Global Pulse

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  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport’s passenger trips exceed 2024 total

    Guangzhou Baiyun Airport’s passenger trips exceed 2024 total

    Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has achieved a significant milestone by handling 76.52 million passenger trips as of Tuesday, December 3rd, 2025, already exceeding its entire 2024 total of 76.37 million passengers. This remarkable growth demonstrates the airport’s accelerating recovery and expansion in the post-pandemic aviation market.

    The airport’s international segment has been particularly robust, recording 15.84 million passenger journeys—representing approximately one-fifth of total traffic and a substantial 19.01% year-over-year increase. Airport authorities attribute this international growth primarily to China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy, which has made the airport an increasingly attractive hub for global travelers.

    A key driver in this growth has been the operational launch of Terminal 3 on October 30th, which has significantly expanded the airport’s capacity. The terminal’s impact was immediately felt, with November alone witnessing 7.32 million passenger trips—a 12.56% increase compared to the same period last year. The new facility has already accommodated twenty-one domestic flights operated by six major Chinese carriers including China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and Juneyao Airlines.

    Route expansion has been another critical factor in the airport’s success. Since January, Baiyun Airport has launched, resumed, or increased frequency on more than 30 international routes. New destinations include Surabaya (Indonesia), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Algiers (Algeria), Madrid (Spain), and Darwin (Australia). Additionally, services to Vancouver (Canada), Kolkata, and Delhi (India) have been reinstated.

    The airport now connects to over 100 international and regional destinations, with several new international carriers commencing operations, including Air Astana, Vietjet Air, Eastar Jet, Nepal Airlines, Air Algerie, and IndiGo.

    Leveraging its massive ‘five runways and three terminals’ infrastructure, Baiyun Airport has achieved transformative improvements in international route density and intercontinental connectivity. This strategic expansion has further solidified its position as Southern China’s primary aviation gateway to Africa and the Middle East.

    Looking ahead, airport officials announced plans to further expand their network across Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Australia-New Zealand, and African markets. The airport will prioritize new routes and increased frequencies to countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and RCEP member nations, while simultaneously extending coverage to destinations throughout Europe, North America, and South America.

  • ‘I wanted to unite Jamaicans around the world with a song’

    ‘I wanted to unite Jamaicans around the world with a song’

    In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic passage through Jamaica, a powerful musical response has emerged from the diaspora. Aiesha Barrett, daughter of legendary Wailers bassist Aston Barrett and niece of drummer Carlton Barrett, channeled her emotional response to the devastation into creating an inspirational anthem titled ‘Jamaica Strong’.

    Watching the destruction from afar like millions of other Jamaicans overseas, Barrett felt compelled to contribute through her musical heritage. The track, born from genuine emotion and connection to her homeland, quickly transcended its origins as a personal project. Within days of its unofficial release, the song amassed over one million online views and organically evolved into a symbol of resilience.

    The composition’s significance was formally recognized when it was designated the official anthem for the upcoming Jamaica Strong benefit concert in New York, featuring headliners Shaggy and Sean Paul. The event aims to raise substantial funds for relief efforts while simultaneously boosting morale among affected communities.

    Barrett expressed humble surprise at the song’s impact, noting: ‘I just wanted something to give them some type of hope. The messages I’ve been receiving show people are definitely tearing up – the song is giving them assurance that things will get better.’

    The musical response comes amid staggering recovery challenges. Hurricane Melissa, among the most powerful Atlantic cyclones on record, caused dozens of fatalities, destroyed critical infrastructure including hospitals, and left widespread power outages. The International Monetary Fund estimates damage at $8.8 billion, with $6.7 billion in international recovery funding potentially available over the next three years.

    Beyond institutional support, grassroots efforts have mobilized across global Jamaican communities. Approximately 1.1 million Jamaicans in the United States and hundreds of thousands in the UK with Jamaican heritage have organized supply drives and donation campaigns. The UK government recently increased its aid package from £7.5 million to £8 million.

    Barrett, who is personally collecting food and supplies, emphasizes the importance of sustained momentum: ‘It’s about hope and faith that we will rebuild, to know that we are strong and unshakeable.’ Her musical tribute now serves as both emotional comfort and mobilization tool for a nation facing long-term reconstruction.

  • Tianjin teacher’s street art transforms urban flaws into magic

    Tianjin teacher’s street art transforms urban flaws into magic

    In the urban landscape of Tianjin, a remarkable transformation is underway as local art educator Yuan Yuan converts mundane urban imperfections into captivating artistic expressions. The 32-year-old teacher has gained social media acclaim for her innovative approach to urban repair through art, most notably turning a simple brick wall crack into an enchanting mural featuring Nick and Judy from the popular animation Zootopia.

    With twelve years of teaching experience, Yuan has dedicated her spare time since last autumn to revitalizing various urban flaws including structural cracks, deteriorating walls, and tree cavities surrounding school environments. Her initiative represents a unique fusion of public art and urban maintenance that simultaneously serves educational purposes and community beautification.

    Yuan’s artistic methodology incorporates clever homophonic puns that carry cultural significance within Chinese educational contexts. Her creations include symbolic representations such as a flying rabbit denoting ‘making rapid progress’ and a mouse holding motivational signage that creatively plays on traditional Chinese idioms. These artistic interventions serve dual purposes as both aesthetic enhancements and subtle educational encouragements for young students.

    Employing durable acrylic paints specifically selected for outdoor conditions, Yuan acknowledges the transient nature of her creations, with most artworks maintaining their vibrancy for approximately one year before naturally fading. This ephemeral quality adds a layer of temporal beauty to her urban interventions, echoing the evolving nature of urban spaces themselves.

    Leading a dedicated team from her art institution, Yuan characterizes this initiative as a public welfare effort rather than a commercial enterprise. She poetically describes her miniature murals as ‘seeds’ planted throughout the urban environment, noting that while she doesn’t anticipate creating a forest, ‘just scattered bits of green are enough’ to positively impact the community’s visual landscape and inspire young minds.

  • Irish police investigating drone activity during Zelensky visit

    Irish police investigating drone activity during Zelensky visit

    Irish authorities have initiated a comprehensive security investigation following the detection of multiple unidentified drones in Irish airspace coinciding with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s official visit to Dublin. The incident occurred on Monday night as President Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived for their one-day diplomatic engagement.

    The Garda Síochána’s Special Detective Unit (SDU) has taken lead on the investigation, coordinating with Irish Defence Forces and international security partners. According to reports from Irish broadcaster RTÉ, naval personnel aboard the LÉ William Butler Yeats vessel observed several drones operating near Howth over the Irish Sea approximately simultaneous to the Ukrainian leader’s arrival at Dublin Airport.

    Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that senior government officials have been briefed on the security matter, which will be formally addressed at an upcoming National Security Council meeting later this month. While praising the overall security operation during President Zelensky’s visit as particularly successful, Martin acknowledged the emerging challenge of drone incursions across European Union member states.

    Speaking at the British-Irish Council meeting in Cardiff, the Taoiseach noted that drone-related security concerns have become increasingly prevalent throughout Europe since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. ‘There’s been heightened activity on the cyber security front, in terms of maritime issues and in terms of drones,’ Martin stated, while declining to speculate about potential Russian involvement until the completion of a full security review.

    The Irish Defence Forces maintained their standard protocol of not commenting on specific operational incidents, emphasizing their ongoing coordination with gardaí in addressing national security matters. The investigation represents Ireland’s latest response to evolving security challenges in the current geopolitical landscape.

  • Exploring a Nigerian photographer’s iconic ‘Hairstyles’ series

    Exploring a Nigerian photographer’s iconic ‘Hairstyles’ series

    The extraordinary artistic legacy of Nigerian photographer J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere continues to receive global recognition for his groundbreaking ‘Hairstyles’ series—an unparalleled visual documentation project spanning several decades. Beginning in the 1960s and continuing throughout his career, Ojeikere meticulously captured more than 2,000 distinct traditional Nigerian hairstyles, transforming everyday cultural expressions into enduring works of art.

    Ojeikere’s approach combined anthropological precision with artistic sensibility. Each photograph served as both aesthetic statement and historical record, preserving intricate braiding techniques, symbolic patterns, and regional variations that might otherwise have been lost to modernization. His black-and-white portraits elevated hairstyling from mundane practice to cultural artifact, documenting everything from everyday styles to elaborate ceremonial creations.

    The series represents more than mere documentation—it constitutes a visual anthropology of Nigerian identity through the lens of hair culture. Ojeikere captured the mathematical precision of geometric patterns, the social significance of specific styles, and the technical mastery required to create these temporary sculptures. His work reveals how hairstyles function as communication tools, indicating marital status, ethnic affiliation, social standing, and even philosophical beliefs.

    Today, Ojeikere’s archive serves as an invaluable resource for cultural historians, artists, and fashion designers worldwide. His photographs have been exhibited at prestigious institutions including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, introducing global audiences to the sophisticated beauty of Nigerian hair traditions. The series stands as both artistic achievement and cultural preservation, ensuring that these transitory art forms remain accessible to future generations.

  • CMC Dubai and Orthocure announce strategic partnership to advance orthopedic excellence

    CMC Dubai and Orthocure announce strategic partnership to advance orthopedic excellence

    In a landmark development for Middle Eastern healthcare, Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC) Dubai has entered into a strategic partnership with specialized orthopedic provider Orthocure. This collaboration, announced on December 5, 2025, merges CMC’s state-of-the-art surgical infrastructure with Orthocure’s decade-long expertise in musculoskeletal treatments.

    The alliance represents a significant advancement in orthopedic care delivery, combining CMC’s luxury medical facilities and cutting-edge technology with Orthocure’s innovative approaches to sports surgery, spine procedures, and regenerative medicine. The partnership aims to establish Dubai as a regional reference point for orthopedic excellence while expanding subspecialty services across the entire treatment spectrum.

    Mark Adams, CEO of CMC Dubai, emphasized the partnership’s significance: “This collaboration reflects our continuous commitment to raising healthcare standards in the region. By partnering with Orthocure, we enhance both the depth and breadth of our orthopedic services, ensuring patients receive exceptional, world-class care.”

    Dr. Ali Albelooshi of Orthocure noted the strategic advantage: “Our joining with CMC Dubai enables us to deliver specialized orthopedic expertise on a larger scale, supported by one of the region’s most advanced medical environments.”

    The integrated approach will create a unified ecosystem for patients, ensuring seamless continuity from diagnosis and advanced imaging through surgical intervention and rehabilitation. Dr. Saeed Al Thani highlighted the partnership’s comprehensive nature: “This collaboration will significantly strengthen orthopedic services across all subspecialties—from sports medicine to spine and regenerative treatments.”

    This partnership reinforces CMC Dubai’s mission to deliver world-class medical excellence while marking a new era in transforming musculoskeletal care for patients throughout the region.

  • Complete smoking ban across Hong Kong’s construction sites under discussion

    Complete smoking ban across Hong Kong’s construction sites under discussion

    Hong Kong’s construction industry is actively considering implementing a comprehensive smoking prohibition across all building sites in response to the catastrophic Tai Po fire that claimed numerous lives last week. The tragic incident at Wang Fuk Court on November 26, which resulted in at least 159 fatalities, has triggered urgent safety reviews and policy reconsiderations throughout the territory’s construction sector.

    Real estate developers and industry associations have demonstrated strong support for the proposed smoking ban. The Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong, led by chairman Stewart Leung Chi-kin, has initiated a formal process to gather consensus among stakeholders. Leung emphasized that contractors should assume direct responsibility for enforcing smoking regulations, with the association preparing to issue official guidelines to all development companies once an agreement is reached.

    In the aftermath of the disaster, construction sites have already begun implementing stricter measures. Notices prominently displayed at work locations explicitly prohibit workers from bringing cigarettes onto premises, with violations carrying severe penalties including immediate expulsion from sites, permanent industry blacklisting, and substantial fines of HK$5,000 (approximately US$642).

    Major industry players including CK Asset Holdings Ltd have reinforced their existing no-smoking policies. The conglomerate confirmed that smoking has always been strictly forbidden at their construction sites, with designated smoking areas provided away from work zones. The company has intensified enforcement efforts, implementing a zero-tolerance approach that includes immediate dismissal of violators and reporting offenders to the Construction Industry Council for further disciplinary action.

    Current Hong Kong Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations already empower commissioners to prohibit smoking and naked flames at any site where flammable materials are present or when fire hazards are identified. The proposed comprehensive ban would extend these provisions to cover all construction sites regardless of specific materials in use, representing a significant enhancement to existing safety protocols.

  • Vessel off Yemen reports exchange of fire with small crafts, UK maritime agency says

    Vessel off Yemen reports exchange of fire with small crafts, UK maritime agency says

    A significant maritime security incident occurred off the coast of Yemen on Friday, December 5, 2025, according to an official advisory from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The agency reported that a commercial vessel, positioned approximately 15 nautical miles west of Yemen, engaged in an exchange of fire with approximately 15 small craft that had approached within 1-2 cables (approximately 200-400 meters) of the ship.

    The vessel’s crew reported that the small crafts subsequently departed the area following the confrontation. Despite the withdrawal of the approaching vessels, the commercial ship remains on high alert status as it continues its voyage. The ship’s master confirmed that all crew members are safe and that the vessel is proceeding to its designated next port of call.

    This incident represents the latest in a series of maritime security challenges in the strategic waters near Yemen, where commercial shipping has faced increased risks in recent years. The UKMTO, which monitors maritime security in key global shipping lanes, issued an official warning (20251205-UKMTO_WARNING_043_25 – UPDATE 001) through its operations center, alerting other vessels in the region to exercise heightened vigilance.

    The precise nature of the small craft and their intentions remains unclear, though the incident highlights the ongoing security concerns for international maritime traffic transiting through this critical region near the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital chokepoint for global trade and energy shipments.

  • US vaccine panel votes to end recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination for newborns

    US vaccine panel votes to end recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination for newborns

    In a landmark decision with significant public health implications, the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has voted to discontinue the universal hepatitis B vaccination protocol for newborns that has been standard medical practice since 1991. The committee, whose membership was entirely reconstituted in June by Vaccine-Skeptic Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., approved the policy shift with an 8-3 majority vote.

    The new guidelines establish a paradigm shift from mandatory immunization to individualized decision-making for infants born to mothers who test negative for hepatitis B. These newborns would receive their initial vaccine dose no earlier than two months of age rather than immediately after birth. The committee maintained the existing recommendation that infants born to HBV-positive mothers continue to receive the birth-dose vaccination.

    This policy reversal occurs despite compelling evidence demonstrating the vaccine’s remarkable efficacy. Data from the past three decades indicates that routine newborn immunization has prevented approximately 90,000 HBV-related deaths in the United States. Medical experts expressed profound concern during committee deliberations that the policy change might fuel unwarranted safety concerns and ultimately increase infection rates.

    Dr. Cody Meissner, one of several dissenting committee members, emphasized before the vote: ‘The hepatitis B vaccine recommendation is very well established. We know it’s safe and we know it’s very effective. Implementing these proposed changes will inevitably result in more children, adolescents and adults becoming infected with hepatitis B.’

    Hepatitis B remains a serious liver infection transmitted through bodily fluids that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer. The virus presents particular danger to infants as it can be transmitted during childbirth from infected mothers, often developing into chronic infections that cause progressive liver damage. Many carriers remain asymptomatic, unknowingly transmitting the virus while caring for children.

    The ACIP’s recommendations will now proceed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where the acting director holds final authority for implementation. Public health experts nationwide are monitoring how this controversial decision might impact vaccination rates and future disease prevalence.

  • India aviation regulator eases some pilot duty rules post IndiGo cancellations

    India aviation regulator eases some pilot duty rules post IndiGo cancellations

    India’s aviation sector is implementing emergency operational adjustments following widespread flight disruptions that plagued the country’s largest carrier. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced regulatory modifications on Friday, December 5th, 2025, to address critical staffing challenges that have crippled IndiGo’s operations throughout the week.

    The regulatory intervention comes after IndiGo canceled hundreds of domestic flights across major Indian airports for four consecutive days, primarily due to rostering complications and crew availability issues. The mass cancellations created significant travel chaos during a peak travel period, stranding thousands of passengers and disrupting connectivity between major metropolitan centers including Delhi and Mumbai.

    Aviation authorities have temporarily relaxed certain duty time limitations for pilots, providing airlines with increased operational flexibility during crew shortage emergencies. The measured adjustments aim to balance flight schedule stability with stringent safety protocols that remain paramount in Indian aviation oversight.

    IndiGo, which commands the largest market share in India’s domestic aviation sector, issued formal apologies to affected passengers following what the airline described as ‘widespread disruptions’ across its network. The carrier has been working to normalize operations while implementing contingency plans to minimize further passenger inconvenience.

    The situation highlights broader challenges within India’s rapidly expanding aviation industry, including crew management complexities and the balancing act between operational demands and regulatory compliance. Industry analysts are monitoring whether these adjustments might signal longer-term regulatory evolution in one of the world’s fastest-growing air travel markets.