Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • Thousands of US flights disrupted as winter storm looms

    Thousands of US flights disrupted as winter storm looms

    A severe winter storm is sweeping across the northeastern United States, creating massive disruptions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Meteorological authorities have issued winter storm warnings effective from Friday afternoon through Saturday, predicting accumulations of up to nine inches (23 cm) in New York City and southern Connecticut regions.

    The aviation sector is experiencing significant operational challenges, with nearly 1,500 flight cancellations and over 5,400 delays recorded nationwide by Friday afternoon. Major transportation hubs including John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia airports are bearing the brunt of the disruptions, with substantial impacts also reported at Philadelphia, Detroit, and Toronto Pearson International airports.

    Leading carriers have implemented widespread cancellations, with JetBlue Airways scrubbing 227 flights and Delta Air Lines eliminating 213 routes. Republic Airways and Southwest Airlines have cancelled 157 and 146 flights respectively, while American Airlines and United Airlines have each grounded approximately 100 flights.

    Transportation authorities are urging extreme caution for those who must travel. New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of preparation and additional travel time, stating: ‘Avoid unnecessary trips, but if travel is essential, plan ahead, take it slow, and leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely.’ Similar advisories have been issued by governors in neighboring states including New Jersey and Connecticut.

    Municipal preparations are underway across affected regions, with New York City deploying snow plows that will begin operations once two inches of accumulation occurs. This represents the second significant snowfall event of the season for the region, following the December 14th winter weather occurrence that left several inches of accumulation.

    Travelers are strongly advised to monitor flight statuses directly with their airlines and exercise extreme caution when road travel becomes necessary during the expected peak snowfall period between 6:00 PM and midnight.

  • UAE gold prices surge four times in one week; what to expect in 2026

    UAE gold prices surge four times in one week; what to expect in 2026

    The UAE gold market has experienced an unprecedented surge, marking its fourth record-breaking price increase within a single week. As markets opened on Friday, December 26, 2025, 24K gold reached Dh543.25 per gram, representing a significant jump from Christmas Day’s slight dip to Dh539.75. This remarkable performance extends across various karat weights, with 22K, 21K, 18K, and 14K trading at Dh503, Dh482.25, Dh413.50, and Dh322.50 respectively. Simultaneously, silver prices skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, reaching $74.38 per ounce while spot gold stood at $4,514 by afternoon trading.

    The monthly performance metrics reveal even more dramatic growth, with gold appreciating over 7% and silver experiencing an extraordinary 34% surge. According to financial experts, 2025 is positioned to become gold’s strongest annual performance since 1979, driven by what analysts describe as a ‘perfect storm’ of economic factors.

    Bas Koojiman, CEO of DHF Capital, identifies multiple converging drivers behind this historic rally: relentless central bank acquisitions exceeding 980 tonnes in Q3 alone, massive ETF inflows as investors seek safety, a weakening US dollar amid Federal Reserve rate cut expectations, and escalating geopolitical tensions worldwide. The US-Venezuela blockades alongside ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have further contributed to this economic landscape.

    Critically, experts emphasize this represents a structural market shift rather than a temporary cyclical rally. Emerging markets are aggressively building gold holdings as part of de-dollarization strategies, with gold’s share in global assets climbing toward 3-4%. This re-rating of gold as a strategic necessity appears long-term rather than temporary, though analysts anticipate potential corrections following 2025’s explosive gains.

    The outlook for 2026 remains bullish, with projections suggesting gold could average between $4,500 to $5,000 per ounce. Sustaining these levels will require continued lower interest rates, a softer dollar, persistent geopolitical risks, and robust institutional demand. Market analysts interpret gold’s dramatic rise as a warning signal indicating widespread investor concern about geopolitical instability, trade tensions, record debt levels, potential inflationary pressures, and questions regarding the dollar’s continuing dominance in global markets.

  • Hangzhou–Quzhou High-Speed Railway begins operations

    Hangzhou–Quzhou High-Speed Railway begins operations

    Eastern China’s regional connectivity enters a new era with the formal inauguration of the Hangzhou–Quzhou High-Speed Railway on December 26, 2025. The inaugural service, train C3132, departed Quzhou West Station bound for Hangzhou, marking a significant expansion of the Yangtze River Delta’s sophisticated rapid transit network.

    This newly operational corridor spans 131 kilometers and represents a major engineering achievement. Designed for peak speeds of 350 km/h, the railway features five strategically located stations: Jiande, Jiande South, Longyou North, Quzhou West, and Jiangshan. It establishes a parallel route to the existing Hangzhou–Quzhou segment of the Shanghai–Kunming High-Speed Railway, creating a robust dual-channel transportation link between these key Zhejiang province hubs.

    The project, whose construction commenced in May 2020, presented substantial technical hurdles. The main line incorporates 38 tunnels and 119 bridges, with viaducts and subterranean passages constituting nearly 79% of its total length. A notable engineering challenge was the construction of a 685-meter bridge that had to safely cross the active Jinqian Railway. Huang Baoliang, project head at China Railway No 11 Bureau Group, emphasized that construction plans underwent continuous optimization to ensure safe passage over existing railways, highways, and rivers.

    Transportation experts highlight the line’s critical strategic importance. “The Hangzhou–Quzhou High-Speed Railway occupies a crucial position in the Yangtze River Delta intercity rapid transport network,” stated Guo Jianbin, a senior engineer with China Railway Shanghai Group’s transport department.

    The railway’s design prioritizes seamless regional integration. At Jiande Station, it interconnects with the Hangzhou–Huangshan High-Speed Railway, providing direct access to the comprehensive Hangzhou rail hub. The western terminus at Quzhou West links with the Jiujiang–Jingdezhen–Quzhou Railway, creating a direct westward corridor to major cities including Wuhan in Hubei province and Jiujiang in Jiangxi province. Additionally, Jiangshan Station facilitates convenient transfers to the Shanghai–Kunming High-Speed Railway, substantially optimizing regional rail connectivity and supporting accelerated regional economic development.

  • Exiled Assad loyalists plot to destabilise Syria’s new government, report says

    Exiled Assad loyalists plot to destabilise Syria’s new government, report says

    A sophisticated network of exiled Syrian figures with close ties to former strongman Bashar al-Assad is actively working to undermine the country’s new government and seize control of strategic coastal regions, according to intercepted communications obtained by The New York Times.

    The investigation reveals that former intelligence chiefs and military commanders, now primarily based in Russia and Lebanon, are quietly reconstructing loyalist networks within Syria’s Alawi community—the sectarian foundation that previously supported Assad’s regime. Central to these efforts are Suhail al-Hassan, the former special forces commander known as “The Tiger,” and Major-General Kamal Hassan, the former head of military intelligence. Both relocated to Moscow with Assad but maintain active involvement in Syrian affairs.

    Intercepted text messages indicate al-Hassan has met with collaborators across Lebanon, Iraq, and inside Syria over the past year. These communications include detailed charts enumerating fighters and weaponry available in coastal villages, with claims of being able to mobilize tens of thousands of combatants. Al-Hassan has signed several messages as a “holy warrior,” indicating the ideological motivation behind these efforts.

    The operation appears financially supported by Rami Makhlouf, Assad’s billionaire cousin who also resides in Moscow. Makhlouf has reportedly channeled funds to impoverished Alawi families along the coast while positioning himself as a community protector. Another key figure, Ghiyath Dalla, a former commander in the disbanded Fourth Division, is coordinating efforts from Lebanon. In an intercepted April 2025 phone call, Dalla stated: “We will not begin until we are fully armed.”

    Financial records show Dalla distributing approximately $300,000 monthly to potential fighters and local commanders, with individual payments ranging from $200 to $1,000. He has also sought approval to acquire satellite communications equipment valued at over $130,000 to enhance operational capabilities.

    The communications further reveal coordination with Iran-aligned Iraqi militia leaders to discuss weapons smuggling routes into Syria while avoiding detection by Israeli air strikes or Syrian authorities. Additional messages reference aborted assassination plots and efforts to procure drones and anti-tank missiles, including weapons allegedly hidden within Syria.

    These developments follow April’s sectarian violence along Syria’s Mediterranean coast that resulted in over 1,600 fatalities, predominantly Alawi. The coordinated attacks by former security forces against new government troops served as a rallying point for ex-regime figures seeking to mobilize fighters.

    Simultaneously, Hassan is backing the Beirut-based Foundation for the Development of Western Syria, which presents itself as an advocate for Syrian minorities and displaced Alawis. According to U.S. disclosure filings, the foundation hired lobbying firm Tiger Hill Partners and former Trump adviser Joseph Schmitz on a $1 million contract. The organization has publicized meetings with several U.S. lawmakers’ offices, though aides characterize these as routine staff engagements.

    Associates indicate Hassan appears more focused on building long-term political leverage than launching an immediate insurgency, including promoting calls for “international protection” for Syria’s Alawi-majority coastal regions. Syrian officials monitoring former regime figures have downplayed the threat of a coordinated armed uprising, while diplomats express greater concern about overseas lobbying efforts that could normalize calls for fragmentation or semi-autonomy if Syria’s political transition falters.

    Complicating the situation, Israeli authorities have intensified air strikes across Syrian territory, targeting military sites and key infrastructure while signaling openness to working with armed actors in southern Syria—a move analysts say compounds efforts by former government figures to destabilize the country.

  • Trump says US military struck Islamic State militants in Nigeria

    Trump says US military struck Islamic State militants in Nigeria

    In a significant military operation, the United States executed targeted airstrikes against Islamic State group militants in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto State on Thursday night. The action was conducted in close coordination with Nigerian authorities through established security cooperation channels.

    Former President Donald Trump publicly claimed responsibility for authorizing the operation via his Truth Social platform, characterizing the intervention as a decisive response to escalating violence against Christian communities. “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria,” Trump stated, emphasizing that the militants had been “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years.”

    The operation targeted elements of Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), also known as Lakurawa, which maintains operational bases in forested border regions between northern Nigeria and Niger. These groups have been implicated in both terrorist activities and widespread banditry across the region.

    Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the collaborative nature of the operation, noting that intelligence sharing between the two nations facilitated “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.” This confirmation came despite the unusual involvement of a former president in announcing current military operations.

    The strikes occurred against a complex backdrop of intercommunal violence. While religious tensions have drawn international attention, particularly from American conservative groups concerned about Christian persecution, Nigerian officials and analysts emphasize that the conflict involves multiple dimensions including competition over natural resources, ethnic tensions, and criminal banditry affecting both Muslim and Christian communities.

    The timing followed a recent Christmas Eve suicide bombing at a mosque in northeast Nigeria’s Borno State that killed five people and wounded thirty others—an attack attributed to Boko Haram militants who have operated in the region for nearly two decades.

    Despite the complex dynamics underlying regional violence, both Nigerian and US authorities have demonstrated continued commitment to security cooperation targeting militant groups operating within Nigeria’s borders.

  • Xiaoguo Comedy launches nationwide year-end tour

    Xiaoguo Comedy launches nationwide year-end tour

    Shanghai witnessed the spectacular launch of Xiaoguo Comedy’s annual year-end extravaganza on Tuesday, December 26, 2025. The premiere of ‘To Gather, Together’ at the prestigious Bocom New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 2,000 attendees, setting the stage for what promises to be an unprecedented comedy tour across China.

    Headlined by renowned stand-up comedian Tong Monan, the production marks the beginning of an extensive nationwide journey that will continue through February 8, 2026. The ambitious schedule includes nearly 60 performances spanning 18 different cities, creating one of the most comprehensive comedy tours in recent Chinese entertainment history.

    The production distinguishes itself through its diverse comedic offerings, featuring an impressive roster of more than 150 top-tier stand-up comedians from across China. The show’s innovative format incorporates multiple comedy styles including traditional stand-up specials, intellectual property-based shows, Japanese-inspired manzai (a dynamic double-act comedy style), and spontaneous improvisational comedy performances.

    This massive undertaking represents significant growth for China’s comedy scene, demonstrating both the increasing popularity of live comedy performances and the expanding market for diverse entertainment formats. The multi-city tour is expected to bring high-quality comedy productions to audiences who previously had limited access to such performances outside major metropolitan areas.

    The timing of the tour, spanning the year-end holiday season and extending through the Lunar New Year period, positions it as prime entertainment during one of China’s most celebrated times for family gatherings and social activities. The inclusion of various comedy formats ensures appeal across different demographic groups, from traditional comedy enthusiasts to younger audiences seeking innovative performance styles.

  • CPC expels former China Life Insurance president

    CPC expels former China Life Insurance president

    In a significant demonstration of China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, Yang Chao, the former president of China Life Insurance (Group) Company, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China following extensive investigations by the nation’s top disciplinary watchdogs.

    The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision announced the decision through an official statement released on Friday, December 26, 2025. The investigation, which began in March, uncovered systematic violations of Party discipline and national laws by the senior executive.

    According to the disciplinary authorities, Yang, who held leadership positions in one of China’s central financial State-owned enterprises, demonstrated disloyalty to the Party and exhibited a profound disregard for organizational discipline. The investigation revealed multiple layers of misconduct spanning his tenure and even continuing after his retirement.

    Yang’s violations included illegally accepting gifts and banquet invitations, along with persistent misuse of official vehicles. The former executive also provided false information during questioning and was found to have solicited and accepted bribes in exchange for influencing personnel promotions and recruitment decisions within the company.

    Notably, the disciplinary commissions highlighted that Yang continued to breach regulations post-retirement by engaging in unauthorized part-time employment and illicit business activities. Furthermore, he systematically enabled family members to exploit his former position and influence for personal gain.

    The investigation particularly emphasized Yang’s interference in investment activities, where he allegedly accepted substantial illicit payments, characterizing his case as emblematic of corruption within China’s financial investment sector.

    In addition to his expulsion from the Party, authorities have confiscated all illicit gains obtained through his corrupt practices. The case’s criminal aspects and related assets have been transferred to prosecutors in Shangrao, Jiangxi province, for formal legal proceedings.

    Yang Chao, a 75-year-old Shanghai native, dedicated decades to China’s banking and insurance sectors. He ascended to the positions of Party chief and general manager of China Life Insurance Co Ltd in 2000 before retiring in 2011, though his post-retirement activities have now drawn severe disciplinary consequences.

  • NYE 2026 in Sharjah: Where to celebrate with fireworks, live performances

    NYE 2026 in Sharjah: Where to celebrate with fireworks, live performances

    Sharjah is preparing to welcome 2026 with an array of spectacular celebrations across the emirate on December 31, offering residents and visitors diverse entertainment options ranging from pyrotechnic displays to cultural experiences. The coastal city will illuminate its skies at midnight with synchronized fireworks shows at three prime locations: Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Heera Beach, and Khorfakkan Beach, ensuring panoramic viewing opportunities throughout the region.

    Preceding the midnight spectacle, Al Heera Beach will feature hourly laser, fire, and LED performances from 9:00 PM to midnight across three designated clusters. Simultaneously, Khorfakkan Beach will present its own laser and fire displays commencing at 8:30 PM across two phases. Al Majaz Waterfront will enhance the festive atmosphere with live musical performances, including saxophone shows at 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM, followed by accordion performances at 9:30 PM and 11:30 PM in Block A.

    For premium viewing experiences, beachside restaurants at all three main venues are offering reserved tables with front-row perspectives of the fireworks extravaganza. Those seeking unconventional celebrations can opt for Al Noor Island’s exclusive starlit event, featuring specialized dining, complimentary skywatch sessions, and self-guided tours priced at AED 340 for adults and AED 150 for children under twelve.

    Alternatively, Mleiha National Park presents a desert celebration package including overnight camping, buffet dinner, camel rides, Tanoura dance performances, and stargazing activities for AED 550 per adult and AED 390 per child. Maritime enthusiasts can charter private boats for unparalleled views of the coastal fireworks displays.

    Family-oriented activities include pop-up avenues at Al Qasba and Al Majaz Waterfront operating daily from 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM, featuring workshops, outdoor cinema, and adventure activities. The winter market at Al Majaz Waterfront will remain open until midnight on New Year’s Eve, offering live entertainment, mascot interactions, and family-friendly attractions from 5:00 PM daily.

  • Internet satellites launched into orbit

    Internet satellites launched into orbit

    China has successfully advanced its ambitious space-based internet infrastructure with the deployment of a new satellite cluster on December 26, 2025. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed the flawless launch operation conducted from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center in Wenchang at 7:26 AM local time.

    The mission utilized the Long March 8A carrier rocket, a sophisticated launch vehicle developed domestically by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. This 50.5-meter rocket, boasting a liftoff weight of 371 metric tons and generating approximately 480 tons of thrust, successfully delivered the latest batch of internet satellites to their designated low Earth orbits.

    These satellites represent the seventeenth installment in China’s expanding state-operated internet satellite network. Designed and manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology, a Beijing-based subsidiary of CASC, the new additions bring the total operational count in the constellation to over 130 satellites following this deployment.

    The Long March 8A has demonstrated particular proficiency in transporting payloads to sun-synchronous orbits, capable of delivering up to 7 metric tons to orbits approximately 700 kilometers above Earth. This mission marked both the 90th Chinese space endeavor of the year and the 620th overall flight for the Long March rocket series, representing the sixth dedicated deployment of internet satellites using the Long March 8A platform.

  • Bombing in Alawi mosque in Syrian city of Homs kills at least eight

    Bombing in Alawi mosque in Syrian city of Homs kills at least eight

    A devastating bomb explosion struck the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Homs, Syria, on Friday, resulting in a significant loss of life and injuries. Syrian state media confirmed that the blast killed at least eight worshippers and left eighteen others wounded. The mosque, affiliated with the Alawi Islamic sect, was targeted by an explosive device strategically planted within its premises.

    Security forces have launched a comprehensive investigation into the attack, aiming to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. This incident occurs against a complex geopolitical backdrop, marking one year since the fall of Damascus to rebel forces under current President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, himself an Alawite, sought refuge in Russia following his government’s collapse.

    The attack highlights ongoing vulnerabilities within Syrian society, where Alawi communities and other minorities face persistent threats from extremist elements. Although the Islamic State group suffered decisive defeat in 2017 after attempting to establish a caliphate, residual factions have reorganized and continue operational activities. These remnants have specifically targeted minority groups to destabilize the current administration.

    Syria’s devastating civil war, ignited in 2011 by government suppression of popular protests, has created one of the century’s most severe humanitarian crises. The conflict has displaced approximately half of Syria’s population, forcing millions to seek refuge in Turkey, Europe, and neighboring Arab nations. While exact figures remain unverified, estimates suggest the death toll has surpassed 500,000 people over thirteen years of continuous warfare.