    Despite these advancements, Guo cautioned about emerging overcapacity risks in vehicle dismantling, noting that regional commerce authorities have repeatedly warned market participants to make rational investment decisions to prevent resource waste and disorderly competition.

  • Three days of mourning begin after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades

    Three days of mourning begin after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades

    Hong Kong has commenced an official three-day mourning period following the deadliest structural fire to strike the city in over eight decades. The solemn observance began Saturday morning with a ceremony outside government headquarters, where city leader John Lee and other senior officials stood in silent tribute for three minutes. National and regional flags were lowered to half-mast across the territory as the confirmed death toll reached 128 individuals, with hundreds more still unaccounted for following Wednesday’s devastating blaze.

    The fire rapidly consumed multiple towers within the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, originally constructed in 1983 to house approximately 4,600 residents across 1,984 apartments. Despite the efforts of more than 2,000 firefighters who battled the flames for nearly 48 hours, the inferno spread through seven of the complex’s eight tower blocks. Preliminary investigations indicate that polystyrene materials and protective netting installed during renovation work contributed to the fire’s rapid escalation, exacerbated by the bamboo scaffolding enveloping the structures.

    Authorities have launched multiple investigations into the tragedy, resulting in eleven arrests to date. Three individuals face manslaughter charges while eight others—including engineering company directors and scaffolding subcontractors—were detained Friday on suspicion of corruption related to the renovation project. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is leading the corruption probe amid public outrage over alleged safety violations.

    Hong Kong’s Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun revealed that government inspectors had conducted 16 separate safety checks at Wang Fuk Court since renovation work began in July 2024. Residents however reported malfunctioning fire alarms and apparent negligence by the renovation contractors. The government has established public memorial sites throughout Hong Kong where citizens can pay respects and sign condolence books, as investigators continue evidence collection at the disaster scene.