Global Pulse

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  • Dubai: Gold prices continue to trade high, 24K above Dh600 per gram

    Dubai: Gold prices continue to trade high, 24K above Dh600 per gram

    Gold markets in Dubai sustained their robust performance on Wednesday morning, with 24K gold trading firmly above the Dh600 per gram threshold. The precious metal opened at Dh608.25 per gram, maintaining its strong position across all variants: 22K at Dh563.24, 21K at Dh540.0, 18K at Dh462.75, and 14K at Dh363.0 per gram.

    Internationally, spot gold demonstrated remarkable resilience by holding above the critical psychological barrier of $5,000 per ounce. At 9:30 AM UAE time, prices reached $5,053.49 per ounce, marking a 0.9 percent increase and reinforcing the metal’s consolidation pattern around this significant level.

    Market analysts attribute this sustained strength to multiple converging factors. Recent US economic data revealed stagnant retail sales in December, indicating potential consumer spending weaknesses that could necessitate more imminent interest rate adjustments. According to Kyle Rodda, Senior Market Analyst at Capital.com, this economic softness has created expectations for more substantial and timely rate cuts than previously anticipated.

    Dilin Wu, Research Strategist at Pepperstone, noted that gold continues to trade within a defined consolidation range between $4,630 and $5,100. Despite briefly dipping to approximately $4,400 last week, the metal has demonstrated significant intraday volatility with frequent position alternations between long and short holdings.

    The current market dynamics are being driven by three primary supportive elements: ongoing geopolitical tensions, consistent central bank acquisitions, and a comparatively weaker US dollar. These factors collectively provide substantial underpinning for gold’s valuation, making the $5,000 level a crucial benchmark for market sentiment and future price direction.

  • Prakash Raj begins shooting for ‘Drishyam 3’ in Hindi

    Prakash Raj begins shooting for ‘Drishyam 3’ in Hindi

    Veteran actor Prakash Raj has officially commenced filming for the highly anticipated Hindi thriller ‘Drishyam 3’, marking a significant development in the production of the sequel. The acclaimed performer utilized social media platforms to announce his involvement while simultaneously addressing circulating industry rumors regarding casting changes.

    Through an Instagram post, Raj expressed genuine enthusiasm about joining what he described as an ‘engaging franchise,’ working alongside a ‘wonderful team’ while portraying a ‘scintillating role.’ Notably, he explicitly clarified: ‘and yes I’m not replacing anyone,’ directly countering speculation that he had assumed a role originally intended for Akshaye Khanna.

    This development follows recent confirmations from producer Kumar Mangat Pathak regarding Jaideep Ahlawat’s incorporation into the principal cast subsequent to Khanna’s unexpected departure from the project. Pathak emphasized that Ahlawat would undertake a freshly conceived character interpretation rather than directly assuming Khanna’s previously envisioned role.

    The casting modifications occur against the backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings between Khanna and the production team. Pathak has formally issued a legal notice to the actor alleging contractual breach after Khanna reportedly exited the project following acceptance of initial compensation and scheduling commitments. Khanna has yet to publicly address these allegations.

    Directed by Abhishek Pathak, ‘Drishyam 3’ continues the successful thriller franchise headlined by Ajay Devgn. The production is strategically scheduled for global theatrical release on October 2, 2026, positioning it as a major cinematic event within the Indian film industry.

  • Six months after explosion, Pennsylvania mill town sees hope but a history of disappointment

    Six months after explosion, Pennsylvania mill town sees hope but a history of disappointment

    CLAIRTON, Pa. — The $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel has created a complex tapestry of hope and skepticism in the historic heartland of American steel production. The Monongahela River Valley, once the crown jewel of industrial America, now stands at a critical crossroads between economic revival and environmental concerns.

    The transaction, approved in June 2025 after previous presidential opposition, includes Nippon’s commitment to invest $11 billion in domestic steelmaking infrastructure. While $2.4 billion has been earmarked for revitalizing Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Mon Valley, uncertainty persists regarding allocation to the Clairton Coke Works—the Western Hemisphere’s largest coking facility and the economic backbone of this struggling community.

    This sprawling plant, operational since 1916, represents both the promise of employment and the peril of environmental degradation. Generations of Clairton residents have endured persistent air pollution ranked among America’s worst, alongside community violence and economic decline. The August 2025 explosion that killed two workers intensified scrutiny of the facility, which contributes approximately two-thirds of Allegheny County’s industrial particulate pollution.

    The community’s response reflects profound division. Lifelong resident Dorcas Rumble expresses faith in Nippon’s commitment: “I know Nippon Steel is going to pull us through here, get us back up and moving.” Conversely, Carla Beard-Owens, caring for an asthmatic granddaughter while battling multiple pollution-related illnesses, states: “At this point, I’d rather see it than believe it.”

    November’s political shift saw the election of reform-minded Mayor Jim Cerqua, a former U.S. Steel foreman who campaigned on the platform “It is broke! We are going to fix it!” His administration faces the dual challenge of balancing municipal budgets dependent on steel plant taxes while addressing community health concerns.

    Health statistics reveal alarming patterns: childhood asthma rates in Clairton reach 22.4%—triple the national average—with 60% of cases poorly controlled. ProPublica analysis indicates the coke works contributes 98.7% of the area’s excess cancer risk, with lifetime cancer rates 2.3 times the EPA’s acceptable limit.

    While Nippon’s investment may extend the Mon Valley’s steelmaking lifespan, it also perpetuates its pollution legacy. As the community navigates this transition, residents embody contrasting perspectives—from those planning relocation due to health concerns to others investing in community revitalization efforts, all awaiting tangible evidence of Nippon’s promised transformation.

  • Organ in a chip, AI retina scanner: 5 health tech making UAE residents’ lives easier

    Organ in a chip, AI retina scanner: 5 health tech making UAE residents’ lives easier

    Dubai is currently hosting a groundbreaking exhibition that is redefining the future of healthcare through artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. The World Health Expo (WHX), formerly known as Arab Health, has brought together 4,300 exhibitors from more than 180 countries at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City, showcasing medical innovations that seemed like science fiction just years ago.

    Among the most remarkable technologies on display is the ‘organ-on-a-chip’ system developed by Chinese company Xellar. This revolutionary approach uses commercially available human tissue components tested in micro-devices, with AI algorithms enhancing diagnostic accuracy to unprecedented levels exceeding 95%. The technology enables researchers to recreate diseases within these miniature chips, facilitating personalized drug testing and potentially transforming pharmaceutical development timelines.

    The Emirates Health Services (EHS) has introduced an AI retina scanner that represents a significant leap in predictive medicine. This binocular-shaped device performs comprehensive eye scans in approximately 30 seconds, detecting conditions ranging from glaucoma and cataracts to cardiovascular diseases and liver conditions years before symptoms manifest. Users receive detailed medical reports directly on their mobile devices for future reference and consultation.

    Complementing these diagnostic advances, the Dubai Health Authority has unveiled wellness pods designed to promote mental health in public spaces. These compact structures provide guided relaxation experiences through customized lighting and audio environments, offering three distinct modes: calm, grounding, and boosting. Currently in trial phase, these pods may soon appear in government offices and shopping malls across the UAE.

    Remote healthcare delivery has been enhanced through robotic intervention systems already operational in Ras Al Khaimah’s coastal settlement of Al Jeer. These remotely controlled robotic arms enable specialists to provide life-saving medical assistance to patients in geographically isolated areas, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to equitable healthcare access.

    Additionally, the EHS has implemented Maitha, an AI-powered hiring assistant that is streamlining nurse recruitment processes. This system automates CV screening, conducts preliminary interviews, and identifies the most qualified candidates, significantly reducing administrative burdens and improving hiring efficiency within the healthcare sector.

  • What are Canada’s gun ownership laws?

    What are Canada’s gun ownership laws?

    A devastating mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia has claimed nine lives and left 25 injured, prompting renewed national scrutiny of Canada’s firearm regulations. The remote community, situated approximately 415 miles north of Vancouver, became the latest scene of gun violence in a country where such incidents remain relatively rare compared to the United States.

    Canadian firearm ownership operates under federal jurisdiction with significantly stricter protocols than most U.S. states. The Firearms Act mandates that all guns be stored locked and unloaded, while prospective buyers must undergo comprehensive background checks and obtain licenses. Government statistics from 2021 indicate approximately 2.2 million licensed firearm owners (7.7% of adults) possess an estimated 10 million firearms nationwide.

    Despite Canada’s robust gun control framework, British Columbia reportedly maintains the highest handgun ownership rates in the country. A national freeze on handgun sales and transfers has been in effect since 2022, following previous tragic incidents.

    This tragedy echoes several other mass shootings that have occurred over the past decade. In 2020, Canada witnessed its deadliest shooting event when a gunman disguised as a police officer killed 22 people in Nova Scotia over two days, leading to a ban on most military-grade assault-style weapons. Other significant incidents include the 2017 Quebec City mosque attack that killed worshippers, the 2016 La Loche school shooting that claimed four lives, and the 2014 Edmonton shooting that left eight dead, including two children.

    The deadliest school shooting in Canadian history remains the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, where fourteen women were killed in an anti-feminist attack.

    While Canada’s firearm homicide percentage remains significantly lower than that of the United States, it exceeds rates observed in England, Wales, and Australia, ensuring that gun control will remain a contentious issue in Canadian public policy discussions.

  • US closes airspace over Texas border town for 10 days for ‘special security reasons’

    US closes airspace over Texas border town for 10 days for ‘special security reasons’

    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has enacted an extraordinary 10-day complete airspace closure surrounding the West Texas border city of El Paso, effective from late Tuesday through February 20. The unprecedented shutdown, implemented without prior notification to local authorities, encompasses all flight operations within a 10-mile radius extending into southern New Mexico.

    El Paso International Airport officials confirmed the total grounding of all commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights during the closure period from 11:30 pm local time Tuesday (0630 GMT Wednesday) through February 20 at 11:30 pm. Travelers have been advised to contact their airlines directly for updated flight status information.

    Local officials expressed surprise and concern over the sudden implementation. City Council member Chris Canales revealed that neither municipal governments nor air traffic control personnel received advance warning or explanation for the drastic measure. ‘The notice was published without any advance notice to local governments or to local air traffic controllers,’ Canales stated, noting that some community members were ‘panicking a bit because of how highly unusual this is.’

    The FAA’s brief statement cited ‘special security reasons’ for the restrictions, though specific details remain undisclosed. The extended duration marks a significant departure from standard procedure, as FAA data indicates the agency has reduced average airspace closures from over four hours to just over two hours per launch since 2018.

    The strategic location of El Paso adds geopolitical context to the decision. The city sits directly adjacent to Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez to the south and west, while surrounding military installations include Fort Bliss—a major U.S. Army training post—and the White Sands Missile Range to the north, the nation’s largest overland testing facility for advanced weapons systems.

  • Suspect in Nancy Guthrie abduction detained in Arizona, 9 days after she went missing

    Suspect in Nancy Guthrie abduction detained in Arizona, 9 days after she went missing

    A significant development has emerged in the high-profile disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC ‘Today’ show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. Law enforcement authorities have confirmed the detention of a suspect in Arizona following a traffic stop south of Tucson on Tuesday, exactly nine days after the elderly woman was reported missing.

    The apparent breakthrough occurred hours after the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department released compelling visual evidence showing an armed individual in a ski mask tampering with the door camera at Guthrie’s residence. The timestamped footage, captured by a Google Nest camera in the early hours of February 1, depicts a gloved figure carrying a backpack and what appears to be a holstered firearm approaching the home.

    According to Sheriff Chris Nanos, the home’s surveillance system was disabled during the presumed abduction timeframe. Approximately thirty minutes later, Guthrie’s pacemaker disconnected from her phone, suggesting she was forcibly removed from the property. DNA analysis subsequently confirmed blood traces found on the front porch belonged to the missing octogenarian.

    The investigation had previously stalled, with authorities acknowledging no identified suspects or persons of interest as recently as Monday. The case gained national attention following the emergence of at least two purported ransom notes delivered to media outlets, though no proof of life has been verified since Guthrie’s disappearance.

    Family members have described Nancy Guthrie as having limited mobility, frail health, and requiring daily medication for survival. Her children, including Savannah Guthrie, have made multiple public appeals through social media, pleading for their mother’s safe return and offering to pay ransom. The White House has also acknowledged the case, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirming that President Trump had reviewed the newly released evidence.

  • Gunman apprehended in southern Thailand after holding students and teachers hostage in school

    Gunman apprehended in southern Thailand after holding students and teachers hostage in school

    A tense hostage situation unfolded Wednesday afternoon at Patongprathankiriwat School in Thailand’s Songkhla province, where an armed assailant took students and teachers captive before being apprehended by authorities after a two-hour standoff.

    According to the provincial Public Relations Department, the incident occurred during the late afternoon dismissal period when the visibly agitated gunman entered the school premises. Multiple gunshots were reported by witnesses shortly after his arrival, creating panic among students and staff.

    The police’s Central Investigation Bureau confirmed that at least one student sustained injuries during the altercation, though the exact number of casualties remains unverified as Thai media reports of multiple injuries await official confirmation. Law enforcement officials successfully brought the situation under control within approximately two hours, with the suspect taken into custody without further violence.

    This event marks another concerning episode in Thailand’s ongoing challenges with firearm-related violence. The Southeast Asian nation maintains one of the region’s highest rates of gun ownership, with research from Small Arms Survey and GunPolicy.org indicating approximately 10.3 legally registered firearms per 100 citizens—a figure that rises to 15.1 when including illicit weapons. This stands in stark contrast to neighboring Malaysia’s rate of less than one gun per 100 people.

    The incident recalls previous tragic events that have shaken the nation, including the October 2022 massacre in Uthai Sawan where a former police sergeant killed 36 people, predominantly young children, at a daycare facility. That tragedy, along with the February 2020 shooting rampage in Nakhon Ratchasima that left 29 dead, sparked national conversations about gun control reform that have yet to yield substantial legislative changes.

    Authorities continue investigating the motive behind Wednesday’s school attack while reinforcing security measures at educational institutions throughout the province.

  • Ellis takes four wickets in Australia win

    Ellis takes four wickets in Australia win

    Australian cricketer Nathan Ellis delivered a masterclass in bowling precision during a T20 World Cup match against Ireland, securing a decisive victory for his team. The right-arm fast bowler achieved remarkable figures of 4 wickets for just 12 runs across 3.5 overs, demonstrating exceptional control and variation that dismantled Ireland’s batting lineup.

    The match, held at a World Cup venue, showcased Ellis’s ability to execute under pressure as he consistently found the right lengths and lines to trouble the Irish batsmen. His performance included a combination of deceptive slower balls, accurate yorkers, and well-disguised variations that proved too challenging for the opposition to handle.

    Australia’s comprehensive win strengthens their position in the tournament standings as they continue their campaign for T20 World Cup glory. The victory underscores the depth of Australia’s bowling resources, with Ellis emerging as a potent weapon in their attack alongside established stars.

    Cricket analysts have praised Ellis’s ability to perform on the world stage, noting his economical bowling and wicket-taking prowess came at crucial moments in the match. The performance has generated significant discussion among cricket enthusiasts about his potential role in Australia’s future matches throughout the tournament.

    The match footage, currently available to UK viewers through official broadcasting channels, captures Ellis’s dominant spell that effectively decided the contest in Australia’s favor.

  • China reminds Trump it holds the note on dollar debt

    China reminds Trump it holds the note on dollar debt

    Financial markets are closely monitoring Beijing’s potential strategic shift away from US Treasury securities, a move that could fundamentally reshape global economic dynamics. Reports indicate that China, America’s second-largest financier in Asia, is advising financial institutions to decrease exposure to US government debt amid growing concerns about fiscal sustainability.

    This development occurs against the backdrop of unprecedented US debt accumulation, which has surpassed $39 trillion under the Trump administration’s policies. Market analysts note that while China appears unlikely to initiate large-scale immediate selling, even gradual reductions could signal diminishing confidence in dollar-denominated assets.

    Historical context reveals this isn’t entirely unprecedented. Former Premier Wen Jiabao expressed similar concerns in 2009 regarding China’s substantial loans to the United States, emphasizing the need for Washington to maintain its creditworthiness. These worries materialized when S&P Global downgraded the US credit rating from AAA to AA+ in 2011.

    The current administration’s approach has exacerbated these concerns through multiple channels: significant tax cuts, expansive pandemic-related spending, and the weaponization of dollar-based financial systems for geopolitical purposes. Economist Eswar Prasad of the Brookings Institution observes that ‘the institutions that have underpinned the dollar’s dominance are being shredded before our eyes.’

    Market professionals offer contrasting perspectives. Kathleen Brooks of XTB suggests any Chinese selling would likely be ‘slow and gradual,’ while UBS economist Paul Donovan notes markets are attentive to reduced future appetite for US debt among international investors. Meanwhile, Oxford Economics CEO Innes McFee contends that ‘there’s no real evidence of capital outflows out of US assets,’ emphasizing continued global exposure to American markets.

    The potential implications are profound. Any substantial reduction in Chinese Treasury holdings could increase US borrowing costs, potentially triggering global financial instability. However, most analysts consider abrupt large-scale selling unlikely given the mutually destructive consequences such action would entail for both economies.

    This situation represents the culmination of long-standing tensions regarding dollar dependency and reflects broader geopolitical realignments as nations reconsider traditional financial safe havens in an increasingly fragmented global economic landscape.