Global Pulse

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  • UAE: More parents support kids for content creation as experts flag risks

    UAE: More parents support kids for content creation as experts flag risks

    A significant cultural shift is emerging in the United Arab Emirates as increasing numbers of parents actively support their children’s participation in content creation, despite mounting concerns from child development experts about potential psychological risks. This phenomenon reflects the rapid normalization of social media as both entertainment and potential career path for the digital generation.

    Across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok platforms, Emirati children are transitioning from occasional family photos to starring in daily vlogs, brand partnerships, and monetized content—often before comprehending the implications of maintaining a public audience. This trend has ignited intense debates surrounding consent, privacy boundaries, and long-term developmental impacts.

    Parental perspectives vary considerably regarding this digital immersion. Monera A., a content creator whose children aged 9 and 11 regularly feature in her videos, emphasizes careful management of filming schedules and voluntary participation. “They derive genuine enjoyment from the creative process,” she noted, “particularly when collaborative content outperforms solo efforts.”

    Other families approach content creation as strategic financial planning. Bassam (pseudonym) revealed that revenue generated from videos featuring his children is being systematically saved for their future, regardless of whether they pursue content creation professionally. “This generation embraces non-traditional careers,” he observed, expressing concern about children being “left behind” in an increasingly digital economy.

    Recognizing the industry’s expansion, UAE authorities have implemented robust legal safeguards through the Federal Decree Law on Child Digital Safety. This legislation mandates that both guardians and digital platforms prioritize minor protection through age-appropriate technology use and comprehensive risk mitigation.

    Child psychologists however voice substantial concerns. Dr. Mizan Mohamed warns that early association of self-worth with public validation metrics—likes, views, and comments—may foster fragile identity formation. “Children risk developing anxiety around performance metrics that even adults struggle with,” he explained. The constant public exposure of childhood experiences may furthermore blur boundaries between personal authenticity and performative behavior, potentially hindering autonomous identity development.

    Experts recommend that parents establish firm participatory boundaries, legally protect children’s earnings, and regularly reassess whether continued online presence serves the child’s best interests rather than audience growth metrics. They emphasize that digital participation should remain adaptable to children’s evolving preferences and psychological needs.

  • Dubai: Gold prices hit new record high on second consecutive day; 21K crosses Dh500

    Dubai: Gold prices hit new record high on second consecutive day; 21K crosses Dh500

    Dubai’s gold market witnessed unprecedented milestones on Tuesday as prices surged to record-breaking heights for the second consecutive trading session. The precious metal’s remarkable rally saw 21K gold surpass Dh500 per gram for the first time in history, joining 24K and 22K variants that had previously breached this psychological barrier.

    Market data revealed 24K gold trading at an all-time high of Dh566 per gram, representing an increase of Dh3.75, while 22K reached Dh524.0 per gram with a gain of Dh3.25. The broader spectrum showed 18K and 14K gold trading at Dh430.75 and Dh336 per gram respectively, completing a comprehensive market upswing.

    According to Ahmad Assiri, Research Strategist at Pepperstone, this historic rally stems from escalating geopolitical tensions and renewed trade threats. Recent statements by the US President regarding potential tariffs of 10-25% on European goods have reignited global trade concerns within a broader geopolitical context that transcends traditional trade balance issues.

    European responses, particularly from France, have included discussions about activating the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument and preparing retaliatory tariffs worth approximately €93 billion on US goods. This escalating tension has positioned precious metals as primary beneficiaries of market uncertainty, with gold specifically maintaining its upward trajectory around the $4,700 per ounce threshold.

    Assiri identified three key drivers supporting gold’s rally: increased hedging demand, declining risk appetite in equity markets, and favorable macroeconomic factors including monetary policy expectations and a weakening US dollar. Globally, spot gold reached $4,714.34 per ounce at 10 AM UAE time, registering a 0.77% increase.

    The analyst projected that $5,000 per ounce represents a logical medium-term target rather than optimistic speculation, noting this price point remains approximately 7% above current levels. He emphasized that precious metals will likely maintain their defensive appeal until clearer negotiation pathways emerge, with gold positioned as the most prominent near-term beneficiary of ongoing political and economic uncertainty.

  • Canada-China reset could revive education and cultural exchanges, experts say

    Canada-China reset could revive education and cultural exchanges, experts say

    The recent diplomatic engagement between Canada and China has generated substantial optimism for revitalizing bilateral relations through enhanced educational and cultural exchanges, according to leading experts. This development follows Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inaugural visit to China and the subsequent agreement signaling a potential reset in the two nations’ relationship.

    Marc Jerry, President and Vice-Chancellor of Renison University College at the University of Waterloo, characterized the diplomatic breakthrough as “a very significant moment in resetting Canada-China relations in a positive way.” He emphasized that the prime minister’s visit demonstrates Canada’s serious commitment to partnership beyond mere trade considerations.

    The tangible benefits of such diplomatic movements are already evident in educational exchanges. Jerry cited a fall 2025 study program that brought Canadian students to China, noting participants returned with transformed perspectives and heightened cultural understanding. One student participant reported: “I came back home with a completely unique perspective on China; my experience was wonderful, and I want to go back and travel there more than ever!”

    Jeff Mahon, former Deputy Director of the China Division at Global Affairs Canada, highlighted the critical role of people-to-people exchanges, stating: “Governments build the bridge, but it is the people and businesses that use it.” This sentiment was echoed in the joint statement released after the Canada-China leaders’ meeting, which identified such exchanges as foundational to the bilateral relationship.

    The two governments have committed to restarting the Canada-China Joint Committee on Culture and strengthening cooperation across education, arts, heritage, creative industries, and sub-national exchanges. The Canadian government’s Friday statement further recognized that longstanding people-to-people ties have been fundamental to Canada-China relations.

    While optimism prevails, experts caution that normalization will require time and trust-building measures. Jiang Wenran, Founding Director of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, noted that “complete normalization might take time, particularly in sensitive high-technology research areas,” adding that extensive research collaboration would need to develop through progressive steps.

    University leaders anticipate that improved bilateral relations will generate additional opportunities for academic mobility, trade missions, and educational exchanges. Jerry expressed particular hope that the positive outcomes from recent trade talks would spill over into educational and cultural domains, reinforcing educational cooperation as a core pillar of the Canada-China relationship.

  • ‘The miracle’: 6-year-old girl is the sole survivor of a family that perished in Spanish train wreck

    ‘The miracle’: 6-year-old girl is the sole survivor of a family that perished in Spanish train wreck

    BARCELONA, Spain — A catastrophic train collision in southern Spain has claimed at least 41 lives while producing a remarkable story of survival amid overwhelming tragedy. The incident, which occurred near Adamuz on Monday, January 19, 2026, resulted in one of Spain’s deadliest rail accidents in recent history.

    Eyewitness accounts describe terrifying moments as carriages derailed and tumbled down a steep embankment, their structural integrity compromised by the violent impact. Amid the twisted wreckage and heartbreaking scenes of casualties, rescue workers discovered a miraculous survivor—a six-year-old girl who emerged virtually unharmed from the devastation.

    According to La Vanguardia newspaper, Civil Guard officers located the child walking barefoot along the tracks after she apparently escaped through a shattered window. Medical personnel confirmed her remarkably good condition, requiring only three stitches for a minor head injury despite the severity of the crash.

    The young survivor’s family experienced unimaginable loss, with both parents, her brother, and a cousin among those killed in the front carriages that absorbed the worst of the impact. The Zamorano Álvarez family, residents of Punta Umbria village located near the ill-fated rail line, were returning home when the tragedy struck.

    Punta Umbria Mayor José Carlos Hernández expressed both profound grief and measured relief regarding the girl’s survival. “There are many people who are very sad for the victims of this terrible accident,” he stated during a press conference Tuesday, “but there were also many who survived, like the miracle of the girl who is safe.”

    The municipality has declared three days of official mourning as investigation continues into the cause of the derailment. Meanwhile, the orphaned child has been placed in the care of her grandparents at a hotel in Córdoba, the nearest major city to the crash site. Mayor Hernández emphasized the family’s commitment, noting “She has a tremendous family who will do what it takes for her to have a happy life.”

  • New WhatsApp for kids? Messaging app working on secondary accounts

    New WhatsApp for kids? Messaging app working on secondary accounts

    In a significant move toward digital child protection, WhatsApp is currently developing a supervised secondary account feature designed specifically for minors. This innovative functionality will enable parents to establish connected accounts for their children while maintaining oversight of critical privacy configurations.

    According to technical insights from WA Beta Info, these secondary profiles will operate with intentionally restricted capabilities and enhanced privacy protections. The accounts will be digitally linked to a parent’s primary account, creating an administrative bridge that allows guardians to review and modify settings that children might typically disregard.

    A fundamental aspect of this new system involves automatic communication restrictions. All secondary accounts will be configured to receive messages and calls exclusively from approved contacts—a privacy option not currently available to standard WhatsApp users. This addresses a crucial safety gap particularly relevant for younger users navigating digital communication platforms.

    Despite this supervisory framework, WhatsApp maintains its commitment to privacy through end-to-end encryption. Parents will not have direct access to their children’s actual message content or call recordings. Instead, they will receive aggregated reports about account activity patterns and usage statistics, creating a balance between oversight and respect for personal communications.

    The development team is currently refining the integration of these parental control tools with WhatsApp’s existing infrastructure. The interface is being optimized to ensure intuitive configuration of secondary accounts, allowing parents to easily establish age-appropriate settings that promote online safety while preserving the WhatsApp experience.

    This initiative represents WhatsApp’s acknowledgment of its role in family digital ecosystems and responds to growing concerns about children’s online privacy. The feature remains in development with no official release date announced, but it signals a new direction for the platform’s approach to multi-user environments within its encrypted messaging framework.

  • Senegal poised to party with parade honouring AFCON champs

    Senegal poised to party with parade honouring AFCON champs

    Dakar transformed into a sea of national pride on Tuesday as Senegal’s national football team paraded through the capital following their dramatic Africa Cup of Nations championship victory. The celebratory procession, marking the team’s second continental title in three years, captivated the nation from working-class districts to upscale neighborhoods along the iconic Corniche oceanside highway.

    The triumphant squad arrived via special flight from Morocco shortly before midnight Monday, receiving an official welcome from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, and government officials. Their victory came in a chaotic final against host nation Morocco that saw Pape Gueye secure the championship with an extra-time winner after a contentious match that included a disputed VAR decision and temporary pitch abandonment by Senegalese players.

    Thousands of ecstatic supporters clad in team jerseys and waving national flags created a carnival atmosphere hours before the parade’s commencement. The air filled with the unmistakable sound of vuvuzelas, whistles, and cheers as generations of Senegalese united in celebration. Security forces maintained a significant presence throughout the event route.

    Local newspapers captured the national mood with headlines proclaiming “Heroic!” and “Unforgettable” while street vendors reported booming business in patriotic merchandise. The victory parade culminated with an official reception at the presidential palace, where the team received state honors.

    Despite controversy surrounding the match’s conclusion—including the Moroccan FA’s formal complaints to CAF and FIFA regarding player and fan conduct—Senegalese supporters expressed overwhelming pride in their team’s accomplishment. The championship solidifies Senegal’s football dominance in Africa, marking their third final appearance in the last four AFCON tournaments.

  • Inside Trump’s $1-billion Board of Peace: Who is invited? Is it still about Gaza?

    Inside Trump’s $1-billion Board of Peace: Who is invited? Is it still about Gaza?

    The Trump administration has formally established a groundbreaking international conflict resolution mechanism requiring member nations to contribute $1 billion for permanent representation. Dubbed the ‘Board of Peace,’ this organization represents a significant shift in diplomatic approach, blending financial commitment with geopolitical influence.

    According to the founding charter obtained by AFP, the board’s mandate extends beyond its initial conception for Gaza reconstruction to address global conflicts wherever they emerge. The preamble defines the organization’s mission as promoting stability, restoring lawful governance, and securing enduring peace in conflict-affected regions through internationally sanctioned peace-building functions.

    President Trump will serve as permanent chairman while simultaneously representing United States interests. The charter grants him sweeping authority, including exclusive power to create or dissolve subsidiary entities, appoint executive board members described as ‘leaders of global stature,’ and adopt binding resolutions. Chairman replacement provisions are exceptionally restrictive, allowing removal only through voluntary resignation or demonstrated incapacity.

    Membership requires presidential invitation and representation at head-of-state level. While standard terms span three years, nations contributing the $1 billion fee within the first year receive permanent membership status. Voting procedures combine majority consensus with ultimate chairman approval, including tie-breaking authority.

    The preliminary membership roster features prominent figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Negotiator Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and billionaire financier Marc Rowan. National invitations have extended to Russia, Canada, Egypt, Argentina, and numerous European and Asian nations, though formal commitments remain pending.

    The charter becomes operational upon ratification by three founding states, marking a potential transformation in how international conflict resolution is structured and funded.

  • Trump threatens to impose 200% tariff on French wines, champagnes

    Trump threatens to impose 200% tariff on French wines, champagnes

    In a significant escalation of trade tensions with a key European ally, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose unprecedented 200% tariffs on French wines and champagnes. The declaration came late Monday following French President Emmanuel Macron’s refusal to participate in Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” initiative.

    Trump made the retaliatory threat in response to a reporter’s question about Macron’s decision, stating: “I’ll put a 200 percent tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he doesn’t have to join.” The remarks represent a significant departure from traditional diplomatic protocols, linking trade policy directly to participation in presidential initiatives.

    The proposed tariffs would effectively triple the price of French wine and champagne imports to the United States, potentially devastating a sector that exported approximately $2 billion worth of products to the U.S. market annually. France remains the second-largest supplier of wine to American consumers after Italy.

    This development marks another chapter in the complex relationship between Trump and Macron, which has featured both public displays of camaraderie and significant policy disagreements. The “Board of Peace” initiative itself remains undefined in public documents, leaving unclear what specific commitments Trump sought from European allies.

    Trade experts indicate that such a tariff move would likely trigger immediate retaliation from the European Union under its existing trade defense mechanisms. The French wine industry, which employs approximately 500,000 people across production, distribution, and tourism, would face severe disruption from such measures.

    The threat emerges against the backdrop of ongoing transatlantic trade negotiations and follows previous tensions over digital services taxes and agricultural imports. Market analysts are monitoring whether this represents a negotiating tactic or a firm policy direction from the administration.

  • In their words: What France’s Macron and head of NATO wrote to Trump

    In their words: What France’s Macron and head of NATO wrote to Trump

    In an unprecedented diplomatic disclosure, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly shared private text messages from French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday. The messages reveal behind-the-scenes coordination efforts regarding Syria policy and ongoing discussions about Greenland’s status.

    President Macron’s message demonstrated strong alignment with Trump on Syrian affairs while expressing confusion about U.S. interest in Greenland. The French leader proposed concrete diplomatic initiatives, including organizing a special G7 meeting in Paris following the Davos summit. Macron suggested inviting Ukrainian, Danish, Syrian, and Russian representatives for marginal discussions and offered to host a private dinner with Trump before his return to the United States.

    NATO chief Mark Rutte’s communication struck a notably congratulatory tone, praising Trump’s accomplishments in Syria as “incredible” and committing to highlight these achievements during his media appearances at Davos. Rutte specifically mentioned Trump’s work in Gaza and Ukraine alongside the Syrian developments. The NATO leader also referenced continued discussions about Greenland, indicating his dedication to “finding a way forward” on the matter while expressing anticipation for their upcoming meeting.

    The publication of these private diplomatic exchanges provides rare insight into the personal dynamics between world leaders and their behind-the-scenes negotiation styles. The messages reveal both cooperation and tension points within international alliances, particularly regarding European concerns about U.S. interests in Arctic territories.

  • Death toll rises to 9 after steel plant blast in China’s Inner Mongolia

    Death toll rises to 9 after steel plant blast in China’s Inner Mongolia

    A devastating industrial explosion at a major steel production facility in northern China has resulted in a significant loss of life, with authorities confirming nine fatalities and one individual still missing as rescue operations continue.

    The incident occurred at approximately 3:03 PM local time on Sunday, January 18th, 2026, at the plate manufacturing plant operated by Baogang United Steel in Baotou City, located within China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. According to the emergency response command center established at the disaster site, the catastrophic explosion originated from a substantial industrial vessel—a 650-cubic-meter capacity saturated water and steam spherical storage tank.

    Local government representatives provided updated casualty figures on Tuesday, January 20th, indicating that the death toll had risen to nine individuals. Search and recovery teams remain actively engaged in the complex operation to locate one remaining person who has been reported as unaccounted for following the incident. Official statements note that verification procedures regarding the missing individual are currently ongoing.

    The industrial accident has drawn attention to safety protocols within China’s substantial manufacturing sector, particularly in heavy industries such as steel production which form a critical component of the region’s economic infrastructure. Baotou City, as a major industrial hub in Inner Mongolia, hosts numerous manufacturing facilities that contribute significantly to both regional and national industrial output.

    Authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the potential causes behind the tank’s failure or whether any safety violations may have contributed to the tragic incident. Standard procedure following such industrial accidents typically involves comprehensive investigations by multiple government agencies, including workplace safety regulators and industrial experts.