Global Pulse

博客

  • UAE pledges $1 billion investment in electricity for government-held Yemen

    UAE pledges $1 billion investment in electricity for government-held Yemen

    The United Arab Emirates has announced a major $1 billion investment initiative to revitalize the electricity infrastructure in government-controlled areas of Yemen, marking a significant development in the war-torn nation’s recovery efforts. The commitment was formally declared by Emirati ambassador Mohammed Hamad al-Zaabi during an energy forum in Aden, the interim capital where Yemen’s internationally recognized government is based.

    The comprehensive investment package will fund the construction of diverse power generation facilities, incorporating solar and wind renewable energy sources alongside traditional oil-fired power stations. This strategic diversification aims to create a more resilient energy grid capable of meeting the substantial power deficits that have plagued Yemen for years.

    Yemeni Prime Minister Salem ben Brik confirmed the substantial support from the UAE, characterizing electricity supply as ‘a chronic problem accumulated over many years’ that requires immediate addressing. The energy crisis has been particularly severe in Aden, where residents frequently endure prolonged blackouts that force them to rely on candlelight for both living and working conditions.

    Separately, Ali Alshimmari, representing Abu Dhabi-based Global South Utilities, announced parallel projects valued at $1 billion, emphasizing that the investment strategy encompasses not merely energy production but also critical transmission and distribution infrastructure. This announcement was made through channels associated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which participates in Yemen’s power-sharing government.

    The current administration in Aden was established in late 2020 through Saudi-brokered negotiations that unified ministers loyal to former president Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and the STC. Yemen’s infrastructure, including hospitals and power facilities, has suffered catastrophic damage during the prolonged conflict between government forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control Sanaa and most major population centers.

    Even before the conflict began in 2014, Yemen’s energy infrastructure was inadequate, with only approximately two-thirds of the population having access to the public electricity grid. The civil war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, though hostilities have largely been frozen since a 2022 ceasefire took effect.

  • Army officers say they have seized power in Guinea-Bissau

    Army officers say they have seized power in Guinea-Bissau

    In a dramatic turn of events, a group of army officers in Guinea-Bissau announced they had seized power on Wednesday, just a day before the scheduled release of results from a highly contested presidential election. The officers declared they had ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, suspended the electoral process, closed the nation’s borders, and imposed a curfew. The announcement was made on state television by spokesperson Diniz N’Tchama, who stated that the military had formed ‘The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order’ to govern the West African nation indefinitely.

  • A crystal Fabergé egg crafted for Russian royalty is expected to sell for more than $26 million

    A crystal Fabergé egg crafted for Russian royalty is expected to sell for more than $26 million

    A rare and exquisite Fabergé Winter Egg, crafted for Russia’s imperial family before the 1917 revolution, is set to be auctioned at Christie’s London headquarters. Valued at over £20 million ($26.4 million), this opulent piece is one of only seven remaining in private hands. Standing at 4 inches (10 centimeters) tall, the egg is meticulously crafted from finely carved rock crystal, adorned with a platinum snowflake motif and embellished with 4,500 tiny diamonds. Its interior reveals a removable basket of bejeweled quartz flowers, symbolizing spring. Margo Oganesian, head of Christie’s Russian art department, described it as the ‘Mona Lisa’ of decorative arts, likening its allure to a luxurious Kinder Surprise chocolate. Commissioned by Czar Nicholas II in 1913 as an Easter gift for his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, the Winter Egg was designed by Alma Pihl, one of only two female designers to create Fabergé eggs. Pihl’s other creation is owned by Britain’s royal family. The Fabergé eggs, numbering over 50, were crafted for Russia’s imperial family between 1885 and 1917, each uniquely elaborate and containing a hidden surprise. The Romanov dynasty, which ruled Russia for 300 years, was ousted during the revolution, leading to the execution of Nicholas II and his family in 1918. The Winter Egg’s journey began when it was purchased for £450 by a London dealer during the 1920s, when Communist authorities sold off Russia’s artistic treasures. After being lost for two decades, it resurfaced at a Christie’s auction in 1994, fetching over 7 million Swiss francs ($5.6 million). It was sold again in 2002 for $9.6 million and is now expected to surpass the $18.5 million record set by another Fabergé egg in 2007. Of the 43 surviving imperial Fabergé eggs, most are housed in museums.

  • Watch: Hong Kong fire still burning almost 20 hours later; death toll at 44

    Watch: Hong Kong fire still burning almost 20 hours later; death toll at 44

    A devastating high-rise fire in Hong Kong has claimed at least 44 lives, with hundreds still unaccounted for, marking the city’s deadliest blaze in decades. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po, engulfed an eight-building residential area housing over 2,000 apartments. Despite ongoing efforts, the fire continued to smolder nearly 20 hours later, with authorities struggling to contain the inferno. Three suspects have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, though details of their alleged involvement remain undisclosed. The fire department reported that the death toll rose from 36 to 44 during an early morning press briefing. The blaze, fueled by bamboo scaffolding and strong winds, spread rapidly, with flames and thick smoke visible for miles. Over 900 residents sought refuge in temporary shelters, while rescue teams faced extreme challenges due to high temperatures and inaccessible floors. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the victims, including a firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty. Hong Kong’s leader, Lee, pledged full government support for affected residents, as investigations into the cause of the fire and the materials used in the buildings’ exteriors were launched. The tragedy has reignited concerns about fire safety in one of the world’s most densely populated cities, despite significant improvements in recent decades.

  • How wage inflation became the Fed’s regressive red line

    How wage inflation became the Fed’s regressive red line

    The period from 2021 to 2023 witnessed a significant surge in inflation, affecting consumer goods, housing, and assets. While wage inflation also increased, it did not keep pace with other inflation measures. As wages began to accelerate, the Federal Reserve (Fed) initiated rate hikes to cool the economy, adhering to its long-standing belief that wage inflation could lead to spiraling inflation and needed to be controlled.

  • Flooding death toll in southern Thailand rises to more than 80 as water levels fall

    Flooding death toll in southern Thailand rises to more than 80 as water levels fall

    The devastating floods in southern Thailand have claimed the lives of at least 82 people, officials reported on Thursday, as floodwaters started to recede. The disaster, triggered by relentless torrential rains, has impacted over 1 million households and more than 3 million residents across 12 provinces. The affected regions include Nakhon Si Thammarat, Patthalung, Songkhla, Trang, Satun, Pattani, and Yala. While water levels have subsided in many areas, regions like Pattani and Nakhon Si Thammarat continue to grapple with high floodwaters. Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat announced that the death toll in Songkhla province alone surged from six to 55, significantly contributing to the overall fatalities. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared a state of emergency in Songkhla earlier this week, highlighting the unprecedented severity of the flooding. Hat Yai, southern Thailand’s largest city, faced severe disruptions, with thousands trapped, essential services cut, and communication lines disrupted. Video footage revealed extensive damage as water levels dropped. To address the crisis, eight field hospitals were set up to support Hat Yai Hospital, which remains partially operational. The Public Health Ministry airlifted 20 critical patients and delivered additional food supplies to medical staff and patients.

  • Venezuela bans six major airlines as tensions escalate

    Venezuela bans six major airlines as tensions escalate

    Venezuela has imposed an immediate ban on six major international airlines—Iberia, TAP Portugal, Gol, Latam, Avianca, and Turkish Airlines—after they failed to resume flights within a 48-hour deadline set by the government. The airlines had temporarily suspended operations to Caracas following a US warning of ‘heightened military activity’ in the region. The Venezuelan government, angered by the suspensions, accused the carriers of aligning with ‘state terrorism’ promoted by the US. The ban has disrupted travel for thousands of passengers, with more expected to be affected.

  • UAE weather: Chance of rain in some parts, lowest temperature 19°C in Dubai

    UAE weather: Chance of rain in some parts, lowest temperature 19°C in Dubai

    Residents across the United Arab Emirates can anticipate partly cloudy to overcast conditions on Thursday, November 27th, 2025, with meteorological reports indicating a likelihood of precipitation in specific regions. Coastal and northern areas are expected to experience these cloudier conditions alongside potential rainfall. Temperature readings are forecast to remain mild throughout the day. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah are all projected to reach a maximum temperature of 29°C. Meanwhile, overnight and early morning lows will see Sharjah at 17°C, Abu Dhabi at 18°C, and Dubai at 19°C. The weather system will be accompanied by light to moderate winds, initially blowing from the southeast before shifting to a northwesterly direction. These winds are expected to freshen intermittently, reaching speeds between 10 to 25 km/h, with potential gusts peaking at 35 km/h. Maritime conditions are reported to be slight to moderate at times in the Arabian Gulf, while the Oman Sea is expected to remain slight. The nation’s highest temperature recorded on the previous day was 31.8°C in Musaffah, Abu Dhabi.

  • Tai Po fire death toll climbs to 44

    Tai Po fire death toll climbs to 44

    A devastating five-alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has resulted in a tragic death toll of 44, as confirmed on Thursday morning. The blaze, which raged for over 10 hours, has been brought under control, but firefighters continue to address sporadic outbreaks on the higher floors of the blackened building. Thick smoke was still visible billowing into the sky as emergency crews worked tirelessly to contain the situation. The incident has drawn widespread attention and condolences, including from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who urged all-out rescue efforts to minimize losses. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the community is mourning the significant loss of life in this catastrophic event.

  • Police investigate theft of four dogs from Malawi presidential palace

    Police investigate theft of four dogs from Malawi presidential palace

    Malawi is embroiled in a political controversy as police investigate the disappearance of four German Shepherd police dogs from the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during the country’s recent political transition. The theft, which occurred between September 19 and October 4, has led to the arrest of Godfrey Arthur Jalale, former deputy chief of staff under ex-President Lazarus Chakwera. Jalale denies any involvement in the incident. The dogs, valued at $2,300, are believed to have been stolen alongside other state properties from two presidential residences.