Global Pulse

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  • Why Gen-Z believes financial literacy goes beyond budgeting, credit rating

    Why Gen-Z believes financial literacy goes beyond budgeting, credit rating

    A profound generational shift in financial understanding is emerging as Generation Z challenges conventional notions of economic literacy. Moving beyond traditional concepts of budgeting and credit management, this digitally-native cohort embraces a more holistic perspective that acknowledges both technological opportunities and systemic constraints within global wealth structures.

    The contemporary financial landscape presents unprecedented accessibility through digital investment platforms and mobile trading applications. While previous generations faced significant barriers to market participation, Gen Z navigates an ecosystem where cryptocurrency tokens, stablecoins, and micro-investing opportunities are merely a smartphone download away. This technological democratization, however, exists within an unequal global framework where true financial empowerment remains constrained by geographic and socioeconomic factors.

    Digital platforms provide psychological gratification through immediate visual feedback on investment performance, creating dopamine-driven engagement patterns. Yet this accessibility simultaneously fosters disconnection from interpersonal financial relationships and community-based economic systems. The generation’s financial consciousness has been shaped by witnessing market volatilities portrayed as high-stakes entertainment rather than substantive economic activities.

    Gen Z’s financial philosophy recognizes the inherent limitations of current economic structures modeled on imperialistic wealth pyramids. Their perspective acknowledges that traditional success metrics—six-figure salaries, credit ratings, and digital wealth representations—exist alongside global crises including climate-induced famines and humanitarian emergencies. This generation consequently emphasizes understanding one’s position within broader economic systems rather than merely pursuing individual wealth accumulation.

    The redefined financial literacy incorporates awareness of material conditions affecting society’s most vulnerable segments. It values entrepreneurial ideation and innovation while recognizing that sustainable economic progress requires addressing foundational inequalities. This approach maintains that professional achievements and financial metrics, while necessary for navigation within existing systems, should not constitute life’s ultimate purpose.

    Ultimately, Gen Z’s financial paradigm emphasizes human connections, community support, and personal relationships as authentic measures of prosperity. This perspective maintains that while economic participation remains necessary, true wealth encompasses life’s fundamental experiences: love, companionship during illness, and shared human moments that transcend monetary valuations.

  • UAE was secret buyer of billion dollar Israeli defence deal: Report

    UAE was secret buyer of billion dollar Israeli defence deal: Report

    France-based Intelligence Online has identified the United Arab Emirates as the previously undisclosed customer in a monumental $2.3 billion defense agreement with Israel’s Elbit Systems, originally announced in November. The eight-year contract represents one of the most significant arms deals between the two nations since normalizing relations through the Abraham Accords.

    The procurement centers on Elbit’s advanced J-Music aircraft protection system, which employs cutting-edge laser technology to neutralize surface-to-air missile sensors targeting both civil and military aircraft. This sophisticated electronic defense capability substantially enhances the UAE’s aerial security infrastructure.

    Despite Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza—actions characterized by numerous Arab leaders and UN experts as genocidal—the UAE has maintained its defense cooperation with Israeli firms. This stance distinguishes Abu Dhabi from neighboring Gulf states, with analysts noting the Emirates’ willingness to disrupt regional consensus regarding Israel.

    The partnership extends beyond Elbit Systems to include collaborations with Emirati state-owned defense conglomerate Edge, which has actively pursued Israeli technology partnerships even during the Gaza conflict. In November 2021, Edge partnered with Israel Aerospace Industries to develop unmanned vessels for anti-submarine warfare, and recently acquired a 30% stake in Israeli drone detection specialist Thirdeye Systems.

    This deepening military relationship has drawn attention in Washington, where officials express concern over the UAE’s simultaneous strengthening of defense ties with China. The Gulf nation recently conducted its third joint air force drill with China, while US intelligence assessments indicate continued Chinese military presence at Abu Dhabi facilities potentially serving dual purposes.

    The convergence of Israeli technology transfer and Emirati-Chinese military cooperation creates complex geopolitical considerations for US policymakers, particularly regarding the potential diversion of advanced defense systems to strategic competitors.

  • UAE: Meet Syrian software engineer using digital art to promote inclusive design

    UAE: Meet Syrian software engineer using digital art to promote inclusive design

    In the United Arab Emirates, Syrian graphic designer and software engineer Radi Charafli is revolutionizing the concept of inclusive design through digital art. Born with a motor disability, the 28-year-old creative professional has transformed his physical limitations into a powerful catalyst for reimagining accessibility in artistic and technological spaces.

    Charafli recently served as both curator and featured artist for the groundbreaking ‘Dome of Inclusion’ initiative—an innovative architectural installation designed to challenge public perceptions of disability through multisensory engagement. The sustainable structure, composed of interlocking hexagons and pentagons, symbolized six core principles (collaboration, creativity, inclusion, empowerment, innovation, and unity) and five key disability areas spanning sensory to neurodiversity.

    The artist’s journey into digital creation began at age 14 when diminishing manual dexterity forced a transition from traditional drawing to digital tools. ‘Digital design allowed me to create with precision that my hands alone could no longer achieve,’ Charafli explains. Now with over seven years of professional experience across Middle Eastern and European markets, he describes his work as ‘visual storytelling’ that inherently prioritizes accessibility.

    Collaborating with fellow artists of determination Aldana Alhashmi and Ashar Hussain, Charafli transformed the dome’s empty structure into an immersive experience. His digital vectors were enhanced with 3D-printed elements specifically to accommodate visitors with visual impairments. ‘The main challenge was translating digital designs into physical tactile experiences,’ he notes, emphasizing that inclusive design must be foundational rather than supplemental.

    As both software engineer and designer, Charafli practices what he preaches, utilizing AI and voice commands to navigate his digital world. ‘I don’t use my phone with my hands. These tools are essential, and designers need to think about them from the beginning of any project,’ he states, positioning the UAE as a global leader in this accessibility paradigm shift.

    Beyond technical compliance, Charafli’s mission focuses on human dignity and changing perceptions. Through his artwork, he demonstrates that movement and strength transcend physicality, residing equally in mental and emotional realms. ‘Art can communicate messages that words sometimes cannot,’ he concludes, proving that creative expression knows no physical boundaries.

  • Runs aplenty: New Zealand declares at 575 and West Indies 110-0 after Day 2 of the 3rd test

    Runs aplenty: New Zealand declares at 575 and West Indies 110-0 after Day 2 of the 3rd test

    MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand — Devon Conway delivered a masterclass in test cricket batting, smashing an extraordinary 227 runs to propel New Zealand to a formidable 575-8 before declaring on day two of the third test against the West Indies. This monumental innings marked Conway’s second test double century, surpassing his previous highest score of 200 made during his debut test at Lord’s in 2021.

    The left-handed batsman’s marathon effort spanned 508 minutes at the crease, facing 367 deliveries and striking 31 boundaries. His dominant performance formed the cornerstone of New Zealand’s imposing total, which included a massive 323-run opening partnership with Tom Latham, who contributed 145 on the opening day.

    Despite the daunting target and challenging light conditions, West Indies openers responded with remarkable aggression, racing to 110 without loss in just 23 overs before stumps. Brandon King led the charge with an unbeaten 55 from 63 balls, while John Campbell remained not out on 45, showcasing the visitors’ fighting spirit.

    The match situation intensified as West Indies faced bowling limitations with spearhead Kemar Roach sidelined by a hamstring injury and batsman Shai Hope absent due to illness. Justin Greaves emerged as the most effective West Indies bowler, claiming 2-83 from 29 overs.

    New Zealand’s declaration strategy nearly backfired as their pace attack struggled with inconsistent lengths, allowing the West Indies openers to score freely. Zak Foulkes proved particularly expensive, conceding 39 runs from just six overs.

    Rachin Ravindra, who remained unbeaten on 72 with six fours and two sixes, acknowledged the challenge ahead: ‘We would have liked a wicket at the end but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. They both batted well and showed the ability to punish when we missed.’

    The match continues with New Zealand leading the three-match series 1-0 after drawing the first test and securing a nine-wicket victory in the second.

  • Dubai alerts residents to avoid stepping out unless ‘necessary’ till Friday noon

    Dubai alerts residents to avoid stepping out unless ‘necessary’ till Friday noon

    Dubai authorities have escalated emergency preparedness measures as meteorological forecasts indicate deteriorating weather conditions across the United Arab Emirates. The Dubai Police Department has issued an official directive strongly advising residents to refrain from non-essential outdoor activities until Friday at noon due to anticipated severe weather patterns.

    Meteorological authorities project rapid weather deterioration within hours, with the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) activating a yellow alert status effective until 4:00 PM Friday. The warning specifically identifies western and coastal regions, including Fujairah, as high-risk zones for intense precipitation and electrical storms. Concurrently, powerful winds are forecast to generate substantial dust and sand dispersion, significantly compromising horizontal visibility across affected areas.

    Temperature metrics are expected to drop considerably, with Abu Dhabi anticipating ranges between 17°C and 22°C, while Dubai and Sharjah may experience temperatures of 16-23°C and 15-21°C respectively. This thermal decrease accompanies the predicted precipitation events, creating potentially hazardous conditions for transportation and outdoor activities.

    The advisory emerges within a broader context of regional emergency preparedness initiatives, including recent cancellations of public gatherings such as the Simbang Gabi event originally scheduled for Thursday. These precautionary measures reflect enhanced coordination between meteorological services and civil protection agencies aiming to minimize weather-related risks to public safety and infrastructure.

    Authorities continue to monitor atmospheric developments closely, with digital communication channels remaining active for real-time updates. The coordinated response demonstrates the UAE’s evolving emergency management protocols designed to address increasingly volatile weather patterns in the region.

  • Stigma of Ukraine’s forgotten soldiers who ‘died the wrong way’

    Stigma of Ukraine’s forgotten soldiers who ‘died the wrong way’

    Beneath Ukraine’s official death toll of over 45,000 soldiers since Russia’s 2022 invasion lies a silent epidemic of military suicides that remains undocumented in state statistics. While officials describe these cases as isolated incidents, human rights advocates and grieving families estimate the numbers reach into the hundreds, creating a secondary tragedy shrouded in stigma and institutional neglect.

    Kateryna (name changed) embodies this hidden crisis. Her son Orest, a bookish 25-year-old with academic aspirations, was deemed unfit for service initially due to poor eyesight. In 2023, a recruitment patrol re-evaluated and deployed him as a communications specialist. Shortly after arriving near Chasiv Yar in Donetsk, he died from what the army classified as a ‘self-inflicted wound’—a designation his mother finds implausible.

    The classification carries severe consequences: families receive no compensation, military honors, or public recognition. ‘In Ukraine, it’s as if we’ve been divided,’ Kateryna explains. ‘Some died the right way, and others died the wrong way.’ She continues writing daily letters to her deceased son, now exceeding 650, her grief compounded by the official stigma.

    Mariyana from Kyiv shares a parallel tragedy. Her husband Anatoliy volunteered repeatedly until accepted despite lacking military experience. Deployed as a machine-gunner in the brutal Bakhmut sector, he returned from missions psychologically transformed. After losing part of his arm and hospitalized, he took his own life following a phone call with his wife. Denied a military burial, Anatoliy joined the growing ranks of unacknowledged casualties. ‘The war broke him,’ Mariyana states. ‘He couldn’t live with what he’d seen.’

    An online support community now connects approximately 200 families bereaved by military suicides. Oksana Borkun, who runs the network, notes widespread discrimination: ‘If it’s suicide, then he’s not a hero—that’s what people think. Some churches refuse to hold funerals. Some towns won’t put up their photos on memorial walls.’ Many families report inconsistencies in death investigations, with some mothers discovering unexplained bruises on bodies.

    Military chaplain Father Borys Kutovyi has witnessed at least three suicides within his command, emphasizing that ‘every suicide means we failed somewhere.’ He notes that recruited soldiers, unlike career servicemen, often lack psychological preparedness for combat trauma.

    Ukraine’s Commissioner for Veterans’ Rights Olha Reshetylova receives reports of three to four military suicides monthly, acknowledging systemic failures: ‘They’ve seen hell. Even the strongest minds can break.’ She confirms some investigations may conceal murders under the guise of suicide and advocates for comprehensive reform of military psychological services, though acknowledges this requires years to implement.

    As these families fight for truth and recognition, Reshetylova offers a forward-looking perspective: ‘These people were your neighbors, your colleagues. They’ve walked through hell. The warmer we welcome them, there will be fewer tragedies.’

  • Cambodia counts the cost of its border war with Thailand

    Cambodia counts the cost of its border war with Thailand

    The simmering border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has erupted into its most destructive phase in decades, with mounting casualties and infrastructure damage revealing the stark asymmetry between the two Southeast Asian nations. At Mongkol Borei hospital in northwestern Cambodia, the human cost is painfully visible as medical staff treat soldiers with catastrophic injuries from sustained artillery exchanges and airstrikes.

    Dr. Sar Chanraksmey, an anesthetist at the facility, displayed graphic images of blast injuries on his trembling phone while pleading for international attention. ‘My heart aches,’ he told reporters. ‘Please tell the world we just want peace.’

    The current hostilities, which resumed on December 7th, represent the second major outbreak of violence in six months and have already surpassed July’s five-day conflict in both duration and destructiveness. The fighting centers on disputed forested hilltops along the 800-kilometer border, but has expanded to include strategic bombing campaigns deep inside Cambodian territory.

    Thailand’s military superiority has proven decisive. With Cambodia possessing limited air defenses and no meaningful air force, Thai F-16 jets have conducted bombing runs with impunity. A key Chinese-built bridge over the Me Teuk river in Pursat province now bears a 20-meter gap where Thai bombs struck, severing a vital transportation link between Cambodia’s southern border regions and the interior.

    The human toll appears dramatically lopsided. While Thailand acknowledges 21 military fatalities, estimates suggest Cambodian losses number in the hundreds—a disparity underscoring Thailand’s better-equipped armed forces. Civilian displacement has reached crisis levels, with approximately 480,000 Cambodians uprooted from their homes and over 700,000 migrant workers returning from Thailand amid rising hostility.

    The economic impact continues to deepen with the complete cessation of the $5 billion annual border trade. Meanwhile, Thailand has strategically targeted casino complexes associated with Cambodia’s lucrative scam industry, exploiting what international observers see as a vulnerability in Cambodia’s moral standing.

    Diplomatic efforts have stalled against Thailand’s hardened position. Prime Minister Auntin Chanvirakul has rejected ceasefire appeals from both Cambodia and international mediators including former President Trump, stating bluntly: ‘We don’t have to listen to anyone.’ Thai military commanders insist fighting must continue until Cambodia ‘no longer poses a threat on the border.’

    The conflict’s roots extend beyond the 120-year territorial dispute. Thailand remains embittered by what it perceives as Cambodian provocation, including leaked diplomatic communications by Cambodian leader Hun Sen that contributed to the collapse of Thailand’s previous government, and allegations that Cambodian forces laid landmines during the July ceasefire.

    With Thailand facing elections in February and nationalist sentiments surging on both sides, the prospects for near-term de-escalation appear dim. Both nations have embraced familiar narratives—Cambodia playing the victim seeking international intervention, Thailand positioning itself as the bully enforcing regional stability—but the amplification of these stereotypes through social media has created unprecedented public animosity that constrains diplomatic flexibility.

  • Visa-free measures spur surge in visitors

    Visa-free measures spur surge in visitors

    China’s tourism landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation following the implementation of its expanded visa-free transit policy, with official statistics revealing unprecedented growth in foreign arrivals. According to the National Immigration Administration, China welcomed approximately 40.6 million foreign nationals through its ports in the past year, representing a substantial 27.2% year-on-year increase.

    The cornerstone of this tourism boom is the optimized 240-hour visa-free transit policy, officially launched on December 17, 2024. This comprehensive policy unified and extended previous 72-hour and 144-hour transit options, now permitting citizens from 55 eligible countries to stay for up to 10 days without a visa. The program encompasses 65 open ports across 24 provincial regions, with Indonesia joining the list of eligible countries on June 12, 2025, and five additional ports incorporated on November 5.

    Major metropolitan centers have witnessed extraordinary uptake of the policy. Beijing recorded over 3.4 million foreign arrivals, with 55% utilizing visa-free transit. Shanghai saw nearly 5.35 million inbound foreign visitors, 56% benefiting from the policy, while Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport processed more than 3.2 million foreign entries, with over 57% opting for visa-free transit.

    Infrastructure enhancements have been crucial to managing the increased traffic. Transportation hubs have implemented “one-stop processing” and online declaration services, with Beijing reducing average waiting times by 15 minutes per traveler. Multilingual service teams now provide guidance and consultation services throughout major ports.

    The policy’s impact extends beyond tourism, significantly improving China’s business environment by allowing sufficient time for commercial inspections, negotiations, and conferences. Arjun Dev Grover, an American traveler, shared his experience: “This is perfect—it’s too good to be true. Since my stay in China was under 10 days, I didn’t have to pay anything for the application process.” He particularly noted China’s modern infrastructure, friendly locals, and safe, clean environment.

    Data from Qunar.com reveals that bookings by foreign passport holders increased by 20% year-on-year in 2025, covering 175 destination cities. Smaller municipalities like Datong in Shanxi province and Yichun in Jiangxi province experienced over 300% growth in foreign visitors. Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States emerged as top source countries.

    Veteran tour guide Zeng Liangliang, with 20 years of experience in Xiamen, confirmed that foreign tourist numbers have “surged multiple times” in major cities, with increasing numbers arriving for family visits and conferences, signaling a broad-based positive impact on China’s tourism and business sectors.

  • ‘We are not from Bangladesh, we are Indian. Why did they do this to us?’

    ‘We are not from Bangladesh, we are Indian. Why did they do this to us?’

    A pregnant Indian woman’s ordeal has exposed alarming practices in India’s immigration enforcement, raising serious questions about due process and human rights protections. Sunali Khatun, 25, returned to India earlier this month after being forcibly deported to Bangladesh with her family in June, despite claiming Indian citizenship throughout the process.

    The domestic worker from West Bengal was detained in Delhi alongside her husband, Danish Sheikh, and their eight-year-old son. Authorities accused them of being illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and proceeded with deportation without verifying their claims with their home state—a violation of standard protocol according to West Bengal Migrant Workers Welfare Board chairman Samirul Islam.

    Khatun’s case represents hundreds of similar incidents occurring in recent months. While Delhi hasn’t released official deportation statistics, Bangladeshi government sources indicated over 1,200 people were ‘illegally pushed in’ during May alone, coinciding with an All India Radio report documenting approximately 700 deportations from Delhi that same month.

    The family endured more than 100 days in a Bangladeshi prison under harsh conditions. Khatun describes inadequate food for her pregnancy and cells without proper sanitation facilities. ‘I was scared because it was just my son and me. All we did was cry,’ she recounts.

    India’s Supreme Court eventually intervened on humanitarian grounds, permitting Khatun and her son to return while her citizenship undergoes investigation. Her husband remains in Bangladesh, released on bail but separated from his family. Their seven-year-old daughter was left behind in India during the initial detention, creating additional trauma.

    Khatun alleges disturbing details about their forced removal: after detention by Delhi police, they were flown to the India-Bangladesh border and ‘pushed’ across by Border Security Force personnel into dense forest terrain. When they attempted to re-enter India using routes suggested by locals, BSF guards allegedly beat members of their group and returned them to the forest.

    The case has sparked significant political controversy, with the West Bengal government accusing the federal Bharatiya Janata Party-led administration of conducting deportations without cause. Rights activists note a concerning pattern suggesting these actions disproportionately target Bengali-speaking Muslims, despite the cultural and linguistic similarities between West Bengal and Bangladesh that have historically facilitated migration across their porous 4,096-kilometer border.

    Khatun now lives with her parents in West Bengal, anxious about her husband’s situation and uncertain how she will support her two children and impending newborn. ‘We may not make enough money to eat three square meals if we live here,’ she acknowledges, ‘but I will never go back to Delhi.’

    The Supreme Court continues to hear her case as questions mount about India’s deportation practices and their compliance with human rights standards.

  • Trump’s blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil raises new questions about legality

    Trump’s blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil raises new questions about legality

    The Trump administration’s naval interdiction campaign targeting sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela is generating intense debate over its legal foundations and potential to escalate into armed conflict. While officially characterized as a narrowly tailored operation against vessels violating U.S. sanctions, legal experts and congressional Democrats express alarm that these maritime operations may violate international law and deliberately provoke Venezuelan forces.

    University of Pennsylvania national security law professor Claire Finkelstein warns the administration appears to be “bootstrapping our way into armed conflict” by implementing aggressive tactics without congressional authorization. This perspective finds support among military veterans in Congress, including Representative Jason Crow (D-CO), who fears the situation could spiral into unintended warfare due to insufficient consultation with legislative bodies.

    Republican leadership maintains support for the operations, comparing the Venezuelan oil interdiction to previous actions against Iranian tankers. Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) asserts that targeting sanction-evading vessels represents legitimate enforcement action rather than acts of war.

    The semantic distinction between “blockade” and “quarantine” has emerged as a crucial legal differentiation. Pentagon officials prefer the latter term, which under international law constitutes a selective security measure rather than an act of war requiring formal declaration. This terminology echoes historical precedents, most notably President Kennedy’s “quarantine” during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

    Venezuela’s response has emphasized the economic threat posed by these operations, given the country’s dependence on oil revenues despite possessing the world’s largest proven reserves. Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the president’s son and a legislator, acknowledged the serious challenge presented by U.S. military pressure while affirming Venezuela’s commitment to peaceful resolution.

    Legal scholars remain divided on the operation’s legitimacy. Emory University’s Mark Nevitt questions the legal foundation, describing the policy as “a junior varsity blockade” that improperly applies wartime tools without formal conflict declaration. Conversely, Texas Tech’s Geoffrey Corn suggests the operations may represent intensified pressure tactics rather than deliberate provocation toward open warfare.

    The ongoing maritime campaign continues without congressional war authorization, despite Democratic efforts to require legislative approval for further military escalation in the region.