Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • Israel says killed 40 fighters over past week in Gaza tunnels operation

    Israel says killed 40 fighters over past week in Gaza tunnels operation

    The Israeli military has reported eliminating over 40 Hamas operatives during intensive tunnel clearance operations in southern Gaza’s Rafah region over the past week. According to official statements released Sunday, these targeted missions focused on dismantling underground networks beneath Israeli-controlled zones where dozens of militants remain entrenched.

    The operations, concentrated in eastern Rafah for 40 consecutive days, have resulted in the destruction of numerous tunnel shafts and terrorist infrastructure sites both above and below ground. This development comes amid delicate negotiations regarding the fate of an estimated 60-80 Hamas fighters trapped in tunnels on the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line demarcation boundary established under the current ceasefire agreement.

    Hamas official Husam Badran stated the group’s fighters ‘cannot accept surrendering or handing over their weapons to the occupation,’ while accusing Israel of stalling the transition to the next phase of the US-brokered truce. The ceasefire, mediated by Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar alongside American diplomats, took effect October 10 but remains precarious with mutual violations alleged by both sides.

    The conflict originated with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,221 Israelis. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has resulted in at least 70,103 Palestinian fatalities according to Gaza’s health ministry, with 356 additional deaths reported since the ceasefire began. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critically severe as diplomatic efforts continue to address both the immediate tunnel standoff and broader regional stability concerns.

  • Working during UAE National Day holidays? How does compensatory leave work

    Working during UAE National Day holidays? How does compensatory leave work

    As the UAE prepares for its National Day celebrations, private-sector employees anticipating a four-day weekend should note their legal entitlements when required to work during official holidays. UAE labor regulations provide clear compensation mechanisms that employers must follow for holiday shifts.

    The foundational legislation, Article 28 of the UAE Labour Law titled ‘Official Holidays and Requiring Worker to Work Therein,’ establishes two compensation options for holiday work: employers must either provide a substitute rest day or pay the normal daily wage plus a minimum 50% bonus based on the employee’s basic wage. This effectively guarantees at least 1.5 times the regular compensation for holiday work.

    Legal protections extend uniformly across the workforce hierarchy, covering senior staff, junior employees, and contract workers without discrimination. All private-sector employees benefit from these safeguards under federal law.

    Human resources consultant Ghina El Naber observes that many workers, particularly in retail and hospitality sectors, remain unaware of their entitlements. ‘The law is unequivocal. Working on a public holiday should never be treated as an ordinary shift,’ El Naber emphasized. ‘Employees should scrutinize their pay slips and assert their rights through proper channels when compensation is absent.’

    For non-compliant employers, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) provides complaint mechanisms, with labor dispute tribunals consistently enforcing strict adherence to Article 28 provisions.

    The 2025 holiday schedule sees National Day observations moving to December 1-2 (Monday-Tuesday), creating an extended weekend for many workers. Those working during this period should verify their compensation through either additional pay reflected in their earnings or substitute leave days allocated by their employer.

  • National Guard shooting suspect radicalised after he came to US, homeland secretary says

    National Guard shooting suspect radicalised after he came to US, homeland secretary says

    U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed on Sunday that the Afghan immigrant accused of ambushing National Guard members in Washington, D.C. underwent radicalization after entering the United States, not before his arrival. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly carried out Wednesday’s shooting just blocks from the White House, resulting in one National Guard member killed and another critically wounded.

    Speaking across multiple national news programs including NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ and ABC’s ‘This Week,’ Secretary Noem indicated investigators believe Lakanwal became radicalized while residing in Washington state. ‘We believe he was radicalized since he’s been here in this country,’ Noem stated, adding that authorities suspect the process occurred ‘through connections in his home community and state.’

    The case has ignited political tensions regarding U.S. immigration policy. While President Trump’s administration has criticized the vetting processes during the Biden administration, records show Lakanwal was actually granted asylum in April under the current Trump administration. The suspect entered the United States in 2021 as part of the mass evacuation of Afghans who assisted U.S. forces during the Afghanistan conflict.

    In response to the attack, the Trump administration has implemented significant immigration policy changes, including a comprehensive freeze on processing all asylum applications. President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that his administration could ‘pause asylum admissions into the US for an extended period’ with ‘no time limit.’

    Secretary Noem warned that immigration officials would now review every pending asylum claim and consider deportations where warranted. She also issued a stern warning to anyone connected to the shooting: ‘Anyone who has information on this needs to know that we will be coming after you, and we will bring you to justice.’

    Investigators continue to seek additional information from family members and associates of Lakanwal, who previously served in a CIA-backed unit in Afghanistan before seeking refuge in the United States.

  • Indian analyst urges more China-India flights, exchanges

    Indian analyst urges more China-India flights, exchanges

    Prominent Indian political analyst Sudheendra Kulkarni has issued a compelling appeal for significantly enhanced aviation connectivity and cultural exchanges between China and India, characterizing current bilateral efforts as merely “a very small step” toward realizing the full potential of this critical relationship.

    As founder and chairman of the Forum for a New South Asia and former aide to Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Kulkarni possesses substantial expertise in Sino-Indian relations. In an exclusive interview with China Daily, he articulated a visionary framework for bilateral engagement that matches the demographic and economic scale of both nations.

    Kulkarni emphasized that with both countries representing populations of 1.4 billion people experiencing rapid economic growth, the existing aviation infrastructure remains woefully inadequate. Rather than maintaining the current limited flight operations, he proposed an ambitious expansion to approximately 100 direct flights connecting twenty different cities across both nations.

    The seasoned analyst underscored that robust people-to-people exchanges constitute the fundamental bedrock of stronger diplomatic and economic ties. He specifically highlighted student exchange programs as particularly valuable mechanisms for fostering mutual understanding and long-term cooperation between the two Asian giants.

    Kulkarni’s recommendations arrive at a crucial juncture in China-India relations, suggesting that enhanced civilian connectivity could potentially facilitate improved diplomatic engagement between the world’s two most populous nations.

  • Four dead in Russian attack as diplomatic efforts to end war continue

    Four dead in Russian attack as diplomatic efforts to end war continue

    A Russian ballistic missile struck the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Monday morning, resulting in four fatalities and 40 injuries according to local authorities. Unverified footage circulating online captured a massive detonation adjacent to a major highway, with subsequent reports confirming severe damage to commercial structures, retail establishments, and multiple vehicles.

    This assault occurs against the backdrop of intensified diplomatic efforts to broker peace in the ongoing conflict. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, following Sunday’s discussions with Ukrainian representatives in Florida. The Florida negotiations involved high-profile participants including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Jared Kushner, former son-in-law to Donald Trump.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the preliminary talks as “highly constructive” while acknowledging persistent “challenging issues” requiring resolution. This assessment aligned with Secretary Rubio’s description of the meetings as “productive” though necessitating additional diplomatic work.

    The missile attack highlights the continuing vulnerability of Ukrainian population centers despite ongoing peace initiatives. Dnipro, situated approximately 100 kilometers from active combat zones, has endured repeated aerial assaults since Russia’s full-scale invasion commenced in February 2022.

    Substantial disagreements continue to divide the warring parties, particularly regarding territorial control of the Donbas region. Moscow maintains its demand for Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas, with President Putin threatening military enforcement if necessary. President Zelensky has countered that Russia demonstrates contempt for genuine peace efforts through such ultimatums.

    Additional complications emerge regarding Ukraine’s prospective security arrangements, with Kyiv seeking NATO membership guarantees opposed by both Russia and former President Trump. Concurrently, Zelensky faces domestic political challenges following a corruption investigation that prompted the resignation of his chief of staff Andriy Yermak and dismissal of two cabinet ministers.

    As diplomatic maneuvers continue, Zelensky has embarked on a European tour to secure support from French President Emmanuel Macron, with subsequent travels planned to Ireland. These visits address growing concerns among European allies regarding potential exclusion from negotiation processes and perceived shifts in U.S. diplomatic positioning.

    The human cost of the conflict remains staggering, with tens of thousands of military casualties, thousands of civilian deaths, and approximately seven million displaced persons since the invasion’s commencement. This violence represents the most recent escalation in hostilities originating from Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea following Ukraine’s political realignment.

  • Airbus narrows software crisis as airlines ride out A320 recall

    Airbus narrows software crisis as airlines ride out A320 recall

    Airbus SE is rapidly containing a global software crisis affecting its A320-family aircraft, with airlines reporting faster-than-expected implementation of emergency fixes mandated after a vulnerability to solar flare interference was identified. The issue emerged following a mid-air incident involving a JetBlue Airways aircraft that experienced an altitude drop, prompting what industry sources describe as the most extensive emergency recall in Airbus history.

    Regulators worldwide issued a sweeping directive requiring software updates before further flight operations, initially affecting approximately 6,000 aircraft—roughly half the global A320-family fleet. The emergency measure raised concerns about potential travel disruption during the busy US Thanksgiving weekend, but carriers from Asia to the Americas executed retrofits with surprising speed.

    The technical solution involves reverting to a previous software version that controls the aircraft’s nose angle, requiring engineers to upload the update via physical data loaders directly connected to cockpit systems—a security measure designed to prevent cyber intrusion. While most aircraft required approximately three hours for the software reset, a subset of older jets will need complete computer replacements, though the number affected has been revised downward from initial estimates of 1,000 aircraft.

    Industry executives note the crisis represents Airbus’s first encounter with global safety scrutiny on this scale since rival Boeing’s 737 MAX troubles. In a notable departure from traditional aviation industry communication practices, CEO Guillaume Faury issued a public apology—a response strategy observers attribute to lessons learned from Boeing’s reputational damage following perceived hesitation and lack of transparency during its crisis.

    The episode revealed operational challenges within Airbus’s monitoring capabilities, as the manufacturer lacks real-time awareness of which software versions operate across its global fleet due to reporting delays. Several airlines initially struggled to identify affected aircraft because the blanket alert didn’t include specific serial numbers, though carriers subsequently refined their assessments downward as implementation progressed.

  • History-maker Girmay signs for Iniesta’s new team

    History-maker Girmay signs for Iniesta’s new team

    In a landmark development for professional cycling, Eritrean champion Biniam Girmay has embarked on a new chapter with NSN Cycling, the recently rebranded team co-owned by Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta. The three-year agreement marks a significant transition for Girmay, who departs from Belgian outfit Intermarche-Wanty Gobert after achieving unprecedented success.

    Girmay’s cycling credentials are extraordinary, having made history as the first black African to claim the Tour de France’s prestigious green points jersey in 2024. His palmarès also includes stage victories at both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, complemented by a triumph at the challenging cobbled classic Gent-Wevelgem in 2022.

    The 25-year-old phenom brings exceptional talent to his new team, particularly excelling in one-day races and Grand Tour stages featuring rolling terrain and sprint finishes. His remarkable pedal power and tactical intelligence have established him among the peloton’s most formidable competitors.

    “I’m genuinely excited to join NSN Cycling and embrace this fresh atmosphere and new beginning,” Girmay stated. “Examining the team’s sprint capabilities, they’ve consistently demonstrated impressive strength. I eagerly anticipate our collaboration.”

    NSN Cycling represents the transformation of the former Israel-Premier Tech team, which faced substantial controversy during the previous season. The team encountered protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict during September’s Vuelta a España, culminating in the cancellation of the final Madrid stage amid chaotic scenes involving rider interventions.

    The organizational overhaul saw co-owner Andres Iniesta’s Never Say Never entertainment company assume full financial control after previous sponsors Premier Tech and Factor withdrew support. The team has now been officially registered in Switzerland with Spanish operational structures.

    Girmay’s transition reportedly involves a substantial salary increase, potentially doubling his previous seven-figure euro compensation from Intermarche-Wanty Gobert. Beyond financial considerations, the Eritrean champion emphasized the team’s commitment to developing African cycling through community initiatives, including a cycling track project in Rwanda.

    “In Eritrea, cycling represents our cultural identity – it flows through our veins,” Girmay explained. “As an African competitor, I’m dedicated to advancing African cycling development. This organization has already accomplished remarkable work, and we need stakeholders who can provide opportunities, facilitate European access for riders, and deliver essential infrastructure.”

    The restructured team retains considerable sprinting talent, including British riders Ethan Vernon and Jake Stewart, potentially creating one of the peloton’s most formidable lead-out trains for Girmay’s finishing capabilities.

  • National Guard shooting suspect spent weeks isolated in bedroom, case worker’s email says

    National Guard shooting suspect spent weeks isolated in bedroom, case worker’s email says

    Newly revealed documents paint a troubling picture of the mental state of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national accused of ambushing and killing National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and seriously wounding Andrew Wolf, 24, in Washington DC last week. Emails from a case worker in early 2024, obtained by CBS News, describe a man suffering from severe psychological episodes, spending weeks at a time isolated in a darkened room and experiencing manic periods where he would disappear with the family car.

    Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era program evacuating Afghans who had cooperated with American forces. A former member of an Afghan ‘Zero Unit’ that worked directly with the CIA, he was among those fearing Taliban retribution after the U.S. withdrawal. His asylum application was granted earlier this year.

    The case worker emails, sent to the non-profit US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, expressed grave concerns about the family’s stability. The worker noted Lakanwal had been unemployed for a year, putting his wife and five children at risk of eviction from their home in Bellingham, Washington. ‘I think the father has mental health issues that are not addressed,’ one January 2024 email stated, adding that he refused to speak to anyone.

    The attack has triggered significant political repercussions. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Lakanwal had been ‘radicalized’ after arriving in the U.S. through connections in his home community. In response, the Trump administration has announced a permanent pause on migration from ‘third world countries’ and halted all asylum decisions indefinitely to implement stricter vetting protocols. Lakanwal, who was shot during the incident and remains hospitalized, now faces murder charges.

  • Trump says US freeze on asylum decisions will last ‘a long time’

    Trump says US freeze on asylum decisions will last ‘a long time’

    President Donald Trump has declared an open-ended suspension of asylum admissions following a fatal shooting incident near the White House that resulted in the death of a National Guard member. The administration’s immigration pause, initially implemented after the November 26th attack, now appears set to continue indefinitely according to the President’s Sunday statements.

    The policy specifically targets nationals from 19 countries already subject to existing U.S. travel restrictions, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, and Myanmar. When pressed about the duration of this measure, Trump explicitly stated he had ‘no time limit’ in mind for maintaining the asylum freeze.

    The shooting incident involved Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States through a resettlement program following the 2021 military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Despite being granted asylum under the current administration in April 2025, Lakanwal has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the attack that killed 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounded another guardsman.

    Trump attributed the tragedy to what his administration characterizes as insufficient vetting procedures during the previous Biden administration’s handling of the Afghan evacuation. The Department of Homeland Security has directly linked the asylum pause to the list of countries already facing travel restrictions since June.

    The President reinforced his position with strong rhetoric, stating ‘We don’t want those people’ and asserting that ‘many have been no good, and they shouldn’t be in our country.’ This policy shift represents a significant hardening of the administration’s immigration stance following the security incident.

  • Beijing’s AI sector output expected to top $63 billion

    Beijing’s AI sector output expected to top $63 billion

    Beijing’s artificial intelligence sector is projected to achieve unprecedented growth with industrial output expected to exceed 450 billion yuan ($63.6 billion) by the conclusion of 2025, according to an official white paper released by municipal authorities. The comprehensive industry report, jointly published by the Beijing Science & Technology Commission and the Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park, reveals remarkable expansion metrics for the first half of the year, with sector output reaching 215.22 billion yuan—representing a substantial 25.3 percent year-on-year increase.

    The Chinese capital has solidified its position as the nation’s premier AI hub, hosting more than 2,500 specialized enterprises and 183 registered large-scale AI models. Industry analysts note that Beijing’s innovation ecosystem has matured significantly, developing what the white paper describes as ‘a globally competitive industrial chain’ that spans research, development, and commercialization phases.

    Technological breakthroughs continue to emerge from the region, including the recent launch of Bohrium by the AI for Science Institute. This pioneering platform claims to be the world’s first comprehensive AI research system capable of managing the entire scientific process from literature review through computation, experimentation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

    Commercial applications are demonstrating robust performance, with leading technology firms including Baidu and Douyin reporting record-breaking revenue figures and user engagement metrics. The successful monetization pathways underscore the sector’s transition from experimental development to sustainable economic contribution, positioning Beijing at the forefront of global AI innovation and implementation.