Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Italy: Thousands stranded overnight as Bergamo airport halts flights

    Italy: Thousands stranded overnight as Bergamo airport halts flights

    A significant operational disruption at Italy’s Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY) left thousands of passengers stranded overnight Saturday into Sunday. The airport, a major hub for Ryanair serving the Milan region, was forced to suspend all flight operations due to a critical confluence of adverse weather and a technical malfunction.

    The primary cause of the halt was identified as a failure within the instrument landing system (ILS), a crucial navigational aid that guides aircraft during low-visibility approaches. This technical issue was severely compounded by poor weather conditions, including dense fog, which rendered visual landings unsafe. SACBO, the airport’s operating company, confirmed the technical fault was rectified by approximately midnight. However, the airport’s official website continued to issue advisories warning travelers of potential ongoing delays and cancellations throughout Sunday.

    According to reports from Italian media, the cascading effects of the shutdown were substantial. A total of 26 departing flights were canceled outright. Furthermore, six inbound flights were diverted to alternative airports, while an additional seven flights were officially rescheduled for the following day. With all movement suspended, travelers had no choice but to bed down inside the terminal. Circulated images depicted a scene of widespread inconvenience, with passengers sleeping on floors and even atop airport baggage carousels in an attempt to rest.

    The Corriere della Sera daily reported that the initial flight suspensions began around 6:00 PM local time (1700 GMT) on Saturday. By Sunday morning, the airport’s real-time flight status board displayed a lengthy catalog of disruptions, predominantly affecting Ryanair’s schedule. While some flights, including a delayed service to Cagliari and a Neos airline flight to Sharm-el-Sheikh, managed to depart later in the morning, the backlog of passengers and aircraft indicated that full operational normality would take time to restore.

  • How sports and cultural events are reshaping India’ success story

    How sports and cultural events are reshaping India’ success story

    India’s landscape is undergoing a profound metamorphosis as sports and cultural events emerge as powerful engines of economic growth and national identity. The transformation extends far beyond cricket, though the sport continues to demonstrate staggering commercial dominance. The Board of Control for Cricket in India reported record revenues of Rs97.41 billion in FY 2023–24, with the Indian Premier League contributing approximately Rs57.61 billion while reaching 446 million unique television viewers during its 2024 season.

    The sporting revolution now encompasses multiple disciplines experiencing remarkable growth. Hockey is witnessing a renaissance following Olympic successes, with the revived Hockey India League attracting international talent and capacity crowds in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. Kabaddi has achieved extraordinary penetration into tier-2 and tier-3 markets through the Pro Kabaddi League, which reaches approximately 200 million viewers annually. Football’s Indian Super League has matured into a premier property with attendance rivaling established Asian leagues, while tennis tournaments like the Chennai Open and Bengaluru Open have reestablished India’s position on the international circuit.

    This expansion is paralleled by an explosive live entertainment sector. Coldplay’s Ahmedabad concerts generated an estimated ₹641 crore economic impact, drawing over 220,000 attendees and significantly boosting local hospitality and service industries. Crucially, this boom extends beyond metropolitan centers, with major events occurring from Kochi to Guwahati.

    Economists highlight the multiplier effect: each major event generates cascading benefits across hotels, transportation, retail, and temporary employment. For India’s youth, these developments represent more than economic opportunity—they signify participation in global spectacles within their own cities, fostering aspiration and belief in national progress.

    Backed by governmental support, India’s ambitions now include hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which would catalyze infrastructure development and tourism reminiscent of the 2010 Delhi Games. The nation is transitioning from event host to strategic shaper of the global sports and entertainment landscape, with industry projections indicating 12–14% CAGR growth potentially reaching $40 billion by 2030.

  • Israeli police kill Palestinian citizen in Negev raid amid Ben Givr ‘incitement’

    Israeli police kill Palestinian citizen in Negev raid amid Ben Givr ‘incitement’

    A lethal confrontation during an Israeli police operation in the Negev has resulted in the death of a Palestinian citizen, intensifying tensions over the government’s law enforcement tactics. Mohammed Hussein al-Tarabin, a 35-year-old father of seven, was fatally shot by officers during an arrest raid in the village of Tirabin al-Sana late Saturday.

    According to official police statements, Tarabin was targeted after allegedly endangering officers’ lives during the operation and was suspected of involvement in vehicle arsons in nearby Jewish communities. However, these claims are vehemently disputed by Tarabin’s family and community representatives, who describe the shooting as an execution-style killing without justification.

    The incident’s sole child witness, Tarabin’s 11-year-old son, provided a harrowing account: “They knocked on the door. My father opened it, and immediately they shot him in the chest.” The child further described how officers dragged his mortally wounded father to the balcony, removed his trousers, and conducted searches while he lay bleeding on the floor.

    National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who oversees police operations, publicly endorsed the officers’ actions, declaring the killing “right” and expressing full support for the involved personnel through his social media channels. This endorsement comes amid Ben Gvir’s personally led “sovereignty restoration” campaign in Tirabin al-Sana, featuring increased raids, arrests, and home demolition orders targeting Palestinian citizens of Israel.

    The shooting officer has been interrogated on suspicion of unlawful firearm use and released to house arrest pending internal investigation. Palestinian leadership organizations have condemned both the specific killing and the broader police campaign, characterizing it as systematic intimidation and collective punishment against Arab citizens.

    The High Follow-Up Committee, representing Palestinian citizens of Israel, accused police of “committing deliberate killing” and implementing “an unprecedented campaign of intimidation, terror and revenge.” Committee head Jamal Zahalka specifically denounced Ben Gvir’s support for the killing as reflecting “fascist” tendencies and rejected police allegations against Tarabin as fabricated.

    This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Israel’s Palestinian minority—descendants of those not expelled during the 1948 Nakba—and state authorities, with advocacy groups citing persistent discrimination and repressive practices despite formal citizenship status.

  • Massive snow palace sculpture rises in Jilin province

    Massive snow palace sculpture rises in Jilin province

    An architectural marvel carved from snow has emerged in Northeast China’s Jilin province, where artisans have completed a breathtaking large-scale sculpture depicting a palace seemingly suspended in mid-air. The monumental artwork, constructed within the renowned Changbai Mountain scenic area, required an astonishing 100,000 cubic meters of meticulously compacted snow to achieve its final form.

    Soaring to an impressive height of 30 meters and spanning 70 meters in width, the frozen palace represents one of the most ambitious winter art installations created in recent years. The design draws direct inspiration from the popular novel series ‘The Grave Robbers’ Chronicles,’ bringing fictional architecture from the pages of literature into tangible reality through the transient medium of ice and snow.

    Since its recent completion, the sculpture has generated substantial excitement among literary enthusiasts and winter tourism advocates alike. The installation forms part of a broader initiative to promote winter tourism and cultural activities in China’s northern regions, where extreme cold weather becomes a canvas for artistic expression rather than a limitation.

    The Changbai Mountain area, known for its pristine winter landscapes and abundant snowfall, provides an ideal backdrop for such ambitious frozen architecture. Local tourism authorities anticipate the sculpture will attract visitors from across China and beyond, offering a unique combination of natural beauty, literary homage, and artistic achievement.

    This project continues the region’s tradition of snow and ice artistry while pushing the boundaries of scale and thematic complexity, demonstrating how winter conditions can be transformed into opportunities for cultural celebration and tourist attraction.

  • Dubai Police warn residents of rise in work visa scams

    Dubai Police warn residents of rise in work visa scams

    Dubai authorities have escalated warnings about a concerning increase in fraudulent employment visa schemes targeting residents. The Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation revealed that criminals are exploiting job seekers through sophisticated social media and messaging platform campaigns.

    According to official statements, scammers are posing as legitimate recruitment agents and company representatives, offering falsified employment opportunities and expedited visa processing in exchange for substantial upfront payments. These operations specifically target individuals demonstrating urgency in securing employment documentation, leveraging informal networks to appear authentic.

    Police emphasized that legitimate work visas can only be processed through two authorized channels: official government portals and legally accredited recruitment agencies. Any offers originating outside these established pathways should immediately raise suspicion among job seekers.

    The modus operandi typically involves perpetrators contacting victims through digital platforms with promises of guaranteed employment or accelerated visa processing, often requesting payment before providing any legitimate documentation. These transactions frequently occur through untraceable financial channels, making recovery of lost funds extremely difficult.

    Protective measures recommended by authorities include:
    – Conducting thorough verification of visa offers through official government channels before any financial transaction
    – Exclusively utilizing accredited recruitment offices and government-sanctioned platforms for employment documentation
    – Maintaining heightened skepticism toward individuals or organizations promising visa guarantees or regulatory shortcuts

    Victims or those encountering suspicious offers are encouraged to report incidents through multiple official channels: the Dubai Police smart application, the dedicated eCrime platform for cyber-related offenses, or the non-emergency police hotline at 901. Early reporting helps prevent further victimization and assists investigations into these criminal networks.

  • Stuck in Afghanistan, Pakistanis want border to finally reopen

    Stuck in Afghanistan, Pakistanis want border to finally reopen

    A protracted border closure between Pakistan and Afghanistan has created a humanitarian and economic crisis, leaving thousands of students, merchants, and families stranded with no clear resolution in sight. The land crossings have remained shut for nearly three months following deadly clashes in October that resulted in over 70 casualties, severing a vital conduit for communities on both sides.

    The colonial-era Durand Line, a 2,600-kilometer border dividing the two South Asian nations, is normally a bustling artery for those who share deep cultural, economic, and familial ties. Its closure has particularly impacted the Pashtun communities it bifurcates—the same ethnic group that forms the core support for the Afghan Taliban government.

    University students represent a significant portion of those trapped. Shah Faisal, a 25-year-old medical student in Afghanistan, exemplifies the personal toll, stating, ‘We miss our parents and relatives,’ after his plans to return to Pakistan during the winter break were thwarted. With commercial flights being prohibitively expensive and smuggling routes deemed too dangerous, an estimated 500-600 Pakistani students in Nangarhar province alone are seeking safe passage home.

    The impasse stems from Islamabad’s allegations that Kabul is providing sanctuary to militant groups launching attacks on Pakistani soil—a charge the Taliban administration vehemently denies. Despite mediation attempts, no lasting agreement has been reached, and both governments have warned that hostilities could reignite at any moment.

    Beyond the student population, the closure has crippled cross-border commerce and stranded travelers. Ehsanullah Himmat, a 21-year-old shopkeeper, traveled to Kandahar for a wedding and now finds himself and his family effectively displaced, reliant on the hospitality of relatives as winter sets in. For truck drivers like Khan Muhammad, idled at the Spin Boldak crossing, livelihoods have evaporated. ‘Work has come to a standstill,’ he lamented. ‘All our livelihoods depend on this gate.’

    Official channels offer limited respite. Pakistan’s foreign ministry acknowledged nearly 1,200 citizens seeking repatriation assistance through its Kabul embassy, with just over 300 managing to return via air by December’s end. With neither government signaling a timeline or conditions for reopening, the fates of thousands hang in the balance, awaiting a political solution to a deeply entrenched dispute.

  • Venezuela’s acting president says US attack had ‘Zionist undertones’

    Venezuela’s acting president says US attack had ‘Zionist undertones’

    Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez has characterized the United States’ military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro as possessing distinct ‘Zionist undertones.’ During a nationally televised address, Rodríguez asserted that the international community expressed profound shock over the armed aggression targeting the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. She issued a stark warning, declaring that history and justice would ensure accountability for the extremists responsible for promoting the attack.

    The operation, executed by US special forces in the early hours of Saturday, resulted in the seizure of the ousted president from the capital city of Caracas. The assault was supported by American fighter jets conducting strikes on critical military installations throughout the country. Following the operation, the Venezuelan Supreme Court formally decreed Rodríguez, previously Maduro’s vice-president, to lead the nation on an interim basis.

    The specific intent behind Rodríguez’s reference to Zionist elements remained initially unclear, yet it occurs against a backdrop of persistently strained relations between Venezuela and Israel. This diplomatic friction was highlighted in November when Maduro himself accused ‘far-right Zionists’ of conspiring to deliver his nation to ‘devils.’

    In a notable contrast to widespread international condemnation, Israel emerged as a prominent supporter of the US-led mission. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar publicly commended the operation on social media, praising US leadership and expressing solidarity with the Venezuelan people whom he described as suffering under Maduro’s ‘illegal tyranny.’

    The US military intervention faced sharp criticism from numerous South American nations, including Brazil, Colombia, and Chile, alongside key Venezuelan allies such as Russia, China, and Iran. While several European countries welcomed Maduro’s removal from power, they simultaneously raised serious concerns regarding the operation’s compliance with international law. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez captured this ambiguous stance, noting Spain’s non-recognition of the Maduro regime while refusing to endorse an intervention that violates international legal standards. The operation also drew condemnation from US Democratic lawmakers, who labeled it as illegal.

  • UAE: Barbecue banned in some areas of Al Ain’s Jebel Hafeet; up to Dh4,000 fine

    UAE: Barbecue banned in some areas of Al Ain’s Jebel Hafeet; up to Dh4,000 fine

    Al Ain municipal authorities have implemented a comprehensive prohibition on barbecue activities across Jebel Hafeet’s parking areas, imposing substantial financial penalties for violations. The Department of Municipalities and Transport, in collaboration with Al Ain City Municipality, has erected explicit warning notices throughout the mountain’s parking facilities indicating that “Barbecue/BBQ is strictly prohibited in this area. Violation may result in a penalty.”

    This regulatory measure coincides with Al Ain’s recent designation as the 2026 Arab Tourism Capital, awarded in December 2025 by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism’s Executive Office. The prestigious recognition underscores the growing regional prominence of Emirati tourist destinations and highlights the need to preserve environmental integrity.

    Jebel Hafeet represents one of the UAE’s most frequented natural attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of residents and international visitors annually during cooler months. The site has undergone significant development featuring diverse food and beverage establishments alongside family-oriented recreational facilities.

    The enforcement action derives legal authority from Abu Dhabi Law No. (2) of 2012 concerning the Preservation of Public Appearance, Health and Tranquillity. Initial violations carry a Dh1,000 fine, escalating to Dh2,000 for second offenses and reaching Dh4,000 for third transgressions. Supplementary warning signage has been installed throughout Green Mubazzarah Park’s non-designated zones to maintain aesthetic standards.

    Residents have expressed mixed reactions to the implementation. Dubai inhabitant Ahmed Malik noted the recent appearance of prohibition signage during a weekend visit, contrasting with his previous experience during National Day celebrations when no restrictions were visibly communicated. Sharjah resident Samina Khan emphasized the location’s popularity for family gatherings, citing both Green Mubazzarah’s children-friendly facilities and the mountain summit’s appealing climate for social activities.

  • Former senior provincial political advisor of Hubei expelled from CPC, public office

    Former senior provincial political advisor of Hubei expelled from CPC, public office

    In a significant move against corruption, Chinese authorities have announced the expulsion of Zhou Xianwang, a former high-ranking political advisor from Hubei province, from both the Communist Party of China and public office. The decision follows an extensive investigation into serious disciplinary and legal violations conducted by China’s top anti-graft bodies.

    Zhou previously served as a key member of the leading Party members group within Hubei’s provincial committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and held the position of vice chairperson. The investigation, authorized by the CPC Central Committee and executed by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Commission of Supervision (NCS), uncovered multiple breaches of Party regulations.

    The comprehensive probe revealed that Zhou had committed severe infractions against political and organizational discipline, in addition to violating standards of integrity in both professional and personal conduct. The official statement indicated that Zhou engaged in serious job-related misconduct and is suspected of accepting bribes, constituting criminal offenses under Chinese law.

    In accordance with established Party protocols and legal statutes, authorities have determined to strip Zhou of his Party membership and governmental position. The ruling includes confiscation of all illicit assets acquired through his unlawful activities and refers his case to judicial authorities for criminal prosecution. This development represents another milestone in China’s ongoing campaign against corruption within its political system.

  • Four Indians killed in Saudi road accident: Media reports

    Four Indians killed in Saudi road accident: Media reports

    A Kerala family’s spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia ended in tragedy on Saturday evening when a fatal road accident claimed four lives. The incident occurred at approximately 6 PM local time as the family traveled from Makkah to Madinah following their completion of the Umrah pilgrimage.

    According to multiple Indian media reports, the deceased have been identified as Abdul Jaleel, a resident of Manjeri in Kerala’s Malappuram district; his wife Tasna Thodengal; their young son; and Jaleel’s mother Maimunath Kakkengal. The family had undertaken the religious pilgrimage as part of their spiritual obligations.

    Two daughters of Abdul Jaleel survived the catastrophic collision but sustained significant injuries. They are currently receiving medical treatment at undisclosed healthcare facilities in Saudi Arabia. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, though specific details regarding the cause remain unclear.

    The Indian community in Saudi Arabia and diplomatic representatives have been alerted to provide necessary assistance to the surviving family members. Such incidents highlight the risks faced by international pilgrims traveling along Saudi Arabia’s extensive road networks, particularly during peak religious seasons when millions visit the holy cities.