Global Pulse

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  • International raiders rock Meydan on dramatic night of upsets at the racing Carnival

    International raiders rock Meydan on dramatic night of upsets at the racing Carnival

    The Dubai Racing Carnival witnessed a dramatic shift in power dynamics as European contenders delivered a series of stunning upsets against local favorites at Meydan on Friday evening. International raiders from across Europe and the UK comprehensively outperformed expectations, claiming the majority of victories on the eight-race card sponsored by DP World.

    The evening’s most significant upset occurred in the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes, where UK-trained Fort George narrowly defeated Charlie Appleby’s heavily favored Arabian Light by a nose. The victory marked a dramatic end to Appleby’s seven-year winning streak in this prestigious event. Jockey Kieran Shoemark praised Fort George’s determination: ‘He showed a willing attitude in the closing stages. The second went three-quarters of a length up on us, but he battled hard.’

    Danish racing enjoyed an exceptional evening with dual victories. Taifuu, trained by Soren Jensen and ridden by Oliver Wilson, captured the Mawj Stakes for three-year-old fillies with a impressive come-from-behind performance. Meanwhile, Bent Olsen’s Great Wish secured victory in the Listed Dubai Sprint under French jockey Mickael Barzalona, who noted the horse’s surprising early speed and strong finishing capability.

    The Crisford training partnership achieved the night’s only double, with Title Role winning the Jumeirah Guineas Trial and Telemark prevailing in the DP World Logistics Handicap. Their success brings their seasonal tally to nine Carnival victories, demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout the 2025-2026 campaign.

    Local trainers Doug Watson and Bhupat Seemar provided some domestic success stories. Seemar’s Tap Leader, a Russian Group 1 winner, made a triumphant UAE debut, with jockey Tadhg O’Shea highlighting the horse’s significant potential despite previous starting gate difficulties.

    The evening’s results underscore the increasing internationalization of the Dubai Racing Carnival and suggest a highly competitive lead-up to World Cup night. The Carnival continues next Friday, February 6th, with expectations of further thrilling competition.

  • Canada’s Conservative leader calls for national unity ahead of key leadership vote

    Canada’s Conservative leader calls for national unity ahead of key leadership vote

    CALGARY – Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre delivered a defining address to party faithful on Friday, framing national unity as paramount while confronting growing separatist sentiments in Alberta and Quebec. Speaking before a consequential leadership review vote, Poilievre invoked Lincoln’s historic warning that “a house divided cannot stand” as he outlined his vision for a cohesive Canada.

    The address came amid significant political challenges for Poilievre, who lost both the 2025 general election to Mark Carney’s Liberals and his own parliamentary seat after two decades in office. Despite these setbacks, the Conservative leader received strong support from delegates at the Calgary convention, where he positioned affordability concerns and crime reduction as central pillars of his platform.

    Poilievre’s speech directly addressed the escalating separatist movements in Conservative strongholds. In Alberta, grassroots activists are gathering signatures for an independence referendum, while in Quebec, the sovereignist Parti Québécois leads polls ahead of provincial elections. The Conservative leader attributed these centrifugal forces to Liberal policies that have allegedly eroded hope in the federation.

    The leadership review, automatically triggered after the party’s election defeat, represents Poilievre’s most significant political test since assuming leadership. His supporters point to historic gains under his guidance, including a record 41% popular vote share in the last election and remarkable success with younger voters concerned about housing affordability and cost-of-living issues.

    However, challenges persist. Recent defections of Conservative MPs to Carney’s centrist Liberal camp have raised questions about party unity, while Poilievre struggles with personal popularity—surveys indicate over half of Canadians view him negatively, citing an overly combative tone. His ambiguous stance toward U.S. President Donald Trump, whose tariffs and “51st state” rhetoric alarm many Canadians, remains another vulnerability.

    Current polling shows Conservatives trailing Liberals by nine points, according to recent Léger data. The leadership vote, conducted by constituency delegates immediately following Poilievre’s speech, will determine whether he maintains command to lead the party into the next electoral contest.

  • What we learned – and didn’t – from the Melania documentary

    What we learned – and didn’t – from the Melania documentary

    A new documentary offering a curated glimpse into Melania Trump’s world has sparked both public fascination and significant controversy. ‘Melania: 20 Days to History,’ co-produced by the First Lady herself and director Brett Ratner, premiered in U.S. theaters this Friday, presenting a carefully constructed narrative of her transition into the White House during the lead-up to her husband’s January 2025 inauguration.

    The film arrives amidst a turbulent political climate, with its release timing criticized as insensitive following fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis. Despite this backdrop, the documentary deliberately sidesteps political discourse, focusing instead on the First Lady’s personal journey, her meticulous attention to detail in event planning and fashion, and her navigation of grief following her mother’s death in January 2024.

    Viewers are offered intimate, though often superficial, moments: Melania reviewing fabric swatches with her long-time stylist Hervé Pierre, discussing mutual interests with France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron, and privately mourning her mother. The documentary reveals her musical preferences, including a fondness for Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean,’ and captures her candid admission of the challenges inherent in her ‘structured’ role, which affords ‘fewer quiet moments.’

    President Donald Trump appears sparingly, primarily to offer praise, stating on camera that his wife ‘has done a great job.’ Notably absent are deeper explorations of Trump family dynamics or substantive policy discussions. The film instead portrays Melania’s philosophy of using her influence to ‘fight for those in need,’ exemplified by an emotional meeting with former Israeli hostage Aviva Siegel.

    The project’s association with Amazon MGM Studios—which reportedly spent $40 million for rights and $35 million on marketing—has drawn scrutiny from government watchdogs, questioning the optics of such financial investment during heightened billionaire access to the White House. Furthermore, the involvement of director Brett Ratner, previously accused of sexual misconduct, has added another layer of controversy. Despite these criticisms, initial screenings attracted supportive, flag-attired audiences who cheered throughout, highlighting the deeply polarized reception of a documentary that seeks to redefine a famously enigmatic figure.

  • Cuba declares international emergency in response to US executive order

    Cuba declares international emergency in response to US executive order

    The Cuban government has formally declared an ‘international emergency’ in response to a new executive order signed by US President Donald Trump that threatens crippling tariffs on nations trading oil with the Caribbean island. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla announced the drastic measure on Friday, characterizing the US policy as an existential threat with global implications.

  • USS Abraham Lincoln in Arabian Sea: What fighter jets, destroyers are on board?

    USS Abraham Lincoln in Arabian Sea: What fighter jets, destroyers are on board?

    The United States has significantly bolstered its military presence in the Middle East with the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the Arabian Sea. This strategic movement comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

    On January 28, President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iranian leadership, emphasizing that time is running out for diplomatic resolution while referencing the approaching naval armada. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, accompanied by guided-missile destroyers including USS Spruance, USS Michael Murphy, and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., represents a substantial enhancement of American firepower in the region.

    The US Central Command confirmed the carrier’s position through operational imagery showing an F/A-18E Super Hornet launching from the flight deck during routine operations. The Nimitz-class vessel, commissioned in 1989, carries impressive specifications: spanning 333 meters in length, weighing 88,000 tonnes, and capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots while accommodating over 5,700 crew members.

    The strike group’s air wing comprises advanced aircraft including F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, FA/18 Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare planes, E-2D Hawkeye early warning aircraft, and MH-60 Seahawk helicopters for anti-submarine and anti-ship operations. This deployment marks one of the most significant US naval presences in the region recently, with ten American warships currently operating in Middle Eastern waters.

    While administration sources indicate no final decision has been made regarding military action, the deployment serves as both a strategic deterrent and demonstration of capability amid ongoing diplomatic negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

  • Stay or go – what’s next for coyote that swam to Alcatraz?

    Stay or go – what’s next for coyote that swam to Alcatraz?

    In an unprecedented wildlife event, a solitary coyote has successfully completed a mile-long swim across the treacherous currents of San Francisco Bay to reach the shores of Alcatraz Island. Dubbed Floyd by observers, this resilient canine represents the first documented coyote presence on the island since its transfer to the National Park Service in 1972.

    The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) has confirmed Floyd’s identity through photographic evidence, matching him to sightings from nearly two weeks prior. Park biologists are now conducting intensive monitoring to understand how the animal is surviving on the 22-acre island renowned for its abandoned federal prison and lacking natural freshwater sources.

    Tour guide Aidan Moore, who originally shared footage of Floyd’s arrival, notes the coyote appeared gaunt and shivering from the 10°C (50°F) bay waters initially but has since gained weight, apparently sustaining himself through avian predation. This dietary adaptation raises concerns among conservationists as Alcatraz serves as a registered sanctuary for seabirds, with sensitive nesting activities occurring from February through September.

    Wildlife experts propose various theories regarding Floyd’s motivation for the daring crossing. Self-taught naturalist Janet Kessler, with two decades of coyote documentation experience, suggests interspecies population pressure in urban areas might have driven Floyd to seek new territory. Wildlife ecologist Brett Furnas adds that increasing coyote sightings in the Bay Area over the past 25 years indicate growing population pressures may be pushing some individuals to extreme habitat choices.

    The situation presents complex management challenges for authorities. While coyotes are remarkably adaptable survivalists, Project Coyote founder Camilla Fox emphasizes that human behavior will ultimately determine outcomes. ‘Coyotes are incredibly resourceful and able to coexist even in densely populated urban environments,’ Fox notes, adding that without harassment, Floyd could potentially survive on the island—though likely facing a solitary existence without a mate.

    Public access to Alcatraz remains unaffected, though concerns exist regarding potential safety risks for both the animal and tourists. Moore and colleagues continue monitoring efforts, collecting biological samples including droppings for DNA analysis to better understand Floyd’s origins and prospects.

  • Did Beyoncé split country music in two?

    Did Beyoncé split country music in two?

    In a significant restructuring of its awards system, the Recording Academy has divided the Grammy for Best Country Album into two distinct categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album. This decision comes precisely one year after Beyoncé’s groundbreaking victory in the category with her album ‘Cowboy Carter,’ which sparked both celebration and controversy within the country music establishment.

    The reorganization, announced ahead of this Sunday’s Grammy ceremony, represents the Academy’s response to decades of genre evolution that have seen country music increasingly incorporate elements from pop, rap, and hip-hop. While some critics have interpreted the timing as a reaction to Beyoncé’s unexpected win, Academy officials maintain that the change resulted from years of deliberation within the country music community.

    Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. emphasized that the category split had been proposed multiple times before finally gaining approval from voting members in 2025. ‘The addition of the Traditional Country Album category creates space to celebrate even more music and the many artists who are shaping the genre’s future,’ Mason stated in an official communication.

    The 2026 nominations reflect this new dichotomy. The contemporary category features both established country acts like Miranda Lambert and Eric Church alongside genre-blending artists like rapper-turned-country star Jelly Roll and pop-country singer Kelsea Ballerini. Meanwhile, the traditional category showcases living legend Willie Nelson alongside emerging talents including his son Lukas Nelson and critically acclaimed artist Charley Crockett—the only person of color nominated in this division.

    Music historian Jason King from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music noted that while Beyoncé’s win may have accelerated the change, conversations about category division had been ongoing for years. King referenced Lil Nas X’s 2019 viral hit ‘Old Town Road’ as a previous boundary-pushing moment that challenged genre definitions.

    The controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s win highlighted deeper racial tensions within country music, a genre with diverse roots that has historically struggled with representation. Black artists like Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, and Kane Brown have previously broken racial barriers in country music, but Beyoncé’s album specifically celebrated the Black origins of the genre, featuring Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens on banjo for her hit ‘Texas Hold ‘Em.’

    Despite her Grammy victory, Beyoncé received no nominations from Nashville’s Country Music Association Awards in the same year, underscoring the industry’s ongoing struggle with genre boundaries and inclusion. The Recording Academy’s category split may signal a broader movement toward recognizing country music’s evolving identity while honoring its traditional foundations.

  • Dazzling Guangzhou lantern display begins countdown to Spring Festival

    Dazzling Guangzhou lantern display begins countdown to Spring Festival

    Guangzhou launched its spectacular 2026 Spring Festival Lantern Show on January 30, transforming the southern Chinese metropolis into a radiant celebration of cultural heritage and technological innovation. The annual event, set against the backdrop of Guangzhou’s historic status as a “millennium commercial capital,” officially commenced with simultaneous displays across eight locations throughout the city.

    The central exhibition at Yuexiu Park showcases 85 elaborate lantern installations that masterfully blend traditional intangible cultural heritage techniques with cutting-edge modern technology. These illuminated artworks create an immersive visual experience that will remain accessible to visitors throughout the entire Spring Festival period, which begins on February 17.

    Under the unifying theme “Cantonese Rhythm Millennia · One Heart Across the Four Seas,” the festival extends beyond mere visual spectacle. Organizers have prepared an extensive program of over 1,200 diverse cultural activities designed to offer both daytime and evening entertainment. These events will feature processional performances and interactive experiences that collectively embody Guangzhou’s distinctive urban character—a harmonious fusion of ancient traditions and contemporary innovation, marked by openness and cultural inclusiveness.

    City officials anticipate that the multifaceted festival will significantly boost tourism, attracting both domestic travelers and international visitors seeking authentic cultural experiences during the Lunar New Year celebrations. The municipal government’s statement emphasized the event’s role in promoting cultural exchange while maintaining and revitalizing traditional craftsmanship through modern presentation methods.

    The lantern show represents one of southern China’s most anticipated seasonal attractions, combining artistic excellence with technological sophistication to create a memorable experience that honors tradition while embracing innovation.

  • Huizhou takes major step forward as petrochemical hotspot

    Huizhou takes major step forward as petrochemical hotspot

    Huizhou has cemented its position as a global petrochemical powerhouse with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art product innovation center by CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Company Limited (CSPC). The strategic facility, unveiled Wednesday in Guangdong province, represents a significant milestone in China’s energy sector development and regional economic transformation.

    The newly established center spans over 7,000 square meters of construction space and features more than 170 sets of internationally advanced equipment. According to officials from Huizhou Daya Bay Economic and Technological Development Zone, this investment creates a comprehensive industrial ecosystem that integrates production, innovation, and market distribution—signaling a major advancement in high-end petrochemical manufacturing capabilities.

    This development culminates 25 years of continuous partnership between the energy giants in Daya Bay, beginning with Phase I groundbreaking in 2002, followed by Phase II commissioning in 2018, and currently ongoing Phase III projects focusing on ethylene and polycarbonate production. The collaboration has generated over 100 billion yuan ($14.1 billion) in cumulative investment, substantially contributing to Huizhou’s emergence as a global petrochemical hub and supporting Guangdong province’s positioning as a high-quality development growth pole.

    CSPC CEO Ryan Wong emphasized the strategic necessity of the innovation center, noting that the company’s 20-year development journey has established substantial scale advantages including 3.8 million metric tons of ethylene production capacity and nearly 500 supporting upstream and downstream enterprises. Wong specifically praised the local government’s supportive business environment, highlighting dedicated task forces for accelerated approvals, industry-university-research cooperation frameworks, and continuous infrastructure improvements that have created ideal conditions for innovation-driven growth.

    The public-private collaboration model—where government provides institutional support while enterprises drive technological advancement—has proven particularly effective in Huizhou’s case. This synergy continues to attract substantial foreign investment while advancing China’s broader objectives in energy security and high-end manufacturing capabilities within the petrochemical sector.

  • Rights group threatens legal challenge to New York’s purchase of Israel bonds

    Rights group threatens legal challenge to New York’s purchase of Israel bonds

    The advocacy organization Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) has issued a formal warning to New York State officials regarding potential legal action to block further investments in Israeli bonds. The group contends that such financial instruments effectively subsidize Israel’s military operations and human rights violations against Palestinians.

    Executive Director Sarah Leah Whitson declared in a Friday statement that public officials must cease all investments in Israel Bonds, asserting they violate international legal obligations and fiduciary responsibilities to taxpayers. “For too long, our public officials have prioritized politically expedient support for Israel, using taxpayer money to finance Israel’s brutal war machine,” Whitson emphasized.

    Financial records reveal significant exposure to Israeli debt, with the New York State Common Retirement Fund maintaining over $352 million in investments as of March 2024. These bonds, marketed by an entity affiliated with Israel’s finance ministry, offer varying terms: retail bonds start at $36 while institutional ten-year dollar-denominated bonds require minimum $25,000 investments with approximately 5.2% yields.

    The controversy has intensified following New York City Comptroller Mark Levine’s January announcement to resume purchases despite the city’s 2024 divestment. This position contrasts sharply with Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s public support for divestment over Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

    DAWN has dispatched formal demands to Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and Mayor Mamdani, urging publication of policies prohibiting Israeli security purchases until cessation of “unlawful occupation, apartheid rule and ongoing genocide.” The organization warns of supporting litigation if demands remain unmet.

    Legal advisor Alex Smith articulated the gravity of the situation: “New York officials continuing to make such investments in the face of overwhelming evidence of the war crimes and crimes against humanity they support may face personal civil and criminal liability for aiding and abetting those crimes.”

    The debate transcends partisan lines, with former hedge fund manager and Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback questioning the risk-reward ratio of Israel bonds during a Tucker Carlson podcast appearance. Concurrently, credit agency Moody’s has flagged Israeli bonds as “increasingly risky investments,” complicating comptroller Levine’s defense of their financial soundness despite personal ties to Israel.

    Middle East Eye’s inquiries to relevant New York offices remained unanswered at publication time.