Global Pulse

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  • OMODA&JAECOO UAE partners with Dubai Police Esaad programme to offer exclusive member benefits

    OMODA&JAECOO UAE partners with Dubai Police Esaad programme to offer exclusive member benefits

    In a significant development for automotive retail in the United Arab Emirates, OMODA&JAECOO UAE has entered into a formal partnership with the Dubai Police Esaad Card Center. The collaboration, established through a memorandum of understanding signed on December 10, 2025, will provide exclusive vehicle ownership benefits to Esaad programme members throughout the UAE for a duration of one year.

    The ceremonial signing occurred with Colonel Salah Mohammed Al Marzouqi, Director of the Esaad Card Center, representing Dubai Police, and Will Li, Executive Vice President of OMODA&JAECOO UAE, leading the automotive brand’s delegation. Senior officials from both organizations witnessed the agreement that aims to enhance community engagement through customer-focused mobility solutions.

    Under this arrangement, Esaad cardholders gain access to substantial financial advantages including an immediate AED 1,500 discount across the entire OMODA and JAECOO model range. The flagship JAECOO J8 SHS receives an enhanced incentive of AED 2,000 reduction. These discounts remain applicable alongside any current promotional offers available at company showrooms.

    The comprehensive benefits package extends beyond purchase price reductions to include complimentary insurance coverage, maintenance services, vehicle registration, window tinting, and warranty protection. Selected models will additionally qualify for further financial incentives, creating one of the most complete automotive benefit programmes currently accessible to Esaad members.

    Redemption procedures have been streamlined for convenience: members can either access the discount section through official Esaad channels or simply present their Esaad card QR code at any OMODA&JAECOO showroom nationwide. Verification and instant discount application occur directly at the point of sale.

    Both entities emphasized that this public-private partnership demonstrates their mutual dedication to fostering sustainable cooperation between sectors while delivering measurable value that positively influences community development. The initiative reflects OMODA&JAECOO UAE’s ongoing commitment to supporting national programmes and rewarding community members through accessible premium mobility solutions.

  • Two ancient chariots unearthed outside Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum

    Two ancient chariots unearthed outside Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum

    In a significant archaeological breakthrough, researchers excavating the perimeter of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum in Shaanxi province have uncovered two ancient ceremonial chariots devoid of wheels. The discovery emerged during a 2025 excavation project covering 30 square meters within Pit No. 2 at the renowned mausoleum site museum.

    The excavation team, led by project director Zhu Sihong from the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, revealed that the finding represents the first confirmed instance of wheel-less chariot burial in this section of the archaeological complex. Alongside the chariots, archaeologists recovered 15 pieces of sophisticated chariot and horse gear alongside nine ancient weapons.

    According to Zhu, the absence of wheels suggests these vehicles served a symbolic rather than practical purpose within the emperor’s subterranean army. This discovery provides new insights into the funerary practices and spiritual beliefs of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-207 BC).

    Pit No. 2, spanning approximately 6,000 square meters, is believed to contain over 1,300 terracotta figures including charioteers, cavalry units, and both kneeling and standing archers. Many of the best-preserved painted terracotta artifacts discovered to date originate from this section of the burial complex.

    The Terracotta Army, first unearthed in 1974, represents one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Commissioned by China’s first emperor to accompany him in the afterlife, the site gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987. To date, thousands of life-sized clay soldiers and extensive weaponry have been recovered from three primary pits surrounding the main tomb, offering unprecedented understanding of Qin Dynasty military organization, artistic achievement, and social structure.

  • Corrie legend joins cast of Irish soap

    Corrie legend joins cast of Irish soap

    In a significant crossover between British and Irish television, acclaimed actress Beverley Callard is set to join the cast of RTÉ’s long-running soap opera Fair City. The announcement confirms her debut scheduled for February 19, 2026, where she will portray a new character named Lily, described by network executives as “quirky, unpredictable and sharp as a tack.”

    Callard brings considerable soap opera pedigree to the Irish production, having established herself as a household name through her iconic portrayal of Liz McDonald on ITV’s Coronation Street. Her association with the Manchester-based series spanned over three decades, beginning in 1989 when she joined alongside on-screen husband Jim (played by Charlie Lawson) and their fictional sons Steve and Andy. Her departure from Coronation Street in 2020 marked the end of an era for the character who had become a staple of British television.

    Beyond her Coronation Street legacy, Callard’s career includes notable appearances in other British television institutions. She has featured in Emmerdale and the comedy series Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. In 2020, she participated in ITV’s reality series I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, finishing in 10th place during the pandemic-affected season filmed in Wales instead of the show’s traditional Australian location.

    The actress has been equally vocal about her personal challenges, particularly regarding mental health. In a 2016 interview with BBC as part of their In The Mind mental health season, Callard discussed her experiences with depression, which she described as the “curse of the strong.” She revealed undergoing electroconvulsive therapy to address her symptoms and recounted collapsing on the Coronation Street set in 2009 after enduring 18 months of declining health.

    Fair City, the show welcoming Callard to its ensemble, represents Ireland’s premier soap opera. Since its 1989 premiere on RTÉ, the series has chronicled the daily lives and dramas of residents in the fictional north Dublin suburb of Carrigstown. Network promotional materials suggest Callard’s character will “carry just enough edge to keep Carrigstown on its toes,” promising viewers “won’t want to miss what she brings to the community.”

  • Swiss regions ban pyrotechnics after ski bar fire

    Swiss regions ban pyrotechnics after ski bar fire

    Multiple Swiss cantons have enacted immediate bans on pyrotechnic devices in indoor public spaces following the catastrophic New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana that claimed 40 lives and injured 116 people. The Valais canton announced the prohibition alongside emergency compensation of 10,000 francs ($12,500) for each victim’s family, establishing a dedicated fund to collect public donations. This decision follows similar measures in Vaud and Geneva, marking a significant shift in national safety regulations.

    Investigators have determined the blaze originated when champagne bottle sparklers ignited sound-insulating foam padding on the ceiling. Authorities have confirmed the establishment had not undergone mandatory safety inspections for five years prior to the incident, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight.

    The French proprietors of Le Constellation, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, now face severe legal consequences including charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Jacques Moretti remains in custody for an initial 90-day period while his wife has surrendered her passport under strict reporting conditions.

    Most victims were young adults, with eight confirmed under age 16. Eighty severely burned patients continue treatment across Swiss and European hospitals. Legal representatives for affected families have established an online testimony platform to assist the official investigation, emphasizing this complements rather than replaces judicial proceedings.

    The tragedy has particularly highlighted the case of 24-year-old waitress Cyane Panine from France, seen in viral video footage moments before the fire erupted. Her family has publicly stated she merely followed employer instructions and bears no responsibility for the catastrophic outcome.

  • Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood to legally challenge US terror designation

    Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood to legally challenge US terror designation

    The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood has initiated a formal legal challenge against the United States’ recent decision to classify its organization and affiliated branches in Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist entities. In an official statement released Tuesday, the Brotherhood condemned the designation as “fundamentally detached from reality and unsupported by credible evidence,” characterizing the move as politically motivated and detrimental to Muslim communities worldwide.

    The US Treasury and State Departments jointly announced sweeping sanctions against the Brotherhood’s regional branches, with the Lebanese wing receiving the severe classification of “Foreign Terrorist Organization” – a designation that criminalizes any material support to the group. Simultaneously, the Treasury Department listed the Jordanian and Egyptian branches as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists,” alleging connections to Hamas.

    These designations carry substantial consequences, including travel bans for current and former members, economic sanctions targeting revenue streams, and criminal penalties for providing material assistance. The Brotherhood maintains that the US action “politicizes counterterrorism tools, conflates peaceful Islamic civic engagement with extremism, and reinforces marginalizing narratives against Muslims.”

    The organization emphasized its historical commitment to non-violence, stating it has “never threatened the security of the United States” while vowing to exhaust all legal avenues to overturn the decision. The group has additionally called upon human rights organizations and civil society groups to challenge what it describes as discriminatory policy.

    This development follows years of deliberation within US government circles, reportedly initiated after President Donald Trump’s 2019 meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. At that time, numerous government agencies including the Defense Department and diplomatic officials raised substantive legal and policy objections to such designations.

    Founded in 1928 as an anti-colonial movement, the Muslim Brotherhood has evolved into one of the world’s most significant Islamic organizations, operating primarily as a socio-political movement despite facing decades of persecution by Arab nationalist regimes. The group experienced remarkable political ascendancy following the 2011 Arab Spring, culminating in Mohamed Morsi’s democratic election as Egypt’s president in 2012 – an administration that was subsequently overthrown in a military coup.

    The Brotherhood’s designation reflects broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, where regional powers including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain have already banned the organization. These developments have contributed to regional rifts involving Turkey, Qatar, and Gulf states, with many autocratic governments viewing the Brotherhood as an existential threat to their rule.

  • Shanghai unveils cultural tourism program for Spring Festival holiday

    Shanghai unveils cultural tourism program for Spring Festival holiday

    Shanghai has unveiled an ambitious cultural tourism program for the upcoming 2026 Spring Festival holiday, featuring an impressive lineup of approximately 2,570 diverse events and activities. The Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism announced the comprehensive initiative designed to create immersive experiences for both residents and visitors during the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.

    The extensive program encompasses festival activities, cultural performances, museum exhibitions, and specialized showcases. Among the highlights are 353 themed tourism activities complemented by 54 science-focused events specifically tailored for younger audiences. These educational offerings include interactive exhibitions, specialized classes, 4D cinematic experiences, and performance fairs that blend entertainment with learning.

    Performance arts take center stage with 1,369 scheduled shows spanning various genres. The diverse repertoire features large-scale concerts, traditional Shanghai-style performances, children’s theater productions, and international spectacles including London’s West End musicals. Sports enthusiasts can anticipate the Spring Festival tennis star match at Shanghai stadium, scheduled from the second to fifth day of the lunar new year, which will showcase veteran tennis players, social media influencers, and crossover celebrities.

    Museum offerings include nearly 50 special exhibitions exploring themes from Shanghai-style qipao fashion to ancient Roman culture, with particular emphasis on celebrations for the Year of the Horse. Art galleries contribute to the cultural feast with over 100 premium exhibitions across 60 venues, including prestigious collections on loan from the Louvre and dedicated showcases featuring Picasso’s works.

    The program also highlights intangible cultural heritage with activities running from mid-January through the Lantern Festival on March 3. These experiences focus on culinary traditions, lantern festivals, calligraphy demonstrations, riddle events, and traditional craftsmanship workshops.

    To enhance accessibility, 60 tourist attractions will offer substantial discounts including half-price admissions and zodiac-specific promotions. These venues will feature traditional craft demonstrations, pet-friendly celebrations, and specialty markets, alongside integrated accommodation packages. Donghu Group has introduced over 50 ‘accommodation+’ holiday packages, while Shanghai Jiushi Group offers the ShanghaiPass cultural tour joint ticket for 299 yuan ($42.88), providing access to 20 landmark cultural venues and discounts at nearly 50 restaurants throughout the city.

  • As Trump’s envoy, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry says he wants to meet Greenlanders and not diplomats

    As Trump’s envoy, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry says he wants to meet Greenlanders and not diplomats

    BATON ROUGE — As President Trump asserts his administration’s determination to pursue strategic interests in Greenland regardless of local sentiment, his newly appointed special envoy, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, is charting an unconventional diplomatic course. The Republican governor, selected for this sensitive role in December, has bypassed traditional diplomatic channels in favor of a distinctive approach that blends confrontational politics with what he terms “culinary diplomacy.

    Governor Landry, who has yet to visit the Arctic territory, has drawn attention by suggesting cultural parallels between Greenlanders and Louisianans, noting shared interests in hunting, fishing, and enjoying life. His appointment comes amid renewed White House interest in acquiring the strategically vital island, a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark, despite firm rejections from Greenland’s political leadership.

    The Louisiana governor’s debut on the international stage has been anything but subtle. His social media assertion that the U.S. protected Greenland during World War II “when Denmark couldn’t” prompted immediate pushback from the Danish ambassador to the United States. This exchange highlights the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding Trump’s revived interest in the territory, which Danish officials warn could fundamentally undermine the NATO alliance.

    Political observers note Landry’s appointment aligns with Trump’s political style. “His brand fits the political moment and fits neatly with this president’s goal,” remarked Mary-Patricia Wray, a Louisiana political consultant familiar with Landry’s approach. The assignment represents a significant test for the first-term governor, who has built his career as a brash conservative without substantial foreign policy experience beyond economic development missions.

    The White House has defended the selection, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly stating Landry’s gubernatorial experience makes him “a strong asset” who understands Greenland’s essential role in national security and regional deterrence. However, former Danish consular officer Peter Bisgaard offered a starkly different assessment: “You don’t negotiate the future of a country on social media. That’s asinine.”

    Landry has outlined his vision of providing Greenland’s 56,000 residents opportunities to “improve quality of life” in exchange for expanded U.S. military presence and access to rare-earth mineral deposits. His planned attendance at a Greenland dogsled event in March—prompted by an invitation from “a Greenlander”—has already generated controversy, with organizers of the national championship calling his potential appearance “wholly inappropriate.”

    The governor’s combative political style, demonstrated during eight years as Louisiana’s attorney general defending abortion bans and LGBTQ rights rollbacks, now extends to international diplomacy. His office has declined interview requests and described his envoy work as “voluntary and not state business” in response to public records requests.

    As Landry prepares to bring his thick Cajun accent and confrontational approach to Arctic diplomacy, the world watches whether his unusual methods will advance U.S. interests or further complicate relations with a key NATO ally at a particularly delicate geopolitical moment.

  • Ukraine’s new defense minister reveals scale of desertions as millions avoid the draft

    Ukraine’s new defense minister reveals scale of desertions as millions avoid the draft

    KYIV, Ukraine – In a stark parliamentary address on Wednesday, Ukraine’s newly appointed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed profound systemic challenges plaguing the nation’s military apparatus as it confronts Russia’s sustained invasion. The 34-year-old tech reformer outlined a crisis encompassing massive troop desertions, widespread draft evasion, and critical funding shortages.

    Fedorov reported an alarming 200,000 desertions from military ranks alongside approximately 2 million instances of draft-dodging, creating severe manpower complications. He attributed these issues to deeply entrenched bureaucratic inefficiencies, outdated Soviet-era management methodologies, and significant logistical disruptions in supplying equipment across the 1,000-kilometer frontline.

    “Our strategic imperative demands we cannot wage modern warfare with emerging technologies while constrained by archaic organizational structures,” Fedorov asserted during his presentation to lawmakers.

    The minister disclosed a staggering budget shortfall of 300 billion hryvnia (approximately $6.9 billion), necessitating urgent international financial intervention. This funding crisis emerges as the European Union announces a substantial new loan program specifically designed to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities and economic resilience over the coming two years, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

    Despite these challenges, Fedorov highlighted remarkable advancements in Ukraine’s defense sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion commenced in February 2022. The nation’s defense manufacturing ecosystem has undergone explosive growth, expanding from merely seven private drone companies and two electronic warfare firms to nearly 500 drone manufacturers and approximately 200 electronic warfare specialists today. Entirely new industries have emerged, including about 20 private missile producers and over 100 companies developing ground-based robotic systems.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Fedorov, previously celebrated for his digital transformation initiatives and drone technology advancements, as part of a comprehensive government restructuring aimed at enhancing security, defense innovation, and diplomatic efforts during this critical phase of conflict.

  • Burkina Faso sack coach as Mali hit by resignations

    Burkina Faso sack coach as Mali hit by resignations

    West African football has been plunged into dual crises following the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Burkina Faso’s national team has terminated coach Brama Traore and his entire technical staff after their disappointing performance in the tournament.

    The Burkinabe Football Federation (FBF) announced the decisive move on January 14, 2026, citing the team’s failure to meet pre-established objectives. The Stallions had been targeting at least a semi-final berth but suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against defending champions Ivory Coast in the round of 16.

    FBF chairman Oumarou Sawadogo expressed profound disappointment, stating that the early elimination had deeply frustrated supporters, football stakeholders, and governing bodies. Traore, who had been appointed in March 2024 following Hubert Velud’s departure, saw his tenure cut short after replicating Burkina Faso’s last-16 exit from the 2023 edition.

    Meanwhile, Mali’s football administration faces its own leadership vacuum after ten of the nineteen executive committee members of the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) resigned en masse. This mass departure creates significant administrative challenges despite the national team’s relatively successful Afcon campaign, where they reached the quarter-finals matching their 2023 performance.

    Femafoot officials have moved quickly to dispel rumors regarding coach Tom Saintfiet’s position. Communications officer Ladji Kone explicitly told BBC Sport Africa that the Belgian tactician “has not been dismissed, and no decision has been taken in that regard.”

    The resignation wave notably excluded federation president Mamatou ‘Bavieux’ Toure, who was re-elected to a second term in April 2023 while detained on corruption allegations. Toure was subsequently released after spending 622 days in prison.

    Internal sources indicate the crisis stems from persistent administrative dysfunction and mounting internal tensions within the Malian football governing body.

    Saintfiet, who assumed coaching duties in September 2024, remained detached from the political turmoil, emphasizing his focus on sporting achievements. “I coached Mali to the quarter-final for the second time (in a row), that is the only thing I can say,” the 52-year-old Belgian stated from his home country.

  • ‘Appropriate and unambiguous’: White House defends Trump over middle-finger gesture at heckler

    ‘Appropriate and unambiguous’: White House defends Trump over middle-finger gesture at heckler

    The White House has publicly endorsed President Donald Trump’s response to a disruptive protester during his Tuesday visit to a Ford manufacturing facility in Detroit, Michigan. The incident, captured on video and disseminated by media outlet TMZ, depicts the President engaging with an individual who shouted derogatory remarks from a distance.

    According to White House officials, ‘An individual was violently screaming obscenities in an uncontrollable rage, prompting the President to deliver a suitable and unequivocal reaction.’ The protester, who allegedly labeled Trump a ‘paedophile protector’ according to TMZ’s subtitles, was subsequently suspended by Ford Motor Company. The United Auto Workers union confirmed this disciplinary action to CBS News.

    Ford’s corporate communications team stated: ‘Respect stands as one of our fundamental principles, and we disapprove of anyone making inappropriate statements within our premises. We maintain established procedures to address such incidents, though we refrain from discussing specific employee matters.’

    TJ Sabula, identified by The Washington Post as the individual involved, expressed no remorse for his actions, claiming his comments referenced Trump’s handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender. Despite Trump enacting legislation requiring the Department of Justice to release all Epstein-related documents by December 19th, only partial records have been disclosed to date.

    Historical context reveals this isn’t the first instance of presidential conduct drawing attention during factory visits. During the 2020 campaign, then-candidate Joe Biden similarly generated controversy when he directed profanity toward a worker at a Detroit facility. Trump’s visit primarily focused on addressing the Detroit Economic Club, though the confrontation has dominated subsequent media coverage.