Global Pulse

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  • December’s momentum is building as Big Ticket begins the countdown to Dh30 million

    December’s momentum is building as Big Ticket begins the countdown to Dh30 million

    As winter settles across the UAE, Big Ticket’s annual prize extravaganza gains momentum with multiple high-value draws throughout December, culminating in a historic Dh30 million grand prize drawing scheduled for January 3, 2026—the largest cash reward in the organization’s 2025 calendar.

    The December campaign features weekly electronic draws with five winners each week claiming Dh100,000 prizes. This structure provides multiple winning opportunities for participants who enter early, allowing them to benefit from several prize draws before the main January event.

    Adding to the excitement, Big Ticket has launched The Big Win Contest, automatically entering customers who purchase two or more cash tickets in a single transaction between December 1-24. Four selected participants will receive invitations to attend the live January draw with guaranteed cash prizes ranging from Dh50,000 to Dh150,000. Finalists will be announced on January 1 via Big Ticket’s official website.

    The Dream Car Series further enhances the prize portfolio, with a brand-new BMW 430i awarded during the January 3 draw and a BMW X5 scheduled for distribution on February 3, providing additional incentives for participants seeking luxury vehicles.

    With cooler weather encouraging social gatherings and year-end planning, December has emerged as a particularly active period for Big Ticket enthusiasts. The combination of weekly prizes, luxury vehicles, and the record-breaking jackpot creates sustained excitement throughout the holiday season.

    Tickets remain available through Big Ticket’s online portal at www.bigticket.ae and at physical counters in Zayed International Airport and Al Ain Airport, ensuring accessible participation for residents and visitors alike.

  • Xi presents orders to promote two military officers to rank of general

    Xi presents orders to promote two military officers to rank of general

    In a formal ceremony held in Beijing on Monday, President Xi Jinping, serving as Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), conferred promotion orders elevating two senior military officers to the esteemed rank of general—the highest active-duty rank within China’s military structure. The promoted officers are Yang Zhibin, Commander of the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and Han Shengyan, Commander of the PLA Central Theater Command. The event underscores the continuous strategic command developments within the world’s largest active military. Vice-Chairman of the CMC, Zhang Youxia, announced the promotion orders, which were formally signed by President Xi. Another CMC Vice-Chairman, Zhang Shengmin, presided over the ceremonial proceedings. President Xi extended his personal congratulations to the newly promoted generals, highlighting the significance of their new roles in safeguarding national security and military modernization efforts. The promotion of theater commanders is viewed as a routine yet critical procedure in maintaining leadership continuity and operational readiness within the PLA’s expansive command apparatus.

  • US in ‘pursuit’ of third oil tanker in Caribbean, says official

    US in ‘pursuit’ of third oil tanker in Caribbean, says official

    The United States Coast Guard has initiated an active pursuit operation targeting a third sanctioned oil tanker in Caribbean waters, according to an official statement received by AFP on Sunday. This development represents the latest escalation in Washington’s intensified pressure campaign against Venezuela’s crucial petroleum industry.

    The vessel in question has been identified by maritime authorities as the Bella 1, an oil tanker that has been subject to American sanctions since 2024 due to its purported connections with Iran and Hezbollah. The US official, who requested anonymity, characterized the ship as operating under a false flag while being part of Venezuela’s “illegal sanctions evasion” network and subject to a judicial seizure order.

    This maritime operation follows the dramatic seizure of the Chinese-owned, Panama-flagged tanker Centuries just one day earlier. According to TankerTrackers, a specialized vessel monitoring service, the Centuries had loaded approximately 1.8 million barrels of crude oil at a Venezuelan port earlier this month before being intercepted and escorted beyond Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone on December 18.

    The current pursuit marks the third such intervention within a two-week period, demonstrating the implementation of President Donald Trump’s December 16 announcement establishing a blockade against “sanctioned oil vessels” traveling to and from Venezuela. The administration maintains that these measures are necessary to recover allegedly stolen US assets from the oil-rich South American nation.

    Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez addressed the situation through social media channels, highlighting that American petroleum giant Chevron had simultaneously dispatched a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude to the United States. Rodriguez emphasized that this shipment occurred “in strict adherence to regulations and in fulfillment of the commitments undertaken by our oil industry,” while notably avoiding direct commentary on the interdicted vessels.

    The geopolitical tension is further compounded by the deployment of a substantial US naval armada to the Caribbean under the stated mission of combating drug trafficking—a justification that Caracas dismisses as pretext for a campaign to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro and gain control over Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves.

    The Trump administration alleges that Venezuela utilizes its primary resource, petroleum, to finance “narcoterrorism,” prompting additional military actions including a series of airstrikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels since September. These operations, which have resulted in over 100 fatalities, have faced scrutiny regarding their legal justification under international law.

  • Critically endangered ‘camel bird’ returns to Saudi Arabia after almost 100 years

    Critically endangered ‘camel bird’ returns to Saudi Arabia after almost 100 years

    In a landmark conservation achievement, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has successfully reintroduced the critically endangered red-necked ostrich to Saudi Arabia’s deserts after nearly a century of absence. This ambitious initiative represents a biological replacement for the extinct Arabian ostrich, which vanished from the region in the early 20th century due to excessive hunting and habitat destruction.

    The red-necked ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus), known historically as the ‘camel bird’ and genetically identified as the closest living relative to the Arabian subspecies, has been carefully selected for its remarkable adaptability to arid environments. With fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining worldwide—primarily scattered across Africa’s Sahel region—this reintroduction marks a critical intervention for the species’ survival.

    This project forms part of a comprehensive ecosystem restoration strategy that has already reintroduced 12 of 23 historically occurring species, including the Arabian oryx, Persian onager, and various gazelle species. The 24,500 square kilometer reserve, spanning from the Harrat lava fields to the Red Sea, represents one of the Middle East’s most biodiverse protected areas, encompassing 15 distinct ecosystems while hosting over 50% of Saudi Arabia’s documented species.

    The reintroduction program aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, which commit to protecting 30% of the Kingdom’s terrestrial and marine territories by 2030. The royal reserve system, established by royal decree and overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, represents a significant national investment in environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation.

    Ostriches serve as essential ecosystem engineers, contributing to seed dispersal, insect population control, and maintaining healthy rangeland habitats. Their return promises to restore ecological functions lost with the extinction of the Arabian ostrich, while reviving cultural connections to a species celebrated in ancient Arabic poetry and depicted in sandstone petroglyphs throughout the region.

  • Bollywood counts costs as star fees squeeze profits

    Bollywood counts costs as star fees squeeze profits

    The Indian film industry faces an unprecedented financial crisis as extravagant demands from top-tier Bollywood celebrities escalate production costs beyond sustainable levels. Industry veterans report that excessive star entourages, luxury accommodations, and exorbitant personal fees are fundamentally undermining production economics.

    According to producer Ramesh Taurani of the successful Race franchise, the core issue isn’t production quality but rather the disproportionate allocation of resources to star compensation. Leading actors now command fees reaching $22 million per film while arriving on set with entourages of 10-15 personal staff—all billed to production budgets. These demands include multiple private trailers costing up to $18,000 each, first-class travel arrangements, five-star accommodations, and reduced working hours.

    Veteran producer Mukesh Bhatt describes these requirements as ‘obnoxious,’ noting that ‘expansive support teams, premium travel and luxury accommodations often inflate budgets without proportionate creative impact.’ The problem has intensified post-pandemic, when streaming platforms initially offered inflated acquisition prices that temporarily masked the industry’s structural issues.

    Trade analyst Raj Bansal observes that what began as single shared vanity trailers has evolved into competitive status-seeking among stars. The 2024 science fiction film ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ exemplified this crisis, with its $42 million budget—heavily weighted toward star compensation—resulting in financial disaster despite featuring A-list actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff.

    Actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan publicly criticized this culture in a September interview, questioning stars’ self-respect when demanding such arrangements. However, some exceptions exist: Kartik Aaryan waived his fee for the underperforming ‘Shehzada,’ while industry veterans like Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar personally cover their entourage costs.

    Producers increasingly advocate for partnership-style compensation models where financial risk and reward are shared collectively. As veteran producer Viveck Vaswani notes, ‘If you think your star is stronger than your script, you are wrong.’ The industry now faces a critical choice: prioritize storytelling economics or continue succumbing to unsustainable star-driven financial models.

  • Air India 777 flight returns after drop in oil pressure forces pilot to turn off engine

    Air India 777 flight returns after drop in oil pressure forces pilot to turn off engine

    An Air India Boeing 777-300ER aircraft operating from Delhi to Mumbai was compelled to execute an emergency return on Monday following a critical drop in engine oil pressure. According to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), pilots detected abnormally low oil pressure in the right engine during flaps retraction after takeoff. The pressure subsequently plummeted to zero, prompting the flight crew to initiate standard safety protocols by shutting down the affected engine.

    The aircraft, registered as VT-ALV and approximately 15 years old, safely returned to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport without further incident. This particular aircraft has previously served long-haul routes to Vienna, Vancouver, and Chicago according to aviation tracking data.

    This incident occurs against a backdrop of intensified regulatory scrutiny toward Air India’s safety protocols. The airline has faced heightened oversight since the tragic June 12 Boeing Dreamliner crash that claimed 260 lives. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that an internal Air India investigation uncovered ‘systemic failures’ after one of its aircraft operated commercial flights without proper airworthiness certification.

    The DGCA has previously identified multiple safety deficiencies within the airline, which transitioned from government ownership to private management in 2022. Air India issued a statement expressing regret for passenger inconveniences and confirmed the aircraft is undergoing comprehensive technical inspections. Boeing declined to immediately comment on the developing situation.

    Aviation experts emphasize that modern twin-engine aircraft like the Boeing 777 are engineered to maintain safe flight operations with only one functioning engine, with comprehensive procedures established for such scenarios.

  • Banksy unveils new art in London following speculation over murals depicting stargazing figures

    Banksy unveils new art in London following speculation over murals depicting stargazing figures

    The enigmatic street artist Banksy has officially authenticated a striking new mural in London’s Bayswater district, ending widespread speculation about its origins. The confirmation came through the artist’s official Instagram account on Monday, where two photographs of the artwork were posted shortly after its unexpected appearance on a building wall.

    The monochromatic piece, positioned above a garage, portrays two children wearing winter attire lying on the ground while pointing toward the sky. This composition marks a departure from Banksy’s typically overt political commentary, presenting instead a more ambiguous narrative open to interpretation.

    Interestingly, an identical image emerged simultaneously at the base of a central London tower, though the artist chose not to feature this version on his social media platform. This dual presentation suggests a coordinated artistic strategy characteristic of Banksy’s carefully orchestrated public interventions.

    The Bristol-born artist, who began his career spray-painting local buildings, has evolved into a globally recognized phenomenon whose works command millions at auction houses. This commercial success has unfortunately attracted thieves and vandals, creating ongoing challenges for property owners and art conservators.

    This latest installation contrasts with Banksy’s September piece that depicted a judge menacing an unarmed protester—a work that authorities swiftly removed from the Royal Courts of Justice due to its historical significance. The new mural’s less explicitly political nature demonstrates the artist’s continuing evolution and capacity for surprise within the urban art landscape.

  • CBS defends pulling 60 Minutes segment about Trump deportations

    CBS defends pulling 60 Minutes segment about Trump deportations

    CBS News finds itself embroiled in significant internal conflict and external scrutiny following its controversial decision to abruptly pull a prepared segment from its flagship ’60 Minutes’ program. The report was poised to investigate the Trump administration’s deportation of approximately 250 Venezuelan men to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), where allegations of brutal and torturous conditions have been documented by multiple news organizations.

    The last-minute cancellation, ordered by newly-appointed Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, triggered immediate backlash from within the network. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, who led the investigative team, circulated a private memo characterizing the move as ‘political’—a document that subsequently leaked to media outlets. Alfonsi revealed that despite formal requests to the White House, State Department, and Department of Homeland Security, government officials had uniformly declined interview requests for the segment.

    In an official statement, CBS maintained the segment required ‘additional reporting,’ with Weiss emphasizing that holding stories for further context ‘happens every day in every newsroom.’ She affirmed the network’s intention to air ‘this important piece when it’s ready.’

    This controversy emerges against the backdrop of CBS’s recent corporate transformation. The network’s parent company Paramount was acquired earlier this year in a deal personally guaranteed by Larry Ellison—tech billionaire and Trump ally—whose son David Ellison now leads the media conglomerate. The Trump administration approved this takeover after Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit regarding a previous ’60 Minutes’ interview with Kamala Harris.

    As part of regulatory approvals, David Ellison committed to installing an independent ombudsman and ensuring diverse viewpoints in programming. His October appointment of Weiss—a vocal critic of partisan media trends—signaled intended editorial shifts at CBS News. The current incident has drawn criticism from political figures including Democratic Senator Brian Schatz, who denounced the decision as ‘a terrible embarrassment’ that risks handing the administration a ‘kill switch’ for inconvenient reporting.

  • Israel demolishes residential building in east Jerusalem

    Israel demolishes residential building in east Jerusalem

    Israeli authorities executed a significant demolition operation in East Jerusalem’s Silwan neighborhood on Monday, leveling a four-story residential structure that housed approximately 100 Palestinian residents. The pre-dawn operation, described by human rights organizations as the largest single demolition in the area this year, resulted in the displacement of numerous families, including women, children, and elderly residents.

    According to eyewitness accounts, Israeli security forces entered the building while occupants were sleeping, allowing them only minimal time to gather essential documents and clothing before bulldozers commenced demolition. The scene unfolded with personal belongings scattered across adjacent streets as three heavy machinery units systematically dismantled the structure under heavy police cordon.

    The Jerusalem Municipality justified the action citing a 2014 court order that designated the land for recreational and sports purposes rather than residential use. Officials maintained the demolition addressed illegal construction in accordance with urban planning regulations.

    However, Palestinian activists and human rights groups presented a contrasting narrative. The Jerusalem Governorate, affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, characterized the demolition as part of a systematic policy to forcibly displace Palestinian residents and alter the demographic composition of the city. Israeli organizations Ir Amim and Bimkom revealed that the demolition proceeded without prior notice, despite a scheduled meeting to discuss potential legalization measures for the structure.

    The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding Jerusalem’s status, particularly in neighborhoods like Silwan where hundreds of Israeli settlers live among approximately 50,000 Palestinians. Palestinians face severe restrictions in obtaining construction permits through Israel’s planning system, creating a housing crisis that has persisted since Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem following the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. This latest demolition brings the total to approximately 100 East Jerusalem families displaced through such operations in 2025 alone.

  • PNC Championship: Where golf’s greatest names share the stage with Family

    PNC Championship: Where golf’s greatest names share the stage with Family

    The PNC Championship has solidified its position as one of golf’s most anticipated seasonal events, masterfully blending competitive excellence with profound family connections. This unique tournament, originally established in 1995 as the PNC Father-Son Challenge, has progressively evolved to embrace contemporary family structures while maintaining its core celebration of sporting legacy across generations.

    Held annually at Orlando’s Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Florida, the championship provides a refreshing departure from conventional tournament intensity. The 2025 edition featured twenty elite teams, each comprising a major champion or Players Championship winner partnered with a family member, creating a distinctive atmosphere of both competition and camaraderie.

    The 2025 tournament witnessed a historic performance from Matt Kuchar and his son Cameron, who secured their inaugural PNC title with unprecedented dominance. Their remarkable rounds of 57 and 54 culminated in a record-shattering 33-under-par finish, eclipsing the previous tournament benchmark by five strokes and securing victory by a commanding seven-shot margin.

    The scramble format, where both players drive before selecting the optimal ball position, fosters aggressive strategy and creative shot-making while prioritizing shared enjoyment. Davis Love III with son Dru and John Daly alongside John Daly II tied for second at 26-under, while Nelly Korda partnering with her tennis champion father Petr and Steve Stricker with daughter Izzi shared fourth position at 25-under.

    Beyond the $200,000 championship prize from the $1.085 million purse, Kuchar’s victory carried profound emotional significance following the recent passing of his father, Peter. An emotionally overwhelmed Kuchar shared with Golf Channel: ‘Dad is missed. I know pops is giving big fist pumps up in the sky. This has been a family favorite event since we started—it brings people together and creates special memories.’

    The championship field read like a hall of fame induction, featuring golfing luminaries including Annika Sörenstam, Fred Couples, Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, and the legendary Lee Trevino as the event’s eldest competitor. More than mere competition, the PNC Championship stands as golf’s ultimate demonstration of how elite sport can harmoniously coexist with familial bonds, inclusivity, and personal significance.