Global Pulse

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  • UAE Rulers extend warm wishes on Christmas, hope for ‘peace, love’ across the world

    UAE Rulers extend warm wishes on Christmas, hope for ‘peace, love’ across the world

    In a notable demonstration of interfaith solidarity and cultural inclusivity, the United Arab Emirates’ highest leadership has disseminated heartfelt Christmas messages to both residents and the global community. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan utilized social media platforms to convey his “warmest regards to all those celebrating Christmas in the UAE and around the world,” expressing hopes that the occasion would bring “peace, joy, and harmony” to celebrants and their families.

    Simultaneously, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, extended congratulations to Christian communities worldwide, emphasizing aspirations for “the prevalence of values of peace, fraternity, and human coexistence.” His message specifically highlighted the reinforcement of “mercy and love among all the peoples of the world” during this festive period.

    The nation’s Christmas observances manifested through multiple dimensions of societal participation. Hundreds of UAE residents gathered at Dubai’s St. Mary’s Church for Christmas Eve services on December 24, while astronomical enthusiasts captured a celestial phenomenon dubbed the ‘Christmas Tree cluster’ through a 35-hour imaging project spanning one month.

    Urban centers across the Emirates have transformed into holiday destinations with elaborate decorations, including magnificent Christmas trees illuminating major shopping malls. Numerous families have embraced the seasonal spirit by adorning their homes with festive decorations, enhanced by the region’s cooler winter temperatures that create an authentic holiday atmosphere.

    Notably, many corporations throughout the UAE have implemented internal leave policies for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, providing all employees with extended holiday breaks. This practice, established through corporate policy rather than official public holiday designation, reflects evolving workplace norms and efforts to synchronize with international calendars while offering staff additional recuperation time.

    The comprehensive Christmas celebrations underscore the UAE’s ongoing commitment to religious tolerance and cultural diversity, positioning the nation as a model of multicultural coexistence in the Gulf region.

  • Watch: Navi Mumbai airport begins operations with arrival of IndiGo flight

    Watch: Navi Mumbai airport begins operations with arrival of IndiGo flight

    India’s aviation landscape entered a transformative phase on December 25, 2025, as the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) commenced commercial operations with the historic arrival of its first flight. The landmark event marked the culmination of extensive planning and development efforts that promise to reshape air travel infrastructure in the country’s financial capital.

    The inaugural flight, IndiGo service 6E460 originating from Bengaluru, touched down precisely at 08:00 hours local time, receiving a ceremonial water cannon salute traditionally reserved for significant aviation milestones. This was swiftly followed by the airport’s maiden departure, IndiGo flight 6E882 bound for Hyderabad, which took off at 08:40 hours, completing the facility’s first operational cycle.

    In a statement circulated through social media channels, the Adani Group proclaimed the opening as the dawn of ‘a new era for Indian aviation.’ The conglomerate emphasized the strategic importance of NMIA, which is engineered to eventually accommodate 90 million passengers annually upon full completion of all development phases. The project represents a critical infrastructure enhancement designed to benefit not only Mumbai but the entire nation through improved connectivity and reduced congestion.

    The preceding evening witnessed a breathtaking drone spectacle that illuminated the night sky with intricate formations, including a blooming lotus motif and airport logo displays. This visually stunning presentation symbolized the integration of design excellence, sustainable practices, and advanced connectivity solutions that characterize the new aviation hub.

    Initial flight operations will see Akasa Air connecting Navi Mumbai to four key domestic destinations—Delhi, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Goa (Mopa). Meanwhile, IndiGo will establish connections to ten cities including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangalore, and Nagpur, providing substantial network coverage from the facility’s launch period.

    The establishment of NMIA creates a dual-airport system for Mumbai, positioning the metropolitan region alongside global aviation hubs like Dubai, New York, and London that operate successful multi-airport models. Projections indicate that by 2032, Mumbai’s combined airport infrastructure—comprising both NMIA and the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport—will handle between 140 million and 160 million passengers annually, significantly enhancing capacity and operational efficiency for India’s premier financial center.

  • Faraday Future Middle East signs strategic MoU with RAK Digital Assets Oasis

    Faraday Future Middle East signs strategic MoU with RAK Digital Assets Oasis

    In a landmark move for technological advancement in the Middle East, Faraday Future Middle East FZ-LLC has entered into a strategic partnership with RAK Digital Assets Oasis through a formal Memorandum of Understanding. This collaboration, announced on December 25, 2025, establishes a framework for joint innovation across three transformative technological domains: artificial intelligence, Web3 digital economy applications, and embodied intelligence systems.

    The signing ceremony witnessed the participation of key executives including Paul Dawalibi, Chief Executive Officer of RAK Innovation City, alongside Tin Mok and Morris Gao representing Faraday Future’s Middle Eastern operations. Demonstrating immediate commitment to their partnership, Faraday Future marked the occasion by delivering their FX Super One vehicle to RAK Innovation City, representing the company’s second delivery within the United Arab Emirates market.

    This alliance envisions the establishment of specialized research and innovation centers that will leverage both organizations’ technological capabilities and industrial resources. The partnership aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem for testing and implementing cutting-edge technologies within the UAE, positioning Innovation City as a benchmark for next-generation urban development powered by advanced technological integration.

    Paul Dawalibi emphasized the strategic significance of this collaboration, noting: “Faraday Future represents not merely an innovation partner but a long-term strategic ally sharing our future-oriented vision. We anticipate driving substantial innovation across AI, embodied intelligence, and Web3 domains through this partnership.”

    Tin Mok, Head of FF UAE, highlighted the unique synergies between both entities: “RAK Innovation City stands as the world’s premier future-focused urban development platform with strategic emphasis on cutting-edge technologies. This environment of government support, business-friendly policies, and innovation resources creates ideal conditions for mutual technological advancement.”

    Faraday Future maintains significant infrastructure within Ras Al Khaimah, operating a 108,000-square-foot regional facility encompassing production workshops, office spaces, and operational hubs. This infrastructure supports the manufacturing of both FF and FX vehicle lines, enabling the company to promote new energy vehicle ecosystem development throughout the Middle East region through localized production capabilities.

    Established in 2014, Faraday Future has pursued a mission of automotive industry disruption through user-centric, technology-forward electric vehicles. Their flagship FF91 model exemplifies luxury and innovation, while the FX strategy aims to deliver mass production vehicles featuring advanced technology at accessible price points for broader market penetration.

  • Is 14K gold available in Dubai jewellery stores? What buyers should know

    Is 14K gold available in Dubai jewellery stores? What buyers should know

    Dubai’s jewellery sector is witnessing a nuanced development with the recent formal publication of 14-karat gold rates by the Dubai Jewellery Group, marking its first pricing disclosure for this category this year. This administrative move has prompted consumer inquiries regarding the actual availability of 14K gold jewellery within the emirate’s retail landscape.

    Industry insights reveal that while technically available, 14K gold jewellery exists primarily through custom-order arrangements rather than ready-made inventory. Asim Damudi of Gold and Gems Gallery confirms that most Dubai jewellery establishments don’t routinely stock 14K pieces, reflecting the market’s limited preference for this particular karatage.

    The prevailing consumer choice hierarchy remains firmly established with 18K gold occupying the dominant position, closely followed by 22K varieties. Market observers note that 14K gold attracts merely sporadic interest, primarily from curious consumers experimenting with its aesthetic appeal rather than considering it for investment purposes.

    Economic factors are gradually influencing this dynamic, as noted by Suresh of Zaiba Jewellers. With gold prices reaching elevated levels, some budget-conscious buyers are beginning to inquire about 14K alternatives. However, these potential savings are frequently offset by higher manufacturing charges due to 14K gold’s harder composition, requiring greater craftsmanship precision.

    Affan Sada, a trader at Gold Souk Dubai, indicates that the 14K market segment primarily serves tourist demographics rather than local residents, with only select retailers accommodating custom requests. Market experts consequently advise consumers to clearly define their purchase objectives—while 14K might suffice for occasional ornamental use, it hasn’t yet gained traction as a viable investment vehicle within Dubai’s gold market.

  • How Dubai may be only hope for 3-year-old boy born with spinal muscular atrophy

    How Dubai may be only hope for 3-year-old boy born with spinal muscular atrophy

    In a remarkable medical journey, a three-year-old Turkish boy named Hulus has arrived in Dubai with his family seeking groundbreaking gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)—a rare genetic condition that progressively weakens muscles essential for movement, breathing, and swallowing. Left untreated, SMA often proves fatal for infants and can cause severe disability in older children.

    The United Arab Emirates made medical history earlier this year by becoming the second nation worldwide to approve a revolutionary gene therapy treatment for SMA in eligible patients aged two years and above. This medical advancement delivers a functional gene through a one-time surgical procedure to replace the faulty gene responsible for the condition, potentially halting disease progression and significantly improving quality of life.

    Hulus’s father, Mustafa Ser, a chef from Turkey, explained their desperate search for solutions: “We conducted extensive research through social media and connected with other families affected by SMA. Discovering Dubai’s gene therapy program became our beacon of hope.” The family exhausted their life savings and initiated fundraising campaigns to afford the travel and treatment expenses.

    Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital in Dubai is overseeing Hulus’s treatment, facilitating visa arrangements and providing comprehensive medical supervision. According to Dr. Vivek Mundada, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at the hospital, “This treatment represents a genuine paradigm shift in SMA care. We’re not only discussing saving lives but preserving independence and functionality in older children and adults.”

    The treatment involves a approximately 30-minute surgical procedure under anesthesia, where the gene therapy is administered via spinal injection. Patients require careful monitoring afterward for potential side effects.

    Hulus’s daily life has centered around intensive therapy regimens, including physiotherapy six days weekly and hydrotherapy sessions. His family has adapted their home environment with specialized equipment to support his continuous physical development.

    Despite the promising treatment, Hulus faces lifelong medical monitoring, including regular assessments of liver enzymes, cardiac function, and respiratory health. His educational path will initially require specialized schooling accommodations.

    The family’s journey highlights both the extraordinary medical advancements emerging from the UAE and the ongoing challenges faced by families dealing with rare genetic disorders worldwide.

  • Off-road expedition explores Ningxia’s Helan Mountains

    Off-road expedition explores Ningxia’s Helan Mountains

    A formidable convoy of over 50 specialized off-road vehicles launched an ambitious expedition through the rugged terrain of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region’s Helan Mountains on December 21, 2025. This large-scale adventure demonstration aimed to position the region as a premier global destination for extreme off-road tourism and adventure sports.

    The expedition commenced its journey from Hooke Park, a strategic starting point that provides access to the area’s challenging mountain landscapes. The Helan Mountains off-road sports area has been gaining significant international recognition, with adventure enthusiasts and industry experts comparing its demanding trails to world-renowned routes such as California’s Rubicon Trail and Utah’s Moab.

    Beyond its natural topographic challenges, the region offers unique historical and cultural dimensions to the off-road experience. Participants navigated through areas containing ancient historical sites, including preserved sections of the Great Wall that add cultural significance to the adventure tourism offering.

    Local tourism authorities and adventure sports organizers collaborated to showcase the area’s diverse terrain, which includes steep inclines, rocky pathways, and natural obstacles that test both vehicle capabilities and driving skills. The event attracted off-road enthusiasts, tourism industry representatives, and media professionals from across China and international markets.

    This demonstration event represents part of Ningxia’s broader strategy to develop specialized tourism products that leverage its unique geographical and cultural assets. The autonomous region has been investing in infrastructure and promotional activities to establish itself as a hub for adventure tourism within China and the broader Asian adventure travel market.

    The successful execution of this large-scale off-road expedition marks a significant milestone in Ningxia’s tourism development plans, demonstrating both the viability of the terrain for high-level off-road events and the region’s capacity to host international adventure tourism activities.

  • Brothers 10,000 miles apart meet for first time after childhood adoption

    Brothers 10,000 miles apart meet for first time after childhood adoption

    In an extraordinary tale of familial connection spanning decades and continents, two brothers separated by adoption have finally embraced in a profoundly emotional reunion. Russell Gower, 64, embarked on a monumental 23-hour journey from his home in Llanharan, South Wales, to Brisbane, Australia, to meet his biological brother Peter, 69, for the first time.

    The brothers share parents Ray and Jill Gower, who faced the social stigma of unwed teenage pregnancy in 1950s Britain. Peter was placed for adoption shortly after birth and raised in Australia, completely unaware of his biological family’s existence. His parents later married and had two more children—Russell and sister Jackie, both of whom are now deceased.

    Peter’s discovery of his true heritage came only recently when his adoptive sister revealed the long-concealed truth. His Australian granddaughter subsequently located Russell through investigative efforts, with DNA testing conclusively confirming their biological relationship.

    Russell had learned during his teenage years about an adopted brother from his sister, though their mother never directly addressed the subject. On her deathbed in 2007, while battling terminal cancer, she began to reveal the secret but passed away before completing her confession.

    Their initial meeting, captured by relatives on Peter’s driveway, defied all expectations of awkwardness. Despite vastly different upbringings—Russell growing up in Wales while Peter was raised on the opposite side of the world—their connection felt immediately natural. The brothers, who share strikingly similar physical builds, described their first handshake and embrace as feeling inherently right, as if they were “wired the same.”

    The emotional significance deepened when they realized their reunion coincided with what would have been their mother’s 85th birthday. Russell believes she would have been “chuffed” to see her sons finally together, sharing beers and conversation.

    The entire extended family of 17 members will celebrate this Christmas with a festive barbecue—a stark contrast to traditional Welsh celebrations—marking both the holiday and their remarkable reunion. Russell now describes the experience as transformative, believing destiny intervened to connect them against all odds.

  • India: Over 10 burn to death after bus collides with fuel tanker truck in Karnataka

    India: Over 10 burn to death after bus collides with fuel tanker truck in Karnataka

    A catastrophic pre-dawn collision between a fuel tanker and a passenger bus on National Highway 48 in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district has resulted in a devastating death toll, with preliminary reports indicating over ten fatalities. The horrific incident occurred near Gorlathu village during the early hours of Thursday when the tanker vehicle reportedly breached the central divider and rammed into an oncoming luxury sleeper bus traveling to the coastal pilgrimage town of Gokarna.

    The impact triggered an immediate conflagration that engulfed the passenger vehicle, trapping numerous occupants inside. According to East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda, most victims perished from severe burns within the rapidly burning bus despite rescue efforts. The vehicle was carrying 32 passengers including driver and conductor personnel at the time of the accident.

    In a secondary collision, a school bus transporting 48 students from T Dasarahalli to Dandeli subsequently made contact with the wreckage. Miraculously, no children sustained serious injuries in this secondary incident, and the school bus driver has provided crucial eyewitness testimony to investigating authorities.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced comprehensive compensation packages for affected families through the PM National Relief Fund. Each deceased victim’s next of kin will receive ₹2 lakh (approximately Dh8,209) while injured survivors are entitled to ₹50,000 (Dh2,052) in immediate financial assistance. The Prime Minister expressed profound grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to bereaved families while wishing swift recovery for those hospitalized with injuries.

    Local authorities continue investigation operations at the accident site as medical teams work to identify victims and provide necessary treatment to survivors. The death toll remains subject to potential revision as emergency responders complete their assessment of the charred vehicle wreckage.

  • Pope Leo urges ‘courage’ to end Ukraine war in first Christmas address

    Pope Leo urges ‘courage’ to end Ukraine war in first Christmas address

    In his inaugural Christmas Day address since ascending to the papacy in May, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful plea for international peace and reconciliation from St. Peter’s Square. The pontiff specifically called upon Ukraine and Russia to demonstrate courage by initiating sincere, direct negotiations to terminate their prolonged conflict.

    During the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing, Pope Leo emphasized that cessation of hostilities requires “the support and commitment of the international community” alongside diplomatic courage from both warring nations. His appeal emerges amid ongoing US-mediated negotiations seeking an acceptable resolution to the conflict, though direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow remain elusive in current diplomatic efforts.

    The Pope’s concerns extended beyond Eastern Europe, addressing recent deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia despite July’s ceasefire agreement. He urged these Southeast Asian nations to restore their “ancient friendship” through concerted efforts toward reconciliation.

    Earlier during Christmas Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pontiff reflected on global humanitarian crises, particularly highlighting the plight of homeless populations worldwide. He drew parallels between the nativity story’s fragile tent and the inadequate shelters in Gaza, where approximately 2.1 million Palestinians endure winter storms amidst rubble and destruction from the ongoing conflict with Israel.

    The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with aid agencies urgently requesting increased supplies of tents and essential materials. Israeli authorities controlling border crossings have denied allegations of deliberate aid restrictions, claiming delivery of nearly 310,000 tents and tarpaulins since October’s ceasefire commenced.

  • Putting in the prep

    Putting in the prep

    As the New Year approaches, railway maintenance teams in Chongqing are executing comprehensive safety protocols to ensure seamless operations during the anticipated travel peak. Technical staff from the Chongqing Passenger Transport Section, operating under China Railway Chengdu Bureau Group Co Ltd, have accelerated inspection routines and maintenance procedures on critical rail infrastructure.

    The preparatory measures include meticulous examinations of CR200J bullet trains, China’s advanced high-speed rail units. Maintenance personnel are conducting thorough system checks, mechanical assessments, and functionality verifications across all operational components. These proactive interventions aim to identify potential technical issues before they can impact passenger services during high-density travel periods.

    Photographic documentation from maintenance facilities shows technicians performing detailed inspections on train undercarriages, braking systems, and electrical connections. The intensified maintenance regime reflects China Railway’s commitment to safety-first transportation principles, particularly during periods of significantly increased passenger volume.

    The preparation strategy incorporates lessons learned from previous holiday travel rushes, with railway authorities implementing optimized inspection protocols and resource allocation. Maintenance teams are working extended shifts to ensure the entire fleet meets stringent safety standards before the travel surge begins.

    This systematic approach to pre-holiday preparation demonstrates how China’s railway network manages the complex logistics of mass transportation during peak demand periods. The comprehensive safety checks cover both rolling stock and fixed infrastructure, creating a multi-layered safety net for the millions of passengers expected to utilize rail services during the holiday period.