Global Pulse

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  • China’s 5G base stations top 4.83 million by end of 2025

    China’s 5G base stations top 4.83 million by end of 2025

    China’s telecommunications sector demonstrated remarkable growth throughout 2025, exceeding all infrastructure development targets established in its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). Official data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reveals the country achieved unprecedented milestones in next-generation network deployment and technological innovation.

    By December 2025, China had established 4.838 million operational 5G base stations nationwide, translating to an impressive density of 34.4 stations per 10,000 people. This infrastructure deployment surpassed national planning objectives by 8.4 units per capita, representing one of the most rapid large-scale 5G implementations globally.

    The telecommunications industry reported sustained financial growth with total business volume increasing 9.1% year-on-year. Revenue reached 1.75 trillion yuan (approximately $250.8 billion), marking a 0.7% increase despite global economic headwinds. Emerging technologies including cloud computing, big data, IoT applications, and data center services contributed significantly, accounting for 25.7% of total sector revenue.

    China’s technological leadership became particularly evident in patent development, with Chinese entities claiming 42% of all global 5G standard-essential patent declarations. Concurrently, researchers achieved substantial breakthroughs in next-generation connectivity, successfully verifying core 6G system architecture and related technologies.

    Infrastructure accomplishments extended to comprehensive network coverage with gigabit optical network access available in every Chinese county. The nation achieved complete 5G coverage across all townships and over 95% of administrative villages. Advanced 5G-A (5G-Advanced) services expanded to more than 330 cities, while the national optical fiber network reached 74.99 million kilometers in total length.

    User adoption metrics showed robust growth with mobile subscriptions reaching 1.827 billion, including 1.204 billion 5G subscribers. Mobile IoT terminals experienced particularly strong expansion, growing 8.7% to 2.888 billion users, with substantial increases in vehicular internet and public service applications.

    The integration of digital technologies with traditional industries reached new heights, with 5G and gigabit networks now implemented across 91 major economic categories. The industrial internet ecosystem achieved comprehensive coverage of all 41 industrial classifications, demonstrating deep digital transformation throughout China’s economic landscape.

  • Central Cee live in Dubai: All you need to know about the British rapper’s upcoming concert

    Central Cee live in Dubai: All you need to know about the British rapper’s upcoming concert

    British rap phenomenon Central Cee is poised to make his highly anticipated return to Dubai with an electrifying open-air performance at Bohemia Beach Club, FIVE Palm Jumeirah, on Friday, January 30, 2026. The chart-topping artist will bring his distinctive fusion of Hip-Hop and R&B to one of Dubai’s most prestigious waterfront venues, marking a spectacular start to the year’s entertainment calendar.

    Having ascended from London’s underground music scene to international stardom through viral street anthems and global hits, Central Cee has established himself as a dominant force on festival circuits worldwide. His Dubai appearance offers fans an intimate opportunity to experience his musical artistry beneath the stars along Palm Jumeirah’s iconic shoreline.

    The concert venue, Bohemia Beach Club, has built a reputation for hosting Dubai’s most memorable live music events, providing an ideal backdrop for Central Cee’s beachfront musical takeover. Event organizers have structured ticketing options to accommodate varying fan preferences:

    – General Dance Floor Access: AED 300
    – VIP Experience: Starting from AED 600 (fully redeemable)
    – Backstage Dancing VIP: AED 800, inclusive of 8 premium beverages

    With limited VIP and backstage packages available, early reservation is strongly advised to secure premium viewing positions.

    Audience members can anticipate a high-energy performance featuring Central Cee’s signature sharp lyricism and melodic hooks, including crowd favorites such as ‘Doja,’ ‘Sprinter,’ ‘LET Go,’ ‘Commitment Issues,’ and numerous other hits from his expanding discography. Whether attending as a dedicated longtime follower or experiencing Central Cee’s dynamic stage presence for the first time, this beachfront concert promises to deliver an unforgettable conclusion to January 2026’s entertainment offerings.

    The event forms part of Dubai’s growing calendar of international music performances, reinforcing the city’s emerging status as a premier destination for global touring artists.

  • Panic on crowded train – passenger tells BBC of moment of Russian drone strike

    Panic on crowded train – passenger tells BBC of moment of Russian drone strike

    A Ukrainian military officer from the 93rd Brigade, identified by his call-sign Omar, has provided a harrowing firsthand account of the immediate rescue efforts following a Russian drone strike on a civilian passenger train in northeastern Ukraine. The attack, which President Zelensky condemned as an act of terrorism, resulted in five fatalities but could have claimed significantly more lives without Omar’s decisive intervention.

    Omar, a drone unit commander who happened to be traveling on the Chop-to-Barvinkove route, described the sequence of events that began when the first of three Russian drones struck near the train, forcing an emergency halt. Moments later, another explosion rocked the carriage as a second drone found its mark. Recognizing the tactical pattern of a drone operator observing and adjusting strikes, Omar immediately instructed panicked passengers to evacuate before the targeted carriage erupted in flames.

    The military officer’s trained response proved critical as 291 passengers faced the rapidly developing crisis. After ensuring the initial evacuation, Omar returned to the smoldering wreckage with other volunteers to search for survivors, discovering five casualties in the process. His most poignant encounter was with a terrified young mother clutching her infant, who revealed she was traveling to the front lines so her soldier husband could meet their child for the first time.

    This attack represents an escalation in targeting Ukraine’s extensive railway network, a critical infrastructure system that has become a symbol of national resilience since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Despite previous attacks on rail infrastructure, Ukraine’s rail company Ukrzaliznytsia has maintained remarkable operational continuity across its 21,000-kilometer network, though increasing attacks and severe weather have caused growing delays.

    In response to the attack, railway stations across Ukraine flew flags at half-mast, and the nation’s daily moment of silence was dedicated to the victims. Demonstrating the system’s resilience, service on the Barvinkove-Chop line resumed within hours of the attack, even as the incident highlighted the increasing vulnerability of civilian transportation networks in the conflict.

  • Peaceful reunification to offer socio-economic benefits for Taiwan

    Peaceful reunification to offer socio-economic benefits for Taiwan

    A senior Chinese official has articulated a compelling vision for Taiwan’s future development, emphasizing the substantial socioeconomic advantages that would accompany peaceful reunification with mainland China. Zhang Han, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, articulated these prospects during a recent briefing, highlighting how integration would transform Taiwan’s infrastructure landscape and economic potential.

    Addressing growing discussions within Taiwan about mainland China’s transportation achievements, Zhang pointed to the massive expansion of China’s high-speed rail network as a model for what could be accomplished in Taiwan. The mainland’s rail system has expanded dramatically to over 50,400 kilometers, with more than 12,000 kilometers added during the 14th Five-Year Plan period alone. This network now connects 128 counties and serves 97% of cities with populations exceeding 500,000, representing the world’s most extensive and technologically advanced high-speed rail system.

    Zhang specifically addressed geographical challenges that have long hampered Taiwan’s transportation infrastructure, noting that with mainland expertise and resources, ambitious projects like tunneling through Taiwan’s central mountain range would become feasible. Such developments would eliminate persistent travel disruptions caused by road closures and landslides, significantly enhancing transportation safety and reliability across the island.

    The economic argument for integration received substantial emphasis, with Zhang revealing that mainland China already dominates Taiwan’s import market, supplying 24.5% of all consumer goods imported by Taiwan in 2025—a total of $49.4 billion worth of products. This established economic relationship provides a foundation for deeper cooperation and shared prosperity.

    Zhang concluded by reinforcing that cross-strait economic collaboration and integrated development represent a mutually beneficial path forward, ensuring that Taiwanese compatriots would fully participate in and benefit from Chinese-style modernization across all aspects of daily life, from basic necessities to advanced infrastructure.

  • Assefa targets repeat of record-breaking London win

    Assefa targets repeat of record-breaking London win

    The upcoming London Marathon on April 26th promises an unprecedented clash of athletic excellence as four of the six fastest female marathon runners in history prepare for a historic confrontation. Reigning champion Tigst Assefa leads the stellar lineup, determined to replicate her record-shattering 2025 performance where she established a women-only world record of 2:15:50.

    This year’s competition intensifies as Assefa faces her most formidable adversaries: Olympic gold medalist Sifan Hassan and world champion Peres Jepchirchir. The Ethiopian athlete enters the race with unfinished business, having suffered dramatic sprint-finish defeats against both competitors in recent global championships. Their rivalry has produced some of the most memorable moments in modern marathon history.

    “My victory in last year’s London Marathon, coupled with setting the women-only world record, stands among the most significant achievements of my professional journey,” Assefa stated. “To accomplish this again, I must outperform exceptional champions like Peres and Sifan. They have consistently proven to be challenging opponents, and our encounters have created spectacular racing narratives. I aspire to emerge victorious this time.”

    The women-only world record distinction applies to races conducted without male pacemakers or competitors. Assefa previously held the outright women’s world record after her spectacular 2:11:53 performance in Berlin during 2023. She currently ranks as the second-fastest female marathoner historically, though this status comes with complexity.

    Ruth Chepngetich, who recorded the fastest women’s marathon time of 2:09:56 in Chicago 2024, received a three-year competitive ban after admitting to anti-doping violations following a positive test in March 2025. Notably, Chepngetich’s achievements preceding that sample remain officially recognized.

    The competitive landscape has transformed dramatically since Paula Radcliffe’s longstanding record of 2:15:25 stood unchallenged until 2019. In the subsequent seven years, eight women have surpassed this benchmark, including Dutch sensation Hassan (2:13:44) and Kenyan standouts Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:14:00) and Jepchirchir (2:14:43), all competing in this edition.

    Further enhancing the event’s appeal, Uruguay’s Julia Paternain joins the elite field. Raised in the United Kingdom, Paternain gained international attention for her astonished reaction to capturing an unexpected bronze medal at last year’s world championships.

    The women’s elite announcement follows earlier revelations regarding British contenders, including Emile Cairess and Eilish McColgan. Meanwhile, the wheelchair competitions feature another historic narrative as Britain’s David Weir attempts to prevent Swiss legend Marcel Hug from matching his record eight London Marathon victories.

  • Israeli raids across West Bank leave one dead and dozens detained

    Israeli raids across West Bank leave one dead and dozens detained

    Israeli military operations across the occupied West Bank have escalated, resulting in the death of a young Palestinian man and the detention of numerous individuals during widespread overnight raids. According to Palestine’s Ministry of Health, 20-year-old Mohammed Rajih Nasrallah from al-Dhahiriya succumbed to abdominal gunshot wounds sustained during an Israeli operation south of Hebron on Tuesday evening. Medical staff at Dura Hospital reported his condition remained critical until he was pronounced dead.

    Concurrent operations unfolded across multiple regions. In the Bethlehem area, Israeli forces apprehended at least three individuals. More extensively, in the village of Amatin east of Qalqilya, troops conducted two-hour home raids, arresting ten Palestinians and allegedly causing substantial property damage according to local accounts.

    The Nablus region witnessed particularly aggressive maneuvers as Israeli forces stormed the villages of Madma and Burin, detaining dozens for interrogation and making several arrests. The security situation prompted the local Directorate of Education to transition schools in Burin, Madma, and Asira al-Qibliya to remote learning until Thursday.

    Additional incidents were reported in Tulkarm, where forces shot and wounded Khader Mohammed Shahada in the thigh before taking him into custody as he departed his residence with his sister. Hebron governorate saw twelve Palestinians arrested, including two women, during operations characterized by property searches and alleged assaults on residents. Separate raids in the Aqbat Jabr camp south of Jericho resulted in two further detentions.

    Amid these security operations, settler violence continued with Israeli settlers uprooting 200 olive trees in Turmus Ayya north of Ramallah, reflecting the ongoing expansion of attacks targeting Palestinian agricultural resources.

    The context for these developments remains deeply troubling. Israeli forces routinely detain Palestinians without specific charges, with thousands currently held in Israeli prisons under conditions described as dehumanizing. Since October 2023, documentation from Israeli rights organization B’Tselem indicates at least 84 Palestinians, including one child, have died in Israeli detention facilities, highlighting systematic concerns regarding treatment and accountability.

  • Dubai’s Al Habtoor Group announces closure of Lebanon operations, terminates all workers

    Dubai’s Al Habtoor Group announces closure of Lebanon operations, terminates all workers

    Dubai-based conglomerate Al Habtoor Group has announced the complete cessation of its operations in Lebanon, citing accumulated losses exceeding Dh6.24 billion ($1.7 billion) and deteriorating conditions in the crisis-stricken nation. The decision, announced Wednesday, will result in the termination of all employees and the closure of all Lebanese assets.

    The group, chaired by billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor, revealed that prolonged instability, hostile campaigns, and defamatory actions against its businesses had made continued operations unsustainable. This drastic move follows the company’s earlier threat to pursue legal action against both the Lebanese government and the Banque du Liban for allegedly violating agreements that pushed operations into financial distress.

    Al Habtoor Group established its Lebanese presence in 2001 with substantial investments across multiple sectors including hospitality, retail, leisure, real estate, and banking. Despite absorbing substantial operational burdens during successive wars and crises, the group stated it had exhausted all reasonable efforts to resolve disputes amicably with Lebanese authorities.

    In a statement, the conglomerate emphasized that institutional failure and the absence of structural solutions to address fundamental deficiencies had compelled this decision. The closure represents a necessary legal and operational measure to prevent further financial drain and protect the group’s interests.

    This development follows Al Habtoor’s January 2025 announcement canceling all investment projects in Lebanon and putting existing properties up for sale, citing security concerns and operational challenges. The Emirati investor had previously expressed personal safety concerns, including death threats received in 2024.

  • First-time Taiwan applicants for mainland travel permits surge over 57%

    First-time Taiwan applicants for mainland travel permits surge over 57%

    In a significant development for cross-strait relations, Taiwan residents are applying for mainland travel permits at unprecedented rates following the implementation of a fee exemption policy. Official data from China’s National Immigration Administration reveals a remarkable 57.2% year-on-year increase in first-time applicants from Taiwan since the policy took effect on July 1, 2025.

    The comprehensive statistics demonstrate a substantial growth in cross-strait mobility. Overall permit applications from Taiwan residents increased by 11.9% during the same period, while first-time entries to the mainland surged by 40.9% in the latter half of 2025. The total number of Taiwan residents entering mainland China climbed by 24.4% year-on-year, indicating strengthened people-to-people exchanges across the strait.

    Administration spokesperson Lyu Ning emphasized the policy enhancements that have accompanied the fee waiver. “Immigration authorities have implemented refined systems to ensure equal treatment for Taiwan compatriots,” stated Lyu. These measures include issuing temporary travel documents for emergency situations involving lost or damaged permits, and establishing verification services that link travel permits with residence permits.

    The administration has maintained free real-time identity verification services to facilitate first-time visitors’ access to transportation, financial, and telecommunications services on the mainland. Looking forward, authorities plan to introduce additional innovative policies specifically targeting first-time applicants and younger demographics to further streamline cross-strait travel procedures.

    Infrastructure expansion has also played a crucial role in this increased connectivity. In 2025, the administration significantly expanded processing capabilities by adding 42 ports authorized to issue single-entry travel permits, bringing the total to 100 facilities across the mainland. Additionally, nationwide processing was implemented for mainland residents applying for exit and entry permits to visit relatives in Taiwan, creating more balanced travel opportunities across the strait.

  • Google unveils AI tool probing mysteries of human genome

    Google unveils AI tool probing mysteries of human genome

    Google DeepMind has launched AlphaGenome, a groundbreaking artificial intelligence system designed to interpret the complex regulatory language of the human genome. This deep learning model represents a significant advancement in genomic research, potentially accelerating the discovery of treatments for genetic disorders.

    According to Pushmeet Kohli, Vice President of Research at Google DeepMind, while the 2003 mapping of the human genome provided ‘the book of life,’ interpreting its contents remained profoundly challenging. ‘We have the text—a sequence of three billion nucleotide pairs—but understanding the grammar of this genome represents the next critical frontier,’ Kohli explained during the announcement.

    The technology specifically targets non-coding DNA, which constitutes approximately 98% of the human genome. Once dismissed as ‘junk DNA,’ this genetic material is now understood to function as a regulatory conductor, directing how genetic information operates within cellular structures. These sequences contain numerous variants associated with diseases that have previously eluded comprehensive analysis.

    AlphaGenome distinguishes itself through its ability to process exceptionally long DNA sequences—up to one million nucleotides—while maintaining high resolution predictions. The model analyzes how each nucleotide pair influences biological processes, including gene activation and RNA production. This capability allows researchers to compare mutated and non-mutated sequences, providing unprecedented insight into genetic disease mechanisms.

    Trained on public datasets measuring non-coding DNA across hundreds of human and mouse cell types, AlphaGenome builds upon Google’s established scientific AI work, which includes the Nobel Prize-winning AlphaFold protein structure prediction system. The tool is already being utilized by 3,000 researchers across 160 countries and remains openly accessible for non-commercial scientific investigation.

    Independent researchers have acknowledged the model’s transformative potential while noting limitations. Ben Lehner of Cambridge University confirmed the system ‘performs very well’ but emphasized that AI models remain constrained by training data quality. Robert Goldstone of the Francis Crick Institute noted that while environmental factors influencing gene expression fall outside the model’s scope, AlphaGenome nevertheless represents a ‘breakthrough’ for simulating genetic disease foundations.

  • Senior Biden aide demands ‘thank you’ for US role in Israel’s Gaza genocide

    Senior Biden aide demands ‘thank you’ for US role in Israel’s Gaza genocide

    A sharp diplomatic rift has emerged between the Biden administration and Israeli leadership as senior US official Amos Hochstein publicly condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what he termed as “untruthful and ungrateful” statements regarding American military support.

    The controversy erupted following Netanyahu’s assertion that Israeli military casualties in Gaza resulted from perceived US arms restrictions. Hochstein, a specially appointed envoy with deep ties to Israel having been born there and served in the Israeli military, delivered a stinging rebuke minutes after Netanyahu’s press conference remarks.

    Hochstein’s background lends particular weight to his criticism. After his military service in the 1990s as a tank crewman, he transitioned into business and energy sectors before becoming a key diplomatic intermediary between Israeli leadership and multiple US administrations.

    The US envoy detailed the substantial military assistance provided to Israel, citing over $20 billion in support—the largest in Israel’s history—along with the deployment of two aircraft carriers to the region. Hochstein emphasized that President Biden’s administration had “saved Israel at its most vulnerable moment,” making Netanyahu’s claims particularly jarring.

    This criticism was echoed by another senior Biden official, Brett McGurk, who categorically denied Netanyahu’s account of arms restrictions. McGurk highlighted the administration’s achievements including securing a Gaza ceasefire, facilitating hostage returns, neutralizing Hezbollah threats in Lebanon, and countering Iranian aggression through coordinated military operations.

    The White House has consistently denied implementing any comprehensive arms embargo, acknowledging only a single paused shipment of high-payload bombs due to concerns about their use in densely populated urban areas. Netanyahu revived these claims while attempting to explain his previous comments to The Economist regarding Israeli military tactics in Gaza.

    This public airing of grievances reveals underlying tensions in the US-Israel relationship despite substantial American military and diplomatic support throughout recent conflicts.