Global Pulse

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  • 6.0-magnitude earthquake hits Myanmar, tremors felt in parts of India

    6.0-magnitude earthquake hits Myanmar, tremors felt in parts of India

    A substantial seismic event measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar on Tuesday, according to data released by the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ). The earthquake originated at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers (approximately 6.21 miles) beneath the Earth’s surface, potentially amplifying its impact across the region.

    The tremors extended beyond Myanmar’s borders, with multiple Indian media outlets reporting strongly perceptible shaking throughout eastern India. The metropolitan area of Kolkata experienced particularly noticeable tremors, though initial reports indicate no immediate structural damage or casualties within Indian territory.

    This seismic activity occurs within the broader context of the seismically active Southeast Asian region, which frequently experiences tectonic movements due to the complex interaction of the Indian and Eurasian plates. The relatively shallow depth of this earthquake contributed to its widespread perceptibility across national boundaries.

    Seismologists continue to monitor aftershock potential while emergency response teams in both Myanmar and India remain on alert. The event follows recent seismic activity in neighboring Indonesia, where a 6.3 magnitude earthquake was recorded, highlighting the region’s ongoing geological volatility.

  • US tanker approached by Iranian gunboats in Strait of Hormuz

    US tanker approached by Iranian gunboats in Strait of Hormuz

    In a tense maritime encounter on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, a U.S.-flagged commercial tanker successfully resisted an interception attempt by Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats while navigating the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. According to a detailed report from British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech, the vessel Stena Imperative was transiting approximately 16 nautical miles north of Omani waters when it was approached by three pairs of small, armed Iranian patrol boats.

    The Iranian forces initiated radio contact, issuing a direct command for the tanker’s captain to halt engines and prepare for a boarding operation. Defying these orders, the captain instead increased speed and held the ship’s original course, a move that ultimately prevented the boarding. Vanguard Tech emphasized that the Stena Imperative at no point entered Iranian territorial waters during the incident, operating solely in international shipping lanes.

    The situation was subsequently de-escalated with the arrival of a U.S. warship, which commenced escort duties for the commercial tanker. This event echoes previous tensions in the chokepoint, a critical artery for global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport. The confrontation occurs against a backdrop of heightened rhetoric; just last week, a senior Iranian naval official from the Revolutionary Guards publicly threatened to block the strait in retaliation for any potential U.S. military action. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency also acknowledged an incident in the area but did not disclose the identities of the vessels involved.

  • Rs3 million gold jewellery stolen during Indian politician Ajit Pawar’s funeral

    Rs3 million gold jewellery stolen during Indian politician Ajit Pawar’s funeral

    In a brazen display of criminal activity, thieves made off with gold jewelry valued at approximately ₹3 million (approximately $36,000 USD) from mourners attending the funeral of Maharashtra’s late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Baramati on January 29.

    The incident occurred despite the presence of approximately 8,000 police personnel deployed to maintain order at the massive gathering. A criminal gang consisting of more than half a dozen chain snatchers systematically targeted grieving attendees, stealing gold chains, various jewelry items, and cash throughout the solemn proceedings.

    According to Pune rural police reports, some of the suspected thieves were apprehended by vigilant crowd members who subsequently administered physical retribution before turning them over to authorities. Law enforcement officials have confirmed the detention of approximately six suspects in connection with the thefts.

    The funeral drew hundreds of thousands of mourners from across Maharashtra who had gathered to pay their final respects to Pawar, who tragically perished alongside his security detail and crew members when his Learjet 45 aircraft crash-landed at Baramati airport during a flight from Mumbai.

    Ajit Pawar, nephew of political stalwart Sharad Pawar, had recently been reconciling with his uncle after a period of political separation that saw him form his own party and establish an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The timing of the thefts added further distress to what was already a profoundly tragic occasion for the community and political establishment.

  • Fourteen migrants dead after collision with Greek coastguard boat

    Fourteen migrants dead after collision with Greek coastguard boat

    A devastating maritime incident has resulted in the deaths of at least 14 migrants after their speedboat collided with a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel near the Greek island of Chios on Tuesday evening. The tragedy occurred in the turbulent waters of the Chios Strait, close to the coastal village of Vrontades, during what authorities describe as a high-risk pursuit operation.

    According to official statements from Greek maritime authorities, the migrant vessel was executing dangerous maneuvers attempting to evade interception when the collision occurred. The circumstances leading to the impact remain under investigation as the coastguard has not yet released comprehensive details about the sequence of events.

    Search and rescue operations continued through the night with an extensive deployment of resources. The mission involved four coastguard vessels, a privately owned boat carrying civilian divers, and a helicopter scouring the area for survivors. Twenty-four individuals were successfully rescued from the waters, though many sustained serious injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Authorities indicate that additional passengers remain unaccounted for, suggesting the final death toll may rise.

    Among the injured are seven children, a pregnant woman, and two coastguard officers, according to reports from Greece’s state broadcaster ERT. The death count was initially reported at four fatalities but escalated dramatically when ten additional bodies were recovered approximately two hours after the incident, bringing the confirmed mortality to 14.

    This tragedy represents one of the deadliest recent incidents in the ongoing European migrant crisis, highlighting the extreme dangers faced by those attempting irregular sea crossings to reach European territory. The Aegean Sea route between Turkey and Greece remains a particularly perilous passage despite increased surveillance and interception efforts by European authorities.

  • Epstein files: Bannon accused UAE’s MBZ of ‘coughing up’ paedophile George Nader

    Epstein files: Bannon accused UAE’s MBZ of ‘coughing up’ paedophile George Nader

    Newly unsealed Department of Justice documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case reveal a startling exchange between former Trump advisor Steve Bannon and the convicted financier regarding the arrest of Middle Eastern businessman George Nader.

    On June 4, 2019, Epstein shared a CNN report with Bannon detailing Nader’s arrest at New York’s JFK airport on child pornography charges. Bannon responded with apparent surprise, stating “Not cool,” while Epstein noted the mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years. In a significant allegation, Bannon suggested that Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ), the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, had deliberately surrendered Nader to American authorities, commenting “MBZ must have coughed him up.”

    Epstein contradicted this theory, explaining that Nader hadn’t been formally extradited but rather “duped” into returning to the United States. The messages show Epstein criticizing Nader’s possession of extreme child abuse material involving animals and minors.

    The documents illuminate Nader’s complex role as a liaison between Trump’s inner circle and Middle Eastern leadership. According to the Mueller investigation into Russian election interference, Nader facilitated communications between Trump transition team members and Russian businessman Kirill Dmitriev, a known ally of Vladimir Putin. He additionally arranged a meeting between Dmitriev and Erik Prince, founder of the controversial private military company Blackwater.

    Nader’s 2020 conviction and 10-year sentence primarily stemmed from a 2000 incident where he transported a 14-year-old boy from the Czech Republic to the United States for sexual exploitation. This marked the culmination of a decades-long pattern of sexual offenses against minors dating back to 1984, including previous convictions in both the United States and Czech Republic for child pornography and abuse crimes.

  • Prosecutors investigating Epstein files after claims Turkish girls were trafficked

    Prosecutors investigating Epstein files after claims Turkish girls were trafficked

    Turkish judicial authorities have launched a comprehensive examination of millions of newly released documents concerning convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, focusing specifically on potential connections to child trafficking operations within Turkey. The Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated this formal investigation in December following parliamentary inquiries from opposition lawmakers.

    The probe gained significant momentum after the U.S. Department of Justice released approximately three million documents last Friday, providing Turkish prosecutors with substantial new evidence to review. This development comes amid growing political pressure for an extensive parliamentary investigation into whether Turkish children were among Epstein’s victims.

    Bugra Kavuncu, spokesperson for the opposition Iyi Party, emphasized the urgency of establishing a special parliamentary commission. “We propose the urgent establishment of a parliamentary commission to investigate whether there are any Turkish children who were victims in the Epstein case,” Kavuncu stated, adding that such matters transcend political considerations and represent fundamental humanitarian concerns.

    The investigation has drawn attention to alarming domestic statistics cited by Dogan Bekin, a parliamentarian from the right-wing Yeniden Refah party. Official data from the Turkish Statistical Institute indicates that between 2008 and 2016, some 104,531 children were reported missing nationwide, with young girls constituting the majority of these cases.

    Bekin has submitted formal inquiries to multiple government ministries, demanding clarification on whether any children were victimized by Epstein’s criminal network and what inspection measures have been implemented in schools and orphanages to identify potential victims. The lawmaker also questioned whether Epstein had established contacts with Turkish politicians, administrators, or high-ranking officials.

    The document release has revealed several connections between Epstein and Turkish political figures, though no evidence suggests involvement in wrongdoing. Emails from American businessman Tom Pritzker indicate he facilitated communication between Epstein and then-Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in 2010. However, representatives from Davutoglu’s Future Party have denied any substantive relationship, characterizing the interaction as a brief encounter related to diplomatic affairs.

    Additional correspondence shows Epstein mentioning potential contact with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2011, though other emails reveal the financier’s critical views of the Turkish leader, leaving the seriousness of this reference uncertain.

    The unfolding investigation represents Turkey’s response to the global repercussions of the Epstein document release, which has triggered political turmoil and resignations internationally as numerous public figures face scrutiny over their associations with the convicted sex offender.

  • Turkey says location of Iran-US meeting still unknown

    Turkey says location of Iran-US meeting still unknown

    A highly anticipated diplomatic meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff faces uncertainty as Turkish officials indicate the venue may relocate from Istanbul. While initially planned for Friday in the Turkish metropolis, Ankara government sources now suggest alternative locations are under consideration.

    The potential shift follows cautious statements from Iranian officials who maintain a guarded stance toward the prospective negotiations. An Iranian diplomatic source characterized Tehran’s position as “neither optimistic nor pessimistic,” emphasizing that the meeting would demonstrate whether Washington intends to engage in “serious and result-orientated” discussions.

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed his authorization for negotiations via social media, but established clear preconditions requiring “a suitable environment free from threats and unreasonable expectations.” The president emphasized that any talks must operate within Iran’s national interests framework, following requests from regional allies.

    The diplomatic engagement occurs against a backdrop of heightened military tensions. US President Donald Trump recently referenced a “massive armada” deployed toward Iran, warning of potential military action unless Tehran agrees to nuclear negotiations. Iranian officials responded by placing forces at “maximum defensive readiness” while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cautioned that any US strike would trigger regional conflict.

    Regional mediators including Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt have facilitated the diplomatic efforts to prevent open warfare between the US and Iran. The United Arab Emirates’ diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash echoed the regional consensus that “the region does not need an Iran-US war,” while simultaneously urging Iran to pursue a negotiated settlement.

    The prospective talks would represent the first direct engagement since US airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities last summer, following Israel’s surprise attack on Iran in June 2025. Previous indirect nuclear negotiations between the parties occurred in April and May of 2025 before the military escalation.

  • Reform UK’s treasurer dined with Epstein associate, contacted Ghislaine Maxwell

    Reform UK’s treasurer dined with Epstein associate, contacted Ghislaine Maxwell

    Newly unsealed court documents have revealed connections between Reform UK’s honorary treasurer, billionaire property developer Nick Candy, and associates of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The records detail communications from 2004, showing Candy had contact with both Sarah Kellen, a named Epstein associate, and Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking.

    The correspondence occurred years before Epstein’s 2008 conviction for child sex offenses and Maxwell’s 2021 conviction for recruiting and grooming underage girls. The documents include email exchanges where Candy discussed social plans with Kellen, who identified herself as Maxwell’s friend. In one message, Kellen expressed Maxwell’s disappointment that Candy hadn’t informed them of his travel plans.

    Candy, a former Conservative Party donor who joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party before the July 2024 election and contributed £1 million, inquired about Maxwell’s contact information during these exchanges. The emails show discussions about meeting in New York and reference social activities, including Kellen’s mention of time spent on Epstein’s private island.

    The documents reveal no allegations of wrongdoing by Candy. Middle East Eye, which published the findings, has reached out to both Reform UK and Candy for comment. The revelations emerge as Reform UK seeks to establish itself as a significant political force following the recent general election.

    These documents form part of the latest release of materials related to the Epstein case, continuing to shed light on the social networks connected to the financier before his criminal activities became public knowledge.

  • Tearful Gazans finally reunite after limited Rafah reopening

    Tearful Gazans finally reunite after limited Rafah reopening

    A limited reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza facilitated emotional, long-awaited reunions for a small number of Palestinians on Monday, February 3rd, 2026. The crossing, which serves as Gaza’s sole access point to the outside world not controlled by Israel, had been effectively sealed since Israeli military forces assumed control in May 2024 during the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

    Jubilant yet tearful scenes unfolded at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis as returnees arrived late Monday. AFP footage captured crowds gathering around a bus, with individuals filming the poignant moments on their phones. The emotional weight was palpable as women wept upon embracing family members and a man held a young child up to a window to greet arrivals.

    However, the return was marred by hardship and stringent Israeli inspections. Rotana Al-Riqib, a Palestinian woman in her thirties returning from Egypt, described the experience as a ‘humiliating journey,’ detailing interrogations and the confiscation of all belongings, including her children’s possessions, leaving them with only some clothes.

    The reopening fell drastically short of initial expectations. While Egyptian officials had anticipated around 200 people to transit, sources on both sides reported only approximately two dozen movements in total. Gaza’s Hamas-operated Interior Ministry confirmed merely 12 individuals—nine women and three children—were permitted to return from Egypt, with only eight departing. An Egyptian source cited 12 admissions from Gaza, comprising five injured patients and seven companions.

    Ali Shaath, head of a Palestinian technocratic committee for Gaza’s governance, termed the reopening a ‘window of hope’ for a territory shattered by two years of war. For many, particularly the estimated 20,000 patients in urgent need of medical care, the crossing represents a critical lifeline. The reopening is a component of a U.S.-backed truce plan, long demanded by the UN and aid agencies. Yet, Israeli coordination bodies have not indicated any plans to facilitate the long-awaited surge of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory, leaving dire conditions largely unaddressed.

  • Remittances from UAE to Pakistan will remain steady amid global uncertainty: Official

    Remittances from UAE to Pakistan will remain steady amid global uncertainty: Official

    Despite prevailing global economic headwinds, financial transfers from the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan are projected to maintain their steady trajectory, according to recent official statements. Pakistan’s Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment has reported that remittance inflows from the UAE exceeded $4 billion during the initial six months of the current fiscal year.

    Finance officials emphasized the remarkable stability of these financial transfers, noting that Pakistani expatriates consistently send funds to support families back home. This pattern has demonstrated remarkable resilience even during periods of international market volatility.

    The stability comes as Pakistan continues its economic recovery following a near-default crisis in 2023. The country’s macroeconomic stabilization efforts, supported by a $3 billion International Monetary Fund Stand-By Arrangement, have contributed to rebuilding foreign exchange reserves and maintaining relatively stable exchange rates.

    Government representatives highlighted that sustained exchange rate stability over recent years has created favorable conditions for continued remittance flows. This financial lifeline remains crucial for Pakistan’s economy, providing substantial foreign currency inflows that support the nation’s balance of payments and contribute to economic growth prospects.