Global Pulse

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  • Last remaining twin giant pandas in Japan depart for China

    Last remaining twin giant pandas in Japan depart for China

    Japan’s panda chapter closed on Tuesday as the nation’s final remaining giant pandas, twin siblings Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, departed from Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens en route to China. This historic departure marks the first absence of giant pandas in Japan since 1972, when the iconic bears first arrived as symbols of normalized diplomatic relations between the two nations.

    The beloved twins, born in 2021 to parents Shin Shin and Ri Ri (who returned to China in September 2024), were transported via specialized truck convoy to Narita International Airport for their scheduled flight to China. Their departure fulfills a bilateral agreement between China and Japan that stipulated the pandas’ return by February 2026, with Japanese authorities coordinating an earlier transfer date through diplomatic channels.

    In their final days at Ueno zoo, the pandas attracted unprecedented public attention. The institution implemented a combined reservation-and-lottery system to manage overwhelming visitor demand, offering approximately 4,400 daily viewing slots. Mainichi Shimbun reported extraordinary public engagement, with 311,500 applications submitted and final-day reservations exceeding capacity by 24.6 times. Even those unsuccessful in the lottery gathered at the zoo to bid emotional farewells to the departing celebrities.

    Mikako Kaneko, deputy director of Ueno zoo, expressed profound gratitude to the countless supporters who had followed and nurtured the pandas’ development throughout their residence. This departure follows the June 2025 return of four giant pandas from Wakayama Prefecture, completing the gradual repatriation of China’s loaned pandas across Japanese institutions.

    The panda diplomacy program, initiated five decades ago, has served as both a conservation effort and diplomatic bridge between China and Japan. The current absence represents a significant moment in Sino-Japanese cultural exchange, though future panda loans remain possible through ongoing bilateral agreements.

  • Trump says hiking tariffs on South Korean goods to 25%

    Trump says hiking tariffs on South Korean goods to 25%

    In a significant escalation of trade tensions, former US President Donald Trump has declared his intention to increase tariffs on South Korean imports from 15% to 25%, targeting key sectors including automobiles, lumber, and pharmaceuticals. The announcement was made via Trump’s Truth Social platform on Monday, where he accused South Korea’s legislature of failing to ratify what he termed a “Historic Trade Agreement” previously negotiated with Washington.

    This potential policy reversal threatens to undermine a comprehensive trade and security agreement finalized just months earlier in October 2025, following personal negotiations between Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The original pact had secured reduced tariff rates for South Korean exports in exchange for substantial investment commitments from Seoul.

    The South Korean government responded with measured concern, indicating it had received no prior official notification regarding the tariff increase. An emergency meeting was convened by Seoul’s presidential office, with Trade and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan participating remotely from Canada. In an official statement, South Korean officials emphasized their “commitment to implementing the tariff agreement” while pledging to respond “in a calm and measured manner.”

    The automotive sector represents particularly high stakes in this dispute, accounting for approximately 27% of South Korea’s exports to the United States. A reversion to higher tariff levels would place South Korean manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage compared to trading partners like Japan and the European Union, which maintain 15% tariff rates under separate agreements.

    This development marks the latest in a series of trade threats from Trump, who recently warned Canada with potential 100% tariffs should it pursue a trade deal with China, and similarly threatened European nations regarding his aspirations to purchase Greenland.

  • Will UAE petrol prices rise in February after increase last month?

    Will UAE petrol prices rise in February after increase last month?

    The United Arab Emirates may witness another increase in petrol prices for February 2026 following January’s upward adjustment, as global oil markets experience renewed volatility driven by geopolitical tensions and supply concerns. Market analysts point to rising Brent crude prices, which averaged $63.47 per barrel this month compared to $61.51 in December 2025, creating pressure on local fuel pricing mechanisms.

    Geopolitical risk factors have emerged as significant price drivers, with renewed U.S. focus on Iran and Venezuela sparking supply disruption fears. The deployment of American naval assets to the Middle East has particularly raised concerns about potential escalation, contributing to what market experts describe as a ‘geopolitical risk premium’ in current oil pricing. This sentiment has prompted hedge funds to increase bullish crude positions to their highest level since August.

    Despite these upward pressures, Fitch Ratings maintains a cautious outlook, noting that any potential supply disruptions would likely be absorbed by an oversupplied global market. The ratings agency emphasized that OPEC’s future strategic stance on volume versus value will prove crucial in shaping oil market dynamics in the coming months.

    Domestically, the growing vehicle population in the UAE continues to drive substantial demand for petroleum products. Adnoc Distribution, the nation’s largest fuel retailer, reported record nine-month fuel volumes totaling 11.7 billion liters while expanding its network with 85 new service stations during January-September 2026.

    The UAE’s fuel pricing committee considers both international benchmark trends and local market conditions when determining monthly prices. For January, Super 98, Special 95, and E-Plus were priced at Dh2.53, Dh2.42, and Dh2.34 per liter respectively, representing a slight decrease from December 2025 rates. Market watchers now await the February announcement amid current market conditions that suggest possible increases.

  • Xi says China ready to uphold UN-centered intl system with Finland

    Xi says China ready to uphold UN-centered intl system with Finland

    In a significant diplomatic engagement, Chinese President Xi Jinping articulated China’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Finland during a high-level meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Beijing on Tuesday. The discussions centered on reinforcing the international framework with the United Nations at its core and upholding a legal-based global order.

    President Xi emphasized the necessity of Sino-Finnish collaboration in addressing pressing global challenges, highlighting shared responsibilities in maintaining international stability. ‘China stands ready to work with Finland to defend the multilateral system that has served as the foundation of international cooperation since the post-World War II era,’ Xi stated during the bilateral talks.

    The Chinese leader further elaborated on the vision for a ‘more equitable and orderly multipolar world,’ advocating for economic globalization that delivers widespread benefits rather than exacerbating existing inequalities. This approach, Xi noted, aligns with both nations’ interests in sustainable development and inclusive growth.

    Significantly, Xi characterized the relationship between China and Europe as fundamentally cooperative rather than adversarial, dismissing notions of inherent conflict between the Eastern and Western powers. ‘We are natural partners in building a more stable international environment,’ Xi affirmed, pointing to historical ties and contemporary economic complementarities.

    The meeting also explored avenues for deepening cooperation across multiple sectors including trade, technology, environmental protection, and innovation. Both leaders expressed optimism about the potential for enhanced bilateral relations to contribute positively to Eurasian stability and global governance reform.

    Prime Minister Orpo’s official visit to China marks an important step in strengthening Nordic-China relations at a time of evolving geopolitical dynamics across the European continent. The discussions are expected to pave the way for increased high-level exchanges and concrete agreements in the coming months.

  • US to send ICE agents to Winter Olympics, prompting Italian anger

    US to send ICE agents to Winter Olympics, prompting Italian anger

    Italy has expressed strong opposition to the planned deployment of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for security operations during the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, creating diplomatic friction between the two NATO allies. The controversy stems from recent incidents in Minneapolis where ICE officers were involved in fatal shootings, generating widespread alarm in Italy after images of the events circulated nationally.

    ICE confirmed through an official statement that its Homeland Security Investigations unit would support the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service in vetting and mitigating risks from transnational criminal organizations during the Games, which run from February 6-22. The agency emphasized that its personnel would ‘obviously not conduct immigration enforcement operations outside the US’ and that all security operations would remain under Italian authority.

    The announcement triggered immediate backlash from Italian officials. Milan Mayor Beppe Sala denounced the decision on Italian radio, stating, ‘This is a militia that kills… of course they’re not welcome in Milan.’ He further asserted that ICE agents ‘don’t guarantee they conform to our democratic way of ensuring security.’

    Italian Interior Minister Matteo Pantedosi initially appeared unaware of the deployment plans but later took a firm stance, maintaining that ‘ICE will certainly not operate on Italian national territory.’ He emphasized that security remained exclusively under Italian jurisdiction and that the US had not formally communicated a list of security personnel.

    The tension escalated following reports that ICE officials in Minneapolis had threatened journalists from Italy’s public broadcaster RAI, warning them that their car window would be smashed if they continued filming federal agents. This incident, coupled with the fatal shootings in Minneapolis, intensified Italian concerns about the potential presence of these agents on their streets.

    Regional officials attempted to defuse the situation, with Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana suggesting ICE agents would primarily protect US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, opposition politicians criticized Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government for what they characterized as subservience to the Trump administration, highlighting the complex political dimensions of this international security dispute.

  • Philippines grounds ferry operator’s fleet after deadly sinking

    Philippines grounds ferry operator’s fleet after deadly sinking

    Philippine authorities have imposed an immediate suspension on all passenger vessels operated by Aleson Shipping Lines following the catastrophic sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 that claimed 18 lives. The dramatic maritime disaster occurred during early morning hours on Monday off the southwestern coast of Mindanao, with 344 passengers and crew aboard the ill-fated ferry.

    Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced the comprehensive grounding order on Tuesday, revealing that the maritime regulator and coast guard would conduct an intensive safety audit over the next ten days. The decisive action comes as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a full-scale investigation into the tragedy. “If it turns out the shipowners were deficient, they will expect the full force of the law,” Lopez stated during a press briefing, emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance approach to maritime safety violations.

    The sunken vessel now rests approximately 76 meters (249 feet) beneath the ocean surface, creating challenging conditions for recovery operations. Coast Guard Commandant Ronnie Gavan confirmed that 10 individuals remain missing, including the ship’s captain, eight crew members, and a safety marshall. Search-and-rescue missions continue as priority, with 16 technical divers and remotely operated vehicles being deployed from Manila to assist in both recovery efforts and the forthcoming investigation.

    Disturbingly, this incident marks the second tragedy on nearly identical routes within three years. In 2023, the Lady Mary Joy 3 ferry fire resulted in 31 fatalities—another vessel owned by the same shipping company. Lopez disclosed that Aleson Shipping Lines has experienced 32 recorded safety “incidents” at sea, though specific details were not immediately provided.

    Survivor accounts paint a troubling picture of potential negligence. Aquino Sajili, a 53-year-old lawyer who survived the sinking, recounted to AFP that crew members failed to alert passengers as the vessel began tilting dangerously. “No one from the crew alerted us,” Sajili described, noting how passengers rushed to one side in a desperate attempt to counterbalance the listing ship before hearing a “loud snap” that preceded rapid submersion. Survivors spent hours floating in life jackets awaiting rescue, with Sajili indicating that legal action against the shipping company appears inevitable.

    The Philippines continues to grapple with maritime safety challenges in its extensive archipelago nation, where inter-island ferries serve as vital transportation links between more than 7,000 islands. This latest incident recalls previous tragedies including the 2015 Leyte Island capsizing (60+ fatalities) and the 1987 Dona Paz collision with an oil tanker—the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster claiming over 4,000 lives.

  • Spain to regularise 500,000 undocumented migrants

    Spain to regularise 500,000 undocumented migrants

    In a bold policy shift that breaks with hardening European Union migration norms, Spain’s left-wing government has enacted a sweeping decree to grant legal status to approximately half a million undocumented migrants. Approved during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, the measure establishes one of Europe’s most extensive regularization programs in recent years.

    Migration Minister Elma Saiz championed the initiative as a reinforcement of a rights-based migration model, emphasizing its compatibility with economic growth and social cohesion. Beneficiaries, who must have resided in Spain for a minimum of five months and applied for international protection before December 31, 2025, will gain full access to the labor market across all sectors and regions. A clean criminal record is mandatory, and the regularization extends to applicants’ children already living in the country.

    The application window is scheduled to open in April and run through June 2025. Notably, the government is implementing this via decree, bypassing parliamentary approval—a tactical move given the ruling Socialist coalition’s lack of a majority.

    The policy has ignited fierce opposition from conservative and far-right parties. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the Popular Party, condemned the move as ‘ludicrous’ on social media platform X, warning it would overwhelm public services and reward illegality. He pledged a comprehensive overhaul of migration policy if elected.

    Conversely, the Spanish Catholic Church lauded the decree as ‘an act of social justice and recognition.’ Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s administration justifies the policy on demographic and economic grounds, citing migration as critical for filling workforce gaps and counteracting an aging population that threatens pension sustainability. Official data released Tuesday underscored this contribution: foreigners accounted for 52,500 of the 76,200 new jobs in Q4 2024, helping drive unemployment to its lowest level since 2008.

    This humanitarian approach starkly contrasts with the broader EU trend toward stricter border controls and deterrence policies, often influenced by rising far-right influence. Spain remains a primary entry point for migrants fleeing poverty and conflict, with tens of thousands arriving annually via the Canary Islands. Recent estimates from the Funcas think-tank indicate approximately 840,000 undocumented migrants resided in Spain at the start of 2025, predominantly from Latin America. Foreigners now constitute over seven million of Spain’s 49.4 million population, highlighting the profound demographic impact of migration.

  • Watch: Huge landslide in Sicily after Storm Harry

    Watch: Huge landslide in Sicily after Storm Harry

    A catastrophic landslide has struck the eastern coastline of Sicily, prompting the emergency evacuation of over a thousand residents. The disaster occurred in the wake of Storm Harry, which unleashed torrential rains that destabilized the terrain in the Catania province.

    Dramatic footage captured the moment vast sections of earth and vegetation cascaded down hillsides, threatening residential areas and critical infrastructure. Italian civil protection authorities and emergency services executed a rapid response operation, relocating citizens to temporary shelters as a precautionary measure against further geological activity.

    Meteorological experts attribute the landslide’s severity to a combination of saturated soil conditions from prolonged precipitation and potentially vulnerable geological formations characteristic of the region. This event highlights growing concerns about extreme weather patterns and their impact on Mediterranean communities, particularly in areas with significant coastal development.

    The regional government has declared a state of emergency in affected municipalities, initiating damage assessment procedures and requesting federal support for reconstruction efforts. Geotechnical teams are currently evaluating slope stability across adjacent areas to determine additional evacuation needs.

  • In surprise move, Spain to grant legal status to thousands of immigrants lacking permission

    In surprise move, Spain to grant legal status to thousands of immigrants lacking permission

    In a landmark policy shift, Spain’s government has unveiled plans to grant legal residency and work rights to an estimated 500,000-800,000 undocumented immigrants currently living within its borders. The extraordinary measure, announced by Migration Minister Elma Saiz following Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, represents a direct challenge to the increasingly restrictive immigration policies adopted by the United States and many European nations.

    The reform will be implemented through an expedited decree, bypassing parliamentary gridlock that had stalled similar legislation. To qualify, immigrants must have arrived in Spain before December 31, 2025, provide evidence of at least five months’ residence, and demonstrate a clean criminal record. Successful applicants will receive legal residency status for up to one year alongside official work authorization.

    Minister Saiz hailed the decision as “historic,” noting that the initiative primarily benefits Latin American and African migrants who form the backbone of Spain’s agricultural, tourism, and service sectors. Their contributions have become increasingly vital to the nation’s expanding economy, yet many have remained trapped in societal shadows without legal protections.

    The policy emerged from a last-minute political agreement between the ruling Socialist Party and the left-wing Podemos party, securing parliamentary support for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration. The move surprised observers but was immediately celebrated by migrant rights organizations and Catholic associations that had collected 700,000 signatures supporting similar measures.

    With applications expected to open by April, Spain solidifies its status as an outlier in global migration policy. While other nations tighten borders and asylum rules—often inspired by the Trump administration’s approach—Spain’s leadership continues to champion immigration’s economic benefits, having already welcomed millions of legal migrants from South America and Africa in recent years.

  • Ukrainians battle harsh winter after Russia targets energy infrastructure

    Ukrainians battle harsh winter after Russia targets energy infrastructure

    Millions of Ukrainian civilians are confronting a severe humanitarian crisis as a brutal winter sets in, following a sustained campaign of targeted strikes on the nation’s critical energy infrastructure. With thermometers consistently registering at approximately -15°C (5°F), the destruction of power generation and distribution facilities has precipitated widespread blackouts, depriving entire cities of essential heating and electricity.

    The strategic offensive against Ukraine’s energy grid has resulted in a catastrophic degradation of basic services. Urban centers, including the capital Kyiv, are experiencing rolling blackouts, compelling residents to seek refuge in emergency shelters and rely on communal heating points established by local authorities. The systematic nature of the attacks has hampered repair efforts, leaving utility crews struggling to restore even minimal functionality against the backdrop of ongoing security threats.

    This energy warfare has profound implications beyond immediate discomfort. The disruption affects vital medical services, water supply systems, and telecommunications, creating a cascading effect on public health and safety. International aid organizations are ramping up efforts to deliver generators, warm clothing, and essential supplies, yet the scale of the need vastly outstrips the current response. The situation exemplifies a new dimension of modern conflict, where civilian comfort and survival are directly targeted to apply strategic pressure during winter months.