Global Pulse

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  • Ruler of Sharjah orders release of 738 inmates for Ramadan 2026

    Ruler of Sharjah orders release of 738 inmates for Ramadan 2026

    In a significant humanitarian gesture marking the holy month of Ramadan, UAE rulers have authorized the release of hundreds of prisoners across multiple emirates. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has ordered the liberation of 738 inmates from the Sharjah Correctional and Rehabilitation Institution who demonstrated exemplary conduct and met specific pardon criteria.

    This compassionate decision follows similar initiatives by other UAE leaders. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan previously ordered the release of 1,440 inmates from correctional facilities nationwide, personally undertaking to settle their financial obligations. Simultaneously, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, authorized the pardon of 134 prisoners within his emirate’s penal system.

    The coordinated prisoner releases represent a traditional Ramadan practice across the UAE, reflecting Islamic principles of mercy, forgiveness, and rehabilitation. The initiative specifically targets non-violent offenders who have exhibited positive behavioral transformation during their incarceration.

    Correctional authorities have implemented rigorous evaluation processes to identify qualifying inmates based on rehabilitation progress, good conduct, and the nature of their offenses. This annual tradition underscores the UAE’s commitment to restorative justice and social reintegration, allowing pardoned individuals to reunite with families during the spiritually significant month of Ramadan.

  • Canada Conservative leader dismisses MP’s ‘hissy fit’ remark over US relations

    Canada Conservative leader dismisses MP’s ‘hissy fit’ remark over US relations

    Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has publicly distanced himself from comments made by one of his own MPs, Jamil Jivani, who characterized Canada’s stance toward the United States as an “anti-American hissy fit.” The remarks were made during an unsanctioned trip to Washington where Jivani met with US Vice-President JD Vance, a longtime friend and former Yale University roommate.

    Jivani, representing the Ontario riding of Bowmanville-Oshawa North, traveled to Washington earlier this month without official government authorization. In a subsequent interview with right-wing outlet Breitbart, he asserted that Canadians were “shooting ourselves in the foot” with their anti-US sentiments. These comments reference growing tensions following President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on key Canadian sectors and his characterization of Canada as the “51st state.”

    Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose Liberal government has adopted a defiant trade diversification strategy in response to Trump’s policies, clarified that Jivani had received briefings from Canada-US Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc but traveled in an unofficial capacity. Jivani claimed he visited to assist Carney in trade negotiations and reported “productive meetings” with White House and State Department officials, including a personal message from Trump to Canadians.

    Poilievre acknowledged the value of MPs using personal connections to advance trade talks but explicitly rejected Jivani’s terminology. “Canadians are legitimately upset by the unjustifiable tariffs and the comments that the president has made,” Poilievre stated, adding that Jivani “speaks for himself, and I speak for the party.”

    The controversy emerges as Canada faces ongoing sector-specific tariffs from the Trump administration, plus a blanket 35% tariff on goods not covered by the trilateral free trade agreement with the US and Mexico, which is currently undergoing scheduled review set to conclude later this year.

    Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has vehemently opposed Trump’s tariffs affecting his province’s auto sector, also criticized Jivani’s wording while acknowledging the importance of US engagement. “I’m happy when I see other premiers go down to the US and lobby,” Ford noted, “But no, I don’t call it a hissy fit.”

  • In Olympic host village Cortina, wearing fur never went out of style

    In Olympic host village Cortina, wearing fur never went out of style

    Nestled in the Italian Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo stands as a defiant bastion of fur fashion culture amidst growing global opposition. While the European Commission considers sweeping bans on fur farming and major fashion houses abandon animal pelts, this alpine resort town continues its centuries-old tradition with unabashed enthusiasm.

    The cultural significance of fur here transcends mere fashion—it represents historical identity and regional pride. Since the filming of James Bond’s ‘For Your Eyes Only’ showcased Cortina’s fur-clad elegance, the town has maintained its sartorial heritage. Along the pedestrian-only Corso Italia, boutique windows display everything from Canadian lynx to spotted feline coats, with price tags reaching €80,000.

    Paola De Leidi, a 62-year-old regular visitor, exemplifies this cultural attachment. She maintains a dedicated ‘Cortina closet’ for her collection of exotic furs, including pink and panther patterns, considering the town a safe haven from environmentalist criticism. ‘Here, I feel free to wear what I like without anxiety,’ she expressed, echoing shopkeeper Marco Molinari’s observation about the town’s unique atmosphere of security and tradition.

    The contrast with global trends couldn’t be sharper. Over 1,600 retailers worldwide have committed to fur-free policies, with luxury giants like Gucci, Chanel, and Prada transitioning to synthetic alternatives. The Fur Free Alliance reports significant progress in ethical fashion, while the EU prepares potential legislation against mink, fox, raccoon, and chinchilla fur production.

    Even celebrity influence reflects this dichotomy. During the Milan Cortina Olympic Games, rapper Snoop Dogg—known for his flamboyant fur accessories—purchased a €300 Pajaro fur hat, later showcasing it in an Instagram video with Stanley Tucci. This momentary spotlight highlighted how Cortina remains one of the few places where such purchases remain socially acceptable among international elites.

    Elderly residents like Marina Bozzoli, 82, and Orietta Guarini, 83, who have witnessed Cortina’s transformation from modest mountain town to luxury destination, confirm that while ‘everything has changed, the furs have always been here.’ Their inherited coats, some dating back generations, symbolize how deeply this tradition is woven into the fabric of local identity, even as the world moves toward more ethical and sustainable fashion choices.

  • Explained: The Israeli measures imposing de facto annexation in the West Bank

    Explained: The Israeli measures imposing de facto annexation in the West Bank

    In a dramatic shift of policy, Israel has enacted comprehensive measures that fundamentally alter the administrative reality for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. These unprecedented changes, the first of their magnitude since Israel’s 1967 occupation, significantly expand civilian authority over territories previously governed under military law for nearly six decades.

    The reforms effectively extend Israeli administrative control throughout the West Bank, realizing a long-standing objective of right-wing and ultra-nationalist settler movements. Critics characterize these moves as de facto annexation despite the absence of formal declaration, substantially weakening the Palestinian Authority’s limited self-rule and dismantling the foundational structure established by the Oslo Accords.

    Key changes announced on February 8th include Israel’s newfound authority to enforce civilian decisions in Areas A and B—regions comprising approximately 40% of the West Bank containing major Palestinian population centers. Previously restricted to security operations in these zones, Israeli forces may now demolish homes, wells, and structures under expanded environmental and heritage protection pretexts.

    Parallel land regulation reforms facilitate mass land seizures and simplify property transfers to settlers by abolishing Jordanian-era restrictions and declassifying previously protected land registries. Subsequent measures authorize the reclassification of unregistered or abandoned territories as “state property,” effectively legalizing widespread land confiscation despite international law prohibitions against such actions by occupying powers.

    Hebron emerges as a particularly sensitive focus, with building permit authority transferred from Palestinian to Israeli military control. This shift enables settlement expansion within urban centers and potential alterations to the Ibrahimi Mosque complex, a site sacred to Muslims since the 1994 massacre by an Israeli settler.

    The transformation deepened with Israel’s approval of a new settlement effectively expanding Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries into the West Bank—the first formal boundary extension since the 1967 occupation. This planned expansion at Adam settlement, presented as a new neighborhood despite lacking physical connection to existing structures, further blurs the Green Line demarcation established by the 1949 armistice agreements.

  • Seahawks put up for sale – 10 days after Super Bowl win

    Seahawks put up for sale – 10 days after Super Bowl win

    In a landmark development for professional sports ownership, the Seattle Seahawks franchise has officially entered a formal sale process just ten days after securing their second Super Bowl championship. The announcement comes from the estate of late owner Paul G. Allen, who purchased the team in 1997 for $194 million, preventing its potential relocation to Southern California.

    The technology pioneer and Microsoft co-founder, who passed away in 2018 from non-Hodgkin lymphoma complications, had previously directed that all his sports holdings be sold with proceeds dedicated to philanthropic causes. His sister Jody Allen, who currently serves as executor of the estate and chair of both the Seahawks and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, is overseeing the transition.

    The Seahawks’ valuation has skyrocketed under Allen’s ownership, with Forbes recently estimating the franchise’s worth at approximately $6.7 billion, ranking it as the 14th most valuable team in the NFL. This potential sale follows the record-breaking $6.05 billion acquisition of the Washington Commanders in 2023 by an investment group led by Josh Harris.

    The Allen estate has engaged investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins to manage the sale process. This move coincides with the ongoing sale of the Portland Trail Blazers, where Tom Dundon, owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, has agreed to purchase the NBA franchise for $4.25 billion.

    The timing of the announcement, following Seattle’s dominant Super Bowl 60 victory over the New England Patriots, positions the franchise at the peak of its competitive and financial value, potentially attracting significant interest from deep-pocketed investors seeking entry into the elite NFL ownership circle.

  • UAE President orders release of 1,440 prisoners for Ramadan 2026

    UAE President orders release of 1,440 prisoners for Ramadan 2026

    In a significant humanitarian gesture marking the commencement of Ramadan 2026, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has authorized the liberation of 1,440 individuals incarcerated across the nation’s correctional facilities. This presidential decree, announced on February 18, 2026, encompasses not only freedom for those convicted in various cases but also includes full financial coverage for all fines and monetary penalties associated with their sentences.

    The initiative reflects Sheikh Mohamed’s profound commitment to offering rehabilitated citizens a genuine opportunity for societal reintegration while simultaneously alleviating the emotional and economic burdens carried by their families. This compassionate measure aims to foster family reunification and social stability during Islam’s holiest month, characterized by reflection, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal.

    Parallel to this national announcement, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, demonstrated similar benevolence by ordering the release of 134 inmates from emirate-specific detention centers. This coordinated clemency action continues a well-established tradition among UAE leadership, who routinely issue prisoner pardons during religious holidays and culturally significant occasions.

    The systematic implementation of such amnesty programs underscores the UAE’s progressive approach to criminal justice and social welfare, emphasizing rehabilitation over mere punishment. By removing financial barriers through debt forgiveness, the leadership ensures that released individuals can pursue productive futures without the crippling weight of previous obligations, thereby strengthening both family units and broader community bonds during this sacred period.

  • Leila Shahid, first female Palestinian ambassador, dies in France at 76

    Leila Shahid, first female Palestinian ambassador, dies in France at 76

    RAMALLAH, West Bank — Leila Shahid, the groundbreaking Palestinian diplomat who became the first woman to represent Palestine in ambassadorial roles across Europe, has passed away in France at age 76. Her death marks the conclusion of an extraordinary career spanning some of the most volatile periods in Middle Eastern diplomacy.

    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas commemorated Shahid as an exemplary figure whose diplomatic service embodied “the values of freedom, justice and peace.” Through the official WAFA news agency, Abbas noted that she maintained unwavering dedication to her people’s cause throughout her life.

    Born in Beirut in 1949 during the aftermath of Israel’s establishment—which displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians—Shahid’s heritage traced to Jerusalem and northern Israel. Her early humanitarian work in Palestinian refugee camps preceded her academic pursuits in Paris, where she embarked on doctoral studies in anthropology during the 1970s. Her leadership qualities emerged early when she was elected head of the Palestinian student union in France in 1976.

    Shahid’s diplomatic career was forged amidst tragedy and conflict. She returned to Beirut during the horrific 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre, where Israeli-backed Lebanese Christian militias slaughtered hundreds of Palestinian refugees. This experience undoubtedly shaped her resolve in international representation.

    Her historic appointment as Palestine’s first female ambassador came in 1989 with her posting to Ireland, followed by a transfer to the Netherlands the subsequent year. From 1993 to 2005, she served as Palestinian envoy to France, navigating both the optimistic peace process era and the tumultuous second intifada that erupted in 2000. She was present with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during his final days before his 2004 death in a French military hospital.

    Shahid’s diplomatic service extended until 2014 through her representation to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Beyond diplomacy, she contributed academically as longtime director of “The Review of Palestinian Studies,” a French-language journal examining the historical dimensions of the conflict.

  • Ramadan 2026: Paid parking rates, timings revised in 3 emirates; see list here

    Ramadan 2026: Paid parking rates, timings revised in 3 emirates; see list here

    In observance of the holy month of Ramadan, which commenced in the United Arab Emirates on February 17, 2026, following the sighting of the crescent moon, municipal authorities across three emirates have implemented revised parking and toll fee schedules. These annual adjustments are designed to accommodate altered daily routines and support residents during this period of spiritual reflection.

    Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has established a bifurcated paid parking schedule effective from Monday through Saturday. The first fee period runs from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, followed by a second collection window from 8:00 PM until midnight. This structured timing intentionally provides a complimentary two-hour parking window around Maghrib (sunset) prayers, enabling residents to perform religious obligations and partake in Iftar meals without incurring parking costs. The RTA confirmed that multi-storey parking facilities will maintain 24/7 operations without interruption.

    In the capital emirate, Q Mobility, administrator of the Darb toll gate system, announced adjusted peak timing tariffs. Toll charges have been set at Dh4 during morning commutes (8:00 AM to 10:00 AM) and evening periods (2:00 PM to 6:00 PM) from Monday to Saturday. Concurrently, Abu Dhabi’s public parking system will enforce fees across two daily intervals: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM, with standard spaces costing Dh2 hourly and premium zones Dh3 per hour. Sundays will remain toll-free and parking-exempt throughout the capital.

    Sharjah Municipality has implemented distinct regulations, maintaining free public parking on Fridays except for smart parking facilities and zones designated for continuous weekly fees, including public holidays. From Saturday to Thursday, paid parking hours will extend from 8:00 AM until midnight, ensuring consistent enforcement while respecting religious observances.

    These coordinated transportation policy adaptations reflect the UAE’s commitment to facilitating comfortable religious observance while maintaining urban mobility and regulatory consistency during Ramadan’s unique temporal rhythms.

  • US senators visit key Ukrainian port city as they push for fresh sanctions on Russia

    US senators visit key Ukrainian port city as they push for fresh sanctions on Russia

    A bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators concluded a significant visit to Odessa on Wednesday, marking the first congressional trip to Ukraine’s strategic Black Sea port since Russia’s invasion nearly four years ago. The delegation, comprising Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Richard Blumenthal, and Sheldon Whitehouse, aimed to galvanize congressional action on comprehensive sanctions designed to economically pressure Moscow into meaningful peace negotiations.

    The timing of this diplomatic mission coincides with critical U.S.-brokered talks in Switzerland, where both Ukrainian and Russian delegations remain deadlocked on fundamental issues including territorial sovereignty and security arrangements. Senator Shaheen emphasized that Ukrainian officials consistently expressed desire for a peace agreement that preserves their nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Legislative efforts to impose robust sanctions have stalled in Congress for months, despite multiple proposals gaining traction. The most comprehensive bill would authorize the Trump administration to implement tariffs and secondary sanctions against nations purchasing Russian energy exports, targeting the financial infrastructure supporting Moscow’s military operations. Additional targeted measures would address China’s military support for Russia, seize frozen Russian assets, and disrupt Moscow’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers circumventing existing sanctions.

    Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed during the Munich Security Conference that Senate Majority Leader John Thune committed to bringing the sanctions package to vote once it secures the necessary 60-vote threshold. Graham characterized the legislation as a ‘game changer’ that has received President Trump’s endorsement.

    The House of Representatives is considering parallel measures, including bipartisan legislation targeting Russia’s defense industry and financial systems, alongside an $8 billion military aid package for Ukraine proposed by House Foreign Affairs Committee’s top Democrat Gregory Meeks.

    Upon returning to Washington, the senators plan to document attacks on U.S. businesses in Ukraine and increase pressure for enhanced military support. As Senator Blumenthal noted, ‘Putin understands weapons, not words.’ However, the administration’s ambiguous long-term commitment to Ukrainian security presents ongoing challenges, despite bipartisan consensus on the necessity of sustained pressure against Russian aggression.

  • Grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups accuses Hershey of cutting corners

    Grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups accuses Hershey of cutting corners

    The Hershey Company faces significant criticism from Brad Reese, grandson of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups inventor H.B. Reese, over alleged ingredient modifications that compromise product quality. In a publicly-shared February 14 letter addressed to Hershey’s corporate brand manager, the 70-year-old heir accused the candy giant of secretly replacing premium ingredients with cheaper alternatives across multiple Reese’s products.

    According to Reese’s detailed allegations, Hershey has substituted milk chocolate with compound coatings and authentic peanut butter with peanut crème in various product lines. This formulation shift directly contradicts the brand’s longstanding reputation for quality that originally established consumer trust, Reese argued in his LinkedIn-published letter.

    Hershey responded to these claims on Wednesday, acknowledging certain recipe adjustments while maintaining that its iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups remain unchanged. The company attributed modifications to evolving consumer demands for innovative shapes and sizes, alongside economic pressures from persistently high cocoa prices that have compelled industry-wide experimentation with reduced chocolate content.

    Corporate representatives emphasized that all recipe changes undergo extensive consumer testing to preserve the essential chocolate-peanut butter combination that defines the Reese’s experience. However, Reese provided tangible examples of quality degradation, describing his recent disposal of Valentine’s Day Reese’s Mini Hearts due to poor taste and noting packaging terminology changes from ‘milk chocolate’ to ‘chocolate candy’.

    The controversy extends to international markets, where Reese claims products sold in Europe and the UK differ significantly from American versions. Hershey countered that recipe consistency remains global, with labeling variations solely reflecting stricter European Union requirements for cocoa percentages in milk chocolate classification.

    This confrontation emerges against a backdrop of confectionery industry challenges, with Hershey’s Chief Financial Officer Steven Voskuil having previously acknowledged formula adjustments during investor communications. While Voskuil asserted these changes maintained taste profiles without consumer impact, Brad Reese reports frequent complaints about diminished quality and urges Hershey to recommit to founder Milton Hershey’s quality-first philosophy.