Global Pulse

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  • Israeli president concerned over proposed renaming of park

    Israeli president concerned over proposed renaming of park

    A controversial proposal to rename Herzog Park in south Dublin has ignited diplomatic tensions between Ireland and Israel, drawing strong reactions from both governments and Jewish communities. The park, located in Rathgar, was originally named in 1995 to honor Chaim Herzog, the Belfast-born sixth president of Israel who spent his formative years in Dublin.

    The Office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, son of the late leader, issued a formal statement expressing profound concern over the potential name removal, characterizing it as a ‘shameful and disgraceful move’ that would damage the historical connection between Irish and Jewish peoples. The statement emphasized Chaim Herzog’s dual legacy as both an Israeli leader and a hero who fought against Nazi occupation in Europe, dedicating his life to values of freedom, tolerance, and peace.

    Irish political leaders have joined the opposition against the renaming proposal. Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris declared his complete opposition, stating ‘It is wrong. We are an inclusive republic,’ while Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee urged councilors to reject the motion, distinguishing between criticism of current Israeli policies and honoring historical figures.

    The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland described the move as ‘deeply concerning,’ with Chair Maurice Cohen warning that removing the Herzog name would be widely perceived as an attempt to erase Irish Jewish history. The proposal originated from Labour Party councilor Fiona Connelly in December 2024, who questioned whether proper naming procedures were followed initially.

    This controversy occurs against the backdrop of deteriorating Ireland-Israel relations, including Israel’s decision to close its Dublin embassy last year following Ireland’s support for South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel and its recognition of Palestinian statehood alongside Norway and Spain. The current military situation in Gaza, which began after Hamas’s October 2023 attack, has further complicated diplomatic relations between the two nations.

  • Airbus A320 recall in UAE: Regulator says safety inspections underway on aircraft

    Airbus A320 recall in UAE: Regulator says safety inspections underway on aircraft

    The United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has confirmed the immediate implementation of comprehensive safety inspections across its national Airbus A320 fleet. This decisive action follows an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that affects approximately 6,000 aircraft worldwide, representing over half of the global A320 fleet.

    According to official statements released on Saturday, the GCAA is maintaining close coordination with both EASA and UAE carriers to ensure full compliance with all safety mandates. The regulatory body emphasized that these precautionary measures are designed to uphold the highest operational safety standards while minimizing disruption to flight operations throughout the Emirates.

    Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicates that UAE operators Air Arabia and Etihad Airways collectively maintain 106 A320 aircraft subject to the directive. Both airlines have demonstrated proactive responses to the manufacturer’s recall notice.

    Air Arabia confirmed it is implementing required software and technical updates across affected aircraft, with a spokesperson stating: ‘We are working to ensure minimal impact on our customers. Should any schedule adjustments become necessary, affected passengers will receive direct notification.’

    Etihad Airways reported even more rapid progress, announcing the successful completion of mandatory software updates across its entire A320 fleet. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier credited its operational and technical teams for accomplishing the updates during one of the busiest travel periods at Zayed International Airport, with flights having returned to normal scheduled operations.

    The GCAA reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to rigorous regulatory oversight, noting that all operators remain prepared to implement technical updates issued by manufacturers or relevant international authorities promptly and effectively.

  • Multiple-entry, 2-month visit visa: Qatar to extend permits for GCC residents

    Multiple-entry, 2-month visit visa: Qatar to extend permits for GCC residents

    Qatar has unveiled a significant expansion of its visa facilitation program for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residents, announcing the extension of visit permits from one month to two months with multiple-entry privileges. The new regulations, set to take effect on November 30, 2025, through the Haya digital platform, represent a strategic move to enhance regional tourism integration.

    The initiative, announced by Qatar Tourism, aims to capitalize on the nation’s post-FIFA World Cup 2025 infrastructure and event hosting capabilities. The enhanced visa scheme will enable GCC residents to more conveniently attend Qatar’s growing calendar of sports tournaments, cultural exhibitions, and entertainment events. This policy adjustment particularly supports the upcoming Arab Cup 2025 tournament, facilitating smoother entry procedures for regional spectators.

    The Haya platform serves as a comprehensive digital ecosystem for visa processing and event management, offering five distinct electronic visa categories: standard tourist visas (A1), GCC resident visas (A2), electronic travel notification visas (A3), companion visas for GCC citizen guests (A4), and visa waivers for US citizens (F1). This streamlined approach significantly simplifies trip planning for international visitors while maintaining robust security protocols.

    Tourism analysts view this development as part of Qatar’s broader strategy to position itself as a regional hub for major international events. The extended visa duration and multiple-entry feature address previous limitations that potentially constrained visitor mobility within the GCC region, particularly affecting those wishing to combine Qatari events with visits to neighboring countries.

  • ‘It didn’t look good’ – Erasmus on Etzebeth red card

    ‘It didn’t look good’ – Erasmus on Etzebeth red card

    Cardiff witnessed a historic yet controversial conclusion to the autumn internationals as South Africa delivered a crushing 73-0 defeat to Wales on Saturday. The reigning world champions demonstrated their formidable dominance by scoring eleven tries in a display of pure rugby supremacy.

    However, the spectacular performance was overshadowed in the final minutes when veteran lock Eben Etzebeth received a red card for making contact with the eye area of Welsh flanker Alex Mann. The incident occurred during a scuffle in the 79th minute, with referee Luc Ramos immediately dismissing the 34-year-old Springbok legend.

    South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, stating: ‘The optics weren’t great. It didn’t look good and it was a justified red card.’ Erasmus expressed disappointment that the match concluded on such a note, particularly as Etzebeth had just scored the final try moments before the infraction.

    The victory completed South Africa’s perfect autumn campaign and cemented their position as the world’s top-ranked team. Meanwhile, Wales suffered their most lopsided defeat in history, extending their dismal record to 21 losses in their last 23 Test matches under new coach Steve Tandy.

    Erasmus offered words of encouragement to the struggling Welsh side, drawing parallels to South Africa’s own rebuilding period: ‘We were in that situation where people were burning jerseys. Get one or two wins, get on a roll and things will change. I know that things changed from 2016, when we were nowhere, to 2019 when we won the World Cup.’

    Etzebeth, who earned his record 141st cap for South Africa during the match, now faces a potentially lengthy suspension. World Rugby regulations mandate bans ranging from 6 to 208 weeks for eye contact incidents, depending on severity and intent.

  • UAE: Demand for turkey up as many families celebrate Thanksgiving over long weekend

    UAE: Demand for turkey up as many families celebrate Thanksgiving over long weekend

    The United Arab Emirates is witnessing a remarkable surge in Thanksgiving celebrations, with demand for traditional turkey meals reaching unprecedented levels during the extended National Day weekend. This American holiday has transcended its cultural origins, becoming an increasingly popular occasion for communal gatherings among diverse communities in the Gulf nation.

    Major food retailers and restaurants report exceptional growth in turkey sales, with some establishments experiencing 100% increased demand compared to 2024. The trend reflects the UAE’s evolving cultural landscape, where international traditions blend with local customs to create unique hybrid celebrations.

    According to industry experts, the phenomenon demonstrates significant shifts in consumer behavior. Warwick Gird, General Manager of Marketing at Spinneys, noted particularly strong demand for large turkeys in the 6-8 kg range, indicating that residents are hosting substantial gatherings. “We’ve seen high double-digit growth versus last year,” Gird confirmed, highlighting the scale of the increase.

    The trend extends beyond retail to prepared meals, with restaurants reporting substantial pre-order volumes. Joe Dourans, Operations Manager at Rodeo Drive, observed that while Thanksgiving originated as a US holiday, UAE families are embracing it as a warm, communal celebration. “Each year, we see more returning guests and larger group bookings,” Dourans noted, indicating the tradition’s growing roots beyond its original cultural context.

    Sajan Alex, CEO of Tablez Food Company, attributed the surge to strong economic performance and positive consumer sentiment. “Individuals are more willing to spend on premium festive experiences,” Alex stated, noting that their Famous Dave’s brand has seen 100% growth in demand for their oak-smoked turkey feast offerings.

    Industry professionals anticipate the trend will continue through the Christmas season and beyond, with turkey becoming a preferred centerpiece for various celebrations throughout the year. Interestingly, there’s growing interest in locally-infused variations that incorporate Middle Eastern flavors while maintaining the dish’s festive essence, creating a distinctive UAE interpretation of the Thanksgiving tradition.

  • Cambridge union approves motion saying world ‘failed Palestine’

    Cambridge union approves motion saying world ‘failed Palestine’

    In a decisive move reflecting growing campus activism, the Cambridge University Student Union has passed a motion declaring that the international community has failed Palestine. The resolution received overwhelming support during a Thursday debate featuring prominent voices from both sides of the conflict.

    The contentious debate featured Palestinian journalist and campaigner Yara Eid advocating for the motion, while Israeli speaker Hen Mazzig, a former army liaison officer, argued against it. Mazzig later characterized the reception to his arguments as ‘hostile’ in a Jewish News article reproducing his speech.

    This development follows last month’s significant decision by Cambridge Student Union to disaffiliate from the National Union of Students (NUS), citing the organization’s failure to adequately campaign for Palestine and support pro-Palestine protesters. The disaffiliation was further justified by citing poor value for money, with annual fees estimated at £20,000 ($26,000).

    The Cambridge vote aligns with broader student activism across the United Kingdom, where student groups and union officers from 55 universities signed an open letter demanding the NUS take a stronger stance on Gaza or face mass disaffiliation. In response, the NUS controversially demanded that union officers remove their signatures from the letter or face bans from NUS events.

    Concurrently, Cambridge University announced last month its decision to divest from companies involved in producing ‘controversial weapons,’ following a year of pro-Palestine protests on campus. This move mirrors similar action taken by King’s College, one of Cambridge’s largest colleges, which committed to divesting from arms industry companies complicit in ‘the occupation of Ukraine and Palestinian territories.’

  • UAE President waives Dh475 million in debt for over 1,400 citizens

    UAE President waives Dh475 million in debt for over 1,400 citizens

    In a sweeping humanitarian gesture, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has authorized the cancellation of debts exceeding Dh475 million for 1,435 Emirati citizens facing financial hardship. The monumental debt relief initiative, coordinated through the Defaulted Debts Settlement Fund, represents one of the most substantial social welfare measures undertaken in the nation’s recent history.

    The comprehensive debt waiver program specifically targets vulnerable segments of society, including humanitarian and medical cases, low-income borrowers, families of deceased individuals, retirees with limited means, and senior citizens. The program operates in collaboration with 19 major banking institutions and financial entities across the Emirates, ensuring widespread impact across the financial sector.

    Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has been personally overseeing the implementation of this presidential directive. The initiative reflects the leadership’s profound commitment to alleviating financial pressures on citizens while promoting family stability and social development.

    Debt settlement procedures are being conducted according to rigorous legal and regulatory frameworks that carefully consider the nature and purpose of each loan. Priority is given to essential living expenses and necessary costs that affect citizens’ quality of life and financial security.

    The participating financial institutions include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Group, Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Mashreq Bank, RAKBANK, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, e&, United Arab Bank, Arab Bank for Investment & Foreign Trade (Al Masraf), Commercial Bank of Dubai, HSBC, Ajman Bank, Amlak Finance, Emirates Islamic Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain, and Citibank.

    This unprecedented debt relief measure demonstrates the UAE government’s proactive approach to social welfare and economic stability, providing citizens with a fresh financial start while reinforcing the nation’s commitment to compassionate governance.

  • Former Dubai waiter arrested over attack on Kapil Sharma’s cafe: Indian media

    Former Dubai waiter arrested over attack on Kapil Sharma’s cafe: Indian media

    Indian authorities have apprehended a suspect with connections to Dubai in connection with a series of targeted shootings at a Canadian restaurant owned by renowned Indian comedian Kapil Sharma. The arrest marks a significant development in an international investigation spanning multiple continents.

    According to reports from The Indian Express, Delhi Police Crime Branch officers took 28-year-old Bandhu Man Singh Sekhon into custody on November 25th in his hometown of Ludhiana, Punjab. Sekhon stands accused of conspiring with criminal elements to orchestrate attacks on Kap’s Café, located in Ontario, Canada, which occurred in July and August of this year.

    The investigation reveals a complex transnational narrative. Sekhon reportedly completed his Master’s in Computer Applications in Punjab before briefly relocating to Dubai in 2018, where he worked in the hospitality sector as a waiter. After returning to India within months, he subsequently moved to Canada in 2023, working variously as a pharmacist and ride-hailing driver before allegedly becoming involved with criminal networks.

    Law enforcement officials identified Sekhon as a close associate of Goldy Dhillon, a gangster who has claimed responsibility for three separate shootings at the comedian’s establishment. The attacks are believed to be part of an organized extortion attempt targeting the high-profile business venture.

    During the arrest operation, authorities recovered significant evidence including a pistol and eight live cartridges from Sekhon’s possession. The suspect’s criminal involvement reportedly extended to previous legal troubles in Canada, where he was arrested in March in a separate extortion case and subsequently released with a GPS monitoring device.

    Kapil Sharma, one of India’s most prominent comic entertainers and host of The Kapil Sharma Show, maintains strong connections to the UAE, regularly performing to capacity crowds in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. His international profile has made his business ventures potential targets for criminal elements seeking extortion opportunities.

    The ongoing investigation involves coordination between Indian, Canadian, and potentially UAE authorities as they work to dismantle the transnational criminal network believed responsible for the attacks.

  • Cheapest gold rate in UAE: 14K gold price revealed for first time in Dubai

    Cheapest gold rate in UAE: 14K gold price revealed for first time in Dubai

    In a significant market development, the Dubai Jewellery Group has for the first time published official pricing for 14-carat gold, setting the rate at Dh301.75 per gram. This establishes 14K as the most economically accessible gold variant available in the emirate’s jewelry market.

    The pricing initiative emerges against the backdrop of unprecedented gold valuations, with the precious metal reaching historic peaks in October 2025. During that period, gold surpassed Dh500 per gram in Dubai markets and achieved the remarkable threshold of $4,300 per ounce in global trading platforms.

    Market analysts observe a pronounced shift in consumer behavior, with Dubai and UAE shoppers increasingly favoring more affordable 18K and 21K gold jewelry amidst sustained price elevations. The newly introduced 14K gold price reflects this evolving market dynamic and addresses growing demand for budget-conscious options.

    The official pricing structure reveals substantial differentials between gold variants: 24K gold traded at Dh508.5 per gram during the weekend, positioning 14K gold more than Dh200 below the premium variant. Meanwhile, 14K maintains an Dh85 premium over its closest alternative, 18K gold, which was priced at Dh387 per gram.

    Globally, spot gold concluded the trading week at $4,219.23 per ounce, registering a 1.51 percent increase. Dubai’s gold pricing mechanism remains synchronized with international market fluctuations, ensuring local rates reflect global trends.

    Despite the formal pricing announcement, market availability of 14K jewelry remains limited. Industry representatives indicate that major jewelry retailers are actively evaluating the introduction of 14K collections specifically designed for lightweight daily wear, responding to evolving consumer preferences toward practical affordability without compromising aesthetic standards.

    Vinay Jethwani of Meena Jewellers confirmed the industry’s adaptation to changing consumption patterns, noting efforts to cater to broader consumer segments through diversified product offerings. Similarly, Malabar Gold and Diamonds’ Shamlal Ahamed observed that the trend toward lightweight jewelry is increasingly driven by evolving design preferences alongside economic considerations.

  • Kunming Dry Port train further enhances regional connectivity

    Kunming Dry Port train further enhances regional connectivity

    A significant advancement in regional connectivity was achieved on Friday with the official launch of the Kunming Dry Port train service, a crucial component of the China-Laos-Thailand-Malaysia Railway network. The inauguration ceremony took place in Anning, Yunnan province, marking a new chapter in transnational logistics.