Global Pulse

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  • 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.

  • Solaren rolls out “ASK SOLAREN” interactive solar intelligence platform

    Solaren rolls out “ASK SOLAREN” interactive solar intelligence platform

    Solaren Renewable Energy Solutions Corp. has unveiled a groundbreaking digital platform called ASK SOLAREN, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy technology accessibility. This engineering-driven interface, currently in its testing phase, represents a sophisticated approach to solar energy consultation through direct website integration via custom API.

    The innovative platform specializes in addressing complex technical and financial inquiries encompassing solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage solutions, inverter technology, grid integration protocols, net metering arrangements, and power quality assessments. Beyond technical consultation, ASK SOLAREN incorporates comprehensive financial modeling capabilities including detailed return-on-investment projections, payback period analyses, tariff structure comparisons, demand-charge impact evaluations, and battery economics scenario planning.

    A distinctive feature of the platform is its ability to interpret utility bills and consumption patterns, enabling precise system sizing for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The system dynamically adapts responses based on geographic location, tariff frameworks, load profiles, and specific business requirements. Additionally, it provides practical explanations of regulatory frameworks to facilitate informed project evaluation and strategic planning.

    Unlike conventional AI systems, ASK SOLAREN is built upon actual field installation experience, engineering-based design principles, and commercial energy strategy models. The platform functions as a continuously available digital interface designed to guide users through the entire decision-making process, from initial inquiry to structured energy solutions.

    The company’s CEO emphasized that their primary objective was to transform engineering expertise and practical field experience into an interactive system capable of delivering structured, actionable outputs to users worldwide. This launch positions Solaren at the forefront of digital transformation in the renewable energy sector, potentially revolutionizing how consumers and businesses approach solar energy adoption.

  • ‘Have heart’: Jailed Filipina parents urge Marcos clemency for daughter in prison for 16 yrs

    ‘Have heart’: Jailed Filipina parents urge Marcos clemency for daughter in prison for 16 yrs

    The parents of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino migrant worker imprisoned for 16 years, staged a protest outside the Philippine Department of Justice on Monday, urgently appealing to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for executive clemency. Despite being repatriated from Indonesia fourteen months ago, Veloso remains incarcerated in Manila awaiting formal release orders.

    Celia Veloso, the detainee’s mother, publicly emphasized the President’s constitutional authority to grant pardon, specifically requesting that Marcos personally visit her daughter to hear her plea firsthand. Veloso was originally convicted by an Indonesian court in 2010 for narcotics smuggling but consistently maintained she was an unwitting drug mule manipulated by human traffickers.

    Her case underwent a significant development when Indonesian President Probowo Subianto authorized her transfer to the Philippines in late 2024, where her death sentence was automatically commuted to life imprisonment due to the absence of capital punishment in Philippine law.

    Legal representatives, including Edwin dela Cruz of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, argue that Veloso’s continued detention lacks legal basis as she faces no pending charges in Philippine courts. This position is strengthened by the successful prosecution of her recruiters on human trafficking charges in Philippine courts, which substantiates her claim of being victimized by criminal syndicates.

    Human rights organization Migrante International has joined the family’s campaign, highlighting the judicial recognition of Veloso’s status as a trafficking victim rather than a criminal offender. The case continues to draw attention to the vulnerabilities of overseas workers and the complex interplay between international drug enforcement and human trafficking protections.

  • More third-country nationals have been deported by the US to Cameroon, lawyers tell AP

    More third-country nationals have been deported by the US to Cameroon, lawyers tell AP

    The United States has executed a second deportation flight transporting non-Cameroonian nationals to Yaoundé, according to legal representatives familiar with the matter. This development follows the recent revelation that nine African migrants from various countries were secretly relocated to Cameroon in January through a controversial immigration program.

    US-based attorney Alma David of Novo Legal Group confirmed the arrival of eight third-country nationals aboard Monday’s flight to the Cameroonian capital. Both David and Cameroon-based lawyer Joseph Awah Fru, who are providing legal assistance to the previously deported group, anticipate extending counsel to the newly arrived deportees.

    “My immediate priority is addressing their state of shock,” Fru stated regarding the psychological impact on deportees.

    The Trump administration’s program, which involves transferring migrants to nations without established connections, has drawn significant criticism after documents revealed that eight of the nine individuals deported in January possessed protection orders from US immigration judges. These judicial protections prohibited their return to home countries due to credible fears of persecution, torture, or violence—particularly concerning LGBTQ+ individuals and political activists.

    Cameroon becomes the latest participant in a series of agreements with at least seven African nations, including South Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, and Equatorial Guinea. State Department records indicate that some countries have received multimillion-dollar payments to accept deported migrants, though specific terms of the Cameroon arrangement remain undisclosed.

    According to a Senate Foreign Relations Committee report compiled by Democratic staff, the administration has allocated approximately $40 million to deport nearly 300 migrants to non-native countries across Africa and Central America. Internal documents reviewed by the AP reveal 47 third-country agreements in various negotiation stages, with 15 finalized and 10 nearing completion.

    The State Department declined to comment on diplomatic communications but affirmed that “implementing the Trump Administration’s immigration policies remains a top priority,” emphasizing their “unwavering commitment to end illegal and mass immigration.”

    Human rights advocates express grave concerns that deporting migrants to countries with documented human rights abuses—particularly under Cameroon’s long-standing President Paul Biya—creates risks of denied due process and potential mistreatment. This concern echoes the situation in Eswatini, where four deportees have been held without charges in maximum-security confinement for over six months despite completing US criminal sentences.

  • Abu Dhabi Police warn of renewed fraud tactics during Ramadan

    Abu Dhabi Police warn of renewed fraud tactics during Ramadan

    Abu Dhabi Police have launched a critical public security alert warning residents of sophisticated fraud schemes expected to escalate during the upcoming Ramadan period. As part of their comprehensive ‘Stay Alert’ awareness campaign, authorities are highlighting how criminal elements are systematically exploiting the charitable spirit associated with the holy month to perpetrate financial crimes.

    According to official security advisories, fraudsters are deploying multiple deceptive tactics including fabricated charitable donation requests, counterfeit Ramadan product promotions, and sophisticated financial scams conducted through telephone communications and text messaging systems. These criminal operations frequently involve the distribution of fraudulent electronic links, unauthorized requests for banking information updates, and false prize notification schemes designed to harvest sensitive financial data.

    Police authorities have emphasized that legitimate government institutions and financial organizations never solicit confidential banking details or personal information through unsolicited phone calls or text messages. The public is strongly advised to exercise extreme caution when encountering unknown advertisements or messages circulating through social media platforms and chat applications, particularly those leveraging Ramadan-themed generosity appeals.

    For charitable contributions during the holy month, residents are directed exclusively to officially licensed charitable organizations through legally approved donation channels. The police have established dedicated reporting mechanisms for suspicious activities, including the emergency fraud hotline 8002626 and text alert system 2828, encouraging proactive community participation in combating financial crimes.

    This security initiative forms part of broader preventive measures aimed at protecting residents during periods of heightened religious significance when criminal elements typically intensify their exploitation of community goodwill and traditional practices.