Global Pulse

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  • UAE school admissions explained: What the new age cut-off means for parents, students

    UAE school admissions explained: What the new age cut-off means for parents, students

    In a transformative educational policy shift, the United Arab Emirates has fundamentally restructured its school admission framework by implementing a calendar-year-based eligibility system. Effective from the 2026-27 academic year, children will now qualify for Pre-Kindergarten enrollment upon reaching three years of age at any point during the admission year, extending the previous August 31 deadline to December 31.

    This groundbreaking reform, formally endorsed by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, represents a significant departure from the previous month-specific cutoff approach. The revised policy establishes uniform eligibility standards across all educational stages: Pre-KG at age 3, KG1 at age 4, KG2 at age 5, and Grade 1 at age 6, with all age requirements determined by December 31 of the admission year.

    The policy alteration delivers particular advantages to children born during the September-December period, who previously faced mandatory enrollment deferrals. Extensive research involving analysis of over 39,000 student records demonstrated that early enrollment does not correlate with academic disadvantages, with some younger entrants actually exhibiting enhanced educational outcomes.

    Crucially, the reform maintains parental autonomy, allowing rather than mandating earlier enrollment. The updated regulations apply exclusively to new admissions commencing in 2026-27, preserving existing students’ original placement arrangements. While the policy standardizes admissions across August/September-starting institutions regardless of curriculum—including British (FS1/FS2/Year 1/Year 2) and French (Petite/Moyenne/Grande Section/CP) systems—schools with April academic years continue operating under the established March 31 cutoff.

    The comprehensive policy framework ensures educational continuity for transfer students and international arrivals through standardized grade equivalency protocols, prioritizing consistent academic progression above all other considerations.

  • Breakthrough in brain-machine interface technology empowers paralyzed patients

    Breakthrough in brain-machine interface technology empowers paralyzed patients

    In a landmark demonstration of neurotechnology, a completely paralyzed Chinese patient has achieved unprecedented independence through an advanced brain-machine interface (BMI) system. The patient, a man in his thirties, successfully manipulated a power wheelchair and commanded a robotic assistance dog to retrieve deliveries using only neural signals.

    The revolutionary BMI technology was surgically implanted in June 2025 through a collaboration between the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology and private sector partners. This sophisticated system translates neural activity into digital commands, enabling direct brain-to-device communication without requiring physical movement.

    Clinical results demonstrate transformative improvements in daily living capabilities. The patient has reached levels of self-sufficiency, vocational engagement, and social interaction that were previously considered unattainable for individuals with high-level paralysis. This represents the most significant advancement in functional restoration for paralyzed patients since the development of neural prosthetics.

    The technology’s successful real-world application signals a new era in assistive technologies and neurological rehabilitation. Medical experts highlight that this breakthrough extends beyond laboratory research, offering tangible solutions that dramatically improve quality of life for those with severe mobility impairments.

    Researchers indicate that this achievement establishes new benchmarks for neural interface technology and paves the way for more sophisticated human-machine integration systems in the future.

  • Watch: Pakistani man ‘fears for his life’ after being wrongly linked as Bondi shooter

    Watch: Pakistani man ‘fears for his life’ after being wrongly linked as Bondi shooter

    A Pakistani businessman residing in Windsor, Australia, is confronting severe personal safety concerns and psychological distress after becoming an unintended victim of rampant online misinformation. Naveed Akram, 30, found himself at the center of a digital firestorm when his photograph was falsely circulated across social media platforms as one of the perpetrators of the Bondi Beach shooting that claimed 15 lives last Sunday.

    The case of mistaken identity originated from the coincidental name similarity between the innocent businessman and the actual alleged attacker. Despite having no connection to the tragic incident, Akram experienced immediate reputational damage and intense personal fear as his image spread virally alongside inaccurate accusations.

    “This has been deeply shocking for me,” expressed Akram in a video statement released to counter the misinformation. “I was extremely worried about my safety. I am traumatized by this false association. My photo being circulated everywhere has left me stressed, scared, and unable to move around freely.”

    The misinformation ecosystem amplified rapidly as several Indian media outlets propagated the narrative that the Bondi attacker was Pakistani, relying solely on the name coincidence without factual verification. This reporting intensified the ordeal for Akram, who relocated to Australia in 2018 seeking better opportunities.

    The Bondi tragedy triggered multiple strands of misinformation beyond Akram’s case. Ahmed Al Ahmed, the Syrian Muslim hero who courageously disarmed one shooter, was subject to false identity claims with some sources misidentifying him as a 47-year-old IT worker with a British name—misinformation that was even repeated by X’s AI chatbot Grok. Other accounts incorrectly labeled him as a Maronite Christian.

    Regarding the actual perpetrator, social media platforms circulated numerous unverified claims before official identification, including false assertions that he was a former Israeli Defense Force member, a Mossad agent, or that he had studied at Islamabad University on behalf of Iranian interests. A Lebanese national of Palestinian descent was also wrongly implicated in the digital speculation.

    This incident highlights the dangerous consequences of digital vigilantism and the critical need for media outlets and social platforms to verify information before dissemination, particularly during developing tragedies where accurate information is essential yet often scarce.

  • 64 sculptors build 19-meter-tall snowman in Harbin

    64 sculptors build 19-meter-tall snowman in Harbin

    In an extraordinary display of winter artistry, Harbin—the capital of China’s Heilongjiang province—has unveiled a monumental snow sculpture measuring 19 meters in height. The massive snowman, now standing proudly on the banks of the Songhua River, was completed on Tuesday after an intensive 11-day construction period.

    The project brought together 64 highly skilled sculptors and over 100 support workers who collaboratively transformed 3,500 cubic meters of snow into this seasonal marvel. The finished sculpture features traditional winter attire including a vibrant red hat and matching scarf, with a cheerful expression designed to welcome both visitors and local residents.

    This year’s construction process incorporated modern technology through a live broadcast that allowed viewers worldwide to witness the sculpture’s progression in real-time. The broadcast generated significant online engagement, with audiences participating virtually as ‘cloud guardians’ throughout the creation process.

    The snowman has quickly become a premier photographic destination, enhancing Harbin’s reputation as a winter tourism destination and demonstrating the city’s commitment to creating large-scale public art that celebrates seasonal traditions while embracing technological innovation in its presentation and community engagement.

  • Philippines says no evidence of ‘terrorist training’ after Bondi gunmen’s visit

    Philippines says no evidence of ‘terrorist training’ after Bondi gunmen’s visit

    The Philippine government has formally dismissed allegations that the country served as a terrorist training ground for the perpetrators of Australia’s Bondi Beach massacre. This response comes after revelations that father-son duo Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram spent November in the southern Davao province before carrying out the attack that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration.

    Presidential spokeswoman Claire Castro, reading from a National Security Council statement, asserted that “no evidence has been presented to support claims that the country was used for terrorist training.” She emphasized President Ferdinand Marcos’s strong rejection of characterizations labeling the Philippines as an “ISIS training hotspot.”

    Immigration records confirmed the Akrams entered the Philippines on November 1 with destination Davao, located on Mindanao island—a region with a documented history of Islamist insurgencies. However, military officials challenged the notion that significant training could occur during their month-long stay.

    Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, speaking to reporters, stated that “training cannot be acquired in just 30 days… especially if you are to undergo marksmanship training.” Military spokeswoman Colonel Francel Padilla added that armed groups in Mindanao have been “fragmented” and lacking leadership since the beginning of 2024, with no recorded major terrorist operations or training activities.

    The contrasting perspectives emerged as Australian authorities investigate potential extremist connections during the Akrams’ visit. While military officials maintain insurgent capabilities have been significantly degraded since the 2017 Marawi siege that claimed over 1,000 lives, security analyst Rommel Banlaoi cautioned that active training camps persist in central Mindanao, with weakened insurgent movements maintaining “local and global online” connections.

  • Yubi Group debuts mortgage in the UAE, transforming how consumers secure mortgages with unprecedented simplicity

    Yubi Group debuts mortgage in the UAE, transforming how consumers secure mortgages with unprecedented simplicity

    Yubi Group has dramatically transformed the UAE mortgage landscape with the introduction of Yubi Mortgage, marking the technology company’s inaugural B2C product in the region. This groundbreaking digital platform establishes an entirely new paradigm for home financing by addressing persistent market challenges through advanced technological solutions.

    The innovative platform emerges as a comprehensive solution to longstanding industry pain points including limited lender access, procedural complexity, opaque pricing structures, repetitive documentation requirements, and insufficient application transparency. These traditional barriers frequently resulted in prolonged processing times, borrower uncertainty, and unnecessary stress throughout the mortgage acquisition process.

    Yubi Mortgage’s sophisticated architecture leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to streamline the entire mortgage journey. The system automatically classifies documents, verifies applicant information, assesses eligibility criteria, and facilitates accelerated decision-making processes for lending institutions. A proprietary business rule engine intelligently matches borrowers with optimal lenders, preventing costly mismatches and eliminating the need to restart applications with alternative institutions.

    The platform’s extensive network already encompasses partnerships with over 25 financial institutions across retail, SME, and corporate financing sectors. This expansive connectivity provides users with unprecedented access to diverse lending options including retail banks, Islamic financial institutions, commercial banks, private banks, and digital banking services through a single digital application.

    Sivakumar Rajakkannu, Chief Business Officer of Yubi MENA, emphasized the transformative nature of the launch: ‘Home ownership represents one of life’s most significant decisions. Our mission centers on simplifying this journey while ensuring complete transparency throughout the process. We empower every mortgage seeker with comprehensive access to prominent lenders while providing full support from initial inquiry to final approval.’

    The UAE launch builds upon Yubi’s established presence in the debt market, where the company has facilitated over $36 billion in total debt volumes while supporting more than 17,000 enterprises and 6,200 lenders globally. Backed by renowned investors including Peak XV, Lightspeed, and B Capital Group, the $1.5 billion valued fintech recently received ‘Fintech Startup of the Year’ honors at Global Fintech Fest 2025.

    Prospective mortgage applicants can initiate their digital journey through the dedicated portal at https://mortgage.go-yubi.ae/, where they will receive personalized guidance from Yubi’s specialist team throughout the application process.

  • Why ASUS ROG RTX 50 Series Laptops Are the Festive Upgrade to Watch

    Why ASUS ROG RTX 50 Series Laptops Are the Festive Upgrade to Watch

    ASUS ROG has unveiled its groundbreaking RTX 50 Series laptops in the UAE market, positioning them as the definitive technological upgrade for the festive season. Powered by NVIDIA’s latest GeForce RTX 50 architecture, these machines transcend traditional gaming applications to address diverse user needs across productivity, creativity, and entertainment spheres.

    The new lineup incorporates advanced AI-driven performance enhancements that significantly elevate user experience across multiple domains. For gaming enthusiasts, the technological improvements are particularly transformative. DLSS 4 technology leverages artificial intelligence to substantially boost frame rates, while enhanced Ray Tracing capabilities deliver unprecedented visual fidelity through improved lighting and reflections. Competitive gamers benefit from NVIDIA Reflex technology, which minimizes system latency for crucial split-second advantages in fast-paced titles.

    Beyond gaming, these devices demonstrate remarkable adaptability for academic and professional environments. The integration of AI-optimized thermal management ensures sustained performance during extended usage sessions, maintaining operational quietness and efficiency. Multitasking capabilities have been substantially upgraded, allowing seamless transitions between research applications, video conferencing platforms, and creative software suites.

    The product portfolio offers tailored solutions for different user profiles. The ROG Strix G16, available with RTX 5060 or 5050 configurations, provides accessible high-performance computing, while the flagship ROG Strix SCAR 5090 caters to demanding users requiring maximum graphical capabilities. The ROG Zephyrus G16 emerges as the premier choice for mobile professionals, combining sleek aesthetics with robust performance in a portable form factor.

    Content creators receive particular attention in this generation, with AI acceleration dramatically reducing rendering times and enhancing workflow efficiency. Video editors, graphic designers, and digital artists can expect noticeably smoother previews, faster processing, and improved stability when handling resource-intensive projects.

    The ASUS UAE eShop enhances the proposition with seasonal incentives, including extended warranty options with accidental damage protection and redeemable reward points through the ROG Elite loyalty program. This comprehensive approach positions the RTX 50 Series as a multifaceted technological investment rather than merely a gaming specialty device, offering substantial improvements in computational efficiency, thermal management, and real-world applicability across diverse usage scenarios.

  • Moderate Republicans’ surprise stance forces House vote on expiring healthcare subsidies

    Moderate Republicans’ surprise stance forces House vote on expiring healthcare subsidies

    In an unexpected legislative maneuver, a coalition of moderate Republicans has compelled a critical House vote to preserve healthcare subsidies utilized by millions of Americans under the Affordable Care Act. With these vital financial supports scheduled to terminate at year’s end, the move represents a final attempt to prevent massive premium hikes for ACA enrollees.

    The House is scheduled to conduct the vote Wednesday evening on a proposal that would extend COVID-era enhanced subsidies for an additional three-year period. The effort gained momentum through a discharge petition—a procedural mechanism that enables lawmakers to bypass leadership and bring measures directly to the floor when sufficient signatures are obtained. The petition received unified Democratic support alongside endorsements from four Republican representatives: Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Bresnahan, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, plus Mike Lawler of New York.

    Despite their role in forcing the vote, several moderate Republicans expressed reservations about a straightforward extension without accompanying reforms. Representative Fitzpatrick articulated this nuanced position, stating that while an unreformed extension was problematic, allowing complete expiration without transitional measures would constitute worse policy.

    The action directly challenges House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had previously declared there would be no vote due to intra-party disagreements about extension mechanisms. Johnson had insisted that any subsidy continuation must be balanced by corresponding spending reductions. However, moderates—many facing challenging reelection campaigns in November—successfully circumvented leadership objections.

    Should the measure clear the House, it progresses to an uncertain Senate fate where it currently lacks sufficient Republican backing for passage. Senate Majority Leader John Thune remained noncommittal about scheduling a vote, telling reporters the chamber would address the matter when necessary.

    The Congressional Budget Office projects devastating consequences if subsidies expire: insurance premiums would more than double for millions while adding approximately 3.8 million Americans annually to the uninsured population. This development highlights ongoing tensions within the Republican Party between fiscal conservatism and practical governance affecting constituent healthcare accessibility.

  • Italy may not support EU-Mercosur free trade deal without changes

    Italy may not support EU-Mercosur free trade deal without changes

    BRUSSELS — A landmark trade agreement between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc faces significant uncertainty as Italy joined France in demanding last-minute concessions, casting doubt on a deal twenty-five years in the making. The development comes as EU leaders convene in Brussels for a summit dominated by Ukraine funding, while angry farmers prepare to descend upon the capital in protest.

    Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni delivered a decisive statement to parliament on Wednesday, declaring that signing the pact in its current form would be “premature.” While stopping short of outright opposition, Meloni insisted that Italy would only support the agreement once it includes “adequate reciprocal guarantees” to protect Italian agricultural interests from unfair competition.

    The Mercosur-EU agreement, which would create one of the world’s largest free trade zones covering 780 million people and a quarter of global GDP, requires approval from at least two-thirds of EU member states. Italy’s hesitation strengthens France’s position, which has already demanded stringent safeguards including enhanced import inspections, stricter pesticide regulations in Mercosur nations, and mechanisms to prevent market disruption.

    The political resistance reflects growing far-right influence across Europe that has capitalized on agricultural concerns. Farmers from Greece to Poland have organized protests in Brussels, with some arriving on tractors, fearing the pact will undermine their livelihoods through cheaper imports.

    Despite the mounting opposition, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa remain committed to signing the agreement during their scheduled visit to Brazil on Saturday. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the resistance in Berlin, arguing that those “moaning about details” fail to understand Europe’s strategic priorities in global trade.

    The Brussels summit will primarily address Ukraine financing, but the trade deal represents a critical test of EU unity and its ability to conclude complex international agreements amid rising protectionist sentiments.

  • Look: Visibility drops across UAE as strong, dusty winds blow

    Look: Visibility drops across UAE as strong, dusty winds blow

    The United Arab Emirates experienced significant weather disruptions on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, as powerful winds carrying substantial amounts of dust swept across the region. Meteorological conditions deteriorated rapidly around noon, with visibility dropping dramatically in multiple areas throughout the country.

    The sudden onset of dusty winds created challenging conditions for residents and travelers alike. The reduced visibility posed particular concerns for road safety, prompting authorities to issue advisories for motorists to exercise extreme caution. The intensity of the winds accelerated the movement of fine particulate matter through the atmosphere, creating the characteristic hazy conditions associated with desert sandstorms.

    Weather patterns in the UAE frequently produce such conditions during transitional seasons, though Wednesday’s event appeared particularly pronounced. The dust storm phenomenon represents a regular meteorological occurrence in the Gulf region, where arid landscapes and specific wind patterns combine to create these visibility-reducing events. The rapid update time of the weather alert—within just eight minutes of initial reporting—indicated the quickly evolving nature of the situation.

    Local meteorological departments continue to monitor atmospheric conditions closely, providing real-time updates to ensure public safety during such weather events. Residents were advised to secure loose outdoor items and limit unnecessary travel until conditions improved.