Global Pulse

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  • Thailand showcases halal food leadership at Gulfood 2026

    Thailand showcases halal food leadership at Gulfood 2026

    DUBAI – Thailand has strategically positioned itself as the dominant force in the global halal food market with its expansive national pavilion at Gulfood 2026. The event, a cornerstone of international food and beverage trade, serves as the platform for the ‘Kitchen of the World’ to deepen its commercial relationships and showcase its extensive range of certified export-ready products to a global audience.

    A high-level Thai delegation, led by Thanita Khomphatraporn, Advisor to the Minister of Commerce, officially inaugurated the pavilion at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC). The ceremony underscored a concerted government effort to bolster economic diplomacy and trade expansion. Key figures including Surinthorn Sunthornsanan, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Trade Promotion, and Pitichai Ratananaka, Director of the Thai Trade Center Dubai, were present to guide national export initiatives and facilitate market entry for Thai businesses.

    The Thai presence is both substantial and meticulously organized. A cohort of 194 exhibitors is displaying a diverse portfolio of premium halal-certified goods. The offering spans from the world-renowned Thai jasmine rice and shelf-stable tropical juices to fresh produce like mangoes and dragon fruit, alongside a variety of ready-to-eat meals and curries. This strategic showcase is designed to convert visibility into tangible business opportunities, enabling direct engagement with international buyers and key decision-makers.

    To optimize the experience for trade professionals, the exhibition is logically segmented across two major venues. At the DEC, three dedicated halls feature World Food (ready-to-eat items, snacks, sauces), Rice, Pulses, and Grains, and Gulfood Fresh for fresh fruits and vegetables. Concurrently, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the Beverages Hall and the Meat and Poultry Hall highlight Thai drinks and halal-certified meats, respectively.

    Beyond mere display, the pavilion functions as an integrated trade platform. It emphasizes Thailand’s unwavering commitment to international standards, with all participating exporters compliant with ISO, HACCP, and Halal certifications. This adherence guarantees food safety, reduces audit timelines for buyers, and accelerates product shelf approvals. On-site support from staff and interpreters ensures seamless navigation and negotiation, with structured post-event follow-ups to cement the trade partnerships forged during the exhibition.

    Trade officials and importers are invited to explore the Thailand Pavilion at both the DEC and DWTC throughout Gulfood 2026 to engage with exporters and discover the breadth of Thailand’s halal culinary expertise.

  • Cold streets, hot fury: Minnesota mourns, rages after federal killings

    Cold streets, hot fury: Minnesota mourns, rages after federal killings

    MINNEAPOLIS – A profound sense of grief and outrage has engulfed Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by federal border agents last Saturday. This incident marks the second killing of a U.S. citizen within weeks under President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement operations, following the death of Renee Good on January 7th.

    The site where Pretti lost his life has been transformed into a solemn memorial, with mourners braving temperatures reaching -22°C (-8°F) to pay their respects. The makeshift shrine, located just blocks from where Good was killed, has become both a place of mourning and a symbol of community resistance against perceived governmental overreach.

    Eyewitness accounts and community tributes portray Pretti as having died while attempting to assist a woman who had been pushed to the ground. Federal agents reportedly dragged him to his knees before shooting him. This narrative stands in stark contrast to official government statements that have attempted to characterize Pretti as a violent threat.

    Stephen McLaughlin, a 68-year-old retired Minnesotan, expressed the sentiment shared by many mourners: ‘Corruption is now the rule – you cannot trust the government. It’s frighteningly despicable when you can execute someone in cold blood in the street and then defame them and lie about what happened.’

    The memorial has evolved beyond a simple gathering place, becoming a focal point for citizens grappling with fear, loss, and the unsettling feeling that fundamental American values are eroding. Taylor Stoddart, a 25-year-old local business owner, articulated the community’s frustration: ‘They are trying to tell us not to believe our own eyes. Are you kidding me? It’s really sad and it’s really, really scary.’

    For healthcare professionals like Tricia Dolley, a fellow nurse, Pretti’s death carries particular significance. ‘This is not an America that we can live in. That is not what any of us wants, it can’t be,’ she stated.

    The emotional gathering featured handwritten notes, floral arrangements, and personal reflections from strangers united in their condemnation of the shootings. Jessica, a Minneapolis resident who preferred to remain partially anonymous, framed the situation as constitutional crisis: ‘What’s happening is an assault on the constitution and the rights of American citizens. The freedoms that are being abridged currently are the freedoms that we fought for.’

    As police monitored the ongoing vigil, the community’s quiet anger continued to simmer alongside their mourning, creating a potent combination of sorrow and determination that shows no signs of diminishing.

  • ‘We’ve lost enough to have a gold’: Painful Olympics moment plays key role as star siblings delay code switch to sign new deal

    ‘We’ve lost enough to have a gold’: Painful Olympics moment plays key role as star siblings delay code switch to sign new deal

    Driven by the heartbreak of their Paris Olympic performance and an unwavering ambition for gold, Australian rugby sevens stars Maddison and Teagan Levi have committed their futures to Rugby Australia, declining a high-profile cross-code move to the NRLW. The sisters have inked new contracts that will keep them in the national sevens program through the end of 2028, setting the stage for their campaign at the Los Angeles Olympics.

    Despite significant interest from the Gold Coast Titans NRLW team, who were poised to sign the duo for the 2026 season, the logistical challenges of a code switch proved insurmountable. The upcoming World Series concludes in June, which would have allowed merely a four-week preparation period for an entirely new sport—a timeline the athletes deemed insufficient for achieving the competitive standard they demand of themselves.

    Financial incentives from the league offer were acknowledged but ultimately dismissed as a primary factor. Maddison Levi, already a legendary figure sitting third on the all-time SVNS World Series try-scoring list with 221 tries, emphasized that their decision was rooted in passion. ‘Money is nice, but it’s not the be all and end all. We both play for the love of the game,’ she stated, highlighting the unparalleled value of a full-time training regimen and global travel with the national team.

    The profound disappointment from the Paris Games, where Australia fell to Canada in the semi-finals and then suffered a devastating loss to the USA in the bronze medal match, serves as a powerful motivator. The team uses this experience as fuel, with Maddison noting that the loss has left the squad ‘rattled’ but increasingly hungry. A giant poster of Charlotte Caslick from Australia’s gold-medal triumph at the 2016 Rio Olympics now serves as a daily reminder of their ultimate objective in Los Angeles.

    While the door remains open for a future transition to rugby league—a sport in their bloodline, as their father Jason played for Manly in the 1990s—the immediate focus is on building a legacy in sevens. The sisters, also drafted by the Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW, are among Australia’s most gifted multi-sport athletes. They confirmed that future offers will be considered individually, as they are not a ‘package deal,’ but for now, their mission is clear: Olympic redemption and dethroning the dominant New Zealand team on the world series circuit.

  • UGC Season 3: Inside the rules, teams, and format of UAE’s premier corporate golf league

    UGC Season 3: Inside the rules, teams, and format of UAE’s premier corporate golf league

    The Ultimate Golf Challenge (UGC), the UAE’s pioneering corporate golf league, prepares to launch its third season on February 5, 2026, featuring 160 elite amateur golfers competing across four prestigious Emirates courses. This innovative tournament combines strategic gameplay with competitive excellence across multiple formats.

    Season Overview and Competitive Legacy
    Ten corporate franchises, each comprising 16 players, will engage in a four-event series that blends Stableford and matchplay scoring systems. The tournament’s unique structure emphasizes both individual performance and team collaboration, creating a dynamic competitive environment. Previous champions include Tristar Gladiators (Season 1) and Noble Legacy Masters (Season 2), establishing UGC as a premier amateur golf competition.

    Tournament Structure and Venues
    • February 5 @ Saadiyat Beach Golf Club: Teams field two five-player squads with four best Stableford scores counting toward team totals
    • February 26 @ Earth Course: Elite Matchplay format featuring five simultaneous matches per team (5 points for win, 2 for half)
    • April 2 @ Dubai Creek: Best-ball Stableford format with five paired teams per franchise
    • May 7 @ Faldo Course: Championship finale with individual Stableford scoring (eight best scores count)

    Strategic Competition Framework
    The tournament employs a comprehensive scoring system where overall champions are determined by cumulative Stableford points from three rounds plus matchplay points from Day 2. A unique regulation ensures no team members compete in the same group, promoting diverse matchups and fair competition conditions.

    Significance and Anticipation
    Season 3 represents more than trophy contention—it embodies strategic excellence within corporate sports. The combination of world-class venues, sophisticated scoring systems, and elite amateur participation elevates the tournament beyond conventional corporate events. The UAE’s golf community anticipates heightened competition as teams prepare complex strategies for this multi-format challenge that rewards consistency, clutch performances, and collaborative excellence.

  • SBI: A Trusted Global Banking Partner

    SBI: A Trusted Global Banking Partner

    State Bank of India (SBI) has solidified its position as a premier global banking institution, ranking among the world’s top five most trustworthy banks. With its extensive international network and technology-driven platforms, SBI serves as a crucial financial bridge connecting the Indian diaspora worldwide to their home country.

    The bank’s specialized NRI banking division demonstrates remarkable scale, serving over three million non-resident Indian customers with an immense deposit base. Through 434 specialized NRI branches across India and strategic partnerships with 45 exchange companies and five banks across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, SBI has established a comprehensive remittance infrastructure.

    SBI’s digital transformation initiative has yielded sophisticated banking solutions including the YONO (You Only Need One) platform and Retail Internet Banking (RINB), providing 24/7 accessibility. Recent innovations include digital account opening through TAB devices, automated e-welcome letters, email-based OTP authentication, and integrated NEFT/RTGS transaction capabilities.

    The bank offers an extensive portfolio of tailored financial products for NRIs, encompassing Non-Resident External (NRE) accounts, NRO accounts, FCNR(B) deposits, RFC accounts, and specialized offerings like the NRE ‘Sukoon’ Current Accounts and SBI Capgains Plus Accounts. Additionally, NRIs can access various loan products including home loans, vehicle financing, and loans against existing deposits.

    Supporting this global operation are two dedicated Global NRI Centers located in Ernakulam (Kerala) and Patiala (Punjab), which function as comprehensive service hubs for overseas customers. These facilities reinforce SBI’s commitment to providing one-stop banking solutions for the Indian diaspora.

    In conjunction with Republic Day celebrations, SBI reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of safety, trust, and convenience through its continually evolving digital banking ecosystem, positioning itself as the definitive financial window to India for overseas citizens.

  • Spanish soccer federation president says Spain will host the final of the 2030 World Cup

    Spanish soccer federation president says Spain will host the final of the 2030 World Cup

    In a significant development for international football, Spain has been officially confirmed as the host nation for the 2030 World Cup final. The announcement was made by Rafael Louzán, President of the Spanish Football Federation, during a media briefing on Monday, though FIFA has yet to make an official statement regarding venue allocations for the tri-continental tournament.

    Louzán definitively stated that Spain would lead the World Cup organization and host the championship match, without specifying the exact location within the country. This confirmation follows considerable speculation about potential venues, with Spanish media long favoring Real Madrid’s renovated Santiago Bernabeu Stadium as the frontrunner. Barcelona’s upgraded Camp Nou stadium also remains a potential contender for hosting the final match.

    The decision represents a setback for Morocco, which had aggressively campaigned to host the final at the future Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca. Slated for completion in 2028 with a planned capacity of 115,000 spectators, the venue would have been the world’s largest football arena. However, recent organizational challenges during the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which faced criticism for logistical issues, potentially diminished Morocco’s bid to host the World Cup final.

    The 2030 World Cup will feature an unprecedented hosting arrangement across three continents, with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco serving as primary co-hosts. In a symbolic nod to football history, South American nations Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will each host one match to commemorate the tournament’s centennial celebration, marking a return to Uruguay where the inaugural World Cup was held in 1930.

  • Building Financial Bridges Between India and the UAE

    Building Financial Bridges Between India and the UAE

    Al Ansari Exchange, the UAE’s leading outward personal remittance and foreign exchange provider, has extended heartfelt congratulations to India on its 77th Republic Day celebration. The occasion serves as both a national commemoration and a recognition of the profound contributions made by the Indian community to the UAE’s economic and social development.

    The Indian diaspora has played an instrumental role in shaping the UAE’s growth trajectory through their dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and professional expertise. Their continued involvement has significantly strengthened bilateral relations while enriching the cultural and economic fabric of the Emirates.

    As one of the primary channels for cross-border financial transactions, Al Ansari Exchange acknowledges its privileged position in facilitating remittance flows between the GCC region and India. Indians residing across the UAE and broader GCC remain among the largest contributors to India’s remittance economy, relying on the company’s secure and efficient money transfer services.

    The exchange reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the financial aspirations of millions of Indians who depend on their services to maintain connections with families back home. This responsibility drives the company’s ongoing focus on innovation, reliability, and maintaining customer trust while serving diverse communities.

    The Republic Day celebration symbolizes unity, resilience, and democratic values while highlighting the limitless possibilities that emerge when nations and communities collaborate. Al Ansari Exchange expressed hopes that the occasion would renew collective spirit and further strengthen the India-UAE partnership.

  • Deadly US winter storm leaves flights delayed and thousands without power

    Deadly US winter storm leaves flights delayed and thousands without power

    A catastrophic winter storm has unleashed chaos across a vast expanse of North America, resulting in a tragic death toll and widespread infrastructural paralysis. Meteorological authorities confirmed the system wreaked havoc from Texas through Maine and into southern Ontario, Canada, over the weekend, with the northeastern United States recording snowfall exceeding 20 inches (50.8 cm) within a 24-hour period.

    The human cost of the severe weather is mounting. Officials report at least a dozen storm-related fatalities across multiple states. In a somber announcement, New York City confirmed eight deaths occurred between Friday and Monday morning as temperatures plunged to extreme lows. Separate incidents claimed lives in other regions: a teenage girl died in a sledding accident in Frisco, Texas; a man was discovered deceased on a North Carolina highway, with authorities probing a potential weather link; and Louisiana’s health department attributed two deaths to hypothermia.

    Critical infrastructure buckled under the storm’s intensity. The National Weather Service (NWS) documented 11.4 inches of snow in New York City’s Central Park, while transportation networks faced monumental disruptions. FlightAware data revealed a staggering 19,000 flight delays and 5,900 cancellations across U.S. airlines on Monday alone, stranding thousands of travelers.

    Energy grids also failed catastrophically. Tennessee experienced a deep freeze that left over 200,000 residents without power by Monday afternoon. Joy Flores, vice president of Nashville Rescue Mission, described dire conditions: ‘There are many trees down and power lines blocking the roads.’ She added that her own home was without heating, internet, or coffee, emblematic of the hardships faced by many.

    The impacts extended northward, where Canadian officials reported serious disruption across southern Ontario. Toronto Pearson Airport set a new single-day record with 18.1 inches (46 cm) of snowfall on Sunday, according to CBC reports, with Ottawa and Quebec experiencing the heaviest impacts, including transportation halts and widespread school closures.

    With recovery efforts barely underway, forecasters are already warning of another potentially significant winter storm targeting the eastern U.S. this coming Friday. The NWS indicates this system could bring another round of very cold temperatures and widespread heavy precipitation, though its precise path and impact zones remain uncertain.

  • UK: Pro-Palestine protesters charged with calling for ‘intifada’

    UK: Pro-Palestine protesters charged with calling for ‘intifada’

    In an unprecedented legal move, British authorities have formally charged three pro-Palestine demonstrators for allegedly chanting the word “intifada” during a December protest. The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Monday that Abdallah Alanzi (24), Haya Adam (21), and Azza Zaki (60) face charges of using “threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour intending to stir up racial hatred.”

    The defendants were arrested during a December 17th demonstration outside the Ministry of Justice in Westminster, marking the first enforcement actions since the Metropolitan and Greater Manchester police forces announced their intention to prosecute individuals using the phrase “globalise the intifada” at protests. The controversial policy, announced in December, specifically targeted this chant and related placard displays.

    Police authorities defended their position, stating: “We recognize community concerns regarding placards and chants such as ‘globalise the intifada.’ Those employing such language at future demonstrations or in targeted manners should anticipate intervention from our forces.”

    The Metropolitan Police’s Public Order Crime team conducted a comprehensive investigation that extended beyond the specific intifada chant to examine additional verbal expressions heard during the protest. The three accused individuals will make their initial appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on February 23rd.

    Meanwhile, pro-Palestine activists have vigorously contested the characterization of “globalise the intifada” as antisemitic or violent incitement. Notably, British Jewish participants have been visibly active in pro-Palestine marches throughout the United Kingdom.

    The term ‘intifada,’ derived from the Arabic root ‘nafada’ meaning “to shake off” or “to rise up,” has complex historical connotations. While some Arab uprisings labeled as intifadas have been predominantly peaceful, the Palestinian intifadas against Israeli occupation have incorporated both civil disobedience and armed resistance.

    The charging decision follows October comments by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who characterized calls to “internationalise the intifada” as direct incitement against global Jewish communities. These remarks came after a fatal attack on a Manchester synagogue that claimed two Jewish worshippers’ lives.

  • Former Olympian Ryan Wedding pleads not guilty to drug kingpin charges

    Former Olympian Ryan Wedding pleads not guilty to drug kingpin charges

    Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding entered a plea of not guilty to all 17 felony charges against him during his initial court appearance in Santa Ana on Monday. The charges include serious allegations of drug trafficking, witness tampering, and conspiracy to commit murder.

    Wedding, who had been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, appeared relaxed in the Orange County courtroom, smiling occasionally at his legal counsel and observers while stretching his unshackled arms. His physical presence remained imposing at 1.91 meters tall and 109 kilograms, maintaining the athletic stature that once carried him to the 2002 Winter Games representing Canada.

    The criminal indictment alleges Wedding operated a sophisticated transnational drug network, importing substantial quantities of cocaine into Los Angeles for distribution across the United States and Canada. Federal authorities further accuse him of orchestrating the murder of a potential witness against him and allege his protected existence under the Sinaloa cartel’s protection in Mexico.

    Despite Mexican officials’ claims that Wedding surrendered voluntarily, his defense attorney Anthony Colombo publicly disputed this account outside the courthouse, labeling it ‘a false narrative.’ The case has been temporarily moved from Los Angeles to Santa Ana due to ongoing protests surrounding federal immigration operations.

    FBI Director Kash Patel previously characterized Wedding as a ‘modern-day iteration of Pablo Escobar,’ operating under multiple aliases including ‘El Jefe’ and ‘Giant.’ Law enforcement officials contend that Wedding established his criminal enterprise following his release from federal prison in 2011, where he had been serving time for previous cocaine distribution offenses.

    The international investigation has yielded significant assets, including a motorcycle collection valued at approximately $40 million seized in Mexico. Wedding remains in custody pending his next scheduled court appearance in Los Angeles on February 9th.