Global Pulse

标签： Europe

欧洲

  • In an increasingly hostile world, migrants are hopeful as Spain moves to integrate them

    In an increasingly hostile world, migrants are hopeful as Spain moves to integrate them

    In a landmark policy shift that diverges from restrictive immigration trends elsewhere in Europe and the United States, Spain has unveiled a sweeping regularization program for its undocumented population. The Spanish government announced this week it will grant residency and work permits to all foreign nationals who entered the country before December 31, 2025, provided they have resided in Spain for at least five months and maintain a clean criminal record.

    Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in a social media address, characterized the move as recognizing the substantial contributions of immigrants who have ‘built progress in this country together with us.’ The policy directly addresses the plight of an estimated half-million ‘sin papeles’ (without papers) who form an invisible workforce in agriculture, domestic care, and hospitality sectors—jobs typically shunned by Spanish citizens.

    This humanitarian approach stands in stark contrast to the intensified deportation measures and anti-immigrant rhetoric gaining traction elsewhere. The policy’s implementation window is notably brief, with applications accepted only between April and June 2024, creating both urgency and administrative challenges.

    The human impact is illustrated through several narratives: Ale Castañeda, a Colombian asylum-seeker fleeing anti-LGBTQ+ violence, expressed relief after living with ‘constant anxiety’ about his expiring permit. Paulina Valenzuela, a Chilean architect reduced to cleaning jobs after her professional credentials went unrecognized, described the announcement as hope she ‘didn’t have before.’ Hussain Dar, a Pakistani graduate left homeless after exhausting his savings, celebrated the opportunity to work legally and contribute taxes to the Spanish economy.

    Despite widespread celebration among immigrant communities, significant practical hurdles remain. Consulates face unprecedented demand for documentation, particularly criminal record certificates. Immigration offices, already notorious for appointment backlogs exploited by criminal networks selling slots for €50, must process hundreds of thousands of applications within months. Migration Minister Elma Saiz has pledged additional resources to ensure smooth implementation, stating ‘We want this to be a success.’

  • Ukrainians brace for -20C despite energy truce: ‘It will be a catastrophe’

    Ukrainians brace for -20C despite energy truce: ‘It will be a catastrophe’

    As Eastern Europe braces for historically low temperatures, Ukrainian civilians face a dire humanitarian crisis caused by targeted Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Yulia Hailunas, a resident of Dnipro, exemplifies the struggle as she endures subzero conditions inside her own apartment, clad in thermal layers and using makeshift heating methods like hot water pans and exercise to combat the cold.

    The situation threatens to worsen dramatically with forecasts predicting temperatures plunging below -20°C this weekend. “That’s what’s really scary,” Yulia expresses, “because all the heating pipes will burst and we won’t be able to repair them again. It will be a catastrophe.”

    This crisis unfolds against the backdrop of a questionable diplomatic development. Former US President Donald Trump announced that Vladimir Putin had agreed to a temporary halt in attacks on Ukraine’s major cities during the extreme cold snap. The Kremlin subsequently clarified that this purported goodwill gesture would expire on Sunday, coinciding with the anticipated coldest weather.

    Meanwhile, the conflict continues unabated in other regions. On Friday, shelling in Kherson killed one person and injured several others, while drone attacks persist across the country. Along the eastern frontline, fighting remains intense, forcing continued civilian evacuations.

    At a displacement center in Pavlohrad, approximately 40 miles from the front, families arrive dazed and uncertain about their future. Kateryna, who fled Vasylkivka with her two young children, described the emotional toll: “It’s like abandoning a piece of yourself.” Her mother Iryna detailed the increasing violence: “Our village wasn’t touched at first, but now it’s a total combat zone. The drones are hitting every day.”

    The energy grid attacks represent a clear violation of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits infrastructure attacks causing excessive harm to civilians. Ukraine’s heating system, targeted for four consecutive winters, grows increasingly fragile with each assault. Engineers from various sectors, including the national rail company, work tirelessly to restore electricity and repair damaged heating pipes beneath apartment complexes.

    While Ukraine has reciprocated by halting strikes on Russian oil infrastructure as a goodwill gesture in peace talks, Russian officials have actively dampened expectations of any imminent agreement. With another round of negotiations scheduled in the United Arab Emirates, civilians like Iryna remain skeptical: “Of course we are following the talks, we want some stability. But how can we trust Russia not to stab us in the back?”

    From the darkness and cold of their damaged homes, many Ukrainians perceive Moscow’s diplomatic gestures as mere manipulation tactics rather than genuine steps toward peace.

  • One wrong move and it could all go wrong – the men clearing deadly undersea Russian mines

    One wrong move and it could all go wrong – the men clearing deadly undersea Russian mines

    Beneath the surface of the Black Sea lies a hidden battlefield where Ukrainian Navy divers wage a dangerous war against thousands of submerged explosives. Vitalii, a 31-year-old demining specialist, describes the meticulous process of approaching live mines in pitch-dark waters: “We move carefully and extremely slowly so that the mine does not detonate. One second you move, then you stay still for some time, and you repeat until you reach the object.

    The scale of contamination is staggering. Russian-laid sea mines from the initial invasion join World War II-era ordnance and weapons washed downstream after the 2022 Kakhovka dam explosion. Commander Fox, leader of the navy’s mine countermeasures group, estimates thousands of active mines with countless additional unexploded missiles, artillery shells, and bombs creating an underwater minefield.

    Each demining operation represents an extraordinary undertaking—requiring two days, multiple boats, and 20 personnel to neutralize a single device. Divers use closed-circuit rebreathers that produce no bubbles as they work in total silence to avoid triggering acoustic sensors. The process involves disabling multiple sensors through controlled explosions before safely destroying or moving each mine.

    This hazardous work occurs amidst ongoing combat operations. Russian missiles, drones, and electronic warfare that scramble GPS signals add layers of danger to an already perilous mission. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has maintained surprising maritime parity with Russia, creating conditions that allow commercial shipping to continue through the only export corridor.

    The economic stakes are enormous. Maritime exports account for over two-thirds of Ukrainian agricultural exports, generating approximately $9 billion in essential revenue. Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk notes that commercial companies continue accepting the risks, with vessel traffic remaining steady despite the threats.

    While the British Navy donated two mine-hunting vessels in 2023, these remain stationed in the UK due to the vulnerability of large ships in the Black Sea. Without advanced equipment, Commander Fox estimates the current demining pace would require dozens of years to clear the seabed—a timeline that ensures Ukraine’s divers will continue their painstaking, second-by-second advances through mine-infested waters for the foreseeable future.

  • Satellite photos show activity at Iran nuclear sites as tensions rise over protest crackdown

    Satellite photos show activity at Iran nuclear sites as tensions rise over protest crackdown

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Satellite imagery has revealed significant new construction activity at two Iranian nuclear facilities previously damaged in military strikes, raising concerns about Tehran’s efforts to conceal potential salvage operations of nuclear materials. Recent images from Planet Labs PBC show newly constructed roofs covering damaged structures at both the Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites, marking the first major observable activity since last year’s conflict with Israel.

    The protective coverings effectively block satellite surveillance, creating a critical intelligence gap as Iran continues to deny access to International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors. Neither Iranian officials nor the IAEA have publicly commented on these developments.

    According to nuclear experts analyzing the imagery, the roofing projects likely represent attempts to obscure assessment and recovery operations rather than reconstruction efforts. Andrea Stricker of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies noted that Tehran appears to be determining ‘whether key assets — such as limited stocks of highly enriched uranium — survived the strikes’ without international observation.

    The Natanz facility, located approximately 220 kilometers south of Tehran, previously served as Iran’s primary uranium enrichment center, where advanced centrifuges enriched uranium to 60% purity—just a technical step from weapons-grade levels. The Isfahan site primarily produced uranium gas for centrifuge processing.

    Following June’s 12-day conflict, Israeli strikes initially targeted these facilities, with subsequent U.S. attacks employing bunker-busting bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles. The U.S. government claimed these operations ‘significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear program,’ though specific damage assessments remain scarce publicly.

    Additional concerning developments include ongoing excavation work at Kūh-e Kolang Gaz Lā (Pickaxe Mountain) near Natanz, where Iran is suspected of constructing a new underground nuclear facility. Meanwhile, at Isfahan, satellite imagery shows defensive measures including tunnels packed with dirt as protection against missile strikes.

    Parallel reconstruction efforts are underway at Iran’s ballistic missile facilities, including the Parchin military complex southeast of Tehran. Particularly notable is the rapid rebuilding of the ‘Taleghan 2’ site—destroyed in an October 2024 airstrike—which previously housed explosive chambers and specialized X-ray systems for nuclear weapons research.

    These developments occur amid escalating regional tensions, with the U.S. deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers to the Middle East. Former President Trump had repeatedly demanded Iran negotiate over its nuclear program while threatening military action in response to Tehran’s crackdown on domestic protests.

  • Justice Department releases massive trove from its Jeffrey Epstein files

    Justice Department releases massive trove from its Jeffrey Epstein files

    In an unprecedented move toward governmental transparency, the U.S. Justice Department has unveiled millions of previously confidential documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Friday’s disclosure—the largest to date—which includes over 3 million pages of documents, 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images posted to the department’s official website.

    The release comes in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, enacted following months of intense public and political pressure. This legislative measure mandates full disclosure of government files concerning the deceased financier and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.

    Among the disclosed materials are correspondence and records involving high-profile figures across political and business spheres. Documents reference Britain’s Prince Andrew (now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) hundreds of times, including in Epstein’s private emails and guest lists for his dinners. The files also reveal communications between Epstein and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who twice discussed potential visits to Epstein’s Caribbean island, Little Saint James.

    Additional records show extensive text message exchanges between Epstein and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon during Trump’s first term, featuring discussions about politics and transportation arrangements. The documents also include an invitation to current Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his family to visit Epstein’s island in 2012.

    The Justice Department emphasized its extensive review process, involving hundreds of lawyers who scrutinized approximately 6 million pages to redact sensitive information protecting victims’ identities and ongoing investigations. Blanche acknowledged public hunger for information while cautioning that the release might not satisfy all conspiracy theories surrounding the case.

    Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His case has continued to generate intense public interest and speculation about potential cover-ups involving powerful associates.

  • A handful of attempts at a ceasefire in Russia’s war in Ukraine have proven futile

    A handful of attempts at a ceasefire in Russia’s war in Ukraine have proven futile

    In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin has consented to implement a temporary suspension of military strikes targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian urban centers. This agreement comes as Ukraine grapples with extreme winter conditions that have plunged the country into a severe humanitarian crisis.

    The Kremlin officially confirmed on Friday that it would halt offensive operations against the Ukrainian capital until Sunday, though officials declined to provide specific operational details. This lack of transparency has complicated independent verification regarding the actual implementation of this conciliatory measure.

    President Trump revealed at a White House briefing on Thursday that he personally appealed to Putin to cease attacks on Ukrainian cities during this period of exceptionally cold weather. “I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week during this extraordinary cold,” Trump stated, adding that the Russian leader had agreed to this temporary pause. The White House did not immediately clarify the precise timing or comprehensive scope of this arrangement.

    Russian officials characterized the temporary ceasefire as intended to establish “favorable conditions for negotiations,” marking the latest in a series of attempted pauses in hostilities since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Previous efforts have included:

    – January 2023: Putin ordered a 36-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Christmas, which Ukraine rejected amid accusations of continued attacks
    – March 2025: Ukraine and U.S. officials proposed a 30-day ceasefire during Saudi Arabia talks, which Russia effectively rejected
    – April 2025: Russia announced unilateral truces for Orthodox Easter and Victory Day celebrations, all of which resulted in mutual accusations of violations

    The conflict has devastated Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, leaving thousands without power or heat during the harsh winter months. Recent attacks have targeted energy facilities in Odesa and Kharkiv, with a Wednesday strike on the Kyiv region resulting in two fatalities and four injuries.

  • New US sanctions against Iran target interior minister over crackdown on protesters

    New US sanctions against Iran target interior minister over crackdown on protesters

    In a significant escalation of international pressure, the United States has imposed targeted sanctions against Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momani for his alleged role in suppressing nationwide protests. The Treasury Department’s Friday announcement marks the latest coordinated action with European allies against Tehran’s theocratic government.

    The sanctions specifically cite Momani’s oversight of Iranian law enforcement forces responsible for the deaths of thousands of peaceful demonstrators. The protests initially emerged in December amid economic hardships but rapidly evolved into broader challenges against the Islamic Republic’s authority. According to activist accounts, the subsequent government crackdown has resulted in more than 6,000 fatalities, though Iranian officials consistently label protesters as “terrorists.

    This move follows the European Union’s Thursday sanctions against Momani, alongside members of Iran’s judicial system and other high-ranking officers. EU authorities stated these individuals were “all involved in the violent repression of peaceful protests and the arbitrary arrest of political activists and human rights defenders.”

    Concurrently, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Babak Morteza Zanjani, an Iranian investor accused of embezzling billions in oil revenue for government benefit. Two digital asset exchanges processing substantial volumes of funds for Zanjani were also penalized.

    In a notable development, the EU has agreed to designate Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization—a largely symbolic but politically significant gesture. In response, Iran is considering reciprocal measures against EU countries’ militaries, according to Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

    The latest U.S. sanctions package additionally targets the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, accused of being among the first officials to advocate violence against protesters. Eighteen individuals and companies allegedly participating in money laundering operations for Iranian oil sales through shadow banking networks were also sanctioned.

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the department’s commitment to “target Iranian networks and corrupt elites that enrich themselves at the expense of the Iranian people,” vowing continued action against global financial transfers of “stolen” Iranian funds.

    These sanctions effectively freeze any U.S. assets held by designated individuals and entities, restrict travel to the United States, and prohibit American citizens and companies from engaging in business with them.

  • UN nuclear watchdog discusses risks to Ukraine’s nuclear safety after relentless Russian strikes

    UN nuclear watchdog discusses risks to Ukraine’s nuclear safety after relentless Russian strikes

    VIENNA — The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors convened an urgent special session on Friday to address escalating nuclear safety concerns in Ukraine amid intensifying Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. The meeting, requested by the Netherlands with backing from eleven nations including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom, aimed to amplify diplomatic pressure on Moscow despite lacking binding authority.

    Netherlands Ambassador Peter Potman presented alarming testimony, detailing how Russia’s ‘ongoing and daily’ assaults have crippled Ukraine’s energy grid during severe winter conditions. ‘These attacks not only deprive millions of Ukrainians of heating and electricity but critically compromise nuclear safety,’ Potman warned, noting the heightened prospect of a nuclear incident approaching ‘the very precipice of reality.’

    IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized the direct correlation between damaged electrical substations and nuclear risk, stating such targeting ‘undermines nuclear safety and must be avoided.’ An IAEA expert mission is currently assessing ten critical substations essential for maintaining safety at Ukrainian nuclear facilities.

    Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure includes four active power plants, with the Zaporizhzhia facility remaining under Russian occupation since 2022. While plants generate power internally, they require continuous external electricity for reactor cooling systems. Emergency diesel generators provide backup during power losses, but consecutive failures could precipitate meltdown scenarios.

    Ukrainian Ambassador Yurii Vitrenko urged the IAEA to intensify scrutiny of Russia’s ‘systematic destruction’ of energy infrastructure, acknowledging U.S. President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts to curb attacks. However, specifics regarding Russia’s purported commitment to temporarily suspend bombardments remained unclear amid one of Ukraine’s most severe winters in recent history.

  • Denmark unveils legal reform to allow the worst foreign criminals to be deported

    Denmark unveils legal reform to allow the worst foreign criminals to be deported

    The Danish government has introduced groundbreaking legislative changes that empower authorities to deport foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, marking a significant shift in the country’s immigration policy. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced the reform on Friday, which targets individuals sentenced to at least one year of unconditional imprisonment for offenses including aggravated assault and sexual violence.

    The comprehensive policy overhaul extends beyond deportation measures to include enhanced monitoring of undocumented migrants through electronic ankle bracelets, stricter border control mechanisms, and the reestablishment of diplomatic presence in Syria. Additionally, Denmark plans to strengthen collaborative efforts with Afghan authorities to address migration challenges at their source.

    Minister for Immigration and Integration Rasmus Stoklund provided compelling statistics revealing that over the past five years, 315 non-EU foreign criminals receiving sentences exceeding one year had avoided expulsion. This data underpins the government’s argument for legislative intervention rather than relying on judicial determinations in individual deportation cases.

    The initiative emerges amid broader European Union efforts to reform migration systems, with the 27-member bloc recently implementing stricter asylum regulations. This continental trend reflects growing political concerns about immigration levels, particularly among right-wing factions across Western nations who have expressed dissatisfaction with current migration patterns.

    Frederiksen acknowledged the potential conflict between these measures and established European human rights conventions, characterizing the government’s approach as deliberately ‘unconventional’ in addressing public safety concerns while navigating complex international legal frameworks.

  • Europe sees modest growth, but the weaker dollar looms as a threat

    Europe sees modest growth, but the weaker dollar looms as a threat

    FRANKFURT, Germany — The European economy demonstrated unexpected durability during the final quarter of 2025, registering a 0.3% growth rate that matched previous quarter performance despite ongoing trade uncertainties. According to Eurostat’s Friday report, year-over-year expansion reached 1.3%, defying earlier recession predictions that emerged during heightened U.S. trade tensions.

    The moderate growth occurred following the resolution of tariff negotiations between the European Union and the United States, which established a 15% cap on import taxes. While not ideal for commercial operations, this agreement provided businesses with sufficient certainty to proceed with strategic planning. However, this stability was temporarily jeopardized in January when former President Trump threatened additional tariffs regarding Greenland, though these warnings were subsequently retracted.

    Economic activity within the services sector—encompassing diverse industries from personal care to healthcare—showed consistent improvement according to S&P Global’s purchasing managers index. Consumer spending resilience emerged from December’s reduced inflation rate of 1.9% and rising wages, though industrial exports continued facing challenges.

    A new economic challenge has materialized through the euro’s significant appreciation against the U.S. dollar, which has reached its weakest point in 4.5 years. This 14.4% currency shift over twelve months makes European exports less price-competitive in critical international markets. The dollar’s decline stems from concerns that proposed tariffs could hinder economic growth and that political pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell might undermine the institution’s inflation control capabilities.

    Financial analysts suggest the European Central Bank might implement interest rate reductions later this year should currency pressures persist. Meanwhile, Germany—the eurozone’s largest economy—recorded its strongest quarterly performance in three years with 0.3% growth, though the government has revised its 2026 growth forecast downward from 1.3% to 1%. The nation continues confronting multiple structural challenges including energy price volatility, skilled labor shortages, increased Chinese competition in automotive and machinery exports, and chronic infrastructure underinvestment.

    The broader 27-nation European Union mirrored the eurozone’s 0.3% quarterly growth, achieving 1.4% annual expansion. The euro currency union expanded to 21 members in January following Bulgaria’s accession.