Global Pulse

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  • Barca boss Flick wants Rashford to be more clinical in front of goal

    Barca boss Flick wants Rashford to be more clinical in front of goal

    Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, has called for Marcus Rashford to improve his efficiency in front of goal despite the forward’s crucial strike in their recent 3-1 LaLiga triumph over Elche. Rashford’s goal, scored from a challenging angle, sealed the victory, propelling the defending champions to second place in the league standings with 25 points, just five behind leaders Real Madrid.

    Since joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United in July, the England international has netted six goals across all competitions. Flick, however, believes Rashford has the potential to convert more of the opportunities he creates. ‘When you see the chances he has, I think one or two more goals would be beneficial, also for him,’ Flick remarked in a post-match interview. He praised Rashford’s importance to the team, stating, ‘I know he can perform at this level, and I am pleased he is demonstrating it for the fans, the club, and his teammates.’

    Rashford himself acknowledged areas for improvement in his decision-making on the pitch. ‘I always strive to make the right choices during the game. Even today, I could have had more assists or goals; sometimes the decision to shoot or pass was incorrect,’ the 28-year-old admitted to Spanish media. He emphasized his team-first mentality, adding, ‘My focus is not solely on my output. If I am doing the right things, I know I will always be able to score and assist. My priority is to build relationships within the team and feel comfortable.’

    Barcelona’s upcoming fixtures include a Champions League clash against Club Brugge on Wednesday, followed by a LaLiga encounter with Celta Vigo on Sunday.

  • For small states, air links can be the first step in welcoming international investment

    For small states, air links can be the first step in welcoming international investment

    In the early 1980s, the Maldives was among the world’s poorest nations, with a fragile economy and minimal global presence. Today, it stands as a testament to transformation, with a tripled population, per capita income exceeding $18,000, and significant improvements in health, education, and life expectancy. A key driver of this success? Air connectivity. In 1987, Emirates launched biweekly flights to Malé, a bold move that unlocked the Maldives’ potential as a global tourism hub. Today, Emirates operates multiple daily flights, supporting a tourism sector that contributes nearly a third of the nation’s GDP. This story underscores the pivotal role of air links in economic development, particularly for small states. Airlines not only facilitate tourism but also attract investment, foster innovation, and reduce operational friction for international businesses. They enable students to study abroad, entrepreneurs to access new markets, and nations to integrate into the global economy. Antigua and Barbuda, a small island nation, recognizes this potential. Recent discussions with Emirates on potential air routes aim to deepen connectivity and economic opportunities. The nation has also signed bilateral air service agreements with Qatar and visa waiver agreements with several African countries, positioning itself as a hub between the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to attract visitors, investment, and partnerships. However, as small states expand their air networks, they must balance growth with environmental responsibility. Emirates’ commitment to sustainable aviation fuel and cleaner technologies aligns with this vision, offering a model for sustainable development. Air connectivity is more than a logistical tool; it is a catalyst for transformation, unlocking potential and fostering resilience in small states.

  • Canada rejects most Indian study permit applicants on fraud concerns

    Canada rejects most Indian study permit applicants on fraud concerns

    Canada has intensified its scrutiny of international student visa applications, particularly those from India, amid concerns over fraudulent documentation. Government data reveals that in August 2025, a staggering 74% of Indian study permit applications were rejected, a sharp increase from 32% in August 2023. This crackdown is part of Canada’s broader strategy to reduce temporary migration and address systemic fraud in its immigration system.

  • UAE nears historic Moon mission as Rashid Rover 2 heads to US for launch preparations

    UAE nears historic Moon mission as Rashid Rover 2 heads to US for launch preparations

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on the brink of a groundbreaking lunar exploration mission as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announces the completion of the Rashid Rover 2’s development phase. The rover, a key component of the Emirates Lunar Mission, has been dispatched to the United States for final launch preparations in collaboration with Firefly Aerospace. This mission aims to explore the far side of the Moon, a region that remains largely uncharted. The rover underwent rigorous testing in the UAE, including Thermal Vacuum testing in collaboration with the French space agency CNES, as well as solar panel performance tests, antenna and robotic arm deployment simulations, and vibration tests to ensure its readiness for the harsh lunar environment. Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, chairman of MBRSC, emphasized that this milestone reflects the UAE’s growing expertise in space science and technology. The mission, set for 2026, marks a significant step in the UAE’s ambitions to expand its presence in space exploration.

  • Peru breaks diplomatic relations with Mexico for granting asylum to former prime minister

    Peru breaks diplomatic relations with Mexico for granting asylum to former prime minister

    LIMA, Peru — In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, Peru has officially severed its diplomatic relations with Mexico. The decision comes after Mexican authorities granted asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is implicated in charges related to a 2022 coup attempt. Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela expressed his dismay during a press conference, stating, ‘Today we learned with surprise and deep regret that former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, the alleged co-author of the coup d’état attempted by former President Pedro Castillo (2021-2022), is being granted asylum at the residence of the Mexican Embassy in Peru.’ This move underscores the deepening rift between the two Latin American nations, adding a new layer of complexity to their already strained relations.

  • Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda Zia to contest in February elections

    Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda Zia to contest in February elections

    Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, an 80-year-old political stalwart, is set to contest in the upcoming February elections, as confirmed by her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Monday. A dominant figure in the nation’s tumultuous political landscape, Zia’s return marks a significant moment in the country’s power struggles. Her party is widely regarded as the frontrunner in the polls. Zia will contest in three constituencies, according to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a senior BNP leader. Her participation comes after years of imprisonment and health challenges under the rule of her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in a mass uprising in August 2024. Zia, who served as prime minister three times, was jailed in 2018 on corruption charges under Hasina’s administration, which also restricted her from seeking medical treatment abroad. She was released last year following Hasina’s fall from power. Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, who has been living in the UK since 2008, will also run in the elections. Rahman, acquitted of serious charges after Hasina’s departure, has long claimed political persecution. The political rivalry between Zia and Hasina, often referred to as the ‘Battle of the Begums,’ has shaped Bangladesh’s politics for decades. This feud traces back to the 1975 assassination of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the subsequent rise of Zia’s husband, Ziaur Rahman, who became president in 1977 before his own assassination in 1981. Zia inherited the BNP leadership and emerged as a formidable political force, eventually alternating power with Hasina over the years.

  • Why is the UAE involved in Sudan’s bloody civil war?

    Why is the UAE involved in Sudan’s bloody civil war?

    The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, has been accused of committing mass executions and atrocities in the city of el-Fasher, which it recently seized. Satellite images and video evidence reveal widespread bloodshed, with experts likening the situation to the Rwandan genocide. This massacre is the latest in a brutal civil war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which has displaced over 13 million people since April 2023. Both factions have been accused of war crimes, including indiscriminate bombings, sexual violence, and torture. The RSF is reportedly backed by the UAE, which has been accused of complicity in genocide at the International Court of Justice. Sudan’s history of conflict dates back to its independence in 1956, with decades of instability under Omar al-Bashir’s regime. The current war began in April 2023, fueled by tensions over integrating the RSF into the national army. The conflict has left thousands dead and nearly 25 million facing acute food insecurity. The UAE’s involvement includes supplying weapons and financial support to the RSF, despite international arms embargoes. The UAE’s strategic interests in Sudan’s agricultural and mineral resources, particularly gold, have driven its intervention. International responses have been slow, with the ICJ dismissing Sudan’s case against the UAE due to jurisdictional issues. The UK and other nations have been criticized for their ambiguous stance on the conflict. A recent peace plan proposed by the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE offers a temporary truce, but the RSF’s establishment of a parallel government complicates efforts. The situation remains dire, with no end to the humanitarian crisis in sight.

  • ‘I dreamed to hug him. Now I hope to bury him’: Gaza’s missing haunt their families

    ‘I dreamed to hug him. Now I hope to bury him’: Gaza’s missing haunt their families

    In a somber hall at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, dozens of families gather, their eyes fixed on a screen displaying images of decomposed bodies. These remains, returned by Israeli authorities as part of a prisoner swap deal with Hamas, bear signs of torture and decay. Without DNA testing equipment, families are left to identify their loved ones through photographs—a harrowing process that offers little closure. Wafaa al-Aloul, a mother receiving treatment in Egypt, spends hours scrutinizing the images, searching for her son Mohammed, who disappeared in September. Her story mirrors the anguish of thousands in Gaza, where an estimated 10,000 people remain missing, many believed buried under rubble or forcibly disappeared by Israel. The World Health Organization reports that over 92% of Gaza’s health system, including forensic services, has been destroyed, further complicating identification efforts. Dr. Ahmed Dhahir of Nasser Hospital describes the primitive methods used to document remains, noting that many bodies show signs of fatal abuse. As families cling to hope, the conflict’s toll continues to devastate Gaza’s civilian population.

  • Dembele fit as PSG prepare to take on Bayern juggernaut

    Dembele fit as PSG prepare to take on Bayern juggernaut

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) received a significant boost ahead of their highly anticipated Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, as star forward Ousmane Dembele has been declared fit to play. The French international, who scored a crucial goal in PSG’s 2-0 victory over Bayern in the Club World Cup quarterfinals earlier this year, had been sidelined due to discomfort in his right thigh. Despite playing only 18 minutes in last Saturday’s Ligue 1 match against Nice, Dembele has fully participated in training sessions over the past two weeks, according to PSG coach Luis Enrique. ‘We do not take risks with any players. But Ousmane Dembele is fit, he has been in every training session for the last two weeks,’ Enrique stated during a press conference on Monday. ‘He is improving his physical fitness and he will certainly play tomorrow. I do not know for how many minutes, but he will play because he is ready to compete.’ Bayern Munich, on the other hand, enters the match in formidable form, having won 15 consecutive competitive matches since their loss to PSG in July. Both teams have secured victories in all three of their Champions League group stage matches so far, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter. PSG, unbeaten in their last eight competitive matches, will look to leverage their home advantage at the Parc des Princes. ‘We know how difficult it will be. We are ready and motivated to win,’ Enrique added, expressing confidence in his team’s ability to handle Bayern’s pressure and deliver a strong performance.

  • North Korea says its longtime ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam has died

    North Korea says its longtime ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam has died

    SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Yong Nam, a steadfast North Korean official who served as the nation’s ceremonial head of state for over two decades, has died at the age of 97, as reported by North Korea’s state media on Tuesday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that Kim, who held the position of president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly from 1998 to 2019, passed away on Monday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects by visiting Kim Yong Nam’s bier on Tuesday, expressing profound condolences.