Global Pulse

标签： Oceania

大洋洲

  • Swiss officials admit inspections failure at inferno bar

    Swiss officials admit inspections failure at inferno bar

    Swiss authorities have publicly conceded a critical failure in fire safety enforcement following a catastrophic New Year’s Eve blaze that claimed 40 lives at a popular Alpine nightclub. The admission came during an emotionally charged press conference led by Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud, who revealed that mandatory annual inspections at Le Constellation bar had not been conducted since 2019.

    The tragedy, which unfolded in the early hours of January 1st at the southwestern ski resort, left 116 injured with 83 remaining hospitalized. Most victims were teenagers, with the average age of the deceased being 19. Preliminary investigation suggests the fire ignited when celebratory champagne bottles equipped with sparklers set aflame sound-insulating foam installed during 2015 renovations.

    Mayor Feraud acknowledged the municipality’s failure to fulfill its legal obligation to conduct annual inspections from 2020 through 2025, stating, ‘We bitterly regret this.’ While inspections were properly completed in 2016, 2018, and 2019, the oversight was only discovered during document review for the ongoing criminal investigation.

    The municipality has pledged full cooperation with judicial proceedings and announced immediate preventive measures, including comprehensive inspections of all public establishments and an indoor ban on pyrotechnic devices. French proprietors Jacques and Jessica Moretti face charges of negligent manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson.

    Disturbing evidence emerged through archival footage from 2019 celebrations showing staff awareness of the hazardous foam, with an employee explicitly warning revelers about the danger. This revelation contrasts sharply with the municipality’s claim that renovations installing the flammable material didn’t require permits.

    International response has been swift, with Switzerland declaring a national day of mourning. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend a memorial ceremony in Martigny, while the United Nations in Geneva will lower flags to half-mast in solidarity with victims from multiple nations, including Swiss, French, and Italian citizens.

  • Ukraine’s European, US allies meet in Paris on security guarantees

    Ukraine’s European, US allies meet in Paris on security guarantees

    PARIS – In a significant diplomatic mobilization, key Western allies assembled in Paris on Tuesday for high-stakes negotiations aimed at establishing concrete security guarantees for Ukraine. The summit, attended by representatives from 35 nations including 27 heads of state, represents the latest coordinated effort to address Europe’s most devastating conflict since World War II.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the French capital for afternoon talks following preliminary discussions among coalition members. The gathering, dubbed the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, includes participation from US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, dispatched by President Donald Trump to engage in the dialogue initiated last year by France and Britain.

    The Paris meeting occurs against a backdrop of intensified geopolitical complexities. The recent detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a key Russian ally, by US forces has introduced additional transatlantic tensions, with European leaders expressing measured concern regarding implications for international law.

    French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for breakfast at the Élysée Palace ahead of scheduled meetings with Zelensky and American delegates. The assembly also includes UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, signaling broad Western engagement.

    Central to discussions is the proposed deployment of a multinational force to Ukraine as a deterrent against future Russian aggression, should hostilities cease. However, diplomatic progress remains constrained by fundamental disagreements over territorial control, with Kyiv maintaining that Russia must completely withdraw from occupied Ukrainian territories before any settlement can be reached.

    Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the meeting’s objective to ‘tighten and align European and American positions,’ noting that only unified Western pressure could compel Russia to seriously consider ceasefire negotiations. An advisor to President Macron characterized the summit as the culmination of efforts to prevent ‘the United States from abandoning Ukraine’ since the Trump administration took office.

    Despite Kyiv’s assertion that a potential agreement is ’90 percent’ complete, Russia continues to demand full control of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, which it currently partially occupies. German Chancellor Merz acknowledged diplomatic efforts are proceeding ‘under difficult conditions,’ citing Russia’s limited willingness to negotiate and challenges in maintaining transatlantic cooperation.

  • Rosenior says has ‘agreed verbally’ to become Chelsea manager

    Rosenior says has ‘agreed verbally’ to become Chelsea manager

    In a surprising development within English football’s managerial landscape, Liam Rosenior has publicly confirmed reaching a verbal agreement to assume managerial duties at Premier League powerhouse Chelsea FC. The 41-year-old made the announcement during a press conference at his current club, French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, stating the prestigious appointment represents “an opportunity I cannot turn down.”

    Rosenior emerges as the unexpected frontrunner to succeed recently dismissed Enzo Maresca, who was relieved of his position last Thursday. The managerial connection between the clubs appears facilitated by their shared ownership under the BlueCo consortium, which controls both Chelsea and Strasbourg. This relationship likely accelerated the negotiation process despite Rosenior’s limited top-flight managerial experience.

    Should the appointment be formally confirmed, Rosenior would become Chelsea’s fourth permanent manager since BlueCo acquired the club in 2022. The former Hull City manager lacks Premier League coaching credentials but brings recent Championship experience and a successful stint with Strasbourg, where he guided the team to a respectable seventh-place finish in the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season.

    Rosenior emphasized his emotional connection to Strasbourg during the announcement, explaining his decision to break the news personally to honor his relationship with the club and its supporters. Chelsea management conducted formal discussions with Rosenior in London on Monday, though the club has yet to issue an official confirmation regarding the appointment.

    The prospective move marks a dramatic career elevation for Rosenior, whose previous managerial experience includes an interim role at Derby County and an assistant position under Wayne Rooney before his 18-month tenure at Hull City ended in dismissal. His transition to Chelsea would place him under intense media scrutiny at one of England’s most high-profile football institutions.

  • Three men stranded in Queensland floodwaters rescued by helicopter crew based 500km away

    Three men stranded in Queensland floodwaters rescued by helicopter crew based 500km away

    In a remarkable display of aerial rescue operations, a medical helicopter crew executed a marathon 510-kilometer mission to save three men trapped in treacherous flood conditions across northwest Queensland. The Mount Isa-based LifeFlight aeromedical team responded to multiple distress calls after torrential rains transformed the region into a quagmire, approximately 1,550 kilometers northwest of Brisbane.

    The most extraordinary case involved a lone walker who had abandoned his vehicle and trekked nearly 40 kilometers through knee-deep mud in a desperate survival attempt. When the rescue helicopter located the stranded car, the occupant was missing. Crew members followed his footprints across the flooded landscape, eventually discovering the severely dehydrated and exhausted man 38 kilometers from his original location. He received immediate medical treatment from a Queensland Ambulance Service critical care paramedic before being airlifted to Hughenden Airport for hospitalization.

    Simultaneously, the same rescue team performed a winch extraction of two other men in their 40s whose vehicle had become completely immobilized 70 kilometers south of Hughenden. Investigation revealed the pair had been navigating from Brisbane to Darwin using Google Maps, which directed them onto flooded roads unsuitable for travel. After repeatedly getting bogged and eventually abandoning their trailer, they became permanently stuck just 500 meters from a major flooded creek crossing.

    LifeFlight pilot Andrew Caldwell described the challenging conditions: ‘We managed to land on a little high spot in the road that was solid enough to take the helicopter. The gentleman we found had no shoes, no water, no food, and his phone appeared flat. He looked absolutely exhausted – you could tell on his face he was sick of walking.’

    All three rescued individuals were assessed by flight paramedics and transported to medical facilities, highlighting the critical importance of specialized emergency services in remote Australian regions during severe weather events.

  • ASX falls as inflation fears outweigh massive $13bn BlueScope takeover bid

    ASX falls as inflation fears outweigh massive $13bn BlueScope takeover bid

    Australian financial markets experienced a notable downturn on Tuesday as investor apprehension over impending inflation data overshadowed significant corporate developments and record-breaking commodity performances. Despite a monumental $13 billion acquisition proposal for BlueScope Steel and unprecedented copper prices, the benchmark ASX 200 declined 45.80 points (0.52%) to close at 8682.80, with the All Ordinaries index dropping 37.80 points (0.42%) to 8996.90.

    The materials sector emerged as the sole bright spot, climbing 2.01% amid the broader market retreat. BlueScope Steel witnessed extraordinary trading activity, soaring 20.82% to $29.54 following SGH Limited’s substantial takeover bid. Mining giants BHP, Fortescue, and Rio Tinto all recorded gains between 1.56% and 1.79%, bolstered by copper’s historic ascent to $13,210 per tonne—a 1.69% increase driven by mounting supply concerns.

    Financial institutions bore the brunt of market pessimism, with all four major banks experiencing significant declines. Commonwealth Bank led the downturn with a 2.95% drop, while Westpac, NAB, and ANZ fell between 1.96% and 2.37%. Consumer discretionary stocks similarly retreated, with Wesfarmers, JB Hi-Fi, and Harvey Norman all closing lower.

    The defensive sector demonstrated resilience amid geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and Venezuela. Counter-drone specialist DroneShield surged 18.43%, and shipbuilder Austal advanced 8.30%. Meanwhile, Life360 shares declined 3.03% despite announcing both a $120 million acquisition of Nativo and surpassing 50 million monthly active users.

    Market analysts highlighted the complex inflation landscape, with VanEck Asia Pacific CEO Arian Neiron noting ongoing debate regarding whether recent price increases represent genuine economic pressures or temporary seasonal anomalies. The Australian dollar continued its upward trajectory against the US dollar, reaching 67.29 US cents.

  • ‘Never say never’: Storm release stunning video of Eli Katoa back at training just two months after brain surgery

    ‘Never say never’: Storm release stunning video of Eli Katoa back at training just two months after brain surgery

    In a development that has electrified the rugby league community, Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa has made a startling return to training merely two months after undergoing critical brain surgery. The club had previously announced that the world-class edge forward would be sidelined for the entire 2026 season following a severe medical incident.

    The alarming situation originated during a Tonga versus New Zealand Test match in November, when Katoa sustained three consecutive head impacts within a 90-minute period. After exhibiting ‘seizure activity’ on the bench, he was immediately transported to a hospital in Auckland for an emergency procedure to relieve pressure on his brain. Following a two-week hospitalization, he was discharged and returned to Melbourne, with medical officials confirming his season-long absence on November 18.

    However, the Storm organization recently shared footage on social media that captured the Dally M Second-Rower of the Year participating in ball drills, running exercises, and stationary bike workouts. This visual evidence of his progressive rehabilitation has ignited optimism among teammates and supporters alike, though club executives maintain a cautious perspective.

    Storm CEO Justin Rodski emphasized that player welfare remains the absolute priority, stating in a November radio interview that while no scenario is being completely ruled out, the organization is committed to ensuring Katoa’s long-term health and well-being without imposing competitive expectations on his recovery timeline.

    A potential comeback by Katoa would provide a significant boost to the Storm’s roster, which has already been weakened by the loss of several key players including Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, and Jonah Pezet for the 2026 season.

  • Female teacher, 33, charged over alleged ‘persistent sexual conduct’ with child at WA high school

    Female teacher, 33, charged over alleged ‘persistent sexual conduct’ with child at WA high school

    A 33-year-old female educator from Western Australia is confronting serious criminal charges following allegations of maintaining an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student. The teacher, employed at an educational institution south of Perth, is accused of engaging in persistent sexual misconduct with an underage pupil between 2024 and 2025.

    Law enforcement authorities have filed multiple charges against the educator, including two counts of sexually penetrating a child aged between 13 and 16 years. Additional charges encompass possession of child exploitation materials and engaging in persistent sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 16.

    Western Australian Police released a statement acknowledging the profound distress such cases cause within the community. “Protecting children and ensuring their safety remains our highest priority,” a police spokesperson emphasized. “Specialist detectives and support services are working tirelessly to investigate these matters and provide comprehensive care for victims.”

    The accused teacher is scheduled to appear before the Mandurah Magistrates Court on January 27 to answer to the allegations. Police have encouraged anyone with information regarding sexual abuse or similar offenses to come forward through the Safe2Say online reporting system, reinforcing their commitment to addressing such violations with utmost seriousness.

  • Landmines destroy limbs and lives on Bangladesh-Myanmar border

    Landmines destroy limbs and lives on Bangladesh-Myanmar border

    Along the densely forested Bangladesh-Myanmar frontier, civilian populations face an escalating humanitarian crisis as landmine explosions inflict life-altering injuries and economic devastation. This volatile border region has become a deadly contamination zone where villagers routinely fall victim to explosive remnants of foreign conflicts.

    The human toll is embodied by individuals like Ali Hossain, a 40-year-old who lost his leg to a landmine explosion while gathering firewood in early 2025. His account of the traumatic incident—the sudden blast, severed limb, and desperate race to medical care—represents countless similar tragedies occurring throughout the Bandarban district. Despite receiving prosthetic assistance, Hossain remains unable to resume his rubber plantation work, forcing his young sons into the same dangerous wood-collecting activities that cost him his limb.

    Medical infrastructure struggles to address the complex needs of blast survivors. Mohammad Abu Taleb, 47, described how his accidental crossing into Myanmar territory resulted in catastrophic injury and subsequent financial ruin. With prosthetic maintenance costing approximately $80 per visit—an insurmountable expense for families surviving on minimal income—many victims face impossible choices between medical care and basic subsistence.

    International monitoring organizations classify Myanmar as the world’s most perilous nation for landmine casualties. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines documented over 2,000 incidents during 2024 alone, representing a doubling from previous years. Their Landmine Monitor report specifically highlighted intensified weapon deployment throughout 2024-2025, with particular concentration along the Bangladeshi border region.

    Bangladeshi authorities attribute mine placement to both Myanmar’s military junta and opposition armed factions, including the guerrilla Arakan Army that controls substantial border jungle territories. The situation compounds existing humanitarian challenges, including the presence of over one million Rohingya refugees in border zones caught between conflicting military forces.

    Border Guard Bangladesh has implemented warning systems and demining operations, but Lieutenant Colonel Kafil Uddin Kayes acknowledges the fundamental injustice of the situation: ‘This cruelty cannot be legitimized.’ The November 2025 death of a border guard who lost both legs to mine explosion underscores the persistent danger.

    Local communities emphasize that survival necessities override safety concerns. As farmer Dudu Mia, 42, explains, ‘The population is increasing, and people are moving closer to the border, as we have farmlands there.’ This tragic reality leaves Bangladeshi civilians paying the ultimate price for a conflict beyond their control, with limited solutions visible on the horizon.

  • South Korea’s Lee snaps Xi selfie with Chinese ‘backdoor’ phone

    South Korea’s Lee snaps Xi selfie with Chinese ‘backdoor’ phone

    In a striking display of diplomatic camaraderie, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung captured a historic selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping using a controversial Xiaomi smartphone gifted by the Chinese leader. The moment occurred following an official dinner at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on January 5, 2026, where both leaders appeared alongside their wives in the spontaneously taken photograph.

    President Lee subsequently shared the image on social media platform X, accompanied by a caption expressing gratitude for what he termed “the shot of a lifetime.” The South Korean leader further pledged enhanced communication and closer collaboration with China in future bilateral relations.

    This symbolic gesture follows previous lighthearted exchanges between the two leaders regarding the smartphone’s security features. During November’s APEC summit in South Korea, President Xi had jocularly suggested Lee should “check if there is a backdoor” when questioned about the device’s communication security, referencing potential surveillance vulnerabilities through pre-installed software.

    The cordial interaction represents a significant departure from Xi’s typically reserved diplomatic demeanor and coincides with substantial geopolitical developments. The meeting occurred against the backdrop of recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro—actions strongly condemned by both China and North Korea.

    President Lee, who assumed office in June following his predecessor’s impeachment, has actively pursued improved relations with Beijing after years of diplomatic stagnation. The ninety-minute summit addressed strategic cooperation in what both leaders characterized as an increasingly complex global landscape, with Xi emphasizing the importance of making “right strategic choices” amid international turbulence.

    The viral social media post garnered significant online engagement, being shared over 3,400 times within hours and generating both diplomatic analysis and public commentary regarding its geopolitical implications.

  • Australian Open winners to get $2.79mn as prize money hits new high

    Australian Open winners to get $2.79mn as prize money hits new high

    Tennis Australia has unveiled a groundbreaking prize pool for the upcoming Australian Open, setting a new benchmark in Grand Slam compensation. The total tournament purse will reach an unprecedented Aus$111.5 million (approximately US$75 million), representing a substantial 16 percent increase from previous years.

    The champions in both men’s and women’s singles divisions will claim Aus$4.15 million (US$2.79 million) each, marking a remarkable 19 percent boost from the 2023 prize of Aus$3.5 million. This significant elevation in winner’s compensation underscores the tournament’s commitment to rewarding elite athletic achievement.

    In a move demonstrating comprehensive support for players across all competitive levels, even first-round competitors will receive Aus$150,000 (US$100,750). Notably, athletes eliminated during the qualifying rounds will benefit from substantially enhanced compensation, with Aus$40,500 (US$27,200) allocated to those exiting in the initial qualifying stage.

    Tournament Director Craig Tiley emphasized that this financial strategy reflects Tennis Australia’s dedication to fostering sustainable careers throughout the professional tennis ecosystem. ‘Our 55 percent increase in qualifying prize money since 2023, combined with enhanced player benefits, demonstrates our commitment to making professional tennis viable for competitors at every stage,’ Tiley stated.

    He further elaborated on the broader vision: ‘By supporting athletes across all tiers, we’re cultivating richer talent development pipelines and creating more engaging narratives for our global audience.’

    The 2026 Australian Open is scheduled to commence at Melbourne Park on January 18th, with defending champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys returning to contest their titles amidst this new era of elevated recognition and reward for tennis excellence.