Global Pulse

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  • Wahaj Ali talks acting challenges, diversity in Pakistani dramas, and his Dubai connection

    Wahaj Ali talks acting challenges, diversity in Pakistani dramas, and his Dubai connection

    Wahaj Ali, a prominent figure in Pakistani television, has carved a niche for himself with his versatile performances in dramas like ‘Tere Bin’ and ‘Jo Bichar Gaye’. With a career spanning nearly a decade, Ali has consistently chosen roles that challenge the norm, from the bitter yet witty Basim in ‘Ishq Jalebi’ to the intense and conflicted leader in ‘Jo Bichar Gaye’. His latest venture, ‘Jin Ki Shadi Un Ki Shadi’, a horror-comedy, marks a departure from his usual serious roles, showcasing his commitment to diversity and innovation in his craft.

    In a recent interview, Ali opened up about his journey, the challenges of the Pakistani drama industry, and his creative philosophy. He emphasized the importance of choosing scripts that resonate with him, regardless of their commercial appeal. ‘I don’t care if it’s a big ‘banner’ project or not,’ he stated. ‘My strength lies in playing different, performance-oriented characters.’

    Ali also highlighted the scarcity of good writers in the industry, noting that actors often bear the brunt of criticism when a project fails, despite their efforts to salvage poorly written scripts. ‘Actors are merely tools,’ he remarked. ‘If the direction or the story isn’t good, it can be challenging to showcase your craft.’

    Reflecting on his career, Ali shared that every failure has been a learning opportunity. ‘You don’t learn a lot from success,’ he said. ‘The fear and the want are essential. The important thing is not to know what to do, but to know what not to do.’

    Looking ahead, Ali is working on a couple of scripts that he hopes will further enhance his craft. ‘I don’t have any dream project,’ he admitted. ‘Whenever I work on a project, I turn it into a dream project.’

    Ali also expressed his admiration for Dubai, which he considers a second home for many Pakistanis. ‘The infrastructure, safety, and variety of experiences in Dubai set it apart from many cities,’ he said. ‘It’s amazing how the city adapts to weather changes and offers multiple indoor options.’

  • Court summons sought for British citizen accused of serving in Israeli military

    Court summons sought for British citizen accused of serving in Israeli military

    A British legal organization has initiated legal proceedings against a British-Israeli individual accused of serving in the Israeli military, marking the first such case since the UK officially recognized Palestine as a state in September. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) filed court documents on Monday, alleging violations of the Foreign Enlistment Act (FEA), which prohibits UK nationals from enlisting in foreign militaries at war with nations friendly to Britain. The accused, a dual national, reportedly served in Israeli military units along the Lebanese border and in the occupied West Bank. The ICJP’s submission highlights that Palestine, now recognized as a ‘friendly state,’ falls under the FEA’s broader definition of a state, despite differing interpretations under international law. The legal documents argue that the individual’s service was voluntary, as non-resident Israelis are not legally obligated to serve. The case could set a precedent for holding British citizens accountable for involvement in foreign conflicts. Offenses under the FEA carry penalties of up to two years imprisonment. ICJP’s legal head, Mutahir Ahmed, emphasized the importance of domestic jurisdictions in prosecuting suspected war criminals, regardless of where the alleged crimes occurred. The UK government has previously avoided commenting on British nationals serving in the Israeli military, and no arrests have been made on these grounds. This case follows Belgium’s arrest of two Israeli soldiers accused of war crimes in Gaza, based on complaints from human rights groups. The ICJP’s action underscores growing international efforts to address alleged war crimes and hold individuals accountable.

  • Experts call for gender equality in digital future at UNESCO forum

    Experts call for gender equality in digital future at UNESCO forum

    At the 13th Forum of UNESCO Chair in Media and Gender, held recently in Beijing, experts emphasized the urgent need for gender equality in the digital future. The event, co-organized by the UNESCO Chair and the Global Exchange and Cooperation Center for Digital Empowerment of Women, brought together over 100 participants from 27 countries. Key discussions focused on creating inclusive digital ecosystems, enhancing artificial intelligence literacy, and ensuring women benefit equally from technological advancements. Zhang Dongmei, Vice-President of the All-China Women’s Federation, highlighted the importance of building a fair digital ecosystem to accelerate women’s development. Hu Bangsheng, a member of the China Writers’ Association, noted the digital era’s potential to empower women in literature. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, stressed the need for AI ethics, media literacy, and cross-sector partnerships to support women in the digital age. The forum coincided with the 7th Global Women’s Development Seminar, organized by the Global Women’s Development Institute, which has been held annually since 2019.

  • Pakistan recall Babar Azam for T20Is nearly year after bring dropped

    Pakistan recall Babar Azam for T20Is nearly year after bring dropped

    In a significant development for Pakistan cricket, Babar Azam has been reinstated to the national Twenty20 International (T20I) squad after nearly a year of absence. The star batsman was dropped following his last T20 appearance against South Africa in December 2024, primarily due to concerns over his strike rate. His return comes as Pakistan prepares for a three-match T20I series against South Africa, starting on October 28 in Rawalpindi, followed by a tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe next month. The 15-man squad, led by captain Salman Agha, also includes new faces such as pacer Naseem Shah, batter Abdul Samad, and wicketkeeper Usman Khan. Notably, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan remains excluded, while opener Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, and fast bowler Haris Rauf have been dropped from the squad. Despite finishing as runners-up in the recent Asia Cup, Pakistan faced a disappointing run with three consecutive losses against arch-rivals India. Following the T20Is, Pakistan will host South Africa for a three-match ODI series from November 4 to 8, with Shaheen Shah Afridi leading the ODI squad and Rizwan included in the lineup.

  • Dubai school postpones events after sudden death of former student

    Dubai school postpones events after sudden death of former student

    The GEMS Our Own Indian School in Dubai has postponed all upcoming events following the sudden and tragic death of Vaishnav Krishnakumar, an 18-year-old former student who passed away on Tuesday night. Vaishnav, who had recently graduated from the school in August 2025, collapsed during Diwali celebrations with friends. Preliminary reports suggest the cause of death was cardiac arrest. Vaishnav had spent 14 years at the school and was pursuing a BBA in Marketing at Middlesex University Dubai. His mother, Vidhu Krishnakumar, is a STEAM teacher at the school, and his younger sister is also a student there. The school community has been deeply affected by the loss, with the administration issuing a circular to parents expressing their grief and requesting prayers for the family. All planned festivities, including Pink Day and the Family First Carnival, have been deferred or rescheduled. Vaishnav was remembered by friends and faculty as a bright, accomplished, and beloved student who had served as Head of the School Council and excelled in debating and academics. His body has been repatriated to Kerala, and the community awaits the post-mortem report for further clarity on the cause of his untimely demise.

  • German ‘Maddie’ suspect living on streets, says report

    German ‘Maddie’ suspect living on streets, says report

    Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the high-profile disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann, is reportedly living on the streets following his release from prison last month. According to German media reports, Brueckner, who was identified as a suspect in the ‘Maddie’ case in 2020 but never formally charged, was released on September 17 after serving a sentence for unrelated rape charges. Since his release, Brueckner has been moving between temporary accommodations, including a tent in a park in Kiel, northern Germany, where he is under constant police protection due to public hostility. His attempts to settle in a halfway house in Neumuenster were thwarted when local residents discovered his presence, leading to verbal abuse and threats that forced him to leave. Brueckner also reportedly traveled to Braunschweig to confront prosecutors who accuse him of abducting Maddie but was denied access. Madeleine McCann vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in Portugal’s Praia da Luz in May 2007, sparking a global manhunt and intense media scrutiny. Despite German prosecutors naming Brueckner as their top suspect in 2020, citing ‘concrete evidence,’ they have refrained from charging him due to insufficient proof for a conviction. Brueckner has a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for theft, drug trafficking, assault, child pornography, child abuse, and rape.

  • Pump prices could rise after US, EU hit Russian oil companies with new sanctions and oil spikes

    Pump prices could rise after US, EU hit Russian oil companies with new sanctions and oil spikes

    In a significant move to pressure Russia amid its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, the United States imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia’s oil industry on Thursday. This decision sent shockwaves through global energy markets, with U.S. benchmark crude prices surging by 6% to $62 per barrel. Analysts predict that American consumers could soon face higher gasoline prices, with the full impact expected to materialize within days. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted that while the exact timeline remains uncertain, motorists are likely to see price increases at the pump as early as next week. The sanctions target major Russian oil companies, including Rosneft and Lukoil, and come in response to bipartisan calls for stronger economic measures against Moscow. The European Union also announced parallel sanctions on Russian oil and gas, further intensifying the global response. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose by $3.57 to $66.15 per barrel, reflecting the market’s reaction to the geopolitical tensions. The OPEC+ alliance, which includes Russia as a key non-OPEC member, has been gradually increasing oil production this year, but the new sanctions could disrupt this stability. The broader economic implications include potential inflationary pressures, as higher energy costs often ripple through various industries, affecting prices for goods and services. The situation remains fluid, with analysts suggesting that the duration of these price increases will depend on how Russia and the U.S. respond in the coming weeks.

  • Beijing set to ensure heating readiness amid early cold snap

    Beijing set to ensure heating readiness amid early cold snap

    In response to an unexpected early cold snap, the Beijing Commission of Urban Management has mandated that all heating service providers complete essential preparations by October 31. These include system pressurization, water filling, cold-run debugging, and household inspections to ensure centralized heating systems are operational by November 1. The commission has intensified its collaboration with the Beijing Meteorological Observatory since mid-October to monitor the unusually cold weather. The city will rely on meteorological data to determine the precise timing for activating heating systems, adhering to established protocols. Approximately 1.07 billion square meters of urban areas in Beijing will benefit from centralized heating, with 701 million square meters allocated for residential use and 369 million square meters for nonresidential purposes. This year, Beijing has addressed over 950 potential hazards, upgraded around 1,300 kilometers of outdated heating pipelines, and implemented smart retrofitting for heating systems in 30 million square meters of existing buildings. On October 22, the city recorded its first sub-zero temperature of the autumn. Zhao Wei, the chief forecaster, described the cold wave as ‘seeping,’ with successive waves of cold air preventing a quick temperature rebound. While temperatures are expected to rise gradually, minor fluctuations may occur due to weak cold air movements later in the month.

  • Dubai-based Emirates NBD’s profit before tax surges to Dh23.4 billion

    Dubai-based Emirates NBD’s profit before tax surges to Dh23.4 billion

    Emirates NBD, one of the Middle East’s leading banking groups, has announced a remarkable financial performance for the first nine months of 2025, with income soaring to Dh36.7 billion. The bank’s operating profit rose by 10% year-on-year to Dh25.5 billion, while profit before tax climbed 6% to Dh23.4 billion, despite reduced recoveries in the third quarter. This robust growth was driven by exceptional loan and deposit expansion across all regions and segments, offsetting the impact of global interest rate cuts.

  • Gunmen kill Pakistan militia chief and five others

    Gunmen kill Pakistan militia chief and five others

    In a violent incident that has escalated tensions in Pakistan’s northwestern border region, gunmen attacked and killed a pro-government militia leader along with five others. The assailants reportedly opened fire on the victims, doused their vehicle with fuel, and set it ablaze, according to a senior administration official who spoke to AFP on Thursday under the condition of anonymity. The attack occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an area that has seen a surge in violence since the Taliban regained control of neighboring Afghanistan in 2021. The official stated that the attackers’ intent was to instill fear, as the bodies of the six victims were completely charred. While no group has claimed responsibility, the official suggested that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, may have orchestrated the attack. The TTP had allegedly demanded extortion money from the militia leader, who refused to comply, leading to his execution. Pakistan has accused the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan of harboring TTP militants and facilitating cross-border attacks, a claim that Kabul denies. The border between the two nations was recently closed following clashes earlier this month, which were triggered by an explosion in Kabul on October 9 that resulted in significant civilian and military casualties on both sides. Afghanistan’s Taliban government blamed Pakistan for the blast and launched a retaliatory offensive along the border. A ceasefire brokered over the weekend remained in effect as of Thursday, with officials from both countries scheduled to meet in Turkey on Saturday to discuss the ongoing tensions.