Global Pulse

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  • Amy Schumer announces split from husband of seven years

    Amy Schumer announces split from husband of seven years

    In a heartfelt social media disclosure, acclaimed comedian and actress Amy Schumer has publicly announced the dissolution of her seven-year marriage to award-winning chef Chris Fischer. The 44-year-old entertainment icon shared the news through an Instagram post on Friday, accompanied by a nostalgic photograph of the couple aboard a subway train.

    Schumer characterized the separation as a mutually agreed upon ‘difficult decision’ that concludes their romantic partnership while preserving their commitment to co-parenting their six-year-old son. The Trainwreck star emphasized the amicable nature of the split with the declaration: ‘Amicable and all love and respect! Family forever.’

    The comedian addressed potential speculation about their separation with characteristic humor, explicitly stating the divorce was not motivated by her recent weight loss nor Fischer’s culinary acclaim and continued attractiveness. Fischer, 45, received the prestigious James Beard Award in the American Cooking category for his 2015 publication, the Beetlebung Farm Cookbook: A Year of Cooking on Martha’s Vineyard.

    The couple’s professional collaboration included the Food Network reality series ‘Amy Schumer Learns to Cook,’ which premiered during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering viewers a glimpse into their domestic dynamic. Their relationship was further documented in the HBO Max series ‘Expecting Amy,’ which chronicled Schumer’s challenging pregnancy while managing endometriosis.

    Prominent figures from the entertainment industry expressed support in the comments section of Schumer’s announcement. Actress Sophia Bush acknowledged the particular difficulty of navigating divorce under public scrutiny, while television personality Gayle King praised Schumer’s unique ability to announce the separation with both humor and affection.

    Schumer’s distinguished career includes creating and starring in the critically acclaimed sketch show ‘Inside Amy Schumer,’ headlining the 2015 film ‘Trainwreck,’ and her performance in ‘I Feel Pretty’ (2018). More recently, she expanded her creative portfolio by writing, directing, and starring in the Hulu sitcom ‘Life & Beth.’

  • Look: UAE kids become storytellers, exhibit Emirati culture at RAK event

    Look: UAE kids become storytellers, exhibit Emirati culture at RAK event

    Ras Al Khaimah has transformed cultural preservation into an intergenerational dialogue through its innovative Heritage Days event, running from December 11-15. The fourth edition, themed ‘Heritage Through the Eyes of Our Children,’ positions school students as primary narrators of Emirati traditions rather than passive observers.

    The program features a national heritage operetta competition where fourteen schools initially participated, with six finalists presenting meticulously crafted performances. Each operetta involved minimum 40 students and adhered to strict 25-minute timeframes while being evaluated on traditional attire authenticity, heritage content accuracy, directorial quality, and student participation levels. A distinguished panel of educational experts, theater specialists, authors, and media professionals assessed the presentations.

    Beyond theatrical performances, the event offers immersive cultural experiences across multiple domains. Traditional crafts demonstrations, folk medicine exhibitions, local cuisine sampling, and children’s art displays create a comprehensive tapestry of Emirati heritage. Muheina Ali Obaid Al Suraidi of Al Mattaf Association demonstrated traditional herbal preparations, explaining therapeutic applications of plants like Harmal (used in fumigation rituals against fever and negative energy), Al Yedah (fever reduction), and Al Halbat (treating inflammation and digestive issues).

    The artistic dimension features heritage-inspired paintings by Ministry of Education-recognized students, works by artist Hamid Liwad, and sculptures by Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Rabee—a Person of Determination acknowledged among Ras Al Khaimah’s most promising creative talents. Educator Najat Saleh Al Teneiji additionally contributed to the multidisciplinary exhibition.

    Amal Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, Director of the Corporate Communications Office at the Department of Antiquities and Museums, emphasized the paradigm shift: ‘Children are not only the custodians of our heritage; they are also its storytellers. This year’s event gives the public a chance to see heritage through their perspective, highlighting creativity, learning, and cultural pride.’

    The event operates daily from 4 PM to 10 PM, offering residents and visitors an innovative approach to cultural preservation that balances authenticity with contemporary interpretation, ensuring traditions remain dynamically relevant through youthful engagement.

  • Two US soldiers and interpreter killed by IS gunman in Syria, US military says

    Two US soldiers and interpreter killed by IS gunman in Syria, US military says

    A deadly assault on a joint U.S.-Syrian military patrol near the historic city of Palmyra has resulted in significant casualties, marking a severe escalation of violence in the region. According to U.S. Central Command, an Islamic State gunman orchestrated a lone-wolf ambush that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter, while wounding three additional U.S. service members. Syrian state media confirmed that two of their personnel were also injured in the coordinated attack.

    The incident occurred during what Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell described as ‘a key leader engagement’ in a contested area beyond the Syrian president’s full control. While no group has immediately claimed responsibility, initial assessments from defense officials strongly point to ISIS operatives. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights offered conflicting reporting, suggesting the attacker might have been affiliated with Syrian security forces.

    The timing proves particularly significant as it follows recent diplomatic developments between the formerly adversarial nations. Last month, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Donald Trump at the White House, characterizing the encounter as the dawn of a ‘new era’ in bilateral relations. Syria’s recent inclusion in the international coalition against Islamic State underscores the complex partnership evolving between the two governments.

    U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a stern warning following the attack: ‘Let it be known, if you target Americans – anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.’ Echoing this commitment, Tom Barrack, U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, condemned the ‘cowardly terrorist ambush’ and reaffirmed America’s dedication to ‘defeating terrorism with our Syrian partners.’

    The global coalition, which Syria recently joined, continues its mission to eliminate remaining ISIS elements and prevent the flow of foreign militants to the Middle East. The identities of deceased American personnel are being withheld pending family notifications.

  • Greetings causing injuries? White House blames Trump’s bandaged hand on handshakes

    Greetings causing injuries? White House blames Trump’s bandaged hand on handshakes

    The White House has officially addressed visible bandages on President Donald Trump’s right hand, attributing the injury to his extensive handshake engagements. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt provided this explanation during Thursday’s press briefing, noting that the 79-year-old president maintains an exceptionally active greeting schedule that occasionally results in physical markings.

    Leavitt further clarified that Trump’s daily aspirin regimen—confirmed through previous medical examinations—could contribute to increased bruising susceptibility. This statement echoes similar explanations provided months earlier when observers noted apparent bruising on the president’s hand concealed with makeup.

    The health discussion emerges against the backdrop of Trump’s status as the oldest U.S. president ever elected. The Republican leader has consistently emphasized his physical condition, often drawing comparisons to his predecessor Joe Biden’s capabilities. In a Tuesday night post on his Truth Social platform, Trump escalated his defense against media inquiries regarding his fitness, characterizing such investigations as potentially amounting to ‘sedition, maybe even treason.’

    This health narrative follows Trump’s October comprehensive medical evaluation, which included an MRI scan and resulted in his physician declaring the president to be in excellent health. The ongoing attention to presidential physical condition reflects heightened public interest in leaders’ capabilities amid advanced age service.

  • Cambodia says Thailand still bombing hours after President Trump truce call

    Cambodia says Thailand still bombing hours after President Trump truce call

    A US-brokered ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia has unraveled within hours of its announcement, with Phnom Penh accusing Bangkok of continuing aerial bombardments along their disputed border region. The Cambodian Defense Ministry stated that on December 13, 2025, Thai F-16 fighter jets dropped seven bombs on multiple targets within Cambodian territory, directly contradicting the truce agreement facilitated by President Donald Trump.

    The escalation comes despite President Trump’s announcement on his Truth Social platform that both neighboring nations had agreed to halt hostilities following his diplomatic engagement with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The border conflict, reignited earlier this week, has already claimed at least 20 lives and displaced approximately half a million people from both sides.

    This recent violence represents the collapse of a July ceasefire agreement that was jointly brokered by the United States, China, and Malaysia through the ASEAN framework. The current clashes stem from longstanding territorial disputes along the 800-kilometer colonial-era border demarcation. Thailand had previously suspended the peace agreement in November following incidents where Thai soldiers were wounded by landmines at the border.

    Both nations have engaged in mutual recriminations, with each government blaming the other for initiating the renewed conflict. Prime Minister Hun Manet has proposed utilizing US and Malaysian intelligence capabilities to determine which side initiated hostilities on December 7. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anutin dissolved Thailand’s parliament on Friday after just three months in office, setting the stage for early general elections next year amid the ongoing border crisis.

  • King Charles shares ‘good news’ about his cancer treatment in video message

    King Charles shares ‘good news’ about his cancer treatment in video message

    In a nationally televised address marking a cancer awareness campaign, King Charles III delivered encouraging health updates regarding his ongoing battle with cancer. The 77-year-old monarch revealed that medical professionals will substantially reduce his treatment regimen beginning in the new year, characterizing this development as both a personal blessing and evidence of remarkable advancements in oncology care.

    The King’s diagnosis of an unspecified cancer emerged in February 2024 following a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate. Buckingham Palace officials confirmed that physicians are transitioning His Majesty’s treatment “into a precautionary phase” due to his exceptional response to therapeutic interventions, though continuous health monitoring will remain in effect.

    Breaking with royal tradition of maintaining privacy regarding health matters, Charles utilized his platform to emphasize the critical importance of early cancer detection. “Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives,” the monarch stated while wearing a pinstriped suit adorned with a ‘Stand Up to Cancer’ badge. He expressed particular concern that approximately nine million British citizens remain overdue for available cancer screenings, noting that many avoid examinations due to unfounded fears about discomfort or embarrassment.

    The announcement brings measured relief to the royal family following nearly two years of health challenges that also included cancer treatment for Catherine, Princess of Wales, who announced her remission in January. Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed national sentiment, expressing collective satisfaction with the monarch’s positive prognosis.

    Charles spoke emotionally about the ‘community of care’ surrounding cancer patients, praising nurses, researchers, and volunteers whose compassion illuminates “the darkest moments of illness.” He concluded with a call to action, urging citizens to make early cancer detection their New Year’s resolution and participate in available screening programs.

  • Dubai skyline, Hatta peaks: Why UAE landscapes pull people toward extreme challenges

    Dubai skyline, Hatta peaks: Why UAE landscapes pull people toward extreme challenges

    In the United Arab Emirates, a nation synonymous with luxury and convenience, a counterintuitive trend is emerging: residents are increasingly pursuing physically demanding challenges across the country’s most rugged landscapes. A new endurance series, spearheaded by former UK Special Forces soldier and television personality Ant Middleton, is currently capturing this phenomenon on film in locations ranging from Dubai’s periphery to Hatta’s mountainous terrain.

    This psychological shift sees participants voluntarily confronting extreme environmental conditions—scaling rocky peaks exceeding 1,300 meters in elevation and traversing sun-scorched desert expanses—activities that test both physical endurance and mental resilience. Middleton, renowned for his mindset-focused programming like SAS: Who Dares Wins, observes that UAE residents living in one of the world’s most secure and organized societies are deliberately seeking discomfort to rediscover self-reliance.

    The unique juxtaposition of ultra-modern urban infrastructure with raw, untamed nature creates what Middleton describes as an ideal environment for personal transformation. Hatta’s challenging topography, particularly Umm Al Nesoor peak, presents technical climbing difficulties amplified by regional heat and humidity that rapidly reveal participants’ true capabilities under pressure.

    According to Middleton’s assessment, these extreme experiences serve as powerful authenticity catalysts: ‘When we strip people down and show them a mirror, they either turn away because they don’t like what they see, or they accept it, learn from it, and come back stronger.’ The phenomenon demonstrates that growth occurs outside comfort zones, with participants seeking not victory but transformative clarity—moments where daily distractions fade, leaving only fundamental effort and self-awareness.

    This movement reflects a deeper human need for self-discovery in increasingly structured modern societies, suggesting that even within environments designed for comfort, people inherently crave challenges that reveal their core identity and capabilities beyond perceived limitations.

  • Visa-free transit and direct flights to boost travel to China

    Visa-free transit and direct flights to boost travel to China

    In a significant move to reinvigorate its tourism sector and strengthen global connectivity, China is implementing a dual strategy of expanded visa-free transit policies and increased direct flight routes. The initiative comes as the country positions itself as a premier destination for international travelers following recent global travel disruptions.

    China Southern Airlines recently demonstrated this commitment by hosting a cultural bridge event titled “Bridging Cultures Across the Sky” in San Francisco on December 9. The event specifically targeted the promotion of US-China travel routes, highlighting the airline’s expanded service offerings between the two nations.

    The visa-free transit program, which allows passengers from numerous countries to stay in China for up to 144 hours without a visa when connecting to international flights, has been expanded to include additional major hub airports. This policy streamlining eliminates bureaucratic hurdles that previously discouraged short-term visits and layover tourism.

    Aviation industry analysts note that the combination of eased transit regulations and enhanced direct flight availability creates a powerful synergy. Travelers can now more conveniently use Chinese airports as connecting hubs while also having improved options for direct access to China’s numerous cultural and commercial centers.

    The strategic timing of these developments coincides with China’s broader efforts to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and economic ties with key partners worldwide. The travel facilitation measures are expected to provide substantial benefits to sectors including hospitality, retail, and business services across China’s major urban centers.

  • Industry insiders urge oversight of artificial heart tech

    Industry insiders urge oversight of artificial heart tech

    Medical technology leaders are advocating for international consensus on technical standards for left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), commonly known as partial artificial hearts. This call for clarity emerged from high-level discussions at the 31st annual meeting of the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support (ISMCS) in Vienna, where Chinese and international medical device companies convened to address growing concerns about inconsistent terminology and performance evaluation methods.

    LVAD technology has become a critical treatment for approximately 60 million people worldwide suffering from heart failure. These mechanical pumps assist the heart’s left ventricle in circulating blood to the aorta, serving as either a bridge to transplantation or as long-term therapy for patients ineligible for heart transplants.

    The United States previously dominated the field with fully magnetically levitated bearing systems that suspend the pump’s impeller using magnetic forces. This contact-free design maximizes durability while minimizing damage to blood cells. In a significant industry shift, Chinese medical institutions have emerged as major innovators over the past decade. BrioHealth Technologies became one of only two companies globally to receive FDA approval for clinical trials of fully magnetically levitated pumps.

    Marvin Slepian, former chairman of ISMCS, noted that Chinese companies are making ‘dramatic advances’ in the technology. Nobuyuki Kurita, associate professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, observed that Chinese firms are developing at ‘shockingly fast’ rates with substantial investment capacity, benefiting both the industry and patients.

    The urgency for standardized definitions follows concerns that some manufacturers have misrepresented their technology. Certain companies have allegedly marketed products with hydrodynamic bearings as fully magnetically levitated systems, creating confusion among clinicians and researchers.

    This lack of clarity has hindered effective communication between industry experts, research teams, and medical practitioners, potentially affecting patient outcomes. Slepian emphasized the critical need for transparency, comparing the situation to purchasing an electric vehicle but receiving a combustion engine car instead.

    Chen Chen, founder of BrioHealth Technologies, supported the push for standardized definitions to ensure proper technological development. The international medical community anticipates further progress at next year’s ISMCS meeting, which is expected to be held in China, featuring dedicated symposiums on establishing consistent technical standards.

  • Billionaire offers ‘common-sense’ advice

    Billionaire offers ‘common-sense’ advice

    John Catsimatidis, the 77-year-old billionaire chairman and CEO of Red Apple Group, has built a formidable business empire over five decades through his distinctive ‘common-sense’ philosophy. Beginning with grocery stores, his ventures now span aviation, oil and gas, real estate, and media, amassing a net worth exceeding $4.8 billion. Despite his monumental success, Catsimatidis remains deeply committed to philanthropic initiatives and fostering international cooperation, particularly between the United States and China.

    Born on the Greek island of Nisyros in 1948, Catsimatidis immigrated to the U.S. as an infant. His childhood in West Harlem exposed him to diverse cultures and instilled a strong work ethic. After studying electrical engineering at New York University, he left just eight credits short of his degree to focus full-time on the grocery business. His innovative approach—extending operating hours, accepting food stamps, and cashing checks—set his stores apart from competitors.

    Today, Catsimatidis oversees more than 40 supermarkets in Manhattan and maintains a significant presence in media through his ownership of radio station 77WABC. He hosts programs like The Cats Roundtable, where he emphasizes truthful reporting in an era of declining public trust in media.

    A key focus for Catsimatidis is strengthening U.S.-China relations. He recently attended a cultural concert at Carnegie Hall featuring Chinese musicians and presented a cultural excellence award. ‘The Chinese people are one of the wisest cultures we have,’ he remarked. ‘We should work together for what’s good for the world.’ He also expressed interest in bringing Chinese pandas to New York City as a symbol of cross-cultural friendship.

    Catsimatidis has maintained relationships with prominent political figures, including former President Donald Trump, to whom he reportedly donated $2.4 million last year. Though he ran for New York mayor in 2013 and may consider a gubernatorial bid in 2027, his primary dedication remains to business and philanthropy.

    His book, How Far Do You Want To Go? Lessons from a Common-Sense Billionaire, was published in 2023, with another in progress. He attributes his success to integrity, hard work, and the influence of mentors—values he hopes to pass on to future generations.