Global Pulse

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  • Billionaire Frank Stronach faces sexual assault trial in Canada

    Billionaire Frank Stronach faces sexual assault trial in Canada

    Canadian courtroom proceedings commenced this week against Frank Stronach, the 93-year-old Austro-Canadian business magnate, who stands accused of multiple historical sexual offenses. The Toronto trial, presided over by Superior Court Justice Anne Malloy, will proceed without jury deliberation, placing judicial responsibility solely on the presiding magistrate.

    Stronach, founder of global automotive parts manufacturer Magna International and once among Canada’s wealthiest individuals, confronts 18 criminal charges involving 13 separate complainants. These allegations span an extensive temporal range from 1977 to 1990, necessitating application of since-amended Criminal Code provisions. Prosecutors have strategically divided the case into two distinct legal proceedings, with the Toronto segment addressing 12 charges ahead of a subsequent York Region trial scheduled for spring.

    The defendant has maintained an unwavering not guilty plea through legal representatives, publicly characterizing the accusations as fundamentally incompatible with his personal ethos. “Those acquainted with my character recognize these claims contradict my established principles,” Stronach previously told CBC following their 2024 investigative report containing employee allegations.

    This exceptional judicial process requires Justice Malloy to adjudicate based on historical legal definitions no longer present in Canadian legislation, though the nation’s elimination of sexual assault statutes of limitations enables prosecution regardless of temporal passage. The court anticipates hearing comprehensive evidence from Crown prosecutors alongside complainant testimonies throughout the trial duration.

    Beyond his corporate legacy, Stronach briefly entered Austrian political spheres in 2012 by founding the right-wing populist Team Stronach party, which has since become defunct. His transition from industrial titan to defendant marks a significant development in Canada’s ongoing examination of historical sexual misconduct cases involving powerful figures.

  • Catholic Church and Italy investigate sacred and profane cherub seemingly modeled on Meloni

    Catholic Church and Italy investigate sacred and profane cherub seemingly modeled on Meloni

    A centuries-old tradition of incorporating contemporary figures into religious artwork has ignited an unprecedented controversy in Rome, where a recently restored cherub bearing remarkable resemblance to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has triggered dual investigations by both ecclesiastical and state authorities.

    The Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, one of Rome’s most ancient churches consecrated in 440 AD, has become the epicenter of this unusual scandal. The problematic artwork appears in a side chapel near the main altar, depicting a cherub holding a map of Italy in a position of deference before a bust of Italy’s last king, Umberto II. This particular chapel underwent renovation in 2000 and required restoration in 2023 due to water damage.

    Both the Diocese of Rome and the Italian Culture Ministry have launched formal inquiries into the restoration work. Their swift response demonstrates institutional intolerance for perceived profanity within sacred spaces. The basilica, though historically significant, has gained newfound celebrity status as curiosity-seekers flock to photograph the controversial angel, sometimes disrupting religious services.

    Prime Minister Meloni herself addressed the controversy with humor, writing on social media: ‘No, I definitely don’t look like an angel,’ accompanied by a laughing/crying emoji. Her lighthearted response contrasts with the seriousness of the institutional investigations.

    The controversy carries historical weight given Italy’s complex relationship with its monarchical past. Italians rejected the monarchy after World War II due to its support for Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Meloni’s right-wing party traces its roots to the neo-fascist movement that succeeded Mussolini, adding political sensitivity to the artwork’s perceived deference to royalty.

    Restorer Bruno Valentinetti has denied using Meloni as a model, asserting that any resemblance exists ‘in the eye of the beholder’ and that he merely restored his original 2000 painting. Parish priest Rev. Daniele Micheletti acknowledged the resemblance but dismissed its significance, noting artistic precedent for depicting real people in religious contexts, such as Caravaggio’s use of a prostitute as model for the Virgin Mary.

    Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar of Rome, has taken a firmer stance, criticizing Micheletti’s blasé attitude and emphasizing that sacred art must not be ‘misused or exploited’ but should exclusively support liturgical life and prayer. The Culture Ministry has deployed special delegate Daniela Porro to ascertain the nature of the work and determine appropriate actions.

    The investigations now focus on determining the original appearance of the 2000 cherub and whether the restoration improperly altered its features. The basilica, currently property of Italy’s Interior Ministry, remains open to visitors while authorities determine the appropriate resolution to this intersection of art, religion, and politics.

  • Bryan Adams is coming to Abu Dhabi

    Bryan Adams is coming to Abu Dhabi

    Abu Dhabi prepares to welcome rock music icon Bryan Adams for a highly anticipated performance at the Saadiyat Nights concert series on February 15. The Canadian singer-songwriter’s appearance coincides with the anniversary of his groundbreaking 1980 debut album that launched his extraordinary career spanning over four decades.

    Adams’ musical journey represents one of rock’s most enduring success stories, having sold an estimated 75-100 million records worldwide. His performance will feature timeless hits that have become cultural touchstones, including “Summer of ’69,” “Have You Really Loved a Woman,” and the iconic power ballad “Everything I Do, I Do It For You” that continues to resonate with audiences across generations.

    The upcoming concert marks another chapter in Adams’ ongoing relationship with the UAE. Beyond his musical achievements, the artist has previously showcased his photographic talents in Dubai, where he exhibited portraits of global figures including the Dalai Lama, Queen Elizabeth II, and fashion icons Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

    Reflecting on the power of music during his previous UAE visit, Adams told local media: “Music is a very powerful medium—it transports us to different places, soothes our soul, inspires us to dance and reflect. A world without music would be a profoundly lonely place.”

    Adams joins an impressive roster of international performers in the Saadiyat Nights series, following appearances by music heavyweights including Mariah Carey (February 7), John Mayer, and Ricky Martin, cementing Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a premier destination for world-class entertainment.

  • Indian tax on animal imports spells setback for Ambani family’s Vantara zoo

    Indian tax on animal imports spells setback for Ambani family’s Vantara zoo

    India’s newly implemented fiscal policy has introduced a substantial 30% customs duty on animal and bird imports, effective immediately. This legislative shift eliminates previous duty exemptions and presents significant financial challenges for conservation projects, most notably the ambitious Vantara zoo operated by the philanthropic division of Reliance, chaired by Asia’s wealthiest individual Mukesh Ambani.

    Spanning 3,500 acres in Gujarat, Vantara houses approximately 2,000 species and represents India’s most extensive private zoological initiative. Unlike typically state-operated facilities, Vantara has engaged in substantial international animal transfers since 2022, importing species including cheetahs, rhinoceroses, and numerous reptiles from nations such as South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

    The government’s unexpected policy change provides no explicit justification, though analysts suggest it may aim to stimulate domestic breeding programs. Rajat Mohan, senior partner at AMRG Associates, notes that while import volumes remain limited, the financial implications for conservation projects are profound. Vantara maintains that it never engages in commercial animal transactions but bears substantial costs for insurance and freight during rescue and rehabilitation operations.

    The zoo has previously faced international scrutiny after CITES, the UN wildlife trade monitoring body, identified discrepancies in trade documentation and raised concerns regarding origin verification protocols. Although India’s Supreme Court ultimately cleared Vantara of wrongdoing, European authorities continue monitoring its import activities closely.

    According to Reuters analysis, Vantara’s shipments have reached a declared value of $9 million. A single 2023 consignment of 26 rare parrots from Germany demonstrated the financial impact, with $25,194 declared for insurance and freight costs that would now incur approximately $7,500 in additional taxes under the new regime.

  • Yuyuan Lantern Festival puts Shanghai in festival mood

    Yuyuan Lantern Festival puts Shanghai in festival mood

    Shanghai’s iconic Yuyuan Lantern Festival has launched an expansive celebration that transcends its traditional boundaries, illuminating the city with a spectacular display of cultural fusion. For the first time in its celebrated history, the festival has extended beyond the confines of Yuyuan Garden Malls to encompass multiple prominent locations including the Bund Finance Center, Gucheng Park, Middle Fangbang Road, and Fuyou Road.

    The festival, which commenced on February 1st and will continue through March 3rd, represents a remarkable blend of traditional Chinese culture and contemporary pop aesthetics. At the Bund Finance Center, visitors experience a groundbreaking collaboration with Pop Mart, China’s leading pop culture enterprise. The installation features the toymaker’s immensely popular intellectual properties transformed into dazzling lantern displays that create an immersive Chinese New Year atmosphere.

    This strategic expansion creates a cultural dialogue between different areas of Shanghai. While Yuyuan Garden maintains its focus on traditional folk culture representations through lantern art, the newly incorporated venues showcase more modern and trend-forward installations. The Bund Finance Center specifically offers a unique experience where ancient lantern craft meets contemporary pop culture, attracting both traditional festival enthusiasts and younger demographics.

    The extended festival footprint allows visitors to embark on a cultural journey through Shanghai’s diverse districts, each offering distinct interpretations of lantern artistry. This innovation in festival programming demonstrates how traditional celebrations can evolve while maintaining cultural authenticity, effectively bridging generational gaps through creative collaborations with popular brands like Pop Mart.

  • SmartCrowd exits DIFC duplex apartment flip at 22.5% above target

    SmartCrowd exits DIFC duplex apartment flip at 22.5% above target

    Dubai’s leading property investment platform SmartCrowd has concluded a landmark transaction involving a three-bedroom duplex apartment within the prestigious Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), achieving an exceptional sale price of AED 8.7 million. This successful exit substantially surpassed initial projections by 22.5%, delivering investors a net return on investment of 25% after all associated fees.

    The transaction underscores the remarkable resilience of Dubai’s premium residential market, particularly within the DIFC commercial hub where demand for high-quality, centrally located properties continues to demonstrate strength. This achievement follows closely on the heels of SmartCrowd’s recent successful exit from a Palm Jumeirah property, demonstrating consistent performance in the short-term property flipping segment.

    SmartCrowd has emerged as a dominant force in the regional proptech investment landscape, having facilitated over AED 220 million in successful exits with an additional AED 300 million planned for 2026. The platform’s innovative approach combines traditional buy-and-hold strategies with targeted flip opportunities, creating diversified investment pathways for its stakeholders.

    Chief Executive Officer Riz Ahmed emphasized the company’s investor-centric philosophy, stating: ‘Our consistent outperformance in both DIFC and Palm Jumeirah transactions reflects our disciplined methodology in acquisition, value-added renovation, and strategic asset management. Exceeding projections by such a significant margin validates both Dubai’s prime market fundamentals and our operational expertise.’

    The consecutive successful flips demonstrate growing investor appetite for short-term property investments in Dubai’s prime locations, with SmartCrowd having completed three times more exits than all other regional crowdfunding platforms combined according to company statements.

  • Nine arraigned for deadly attack in Nigeria that killed over 150

    Nine arraigned for deadly attack in Nigeria that killed over 150

    ABUJA, Nigeria — In a landmark judicial proceeding, nine individuals allegedly responsible for a devastating assault in north-central Nigeria faced formal charges before a federal court on Monday. The defendants stand accused of perpetrating an attack that resulted in over 150 fatalities in Yelewata, a community within Benue state’s Guma area, during June of last year.

    Prosecutors have filed 57 distinct counts of terrorism against the accused, who entered unanimous ‘not guilty’ pleas during their arraignment. Nigerian justice authorities indicate conviction could carry maximum penalties of either life imprisonment or capital punishment.

    This judicial action emerges against the backdrop of Nigeria’s escalating multidimensional security emergency, characterized by Islamic militant insurgencies in northeastern territories and rampant kidnap-for-ransom operations plaguing northwest and north-central zones. The Yelewata massacre exemplifies the intensifying farmer-herder conflicts over scarce land and water resources that have turned increasingly lethal as combatants militarize.

    Presidential representative Kamarudeen Ogundele characterized the investigation as ‘painstaking,’ emphasizing interagency collaboration in a Sunday statement. ‘The office of the Attorney General wishes to assure Nigerians that justice will be ensured in this matter to send a strong signal to the country’s enemies, acting under any disguise,’ Ogundele declared.

    The case develops alongside international security engagements, including December U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State-affiliated militants in northern Nigeria. These operations addressed concerns about Nigeria’s capacity to protect Christian communities facing heightened church attacks. The United States has committed to delivering previously purchased military equipment—including drones, helicopters, and support systems—to bolster Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities, though delivery remains pending after five years.

  • Bitcoin sinks below $75,000 on Monday as selloff snowballs

    Bitcoin sinks below $75,000 on Monday as selloff snowballs

    Digital asset markets experienced significant turbulence on Monday as Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, plummeted below the crucial $75,000 threshold. Trading data from Asian markets indicated Bitcoin’s value had dropped to approximately $74,684, representing its lowest valuation point since April 2025 and extending what has become one of the most prolonged bearish trends in recent years.

    The current downturn has erased nearly 40% of Bitcoin’s value from its previous peak, with January alone witnessing an 11% depreciation. This marks the fourth consecutive monthly decline, establishing the longest sustained negative performance period since the major cryptocurrency collapse of 2017-2018.

    The selling pressure has extended across the digital asset spectrum, with Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, falling below the psychologically significant $2,200 level. This broad-based decline has amplified risk-aversion sentiment among market participants globally.

    In the United Arab Emirates, particularly within Dubai’s emerging digital asset ecosystem, retail investors have adopted increasingly cautious positions. Trading platforms report substantial increases in hedging activities and conversions to stablecoins as investors seek to protect capital during this period of elevated volatility. Nevertheless, some strategic investors view the current price levels as accumulation opportunities, anticipating that ongoing institutional adoption and regulatory developments will ultimately support long-term valuation recovery.

    Market analysts attribute the current downturn to multiple converging factors. Technical indicators reveal severely oversold conditions with bearish trend signals remaining firmly entrenched. The decline has been exacerbated by substantial leveraged position liquidations exceeding $700 million within 24 hours, with approximately 77% of these forced closures affecting long positions. Ethereum alone accounted for nearly $270 million in liquidations, highlighting the extensive speculative exposure across major digital tokens.

    Macroeconomic conditions have simultaneously turned less favorable for risk assets. Robust economic indicators from the United States have revived concerns about prolonged elevated interest rates, while strengthening bond yields and dollar appreciation have reduced investor appetite for non-yielding volatile assets. Geopolitical uncertainties and equity market fragility have further driven capital toward traditional safe-haven investments, creating additional headwinds for cryptocurrency markets.

    Market strategists remain divided regarding near-term prospects. Some anticipate potential testing of the psychologically critical $70,000 support level if selling pressure persists, while others interpret the movement as a cyclical correction within a broader structural bull market. Most analysts agree that until speculative positioning undergoes substantial reset and broader risk appetite improves, elevated volatility will likely continue characterizing market conditions.

  • Fela Kuti’s Grammy lifetime achievement award is a major win for African music

    Fela Kuti’s Grammy lifetime achievement award is a major win for African music

    LAGOS, Nigeria — In a historic recognition of African musical excellence, the late Nigerian icon Fela Kuti has been posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy during the Grammys Special Merit Awards ceremony. This landmark achievement marks the first time an African artist has received this prestigious honor, placing Kuti alongside music legends Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, and Whitney Houston in this year’s recognition cohort.

    The award celebrates Kuti’s extraordinary contributions to global music and his role as the foundational inspiration behind one of Africa’s most influential contemporary genres. Nigerian music authorities have welcomed this acknowledgment as a testament to his enduring cultural impact that continues to resonate more than five decades after his initial rise to prominence.

    Born in colonial Nigeria in 1938, the saxophonist known mononymously as Fela developed a distinctive sonic architecture that fused high-energy horn sections, jazz improvisation, and funk rhythms with traditional Yoruba musical patterns. His career, spanning from the late 1950s through the 1990s, created what would become known as Afrobeat—distinct from the contemporary Afrobeats genre—establishing a musical legacy that transcended national boundaries.

    Beyond his musical innovations, Kuti emerged as a formidable political activist who consistently challenged Nigeria’s military regimes and Western imperialism. His lyrical content frequently targeted government corruption, neocolonial structures, and cultural hegemony, making him a recurring target of state persecution. His 1977 composition ‘Colonial Mentality’ critiqued internalized racism, while 1989’s ‘Beasts of No Nation’ offered scathing commentary on global governance institutions.

    Kuti’s activism came at significant personal cost. He endured multiple imprisonments, including a 20-month detention ordered by then-junta leader Muhammadu Buhari in 1984. In a particularly brutal 1977 incident, nearly one thousand soldiers raided his Lagos compound—the self-declared Kalakuta Republic—burning it to the ground and fatally injuring his mother, prominent activist Fumilayo Ransome-Kuti.

    Despite the inherent tension between Kuti’s anti-establishment ethos and institutional recognition, Nigerian music professionals view the Grammy acknowledgment as transformative for African music. His legacy continues through contemporary artists like Burna Boy and Wizkid, who frequently incorporate his influence, while global superstars including Beyoncé, Nas, and J.Cole have sampled his work in their productions.

    The recognition coincides with growing Academy attention to African music, exemplified by the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category in 2024. Since 2020, artists including Burna Boy, Tems, and South Africa’s Tyla have achieved Grammy success, signaling increased global engagement with Africa’s diverse musical landscape.

  • Trump threatens Grammy host Trevor Noah with legal action over Epstein comment

    Trump threatens Grammy host Trevor Noah with legal action over Epstein comment

    Former President Donald Trump has initiated legal threats against Trevor Noah following the comedian’s controversial remarks during the 68th Grammy Awards ceremony. The South African host, who announced this would be his final year emceeing the event, made pointed comments linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island during his closing monologue.

    Noah’s commentary emerged while congratulating Billie Eilish for winning Song of the Year. ‘That’s a Grammy every artist wants—almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,’ Noah quipped, referencing Trump’s previously stated territorial ambitions. The comedian then added, ‘Which makes sense because, since Epstein’s gone, he needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton.’

    Trump responded vehemently through his Truth Social platform, first dismissing the Grammy Awards as ‘the WORST and virtually unwatchable’ before directly addressing Noah’s comments. ‘I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused of being there,’ Trump asserted. The former president subsequently labeled Noah a ‘total loser’ and demanded he ‘get his facts straight.’

    The escalating conflict reached its peak when Trump declared, ‘I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C. Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!’ This marks another chapter in Trump’s complex relationship with the Epstein narrative, having previously moved in similar social circles with the convicted sex offender in Florida and New York.

    The controversy emerges against the backdrop of recent document releases concerning Epstein, which mentioned numerous high-profile figures including Trump, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew. Trump has spent months attempting to prevent the disclosure of extensive documentation related to the financier, offering varying explanations for his eventual dissociation from Epstein.