Global Pulse

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  • Muslim countries condemn Israel’s ‘unjustified’ closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque

    Muslim countries condemn Israel’s ‘unjustified’ closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque

    In a significant diplomatic move, eight Muslim-majority nations have issued a forceful joint condemnation of Israel’s controversial closure of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the holy month of Ramadan. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates declared the restrictions constitute a “flagrant violation of international law” and asserted Israel holds “no sovereignty” over the occupied city or its sacred sites.

    The coordinated statement, released Wednesday, characterized Israel’s security measures as “illegal and unjustified,” specifically condemning what they termed ongoing “provocative actions” against Muslim worshippers. The ministers demanded immediate reopening of the mosque gates and lifting of access restrictions to Jerusalem’s Old City, urging international pressure on Israel to cease these violations.

    The closure initiative emerged following Israel’s recent aerial strikes against Iran in coordination with the United States, an escalation that has heightened regional tensions. Israeli authorities justified the comprehensive shutdown of all religious sites—including the Western Wall and Church of the Holy Sepulchre—as necessary for public safety amid security concerns.

    This development has effectively prevented Palestinian worshippers from accessing Islam’s third holiest site during Ramadan’s peak spiritual period, when tens of thousands typically gather for Friday prayers. Palestinian officials accuse Israel of exploiting regional conflicts to impose unprecedented restrictions on Muslim religious rights, with Hamas labeling the move a “dangerous historical precedent.”

    The diplomatic communique reinforced that the entire compound remains “exclusively” for Muslim worship under the legal authority of Jordan’s Islamic Waqf administration. This reaffirmation addresses growing concerns about the erosion of long-standing governance arrangements that preserve Al-Aqsa’s Islamic character amid expanding Israeli control and Jewish access to the sensitive site since Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem.

  • Iranians fear fragmentation as rumours swirl about US backing Kurdish groups

    Iranians fear fragmentation as rumours swirl about US backing Kurdish groups

    Amid ongoing regional hostilities involving Israel and the United States, many Iranians are confronting anxieties that extend beyond immediate military threats to deeper concerns about national disintegration and ethnic conflict. Citizens across Iran report growing fears that external powers might exploit longstanding ethnic tensions to destabilize the country’s territorial integrity.

    These apprehensions have been amplified by recent remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Iran’s borders might not remain unchanged after the current conflict—comments that have circulated widely on Persian-language social media platforms. Particularly alarming to many is the potential involvement of armed Kurdish groups operating from bases in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

    Keyvan, a 42-year-old Tehran resident, expresses a common concern: “They have been planning to break up Iran for years. Not just Israel, even the United States.”

    In recent weeks, unverified reports have circulated about possible preparations by Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in Iraq. While prominent Kurdish figures like Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, have dismissed the likelihood of cross-border operations, other Kurdish leaders have suggested increased probability of action under current conditions.

    According to research from Minority Rights Group International, Kurds constitute approximately 10% of Iran’s population, primarily residing in border provinces. Several Iranian Kurdish opposition movements, which Tehran designates as terrorist organizations, have maintained bases in northern Iraq for decades.

    The formation of a coalition of Iranian Kurdish opposition parties just before the current conflict began—with the stated aim of overthrowing Iran’s government—has further heightened tensions. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has repeatedly launched strikes against militant camps across the Iraqi border, and a 2023 security agreement between Iran and Iraq aimed to disarm and relocate these groups.

    Despite historical grievances and complaints of discrimination among Sunni communities in Iran, many residents emphasize national unity when facing external threats. Bahram, a 65-year-old resident of Sanandaj in Iran’s Kurdistan province, states: “When the issue is Iran, there is no difference between Shia and Sunni, Kurdish or Persian.”

    The conflict has caused some Iranians who previously supported foreign pressure on their government to reconsider their positions. Zohreh, a 43-year-old mother, explains: “We were exhausted by the crimes of the Islamic Republic… but now when I listen to the speeches of Israel’s prime minister and the American president, I realise they are criminals too.”

    Analysts warn that external conflict could intensify ethnic tensions within Iran if instability spreads across its borders. Although U.S. officials have denied reports suggesting Washington might support Kurdish militant incursions, many Iranians remain deeply skeptical of such assurances, fearing their country could slide into civil war and fragmentation.

  • Village in Jiangxi gives 100,000 yuan bonus to residents turning 100

    Village in Jiangxi gives 100,000 yuan bonus to residents turning 100

    The rural community of Jinshun in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, has implemented an extraordinary welfare policy that grants residents a substantial one-time bonus of 100,000 yuan (approximately $13,800) upon reaching their 100th birthday. This initiative forms part of a comprehensive senior citizen support program that has garnered significant public attention following its disclosure during China’s National People’s Congress sessions.

    Among the program’s beneficiaries is a remarkable 103-year-old female resident who maintains exceptional health with preserved auditory and visual acuity, continuing to hand-knit woolen items. Earlier this year, village representatives personally delivered the financial award to her home, where she expressed delight, characterizing the substantial sum as “very durable” in its value.

    The policy gained national prominence when Luo Laichang, NPC deputy and Jinshun Village Party Secretary, detailed the program during an open panel discussion of the Jiangxi delegation at the fourth session of the 14th NPC on March 6. Official sources indicate four village residents are projected to become centenarians this year, qualifying them for this distinctive honor.

    According to village officials cited by China News Service, the centenarian bonus constitutes one component within an expansive welfare framework comprising twenty distinct benefit categories. This comprehensive livelihood program addresses multiple societal dimensions including elderly care, educational support, assistance for vulnerable demographics, and broader community wellbeing.

    The village’s structured longevity recognition system provides graduated financial awards: 6,000 yuan at age 90, 12,000 yuan at age 95, culminating in the 100,000 yuan centenarian reward. Additional benefits include distributions from village-operated enterprises, seasonal gifts for retired residents during Spring Festival, special allowances for the Double Ninth Festival, alongside scholarship programs and educational assistance grants.

  • ‘Ride to spring’ becomes a major tourist attraction in Chongqing

    ‘Ride to spring’ becomes a major tourist attraction in Chongqing

    A scenic cable car journey soaring above expansive rapeseed and plum blossom fields has emerged as Chongqing’s latest tourism sensation, captivating visitors with what locals have poetically dubbed the ‘ride to spring’. This aerial attraction forms the centerpiece of Meixin Wine Town’s inaugural spring flower festival in Fuling district, approximately 50 kilometers from central Chongqing.

    The experience offers breathtaking panoramic views where vibrant yellow rapeseed blossoms merge with delicate plum blooms, creating a spectacular floral tapestry against the backdrop of the Yangtze River and an impressive hillside Ferris wheel. Viral photographs capturing this unique perspective have generated significant online buzz, drawing urban dwellers seeking immersive natural experiences.

    Park management emphasizes the project’s dual purpose: showcasing the region’s ecological beauty while advancing rural revitalization through integrated cultural tourism initiatives. The destination has rapidly gained popularity as a comprehensive spring outing location, combining natural appreciation with diverse recreational activities that boost local consumption and sustainable tourism development.

  • British tourist faces Dubai prison sentence for ‘filming Iranian missiles’

    British tourist faces Dubai prison sentence for ‘filming Iranian missiles’

    Dubai authorities have initiated a stringent legal action against a 60-year-old British national, arresting him on charges related to recording and disseminating footage of recent Iranian missile strikes. The tourist, whose identity remains undisclosed, was taken into custody Monday night alongside approximately twenty other individuals accused of similar online activities.

    The arrest stems from the United Arab Emirates’ intensified campaign against what it classifies as rumor-mongering and provocative propaganda. Official charges cite violations of cybercrime legislation specifically prohibiting content that could potentially undermine public security or incite panic among residents. If convicted, the accused faces a maximum prison term of two years.

    According to reports, the Londoner promptly deleted the contested video upon request and maintained that he had no intention of violating Emirati laws. This case emerges amid heightened regional tensions, with Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Dubai infrastructure including the international airport and the renowned Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah.

    The situation has raised concerns among advocacy organizations. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, warned that UAE cybercrime statutes possess broad applicability, enabling prosecution of individuals who merely share or comment on controversial content. She further highlighted potential risks of indefinite detention under national security provisions, possibly involving restricted embassy access and human rights violations.

    Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor at King’s College London’s Defence Studies Department, criticized the approach as counterproductive, noting that such measures might undermine Dubai’s efforts to reassure its substantial expatriate community during periods of regional instability.

    The government’s crackdown coincides with efforts to manage the emirate’s international reputation as a secure business and tourism destination. Meanwhile, Western social media influencers in Dubai have predominantly shared content supporting local leadership and government responses to the security challenges.

  • Suspect dead after ramming vehicle into Jewish temple in Michigan

    Suspect dead after ramming vehicle into Jewish temple in Michigan

    A violent vehicular assault targeted Temple Israel, a prominent Jewish synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, on Thursday afternoon, culminating in the death of the assailant. According to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, the individual deliberately drove a vehicle through the synagogue’s doors, proceeding down a hallway before the car ignited into flames.

    The incident triggered an immediate response from on-site security personnel, who engaged the suspect with gunfire as he approached the building. One security guard sustained injuries after being struck by the vehicle but is anticipated to make a full recovery. The precise cause of the suspect’s death remains undetermined pending investigation, complicated by the subsequent fire.

    Crucially, the synagogue housed an operational preschool with dozens of young students present during the attack. All children and staff were successfully evacuated to a nearby country club without injury, a outcome authorities attributed to both prepared security protocols and effective emergency response.

    Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are investigating the motive behind the attack. While the suspect’s identity remains undisclosed, community members noted the assailant appeared familiar with the temple’s layout, suggesting premeditation. The temple had enhanced its security measures following increased antisemitic tensions nationally since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.

    In response to the event, police departments in major cities across the U.S. increased patrols near Jewish institutions as a precautionary measure. The Michigan State Police also provided additional surveillance at other Jewish sites throughout the state.

    Former President Donald Trump addressed the incident from the White House, extending sympathy to Michigan’s Jewish community and condemning the attack. Temple Israel, established in 1941, serves approximately 3,500 member families and represents a central institution for the Detroit area’s significant Jewish population.

  • Lawmakers with disabilities advocate AI and robotics to improve lives

    Lawmakers with disabilities advocate AI and robotics to improve lives

    Three Chinese legislators with disabilities are spearheading a transformative movement to harness cutting-edge technologies—including artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, and advanced robotics—to dramatically improve quality of life and employment prospects for China’s 85 million disabled citizens. Their advocacy emerged as a significant theme during the recent National People’s Congress sessions.

    Jia Hongguang, a national lawmaker who lost both arms in childhood, delivered powerful testimony about technological empowerment. During the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics torch ceremony, he utilized a robotic arm to grasp an object for the first time in nearly three decades. “That moment was profoundly emotional,” recalled Jia, who now champions AI and robotic solutions to create entrepreneurial and vocational opportunities for people with disabilities.

    Concurrently, NPC Deputy Wang Jiapeng is advancing legislative efforts to establish robust special education frameworks. He emphasized that “comprehensive legal safeguards are fundamental to ensuring people with disabilities receive quality education, which directly correlates with meaningful employment outcomes.”

    Another advocate, NPC Deputy Wen Xiaoyan, proposed reforming driving license restrictions by leveraging autonomous vehicle technology. She highlighted how domestic electric vehicles with self-driving capabilities could significantly enhance mobility independence. “The most substantial barriers often exist in our perceptions. We must eliminate self-imposed limitations,” Wen asserted.

    These initiatives represent a growing recognition that technological innovation, coupled with supportive policy, can dismantle longstanding accessibility challenges and foster greater social inclusion.

  • Iran war costing US untold billions, with no end in sight

    Iran war costing US untold billions, with no end in sight

    WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers confront a constitutional dilemma as they prepare to authorize emergency funding for Operation Epic Fury without formal congressional war declaration. The Trump administration has provided no clear timeline, expenditure projections, or strategic endgame for the ongoing military engagement with Iran, leaving legislators to approve resources amid profound uncertainty about financial and human costs.

    Defense spending analysts indicate the aerial bombardment campaign alone has already consumed billions of dollars, with Pentagon officials revealing $5.6 billion was spent on munitions during the initial 48 hours of conflict. Congressional aides familiar with briefings suggest expenditures have since escalated into double-digit billions, with costs potentially multiplying exponentially should ground troops be deployed for regime change operations.

    President Trump has delivered contradictory statements regarding operational timelines, initially projecting a four-to-six week campaign before suggesting a potentially quicker resolution. The administration has neither disclosed total expenditures to date nor provided cost projections for extended military engagement.

    Michael O’Hanlon of Brookings Institution estimates current weekly military costs at approximately $2 billion, warning that a full-scale occupation involving 250,000 troops could escalate to $300 billion annually. These projections exclude secondary economic impacts including global energy price fluctuations, reduced fertilizer production affecting agricultural yields, and damage to diplomatic infrastructure throughout the region.

    Historical comparisons reveal sobering precedents: the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts averaged $1 million per deployed troop annually, with peak annual expenditures reaching $200 billion. Stephanie Savell of Brown University’s Cost of War Project emphasizes that “wars are never quick or cheap or easy,” noting that contemporary conflicts consistently exceed initial projections in both duration and resource requirements.

    The human cost continues to mount with seven confirmed U.S. military fatalities, while experts warn of potential civilian casualties reaching thousands through both direct combat and indirect consequences including infrastructure collapse, disease outbreaks, and malnutrition particularly affecting children under five.

    Strategic analysts question the feasibility of achieving regime change without substantial ground forces, noting that previous attempts at foreign government restructuring in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya required years of military engagement and resulted in prolonged insurgencies. Security experts additionally warn of potential conflict expansion through proxy engagements with Houthi forces in Yemen, Iraqi Shiite militias, and possible retaliatory attacks on U.S. interests worldwide.

    The Congressional appropriation process faces political complications, with Democratic support necessary to advance supplemental funding legislation through the Senate. This creates a potential legislative check on prolonged military engagement, though Republican leadership has expressed unwillingness to constrain presidential authority as commander-in-chief.

  • Married at First Sight star says cancer has spread

    Married at First Sight star says cancer has spread

    Mel Schilling, the renowned relationship expert from the global reality television phenomenon ‘Married at First Sight,’ has shared a devastating health update with her followers. The 54-year-old dating coach disclosed that her previously diagnosed colon cancer has aggressively metastasized to her brain, leaving her with an uncertain future.

    Schilling’s medical journey began over two years ago when she received her initial colon cancer diagnosis in December 2023. Despite undergoing an intensive regimen of 16 chemotherapy sessions while continuing her television commitments, her cancer has progressed dramatically. The Australian-native revealed through an emotional Instagram post that the malignancy has now spread to her lungs and, most recently, the left hemisphere of her brain.

    The television personality described how her condition has deteriorated significantly, experiencing debilitating symptoms including severe headaches and right-side numbness since last Christmas. ‘Despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do,’ Schilling wrote. ‘My light is starting to fade – and quickly.’

    Schilling had been selected for an innovative clinical trial targeting her specific genetic profile, scheduled to commence this month. However, her rapidly declining health has made participation impossible. She poignantly acknowledged her mortality while affirming her fighting spirit: ‘I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath.’

    Accompanying her heartfelt message was a photograph featuring Schilling with her husband and daughter, to whom she paid touching tribute. The reality star recently stepped away from the Australian version of MAFS to focus on her family and health, a decision she announced last month.

    Channel 4, which broadcasts the UK edition of the show, released an official statement expressing profound support: ‘Mel has become a hugely valued and much-loved part of the Channel 4 family; to many of us she is a friend as well as a colleague.’ The network confirmed that relationship expert John Aiken would temporarily assume Schilling’s responsibilities for the remainder of the current UK series.

    Production company CPL, responsible for the UK version of the dating program, echoed these sentiments: ‘Mel is greatly loved and respected by everyone at CPL, and our thoughts are with her and her family as they face this profoundly difficult time.’

    Schilling concluded her message with a crucial public health reminder, urging followers to seek medical attention promptly if ‘something doesn’t feel right,’ emphasizing the importance of early detection in cancer management.

  • Shanghai’s Jing’an unveils major cultural and tourism initiatives

    Shanghai’s Jing’an unveils major cultural and tourism initiatives

    Shanghai’s Jing’an District has launched a comprehensive blueprint for integrated development across cultural, commercial, tourism, sports, and exhibition sectors throughout 2026. The major initiatives announcement ceremony, held on Thursday, revealed ten strategic programs designed to transform the district into a multifaceted urban destination.

    The unveiled initiatives span multiple domains including audio-visual experiences, performing arts, fashion innovation, light art installations, lifestyle enhancements, block revitalization, sports competitions, exhibition programming, park tours, and trend-setting entertainment concepts. These programs establish foundational projects and signature events that will define Jing’an’s urban landscape throughout the coming year.

    Recent performance metrics demonstrate Jing’an’s growing prominence as a cultural-tourism destination. During the recent Spring Festival holiday, the district’s core cultural-tourism sites attracted more than 70,000 visits, ranking third citywide. Total cultural-tourism consumption exceeded 5 billion yuan ($727.4 million), securing second place in Shanghai, while retail shopping consumption reached 4.9 billion yuan, claiming the top position citywide.

    The century-old Zhangyuan historic compound continues to demonstrate remarkable vitality, with its west section achieving over 90% brand occupancy and approximately 50,000 daily visits. The development’s east section is scheduled for partial opening in 2026, with full operational capacity expected by late 2027. The expansion will introduce premium office spaces, performing arts centers, trend culture hubs, and diverse commercial formats.

    International cultural programming will expand significantly with the Shanghai Illustration & Pop Show, leveraging Italy’s prestigious ‘Oscar of Illustration’ intellectual property. Scheduled for May 29-31 at the Shanghai Exhibition Center, the event will assemble 50 brands and institutions from ten countries alongside 200 illustrators, with anticipated attendance exceeding 30,000 visitors.

    The cultural calendar will further intensify with the Shanghai Jing’an Theater Festival launching during the National Day holiday, featuring over 8% of performances making their Chinese debut. The district will also host the world’s first League of Legends IP immersive musical, ‘Immersive Arcane,’ establishing long-term residency.

    Sports programming will contribute to economic activation through high-profile events including the Shanghai Esports Masters and Suhewan Shanghai Paddling Open. Environmental and urban beautification initiatives will introduce Jing’an’s inaugural International Flower Show alongside a collaborative international sculpture exhibition, building upon the success of the 2025 light art exhibition.

    The district simultaneously enhanced its global outreach through the appointment of five International Jing’an Ambassadors spanning digital technology and artistic cultural fields. The launch of an official ‘Shanghai Jing’an’ Instagram account establishes a dual-channel overseas communication matrix alongside the existing Facebook presence, amplifying international visibility and engagement.