Global Pulse

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  • Protesters arrested after smearing custard and crumble on Crown Jewels case at Tower of London

    Protesters arrested after smearing custard and crumble on Crown Jewels case at Tower of London

    LONDON — Climate activists from the group Take Back Power staged a dramatic protest at the Tower of London on Saturday, splattering apple crumble and yellow custard on the protective case housing the Imperial State Crown. The incident resulted in four arrests and temporary closure of the Crown Jewels exhibition.

    The targeted crown, worn by King Charles III during his 2023 coronation and subsequent parliamentary address, contains 2,868 diamonds alongside numerous other precious gems. Crafted for King George VI’s 1937 coronation, the invaluable artifact emerged unscathed from the demonstration according to Historic Royal Palaces officials.

    Police detained the protesters on suspicion of criminal damage following the carefully orchestrated action. Video footage captured two individuals attacking the display case while astonished visitors retreated, after which the activists unfurled a banner proclaiming: “Democracy has crumbled. Tax the rich.”

    The civil disobedience group advocates for establishing permanent citizens’ assemblies and implementing taxes on extreme wealth. In a statement laced with wordplay, the organization noted two members had been taken into “custard-y”—a reference to both their detention and the yellow dessert used in the protest.

    This incident continues a pattern of environmental and political activists targeting cultural treasures to amplify their messages. Last year, petroleum protesters received prison sentences for throwing tomato soup at the protective glass covering Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at London’s National Gallery.

    The Tower of London, historically serving as both royal palace and prison where figures like Anne Boleyn were executed, remains one of Britain’s most visited tourist attractions, drawing millions annually to view the Crown Jewels.

  • UAE: Delayed learning, poor communication; signs your child may have vision impairment

    UAE: Delayed learning, poor communication; signs your child may have vision impairment

    Medical specialists in the UAE are raising urgent concerns about the profound psychological and developmental consequences of undiagnosed vision impairments in children. According to ophthalmologists and psychologists, common conditions like myopia, astigmatism, and strabismus extend far beyond visual limitations, significantly impacting emotional well-being, social development, and academic performance.

    Dr. Alina Mugnani Deza, Specialist Ophthalmologist at Barraquer Eye Hospital, emphasizes that early childhood represents the most vulnerable period for visual development. Limited visual cues during infancy (0-2 years) can affect bonding, motor skills, and exploration, while preschool years (3-6) bring increased awareness of differences with peers. The early school age (6-12) often introduces academic frustrations and social anxiety.

    The psychological ramifications are extensive, with children frequently developing anxiety, social withdrawal, irritability, and communication delays. Dr. Deza notes that visual impairment significantly increases emotional and behavioral difficulties because vision drives exploration, communication, and social learning. These challenges often lead to misinterpretations as behavioral or learning problems rather than vision-related issues.

    Clinical Psychologist Gayatri Govind Gajjam of Aster DYU Child Development Centre explains how different vision conditions create distinct psychological responses. Children with low vision often experience frustration and decreased academic confidence, while complete blindness can delay mobility and communication skills. Peripheral vision loss increases anxiety due to collision fears, and central vision loss affects literacy tasks, making children perceive themselves as slow. Progressive visual loss proves particularly taxing as children experience repeated grief with each decline.

    Experts identify family support as a critical protective factor. A balanced home environment that encourages independence while providing emotional reassurance can significantly reduce psychological risks. Conversely, parental overprotection, denial of problems, or delayed corrective measures often intensify stress.

    Early detection through screening from age 2.5 allows problems to be identified before impacting development. Multidisciplinary approaches including vision rehabilitation, occupational therapy, psychological counseling, and assistive technologies such as screen magnifiers, smart devices, and text-to-speech tools can dramatically improve outcomes. Schools play an equally crucial role by providing accessible materials, teacher training, and counseling support.

    Despite these challenges, well-supported children often develop remarkable resilience, advanced problem-solving skills, and heightened auditory and tactile abilities. With early detection, supportive environments, and appropriate tools, children with visual impairments can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

  • IndiGo passengers left in tears as massive flight cancellations cost some their jobs

    IndiGo passengers left in tears as massive flight cancellations cost some their jobs

    Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport descended into chaos on December 6, 2025, as IndiGo’s nationwide operational collapse triggered emotional scenes among stranded passengers. The airline cancelled 19 flights between midnight and 6 AM alone, creating unprecedented congestion and despair among travelers facing irreversible professional consequences.

    The human impact became starkly evident through Mahrishi Jani’s devastating account. His six-member team, selected for the prestigious Smart India Hackathon 2025 after months of preparation, saw their opportunity vanish due to flight cancellations. ‘Our hard work of 6-7 months is now wasted,’ Jani lamented to reporters, highlighting the absence of alternative transportation to reach Guwahati in time for the competition.

    International traveler Ikhlaq Hussain echoed the frustration, stranded for two days despite having completed his journey from Jeddah. The crisis extended across multiple airports, with Bengaluru-bound passengers from Jodhpur reporting complete communication breakdowns with the airline. One distressed traveler noted, ‘No one from IndiGo is providing any answers. I have been standing here since morning.’

    The regulatory landscape complicated matters as India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended its Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) orders indefinitely. This unprecedented move followed days of escalating disruptions within IndiGo’s operations.

    In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued urgent directives mandating immediate stabilization measures. Airlines must now guarantee automatic refunds for cancelled flights, provide hotel accommodations for stranded passengers, and ensure special provisions for elderly travelers. A 24/7 government control room has been established to monitor the situation, with officials promising full normalization within coming days.

    The ministry emphasized that ‘the Central Government is fully alert to the woes of air passengers,’ implementing rule exemptions and constant stakeholder consultations to resolve the crisis.

  • Mass shooting at a South African bar leaves 12 dead, including 3 children

    Mass shooting at a South African bar leaves 12 dead, including 3 children

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa — A horrific mass shooting unfolded in the early hours of Saturday at an unlicensed tavern near Pretoria, leaving at least 12 people dead, including three children, and wounding 13 others. The attack has cast a renewed spotlight on South Africa’s severe crisis of gun violence and illegal firearms.

    According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the incident occurred around 4:15 a.m. inside a hostel-based bar in the Saulsville township, located west of the nation’s administrative capital. Three unidentified gunmen entered the establishment, which was occupied by a group of patrons, and opened fire indiscriminately. Ten victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a medical facility.

    The victims included a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl. Police authorities confirmed they are actively pursuing three male suspects, though the precise motive for the brutal killings remains undetermined. A significant delay was reported between the time of the shooting and the police alert, which only came nearly two hours later at 6 a.m.

    This tragedy underscores a devastating pattern of mass shootings in South Africa, particularly targeting unlicensed bars, known locally as shebeens. Brig. Mathe emphasized that such violence at illegal drinking establishments represents a serious and growing challenge for law enforcement. Official data reveals that between April and September this year, police have shuttered over 11,000 illegal taverns and arrested more than 18,000 individuals linked to illicit liquor trading.

    The nation continues to grapple with one of the world’s highest homicide rates, recording over 26,000 murders in 2024—averaging more than 70 per day. Firearms are the predominant weapon used in these killings. Despite the country’s relatively stringent gun control laws, authorities acknowledge that a vast number of homicides are committed with illegal weapons. This incident echoes previous mass shootings, including a 2022 attack at a Soweto tavern that killed 16 people, highlighting a persistent and deeply entrenched public safety emergency.

  • IndiGo flights ‘steadily resuming’ after over 1,000 cancellations

    IndiGo flights ‘steadily resuming’ after over 1,000 cancellations

    Aviation operations for India’s largest carrier IndiGo are progressively returning to normalcy after experiencing one of its most severe operational crises in recent history. The airline confirmed Friday, December 5th, 2025, marked its worst disruption day with well over 1,000 flight cancellations, creating widespread travel chaos across Indian airports.

    Delhi International Airport issued an official advisory confirming that IndiGo’s services are ‘steadily resuming’ and ‘getting back to normal.’ The airport authority strongly recommended that passengers verify their flight status through official channels before proceeding to airport terminals. Real-time flight updates remain accessible via the airport’s website and direct communication with airlines.

    The unprecedented cancellations prompted intervention from India’s Civil Aviation Ministry, with Minister Ram Mohan Naidu identifying the root cause as IndiGo’s inadequate handling of crew scheduling during the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations. Notably, competing carriers including Air India and SpiceJet had successfully adapted to the revised aviation guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

    In response to the crisis, IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers issued a video apology acknowledging the severe inconvenience caused to passengers. Elbers projected a full operational normalization timeline between December 10-15, indicating several more days of residual disruption might affect travel plans. The ministry has granted IndiGo temporary regulatory flexibility regarding FDTL compliance to facilitate smoother recovery operations.

    The massive disruption highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in airline crew management and regulatory adaptation processes, raising questions about operational preparedness within India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector.

  • UAE: RAK private schools see major upgrades with improved curriculum, higher ratings

    UAE: RAK private schools see major upgrades with improved curriculum, higher ratings

    Ras Al Khaimah’s private education sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, establishing the emirate as a leading destination for future-focused learning. Under the guidance of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge (RAK DOK), the educational landscape has seen substantial enhancements across curriculum development, teacher training, and institutional ratings.

    The expansion has attracted significant interest from educational operators, with several groups currently exploring market opportunities. This growth is exemplified by the recent opening of a new Filipino school, catering to the emirate’s diverse community needs. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Naqbi, RAK DOK board member, emphasized that this educational diversity enables both Emirati and expatriate families to access culturally and academically tailored schooling options.

    Beyond academic excellence, schools now demonstrate comprehensive support for student well-being through enhanced parental involvement, sports programs, and extracurricular activities. The educational philosophy emphasizes character development and community engagement alongside traditional learning. Curriculum development has become a collaborative process involving subject specialists, school leaders, and teachers, with educator feedback directly integrated into improvement initiatives.

    The strategic approach has yielded measurable results, with several institutions previously rated ‘Acceptable’ advancing to higher performance categories through targeted development plans and close supervision. When teaching standards required improvement, staff reassignments were implemented to prioritize student learning outcomes.

    Inclusion remains a cornerstone of RAK’s educational strategy, with significant investments in specialized resources, tools, and trained staff to support students with special needs. The emirate has also developed extensive talent discovery programs featuring weekend competitions in computing, sports, literature, poetry, and arts. These initiatives help students uncover individual strengths and gain confidence to excel at regional and international levels.

    All 34 private schools in Ras Al Khaimah now operate under RAK DOK supervision, which oversees inspection standards, development plans, and quality assurance across the sector. The ultimate objective is to create a modern, skills-based educational ecosystem that empowers students academically, personally, and prepares them for future challenges.

  • China voices support for Palestine as UN adopts new resolutions

    China voices support for Palestine as UN adopts new resolutions

    In a significant diplomatic move at the United Nations, China has positioned itself as a staunch advocate for Palestinian rights while committing substantial humanitarian assistance. During Friday’s General Assembly session that adopted five resolutions concerning Palestine, Chinese Deputy Permanent Representative Sun Lei delivered a powerful address emphasizing historical injustices faced by the Palestinian people.

    Sun Lei reaffirmed China’s unwavering support for what he characterized as “the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights.” This diplomatic stance was substantiated by Beijing’s announcement of a $100 million assistance package destined for Palestine, specifically aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts.

    The substantial aid commitment, initially disclosed by President Xi Jinping during Thursday’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, will be channeled through multiple avenues including the United Nations, Egypt, and Jordan. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian confirmed the logistical arrangements for delivering this critical humanitarian support.

    China’s diplomatic engagement extended beyond unilateral action, with Beijing and Paris issuing joint statements addressing multiple international issues including the situations in both Palestine and Ukraine. This coordinated approach underscores China’s growing role in global conflict resolution efforts.

    Sun Lei articulated China’s position that the Palestinian question represents the core conflict in the Middle East, directly impacting regional stability and international fairness. The Chinese envoy outlined a comprehensive framework for addressing the crisis, advocating for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, urgent humanitarian improvements, and post-conflict governance based on the principle of Palestinian self-determination.

    The adopted UN resolutions encompassed diverse aspects of the Palestinian situation, including humanitarian assistance for refugees, renewal of the UN Relief and Works Agency’s mandate, protection of refugee property rights, monitoring of Israeli practices in occupied territories, and assessment of settlement legality. These measures received overwhelming support, with several resolutions garnering more than 150 affirmative votes from member states.

    This development follows Tuesday’s General Assembly adoption of two additional resolutions calling for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied since 1967, further highlighting the international community’s renewed focus on addressing the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict through multilateral diplomatic channels.

  • England humiliated by ‘second-string’ Australia – Vaughan

    England humiliated by ‘second-string’ Australia – Vaughan

    England’s cricket team stands on the precipice of a devastating Ashes series defeat after a catastrophic third-day performance against Australia in Brisbane. Former captain Michael Vaughan delivered a scathing assessment, characterizing England’s display as “humiliated” and warning of potential “psychological damage” to players following their comprehensive outclassing by Australian opponents.

    The tourists, having conceded a substantial first-innings deficit of 177 runs, suffered a dramatic batting collapse that saw them stumble to 134-6 by day’s end. This dismal performance positions England to lose the opening two matches of the highly anticipated series, with Vaughan identifying fundamental flaws in the team’s approach against quality opposition.

    Vaughan, speaking to BBC Test Match Special, expressed deep concerns about England’s predictable playing style: “England are a side that, for three or four years now, have played one way and I just think teams know how to play against them. They were humiliated in that second day in Perth, and today and yesterday.”

    The batting lineup demonstrated particular vulnerability, losing five wickets for just 38 runs after reaching 90-1. Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope both offered return catches to Michael Neser, while Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith all edged behind in a display of technical deficiency.

    Compounding England’s troubles, the England Lions team competing against Australia A elsewhere in Brisbane conceded a staggering 388-run first-innings lead, highlighting the limited replacement options available within the squad. Vaughan noted concerning individual form slumps, stating: “Ben Duckett looks scratchy and edgy at the top. Pope is all over the place, once again. You can’t just keep dipping into Joe Root’s well.”

    The criticism extended to selection policies, with BBC chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew questioning the lack of accountability: “None of these players are being put under any pressure by anybody else in the squad – there’s no culpability, there are no ramifications.”

    Meanwhile, Australia faces the enviable selection dilemma of integrating returning stars, with captain Pat Cummins passed fit for the third Test and Josh Hazlewood working toward fitness. Vaughan starkly contrasted the teams’ situations: “Let’s just mention this Australian team have got over thousand wickets not playing. This is their second string.”

    The preparation methods of the English team came under intense scrutiny, though assistant coach Marcus Trescothick defended their approach, stating preparation “these days is not done necessarily by playing Sheffield Shield games.” Vaughan countered this perspective, asserting: “Nowhere in a million years has preparation been right.”

    With the Ashes potentially decided before Christmas, England now faces the grim prospect of producing their worst Australian performance this century in what was initially heralded as their best opportunity to win Down Under in a generation.

  • Fire relief allowance doubled to HK$100,000 for affected families in Hong Kong

    Fire relief allowance doubled to HK$100,000 for affected families in Hong Kong

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has significantly enhanced its support measures for families devastated by the recent Tai Po district fire, announcing a substantial increase in financial assistance. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen confirmed on Thursday that the living allowance for affected households has been doubled from HK$50,000 to HK$100,000 (approximately US$12,848) per family.

    This enhanced relief effort comes as part of a comprehensive government response that has already provided immediate emergency subsidies of HK$10,000 to each of the 1,929 impacted families. Social Welfare Department personnel have established contact with over 1,700 households, delivering crucial emotional support while coordinating essential supplies and practical daily assistance.

    The housing situation for displaced residents has seen substantial progress, with 1,241 individuals currently accommodated in hostels or hotels as of Thursday morning. An additional 2,235 residents have successfully transitioned into transitional housing or Housing Society units, providing more stable medium-term solutions.

    Financial support for recovery efforts has been bolstered by considerable community generosity. The specially established ‘Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po’ has received external donations totaling HK$2.5 billion, supplemented by HK$300 million in seed funding from the HKSAR government. This creates a substantial recovery fund of approximately HK$2.8 billion dedicated to helping residents rebuild their homes and lives.

    Complementing government efforts, the Education University of Hong Kong has activated its emergency response mechanism to support affected students and community members. The institution has opened indoor sports facilities and campus amenities while recruiting retired teachers, psychologists, and specialists to provide temporary learning spaces and emotional support services for families navigating the aftermath of the tragedy.

  • Canada drops terror sanctions on Syria, following US lead

    Canada drops terror sanctions on Syria, following US lead

    In a significant foreign policy reversal, Canada has formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and revoked the terrorist entity designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This decision, announced by Canada’s Foreign Ministry on Friday, aligns with similar measures recently implemented by key allies including the United States and United Kingdom.

    The policy shift comes precisely one year after HTS ousted former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and assumed control of the government in December 2024. Canadian officials emphasized that these determinations followed careful deliberation and reflect the evolving political landscape in Syria.

    Canada initially designated Syria as a state supporter of terrorism in 2012 during the early stages of the country’s civil war, which erupted when Assad’s regime violently suppressed pro-democracy protests. HTS, previously sanctioned for its connections to Al-Qaeda, has undergone substantial transformation according to Western assessments.

    The Foreign Ministry statement noted that these changes acknowledge ‘the efforts by the Syrian transitional government to advance Syria’s stability.’ Despite these modifications, Canada will maintain sanctions against 56 Syrian individuals, including former officials from the Assad regime and members of the Assad family.

    Since assuming power, Syria’s new leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa—a former jihadist—has actively worked to distance itself from its militant origins and present a more moderate governance approach to both the Syrian population and international community.