Global Pulse

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  • ‘Crazy’ reaction after vet Munyua upsets De Decker

    ‘Crazy’ reaction after vet Munyua upsets De Decker

    In an extraordinary display of resilience at Alexandra Palace, Kenyan veterinarian David Munyua authored one of the most remarkable stories in recent darting history by overcoming a two-set deficit to defeat former World Grand Prix champion Mike de Decker. The 30-year-old large animal vet, competing in his first professional tournament outside Africa, achieved a stunning 3-2 victory that sent shockwaves through the sport.

    The World Championship debutant appeared destined for elimination after dropping the opening two sets, including squandering opportunities in the second set. However, Munyua demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure, claiming the subsequent two sets in deciding legs to force a dramatic finale. After being broken in the opening leg of the fifth set, the Kenyan qualifier produced a spectacular 135 checkout that propelled him to complete one of the tournament’s greatest comebacks.

    Munyua revealed the overwhelming response from his homeland, stating: ‘It’s going crazy back in my country – everybody is like ‘we did it’. Earlier today, most people were asking ‘this is the day now, are you ready?” The part-time athlete emphasized darts’ accessibility: ‘Darts is a simple game. You don’t need acres of land to play – you only need a room with a board and the darts.’

    The match featured an unusual interruption when the notorious ‘Ally Pally’ wasp landed on Munyua’s face during play. Demonstrating characteristic composure, the veterinarian attempted to capture the insect in his pocket rather than eliminate it. ‘I tried to put it in my pocket to stay with me because I love going through tough things,’ he explained. ‘I’ve seen how it’s been interfering with other players. You need maximum concentration, so when you have a little disturbance, you need to get over it.’

    Munyua balances his sporting ambitions with his veterinary practice, noting: ‘Being a veterinarian in my country and also a darts player, there are so many challenges you need to face to combine both. During the day, I’m dealing with my animals, but at night, I’m playing darts. I’m on call a lot of the time, so I can be throwing darts and then get a call.’

    The victorious Kenyan now progresses to face either Dutchman Kevin Doets or England’s Matthew Dennant in the second round. Meanwhile, despite acknowledging Munyua’s performance, De Decker expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Alexandra Palace crowd, criticizing their booing and whistling during the match on social media platforms.

  • Protesters storm offices of leading Bangladesh dailies after a 2024 uprising activist dies

    Protesters storm offices of leading Bangladesh dailies after a 2024 uprising activist dies

    Bangladesh descended into political turmoil Thursday night as enraged protesters stormed the offices of the country’s two leading newspapers following the death of prominent opposition activist Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. The violent demonstrations included arson attacks that trapped journalists inside burning buildings.

    Hadi, a spokesperson for the Inqilab Moncho cultural group and vocal critic of both India and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, succumbed to injuries sustained in a targeted assassination attempt one week earlier. The activist was shot while riding a rickshaw in Dhaka by motorcycle-borne assailants who remain at large.

    The assassination has triggered significant diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India. Bangladeshi authorities claim the shooter likely fled to India, prompting reciprocal diplomatic summonses between the neighboring nations. India subsequently summoned Bangladesh’s envoy to express condemnation, while Dhaka demanded clarifications from New Delhi.

    Hadi had planned to run as an independent candidate in February’s national elections—the first since the 2024 uprising that ousted Hasina’s 15-year administration. The Inqilab Moncho group has actively promoted anti-Indian sentiment in the Muslim-majority nation since Hasina’s removal, with the former leader now residing in self-imposed exile in India.

    Thursday’s protests began with hundreds gathering at Dhaka’s Shahbagh Square, chanting religious and political slogans. The demonstrations rapidly escalated as separate groups attacked the headquarters of Prothom Alo (Bangladesh’s leading Bengali-language daily) and The Daily Star (the premier English-language publication). Security forces deployed around the buildings but refrained from intervening as fires trapped staff inside, with one journalist reporting severe smoke inhalation via social media.

    Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader who assumed power after Hasina’s August 2024 ouster, addressed the nation promising justice for Hadi’s killers. Yunus declared a national day of mourning for Saturday while urging calm. Critics however blame Yunus’s administration for rising Islamist influence in a country with a troubled history of political violence.

    The interim government has banned all activities of Hasina’s Awami League party, including participation in February’s elections. Last month, a Bangladeshi court sentenced the former prime minister to death for crimes against humanity related to the 2024 uprising. Recent days have seen additional anti-India protests targeting diplomatic facilities, prompting India to suspend tourist visas for Bangladeshis citing security concerns.

  • Democrats release latest batch of Epstein photos as justice department deadline looms

    Democrats release latest batch of Epstein photos as justice department deadline looms

    The U.S. House Oversight Committee has unveiled approximately 70 additional photographs from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking the third such disclosure from a collection exceeding 95,000 images obtained by congressional investigators. This release coincides with the December 19th deadline mandating the Department of Justice to publicize all documents pertaining to its Epstein investigation under the recently enacted Epstein Files Transparency Act.

    The latest batch contains particularly disturbing imagery, including photographs of passages from Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial novel ‘Lolita’ inscribed across various parts of a woman’s body. The collection also features heavily redacted images of international passports belonging to women from Lithuania, Russia, Czech Republic, and Ukraine, which the committee identifies as individuals associated with Epstein and his accomplices.

    Among the more notable images are photographs depicting Epstein interacting with numerous high-profile figures. These include linguist and activist Noam Chomsky aboard a private aircraft, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates standing beside an anonymized woman, former White House strategist Steve Bannon seated across from Epstein, and former Alphabet president Sergey Brin at a dinner event. The committee emphasized that appearance in these photographs does not constitute evidence of wrongdoing, and many individuals previously visible in released photos—including former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton—have denied involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.

    Additional concerning materials include a screenshot of text messages discussing financial transactions for “some girls” at $1,000 per individual, and images showing Epstein surrounded by three women whose identities have been concealed, with one visibly placing her hand beneath his shirt.

    Committee Democrats stated the selection aims to provide public transparency regarding Epstein’s network and his “extremely disturbing activities,” while noting the estate provided no contextual information or timestamps for the photographs. The Department of Justice faces increasing scrutiny as Representative Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking member, noted these images “raise more questions about what exactly the Department of Justice has in its possession.”

  • Research ward at children’s hospital in Shanghai treats over 200 patients with rare diseases

    Research ward at children’s hospital in Shanghai treats over 200 patients with rare diseases

    The Children’s Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai has reached a significant milestone, with its specialized research ward successfully treating more than 200 patients afflicted with difficult-to-diagnose rare diseases since its inauguration in July 2024. This cutting-edge medical facility has drawn patients from across China and internationally, offering hope to families facing complex pediatric health challenges.

    Rare pediatric diseases present particular diagnostic difficulties, with approximately 72% of these conditions having genetic origins. These disorders frequently involve multiple organ systems and contribute significantly to infant mortality, accounting for 35% of such cases worldwide. The diagnostic journey for these conditions typically spans four to eight years from initial symptom manifestation to definitive diagnosis, creating substantial challenges for patients and medical professionals alike.

    Established to address these diagnostic and treatment hurdles, the 3,000-square-meter research ward features 60 patient beds and represents a novel approach to tackling rare diseases. The facility combines clinical care with advanced research capabilities, creating an environment where diagnostic protocols and treatment methodologies can be developed and refined simultaneously.

    Among the recent success stories is a two-month-old infant from South Africa who arrived at the facility with suspected Krabbe disease. Following comprehensive medical evaluation, the infant received a tailored treatment regimen that included hematopoietic stem cell transplantation earlier this month. This case exemplifies the ward’s international reach and its capacity to deliver personalized medical interventions for complex conditions.

    The hospital commemorated these achievements with a special ceremony in May, honoring the recovery of a young patient from Pakistan who had received treatment at the facility. This event underscored the hospital’s growing reputation as a center of excellence for rare disease treatment and its commitment to international medical collaboration.

  • Chongqing symposium examines planning cities around sound, smell, touch

    Chongqing symposium examines planning cities around sound, smell, touch

    Chongqing University served as the epicenter of innovative urban planning discourse from December 12-15, 2025, hosting the groundbreaking X-SCAPE 2025 International Symposium on Multisensory Urban Experience and Inclusive Design. The four-day gathering united approximately 30 distinguished scholars and practitioners from prestigious institutions worldwide, including the University of Cambridge, University College London, and multiple Chinese academic centers.

    The symposium marked a significant departure from traditional visually-dominated urban planning approaches, instead focusing on how auditory, olfactory, tactile, and perceptual elements fundamentally shape human urban experiences. Experts presented research demonstrating how soundscapes, scent environments, tactile surfaces, and spatial perceptions contribute to urban livability, particularly for vulnerable populations including visually impaired citizens, elderly residents, and neurodiverse communities.

    Participants explored evidence-based methodologies for creating urban environments that engage all human senses, moving beyond mere visual aesthetics to develop spaces that promote psychological well-being, social inclusion, and physical accessibility. The discussions emphasized practical applications of multisensory design principles, highlighting how cities can become more resilient, health-promoting, and accommodating to diverse human needs through intentional incorporation of sensory elements in public spaces, transportation systems, and residential areas.

    The symposium outcomes included developing frameworks for integrating multisensory considerations into urban policy, with particular attention to creating standards that address the often-overlooked dimensions of urban experience. This pioneering approach represents a paradigm shift in urban design philosophy, potentially transforming how cities worldwide plan for human-centered environments that cater to the full spectrum of human sensory capabilities.

  • Watch: Snow in the desert? Saudi Arabia has a white winter in some areas

    Watch: Snow in the desert? Saudi Arabia has a white winter in some areas

    In an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon, the arid landscapes of northwestern Saudi Arabia experienced a rare blanket of snowfall on Thursday, December 18th, 2025. The majestic Jabal Al Lawz mountain region witnessed desert dunes transformed into winter wonderlands as temperatures plummeted across the Arabian Peninsula.

    Social media platforms circulated captivating visuals depicting local residents, clad in winter attire, celebrating the unprecedented weather event with traditional songs and dances. Vehicle rooftops and desert surfaces alike disappeared beneath a layer of white precipitation, creating surreal contrasts against the region’s characteristic terrain.

    This exceptional weather occurrence stems from an extended period of low-pressure systems dominating Middle Eastern atmospheric conditions throughout the previous week. Meteorological authorities from BBC Weather indicated further intensification throughout Thursday, with anticipated thunderstorms progressing eastward toward the United Arab Emirates and Qatar by nightfall.

    The Saudi government, alongside neighboring Gulf nations, has issued comprehensive safety advisories urging citizens to exercise caution during these unusual weather patterns. While residents expressed awe and jubilation at the natural spectacle, authorities emphasized preparedness for continued precipitation and potentially hazardous travel conditions.

    This event marks one of the most significant winter weather occurrences in recent Arabian meteorological history, highlighting changing climate patterns across traditionally arid regions. Scientists and climate observers are particularly interested in documenting the duration and environmental impact of these unusual precipitation events.

  • What the US wants from Canada on trade

    What the US wants from Canada on trade

    In the most explicit articulation of American negotiating positions to date, United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer presented a comprehensive set of demands to a Congressional committee on Wednesday. This testimony forms a critical part of the ongoing review process for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the North American free trade pact whose future hangs in the balance. While both Canada and Mexico advocate for its extension, former President Donald Trump has previously suggested a potential US withdrawal, adding urgency to the proceedings.

    Greer characterized the USMCA as only “successful to a certain degree,” asserting that specific changes are prerequisites for its continuation. The American demands center on three primary areas of longstanding contention.

    Foremost is Canada’s protected dairy sector, governed by a supply-management system that imposes production quotas and strict import controls to bolster domestic farmers. The U.S. contends this framework creates an unfair market, citing Canadian tariffs on American dairy that can soar as high as 400%. Although a limited volume of U.S. dairy enters Canada tariff-free, the designated quota has never been fully utilized. Despite Canada being a top importer of U.S. dairy, purchasing over $1.1 billion in 2024, American officials are pushing for significantly expanded market access. A further grievance involves accusations that Canada is “dumping” specific dairy products, like nonfat milk solids, into international markets at artificially low prices.

    A second major point of friction is Canada’s Online Streaming Act, legislation enacted in 2023 under the previous Trudeau administration. This law mandates that foreign streaming giants, including Netflix and Spotify, financially contribute to and promote Canadian content on their platforms, with a regulator empowered to levy penalties for non-compliance. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office has decried the act as discriminatory against American technology and media corporations, demanding its revision. Greer also cited the separate Online News Act, which prompted Meta to block news content for Canadian users on Facebook and Instagram, as another policy requiring resolution.

    The third key demand addresses the retaliatory bans on American liquor sales enacted by most Canadian provinces earlier this year. These boycotts were a direct response to the sweeping 35% tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by the Trump administration. The move has significantly impacted American producers, and the U.S. is now insisting these products be returned to provincial shelves as a condition for the trade pact’s future.

    Additional, though briefly mentioned, irritants include alleged “discriminatory procurement measures” in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, cumbersome customs procedures for U.S. exports, and a dispute over market access for Montana-based power providers into Alberta’s electrical grid, which the Alberta government firmly denies.

  • HR exec in viral Coldplay clip speaks of abuse, threats and trying to find a new job

    HR exec in viral Coldplay clip speaks of abuse, threats and trying to find a new job

    A seemingly innocent moment captured on camera during a Coldplay concert has spiraled into a life-altering ordeal for a former HR executive, demonstrating the devastating power of viral public shaming in the digital age. Kristin Cabot, 53, has broken her silence regarding the July incident at a Boston show where cameras captured her embracing her then-boss, Andy Byron, CEO of tech firm Astronomer.

    The footage showed the pair swaying to music before abruptly ducking away when they realized they appeared on the giant screen—a reaction that prompted Coldplay frontman Chris Martin to quip to the audience: ‘Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy.’ This offhand comment ignited an internet firestorm that would ultimately cost both individuals their careers and subject Cabot to relentless harassment.

    In her first extensive interviews with both The Times and The New York Times, Cabot revealed the profound personal and professional consequences she has endured since the viral moment. Despite maintaining that no sexual relationship existed between her and Byron—and that they had never kissed prior to that evening—Cabot acknowledges having a ‘crush’ on her boss and making ‘a bad decision’ after consuming alcohol at the concert.

    The aftermath proved swift and severe: Byron resigned from Astronomer following an internal investigation, while Cabot stepped down from her position as chief people officer. More devastating than the career loss, however, has been the unceasing harassment that has followed. Cabot reports being deemed ‘unemployable’ in her field, receiving up to 600 threatening calls daily, and enduring vicious personal attacks that scrutinized her appearance, character, and professional integrity.

    The abuse extended to her family, with her children facing embarrassment at school and fearing for their safety after receiving death threats. Cabot noted the particular cruelty of female critics and highlighted the disproportionate backlash she received compared to her male counterpart, suggesting gender played a significant role in the intensity of the public response.

    While beginning to tentatively rebuild her life through therapy and gradual reengagement with social activities, Cabot emphasizes that the digital footprint of her humiliation continues to haunt her. The case raises urgent questions about workplace relationships, public shaming culture, and the gendered dimensions of professional accountability in the era of viral content.

  • Ultra-luxury Sky Villa project in RAK to target billionaire buyers?

    Ultra-luxury Sky Villa project in RAK to target billionaire buyers?

    Ras Al Khaimah is poised to enter the ultra-prime real estate market with an unprecedented residential development targeting the world’s wealthiest individuals. Dubai-based developer Innovate Living, in collaboration with luxury hospitality brand Omoria, is preparing to unveil a limited collection of Sky Villas on Al Marjan Island, with industry speculation indicating price points reaching approximately $100 million per residence.

    The project represents a strategic move to capture a previously unaddressed market segment—billionaire buyers whose requirements extend beyond conventional luxury properties. The development is expected to feature exclusive beachfront positioning with panoramic sea views, offering exceptional privacy, substantial scale, and long-term asset value preservation.

    This initiative emerges as Ras Al Khaimah undergoes significant transformation, attracting global hospitality brands, large-scale entertainment operators, and international investors. The emirate’s coastline is rapidly evolving into one of the UAE’s most closely monitored property destinations, yet until now, no developer has delivered residences specifically designed for the ultra-wealthy segment.

    Industry analysts note that Innovate Living and Omoria envision Ras Al Khaimah developing into a coastal enclave comparable to Europe’s most refined Riviera destinations, characterized by concentrated wealth, seclusion, and highly selective real estate offerings. The developer has previously demonstrated expertise in this niche market through successful ultra-prime projects on Palm Jumeirah and other premium locations.

    While official specifications remain undisclosed, market sources anticipate a meticulously controlled launch process with ownership opportunities restricted to a small, pre-qualified buyer pool. This approach aligns with the project’s targeting of individuals operating beyond traditional high-net-worth parameters and reflects the exceptional exclusivity of the development.

  • Police identify person of interest in Brown University shooting, sources say

    Police identify person of interest in Brown University shooting, sources say

    Federal investigators have pinpointed a person of interest connected to the devastating mass shooting that occurred at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The tragic incident on December 16th, 2025, resulted in two fatalities and left nine individuals wounded with varying degrees of injuries.

    According to confidential sources within the investigation who spoke with CBS News, law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing this unidentified individual. The FBI Evidence Response Team has been meticulously processing the crime scene while authorities maintain a tight veil of secrecy regarding the suspect’s identity or potential motives.

    The investigation has now entered its sixth day with no arrests made, marking one of the most extensive manhunts in recent Rhode Island history. Investigators have employed multiple strategies including door-to-door inquiries, requests for home security footage from residents, and public appeals for information that might lead to a breakthrough in the case.

    In a significant development on Thursday, authorities released a photographic image of an individual believed to have been in immediate proximity to their primary person of interest. This tactical move suggests investigators are pursuing multiple angles and potentially exploring whether the shooting involved accomplices or additional witnesses.

    The Brown University campus remains under heightened security as students and faculty continue to grapple with the aftermath of the violence that has shaken the prestigious Ivy League institution. Counseling services have been made available to those affected by the traumatic event as the community seeks to heal while awaiting justice.