Global Pulse

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  • Arab and Muslim states condemn Israel’s ceasefire breaches after deadly Gaza strikes

    Arab and Muslim states condemn Israel’s ceasefire breaches after deadly Gaza strikes

    Top diplomats from eight nations—Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—have issued a forceful joint condemnation of Israel’s repeated breaches of the Gaza ceasefire. The ministers declared that these violations have resulted in over a thousand Palestinian casualties, killed and wounded, since the October 2025 truce was established.

    In a statement released on the social media platform X this Sunday, the coalition warned that Israel’s military actions are dangerously escalating tensions and jeopardizing delicate efforts to consolidate calm and reestablish stability in the region. The ministers articulated that these repeated breaches represent a direct threat to the broader political process, actively hindering ongoing work to create the necessary security and humanitarian conditions for a transition to a more stable phase in the Gaza Strip.

    The officials called upon both Israel and Hamas to uphold their respective responsibilities and exercise maximum restraint. Furthermore, they pushed for a comprehensive resolution, advocating for a just and lasting peace founded on the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood. This vision, they stressed, must align with international law, relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the foundational principles of the Arab Peace Initiative.

    This diplomatic rebuke followed a severe escalation on Saturday, during which Israeli forces launched some of the most intensive airstrikes witnessed since the October ceasefire. Palestinian health authorities reported the attacks killed more than 30 individuals. Among the deceased were three young sisters from the same family. The strikes targeted residential homes, tents sheltering internally displaced persons, and a local police station.

    Footage emerging from Gaza City depicted scenes of profound devastation: apartment walls blown out, concrete structures blackened by fire, and debris scattered widely across streets and amidst the wreckage. The Israeli military justified the offensive as a response to a prior breach of the ceasefire the previous day, a recurring rationale used to explain attacks in the densely populated enclave. These actions have been widely criticized for exacerbating the severe humanitarian collapse in the besieged Strip.

    In a related development, Israel is scheduled to reopen the critical Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Monday. This move is part of a U.S.-backed plan initially advanced during the Trump administration. According to local health officials, Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of more than 500 people since the October ceasefire agreement was first announced.

  • India budget 2026: High-speed rail corridors, medical hubs and tax reforms

    India budget 2026: High-speed rail corridors, medical hubs and tax reforms

    Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented a transformative budget on February 1, 2026, outlining India’s roadmap to achieve developed nation status by its 100th independence anniversary in 2047. The comprehensive fiscal plan combines massive infrastructure development with strategic tax reforms designed to position India as a global technology and healthcare hub.

    The centerpiece of the infrastructure initiative involves seven new high-speed rail corridors connecting major metropolitan centers including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Varanasi, and Siliguri. These corridors aim to revolutionize domestic transportation and facilitate efficient movement for millions of daily commuters across the nation.

    In a bold move to attract foreign investment, the government proposed an unprecedented tax holiday extending until 2047 for international companies providing global cloud services through Indian data centers. This incentive requires foreign entities to serve Indian customers via local reseller partnerships, creating a symbiotic relationship between international technology firms and domestic businesses.

    The budget introduced significant support measures for the technology sector, particularly benefiting mid-sized IT companies by raising the safe harbour threshold from ₹3 billion to ₹20 billion. This regulatory easing comes as Indian IT firms face challenges in their primary American market.

    Financial sector reforms include establishing a high-level banking committee dedicated to the ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) vision, targeting economic transformation into a $10 trillion economy through focused development in education, healthcare, employment, technology, and sustainability.

    Healthcare initiatives feature five planned regional medical hubs developed through public-private partnerships, designed to establish India as a premier medical tourism destination. These integrated complexes will combine medical facilities, educational institutions, and research centers while incorporating traditional Ayurvedic medicine centers and rehabilitation infrastructure.

    The budget also provides a one-time, six-month voluntary disclosure window for eligible taxpayers including students, young professionals, and returning NRIs to regularize limited undisclosed foreign income or assets with immunity from penalties and prosecution.

    Despite these ambitious measures, stock markets reacted negatively primarily due to increased Securities Transaction Tax (STT) for Futures and Options trading, highlighting the challenge of balancing growth initiatives with market confidence.

  • ICC says Pakistan boycotting India match in T20 World Cup ‘undermines spirit of game’

    ICC says Pakistan boycotting India match in T20 World Cup ‘undermines spirit of game’

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a formal statement expressing profound concern over Pakistan’s government-directed decision to boycott its scheduled match against India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. While confirming participation in the broader tournament, Pakistan will notably abstain from the high-profile February 15 clash in Colombo, a move the global cricketing body finds fundamentally incompatible with the ethos of international sports.

    The ICC emphasized that the very foundation of global sporting events relies on the principle of equal participation among all qualified teams. Pakistan’s selective withdrawal, the Council stated, directly ‘undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions.’ The statement further elaborated that while the ICC acknowledges the sovereignty of national governments in policy matters, this particular decision is detrimental to the interests of the global game and its vast international fanbase, which includes millions of passionate cricket enthusiasts in Pakistan itself.

    Addressing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) directly, the ICC urged careful consideration of the ‘long-term implications’ this boycott could have on the nation’s own cricketing future. The Council warned that such actions risk adversely affecting the entire global cricket ecosystem, of which Pakistan is both a member and a significant beneficiary. The ICC’s primary objective remains the successful execution of the tournament, a responsibility it asserts is shared by all member boards, including the PCB. The statement concluded with an expectation for the PCB to actively pursue a ‘mutually acceptable resolution’ that safeguards the interests of all stakeholders involved.

  • Watch: the best looks of the 2026 Grammy Awards

    Watch: the best looks of the 2026 Grammy Awards

    The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony was not only a celebration of musical achievement but also a definitive fashion moment, with the red carpet serving as a runway for high-profile artists. This year’s event witnessed a spectacular display of style, setting new benchmarks in celebrity fashion.

    Among the standout personalities, internet sensation turned pop phenomenon Addison Rae made a powerful style statement. Her ensemble, a masterful blend of avant-garde design and classic elegance, captured significant media attention and set social media ablaze with commentary. Similarly, British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean graced the event with a look that perfectly balanced sophistication with a distinct, modern edge, reflecting her unique artistic persona.

    Their appearances were part of a broader trend where artists leveraged the global platform to express individual style and make bold fashion declarations. The red carpet transformed into a dynamic landscape of diverse aesthetics, ranging from daring haute couture to refined, timeless elegance. This sartorial excellence underscores the deepening synergy between the music and fashion industries, where award shows become pivotal events for designers and stylists to showcase their art to a worldwide audience. The ensembles seen at the 2026 Grammys are anticipated to influence fashion trends and red-carpet expectations for events throughout the year.

  • UAE expresses solidarity with DR Congo after massive mine collapse kills at least 200

    UAE expresses solidarity with DR Congo after massive mine collapse kills at least 200

    The United Arab Emirates has formally expressed its solidarity with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the wake of a devastating mining disaster that has resulted in massive casualties. Through an official statement released by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the UAE conveyed profound condolences and sympathy to both the bereaved families and the Congolese government and people.

    The tragic incident occurred at an artisanal coltan mine located in the town of Rubaya, within the conflict-ridden eastern region of the DRC. According to reports from the Congolese government, a catastrophic series of landslides struck the mining site, first on Wednesday afternoon and again on Thursday morning, leading to what local authorities describe as at least 200 fatalities.

    This mining operation exists within a complex geopolitical context. Since 2021, the M23 armed group, allegedly with Rwandan support, has controlled significant portions of eastern DRC, including the Rubaya mine which they seized in April 2024. The mine represents a crucial node in global technology supply chains, producing approximately 15-30% of the world’s coltan—a vital mineral used extensively in electronics manufacturing including smartphones and laptops.

    The tragedy highlights the perilous conditions faced by thousands of artisanal miners who work with minimal safety equipment, often relying on basic tools like shovels while wearing only rubber boots for protection. Eraston Bahati Musanga, the M23-appointed governor of North Kivu province who visited the disaster site, confirmed the staggering death toll while noting that recovery efforts continue and an exact count remains uncertain.

    The UAE’s expression of sympathy aligns with its pattern of offering international condolences during global humanitarian crises, recently extending similar gestures to Kenya and Mozambique following natural disasters in those nations.

  • X back up after brief outage affects over 19,000 US users, Downdetector data finds

    X back up after brief outage affects over 19,000 US users, Downdetector data finds

    The social media platform X, formerly recognized as Twitter, encountered a significant service interruption on Sunday that impacted over 19,000 users across the United States. According to data compiled by the outage monitoring service Downdetector.com, the technical difficulties began approximately at 11:19 AM Eastern Time and persisted for about 45 minutes before being largely resolved by 12:04 PM ET.

    The disruption represented one of the more notable technical incidents for the Elon Musk-owned platform in recent months. Downdetector, which aggregates user-submitted outage reports from multiple sources, recorded a peak of 19,281 individual problem reports during the incident. It is important to note that the actual number of affected users may differ from the reported figures, as the tracking methodology relies on voluntary user submissions rather than comprehensive internal data.

    The platform’s communication team did not immediately respond to media inquiries regarding the root cause of the outage or the specific technical challenges that led to the service interruption. This brief disruption occurred amidst ongoing developments at X, which has undergone significant structural and operational changes since Musk’s acquisition of the company formerly known as Twitter.

    Service reliability remains a critical concern for social media platforms, with even temporary outages potentially impacting millions of users worldwide. The rapid resolution of Sunday’s technical issues demonstrates the platform’s capacity to address system failures promptly, though the incident underscores the persistent challenges in maintaining uninterrupted digital services at scale.

  • India’s snakebite crisis is killing tens of thousands every year

    India’s snakebite crisis is killing tens of thousands every year

    India faces a devastating public health emergency as snakebite envenoming claims approximately 50,000 lives annually, representing nearly half of global fatalities from such incidents. Recent research indicates the actual toll might be significantly higher, with estimates suggesting up to 1.2 million deaths occurred between 2000 and 2019.

    The Global Snakebite Taskforce (GST) has uncovered critical healthcare system deficiencies through a comprehensive survey of 904 medical professionals across India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Nigeria. The findings reveal that 99% of Indian healthcare workers encounter substantial obstacles when administering life-saving antivenom treatments. These challenges include inadequate medical infrastructure, limited antivenom accessibility, and insufficient professional training.

    Devendra, an Indian farmer, exemplifies the human cost of this crisis. After a snakebite during mulberry harvesting, delayed medical intervention necessitated leg amputation. His experience reflects a broader pattern where treatment delays frequently result in severe complications including amputations, surgical interventions, and permanent mobility impairments.

    The World Health Organization designated snakebite envenoming as a ‘highest priority neglected tropical disease’ in 2017, noting approximately 5.4 million global snakebites annually with over 100,000 fatalities. The burden disproportionately affects impoverished rural communities in low and middle-income nations.

    India’s central and eastern regions report the highest snakebite incidence, particularly among agricultural workers and tribal populations. In response, the government launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in 2024, aiming to reduce fatalities by 50% before 2030 through enhanced surveillance, improved antivenom availability, and public awareness campaigns.

    However, implementation remains inconsistent. Dr. Yogesh Jain of GST notes that snakebites are often perceived as ‘a poor person’s problem,’ resulting in insufficient political attention despite being largely preventable. Rapid treatment is crucial since venom enters the bloodstream within minutes, potentially causing respiratory failure, paralysis, tissue damage, or organ failure.

    Rural healthcare access complications include inadequate transportation infrastructure, distant medical facilities, and limited ambulance services. A tragic case involved a pregnant Gujarat woman who died during transport after family members carried her 5 kilometers in a cloth sling.

    Antivenom administration presents additional challenges. Many healthcare workers lack proper training and fear potential adverse reactions. Current antivenom only neutralizes venom from the ‘big four’ species (spectacled cobra, common krait, Russell’s viper, and saw-scaled viper), leaving numerous other venomous snakes without targeted treatments.

    Recent research by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Jodhpur demonstrated that two-thirds of patients receiving standard antivenom for unidentified snake bites responded poorly, highlighting the urgent need for region-specific antivenom development.

    Organizations like The Liana Trust are researching venoms beyond the ‘big four,’ but progress remains slow due to the labor-intensive and time-consuming nature of antivenom development. Experts advocate for making snakebites notifiable diseases to improve reporting and resource allocation, emphasizing that political commitment is essential to resolve this public health crisis.

  • Top US, Israeli generals meet at Pentagon amid soaring Iran tensions

    Top US, Israeli generals meet at Pentagon amid soaring Iran tensions

    In a significant development amid heightened regional tensions, the highest-ranking military officials from the United States and Israel conducted confidential talks at the Pentagon on Friday. The meeting between US General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Israeli Armed Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir occurred as Washington substantially enhanced its military footprint across the Middle Eastern theater.

    The previously undisclosed strategic dialogue unfolded against the backdrop of increasingly confrontational rhetoric from the Trump administration toward Iran. President Donald Trump’s repeated threats against Tehran have prompted substantial US military deployments, including the reinforcement of naval assets and the bolstering of regional air defense capabilities throughout the Middle East.

    Meanwhile, Iranian leadership issued a stark warning on Sunday, cautioning that any American offensive action could trigger a broader regional conflict. This diplomatic tension occurs alongside reports of a US military destroyer docking at Israel’s Eilat port, further illustrating the deepening military coordination between Washington and its key Middle Eastern ally.

    The Pentagon meeting represents the latest in a series of coordinated measures between the two nations as the United States attempts to pressure Iran back to negotiation tables through a demonstrated military readiness. Both defense establishments maintain that these preparations serve as precautionary measures while diplomatic channels remain theoretically open.

  • Abu Dhabi Open is a special tournament for me, says Bencic

    Abu Dhabi Open is a special tournament for me, says Bencic

    Swiss tennis star Belinda Bencic has identified the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open as a particularly significant event in her professional career as she prepares to compete for an unprecedented third championship title. The World No. 10 returned to Zayed Sports City’s Stadium Court on Sunday, engaging in pre-tournament photography alongside the trophy she has claimed twice before.

    Bencic’s remarkable relationship with this tournament includes championship victories in both 2023 and 2025, with her most recent triumph representing a career milestone. Her 2025 win against American Ashlyn Krueger marked a spectacular comeback following maternity leave, demonstrating the 28-year-old’s exceptional resilience and competitive prowess on the WTA Tour.

    The Olympic gold medalist (Tokyo 2020) maintains an undefeated record at the Abu Dhabi event, where her combination of precision shot-making, strategic intelligence, and emotional connection with spectators has created memorable moments. Her 2025 victory became particularly poignant when she celebrated on court with her daughter, Bella, before a capacity crowd at Zayed Sports City.

    Bencic, who has received a bye into the Round of 32 and will commence her campaign on Monday, expressed her affection for the tournament: ‘The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is a special tournament for me – I’ve had some of my best memories here. The atmosphere is always incredible, and it means so much to return to a place where I’ve felt so much support from the fans.’

    The tournament, organized by MARI in partnership with Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has rapidly evolved into one of the WTA Tour’s most engaging early-season competitions. Running from January 31 to February 7, the event combines elite women’s tennis with extensive community engagement initiatives and family-oriented activities, offering a comprehensive sports entertainment experience.

  • Kennedy Center to close for two years for renovations, Trump says

    Kennedy Center to close for two years for renovations, Trump says

    Washington D.C.’s renowned performing arts venue, now officially designated as the Donald J Trump and John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, will commence a comprehensive two-year renovation starting July 4th, 2026. President Trump announced the closure via his Truth Social platform, framing the temporary shutdown as coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

    The naming modification, ratified by the center’s board in December following substantial personnel changes that installed Trump allies, has generated significant backlash. Multiple performing artists, including celebrated composer Stephen Schwartz (creator of ‘Wicked’) and the dance ensemble Doug Varone and the Dancers, have withdrawn from scheduled engagements in protest of the Trump affiliation.

    Legal challenges have emerged regarding the renaming process. Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty initiated litigation in December contending that Congressional approval is mandated for any name alteration, as the center’s original designation was established through 1964 legislation. The Kennedy family has likewise expressed disapproval, with former Congressman Joe Kennedy III emphasizing the venue’s status as a federally-designated memorial to his assassinated granduncle.

    Despite controversies, the institution recently hosted the premiere screening of a documentary chronicling First Lady Melania Trump. President Trump has secured over $250 million in Congressional funding for the renovation project, which he envisions will transform the facility into ‘the finest performing arts facility of its kind, anywhere in the world.’ The administration promises a grand reopening following the extensive refurbishment period.