Global Pulse

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  • Eighth edition of UAE Tour starts tomorrow in Al Dhafra

    Eighth edition of UAE Tour starts tomorrow in Al Dhafra

    The prestigious UAE Tour 2026, the Middle East’s sole UCI WorldTour cycling event, launches its eighth edition on Tuesday from Al Dhafra Region. This premier competition will showcase 145 elite athletes representing 21 international teams across a demanding seven-stage course spanning 1,004.2 kilometers, concluding on February 22nd.

    Under the organizational leadership of Abu Dhabi Sports Council and with sponsorship from AD Ports Group, the race features diverse terrain including mountain ascents, desert tracks, and urban circuits. The route strategically highlights both emerging landmarks and scenic natural landscapes throughout the Emirates.

    The competition commences with Stage One, sponsored by Bin Hamoodah Auto, tracing a 144-kilometer path from Madinat Zayed Council to Liwa Fort in Al Dhafra Region. This opening segment sets the tone for a week of intense professional cycling competition.

    A recent press conference at Al Hudayriyat Island’s Colnago Store gathered key stakeholders including Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Qubaisi (Assistant Secretary-General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council) and Talal Al Hashemi (Executive Director of the Events Sector). The event featured five prominent riders who expressed their competitive readiness: Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe), Isaac del Toro (UAE Team XRG), Jonathan Milan (Lidl Trek), Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers), and Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto Intermarché).

    Del Toro, recognized as an exceptional emerging talent following his 2023 Tour de l’Avenir victory and subsequent signing with UAE Team, joins other world-class competitors in what promises to be a highly contested edition of the UAE’s flagship cycling event.

  • Pegula, Krawczyk swap forehands for fairways at Topgolf

    Pegula, Krawczyk swap forehands for fairways at Topgolf

    In an unconventional pre-tournament preparation, world-class tennis athletes Jessica Pegula and Desirae Krawczyk temporarily exchanged their rackets for golf clubs during a distinctive sporting crossover at Dubai’s Emirates Golf Club. The American competitors, currently ranked World No. 6 and No. 4 seed respectively, participated in a precision challenge at Topgolf’s futuristic driving range facility, blending athletic entertainment with panoramic views of the city’s iconic skyline.

    This recreational interlude occurred just days before the commencement of the prestigious WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, offering the athletes a mental respite from intense competition preparations. Pegula, a 2024 US Open finalist, expressed appreciation for the diversionary activity: ‘It was genuinely refreshing to temporarily distance ourselves from the tennis courts and engage in something completely different. The experience proved both enjoyable and moderately competitive, providing an excellent overall experience amidst the stunning venue.’

    Remarkably, Krawczyk demonstrated unexpected golfing proficiency despite reportedly never having handled golf clubs previously. Pegula observed with amusement: ‘Her driving performance exceeded expectations—surpassing many regular golfers. With dedicated practice, she could develop into an exceptional player given the natural ability she displayed.’

    Krawczyk emphasized the importance of balancing competitive preparation with psychological recovery: ‘Our training sessions have progressed exceptionally well, and I feel thoroughly prepared. Activities like Topgolf provide wonderful opportunities to decompress while enjoying extraordinary views and camaraderie before tournament commencement.’

    Both athletes have subsequently transitioned back to professional tennis competition. Krawczyk and Ukrainian partner Lyudmyla Kichenok advanced to the doubles round of 16 with a straight-sets victory against Fanny Stollar and Miyu Kato, while Pegula teamed with Mexico’s Giuliana Olmos to defeat Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls. As a top-eight seeded player, Pegula received automatic qualification to the second round in singles competition.

    The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, running from February 15-21, features an elite field including 16 of the world’s top 20 female players, followed by an ATP 500 men’s event from February 23-28.

  • Israeli approval of West Bank land registration draws outrage

    Israeli approval of West Bank land registration draws outrage

    Israel’s recent authorization of a contentious land registration procedure in the West Bank has ignited widespread international criticism and raised concerns about accelerated annexation of Palestinian territories. The government-approved measure, ratified late Sunday, designates disputed lands as “state property”—a move that Israeli authorities claim will establish transparency in resolving legal ownership conflicts.

    The decision has drawn sharp rebukes from multiple Arab nations. Egypt characterized the action as a “dangerous escalation” intended to solidify Israeli dominance over occupied territories. Qatar similarly denounced the declaration, asserting it would systematically deprive Palestinians of their legitimate land rights. Jordan joined the chorus of condemnation, labeling the measure a violation of international law.

    Israeli peace organization Peace Now condemned the policy as a “mega land grab” that advances the annexation agenda of Israel’s political right. Jonathan Mizrachi, the group’s co-director, explained that the registration process would exclusively affect Area C—comprising approximately 60% of the West Bank under Israeli administrative control. Mizrachi warned that numerous Palestinians would discover their traditionally held lands suddenly reclassified as state property under the new framework.

    This development occurs alongside other recently approved measures strengthening Israeli authority in West Bank regions nominally administered by the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo Accords. These include provisions enabling direct land purchases by Jewish Israelis and expanded Israeli administration of religious sites.

    The United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk expressed alarm over rapidly changing demographics in the occupied territories, noting that these policies systematically dispossess Palestinians of their lands. Despite international opposition, the U.S. administration has refrained from direct criticism of these recent Israeli initiatives. Currently, over 500,000 Israeli settlers reside in West Bank settlements considered illegal under international law.

  • England survive Italy scare to reach World Cup Super Eights

    England survive Italy scare to reach World Cup Super Eights

    England’s national cricket team narrowly avoided a major upset on Monday, securing a tense 24-run victory against tournament newcomers Italy to advance to the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup. The twice champions demonstrated both vulnerability and resilience in a match that highlighted the growing competitiveness of associate nations in international cricket.

    Batting first, England posted their highest total of the tournament at 202-7, largely due to Will Jacks’ explosive unbeaten 53 from just 22 deliveries. The middle-order batsman delivered a spectacular performance, hammering four sixes and three fours during a critical final six-over onslaught that yielded 88 runs. Jacks received valuable support from Sam Curran, who contributed 25 off 19 balls, after England found themselves in a precarious position at 105-5.

    Italy’s response began disastrously as they slumped to 22-3 within four overs, with Jofra Archer claiming two early wickets. However, the debutants mounted a stunning comeback through Ben Manenti’s blistering 60 from 25 balls, featuring six maximums, and Justin Mosca’s steady 43. The pair added 92 runs in just eight overs, threatening what would have been one of the greatest upsets in T20 World Cup history.

    The match turned decisively when Curran dismissed the dangerous Grant Stewart for 45 in the 19th over, effectively ending Italy’s hopes. Jamie Overton sealed the victory by taking the final two wickets, finishing with three dismissals alongside Curran, who also claimed three wickets.

    England captain Jos Buttler acknowledged the close call, stating: ‘The associate nations have genuinely challenged the established teams throughout this tournament, which is tremendously exciting for the global game. We were certainly tested today.’

    The victory completed England’s Group C campaign with three wins and one loss to West Indies, who also qualified for the next stage. Italy, already eliminated from advancement, will play their final match against West Indies on Thursday.

  • Iraqi-UAE consortium to build $700 million ‘WorldLink’ fast data cable network

    Iraqi-UAE consortium to build $700 million ‘WorldLink’ fast data cable network

    A strategic Iraqi-Emirati partnership has unveiled plans to construct a groundbreaking $700 million data infrastructure project designed to establish a high-speed digital corridor between the United Arab Emirates and Turkey through Iraqi territory. The initiative, branded as WorldLink, represents a significant advancement in Middle Eastern telecommunications infrastructure.

    The ambitious project will feature a dual-component network combining submarine and terrestrial fiber-optic cables. The underwater segment will originate from Fujairah on the UAE’s eastern coast, traversing the Gulf waters to reach Iraq’s Faw Peninsula. From this coastal landing point, the infrastructure will continue as an overland cable network extending northward across Iraq until reaching the Turkish border.

    According to Ali El Ekabi, head of Iraq’s Tech 964—one of the three primary consortium members—the venture will be entirely privately financed with an anticipated completion timeline of four to five years. The consortium specifically targets major cloud service providers, international telecommunications carriers, and emerging artificial intelligence applications as primary customers for the new infrastructure.

    This development emerges just days after Saudi Arabia and Syria announced their own collaborative fiber-optic project, highlighting growing regional competition to capitalize on digital connectivity demands. Gulf nations are actively positioning themselves as critical digital infrastructure hubs, seeking to attract substantial investments into data center facilities and next-generation networking capabilities.

    The WorldLink project promises to alleviate congestion on existing east-west data transmission routes while significantly reducing latency compared to traditional pathways that navigate through the Suez Canal. This enhanced connectivity could potentially reshape data flow patterns between Asian and European markets.

    Besides Tech 964, the consortium includes Iraqi-Kurdish technology firm DIL Technologies and UAE-based investment company Breeze Investments. The project aligns with Iraq’s broader $17 billion “Development Road” initiative launched in 2023, which aims to establish the nation as a stable transit corridor following decades of regional conflict.

    The Emirati foreign ministry has not provided official commentary regarding the project. This strategic infrastructure development occurs amid broader regional efforts to rehabilitate and modernize telecommunications networks, with neighboring Syria simultaneously pursuing similar connectivity enhancements through separate partnerships.

  • Sharjah introduces electronic toll gates for trucks: How fees will be collected

    Sharjah introduces electronic toll gates for trucks: How fees will be collected

    Sharjah has implemented a groundbreaking electronic toll collection system named ‘Masar’ specifically designed for heavy commercial vehicles, marking a significant technological advancement in the region’s transportation infrastructure. This innovative system utilizes artificial intelligence and advanced sensor technology to automatically process fees without requiring trucks to stop at checkpoints.

    The system represents a collaborative effort between the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority and the Sharjah Central Finance Department, replacing traditional manual collection methods with a fully automated, data-driven approach. Engineer Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority, described the project as “a pioneering initiative in electronic fee collection for commercial trucks and represents a qualitative leap in institutional work systems.”

    Masar’s technological framework integrates with the emirate’s existing digital payment infrastructure through the ‘Tahseel’ smart payment gateway, enabling secure cashless transactions and real-time financial reporting. Waleed Al Sayegh, Director General of the Central Finance Department, emphasized that the project “strengthens integration between government entities by connecting electronic toll gates to the digital wallet.”

    Beyond financial processing improvements, the system delivers multiple operational benefits including reduced congestion at checkpoints, decreased transit times for commercial vehicles, and minimized human error in fee collection. Environmental advantages are also significant, as reduced idling time for trucks contributes to lower emissions across Sharjah’s transportation network.

    The implementation supports Sharjah’s broader smart city initiatives and reflects the emirate’s commitment to technological innovation in public infrastructure. Officials confirm that the automated system enhances transparency, accelerates collection processes, and improves overall logistics efficiency throughout the region.

  • Iran FM in Geneva for US talks, as Guards begin military drills in Hormuz Strait

    Iran FM in Geneva for US talks, as Guards begin military drills in Hormuz Strait

    Diplomatic efforts to address Iran’s nuclear program have entered a critical phase as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva for a second round of negotiations with United States officials. The talks, mediated by Oman and scheduled for Tuesday, occur against a backdrop of heightened military activity and escalating rhetoric from both nations.

    Simultaneously with the diplomatic movements, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commenced military exercises in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state television reported these drills are designed to prepare for “potential security and military threats” in the waterway, though the duration of the exercises remains unspecified. The Strait serves as a crucial maritime passage for approximately 20% of globally traded oil, and Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened to block transit through this channel.

    The renewed negotiations follow the collapse of previous talks in June after Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iranian targets. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed cautious optimism, stating, “we’re hopeful there’s a deal” and noting that President Trump “always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes.”

    Significant obstacles remain, particularly regarding Iran’s stockpile of more than 400kg of 60%-enriched uranium, last inspected by nuclear watchdog officials in June. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC that Tehran would consider compromises on its uranium stockpile if Washington lifts economically crippling sanctions.

    The U.S. delegation includes Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Araghchi confirmed he was meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi for “deep technical discussion” ahead of the main negotiations.

    Tensions have been further exacerbated by Trump’s repeated threats of military action against Tehran, initially concerning Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests and more recently targeting the country’s nuclear program. On Friday, Trump dispatched a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East while stating that a change of government in Iran would be the “best thing that could happen.”

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted any agreement must involve “the removal of all enriched uranium from Iran” as well as the elimination of Tehran’s enrichment capability. Meanwhile, Iranian officials emphasized their desire for an economically beneficial agreement, with Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Ghanbari noting the importance of “strong and rapid economic return potential” for both nations in sectors including aviation, mining, and oil and gas.

  • UAE weather tomorrow: Dusty conditions likely; Dubai temperatures to dip to 17ºC

    UAE weather tomorrow: Dusty conditions likely; Dubai temperatures to dip to 17ºC

    Meteorological authorities in the United Arab Emirates have issued a weather advisory forecasting dusty conditions across the nation on Tuesday, February 17th. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) anticipates partly cloudy skies with increased cloud formation expected in eastern regions during daytime hours.

    Temperature readings are projected to reach seasonal lows, with Dubai experiencing minimum temperatures of 17°C while Abu Dhabi will see slightly warmer conditions at 18°C. Despite the dust disturbances, thermal conditions remain within comfortable parameters for residents.

    Weather patterns indicate rising humidity levels overnight into Wednesday morning, creating favorable conditions for fog and mist development, particularly across internal and coastal zones. Western areas are identified as most susceptible to reduced visibility due to these meteorological phenomena.

    Wind patterns will shift from northwesterly to southeasterly directions, maintaining light to moderate intensity with periodic freshening. Wind speeds are forecast between 10-25 km/h, occasionally reaching 40 km/h, potentially exacerbating dust dispersion across urban centers.

    Maritime conditions present varying circumstances, with the Arabian Gulf experiencing moderate to slight waves while the Oman Sea faces rougher waters, particularly during morning hours. The comprehensive forecast underscores the region’s transition period between seasonal weather patterns, characteristic of February’s meteorological behavior in the Gulf region.

  • NBA All Star 2026: Backlash as LeBron says he heard ‘great things’ about Israel

    NBA All Star 2026: Backlash as LeBron says he heard ‘great things’ about Israel

    The 2024 NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles became an unexpected platform for the Israel-Palestine discourse when basketball icon LeBron James made comments that ignited widespread online criticism. During a press conference, James was asked by Israel’s Channel 14 to send a message to his Israeli fans. He responded, “I hope I inspire people over there (Israel) not only to be great in sports, but to be better in general in life, hopefully someday I can make it over there,” adding that he had “heard nothing but great things” about the country.

    These remarks triggered immediate backlash across social media platforms, where users contextualized them within the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Critics highlighted that Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, with widely reported figures of over 72,000 killed and 170,000 wounded since October 2023—numbers many experts consider conservative, with some estimates suggesting the death toll could approach 200,000.

    The online response was characterized by accusations of ignorance and hypocrisy. One user criticized James as a “spineless coward” given the “livestreamed genocide of Palestinians all over the internet for over 2 years now & 75+ years of apartheid before that.” Others labeled him an “immoral sellout” for his perceived failure to acknowledge Palestinian suffering.

    The controversy gained additional dimensions through comparisons to other basketball figures. Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving received praise for wearing a “Press” t-shirt honoring the over 250 Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli forces. The sentiment “In a world full of Lebron James’, be a Kyrie Irving” circulated widely on social media platform X. Additionally, renowned filmmaker Spike Lee was spotted wearing keffiyeh-patterned attire and a Palestinian flag sweatshirt during the All-Star events, demonstrating solidarity with Palestine.

    Further criticism focused on James’s previous engagement with social justice issues, particularly his public appreciation for Malcolm X, the anti-colonial and Black liberation leader known for his criticism of Israel and advocacy for Palestinian rights. Users shared images of James reading “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” while contrasting the basketball star’s comments with Malcolm X’s stance against Israeli settler colonialism, suggesting James either misunderstood or disregarded these teachings.

  • Austria wins gold in 1st Olympic men’s super team ski jump as event is shortened due to weather

    Austria wins gold in 1st Olympic men’s super team ski jump as event is shortened due to weather

    PREDAZZO, Italy — In a stunning turnaround of fortunes, Austria’s ski jumping team seized Olympic gold Monday during the historic debut of the men’s super team event at the Milan Cortina Games. The victory came under extraordinary circumstances as a severe snow squall forced the cancellation of the final round, leaving second-round standings to determine the podium.

    Jan Hoerl and Olympic newcomer Stephan Embacher delivered exceptional performances throughout the competition, with Embacher recording the longest jump of the contest at 139 meters (456 feet). Their triumph marked a dramatic redemption for Austria, which had dominated the men’s team event in Beijing 2022 but had failed to reach the podium in any ski jumping discipline during these Games.

    “The last 10 days were hard for our team so it was the last chance today,” reflected Hoerl, a veteran of the 2022 winning team. “We knew that, so we kept focused and we were able to enjoy five good jumps. It’s amazing, unbelievable.”

    The new super team format replaced the traditional four-man team competition, featuring two-athlete teams from seventeen nations. The top twelve teams advanced from the first round, with the best eight progressing to what would become the canceled final round.

    Poland captured silver while Norway claimed bronze, with both teams expressing satisfaction with their unexpected podium finishes. For Poland’s Kacper Tomasiak, the medal completed a remarkable Olympic debut that included silver on the normal hill and bronze on the large hill.

    The competition’s dramatic conclusion came as heavy, wet snow and shifting winds created unsafe conditions for the remaining jumpers. Sandro Pertile, race director for the international ski federation, explained that the deteriorating weather was slowing in-run speeds and creating unfair competitive advantages for later jumpers.

    The cancellation prevented several teams from making their final jumps, including Japan’s Ren Nikaido who had medaled in every ski jump event at these Olympics. Slovenia’s Domen Prevc, the season’s dominant skier, saw his team drop to fifth place after struggling in the challenging conditions.

    The U.S. team of Kevin Bickner and Tate Frantz qualified for the final round but ultimately finished in eighth position.