Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Thieves use drill to steal €30m in German bank heist

    Thieves use drill to steal €30m in German bank heist

    In a meticulously orchestrated criminal operation reminiscent of a Hollywood screenplay, thieves have executed one of Germany’s most audacious bank heists, making off with an estimated €30 million (£26 million) in cash and valuables from a Sparkasse savings bank branch in Gelsenkirchen.

    Authorities confirmed that the perpetrators exploited the quiet Christmas holiday period to breach the bank’s high-security vault, gaining clandestine access through an adjacent parking garage structure. Utilizing industrial-grade drilling equipment, the criminals successfully compromised over 3,000 individual safe deposit boxes containing precious metals, jewelry, and currency.

    The sophisticated operation came to light only when a triggered fire alarm alerted emergency services in the early hours of Monday morning. Subsequent investigation revealed a carefully drilled entry point into the underground vault chamber, demonstrating what police spokespersons described as ‘extraordinary technical precision and professional execution.’

    Gelsenkirchen Police Department released details suggesting multiple suspects were involved, with witness accounts describing several individuals transporting large bags through the parking garage stairwell between Saturday and Sunday. Surveillance footage captured a black Audi RS 6 luxury vehicle departing the De-La-Chevallerie-Strasse garage vicinity early Monday, currently under intensive investigation.

    With no arrests made and perpetrators remaining at large, Sparkasse management has established a dedicated customer hotline while keeping the Buer district branch closed indefinitely. The institution confirmed approximately 95% of safety deposit boxes were forcibly accessed, advising clients to review their insurance coverage options beyond the standard €10,300 compartment coverage.

    The criminal investigation continues with forensic experts examining the elaborate breach method, while affected customers gathered outside the secured bank premises seeking information about their potentially stolen assets.

  • Thieves drill into a German bank vault and steal tens of millions of euros worth of property

    Thieves drill into a German bank vault and steal tens of millions of euros worth of property

    In a meticulously executed operation during the holiday quiet period, criminal perpetrators breached a high-security bank vault in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, making off with property valued potentially up to €90 million ($105.7 million). The targeted Sparkasse bank branch has confirmed that approximately 2,700 customers have been impacted by this sophisticated theft, which authorities are investigating as potentially one of the largest bank heists in German history.

    Law enforcement officials revealed that the burglary was discovered when emergency responders answered a fire alarm activation at approximately 4 a.m. on Monday. Upon arrival, police and firefighters encountered a carefully drilled entry point through the vault’s basement wall and found the security boxes systematically ransacked. Investigators have determined that industrial-grade drilling equipment was employed to penetrate the reinforced structure.

    Critical evidence has emerged from witness accounts and surveillance footage obtained from an adjacent parking facility. Multiple witnesses reported observing several individuals transporting substantial bags throughout the weekend. Corresponding video evidence captured masked figures operating what has been identified as a stolen vehicle in the early hours of Monday.

    The bank premises remained sealed throughout Tuesday as forensic experts conducted their investigation, while approximately 200 distressed customers gathered outside seeking access to their security deposits. The Sparkasse bank has initiated crisis response protocols and is coordinating with affected clients.

    Gelsenkirchen, situated approximately 192 kilometers northwest of Frankfurt, now stands at the center of an intensive criminal investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The deliberate timing during holiday closures and the technical precision demonstrated suggest the work of highly organized criminal professionals with advanced knowledge of security systems and structural engineering.

  • Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent over accommodation failures

    Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent over accommodation failures

    Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has imposed immediate suspensions on an Umrah service provider and its international agent following critical accommodation failures affecting religious pilgrims. The regulatory action came after multiple pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without pre-arranged lodging accommodations, despite contractual guarantees for such services.

    The ministry identified these operational deficiencies as direct violations of established regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. According to an official statement disseminated through the Saudi Press Agency, the enforcement measures were enacted under existing legal frameworks to protect pilgrim rights and prevent future service disruptions.

    This disciplinary action underscores the ministry’s intensified compliance efforts, mandating that all Umrah companies and institutions execute their contractual obligations with utmost professionalism. The crackdown aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s broader objectives of elevating service quality throughout the pilgrim experience within the Kingdom.

    Officials emphasized zero tolerance for contractual negligence, explicitly stating that pilgrim rights constitute an absolute priority while service quality represents an inviolable standard. The ministry has urged all authorized operators to maintain strict adherence to regulatory requirements and deliver services precisely as outlined in their approved contractual programs.

    The regulatory intervention aims to establish enhanced service benchmarks and ensure optimal satisfaction levels for the millions of pilgrims undertaking spiritual journeys to Islam’s holiest sites annually.

  • From Dubai to Abu Dhabi, expats win Dh100,000 in Big Ticket weekly e-draw

    From Dubai to Abu Dhabi, expats win Dh100,000 in Big Ticket weekly e-draw

    In a series of life-changing moments, five expatriates residing across the UAE have been declared winners of Big Ticket’s weekly electronic draw, each securing Dh100,000. This development comes as anticipation builds toward the colossal Dh30 million grand prize scheduled for award on January 3, 2026.

    The diverse group of winners, hailing from India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the UAE, represents a cross-section of the nation’s international community. Among them is Jibananand Jiban, a Bangladeshi sales executive based in Dubai. A participant for over a year through a group purchase with friends, Jiban initially dismissed the winning notification as a practical joke. Verification through Big Ticket’s live YouTube broadcast confirmed his fortune, which he plans to allocate toward family visits back home.

    Abu Dhabi-based entrepreneur Arun Kumar celebrated a victory seven years in the making. The Indian transportation company owner, who purchases tickets independently, described the experience as both thrilling and profoundly memorable—a just reward for his longstanding participation.

    Another long-term participant, Kumaravel Thangaraju from Tamil Nadu, finally achieved success after two decades in Dubai and seven years of monthly group ticket purchases. The 44-year-old professional expressed shock at his win, identifying his daughter’s education as a primary beneficiary of the windfall.

    Completing the roster of winners are Hamed Abdul Majeed and Malaysia’s Anthony Lopez, the latter having waited twelve years for his breakthrough. Both winners have committed to continuing their participation in future draws, with Lopez characterizing his win as a significant personal milestone.

    The upcoming January 3rd live event promises not only the historic Dh30 million grand prize but also five additional consolation awards of Dh50,000 each. December has already witnessed three weekly e-draws producing multiple winners, with one final opportunity remaining for the year. Tickets for the December 31st cutoff draw will be aired live on January 1, 2026, via Big Ticket’s official YouTube channel.

    Concurrently, Big Ticket’s Dream Car Series continues with a BMW 430i drawing coinciding with the grand prize event, followed by a BMW X5 award on February 3rd.

  • From 7 countdowns to world record attempt: How UAE will ring in 2026 on New Year’s Eve

    From 7 countdowns to world record attempt: How UAE will ring in 2026 on New Year’s Eve

    The United Arab Emirates is orchestrating an extraordinary welcome for 2026 with meticulously planned New Year’s Eve celebrations that promise to redefine grandeur. Across the seven emirates, authorities have coordinated an elaborate series of events designed to attract global attention while ensuring seamless execution.

    Dubai’s Global Village will pioneer an innovative concept featuring seven distinct countdowns synchronized with different time zones, allowing visitors to experience multiple New Year arrivals. The sequential celebrations will commence with China at 8:00 PM, followed by Thailand (9:00 PM), Bangladesh (10:00 PM), India (10:30 PM), Pakistan (11:00 PM), Dubai (midnight), and concluding with Turkey at 1:00 AM. Each celebration will feature customized fireworks and drone displays representing the respective cultures.

    Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba district aims to enter the Guinness World Records with a spectacular 62-minute pyrotechnic display attempting to break five distinct records simultaneously. The production will incorporate a groundbreaking drone show utilizing 6,500 units performing coordinated maneuvers for twenty continuous minutes—an unprecedented technological achievement in aerial entertainment.

    Beyond the visual spectacles, comprehensive security and traffic management plans have been implemented across all emirates. Abu Dhabi Police have developed specialized security protocols while Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority will execute phased road closures to maintain smooth traffic flow during peak celebration hours.

    Downtown Dubai will extend festivities across eight consecutive days from December 31, 2025 through January 7, 2026. The extended program will feature live performances, immersive installations, and a grand parade culminating in a Bollywood-themed spectacle curated by renowned actor Shah Rukh Khan at Burj Park.

    The federal government has declared January 1, 2026 as an official public holiday for both public and private sectors, with federal employees receiving optional remote work privileges on January 2 where operationally feasible. This coordinated approach demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to establishing itself as a premier global destination for landmark celebrations.

  • Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan’s Ghamran Camp tribute to his childhood mentor

    Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan’s Ghamran Camp tribute to his childhood mentor

    In a pioneering cultural preservation effort, Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has established the Ghamran Camp as a transformative desert retreat that reconnects Emirati families with their ancestral traditions. The recently concluded inaugural sessions, held December 12-14 and December 26-28, 2025, provided fathers and sons with an immersive experience deliberately removed from modern technological distractions.

    The camp’s nomenclature carries profound personal significance for Sheikh Hamdan, honoring his childhood mentor Ghamran Al-Humairi. The Crown Prince’s formative desert experiences with his late brother Sheikh Rashid under Al-Humairi’s guidance inspired this initiative to transmit similar values of patience, determination and self-reliance to new generations.

    Ghamran Camp’s curriculum represents a comprehensive revival of traditional Bedouin practices. Participants aged 6-12 engage in falconry training, archery, camel harnessing techniques, and traditional crafts utilizing native Ghaf trees and palm fronds. The experience extends to cultural arts including Emirati poetry recitation and instruction in Al Sanea hospitality etiquette.

    Educational components incorporate ancestral survival skills such as celestial navigation, plant irrigation methods, and date palm cultivation. These activities are strategically designed to foster intergenerational knowledge transfer while reinforcing community cooperation through team-building exercises.

    The Crown Prince demonstrated personal commitment by participating with his children Sheikha and Rashid during the December 28 session. Participant feedback indicates the program successfully strengthened family bonds while providing practical understanding of ancestral desert lifestyles, achieving its dual objectives of cultural preservation and values transmission.

  • Channel Tunnel disruption affects Eurostar and vehicle shuttle services between France and England

    Channel Tunnel disruption affects Eurostar and vehicle shuttle services between France and England

    Cross-Channel travel descended into chaos on Tuesday as a critical overhead power supply failure forced Eurostar to suspend services between London and continental Europe during the peak New Year’s travel period. The rail operator issued an urgent advisory requesting passengers to postpone journeys indefinitely amid escalating disruptions.

    The infrastructure failure, compounded by a separate incident involving a disabled Le Shuttle train carrying vehicles between Folkestone and Calais, triggered widespread cancellations across the network. Eurostar’s official status portal indicated four complete cancellations on the London-Paris route with three additional services experiencing significant delays.

    ‘We strongly recommend all customers reschedule their travel plans to alternative dates,’ Eurostar stated in an official communication. ‘Please refrain from arriving at stations unless you possess a validated ticket for immediate travel.’

    The dual operational crises—affecting both passenger and vehicle transport services—prompted simultaneous suspensions at terminal facilities on both sides of the English Channel. Le Shuttle authorities confirmed: ‘Services are temporarily suspended at both terminals due to a power supply complication. Our engineering teams are actively working toward resolution. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.’

    The timing proves particularly disruptive for holiday travelers, with thousands attempting to return from Christmas celebrations or commence New Year’s travel. The incident highlights the vulnerability of cross-border rail infrastructure during peak operational periods, raising questions about contingency planning for critical systems failures.

  • South Korea to end breeding of bears and extraction of their bile

    South Korea to end breeding of bears and extraction of their bile

    SEOUL, South Korea — In a historic decision for animal welfare, South Korea has officially prohibited its long-controversial bear bile farming industry effective January 1st. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced the comprehensive ban on bear breeding, possession, and bile extraction, implementing revised animal protection legislation that mandates prison sentences of two to five years for violations.

    This industry, one of the few remaining globally, primarily involved Asiatic black bears (moon bears) farmed for their gall bladders used in traditional medicine. The practice has dramatically declined over the past twenty years due to skepticism about medicinal efficacy, availability of affordable alternatives, and growing public consciousness about animal cruelty.

    The prohibition executes a 2022 tripartite agreement between government authorities, farmers, and animal rights organizations to terminate bear bile operations by 2026. Under this arrangement, animal advocacy groups are tasked with purchasing bears from farmers while the government establishes sanctuary facilities.

    Implementation challenges persist as approximately 199 bears remain confined across 11 domestic farms. Disagreements over appropriate compensation amounts have slowed the transition process. Thus far, 21 bears have been successfully relocated to a government-operated sanctuary in Jeolla province.

    The Environment Ministry has instituted a six-month grace period for existing farmers and will enforce financial incentives for those maintaining proper care until bears can be transferred. Environment Minister Kim Sungwhan characterized the move as demonstrating “our country’s resolve to improve welfare of wild animals and fulfill our related responsibility,” pledging to ensure protection “until the last one.”

    Farmer perspectives reveal the economic complexities. Kim KwangSoo, who maintains 78 bears in Dangjin, described the policy as “very bad,” noting substantial debts from upkeep costs despite his intention to comply with regulations.

    While animal rights organizations applaud the prohibition, they highlight infrastructure shortcomings. Current sanctuary capacity remains inadequate, with existing facilities accommodating only 30-49 bears versus the hundreds requiring relocation. A second planned facility has faced delays, now scheduled for 2027 opening due to flooding complications.

    Korea Animal Rights Advocates director Cheon JinKyung acknowledged the government’s progressive stance while emphasizing that “there aren’t sufficient measures to protect bears” and “there aren’t place where these bears can stay.” The industry originated in the early 1980s with bears imported from Southeast Asia, once numbering over 1,000 animals before the recent decline.

  • French right pushes for national tribute to film star Brigitte Bardot

    French right pushes for national tribute to film star Brigitte Bardot

    France finds itself embroiled in a heated political debate regarding appropriate honors for cinematic icon Brigitte Bardot, who passed away Sunday at age 91. The controversy has exposed deep ideological divisions within French society regarding how the nation should commemorate complex cultural figures.

    Éric Ciotti, leader of the right-wing UDR party, has initiated a petition demanding a national tribute for Bardot, collecting over 23,000 signatures with support from far-right allies. Ciotti argues France owes recognition to the woman who became the face of Marianne, the national symbol of liberty, in the 1960s. He emphasizes Bardot’s contribution to France’s international prestige and her advocacy for women’s liberation and abortion rights.

    Opposition emerges from left-wing politicians who question whether Bardot’s legacy aligns with republican values. Socialist leader Olivier Faure noted that national homages typically honor “exceptional services to the nation,” while pointing to Bardot’s five convictions for inciting racial hatred. Green MP Sandrine Rousseau highlighted the paradox between Bardot’s animal welfare activism and her controversial remarks about Muslims and migrants.

    The discussion reflects broader tensions in how France memorializes public figures. Previous national honors include the solemn ceremony for death penalty abolitionist Robert Badinter and the massive public farewell for rock star Johnny Hallyday. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi has already announced plans to name an “iconic site” in Bardot’s honor.

    Meanwhile, Bardot’s personal wishes suggest she would have preferred simplicity. Close friend Wendy Bouchard revealed the reclusive star lived “a life of simplicity and deprivation” and likely wouldn’t have wanted national ceremonies. Despite Bardot’s request for burial at her Saint-Tropez home, La Madrague, local authorities have arranged a private ceremony in the marine cemetery overlooking the Mediterranean. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announced her funeral will occur January 7th at Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church, with proceedings broadcast across town.

  • Hanoi chokes as air quality reaches crisis level

    Hanoi chokes as air quality reaches crisis level

    Hanoi is grappling with a severe air pollution emergency as the Vietnamese capital registered among the world’s worst air quality levels this week. On December 10th, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 223, catapulting Hanoi to the third most polluted city globally according to IQAir’s real-time measurements.

    The hazardous conditions have persisted for several days, with thick smog laden with fine particulate matter enveloping the city. Monitoring systems from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment confirmed multiple locations had reached the ‘purple zone’ threshold—classified as very unhealthy—prompting serious health concerns among the city’s residents.

    Environmental officials attribute the crisis to a convergence of factors. Le Thanh Thuy, Deputy Head of Hanoi’s Environmental Management Division, cited year-end urban upgrading projects, chronic traffic congestion, increased transportation of construction materials, and widespread open burning of waste and agricultural by-products as primary contributors. ‘The weather conditions have not been favorable while many activities peak at the end of the year, placing enormous pressure on Hanoi,’ Thuy noted.

    Experts emphasize that the pollution problem extends beyond city limits. Hoang Duong Tung, Chairman of the Vietnam Clean Air Network, identified neighboring provinces including Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh and Hung Yen as significant pollution sources affecting the capital region. Tung advocated for implementing artificial intelligence to validate, clean, and synchronize air quality data, stating that ‘only with accurate, transparent, real-time data can we build appropriate scenarios and policies.’

    In response to the escalating crisis, Vietnam’s National Assembly approved a Resolution addressing environmental protection policies. The comprehensive plan mandates urgent action to improve air quality in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City during 2025-2026, establishing specific targets including a 20% reduction in average annual PM2.5 concentrations by 2030 compared to 2024 levels.

    The Resolution outlines concrete measures including stricter vehicle emissions controls, limitations on highly polluting vehicles in urban centers, enhanced regulation of construction and transport waste, restrictions on agricultural burning, and expanded wastewater treatment systems. Additionally, lawmakers directed the creation of a national environmental information system featuring real-time public maps of environmental quality to support monitoring and early-warning efforts.