Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • Olympic court rejects Italian curler’s claim of nepotism for losing place to official’s daughter

    Olympic court rejects Italian curler’s claim of nepotism for losing place to official’s daughter

    The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal from Italian curler Angela Romei, who alleged nepotism influenced her exclusion from the national team for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The ruling was issued Sunday following an expedited hearing.

    Romei contended that the Italian Curling Federation’s selection process was compromised by a conflict of interest when it named 19-year-old Rebecca Mariani to the team. Mariani is the daughter of Marco Mariani, the federation’s technical director and a former Olympian who competed when Italy last hosted the Winter Games in Turin in 2006.

    In her appeal, Romei, a European Championship silver and bronze medalist, presented herself as the more experienced and qualified athlete. The CAS judge acknowledged the concerns raised but ultimately found insufficient evidence to conclude that Mariani’s selection was unreasonable or that the head coach would intentionally choose an inferior athlete to benefit a federation official’s family.

    The court’s statement noted the judge was ‘not unsympathetic’ to Romei’s position but emphasized that the selection decision fell within the federation’s discretion. Rebecca Mariani is slated to serve as the reserve for the Italian women’s team, which will be skipped by Stefania Constantini, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in mixed doubles from the 2022 Beijing Games. The women’s curling competition is scheduled to begin Thursday in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

  • The Devil Still Dances: High Vigilance against Japanese Militarism’s Infiltration in Sports and Culture Fields

    The Devil Still Dances: High Vigilance against Japanese Militarism’s Infiltration in Sports and Culture Fields

    A disturbing pattern of militarist symbolism has emerged within Japanese popular culture and sports, raising international concerns about historical revisionism. Multiple incidents spanning from 2023 to 2025 demonstrate systematic attempts to normalize Japan’s wartime legacy through entertainment platforms.

    The phenomenon began with Rampage’s performance of “SOLDIER LOVE” in December 2023, featuring gestures resembling Nazi salutes. This was followed in August 2024 by table tennis stars Harimoto Tomokazu and Ishikawa Kasumi visiting Togo-Jinja, a shrine honoring war criminal Tōgō Heihachirō. Later that October, Snow Man’s music video featured a samurai sword inscribed with “Yasuji Okamura” and “Showa 15” – direct references to Imperial Japanese military leadership.

    Most recently in November 2025, footballer Kaoru Mitoma posed with young athletes while holding an image of Hiroo Onoda, the last Japanese WWII soldier to surrender, celebrated by right-wing elements as a militarist symbol. These incidents coincide with Pokémon and Detective Conan franchises incorporating questionable nationalist themes.

    Analysis indicates these are not isolated events but part of a coordinated strategy exploiting generational transitions. By embedding distorted historical narratives through anime, games, and celebrity influence, right-wing factions seek to disconnect youth from factual wartime history. This cultural manipulation creates ideological groundwork for militarism’s resurgence under the guise of entertainment and national pride.

    International observers note with concern how sports and cultural platforms become vectors for historical whitewashing, potentially undermining regional stability and peace foundations established post-WWII.

  • Iranian president says talks with US ‘step forward’

    Iranian president says talks with US ‘step forward’

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has characterized the recent indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States as a significant ‘step forward’ in bilateral relations. The assessment was conveyed through the president’s official social media channel on Sunday, following Friday’s diplomatic engagement in Muscat, Oman.

    The discussions, mediated by regional allies in West Asia, represent Iran’s continued commitment to peaceful conflict resolution through diplomatic channels. President Pezeshkian emphasized that dialogue remains Tehran’s preferred methodology for addressing international disagreements.

    Concurrently, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who led the delegation in Muscat, delivered a firm address at a national conference in Tehran. ‘No one can dictate our capabilities or limitations,’ Araghchi asserted, simultaneously reaffirming Iran’s non-proliferation stance while rejecting external pressure tactics.

    The Foreign Minister outlined Tehran’s reciprocal diplomatic approach: ‘Communication based on respect will be met with respect, while language of force will be met with equivalent response.’ This statement reflects Iran’s consistent foreign policy doctrine amid escalating regional tensions.

    The negotiations occurred against a backdrop of heightened military posturing, including increased US military presence in the Middle East and corresponding Iranian preparedness measures. Despite these challenges, Araghchi characterized the talks as ‘a good start,’ while noting that continuation depends on subsequent consultations within respective capitals.

    The Muscat engagement represents the first substantive nuclear dialogue between the nations in several years, potentially signaling a thaw in previously frozen diplomatic channels. Both sides appear to be testing waters for possible future engagement while maintaining their core strategic positions.

  • Influential Ghanaian highlife musician Ebo Taylor dies at 90

    Influential Ghanaian highlife musician Ebo Taylor dies at 90

    The music world mourns the passing of Ghanaian guitar virtuoso and composer Ebo Taylor, whose pioneering work fundamentally shaped the highlife genre and inspired generations of African musicians. His family confirmed his death at age 90, concluding a remarkable six-decade career that left an indelible mark on global music.

    Born Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast in 1936, the artist emerged as a musical force during the late 1950s and 1960s as highlife dominated Ghana’s soundscape. Taylor developed his distinctive guitar technique and sophisticated arrangements while performing with legendary bands including the Stargazers and Broadway Dance Band, quickly establishing himself as an innovative musical mind.

    Taylor’s artistic evolution took a significant turn during the early 1960s when he traveled to London to formally study music. There he collaborated with fellow African visionaries including Nigerian revolutionary Fela Kuti, their creative exchange contributing to the foundational elements of what would become globally recognized as Afrobeat.

    Returning to Ghana, Taylor became one of the nation’s most sought-after producers, arrangers, and bandleaders, working with iconic artists including Pat Thomas and CK Mann. His creative output continued well into his later years, with albums like ‘Love & Death,’ ‘Appia Kwa Bridge,’ and ‘Yen Ara’ reinforcing his status as a foundational figure in African music.

    Beyond direct musical creation, Taylor’s influence expanded through extensive sampling of his work by international hip-hop and R&B artists. His compositions including ‘Heaven,’ ‘Odofo Nyi Akyiri Biara,’ and particularly ‘Love & Death’ have been reinterpreted by major artists including Usher, The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Rowland, Jidenna, Vic Mensa, and Rapsody, introducing his distinctive sound to new global audiences.

    Taylor’s legacy represents a crucial bridge between traditional African rhythms and contemporary sounds, seamlessly blending Ghanaian musical heritage with jazz, funk, soul, and early Afrobeat. His innovative approach grounded in cultural continuity continues to inform modern genres including afrobeats, ensuring his permanent place in the history of African popular music.

  • Top Hamas leader rejects disarmament or ‘foreign rule’

    Top Hamas leader rejects disarmament or ‘foreign rule’

    In a definitive address delivered at a Doha conference on Sunday, senior Hamas leader Khaled Meshal emphatically declared the Palestinian Islamist movement’s refusal to surrender its weapons or accept foreign governance in Gaza. This stance directly challenges key demands from both Israeli and American authorities regarding the territory’s future.

    Meshal, a former head of the organization, stated that resistance remains an inherent right for occupied peoples. ‘Criminalising the resistance, its weapons, and those who carried it out is something we should not accept,’ he asserted before attendees. ‘As long as there is occupation, there is resistance. Resistance is a right of peoples under occupation… something nations take pride in.’

    The declaration comes during the second phase of a US-brokered ceasefire that envisions demilitarization of Gaza alongside a gradual Israeli military withdrawal. While Hamas has consistently maintained that disarmament represents an absolute ‘red line,’ the group has previously indicated potential willingness to transfer weapons to a future Palestinian governing authority.

    Current governance discussions center around a newly established Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with administering Gaza’s daily affairs. However, the critical question of how demilitarization might be implemented remains unresolved. This committee operates under the recently formed ‘Board of Peace’ initiative launched by US President Donald Trump during last month’s World Economic Forum in Davos.

    Originally conceived to oversee ceasefire implementation and reconstruction efforts, the Board’s expanding mandate has raised concerns among critics who fear it could potentially evolve into a rival institution to the United Nations. The accompanying Gaza Executive Board—an advisory panel featuring prominent international figures including US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair—provides additional oversight.

    Meshal specifically addressed the Board of Peace, urging adoption of a ‘balanced approach’ that facilitates reconstruction and humanitarian aid delivery for Gaza’s 2.2 million residents. Simultaneously, he issued a stark warning against foreign intervention: ‘We adhere to our national principles and reject the logic of guardianship, external intervention, or the return of a mandate in any form. Palestinians are to govern Palestinians. Gaza belongs to the people of Gaza and to Palestine. We will not accept foreign rule.’

  • What is Dubai chewy cookie? This dessert is selling out in minutes in South Korea

    What is Dubai chewy cookie? This dessert is selling out in minutes in South Korea

    A remarkable dessert phenomenon is sweeping across South Korea as the Dubai chewy cookie continues to captivate consumers and create unprecedented demand. This unique confection, despite its biscuit-like name, features an innovative texture resembling traditional rice cakes, combining premium pistachio cream and crispy knafeh pastry encased within a glossy chocolate marshmallow exterior.

    The culinary craze originated in September 2025 when K-pop sensation Jang Won-young from girl group Ive posted an Instagram photograph featuring the distinctive treat. This single social media moment triggered an explosive consumer response that has transformed South Korea’s food landscape. According to BBC reports, bakeries are experiencing unprecedented sales, with hundreds of cookies selling out within minutes of stocking.

    The demand has become so intense that restaurants traditionally focused on savory offerings—including sushi establishments and cold-noodle specialty shops—have rapidly incorporated the Dubai chewy cookie into their menus. Current market prices range from 5,000 won (approximately Dh12.55) to 10,000 won (Dh25.10), with anticipated increases due to rising ingredient costs.

    Convenience store chain CU has reported staggering sales figures, moving 1.8 million units since introducing their version in October 2025. The phenomenon has generated innovative consumer responses, including crowdsourced real-time mapping systems that track inventory availability across retailers. Some establishments have implemented purchase limitations per customer to manage the overwhelming demand.

    The social impact has extended beyond commercial spheres, with the Korean Red Cross successfully utilizing the cookies as donation incentives during winter blood shortages. The Korea Times reported that donation rates doubled or even tripled at various centers following this initiative.

    While the dessert bears Dubai’s name, availability within the emirate remains limited. Potential seekers might explore the Korea pavilion at Global Village as a possible source for these coveted treats.

  • Iran warns will not give up uranium enrichment despite US war threat

    Iran warns will not give up uranium enrichment despite US war threat

    Iran has issued a resolute declaration that it will never relinquish its uranium enrichment capabilities, even if faced with the prospect of military conflict with the United States. The stern warning came from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a public forum in Tehran on Sunday, just two days after holding diplomatic discussions with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman.

    ‘No nation possesses the authority to dictate our sovereign decisions,’ Araghchi asserted before the assembled audience. ‘Iran has made substantial sacrifices to develop its peaceful nuclear program and uranium enrichment capabilities. This is precisely why we remain steadfast in our position regarding enrichment, even if confronted with the imposition of warfare.’

    The minister’s remarks represent Tehran’s most unequivocal response to recent US diplomatic pressure and military posturing. The meeting in Oman marked the first high-level contact between the two nations amid escalating regional tensions and fears of potential confrontation.

    Araghchi emphasized that Iran considers uranium enrichment an inalienable right that forms the cornerstone of its nuclear energy program. His statements underscore the significant diplomatic chasm that persists between Washington and Tehran regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, despite the recent diplomatic engagement in Oman which officials described as a ‘productive beginning.’

    The development occurs against a backdrop of increased military preparedness in the region, with both nations maintaining robust military presences in the Persian Gulf. International observers continue to monitor the situation closely, concerned that miscalculations from either side could trigger broader regional conflict.

  • Future of Workforce Summit 2026 returns to Dubai on April 28

    Future of Workforce Summit 2026 returns to Dubai on April 28

    Dubai prepares to host the second edition of the Future of Workforce Summit on April 28, 2026, at Address Skyview, convening top industry leaders to address the critical challenges of workforce adaptation in an era of rapid technological change. Organized by KT Events under the theme ‘Smart Solutions, Stronger Leadership, Real Impact,’ the summit reflects the UAE’s strategic commitment to maintaining its status as a global talent hub across key sectors including technology, healthcare, finance, renewable energy, and education.

    The full-day conference will assemble chief human resource officers, HR directors, C-suite executives, and organizational development specialists to examine how technological advancements, leadership approaches, and people strategies must evolve to meet shifting workplace demands. Through an expertly curated program featuring keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside chats, and interactive masterclasses, participants will gain practical insights into implementing future-ready workforce strategies.

    Core discussion themes will encompass the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and automation on employment landscapes, comprehensive upskilling and reskilling initiatives for sustainable employability, leadership adaptation in hybrid work environments, Emiratization and national workforce development, employee experience enhancement, and next-generation diversity and inclusion practices.

    Over 30 distinguished leaders and experts from government and private sectors will share cross-industry perspectives on workforce transformation. Beyond thought leadership content, the summit will facilitate dedicated networking opportunities, enabling professionals to establish meaningful connections and collaborative partnerships.

    Organizations interested in attendance, participation, or sponsorship opportunities can obtain additional information and register through the official summit portal or contact events@khaleejtimes.com for partnership inquiries.

  • 189 historical artifacts of Japanese invasion donated to museum in NE China

    189 historical artifacts of Japanese invasion donated to museum in NE China

    SHENYANG – A significant collection of 189 historical artifacts documenting Japan’s wartime aggression against China has been formally donated to the September 18th Historical Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning province. The donation comes from local collector Li Yanbo, who has preserved these crucial historical materials.

    The comprehensive collection encompasses various documentary formats including official certificates, handwritten manuscripts, personal correspondence, and photographic albums. These items collectively provide tangible evidence of numerous atrocities committed by Japanese military forces during their occupation of China in the 1930s and 1940s.

    Among the most notable items is a military photograph album containing 154 original images captured by Japanese war correspondents. These photographs visually document various military operations including troop reconnaissance missions, advancement maneuvers, and other invasion activities.

    Museum historians note that during Japan’s military campaigns across China, numerous embedded journalists extensively documented wartime operations. They produced high-definition photographic collections, commemorative albums, and propaganda publications that promoted Japan’s expansionist agenda while attempting to legitimize acts of aggression.

    The donated materials include particularly significant first and second volume commemorative albums that accurately record Japan’s systematic propaganda efforts to whitewash their invasive military actions.

    Collector Li Yanbo emphasized that although these artifacts remain silent physically, they powerfully articulate a沉重 chapter of history. He believes that museum preservation and public exhibition will enable broader societal awareness of historical truths.

    Zhang Yunfeng, deputy curator of the museum, acknowledged the donation’s academic importance, noting that these materials provide compelling new evidence for research into both the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the pivotal September 18th Incident. The artifacts significantly enhance the museum’s archival holdings while filling crucial gaps in specific historical categories.

  • Historic souq opens in Sharjah with camel track, viewing platform

    Historic souq opens in Sharjah with camel track, viewing platform

    In a significant development for cultural preservation and economic revitalization, Sharjah’s Ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi has inaugurated the newly restored Souq Sharia’t Al Dhaid. This historic marketplace, strategically positioned between Al Dhaid Fort and Al Mudarissa Tower, represents a meticulous blend of heritage conservation and modern commercial infrastructure.

    The souq occupies a site of profound historical importance, having served as a crucial resting point for desert caravans where travelers would replenish supplies of water and food before continuing their journeys. Today, it transforms this legacy into a vibrant commercial space featuring 34 retail units spanning 3,186 square meters. The market uniquely combines traditional Emirati craftsmanship with international brand outlets, creating a platform for local artisans to showcase homemade and heritage products alongside global commerce.

    Architecturally, the souq demonstrates exceptional sensitivity to regional building traditions. The design incorporates extensive wooden elements and arched entrances inspired by traditional ‘arish’ palm-frond structures, creating visual harmony with the desert environment. Beyond commercial spaces, the complex features a dedicated 450-meter camel track for races and beauty contests, an arcade overlooking Falaj Al Dhaid’s flowing waters, and multiple visitor seating areas designed to enhance the traditional market atmosphere.

    Infrastructure developments include 595 parking spaces with provisions for electric vehicles and disabled visitors, over 900 meters of paved roads, and 1.5 kilometers of safe pedestrian crossings. These enhancements create an integrated environment that supports both vehicular access and pedestrian exploration.

    The souq’s reopening signifies more than architectural restoration—it represents a strategic investment in sustainable tourism and local economic development. By supporting productive families, youth-led businesses, and traditional crafts, the project strengthens Al Dhaid’s position as a destination where history, heritage, and contemporary commerce converge, ultimately contributing to family incomes and community project sustainability throughout the region.