Global Pulse

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  • Turkey ‘in talks’ with Pakistan and Saudi over defence pact

    Turkey ‘in talks’ with Pakistan and Saudi over defence pact

    Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed on Thursday that NATO member Turkey is actively negotiating with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to join a bilateral defense agreement established between the two nations in September 2025. The announcement signals a significant expansion of regional security cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

    President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration is pursuing a “broader, more comprehensive vision” aimed at creating an expanded strategic platform, Minister Fidan stated. This development comes against the backdrop of heightened regional instability, particularly following the intense four-day conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025 that resulted in over 70 casualties through missile, drone, and artillery exchanges—the most severe confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999.

    The existing Pakistan-Saudi defense pact, initially formed during Gulf regional tensions, has raised strategic questions within international circles. Particular attention has focused on the agreement’s potential nuclear dimensions, given Pakistan’s status as a nuclear weapons state. Both Pakistan and India have historically accused each other of supporting militant groups to destabilize their respective governments.

    Saudi Arabia reportedly played a crucial mediating role in de-escalating the recent India-Pakistan conflict. The potential inclusion of Turkey, a NATO member with significant regional influence, would create a substantial tripartite defense framework that could reshape security dynamics across the Middle East and South Asia.

  • ‬NIO EL8‭ Review: Inside the ‬full-size electric crossover SUV

    ‬NIO EL8‭ Review: Inside the ‬full-size electric crossover SUV

    Chinese automotive manufacturer NIO is positioned to disrupt the luxury electric vehicle market with its flagship offering, the 2025 NIO EL8 full-size electric crossover SUV. This premium model combines sophisticated design with cutting-edge technology, including a revolutionary battery-swapping system that dramatically reduces charging times.

    The EL8 showcases a distinctive minimalist aesthetic that blends MPV-style crossover elements with sleek SUV proportions. Measuring 5,099 mm in length, 2,199 mm in width, and 1,750 mm in height with a 3,070 mm wheelbase, the vehicle presents an imposing road presence. Its aerodynamic efficiency is enhanced by flush door handles and a remarkable 0.25 drag coefficient. The exterior features signature design elements including an X-Bar front bumper, shark-nose profile, and a unique “cat-ear” roof module housing advanced LiDAR and camera systems.

    Interior accommodations prioritize luxury and comfort with soft faux-leather upholstery available in three earth-inspired color themes. Second-row occupants enjoy captain’s chairs with business-class-level recline functionality. The cockpit integrates a 12.8-inch AMOLED center display running responsive Banyan OS, complemented by a substantial 16.3-inch head-up display.

    Performance specifications reveal a formidable powertrain configuration. A 100 kWh underfloor battery supplies energy to a 180 kW permanent-magnet front motor and 300 kW induction rear motor, generating combined torque output of 850 Nm. The vehicle achieves 0-100 km/h acceleration in approximately 4.1 seconds with a claimed NEDC range of 515 km. Regenerative braking offers multiple modes enabling near one-pedal driving capability.

    The EL8’s most innovative feature is its battery-swap technology, which allows complete battery replacement in just three minutes at dedicated NIO Power Swap stations. While currently limited to Yas Marina locations, this technology addresses one of electric vehicle ownership’s primary concerns—extended charging durations.

    Advanced technology integration includes NOMI, an AI companion featuring a dashboard-mounted rotating robot with digital facial expressions. The vehicle also incorporates 23 safety and driver-assistance systems encompassing Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Active Lane Change, and Advanced Parking Assist capabilities.

    Despite its premium positioning, the EL8 faces challenges including limited steering adjustability, some quality inconsistencies, and market skepticism regarding Chinese luxury vehicle pricing. Nevertheless, NIO’s flagship represents a significant advancement in electric vehicle technology and luxury design, potentially reshaping consumer perceptions of Chinese automotive manufacturing capabilities.

  • Palestinian engineer Ali Shaath tapped to administer devastated Gaza

    Palestinian engineer Ali Shaath tapped to administer devastated Gaza

    A significant development has emerged in the Gaza conflict as U.S. diplomatic efforts transition into their second phase. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed the progression via social media, outlining a comprehensive shift from ceasefire arrangements toward demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction initiatives.

    The newly established 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee will assume administrative control over Gaza, operating under the supervision of an international ‘Board of Peace’ chaired personally by President Trump. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that all Palestinian factions have reached consensus on the committee’s composition, with former Palestinian Authority Deputy Minister Ali Shaath appointed to lead the governing body.

    This governance framework represents a crucial component of the 20-point U.S. peace plan, moving beyond the initial phase implemented in October that involved ceasefire protocols, prisoner-hostage exchanges, partial Israeli military withdrawal, and humanitarian aid escalation. The committee’s mandate includes managing daily life and essential services within the devastated territory, with deployment expected imminently.

    Notably, Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad have committed to supporting the committee’s work despite their declared intention to avoid direct governance roles. A senior Hamas official, Taher al-Nunu, expressed the faction’s willingness to ensure the committee’s successful operation while limiting their involvement to oversight functions.

    However, significant challenges remain regarding the demilitarization requirements. Witkoff emphasized that phase two necessitates ‘full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel.’ The U.S. expects Hamas to comply with these obligations, including the return of deceased hostage Ran Gvili, warning of ‘serious consequences’ for non-compliance.

    Israeli officials had previously insisted they would not discuss phase two until Gvili’s remains were returned, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since assured the family that governance developments would not hinder repatriation efforts. Meanwhile, discussions in Cairo have focused on additional critical elements including Israeli troop withdrawal, Rafah crossing reopening, and aid distribution mechanisms.

    The Board of Peace is anticipated to be announced within days, reportedly comprising approximately 15 world leaders with former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov expected to lead ground operations.

  • First-class seats, surprise announcement: How Dubai welcomed Great Arab Mind winners

    First-class seats, surprise announcement: How Dubai welcomed Great Arab Mind winners

    Dubai, UAE – In an extraordinary display of honor, the six distinguished winners of the 2025 Great Arab Minds Awards received a red-carpet experience from the moment they boarded their Emirates flights to Dubai. The national carrier orchestrated a series of surprise tributes for the scholars, who were traveling from across the Arab world to receive the region’s most prestigious intellectual honor, often described as the Arab equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

    During their flights, cabin crews made special announcements recognizing the awardees’ presence, drawing applause from fellow passengers. The laureates, seated in first class, were presented with customized congratulatory desserts. Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3, security personnel provided dedicated assistance while immigration officials stamped their passports with a special ‘Great Arab Minds’ commemorative seal.

    The awards ceremony, scheduled at the futuristic Museum of Future – which serves as the permanent headquarters for the Great Arab Minds Initiative – will be presided over by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The event will celebrate exceptional contributions across six categories: Natural Sciences (Professor Majid Chergui), Engineering and Technology (Professor Abbas El Gamal), Medicine (Dr. Nabil Seidah), Economics (Professor Badi Hani), Architecture and Design (Dr. Souad Al Amri), and Literature and Arts (Professor Charbel Dagher).

    Now in its third edition, the initiative represents the Arab world’s most comprehensive program for recognizing intellectual excellence. Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the initiative’s Higher Committee, emphasized that the program not only honors exceptional Arab achievers but also catalyzes investment in research and innovation across governments and institutions.

    The Museum of the Future hosts a permanent research center dedicated to expanding the impact of the awardees’ work, supporting their ongoing contributions to scientific, creative, and intellectual advancement. The initiative aims to inspire Arab youth by providing exemplary role models while strengthening the region’s contribution to global civilization and human progress.

  • Kids with special needs: What Dubai parents must know about ‘external assessments’

    Kids with special needs: What Dubai parents must know about ‘external assessments’

    Dubai’s private education sector is undergoing a significant transformation in its approach to inclusive learning, moving beyond theoretical principles to implement concrete support systems for Students of Determination. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has introduced comprehensive updated guidelines governing external assessments for children with special educational needs, establishing a framework that prioritizes equity over mere equality.

    The revised standards emphasize personalized support tailored to each child’s unique requirements rather than attempting to fit diverse learners into standardized molds. At the core of this educational philosophy lies the recognition that inclusion means providing every student with the specific resources they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

    External assessments, conducted by qualified specialists licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or Community Development Authority (CDA), serve as diagnostic tools to better understand how children learn, communicate, and manage emotions. These evaluations involve professionals including psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and psychiatrists, depending on individual needs.

    Schools follow a structured eight-step process when considering external assessments, beginning with initial observation and progressing through in-school evaluation, additional support implementation, formal review, and only then—if necessary—recommending external assessment with mandatory parental consent. The process emphasizes collaboration between educators and families, with parents participating as essential partners throughout the journey.

    The guidelines establish clear parental rights, including involvement from the earliest stages, transparent communication, input in specialist selection, cost disclosure, and participation in developing individualized education plans. Confidentiality protocols ensure assessment reports remain securely stored with restricted access, requiring parental permission for sharing beyond essential educational staff and authorities.

    For families who disagree with assessment recommendations, the framework provides escalation pathways to KHDA while maintaining parental authority. The system also includes mechanisms to address schools that fail to follow proper procedures, with dedicated channels for resolution through KHDA’s Parent Empowerment and Inclusion teams.

    This progressive approach reflects the UAE’s broader commitment to ensuring learning differences never become barriers to education, focusing on understanding each child’s potential rather than limiting them with labels.

  • Philippines plans to ban Grok ‘by tonight’ over deepfakes

    Philippines plans to ban Grok ‘by tonight’ over deepfakes

    The Philippine government has announced an immediate nationwide ban on Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot, becoming the third Southeast Asian nation to block access to the controversial platform within days. Telecommunications Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda confirmed the decisive action during a Thursday press briefing, citing urgent concerns about AI-generated toxic content, particularly sexualized deepfakes targeting real individuals including children.

    The ban follows similar moves by Indonesia and Malaysia, which blocked Grok over the weekend, creating a regional consensus against the platform’s content generation capabilities. Philippine authorities stated that social media platform X’s recent pledge to implement restrictions would not alter their decision, with cybercrime officials emphasizing the need for immediate action rather than waiting for platform promises.

    Renato Paraiso, acting executive director of the country’s cybercrime center, confirmed to AFP that telecommunications providers would be required to implement the block within hours. The National Telecommunications Commission order mandates immediate compliance from all service providers, with government agencies monitoring implementation throughout the day.

    This development occurs amidst growing global scrutiny of AI image generation tools. Earlier this week, X announced measures to prevent Grok from creating undressed images of real people, responding to both international backlash and an official investigation launched by California authorities. The Philippine decision reflects increasing governmental concerns about regulating rapidly evolving AI technologies and their potential for harmful applications.

  • Children expected to die of hunger in Darfur ‘within days’, says UN Sudan chief

    Children expected to die of hunger in Darfur ‘within days’, says UN Sudan chief

    The United Nations has issued a dire warning that children in Sudan’s Darfur region face imminent death from starvation within days, marking a catastrophic escalation in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan Denise Brown revealed to Middle East Eye that malnutrition rates among children in North Darfur’s Um Baru have reached a staggering 53%—triple the emergency threshold—describing conditions as the most severe she has witnessed in her career.

    The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), ongoing since April 2023, has created a devastating pattern of atrocities that has displaced nearly 13 million people and pushed over 40% of the population into acute food insecurity. Recent UN assessments confirm that famine conditions persist in multiple locations including el-Fasher in North Darfur and Kadugli in South Kordofan, even during what should be Sudan’s post-harvest period.

    Humanitarian access remains critically constrained, with Fews Net warning that besieged towns face worsening conditions as RSF forces implement full blockades. The situation in el-Fasher—brutally seized by the RSF in October after a 550-day siege—is particularly volatile, with widespread destruction, unexploded ordnance contamination, and destroyed water infrastructure leading to cholera outbreaks. Between January and November 2025, Sudan recorded over 72,000 cholera cases, more than double the previous year’s count.

    Evidence suggests systematic violence against civilians, with multiple reports of RSF fighters killing fleeing civilians and conducting door-to-door executions during the capture of el-Fasher. A Yale Humanitarian Research Lab report indicates the paramilitary group has likely buried or burned tens of thousands of bodies to conceal evidence of mass killings.

    Despite the scale of suffering, the international response remains severely underfunded, with the UN’s Sudan appeal only 27% funded by late 2025. Brown emphasized that world leaders must urgently interrupt the pattern of atrocities before further devastation occurs, particularly for women and children who bear the war’s heaviest burden.

  • Autostrad accelerates UAE mobility with rapid fleet growth and sector-focused solutions

    Autostrad accelerates UAE mobility with rapid fleet growth and sector-focused solutions

    Dubai-based mobility innovator Autostrad has emerged as a dominant force in the United Arab Emirates’ transportation sector, achieving remarkable expansion with its fleet surpassing 6,000 vehicles while maintaining an extraordinary 50% year-on-year growth trajectory over the past two years. The company’s strategic positioning within the rapidly evolving UAE mobility market demonstrates how specialized, sector-specific solutions are reshaping corporate transportation.

    Autostrad has pioneered a unique operational model that delivers tailored mobility services across diverse industry verticals including oil and gas, aviation, port operations, educational institutions, and government fleets. This sector-focused methodology ensures each vehicle is purpose-engineered with advanced safety systems, regulatory compliance technologies, and data-driven management platforms. The company’s substantial footprint includes over 500 dedicated vehicles serving long-term contracts in the oil and gas sector alone, while its educational transportation division now safely transports more than 14,000 students daily—a significant increase from 9,000 the previous year.

    Technological integration forms the cornerstone of Autostrad’s operational excellence. The company has deployed sophisticated telematics and fleet management systems that enable real-time vehicle monitoring, predictive maintenance algorithms, and operational optimization. Their digital ecosystem features integrated booking platforms, customer relationship management systems, and a proprietary mobile application that has exceeded 2,000 downloads, creating seamless customer experiences across all touchpoints.

    The UAE’s mobility sector continues to demonstrate robust growth, with market research projecting the car rental and leasing market to reach AED 14.3 billion by 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. This expansion is primarily driven by increasing demand for digital fleet optimization solutions and connected mobility services across corporate and institutional sectors.

    Karunesh Arya, General Manager of Autostrad, emphasized the company’s vision: ‘We are delivering comprehensive mobility ecosystems rather than merely providing vehicles. Our solutions combine technological sophistication, operational reliability, and sector-specific customization that addresses the unique transportation challenges faced by different industries. Our sustained growth reflects both market confidence in our approach and our unwavering commitment to innovation, safety, and service excellence across the UAE.’

  • World tour in Dubai: Have you visited these 3 streets in Global Village?

    World tour in Dubai: Have you visited these 3 streets in Global Village?

    Dubai’s Global Village has transformed into a premier gastronomic destination, featuring three specially curated streets that deliver an immersive global dining experience. Fiesta Street electrifies visitors with authentic international street food, Happiness Street specializes in innovative comfort cuisine, and Dessert District caters exclusively to sweet indulgence seekers.

    Fiesta Street captures the vibrant essence of global street food culture. Taco Loco serves authentic Mexican birria tacos slow-cooked to perfection, while Tantuni offers flavour-packed Turkish wraps with tender chicken or beef. Koko Korean Chicken specializes in various forms of Korean fried chicken, including burgers, tenders, and popcorn chicken, all seasoned with signature spices and sauces.

    Happiness Street focuses on mood-boosting comfort food with creative twists. Wheel 35 provides a unique pasta experience with dishes prepared inside a cheese wheel, featuring signature creamy sauces including the distinctive blue matcha option. Shawarma Edgar has gained fame for its shawarma accompanied by a special dipping sauce made from garlic, sumac, and Kuwait’s iconic mabooch chilli paste. Indo-yo elevates instant noodles with inventive fusion toppings and loaded creations.

    The Dessert District invites visitors to indulge without restraint. Chimney Cake serves the famous Central European spiral-shaped pastry freshly baked to golden perfection. Mango Tango caters to mango enthusiasts with offerings ranging from mango ice cream to mango sticky rice, highlighted by their signature Mango Tango Float. Mish Tiramisu provides a haven for tiramisu lovers, featuring innovative variations including chocolate, matcha, and mango interpretations.

    With over 250 dining options available throughout the park, Global Village has established itself as a culinary hotspot that satisfies diverse palates and culinary curiosity. The three themed streets provide structured culinary journeys that allow visitors to explore world flavors without leaving Dubai, making each visit an opportunity for new gastronomic discoveries.

  • Ethiopia says seized ammunition sent by Eritrea to rebels as tensions rise

    Ethiopia says seized ammunition sent by Eritrea to rebels as tensions rise

    Ethiopian authorities have made explosive allegations that Eritrea supplied thousands of ammunition rounds to armed rebels, dramatically escalating tensions between the Horn of Africa neighbors. Police in Ethiopia’s Amhara region announced Wednesday they intercepted over 56,000 rounds of ammunition allegedly intended for the Fano rebel group, arresting two suspects in the operation.

    According to an official Facebook statement, preliminary investigations indicated the ammunition originated from what Ethiopian officials term the ‘Shabiya government’ – a reference to Eritrea’s ruling party. The discovery has ignited fears of renewed armed conflict between the historically adversarial nations.

    Eritrea immediately issued a forceful denial through Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel, who characterized the allegations as ‘false flag’ operations intended to justify military action that Ethiopia ‘has been itching to unleash.’ The minister accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party of manufacturing pretexts for aggression.

    The allegations emerge amid deteriorating relations between the neighboring countries, which share a complex history of conflict and temporary reconciliation. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after decades of struggle, rendering Ethiopia landlocked despite their 2018 peace agreement that normalized relations.

    Recent months have seen mounting tensions over Ethiopia’s persistent demands for guaranteed access to the Red Sea through Eritrean territory. Prime Minister Abiy has characterized sea access as an existential national priority, while Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki recently accused Ethiopia of effectively declaring war through its maritime claims.

    The current crisis represents a sharp reversal from the cooperation seen during Ethiopia’s 2020-22 civil war, when Eritrean troops supported the Ethiopian government against Tigrayan forces. Relations soured significantly when Eritrea was excluded from the 2022 peace agreement that ended that conflict.

    Ethiopia now faces a violent insurgency from Fano rebels who control substantial territory in northern Amhara region, while simultaneously navigating increasingly hostile relations with its northern neighbor. Both leaders have publicly stated they prefer dialogue over conflict, but the ammunition allegations have brought bilateral tensions to their highest point in years.