Global Pulse

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  • Morocco and Senegal pledge to stay friends and boost trade after Africa Cup soccer tensions

    Morocco and Senegal pledge to stay friends and boost trade after Africa Cup soccer tensions

    In a significant demonstration of diplomatic resilience, Morocco and Senegal have reaffirmed their bilateral commitment through the signing of seventeen comprehensive agreements, effectively transcending recent tensions arising from a contentious soccer match. The signing ceremony, held in Rabat on Monday, witnessed both nations’ prime ministers formalizing enhanced cooperation across multiple economic sectors including agricultural development, infrastructure projects, fisheries management, and mineral resource extraction.

    This diplomatic initiative follows the turbulent Africa Cup of Nations final that previously strained relations between the two African nations. The match, won by Senegal 1-0, was marred by on-field protests from Senegalese players and attempted field invasions by spectators. Subsequent weeks saw Moroccan rights organizations documenting increased hate speech, which both governments have characterized as emotional reactions rather than substantive political divisions.

    Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko emphasized the enduring nature of bilateral relations during the opening of the Moroccan-Senegalese joint commission, stating: ‘These excesses must be understood as emotional outbursts produced by fervor rather than political or cultural rifts. The friendship between Morocco and Senegal transcends temporary emotions.’

    The economic foundation of this relationship remains particularly robust. Senegal, as a heavily indebted West African nation, considers Morocco among its foremost African investors, with substantial Moroccan capital flowing into Senegalese banking institutions, energy infrastructure, and agricultural enterprises. Conversely, Senegal serves as a crucial export market for Moroccan goods, with trade volumes exceeding $200 million in 2024 alone.

    Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch highlighted the relationship’s ‘solid foundations,’ noting both nations remain ‘faithful to the spirit of brotherhood, solidarity and mutual respect.’ The agreements strategically align with Morocco’s broader continental expansion strategy while supporting Senegal’s foreign investment attraction objectives. Additionally, religious connections through the Tijaniyya Sufi order, which maintains significant Senegalese membership in Morocco, further strengthen cultural bonds between the two nations.

  • UAE, India, Saudi drive global airline growth with aircraft orders, passenger demand

    UAE, India, Saudi drive global airline growth with aircraft orders, passenger demand

    The global aviation sector is witnessing a dramatic geographical shift in growth dynamics, with the United Arab Emirates, India, and Saudi Arabia emerging as the industry’s primary engines of expansion. According to forecasts from aviation lessor Avolon, airlines are projected to achieve approximately $41 billion in profits during 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year of profitability and signaling a complete departure from the pandemic-induced downturn.

    The scale of ambition in these regions is unprecedented. Collectively, these three nations have placed aircraft orders exceeding 3,000 planes—more than double their current active fleets—with approximately 900 deliveries scheduled within the next three years. This massive investment reflects both booming passenger demand and strategic national initiatives centered on tourism development and enhanced global connectivity.

    India’s aviation market stands out as one of the world’s fastest growing, having secured the position as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally. Indian carriers transport over 150 million passengers annually and have placed record orders for more than 1,300 aircraft, led by major carriers IndiGo and Air India. The International Air Transport Association projects sustained annual passenger traffic growth exceeding 6% through 2030, significantly outpacing global averages.

    The UAE maintains its dominance as the region’s premier international hub. Dubai International Airport processed nearly 90 million passengers in 2024, retaining its status as the world’s busiest airport for international travel. Abu Dhabi has simultaneously doubled terminal capacity at Zayed International Airport. Emirates and Etihad Airways collectively operate one of the planet’s largest widebody fleets, with over 500 additional aircraft on order.

    Saudi Arabia is pursuing one of the most aggressive aviation expansions globally under its Vision 2030 framework. The Kingdom aims to triple annual passenger numbers to surpass 330 million by 2030. This ambitious plan includes the establishment of new national carrier Riyadh Air, substantial fleet expansions at Saudia, and the development of King Salman International Airport designed to handle up to 120 million passengers annually.

    Despite favorable conditions including reduced fuel prices—which saved the industry approximately $8 billion in 2025—significant supply constraints present challenges. Order backlogs at manufacturing giants Airbus and Boeing now extend beyond 11 years, creating intense competition for delivery slots and driving lease rates higher. Widebody aircraft are experiencing particularly severe shortages as international routes drive most global capacity growth.

    The industry’s financial requirements are substantial, with global aircraft deliveries expected to reach $120 billion in value during 2026—a 20% increase from the previous year. Aviation lessors are projected to finance nearly half of these purchases, playing a crucial role in enabling fleet modernization and the transition to more fuel-efficient aircraft.

    With traditional Western markets reaching maturity, industry leadership increasingly recognizes that the coming decade of aviation growth will be fundamentally shaped by developments in the Gulf and South Asia regions, where massive infrastructure investments and government-backed aviation strategies are repositioning these nations at the center of the industry’s next expansion cycle.

  • Ex-Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to face ICC hearing on February 23: Court

    Ex-Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to face ICC hearing on February 23: Court

    The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially scheduled a pivotal hearing for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, commencing on February 23. This decision, handed down by ICC judges on Monday, dismisses defense claims regarding the 80-year-old former leader’s purported unfitness to participate in the proceedings.

    The upcoming session constitutes a ‘confirmation of charges’ hearing, a critical juncture in international law where the judicial panel will evaluate the sufficiency of evidence to advance the case to a full trial. ICC prosecutors have formally indicted Duterte on three distinct counts of crimes against humanity. The charges stem from his administration’s controversial anti-narcotics campaign, with prosecutors alleging his direct involvement in a minimum of 76 extrajudicial killings.

    This legal development represents a significant escalation in the international community’s scrutiny of Duterte’s ‘war on drugs,’ which drew widespread condemnation from human rights organizations during his presidency. The hearing will determine whether the prosecution has established substantial grounds to believe Duterte committed the alleged crimes, potentially paving the way for the first trial of a former Southeast Asian head of state by the ICC.

    The case underscores ongoing tensions between national sovereignty and international justice mechanisms, particularly as the Philippines has withdrawn from the Rome Statute that established the ICC. Nevertheless, the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed during the nation’s membership period.

  • Unrwa HQ in East Jerusalem set on fire after Israeli demolition

    Unrwa HQ in East Jerusalem set on fire after Israeli demolition

    The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has issued a strong condemnation following a suspected arson attack targeting its headquarters in occupied Jerusalem. This incident occurred merely days after Israeli authorities demolished the same facility, marking a significant escalation in hostilities against the UN body.

    Israeli media outlets reported that emergency services deployed eight firefighting units to the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood overnight to combat the blaze. Preliminary assessments indicate no immediate casualties, with investigations underway to determine the fire’s precise origin and cause.

    UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini responded vehemently via social media platform X, declaring the attack demonstrates ‘there are no limits to the defiance of the United Nations & international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.’ He characterized the destruction as part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle Palestinian refugee status and erase their historical narrative, emphasizing that refugee matters require political solutions rather than criminal acts.

    This fire follows Tuesday’s demolition of the UN compound by Israeli forces under the leadership of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The complex had been seized previously following Israeli legislation banning UNRWA operations. The agency serves as a critical humanitarian provider for approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees, delivering essential services including education, nutrition, healthcare, and fuel distribution. Its potential closure threatens catastrophic collapse of vital support systems.

    Israel’s longstanding hostility toward UNRWA stems from the agency’s maintenance of refugee status for Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Nakba and their descendants. The conflict has turned deadly, with over 380 UNRWA employees killed during Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly cautioned Israel that its actions violate international legal protections afforded to UN operations. In a January 8 correspondence to the General Assembly president, Guterres suggested potential recourse through the International Court of Justice, citing breaches of the 1946 Convention on UN Privileges and Immunities. He explicitly affirmed the inviolability of UN premises and condemned Israel’s interference as a clear violation of its international obligations.

  • Kenyan cult leader faces charges over 52 further deaths

    Kenyan cult leader faces charges over 52 further deaths

    Kenyan prosecutors have announced expanded criminal charges against self-proclaimed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, the alleged mastermind behind a mass starvation cult that resulted in hundreds of fatalities. The new indictment covers 52 additional deaths at the Binzaro homestead in Kilifi County, occurring approximately 30 kilometers from the initial massacre site in Shakahola forest.

    Mackenzie, who has been detained since April 2023 following the exhumation of 429 bodies from mass graves, now faces allegations of orchestrating further fatalities while imprisoned. According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, investigators discovered handwritten notes from Mackenzie’s prison cell detailing mobile phone transactions used to coordinate the expanded operation.

    The latest charges include radicalization, facilitation of terrorist acts, and murder, supplementing existing manslaughter charges from the Shakahola incident. Prosecutors assert Mackenzie employed “radical teachings and coordinated structures” to lure followers to remote locations where they were instructed to starve themselves in preparation for the apocalypse.

    This development follows the recent guilty plea by Enos Amanya Ngala, Mackenzie’s former security chief, regarding the deaths of 191 children discovered in the initial mass graves. Survivor accounts reveal a hierarchical starvation order devised by Mackenzie: children first, followed by unmarried adults, women, men, and finally church leaders.

    Mackenzie established the Good News International Church in 2003, formally closing it in 2019 while continuing operations. His teachings denounced formal education as satanic and unbiblical, resulting in prior arrests in 2017 and 2018 for encouraging school abandonment. The case has sparked significant criticism of Kenyan authorities for insufficient regulatory oversight that might have prevented the tragedy.

  • Tired even before you open emails on Monday? Why traffic stress is ‘overloading’ UAE workers

    Tired even before you open emails on Monday? Why traffic stress is ‘overloading’ UAE workers

    Workplace wellness experts in the United Arab Emirates are calling for a fundamental rethinking of Monday work structures as new evidence reveals how traffic-related stress creates a productivity deficit before employees even reach their offices. Psychological and HR professionals indicate that the cumulative effect of stressful weekly commutes may be quietly driving workforce burnout across the Emirates.

    Clinical psychologist Fedaa Hasan of Aspris by Alkalma emphasizes that Mondays should function as ‘transition days’ rather than ‘pressure days’ for optimal performance. ‘When people start the week calmly, they perform better for the rest of it,’ Hasan notes, highlighting how the mental overload from congested commutes directly impacts workplace effectiveness.

    The scale of the problem is quantified in recent hiring trend analyses from Robert Walters, which reveals a significant disconnect: while 53% of employees acknowledge Mondays as highly valuable workdays, 62% actively avoid office commutes on that day. The primary deterrent isn’t work pressure itself but the stress associated with transportation logistics.

    Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, has documented a growing acceptance of flexible work arrangements among private companies. Their 2024 joint study demonstrated that adjusted start times and limited remote options could substantially alleviate peak-hour congestion on major thoroughfares including Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.

    HR directors report that the issue transcends mere distance. Suzanne Gandy, HR Director at Bayut and dubizzle, explains: ‘Regardless of distance, sitting in slow or congested traffic on Monday mornings proves mentally draining. Employees frequently arrive already feeling overloaded.’ The problem intensifies for working parents who simultaneously navigate school drop-offs during identical rush hours.

    Rehna Shajahan, Talent Acquisition Lead at Azizi Developments, observes that extended commutes from areas like Sharjah or Ajman to commercial centers often leave employees ‘physically present but mentally exhausted,’ undermining the collaborative benefits that office attendance is meant to foster.

    Psychological analysis indicates that Monday commutes trigger heightened stress responses as the body shifts from weekend recovery to workweek demands. This physiological reaction diminishes patience, concentration, and decision-making capacity throughout the day.

    While remote work presents a partial solution, HR leaders caution that it isn’t universally applicable. The emerging consensus favors tailored flexibility—whether through staggered arrivals, reduced early-day meeting pressures, or selective remote options—that preserves team cohesion while protecting employee wellbeing.

    Experts warn that without intervention, the repetitive cycle of Monday stress creates cumulative damage that may eventually manifest as widespread disengagement, reduced motivation, and clinical burnout across the UAE workforce.

  • Telecom fraud losses fall in Beijing as police step up crackdown

    Telecom fraud losses fall in Beijing as police step up crackdown

    Beijing has achieved a remarkable breakthrough in combating telecom fraud, with official data revealing a substantial reduction in financial losses alongside increased enforcement actions throughout 2025. The Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau announced these results on Monday, highlighting a multi-faceted strategy that has positioned the city as a national leader in fraud prevention.

    According to Li Xiaoyan, an official from the bureau’s criminal investigation department, Beijing police prioritized anti-fraud operations through coordinated nationwide campaigns and enhanced interagency cooperation. Law enforcement conducted over 30 specialized operations targeting telecom fraud networks, resulting in the dismantling of more than 180 criminal hideouts and the detention of numerous suspects.

    The crackdown employed innovative tactics focusing on individuals returning from fraud-related activities abroad, leading to the arrest of over 600 returnees and creating a powerful deterrent effect against overseas criminal operations. In a parallel effort, authorities launched a specialized campaign targeting offline money transfer networks, disrupting more than 100 vehicle fleets used for fund movement and placing nearly 700 suspects under criminal detention.

    The financial impact has been substantial, with police successfully intercepting over 60 million yuan ($8.6 million) in fraudulent transfers and seizing 16 kilograms of gold. Beyond enforcement, Beijing police strengthened collaborative mechanisms with telecommunications providers, financial institutions, and internet companies to address fraud at its source.

    This public-private partnership proved highly effective, with authorities conducting more than 200 regulatory discussions with internet firms and intercepting over 2.1 million scam calls throughout the year. The comprehensive approach has significantly constrained criminal operating space while maximizing pressure on fraudulent operations.

    Complementing these enforcement measures, Beijing has expanded public education initiatives across residential communities and educational institutions. These awareness campaigns aim to equip citizens with the knowledge to identify and avoid potential scams, creating a more vigilant society against evolving fraud tactics.

  • Sharjah’s Wheat Festival returns with farm-fresh veggies, discounts up to 40%

    Sharjah’s Wheat Festival returns with farm-fresh veggies, discounts up to 40%

    The second annual Wheat Festival has commenced at Mleiha Wheat Farm in Sharjah, featuring a reimagined concept that expands educational and recreational offerings while providing substantial discounts of up to 40% on organic Ektifa products. Officially inaugurated by Dr. Eng Khalifa Musabeh Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and CEO of Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Establishment, the event represents a significant initiative in promoting agricultural awareness.

    This year’s festival emphasizes direct engagement with farming practices, enabling visitors to purchase freshly harvested organic vegetables directly from the production site. The comprehensive program includes live demonstrations, interactive workshops, and family-oriented activities designed to provide an immersive agricultural experience within a natural outdoor environment.

    The event underscores the strategic importance of wheat cultivation as a fundamental component of food security initiatives while highlighting the crucial role of farmers in strengthening local food systems. The festival showcases cutting-edge organic farming technologies and methodologies that enhance both quality and efficiency in local agricultural production.

    A notable addition to this year’s programming is the ‘Best Photograph’ competition, which invites participants to capture memorable moments throughout the festival. This initiative specifically aims to support and encourage university students and photography enthusiasts from across the community.

    Beyond its educational and recreational value, the festival creates substantial investment opportunities for Emirati small and medium-sized enterprises, aligning with Sharjah’s broader vision for comprehensive sustainable development. The event serves as an integrated platform that celebrates regional agricultural output while providing vital marketing channels for local farmers and productive families.

    The festival will remain open to visitors daily from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM until February 8, offering attendees the additional benefit of exploring Mleiha’s picturesque landscape and prominent landmarks during the pleasant winter season.

  • Nigerian officers to face trial over coup-plot allegations

    Nigerian officers to face trial over coup-plot allegations

    Sixteen Nigerian military officers will face court-martial proceedings over allegations of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government last year, according to an official armed forces statement. The officers, arrested in October following what authorities described as “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations,” are now formally charged with attempting to subvert the constitutional order.

    While military officials initially dismissed rumors of an attempted coup, subsequent investigations have led to acknowledging that some of the detained officers will undergo trial before a military judicial panel. The armed forces emphasized that the judicial process would uphold principles of fairness and due process while ensuring accountability.

    This development occurs against Nigeria’s complex historical backdrop of military involvement in politics, which included multiple successful coups between 1966 and 1993. The sensitivity surrounding coup allegations reflects the nation’s transition to sustained civilian governance since 1999.

    The military statement explicitly condemned any attempts to unseat elected government as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards” of Nigeria’s armed forces. Recent years have seen occasional rumors about military dissent amid concerns over national instability, security challenges, and public frustration—all of which the military has consistently denied.

    Nigeria’s armed forces have repeatedly publicly reaffirmed their commitment to democratic governance and loyalty to civilian authority throughout the current period of uninterrupted civilian rule.

  • Mexico’s president joins ARMY fan base in BTS concert push

    Mexico’s president joins ARMY fan base in BTS concert push

    MEXICO CITY — What began as a typical concert announcement has transformed into a matter of diplomatic significance, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum personally advocating for additional BTS performances following an instantaneous sell-out of the group’s scheduled shows. The unprecedented demand from the ARMY fanbase reached presidential levels, compelling Sheinbaum to address the situation during her official Monday news briefing.

    The president revealed she has undertaken extraordinary measures to secure more dates for the Korean supergroup, including direct communication with South Korea’s prime minister through formal diplomatic channels. “We have not yet received a response, but we hope it will be positive,” Sheinbaum stated regarding her request for expanded concert availability during BTS’s May visit.

    Simultaneously, the administration has engaged with concert promoter Ocesa to explore logistical possibilities for additional performances. However, the organizer has indicated that expanding the current schedule of May 7, 9, and 10 concerts at Mexico City’s 65,000-capacity GNP Seguros Stadium presents significant challenges.

    This presidential involvement continues Sheinbaum’s pattern of enthusiastic support for the band’s visit, which she previously characterized during her January 19 briefing as fulfilling a “historic request” from Mexican youth. Her comments celebrating BTS’s cultural impact gained international attention, featuring prominently in South Korean media outlets.

    The administration has coupled its advocacy for expanded access with consumer protection measures. Sheinbaum detailed collaborative efforts between Mexico’s consumer protection agency, Ocesa, and Ticketmaster Mexico to ensure pricing transparency and combat ticket scalping practices.

    Mexico’s status as a premier concert destination received further validation with Pollstar magazine naming GNP Seguros Stadium as the world’s top concert venue for 2025—the second consecutive year it has earned this distinction. The country has hosted landmark performances from global artists including Lady Gaga, Shakira, Oasis, and Bad Bunny throughout the year.

    BTS’s upcoming performances mark a significant return following the group’s nearly four-year musical hiatus during which members completed mandatory military service in South Korea. The group will release their new album “ARIRANG” on March 20 before embarking on an extensive world tour comprising over 70 dates across multiple continents through March 2027.