Global Pulse

博客

  • UAE: Flight disruptions due to Ethiopia volcano may continue for at least 2 more days, say experts

    UAE: Flight disruptions due to Ethiopia volcano may continue for at least 2 more days, say experts

    Aviation experts are forecasting continued flight disruptions across the Middle East and South Asia for at least the next 48 hours following the dramatic eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Mountain. The previously dormant volcano, which had remained inactive for over 12,000 years, unleashed significant ash and gas emissions on Sunday, creating a cascading effect on regional air travel.

    Travel industry executives report substantial operational challenges, with numerous flights between the United Arab Emirates and India experiencing cancellations and delays. Safeer Mohammed, General Manager of Smart Travels, confirmed the severity of the situation: ‘We anticipate these disruptions to persist for a minimum of two additional days. The volcanic activity has already significantly impacted travel plans for numerous passengers.’

    The environmental consequences have extended beyond aviation, with Oman’s Environment Authority issuing official advisories regarding potential air quality deterioration due to gas and ash dispersion. Meteorological complications, including heavy fog conditions witnessed in the UAE on Wednesday morning, have further exacerbated the aviation crisis.

    Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com, detailed the contingency measures being implemented: ‘Our teams are actively assisting passengers with emergency rebooking procedures. We recently facilitated an urgent journey by rerouting a passenger through alternative Indian sectors followed by domestic flights. We strongly advise all travelers to verify their flight status before departing for airports.’

    Insurance specialists emphasize the critical importance of comprehensive travel coverage during such natural events. Toshita Chauhan, Chief Business Officer at Policybazaar.ae, explained: ‘These situations demonstrate the essential value of travel insurance. Beyond airline reimbursements, proper coverage can address additional expenses including accommodation, meals, and transportation during unexpected delays.’

    Chauhan further advised travelers to meticulously document all disruption-related paperwork, including boarding passes, cancellation notices, and expense receipts. She cautioned against selecting insurance policies based solely on price, noting that inadequate coverage often fails to address medical emergencies or trip cancellation scenarios.

    Despite the widespread disruptions, travel officials note that most passengers have demonstrated patience and understanding. Industry representatives express confidence that normal flight schedules will resume within the coming days as the volcanic activity stabilizes and airspace restrictions are gradually lifted.

  • China’s top legislator meets Tonga’s king

    China’s top legislator meets Tonga’s king

    In a significant diplomatic engagement, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with King Tupou VI of Tonga in Beijing on Wednesday. The meeting underscored the commitment of both nations to deepen their bilateral relations and enhance cooperation across various sectors. Zhao emphasized China’s readiness to work closely with Tonga to implement the key agreements reached by their respective leaders. He highlighted the importance of mutual support on core issues, advancing high-quality and mutually beneficial cooperation, and fostering cultural and people-to-people exchanges to ensure the steady growth of China-Tonga relations. Zhao also expressed the NPC’s willingness to strengthen multi-level exchanges with Tonga’s parliament, providing legal frameworks to support practical collaboration between the two countries. King Tupou VI reaffirmed Tonga’s steadfast adherence to the one-China policy and expressed eagerness to expand pragmatic cooperation with China. He emphasized the need to deepen legislative exchanges and further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between Tonga and China. The meeting reflects the enduring and robust friendship between the two nations, setting a positive trajectory for future collaboration.

  • DPP warned against self-destructive military pursuit of ‘independence’

    DPP warned against self-destructive military pursuit of ‘independence’

    A spokesperson from mainland China issued a stern warning on Wednesday, cautioning that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan are heading toward self-destruction by pursuing ‘independence’ through military means. Peng Qing’en, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made these remarks in response to an opinion piece by Lai Ching-te, published in The Washington Post. In the article, Lai outlined plans to increase Taiwan’s ‘defense’ budget to 3.3% of its GDP next year and to 5% by 2030, alongside a proposed $40 billion supplementary ‘defense’ package. Peng criticized the DPP for diverting resources that could otherwise improve livelihoods and economic development, instead allocating funds to arms purchases aimed at ‘currying favor with external forces.’ Lai’s article also emphasized investments in cutting-edge technologies, expansion of Taiwan’s ‘defense’ industrial base, and strengthened collaboration with international partners. Peng reiterated that such actions would only push Taiwan toward disaster, emphasizing that the trend toward reunification is unstoppable. He warned that relying on the United States for ‘independence’ is doomed to fail, and pursuing it through military means would result in self-destruction.

  • Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appear on state television saying they have seized power in the country

    Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appear on state television saying they have seized power in the country

    In a dramatic turn of events, soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have announced the seizure of power, as reported on state television. This development follows reports of gunfire near the presidential palace on Wednesday, just three days after national elections were held. Dinis N’Tchama, spokesperson for the country’s military high command, declared in a statement that the High Military Command has decided to depose the President of the Republic and suspend all institutions of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. The military cited the discovery of an ongoing plan aimed at destabilizing the country, alleging that both domestic and foreign nationals attempted to manipulate electoral results to implement this plan. As part of their measures, the soldiers have immediately suspended the current electoral process, halted media activities, and closed all borders. The presidential and legislative elections, held on Sunday, saw incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa each claiming victory on Tuesday, despite official provisional results not being expected until Thursday. Guinea-Bissau, a West African nation with a history of political instability, has experienced four coups and numerous attempted ones since gaining independence, including a reported attempt last month. The situation remains tense as gunfire was heard near the presidential palace in the capital, and roads leading to the palace were closed off, with checkpoints manned by heavily armed and masked soldiers.

  • China’s space agency unveils plan to boost commercial growth, international cooperation

    China’s space agency unveils plan to boost commercial growth, international cooperation

    In a groundbreaking move, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) has unveiled a comprehensive action plan aimed at accelerating the growth of the commercial space sector and fostering international cooperation over the next two years. The initiative, announced on Tuesday, underscores China’s commitment to integrating commercial space enterprises into its broader space exploration and development agenda. The CNSA has called on domestic commercial space firms to expand their global footprint, particularly by assisting developing nations in establishing satellite-application industries. To facilitate this, the agency has pledged to incorporate commercial space projects into China’s international cooperation framework. A key component of the plan is the expansion of commercial access to China’s national network of civilian tracking, telemetry, and control (TT&C) stations, data-receiving sites, calibration ranges, and validation fields. Additionally, commercial entities will gain access to large-scale test assets, including rocket-engine test stands and space-environment simulation facilities. The CNSA will also establish a national commercial space development fund and broaden government procurement to include commercial capabilities such as launch vehicles, satellites, launch sites, and TT&C facilities in national missions. Local governments are encouraged to set up technology-innovation centers focused on reusable rockets and smart satellites, and to create open platforms for advanced manufacturing, final assembly, and testing. The plan also includes measures to build commercial launch sites, unify space standards, and open space-debris data to enhance collision warnings for commercial spacecraft. Furthermore, commercial firms are urged to pioneer new frontiers in space resource utilization, on-orbit servicing, debris removal, space tourism, and in-space biomanufacturing. The overarching goal of the plan is to achieve high-quality development of the commercial space sector by 2027, aligning with the recommendations for China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), which lists the aerospace sector among its strategic emerging industries.

  • India-Israel relations ‘very strong’, Netanyahu’s office says as new visit date planned

    India-Israel relations ‘very strong’, Netanyahu’s office says as new visit date planned

    The diplomatic relationship between India and Israel remains robust, with both nations actively working to reschedule Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to India. Originally planned for December, the trip was postponed following a tragic blast in Delhi two weeks ago. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the strong bilateral ties and expressed full confidence in India’s security measures under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a statement on X, the Israeli PM’s office emphasized the deep bond between the two leaders and their nations, highlighting ongoing coordination for a new visit date. Netanyahu had previously visited India in 2018, marking the second visit by an Israeli Prime Minister, following Modi’s historic trip to Israel in 2017. The relationship has since expanded, with recent discussions focusing on enhancing cooperation in trade, technology, and strategic sectors. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently met with Netanyahu, conveying Modi’s warm wishes and updating him on progress in bilateral trade and innovation initiatives. The two nations are also advancing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expected to further boost economic and technological collaboration. The partnership between India and Israel continues to grow, with both countries committed to deepening their engagement across multiple domains, including agriculture, water, defense, and science.

  • Israeli army announces new operation in northern West Bank

    Israeli army announces new operation in northern West Bank

    The Israeli military has initiated a fresh counterterrorism operation in the northern region of the occupied West Bank, as announced on Wednesday. This new campaign, distinct from the ongoing operation launched in January 2024, focuses on areas referred to as ‘northern Samaria’ in Israeli terminology. The joint statement from the military and internal security services emphasized the broad scope of this initiative, aimed at addressing security threats in the region. Unlike the previous operation, which primarily targeted Palestinian refugee camps, this new effort appears to have a wider geographical focus. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli forces have been actively engaged in counterterrorism activities. The move underscores Israel’s continued commitment to addressing security challenges in the region, though it is likely to draw mixed reactions from both local and international stakeholders.

  • Shein faces European Union scrutiny over child safety and illegal products

    Shein faces European Union scrutiny over child safety and illegal products

    European Union regulators are escalating their investigation into Shein’s safety protocols following alarming discoveries by French authorities. The fast-fashion giant’s website was found to be selling illegal weapons and child-like sex dolls, prompting immediate action. The European Commission announced on Tuesday that it is leveraging the EU’s Digital Services Act to demand detailed information from Shein regarding its measures to protect minors and prevent the sale of prohibited items on its platform. The French government has already taken steps to suspend access to Shein’s website in France and has urged the EU to launch a formal inquiry. The Digital Services Act mandates that online platforms enhance user protection or face substantial fines. Thomas Regnier, a Commission spokesperson, revealed that Shein has been issued a formal request for information due to “serious indications” of systemic risks to consumers across the EU. Shein, which originated in China in 2012 and is now headquartered in Singapore, stated that it has received the request and is collaborating with EU regulators to address the concerns promptly. The company emphasized its commitment to maintaining an open dialogue with regulatory bodies.

  • Chicago suspect who set woman on fire a ‘career criminal’, White House says

    Chicago suspect who set woman on fire a ‘career criminal’, White House says

    A shocking incident aboard a Chicago public train has reignited debates over crime policies and mental health systems in the United States. Lawrence Reed, a 50-year-old man with a lengthy criminal history, allegedly doused 26-year-old Bethany MaGee with gasoline and set her on fire on November 17. MaGee survived the attack but is now in critical condition with severe burns. Reed, who has 72 prior arrests and a history of mental illness, pleaded guilty in court, potentially facing a life sentence for charges including committing a terrorist attack. The White House has criticized Democratic leadership in Illinois and Chicago, attributing the incident to their ‘soft’ crime policies, particularly the elimination of cash bail. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has previously advocated for redirecting police funds to other public services, called the attack a ‘tragic incident’ and a failure of both the criminal justice and mental health systems. The case has drawn national attention, highlighting the intersection of crime, mental health, and political policy.

  • Epson strengthens its regional footprint with innovation, sustainability and sector-focused growth

    Epson strengthens its regional footprint with innovation, sustainability and sector-focused growth

    Epson, a global leader in printing and projection technologies, is intensifying its focus on the Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central and West Asia (META-CWA), positioning the region as a cornerstone of its growth strategy. In an interview with Khaleej Times, Junkichi Yoshida, President and CEO of Epson Seiko Corporation, emphasized the company’s alignment with regional demands in education, public services, and digital transformation. Yoshida highlighted that the region is not a secondary market but a priority area where innovation and growth converge with Epson’s long-term ambitions.

    Epson’s partnerships in education reflect its commitment to delivering energy-efficient, reliable solutions that support national digital learning initiatives. In the public sector, the company’s high-volume printers and advanced document scanners are integral to digitizing government workflows, reducing operational costs, and transitioning from paper-based processes to integrated digital systems. Beyond traditional sectors, Epson’s technology powers large-scale digital immersive experiences, showcasing its engineering precision and reliability.

    Sustainability remains a core pillar of Epson’s strategy. The company’s Environmental Vision 2050 aims for carbon-negative operations and eliminating dependence on underground resources by 2050. Epson has already achieved 100% renewable electricity across all its global sites. Its Heat-Free Micro Piezo printing technology reduces electricity consumption by up to 90%, while the EcoTank line minimizes waste by replacing traditional ink cartridges with long-lasting ink bottles.

    In industrial and commercial printing, Epson’s dry fiber and digital textile printing solutions address environmental challenges like wastewater in garment production. The company is also investing in AI-assisted technology to optimize workflows and reduce operational complexity. Epson’s newly established Innovation Centre in the Middle East serves as a hub for showcasing its latest technologies and gathering feedback for R&D.

    As Epson approaches the final year of its “Epson 25 Renewed” plan, the company is preparing for its next long-term vision cycle, focusing on sustainability, operational resilience, and technological advancement. With the Middle East and Africa identified as key growth markets, Epson is committed to delivering efficient, sustainable technologies that align with the region’s digital transformation goals.