Global Pulse

博客

  • Real Madrid, Bayern Munich to play in Dubai Intercontinental U13 Cup

    Real Madrid, Bayern Munich to play in Dubai Intercontinental U13 Cup

    Dubai elevates its status as a premier destination for youth sports development with the commencement of the ninth Dubai Intercontinental Cup for Under-13 Football on Thursday. The tournament, backed by the Dubai Sports Council, showcases an unprecedented gathering of 32 international and domestic teams competing across eight groups from February 12-15.

    European football giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich headline a stellar participant list that includes Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, Ajax, and Brazil’s Flamengo, alongside leading Emirati clubs. The competition format mirrors a ‘mini World Cup,’ providing young athletes with elite competitive exposure.

    At the official press conference held at Emirates Towers, Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, emphasized the event’s strategic importance: ‘This tournament embodies our leadership’s directive to invest in youth development. It serves as a technical laboratory where Emirati talent can benchmark against global football academies, essential for measuring progress and refining development pathways.’

    The tournament has evolved into a recognized brand that extends beyond football, offering participants valuable life experiences through cultural exchange and discipline, as noted by former Spanish international Michel Salgado. Real Madrid’s sporting director Santiago Solari highlighted the critical importance of tactical education at this formative age level.

    Complementing the competition, organizers conducted a specialized workshop focusing on talent recruitment methodologies, selection criteria, and sustainable development frameworks, reinforcing the event’s institutional commitment to structured youth development.

    Group stage analysis reveals compelling matchups: Ajax heads Group A with UAE’s Al Nasr, Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia, and Dribbles SC. Group B features Spain’s Celta Vigo alongside Iris Sports, Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia, and Fursan Hispania (B). Flamengo anchors Group C with Inglesia FC, Mondial FA, and Italy’s Levante Azzurro. Bayern Munich leads Group D with Latvia’s Riga FC, Elite SS, and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai.

    Chelsea commands Group E with Italy’s Lombardero, Netherlands’ VV Baronie, and UAE’s Al Wasl. Real Madrid tops Group F alongside Russia’s Rodina Moscow, Al Wahda, and the specially assembled Dubai TC under-12 selection team. AC Milan dominates Group G with United FC, Romania’s Universitatea Craiova, and Sharjah. Group H showcases Argentina’s Racing Club, Spain’s Fursan Hispania, Ajman, and Ultimate Integral FC.

  • Fertiglobe earnings top $1b in 2025, reflecting 57 per cent y-o-y growth

    Fertiglobe earnings top $1b in 2025, reflecting 57 per cent y-o-y growth

    Fertiglobe, recognized as the world’s premier seaborne exporter of urea and ammonia products, has announced exceptional financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025. The company, which serves as the exclusive ammonia platform for Adnoc and XRG, demonstrated remarkable growth with Q4 revenues surging 73% year-over-year to $808 million.

    The full-year performance proved even more impressive, with annual revenues climbing 41% to $2.8 billion. Adjusted EBITDA reached $1.02 billion, representing a substantial 57% increase compared to 2024 figures. Net profit attributable to shareholders saw extraordinary growth, escalating by 87% to $325 million for the year.

    Reflecting this robust financial performance, Fertiglobe’s Board has recommended second-half 2025 dividends of $135 million (6.1 fils per share), bringing total dividends for the year to $260 million. Combined with $74 million in share buybacks executed to date, the company has returned $334 million to shareholders in 2025 alone. This capital return strategy demonstrates Fertiglobe’s commitment to delivering competitive shareholder yields exceeding 5%.

    Since its initial public offering, Fertiglobe has paid or committed to pay $2.9 billion in capital returns to shareholders. The company’s ongoing share repurchase program, targeting 2.5% of outstanding shares, has already resulted in the buyback of 111 million shares worth $74 million as of February 10, 2026.

    The company’s financial position remains strong with a net debt of $1,006 million as of December 31, 2025, representing a conservative net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.0x. This solid balance sheet provides Fertiglobe with ample flexibility to pursue strategic growth investments while maintaining attractive shareholder distributions.

    CEO Ahmed El-Hoshy attributed this success to disciplined execution of the Grow 2030 strategy, noting that ‘we have already activated more than 40% of our 2030 growth target.’ The strategy has focused on operational efficiency improvements, record production levels at facilities in Algeria and EFC-2, significant cost reductions, and strategic portfolio expansion.

    Under Adnoc’s majority ownership, Fertiglobe has strengthened both its industrial and financial foundations, implementing 99% of cost optimization targets and advancing manufacturing improvement plans that have delivered 46% of planned reliability and energy efficiency gains. Strategic acquisitions, including Wengfu Australia, have expanded Fertiglobe’s global footprint while production scale-up of Diesel Exhaust Fluid and Automotive Grade Urea in Egypt and the UAE has created more resilient, higher-margin revenue streams.

    The company remains well-positioned to capitalize on tight urea and ammonia markets, with current prices exceeding $500/t for Egypt FOB urea and $670/t for NW Europe ammonia. Fertiglobe’s outstanding safety performance in 2025 further underscores the comprehensive transformation underway across all operational aspects as the company progresses toward its zero-incident safety目标.

  • Oman announces Ramadan start date as per astronomical calculations

    Oman announces Ramadan start date as per astronomical calculations

    The Sultanate of Oman has officially determined the commencement date for Ramadan 1447 through advanced astronomical calculations, establishing February 19, 2026, as the first day of the holy month. This announcement comes several days before the traditional global moon sighting event scheduled for February 17.

    The nation’s Main Committee for Moon Sighting provided scientific justification for their decision, explaining that on February 17 (corresponding to Shaban 29, 1447), the moon will set before or simultaneously with sunset across all Omani governorates. This celestial alignment makes visual detection of the crescent moon astronomically impossible throughout the Sultanate.

    Citing established principles that prioritize scientific certainty over contradictory reports, the Committee confirmed Wednesday, February 18 will mark the final day of Shaban, with Ramadan commencing the following day. This methodology aligns with neighboring UAE findings, where Sharjah’s Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology similarly concluded that crescent sighting on February 17 would be impossible even using advanced telescopic equipment across most Islamic regions.

    The coordinated scientific approach between Gulf nations demonstrates a growing trend toward harmonizing religious observance with astronomical precision, ensuring unified regional observance of Islam’s holiest month while maintaining respect for traditional moon sighting practices elsewhere in the Muslim world.

  • Deyaar profit before tax rises 26% in 2025 on positive investor sentiment and ambitious pipeline

    Deyaar profit before tax rises 26% in 2025 on positive investor sentiment and ambitious pipeline

    Dubai’s prominent real estate developer Deyaar Development PJSC has announced exceptional financial results for the full year 2025, demonstrating significant growth across key performance indicators. The company reported a substantial 26% increase in pre-tax profits, reaching Dh637.9 million compared to Dh505.4 million in the previous year. Revenue performance was equally impressive, climbing 30% to Dh1,972.1 million from Dh1,512.8 million in 2024.

    The company’s financial strength is further evidenced by a 17% expansion in total assets, which grew to Dh8,027.6 million as of December 31, 2025, up from Dh6,832.9 million a year earlier. This asset growth reflects Deyaar’s strategic investments and ongoing enhancements to its property portfolio quality.

    Deyaar maintains a robust development pipeline valued at approximately Dh7 billion, positioning the company for sustained future revenue generation and the continued delivery of high-quality real estate projects. In recognition of this strong financial performance, the Board of Directors has proposed a 5% dividend distribution, subject to approval at the upcoming General Assembly.

    Board Chairman Abdulla Ali Obaid Al Hamli attributed the company’s success to favorable market fundamentals within the UAE’s real estate sector, supported by long-term national strategies that have cultivated one of the world’s most resilient property markets. He highlighted sustained demand, rising population growth, and exceptional market liquidity across both off-plan and ready property segments as key drivers of the sector’s strength.

    CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Qatami emphasized Deyaar’s strategic alignment with Dubai’s D33 economic agenda and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, initiatives that are driving population growth, infrastructure expansion, and sustained housing demand. He noted that Dubai’s record-breaking Dh917 billion in real estate transactions during 2025 demonstrates the emirate’s unwavering commitment to excellence in property development.

    The company is advancing several landmark projects, including Downtown Residences, launched in June 2025 as one of the UAE’s tallest vertical residential communities, representing Deyaar’s strategic entry into the high-rise ultra-luxury segment. Additionally, the final phase of the Park Five community at Dubai Production City was launched in September 2025, with completion targeted for December 2027.

  • China’s grip slips as Trump squeezes Latin America

    China’s grip slips as Trump squeezes Latin America

    In a landmark decision with significant geopolitical implications, Panama’s Supreme Court has nullified the operating contract of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison subsidiary Panama Ports Company, effectively ending its 27-year management of two strategic ports along the Panama Canal. The late January ruling declared the original 1997 authorization laws unconstitutional, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing power competition between the United States and China in Latin America.

    The court’s decision arrives precisely one year after former US President Donald Trump threatened direct intervention to limit Chinese influence over the critical waterway. Beijing responded with unusually strong language, denouncing the judgment as “absurd, shameful and pathetic” while warning Panama would face “heavy political and economic price” for the eviction.

    This development represents the latest indicator that China’s regional ambitions are facing headwinds in what has traditionally been considered America’s backyard. Since the 1823 Monroe Doctrine declared the Western Hemisphere closed to European colonization, the US maintained predominant influence until the post-Cold War era created opportunities for emerging superpowers.

    China has since become South America’s top trading partner and a major source of foreign direct investment, often providing loans with fewer conditions than international financial institutions but requiring commodity-backed repayment guarantees. However, Chinese investments have frequently been criticized for lower environmental and labor standards, with a 2023 UN analysis identifying patterns of serious rights abuses across 14 major projects.

    The port ruling follows Panama’s February 2025 withdrawal from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a decision made after meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino publicly questioned what the initiative had actually brought to his country.

    Simultaneously, China appears to be deprioritizing Latin American investments due to mediocre growth and repayment delays, reducing sovereign lending since 2020. The US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro further demonstrates Washington’s willingness to reshape the regional political environment, potentially jeopardizing China’s ability to collect on approximately $10 billion in Venezuelan debt that could be challenged as “odious debt” by the new government.

    Panama Ports Company has announced international arbitration proceedings that may continue for years, leaving the future ownership of the critical infrastructure uncertain. This convergence of events suggests the zenith of Chinese economic domination in Latin America may have passed, signaling a new chapter in hemispheric power dynamics.

  • Watch: How the Tumbler Ridge school shooting unfolded

    Watch: How the Tumbler Ridge school shooting unfolded

    A devastating school shooting unfolded at Tumbler Ridge Educational Institution, resulting in one of Canada’s most tragic campus security incidents in recent years. The violent episode claimed nine lives and left at least 25 individuals with injuries, some in critical condition.

    Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of chaos and terror as students and faculty implemented emergency protocols. One student survivor recounted barricading themselves within a classroom for approximately two hours during the active shooter situation, fearing for their life while law enforcement worked to secure the premises.

    The incident has triggered comprehensive responses from multiple agencies including local law enforcement, emergency medical services, and crisis intervention teams. Investigators are currently working to establish the shooter’s motives and the sequence of events that led to this tragedy.

    Community leaders have initiated grief counseling services while educational authorities nationwide are reviewing security protocols. The shooting has reignited critical discussions about school safety measures and mental health support systems within educational environments across the country.

  • Italy approves new migration bill including powers to impose ‘naval blockades’ on migrant ships

    Italy approves new migration bill including powers to impose ‘naval blockades’ on migrant ships

    The Italian government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has enacted sweeping immigration reforms authorizing naval blockades against migrant vessels attempting to reach Italian territorial waters. The comprehensive legislation, approved during Wednesday’s cabinet session, introduces stringent border control measures and enhanced collaboration with European agencies.

    The new provisions empower Italian authorities to implement maritime interdiction operations for periods up to 30 days when migrant ships present substantial threats to national security or public order, particularly regarding potential terrorist infiltration. This blockade authority may be extended to six months under extreme circumstances. The measures also apply during mass migration events that could compromise border security management.

    Violators face severe penalties including fines reaching €50,000 ($59,400) and vessel confiscation for repeat offenses—a provision particularly targeting humanitarian rescue operations. Intercepted migrants may be transported to third nations with which Italy maintains specific agreements, reviving the controversial offshore processing model previously established in Albania.

    This legislative development follows Tuesday’s European Parliament endorsement of new migration and asylum protocols, which Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani hailed as validation of Rome’s immigration stance. The Albanian processing centers, a cornerstone of Meloni’s migration strategy, have remained largely inactive due to legal challenges while generating ongoing debates regarding their legality and humanitarian implications.

  • Casey Wasserman to stay as chair of LA 2028 Olympics after Epstein files fallout

    Casey Wasserman to stay as chair of LA 2028 Olympics after Epstein files fallout

    The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games organizing committee has confirmed Casey Wasserman will remain as chairman following an extensive review of his connections to Jeffrey Epstein’s associates revealed in recently unsealed court documents.

    The LA28 executive committee issued a formal statement asserting Wasserman ‘should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful Games’ after external counsel examined his limited interactions with Epstein’s network. The investigation concluded his involvement didn’t extend beyond previously documented instances.

    Court records show Wasserman traveled on Epstein’s private aircraft in 2003 during a humanitarian mission to Africa organized by the Clinton Foundation, marking his sole encounter with the convicted sex offender. He additionally exchanged emails with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking minors.

    Wasserman expressed profound regret over his decades-old correspondence with Maxwell, emphasizing he ‘never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein’ and was unaware of their criminal activities at the time.

    Despite clearing him of misconduct allegations, the controversy has triggered significant professional consequences. High-profile clients including singer Chappell Roan and soccer legend Abby Wambach have severed ties with Wasserman’s talent agency, citing ethical concerns and organizational accountability.

    The decision has drawn criticism from Los Angeles city officials, with Councilmember Monica Rodriguez stating residents ‘deserve leadership that understands the gravity of these revelations.’ The LA28 board, comprising prominent entertainment, political, and business figures including Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, maintains confidence in Wasserman’s leadership capabilities.

  • Exclusive: Bhumi Pednekar on ‘Daldal’, imposter syndrome and why she’s done being hard on herself

    Exclusive: Bhumi Pednekar on ‘Daldal’, imposter syndrome and why she’s done being hard on herself

    In a candid revelation, acclaimed Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar has opened up about her transformative journey in the industry, her most challenging role to date in the crime thriller ‘Daldal’, and her personal battle with imposter syndrome. The interview, conducted on February 11, 2026, provides unprecedented insight into the actress’s creative process and personal evolution.

    Pednekar identified her role as DCP Rita Ferreira in ‘Daldal’ as her most demanding performance yet, describing the character as ‘complex and broken’ with minimal dialogue. ‘This character was a product of a failed system,’ Pednekar explained. ‘She doesn’t know how to receive love and praise. There was so much going on internally with so little externally for me to express.’

    The actress detailed her meticulous preparation for the de-glamorized police role, consciously avoiding conventional portrayals of law enforcement officers. ‘She’s a petite, broken girl with red eyes and eye bags – unlike any cop representation we’ve seen,’ Pednekar noted, crediting directors Suresh Triveni and Amrit Raj Gupta for creating a nurturing environment that allowed for nuanced performances.

    When asked about the series’ critical success, Pednekar attributed it to the production team’s unwavering commitment to authenticity. ‘We made the show with incredible honesty and attention to detail,’ she revealed. ‘If natural light was needed, we waited three hours to shoot. The audience recognized this dedication to craft.’

    The conversation turned personal as Pednekar discussed her ongoing struggle with imposter syndrome, drawing parallels to her character in ‘Daldal’. ‘All of us feel that when good things happen, it’s too good to be true,’ she confessed. ‘It’s a healing journey, and I’m learning to celebrate myself in an industry that often tells women not to.’

    After a decade in Bollywood, Pednekar outlined her evolved perspective on success: ‘I’ve been excessively hard on myself, measuring achievement solely by film performance. Now I’m detaching from that mindset. True ambition isn’t just about success—it’s about creating impact through cinema, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship.’

    The actress also discussed her entrepreneurial venture Back Bay Life, explaining her voluntary break from acting to focus on building ‘a legacy brand with better, safer standards in the beverage industry.’

    Addressing the challenges of digital life, Pednekar spoke frankly about online toxicity: ‘Social media overwhelms everyone. I’ve spent nights crying over cruel comments and seen my family affected. People don’t realize the mental health repercussions of their digital actions.’

    Looking ahead, Pednekar expressed excitement about her upcoming romantic comedy with Imran Khan, describing it as ‘an evolved, mature examination of relationships’ drawn from Khan’s personal experiences. The project marks Khan’s highly anticipated return to cinema after a significant hiatus.

  • ASUS launches Zenbook DUO UX8407AA in the UAE with Intel Core Ultra X9

    ASUS launches Zenbook DUO UX8407AA in the UAE with Intel Core Ultra X9

    ASUS has unveiled its groundbreaking Zenbook DUO UX8407AA in the United Arab Emirates market, marking a significant advancement in dual-screen computing technology. The device represents a sophisticated fusion of cutting-edge performance and innovative design, specifically engineered for creative professionals and multitasking enthusiasts.

    Powered by Intel’s latest Core Ultra X9 Processor, the laptop delivers exceptional computational capabilities that streamline complex creative workflows and AI-enhanced productivity tasks. This processing power ensures seamless operation across demanding applications, whether users are working in stationary environments or navigating mobile scenarios.

    The centerpiece of this technological marvel is its dual 14-inch 3K ASUS Lumina Pro OLED displays, which boast remarkable 1,000 nits brightness and superior color accuracy. The significantly reduced bezel gap between screens creates an immersive, continuous digital workspace ideal for expanded timelines, comprehensive mood boards, and effortless multitasking.

    With a 144Hz refresh rate and ultra-responsive performance, the visual experience achieves unprecedented smoothness, particularly beneficial for designers and visual content creators. The device’s architecture incorporates a durable yet lightweight Ceraluminum™ chassis, balancing portability with structural integrity.

    The innovative hinge mechanism and integrated kickstand support multiple operational modes, transitioning seamlessly from traditional laptop configuration to extended workstation setup. This adaptability caters to the dynamic working styles of contemporary professionals.

    For the UAE market introduction, ASUS offers an exclusive bundle available through their official eShop, including the Marshmallow Mouse MD100 Lite and Marshmallow Keyboard KW100. These accessories complement the device’s minimalist aesthetic while enhancing its travel-ready functionality. Each purchase includes the ASUS Perfect Warranty, providing additional security for daily users.

    The Zenbook DUO features an impressive 99Wh dual-battery system that ensures extended operational duration, combined with advanced six-speaker audio technology for immersive sound quality. This launch establishes new benchmarks for what professionals can expect from mobile computing solutions in creative industries.