Global Pulse

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  • Lulu Group chief Yusuff Ali reappointed board member of Abu Dhabi Chamber

    Lulu Group chief Yusuff Ali reappointed board member of Abu Dhabi Chamber

    In a significant development for the UAE’s business community, Lulu Group Chairman and Managing Director Yusuff Ali MA has been reappointed to the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The appointment came through an official resolution issued by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, marking the second time the prominent business leader has received such an appointment through council resolution.

    This reappointment represents the latest chapter in Yusuff Ali’s longstanding relationship with the Chamber, having previously served three separate terms as an elected board member. The Abu Dhabi Chamber formally welcomed his return, stating: “The Chamber extends its best wishes for success in his new role and for meaningful contributions toward enhancing the role and impact of the private sector in the Emirate, while supporting the achievement of Abu Dhabi’s economic aspirations.”

    Yusuff Ali, ranked as the wealthiest Indian national in the UAE with an estimated fortune of $5.8 billion, leads one of the region’s most expansive retail empires. Lulu Group maintains a formidable global presence with operations spanning 22 countries and a diverse workforce exceeding 75,000 employees representing 46 nationalities.

    The group’s portfolio includes an extensive network of shopping malls, hypermarkets, and financial services through its money exchange and remittance division. Recent financial performance indicators demonstrate robust growth, with Lulu Retail reporting a net profit of $36 million (Dh132 million) for the third quarter of 2025—representing a substantial 24 percent year-on-year increase.

    This strategic appointment reinforces the continued collaboration between government institutions and private sector leadership in driving Abu Dhabi’s economic vision forward.

  • UAE condemns terrorist attack at Islamabad mosque as at least 30 dead

    UAE condemns terrorist attack at Islamabad mosque as at least 30 dead

    The United Arab Emirates has issued a forceful condemnation of a devastating terrorist attack targeting a Shi’ite Muslim mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, during Friday prayers. The suicide bombing resulted in significant casualties, with at least 31 fatalities and approximately 170 individuals wounded according to preliminary reports from Pakistani authorities.

    In an official statement released by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE government expressed its vehement rejection of all forms of violent extremism and terrorism that threaten global security and stability. The Ministry characterized the assault as criminal acts fundamentally opposed to peaceful coexistence.

    The Emirates extended profound condolences and heartfelt sympathy to both the bereaved families affected by the tragedy and to the government and citizens of Pakistan. The statement further conveyed wishes for the swift recovery of those injured in the blast.

    Eyewitness accounts and images from the scene depicted a harrowing aftermath, with bloodied victims lying amid shattered glass and debris on the mosque’s carpets while panicked worshippers sought safety. Preliminary investigations by local police indicate the suicide bomber was intercepted at the mosque entrance before detonating the explosive device, potentially preventing even greater casualties.

  • Son of rapper Lil Jon believed dead, days after going missing

    Son of rapper Lil Jon believed dead, days after going missing

    Authorities in Georgia have confirmed the tragic discovery of a body believed to be Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of Grammy-winning rapper Lil Jon, ending a multi-day search that began when the young musician vanished under mysterious circumstances. The Milton Police Department located the remains in a pond near Smith’s residence on Friday morning, just days after he disappeared from his home without his phone or personal belongings.

    Nathan Smith, who performed under the stage name DJ Young Slade, was reported missing early Tuesday after family members stated he had left his home on foot under what police described as ‘unusual circumstances.’ An initial missing person alert indicated Smith might have been ‘disoriented and in need of assistance,’ prompting widespread concern among family, friends, and fans.

    The investigation has thus far revealed no evidence of foul play, according to official statements from Milton police. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office is currently working to provide positive identification and determine the exact cause and manner of death, with authorities stating no further information will be released until this process is complete.

    Lil Jon, born Jonathan Smith, and Nathan’s mother Nicole Smith issued an emotional statement expressing their profound grief. ‘Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet,’ the rapper wrote. ‘He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted. We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him.’

    The tragedy struck the music community particularly hard, as Nathan had followed in his father’s footsteps as an accomplished musician in his own right. A graduate of New York University, he had built a reputation as a talented music producer, artist, and audio engineer. Father and son had recently appeared together on television, competing on an episode of ‘Family Feud’ that showcased their close relationship.

    The pond where the body was discovered sits approximately 30 miles north of Atlanta in Milton, Georgia—the same area where Lil Jon launched his legendary music career that produced international hits including ‘Yeah!’ and ‘Turn Down For What.’

  • UK medical regulator to appeal decision clearing Palestinian surgeon of misconduct

    UK medical regulator to appeal decision clearing Palestinian surgeon of misconduct

    The UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) has initiated a controversial appeal against a tribunal ruling that exonerated prominent Palestinian surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah of professional misconduct allegations. The decision marks the third legal action against the surgeon, who has become a focal point in the intersection of medical regulation and Middle East politics.

    Dr. Abu Sittah’s legal team received formal notification late Thursday that the medical regulator intends to challenge last month’s Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) clearance at the High Court. The surgeon responded through the International Centre for Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), accusing the GMC of yielding to political pressure and functioning as an instrument of ‘political repression in service of Israel’s genocidal project.’

    The original complaints originated from UK Lawyers for Israel, targeting an article Abu Sittah authored for Lebanese publication Al Akhbar and two social media reposts. The content included references to ‘martyrdom’ and statements about ‘revolutionary violence,’ which the pro-Israel group claimed compromised his professional standing.

    Despite the MPTS determining no evidence of misconduct or risk to patient safety, the GMC persists with its appeal—even as its own chief executive acknowledges the regulator is poised to lose its appeal rights against tribunal decisions later this year.

    The prolonged proceedings have imposed substantial mental and financial burdens on Abu Sittah, who has balanced UK hearings with his clinical work in Lebanon treating war casualties. The renowned plastic surgeon has served multiple volunteer rotations in Gaza, including during Israel’s 2023 bombardment, where he documented alleged war crimes and accused Israeli forces of employing illegal white phosphorus in populated areas.

    His election as rector of Glasgow University and his role as a spokesperson for Palestinian medical professionals have elevated his profile amid the ongoing legal battles. The ICJP characterizes the appeal as the latest development in a sustained campaign to revoke his medical license.

  • TCM markets offering experiences attract crowds in China

    TCM markets offering experiences attract crowds in China

    Across urban centers in China, a new wave of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) markets is transforming public perception of ancient healing practices. These innovative venues are attracting unprecedented crowds, particularly among younger demographics seeking authentic cultural experiences alongside wellness solutions.

    The recent TCM experience event at Beijing Massage Hospital exemplified this trend, drawing diverse participants including international visitors. Layla Rabie, a Libyan professional based in China, participated in auricular plaster therapy sessions targeting sleep improvement. The event featured multiple interactive stations where visitors could undergo professional pulse diagnosis, receive tuina therapeutic massage, create personalized herbal bookmarks, and sample medicinal beverages and specialty pastries formulated with TCM principles.

    This movement represents a strategic modernization of TCM cultural promotion, moving beyond clinical settings into vibrant market environments. Organizers have successfully created spaces that blend education with entertainment, allowing participants to engage with TCM through multisensory experiences rather than passive observation. The approach has proven particularly effective in making complex medical concepts accessible to those without prior knowledge of Chinese medicinal philosophy.

    Hospital administrators note that these events consistently exceed attendance expectations, with many visitors returning for formal clinical consultations after initial exposure through market experiences. The phenomenon reflects broader national initiatives to revitalize traditional cultural assets through contemporary presentation methods while maintaining rigorous medical standards.

  • Norway’s crown princess apologises after pressure over Epstein friendship

    Norway’s crown princess apologises after pressure over Epstein friendship

    Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has issued a profound public apology following revelations of her extensive three-year correspondence with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The palace released an official statement expressing the royal’s deep regret for her association with the disgraced financier, acknowledging the damage caused to the Norwegian monarchy.

    Newly disclosed emails from 2011-2014, uncovered in recent U.S. Justice Department filings, reveal startling details about their relationship. The correspondence indicates the crown princess spent four days at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence while he was absent, and contains evidence she was aware of his criminal history. In one October 2011 message, she wrote: ‘Googled u after last email… Agree didn’t look too good,’ referencing Epstein’s 2008 prostitution conviction.

    The apology comes during an exceptionally challenging period for the royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marits eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, is currently facing a high-profile trial on 38 criminal charges including four counts of rape, all of which he denies. The 29-year-old, who is not a royal family member but was raised within the royal household, broke down in court this week while describing lifelong media harassment.

    Compounding these difficulties, the crown princess suffers from severe pulmonary fibrosis and may require a lung transplant. Crown Prince Haakon acknowledged the family’s multiple crises, stating his priority has been ‘to take care of the flock’ during this tumultuous period.

    The royal household faces mounting scrutiny as Princess Ingrid Alexandra, second in line to the throne, separately criticized media coverage on her private social media, denouncing ‘personal attacks’ without specifically referencing either controversy.

    The palace has declined further comment on either matter, maintaining that the crown princess needs time to ‘gather herself’ amid what it describes as a ‘very difficult situation.’

  • Dubai scooter rider seriously injured after colliding with car; police issue advisory

    Dubai scooter rider seriously injured after colliding with car; police issue advisory

    Dubai authorities have intensified road safety warnings following a severe traffic incident in the Naif district, where an electric scooter rider sustained critical injuries after colliding with a passenger vehicle. The collision occurred when the individual was operating the personal mobility device against established traffic flow patterns on an internal roadway.

    Brigadier Jumaa Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic, characterized counter-flow driving as a direct threat to public safety. “Operating any vehicle—including motorcycles and scooters—in opposition to traffic direction represents one of the most dangerous violations of road regulations,” he stated. “This behavior dramatically increases the probability of head-on collisions with potentially fatal outcomes.”

    The emergency response was initiated through the Command and Control Center at the General Department of Operations, which deployed both traffic patrol units and medical personnel to the accident scene. The injured rider received immediate medical attention before being transported to a healthcare facility for further treatment.

    This incident has prompted renewed emphasis on traffic regulation compliance. Authorities specifically highlighted the importance of maintaining proper lane discipline and respecting directional traffic flows. The police advisory serves as both a warning and educational initiative, reminding all road users—including those utilizing emerging transportation technologies—that safety protocols apply equally to all mobility forms.

    The broader context includes increasing integration of electric scooters into urban transportation ecosystems, creating new challenges for traffic management systems originally designed for conventional vehicles. Dubai Police have indicated that enforcement measures will be strengthened to address non-compliant riding behaviors that endanger both riders and other road users.

  • Epstein trained as an Israeli spy, FBI document says

    Epstein trained as an Israeli spy, FBI document says

    A recently surfaced FBI document from the Epstein files contains explosive allegations that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein received intelligence training under former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and operated as a co-opted Mossad agent. The confidential human source report, dated October 16, 2020, initially focused on electoral interference concerns but expanded to reveal startling intelligence claims regarding Epstein’s connections to Israeli intelligence services.

    The document details how the confidential source monitored phone conversations between Epstein and Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, with transcribed notes allegedly being relayed to Israel’s Mossad foreign intelligence agency. According to the source’s account, Barak considered current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a ‘criminal’ and eventually became convinced that Epstein was operating as a Mossad asset.

    Further allegations suggest Dershowitz reportedly told another American attorney that Epstein maintained affiliations with both US and allied intelligence services. The source additionally claimed Dershowitz himself had been co-opted by Mossad, though these assertions remain uncorroborated. Dershowitz, a controversial legal figure who has represented high-profile clients including Netanyahu, Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, and Donald Trump, now faces these serious implications.

    The document also ventures into broader claims, suggesting venture capital firm Day One Ventures operated in Silicon Valley for technology acquisition purposes. The firm was founded by Masha Bucher, previously Epstein’s publicist, whom the source identified as ‘Vladimir Putin’s main contact in the Russian Youth movement.’

    Additionally, the report references longstanding connections between Jared Kushner’s family and Israel, specifically mentioning Charles Kushner and ‘deep ties’ to Israel alongside history of ‘corrupt business practices,’ though without providing specific details.

    Separate documentation confirms Epstein maintained an extensive relationship with Barak, who served as Israel’s defense minister from 2007-2013. Evidence shows Epstein advised Barak on technology firm Palantir, requested employment opportunities for former British minister Lord Peter Mandelson at an energy company, and discussed substantial consultancy fees for former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

    In response to these allegations, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated on social media that Epstein’s close association with Barak demonstrates the opposite of intelligence work, characterizing Barak as obsessively attempting to undermine Israeli democracy through collaborations with anti-Zionist elements seeking to overthrow the elected government.

  • Trump invites Philippine President Marcos to join Gaza Board of Peace, says Filipino envoy

    Trump invites Philippine President Marcos to join Gaza Board of Peace, says Filipino envoy

    In a significant diplomatic development, former US President Donald Trump has extended a formal invitation to Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to participate in the international ‘Board of Peace’ initiative for Gaza reconstruction. The invitation was delivered via personal correspondence earlier this year, as confirmed by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.

    The Marcos administration is currently evaluating the specific commitments required for participation, with Ambassador Romualdez emphasizing Manila’s historical support for peace-building initiatives worldwide. “We’ve always been for finding a way to contribute to any kind of peace effort,” Romualdez stated during the launch ceremony for the 80th US-Philippines anniversary commemorative logo in Pasay City.

    This invitation forms part of Trump’s broader international outreach, with over 60 nations reportedly receiving similar requests to join the entity first proposed in September 2025 as part of his 20-point roadmap to resolve the Gaza conflict. The Board of Peace is designed to provide strategic supervision and coordinate international resources for Gaza’s rehabilitation.

    While no definitive response timeline has been established, Philippine officials indicate a decision is expected within the coming weeks. Ambassador Romualdez clarified that financial contributions—reportedly set at $1 billion for permanent members—would not be required from Manila, suggesting instead potential contributions through human resources or technical expertise.

    Notably within Southeast Asia, only Indonesia and Vietnam have currently committed to participation in the international initiative. The Philippine government’s anticipated acceptance would mark another significant step in the country’s evolving foreign policy approach under the Marcos administration.

  • Actor Timothy Busfield indicted on child sexual contact charges

    Actor Timothy Busfield indicted on child sexual contact charges

    Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield, renowned for his roles in ‘The West Wing’ and ‘Field of Dreams,’ faces serious legal challenges following a grand jury indictment in New Mexico. The 68-year-old actor and director has been formally charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child, according to state prosecutors.

    The allegations originated from child actors who worked with Busfield on the Albuquerque set of the Fox television series ‘The Cleaning Lady,’ where he served as both director and producer. The indictment, unsealed on Friday, supersedes previous charges filed by county prosecutors last month.

    According to court documents reviewed by media outlets, the indictment alleges that between October 2022 and September 2023, Busfield “touched or applied force to the intimate parts” of an unnamed boy under the age of 13. Each felony count carries a potential prison sentence of six years upon conviction.

    Busfield surrendered to authorities last month when an arrest warrant was issued but was subsequently released by Judge David A. Murphy pending trial. The release was granted on the actor’s own recognizance without bail, with the requirement that he appear at all future court proceedings.

    The case has sparked significant legal debate. Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman emphasized that “protecting children remains a top priority for his office” while acknowledging that Busfield is “presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”

    Busfield’s defense team, led by civil attorney Stanton ‘Larry’ Stein and criminal defense lawyer Amber Fayerberg, maintains the allegations are “manufactured” and fundamentally unsound. They point to a recent detention hearing that they claim “exposed fatal weaknesses in the State’s evidence.”

    The defense has presented over 70 character reference letters and claims Busfield passed a polygraph test pertaining to the allegations. Fayerberg argued that Busfield has already suffered professional consequences, having been dropped by his talent agency and edited out of an upcoming romantic comedy, despite not having been convicted of any wrongdoing.

    Prosecutors previously alleged in arrest affidavits that Busfield groomed and sexually abused young actors who referred to him as “Uncle Tim” on set. The documents claim the inappropriate contact spanned several years, with one boy alleging it began when he was seven years old.

    Busfield’s legal team suggests the accusations may be retaliatory, stemming from the children’s termination from the television series that angered their mother. The case is expected to proceed to trial through the New Mexico judicial system.