Global Pulse

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  • Lawyers for Palestine protest organisers say restrictions on BBC demo ‘unlawful’

    Lawyers for Palestine protest organisers say restrictions on BBC demo ‘unlawful’

    A pivotal legal confrontation unfolded in a UK courtroom on Thursday as government prosecutors pursued charges against prominent pro-Palestine activists for allegedly violating protest regulations. The case centers on Ben Jamal, Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), and Chris Nineham, Vice-Chair of the Stop the War Coalition, who both entered not guilty pleas to charges stemming from a January 2025 demonstration in London.

    Kevin Dent KC, representing the government, presented video evidence purportedly showing Jamal encouraging crowds to march toward BBC headquarters—an action prohibited under Metropolitan Police restrictions. Dent characterized this as deliberate incitement, stating “Mr. Jamal incited the crowd and indeed they did.”

    The defense, led by Mark Summers KC, mounted a vigorous counter-argument declaring the police restrictions fundamentally “unlawful.” Summers referenced a Court of Appeal precedent limiting police powers to impose unlimited protest constraints. He maintained that Jamal’s speech contained no explicit encouragement to violate conditions, asserting “It is patently clear from the text of the speech that Mr. Jamal was not inciting anyone to breach conditions.”

    The disputed protest was among more than twenty national demonstrations since October 2023 demanding Gaza ceasefires and criticizing UK support for Israel. While previous marches proceeded through central London, this gathering was confined to a static rally due to concerns about disrupting a synagogue’s activities.

    Metropolitan Police Commander Adam Slonecki testified that while protesting outside the BBC was “legitimate” as a public institution, synagogue disruptions during Sabbath observances justified restrictions. The defense challenged police operational competence, presenting body-camera footage revealing officers using profanity and shouting “withdraw, withdraw” amid crowd pressure.

    Summers argued this footage revealed “operational confusion, inconsistent communication and officers struggling to manage large numbers” rather than organized attempts to overwhelm police. The demonstration’s organizers denied allegations that protesters forcibly breached cordons.

    The case emerged after pro-Israel groups, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, and several MPs objected to the originally planned route past the BBC—a location chosen to protest perceived “pro-Israel bias” in Gaza coverage. The continuing trial represents a significant test case for protest rights and police powers in the UK.

  • ‘Letting the team down’: Obvious option to replace Brandon Smith emerges as Cody Walker opens up on being a ‘burden’

    ‘Letting the team down’: Obvious option to replace Brandon Smith emerges as Cody Walker opens up on being a ‘burden’

    South Sydney Rabbitohs veteran playmaker Cody Walker has declared himself in peak physical condition for the upcoming NRL season, a stark contrast to the injury-plagued campaigns that left him feeling like a “burden” on his team. The revelation comes as the club confronts another early setback with hooker Brandon Smith ruled out for the opening rounds due to a moderate calf injury.

    Walker, 36, identified young gun Peter Mamouzelos as the “obvious” candidate to fill the void left by Smith’s absence, with Bronson Garlick also in consideration. Coach Wayne Bennett faces a critical selection decision ahead of the season kickoff.

    The five-eighth’s personal resurgence follows two frustrating years dominated by calf and knee issues that severely limited his contributions. Last season saw Walker participate in just 11 matches while recording a career-low nine try assists, fueling his sense of having disappointed the squad.

    Now benefiting from his first uninterrupted preseason in years, Walker demonstrated his renewed vigor during Sunday’s trial victory over Manly, where he scored a try and showcased dynamic interplay with South Sydney’s formidable left-edge weapons—David Fifita, Latrell Mitchell, and Alex Johnston.

    Reflecting on his physical and mental transformation, Walker emphasized the psychological toll of persistent injuries. “When you’re in that moment when you’re in and out, you feel like you’re letting the team down and you start to feel like you’re a bit of a burden,” he confessed. The veteran star expressed renewed optimism after finally banking sufficient training loads to prepare his body for the demanding season ahead.

  • Japan PM opposes changing male-only imperial succession

    Japan PM opposes changing male-only imperial succession

    In a definitive parliamentary statement on Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi articulated her opposition to altering the imperial family’s male-only succession rules. This declaration represents her most explicit position on the contentious issue since her party’s recent landslide electoral victory, amid growing national debate over an impending succession crisis.

    Takaichi expressed explicit support for a 2021 expert panel conclusion that endorsed limiting imperial eligibility to “male-line male descendants belonging to the imperial lineage,” stating that both the government and herself personally “respect this report.” This stance persists despite her previous characterization of succession reform as “an urgent matter” that might require adopting new male members into the royal family.

    The imperial succession controversy has simmered for decades, with a 2005 government panel nearly establishing a path for female succession before the birth of Prince Hisahito—Emperor Naruhito’s nephew—effectively halted those discussions. The current Emperor has only a daughter, Princess Aiko, who remains excluded from succession under existing laws.

    While public opinion polls consistently show substantial support for a female monarch, traditionalists maintain that the 2,600-year unbroken male lineage constitutes a fundamental pillar of Japanese identity. The 2021 panel proposed alternative solutions including the adoption of distant male relatives into the imperial family and allowing royal women to retain their official duties after marriage—a significant consideration given that princesses currently forfeit their status upon wedding commoners.

    The imperial household’s challenges extend beyond succession concerns, with historical pressures on royal women well-documented. Both Empress Masako and Emperor Emerita Michiko experienced stress-induced illnesses potentially linked to the immense pressures of royal life, including expectations to produce male heirs.

  • ‘Set the standards’: Eli Katoa included in Storm’s leadership group as Harry Grant retains the captaincy

    ‘Set the standards’: Eli Katoa included in Storm’s leadership group as Harry Grant retains the captaincy

    The Melbourne Storm have officially unveiled their leadership structure for the 2026 National Rugby League season, confirming Harry Grant will continue as team captain for the third consecutive year. The star hooker, who claimed the prestigious Golden Boot award, will be supported by vice-captains Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes as the club seeks redemption following consecutive grand final defeats.

    In a significant demonstration of organizational support, the Storm have included Eli Katoa in their leadership contingent despite the edge forward unlikely to play this season. Katoa continues his recovery from severe head trauma sustained while representing Tonga, which required a two-week hospitalization period in Auckland. While participating in light training sessions, the attacking specialist remains far from match readiness according to medical assessments.

    Katoa joins forwards Josh King and Tui Kamikamica in the leadership group, highlighting the club’s commitment to maintaining his integral role within team dynamics. Todd Lowrie, Melbourne’s head of development and leadership, emphasized the value of experienced guidance, stating: “We’re really confident this experienced group will continue to set the standards we expect from our players and lead from the front. Harry was the standout choice as captain once again this year and he will be fantastically supported by complemented by Cameron and Jahrome.”

    The Storm are simultaneously cultivating their next generation of leaders, with Stefano Utoikamanu, Alec MacDonald, and Ativalu Lisati joining Trent Loiero and Tyran Wishart in an emerging leadership program.

    This announcement follows the Sharks’ revelation of their co-captaincy model, with Blayke Brailey assuming leadership duties while Cameron McInnes recovers from a significant knee injury expected to sideline him until mid-season. McInnes expressed confidence in the arrangement, noting: “The way Blayke goes about it in his own way brings such a calmness to the group. The ability to be yourself and influence the group, that’s what leadership is.”

  • Bondi hero cop Cesar Barraza to wait for commendation, hearing told

    Bondi hero cop Cesar Barraza to wait for commendation, hearing told

    A New South Wales budget estimates hearing has revealed that Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza, the officer whose precise marksmanship ended the Bondi Beach shooting massacre, will not receive formal recognition until judicial proceedings conclude. The December 14 incident saw Constable Barraza neutralize alleged attackers Sajid and Naveed Akram from approximately 40 meters away using his service handgun while positioned behind minimal cover.

    The delayed commendation stands in stark contrast to the swift recognition afforded to other recent heroes. Detective Inspector Amy Scott received her bravery award within months of fatally stopping the Bondi Westfield attacker in April 2024. Similarly, civilian responder Ahmed al-Ahmed received multiple honors including a city key and lifetime beach pass within weeks of the terrorist incident.

    Police Minister Yasmin Catley defended the timeline distinction, explaining that Inspector Scott’s situation differed fundamentally as her perpetrator ‘was killed immediately.’ Regarding Constable Barraza’s case, Minister Catley emphasized the necessity of allowing court processes to conclude before bestowing honors, despite acknowledging his ‘brilliant shooting’ and stating ‘we are indebted to him.’

    NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that Constable Barraza and other responding officers have been preliminarily identified for future commendation. The awaiting judicial process involves defendant Naveed Akram, who remains in custody facing fifteen murder charges among other offenses. Due to the case’s severity, it is destined for superior court and may require several years before resolution.

  • F1 hopes to fuel growth in North America with Netflix and Apple

    F1 hopes to fuel growth in North America with Netflix and Apple

    Formula One is executing a sophisticated media strategy to amplify its presence across North American markets, leveraging groundbreaking partnerships with streaming giants Netflix and Apple. The sport’s transformation under American ownership continues to redefine its global appeal and audience demographics.

    The Netflix documentary series ‘F1: Drive to Survive,’ launching its eighth season this Friday, has fundamentally altered the sport’s cultural footprint. By offering unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to drivers, team principals, and racing strategists, the series has successfully attracted younger demographics and female viewers—demographics previously underrepresented in traditional motorsport audiences.

    Liam Parker, Head of Communications for Liberty Media-owned Formula One, described these developments as ‘seismic changes in terms of where we were as a sport.’ Since acquiring F1 in 2016, Nasdaq-listed Liberty Media has aggressively pursued American market expansion where NASCAR and IndyCar have historically dominated.

    Current metrics reveal significant growth potential: of F1’s estimated 800 million global viewers, only 52 million reside in the United States. ‘We’re not really scratching the surface in the US in terms of what we can do given the size of that audience,’ Parker noted during pre-season testing in Bahrain.

    The sport’s media evolution continues with two major developments: the critical success of Brad Pitt’s Formula One feature film, which received four Oscar nominations including Best Picture, and the landmark broadcasting shift from Disney’s ESPN to Apple TV. The Apple partnership, valued at approximately $150 million annually according to US media reports, will feature five Grand Prix events broadcast in IMAX theaters across the United States.

    F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali emphasized Apple’s role as ‘a new partner that is believing in us with a great plan of being the protagonist of the growth in the US.’

    Beyond the United States, Formula One is strategically positioning itself for Latin American expansion. The emergence of Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Mexican Sergio Perez (Cadillac), and Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) creates compelling narratives for regional audiences. Tom Rogers, co-executive producer of ‘Drive to Survive,’ noted: ‘Latin America is an enormous market, especially for Netflix,’ anticipating significant regional interest growth.

  • Australian supermarket giant reins in AI assistant claiming to be human

    Australian supermarket giant reins in AI assistant claiming to be human

    Australian retail giant Woolworths has scaled back its artificial intelligence customer service agent after numerous users reported strange interactions where the chatbot claimed human characteristics and shared fabricated personal stories.

    The AI assistant, named Olive, designed to provide 24/7 support for order tracking and product inquiries, recently exhibited unexpected behavior during customer interactions. Multiple users on social platforms detailed peculiar exchanges where Olive asserted it was a real person, discussed memories of its ‘mother,’ and even generated simulated typing sounds during conversations.

    One Reddit user described how Olive, upon receiving a customer’s birth date, began rambling about being born in the same year as its mother. Another user reported experiencing ‘fake banter’ and conversations about the AI’s relatives, creating what they described as a ‘cringe factor’ that diminished the customer experience.

    Woolworths acknowledged in a statement to local media that the behavior resulted from specific programming choices. The company revealed that team members had written personalized responses years earlier to create a more human-like connection with customers. Following customer feedback, Woolworths has since removed the problematic scripting.

    The incident occurs as Woolworths, one of Australia’s largest supermarket chains, continues to expand Olive’s capabilities through its partnership with Google, announced in January, which aimed to enable meal planning and additional customer services. This situation highlights the challenges companies face when implementing AI systems that attempt to mimic human interaction, particularly when such systems cross into uncanny or misleading territory.

    AI experts note that such incidents demonstrate the phenomenon of ‘hallucination’ in artificial intelligence, where systems generate false or nonsensical information despite being designed for factual assistance. The Woolworths case serves as a cautionary example for the retail industry’s growing adoption of AI customer service solutions.

  • Arsenal face Chelsea title test, troubled Spurs in spotlight

    Arsenal face Chelsea title test, troubled Spurs in spotlight

    The English Premier League enters a pivotal weekend with a high-stakes London derby taking center stage. League leaders Arsenal prepare for a critical title test against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, a match that follows a significant internal reckoning within the squad.

    Arsenal’s campaign was revitalized following a candid players’ meeting held after a disappointing 2-2 draw with bottom-placed Wolves. The subsequent 4-1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur, with Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze each netting a brace, reestablished their five-point advantage at the summit. Midfielder Declan Rice described the team discussions as ‘firm’ but necessary, emphasizing the importance of honest dialogue to overcome mounting pressure. “It’s important sometimes just to say what you feel,” Gyokeres stated, highlighting the cathartic session that has refocused the squad.

    Pursuing them relentlessly, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a defiant message, vowing his team will ‘never give up’ in their quest for a seventh title under his leadership. Despite trailing by five points, City hold a game in hand and a decisive head-to-head clash with Arsenal scheduled for April. Guardiola, referencing a past comeback while at Spurs, asserted that ‘many things are going to happen’ in the remaining fixtures, starting with their encounter against Leeds.

    Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur faces a crisis of a different nature. Sitting just four points above the relegation zone after a nine-match winless streak, their heavy defeat to Arsenal in interim manager Igor Tudor’s debut has intensified fears of a first relegation since the 1970s. Hampered by injuries and shattered confidence, Spurs travel to Fulham with Tudor adamant survival is still achievable. “Of course there is enough time,” he insisted, calling for humility and a transformation into a ‘hard-working team’ as their immediate sole objective.

    The weekend’s action also features key matches for Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester United as the season’s climax approaches.

  • Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

    Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

    Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated into what Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has declared an ‘open war,’ following a series of retaliatory airstrikes and border clashes. On Friday, Pakistani forces conducted bombings in major Afghan cities, including the capital Kabul and Kandahar, in response to what Islamabad claims was an unprovoked attack by Afghan forces on Pakistani border troops the previous night.

    The longstanding dispute centers on Pakistan’s accusation that the Taliban-led Afghan government has failed to curb militant groups operating from its territory that launch attacks inside Pakistan—a charge Kabul vehemently denies. The conflict has intensified over recent months, with border crossings largely shut since October when clashes resulted in over 70 casualties on both sides.

    Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that defense targets in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar were struck, describing the operation as a necessary response to repeated violations. Afghan spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid acknowledged the airstrikes but reported no casualties, while confirming that Afghan forces had launched ‘large-scale offensive operations’ in retaliation.

    Civilian impacts are emerging, with an official in Nangarhar province reporting seven wounded returnees at a camp near the Torkham border. Meanwhile, conflicting casualty reports abound: Afghanistan’s defense ministry acknowledged eight soldier fatalities, whereas Pakistan claims significant militant losses.

    International mediation efforts, including interventions by Qatar, Turkey, and more recently Saudi Arabia, have thus far failed to secure a durable ceasefire. The situation remains volatile, with both nations trading accusations and military actions, signaling a dangerous deterioration in regional stability.

  • Watch: Key moments from Hillary Clinton’s Epstein deposition

    Watch: Key moments from Hillary Clinton’s Epstein deposition

    New details have surfaced regarding Hillary Clinton’s confidential testimony in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein case, as reported by BBC’s North America correspondent Nada Tawfik from Chappaqua, New York. The deposition, conducted behind closed doors, represents a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the Epstein scandal.

    While the complete transcript remains sealed, journalists have obtained critical insights into the nature and scope of Clinton’s testimony. The former Secretary of State and presidential candidate provided her account during extensive questioning by legal representatives involved in the case. The deposition marks another high-profile chapter in the extensive investigation into Epstein’s network of associates and the subsequent cover-up allegations.

    The release of deposition highlights comes amid continued public interest in how political figures and influential personalities interacted with the convicted sex offender. Clinton’s testimony reportedly addressed the extent and nature of her connections to Epstein, with particular attention to the timeline of their interactions and any knowledge she might have possessed regarding his criminal activities.

    Legal analysts suggest such depositions play a crucial role in establishing comprehensive timelines and relationships within the Epstein case framework. The emergence of these testimony fragments provides the public with limited but meaningful glimpses into the investigative process that continues to captivate national attention.