Global Pulse

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  • US: Immigration officers broke into Minnesota home, dragged barely clothed man into snow

    US: Immigration officers broke into Minnesota home, dragged barely clothed man into snow

    A controversial immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota has drawn sharp criticism after federal officers forcibly entered a residential property and detained a naturalized U.S. citizen under extreme circumstances. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel breaking down the door of ChongLy ‘Scott’ Thao’s home with drawn weapons, handcuffing the minimally clad 56-year-old, and escorting him into subzero temperatures.

    Thao, a Hmong immigrant from Laos who obtained U.S. citizenship in 1991, described the experience as profoundly traumatic. ‘I was praying. I was like, God, please help me; I didn’t do anything wrong,’ he recounted to reporters from his residence, where neighbors were subsequently repairing the damaged entrance. Despite freezing conditions of 14°F (-10°C), officers reportedly denied Thao the opportunity to dress appropriately, forcing him to cover himself with his grandson’s blanket during the detention.

    The Department of Homeland Security justified the operation as targeting two convicted sex offenders with deportation orders who were believed to be at the address. Agency spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin stated that Thao was detained because he ‘matched the description of the targets’ and refused standard identification procedures, necessitating temporary custody ‘for the safety of the public and law enforcement.’

    However, relatives clarified that one of the wanted individuals had previously resided at the location but had since moved out, describing him as the former spouse of a family member. Photographs of the incident circulated widely on social media, amplifying concerns about potential overreach in federal immigration enforcement practices under the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown, which has deployed approximately 3,000 officers in the Minneapolis region.

    The family’s official statement condemned the operation as ‘unnecessary, degrading, and deeply traumatizing,’ sentiments echoed by immigrant advocacy groups. This event coincides with ongoing legal challenges to the administration’s enforcement methods, including a recent injunction issued by a U.S. District Judge in Minnesota blocking certain aggressive tactics that could inhibit constitutional rights.

    After fingerprinting and photographic identification in a vehicle, Thao was released without explanation or apology. The emotional impact remains profound, with Thao questioning the fundamental promise of American safety that originally motivated his family’s immigration from Laos in 1974 when he was four years old.

  • Nigerian homicide police investigate death of singer Destiny Boy at 22

    Nigerian homicide police investigate death of singer Destiny Boy at 22

    Nigerian authorities have launched an investigation into the untimely death of 22-year-old music sensation Destiny Boy, born Afeez Adesina, whose passing has sent shockwaves through the nation’s entertainment community. The Ogun State Police Department’s homicide unit has confirmed one arrest made in connection with their ongoing probe, though specific details regarding the detainee remain undisclosed.

    The emerging Afrofuji artist, celebrated for his innovative fusion of traditional Yoruba Fuji rhythms with contemporary Afrobeats, passed away unexpectedly last Sunday. While official causes remain undetermined, family representatives have disclosed his prolonged battle with a severe medical condition that reportedly caused recurrent seizures. His remains were promptly interred following Islamic funeral customs, precluding any pathological examination.

    Destiny Boy first captured national attention through his 2019 viral reinterpretation of pop icon Davido’s chart-topping single ‘If,’ which propelled him from backup dancer for Fuji legend Pasuma at T2 Boys Studios to mainstream recognition. He subsequently developed an original discography while continuing to produce acclaimed covers of popular tracks.

    Social media platforms have become inundated with tributes and speculative content since his death, including disturbing footage purportedly showing his body being transported to a mortuary. This has fueled widespread public debate regarding the circumstances surrounding his demise. Notable among the reactions was fellow artist Ruger’s online expression of frustration over the absence of autopsy procedures, stating Nigerians must simply ‘accept that he’s dead.’

    In emotional testimonies, family members described extensive efforts to manage his condition through both conventional medical treatment and traditional healing practices. His mother, Saida, recounted harrowing episodes where relatives physically restrained him during seizures to prevent self-harm, noting the illness ‘had almost run him mad.’

    The tragedy arrives barely a year after Destiny Boy welcomed his first child with partner Iremide in November 2024, compounding the personal loss for his surviving family. The music industry mourns a promising talent whose innovative sound represented the vibrant evolution of Nigeria’s cultural exports.

  • Trump says Putin has been invited to join Board of Peace

    Trump says Putin has been invited to join Board of Peace

    In a significant diplomatic development, former US President Donald Trump has formally invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in his newly proposed ‘Board of Peace’ initiative. The invitation, confirmed by Trump during a press briefing on Monday evening, marks a notable moment in international relations between the two nations.

    The Board of Peace, initially conceptualized to oversee reconstruction efforts in conflict-devastated Gaza, appears to have evolved into a broader conflict-resolution mechanism. According to charter documents obtained by international media, the initiative requires participating nations to contribute $1 billion for permanent membership privileges.

    While the board’s original mandate focused on Palestinian territory rehabilitation, its charter provisions suggest a more expansive scope addressing global conflicts. This financial requirement establishes the initiative as one of the most exclusive diplomatic platforms ever proposed, potentially creating a tiered system of international engagement based on financial contribution capacity.

    The inclusion of President Putin, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, signals Trump’s unconventional approach to international diplomacy. The initiative’s structure and funding model represent a departure from traditional multilateral peacekeeping frameworks, potentially reshaping how global conflicts are addressed through financialized diplomatic participation.

    This development occurs amidst complex international relations and raises questions about the balance between financial contributions and diplomatic influence in conflict resolution mechanisms. The Board of Peace could potentially create new paradigms for international cooperation, though its effectiveness and acceptance by the global community remain subjects of ongoing diplomatic discourse.

  • Jiangsu schools delay start times to improve student well-being

    Jiangsu schools delay start times to improve student well-being

    Eastern China’s Jiangsu province has launched a groundbreaking educational initiative focused on student health by implementing delayed morning start times across multiple cities. The policy shift affects schools in Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, and Nantong, marking a significant departure from traditional early morning schedules.

    In the provincial capital Nanjing, educational authorities have eliminated mandatory early reading sessions and aligned school schedules with Ministry of Education guidelines recommending that middle school classes commence no earlier than 8:00 AM. This represents a substantial shift from the previous 7:00 AM start times that were common throughout the region.

    The implementation features carefully designed flexibility to accommodate diverse family needs. Schools will maintain optional early arrival provisions with teacher supervision for students from dual-income households or those with parents requiring early work start times. Simultaneously, Suzhou and Wuxi have introduced staggered scheduling systems to manage the transition smoothly.

    Nantong’s educational institutions joined the initiative this week, complementing the morning schedule changes with adjustments to evening study sessions, which will now conclude by 8:30 PM. This comprehensive approach addresses both ends of the school day to ensure students receive adequate rest and recovery time.

    The policy changes have generated substantial public discussion, with many educators and parents welcoming the focus on student well-being. Medical research consistently demonstrates that later school start times align better with adolescent sleep patterns, potentially improving academic performance, mental health, and overall development. Jiangsu’s province-wide implementation represents one of China’s most comprehensive adjustments to educational scheduling practices to date.

  • UAE: More parents support kids for content creation as experts flag risks

    UAE: More parents support kids for content creation as experts flag risks

    A significant cultural shift is emerging in the United Arab Emirates as increasing numbers of parents actively support their children’s participation in content creation, despite mounting concerns from child development experts about potential psychological risks. This phenomenon reflects the rapid normalization of social media as both entertainment and potential career path for the digital generation.

    Across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok platforms, Emirati children are transitioning from occasional family photos to starring in daily vlogs, brand partnerships, and monetized content—often before comprehending the implications of maintaining a public audience. This trend has ignited intense debates surrounding consent, privacy boundaries, and long-term developmental impacts.

    Parental perspectives vary considerably regarding this digital immersion. Monera A., a content creator whose children aged 9 and 11 regularly feature in her videos, emphasizes careful management of filming schedules and voluntary participation. “They derive genuine enjoyment from the creative process,” she noted, “particularly when collaborative content outperforms solo efforts.”

    Other families approach content creation as strategic financial planning. Bassam (pseudonym) revealed that revenue generated from videos featuring his children is being systematically saved for their future, regardless of whether they pursue content creation professionally. “This generation embraces non-traditional careers,” he observed, expressing concern about children being “left behind” in an increasingly digital economy.

    Recognizing the industry’s expansion, UAE authorities have implemented robust legal safeguards through the Federal Decree Law on Child Digital Safety. This legislation mandates that both guardians and digital platforms prioritize minor protection through age-appropriate technology use and comprehensive risk mitigation.

    Child psychologists however voice substantial concerns. Dr. Mizan Mohamed warns that early association of self-worth with public validation metrics—likes, views, and comments—may foster fragile identity formation. “Children risk developing anxiety around performance metrics that even adults struggle with,” he explained. The constant public exposure of childhood experiences may furthermore blur boundaries between personal authenticity and performative behavior, potentially hindering autonomous identity development.

    Experts recommend that parents establish firm participatory boundaries, legally protect children’s earnings, and regularly reassess whether continued online presence serves the child’s best interests rather than audience growth metrics. They emphasize that digital participation should remain adaptable to children’s evolving preferences and psychological needs.

  • Dubai: Gold prices hit new record high on second consecutive day; 21K crosses Dh500

    Dubai: Gold prices hit new record high on second consecutive day; 21K crosses Dh500

    Dubai’s gold market witnessed unprecedented milestones on Tuesday as prices surged to record-breaking heights for the second consecutive trading session. The precious metal’s remarkable rally saw 21K gold surpass Dh500 per gram for the first time in history, joining 24K and 22K variants that had previously breached this psychological barrier.

    Market data revealed 24K gold trading at an all-time high of Dh566 per gram, representing an increase of Dh3.75, while 22K reached Dh524.0 per gram with a gain of Dh3.25. The broader spectrum showed 18K and 14K gold trading at Dh430.75 and Dh336 per gram respectively, completing a comprehensive market upswing.

    According to Ahmad Assiri, Research Strategist at Pepperstone, this historic rally stems from escalating geopolitical tensions and renewed trade threats. Recent statements by the US President regarding potential tariffs of 10-25% on European goods have reignited global trade concerns within a broader geopolitical context that transcends traditional trade balance issues.

    European responses, particularly from France, have included discussions about activating the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument and preparing retaliatory tariffs worth approximately €93 billion on US goods. This escalating tension has positioned precious metals as primary beneficiaries of market uncertainty, with gold specifically maintaining its upward trajectory around the $4,700 per ounce threshold.

    Assiri identified three key drivers supporting gold’s rally: increased hedging demand, declining risk appetite in equity markets, and favorable macroeconomic factors including monetary policy expectations and a weakening US dollar. Globally, spot gold reached $4,714.34 per ounce at 10 AM UAE time, registering a 0.77% increase.

    The analyst projected that $5,000 per ounce represents a logical medium-term target rather than optimistic speculation, noting this price point remains approximately 7% above current levels. He emphasized that precious metals will likely maintain their defensive appeal until clearer negotiation pathways emerge, with gold positioned as the most prominent near-term beneficiary of ongoing political and economic uncertainty.

  • Canada-China reset could revive education and cultural exchanges, experts say

    Canada-China reset could revive education and cultural exchanges, experts say

    The recent diplomatic engagement between Canada and China has generated substantial optimism for revitalizing bilateral relations through enhanced educational and cultural exchanges, according to leading experts. This development follows Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inaugural visit to China and the subsequent agreement signaling a potential reset in the two nations’ relationship.

    Marc Jerry, President and Vice-Chancellor of Renison University College at the University of Waterloo, characterized the diplomatic breakthrough as “a very significant moment in resetting Canada-China relations in a positive way.” He emphasized that the prime minister’s visit demonstrates Canada’s serious commitment to partnership beyond mere trade considerations.

    The tangible benefits of such diplomatic movements are already evident in educational exchanges. Jerry cited a fall 2025 study program that brought Canadian students to China, noting participants returned with transformed perspectives and heightened cultural understanding. One student participant reported: “I came back home with a completely unique perspective on China; my experience was wonderful, and I want to go back and travel there more than ever!”

    Jeff Mahon, former Deputy Director of the China Division at Global Affairs Canada, highlighted the critical role of people-to-people exchanges, stating: “Governments build the bridge, but it is the people and businesses that use it.” This sentiment was echoed in the joint statement released after the Canada-China leaders’ meeting, which identified such exchanges as foundational to the bilateral relationship.

    The two governments have committed to restarting the Canada-China Joint Committee on Culture and strengthening cooperation across education, arts, heritage, creative industries, and sub-national exchanges. The Canadian government’s Friday statement further recognized that longstanding people-to-people ties have been fundamental to Canada-China relations.

    While optimism prevails, experts caution that normalization will require time and trust-building measures. Jiang Wenran, Founding Director of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, noted that “complete normalization might take time, particularly in sensitive high-technology research areas,” adding that extensive research collaboration would need to develop through progressive steps.

    University leaders anticipate that improved bilateral relations will generate additional opportunities for academic mobility, trade missions, and educational exchanges. Jerry expressed particular hope that the positive outcomes from recent trade talks would spill over into educational and cultural domains, reinforcing educational cooperation as a core pillar of the Canada-China relationship.

  • ‘The miracle’: 6-year-old girl is the sole survivor of a family that perished in Spanish train wreck

    ‘The miracle’: 6-year-old girl is the sole survivor of a family that perished in Spanish train wreck

    BARCELONA, Spain — A catastrophic train collision in southern Spain has claimed at least 41 lives while producing a remarkable story of survival amid overwhelming tragedy. The incident, which occurred near Adamuz on Monday, January 19, 2026, resulted in one of Spain’s deadliest rail accidents in recent history.

    Eyewitness accounts describe terrifying moments as carriages derailed and tumbled down a steep embankment, their structural integrity compromised by the violent impact. Amid the twisted wreckage and heartbreaking scenes of casualties, rescue workers discovered a miraculous survivor—a six-year-old girl who emerged virtually unharmed from the devastation.

    According to La Vanguardia newspaper, Civil Guard officers located the child walking barefoot along the tracks after she apparently escaped through a shattered window. Medical personnel confirmed her remarkably good condition, requiring only three stitches for a minor head injury despite the severity of the crash.

    The young survivor’s family experienced unimaginable loss, with both parents, her brother, and a cousin among those killed in the front carriages that absorbed the worst of the impact. The Zamorano Álvarez family, residents of Punta Umbria village located near the ill-fated rail line, were returning home when the tragedy struck.

    Punta Umbria Mayor José Carlos Hernández expressed both profound grief and measured relief regarding the girl’s survival. “There are many people who are very sad for the victims of this terrible accident,” he stated during a press conference Tuesday, “but there were also many who survived, like the miracle of the girl who is safe.”

    The municipality has declared three days of official mourning as investigation continues into the cause of the derailment. Meanwhile, the orphaned child has been placed in the care of her grandparents at a hotel in Córdoba, the nearest major city to the crash site. Mayor Hernández emphasized the family’s commitment, noting “She has a tremendous family who will do what it takes for her to have a happy life.”

  • New WhatsApp for kids? Messaging app working on secondary accounts

    New WhatsApp for kids? Messaging app working on secondary accounts

    In a significant move toward digital child protection, WhatsApp is currently developing a supervised secondary account feature designed specifically for minors. This innovative functionality will enable parents to establish connected accounts for their children while maintaining oversight of critical privacy configurations.

    According to technical insights from WA Beta Info, these secondary profiles will operate with intentionally restricted capabilities and enhanced privacy protections. The accounts will be digitally linked to a parent’s primary account, creating an administrative bridge that allows guardians to review and modify settings that children might typically disregard.

    A fundamental aspect of this new system involves automatic communication restrictions. All secondary accounts will be configured to receive messages and calls exclusively from approved contacts—a privacy option not currently available to standard WhatsApp users. This addresses a crucial safety gap particularly relevant for younger users navigating digital communication platforms.

    Despite this supervisory framework, WhatsApp maintains its commitment to privacy through end-to-end encryption. Parents will not have direct access to their children’s actual message content or call recordings. Instead, they will receive aggregated reports about account activity patterns and usage statistics, creating a balance between oversight and respect for personal communications.

    The development team is currently refining the integration of these parental control tools with WhatsApp’s existing infrastructure. The interface is being optimized to ensure intuitive configuration of secondary accounts, allowing parents to easily establish age-appropriate settings that promote online safety while preserving the WhatsApp experience.

    This initiative represents WhatsApp’s acknowledgment of its role in family digital ecosystems and responds to growing concerns about children’s online privacy. The feature remains in development with no official release date announced, but it signals a new direction for the platform’s approach to multi-user environments within its encrypted messaging framework.

  • Senegal poised to party with parade honouring AFCON champs

    Senegal poised to party with parade honouring AFCON champs

    Dakar transformed into a sea of national pride on Tuesday as Senegal’s national football team paraded through the capital following their dramatic Africa Cup of Nations championship victory. The celebratory procession, marking the team’s second continental title in three years, captivated the nation from working-class districts to upscale neighborhoods along the iconic Corniche oceanside highway.

    The triumphant squad arrived via special flight from Morocco shortly before midnight Monday, receiving an official welcome from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, and government officials. Their victory came in a chaotic final against host nation Morocco that saw Pape Gueye secure the championship with an extra-time winner after a contentious match that included a disputed VAR decision and temporary pitch abandonment by Senegalese players.

    Thousands of ecstatic supporters clad in team jerseys and waving national flags created a carnival atmosphere hours before the parade’s commencement. The air filled with the unmistakable sound of vuvuzelas, whistles, and cheers as generations of Senegalese united in celebration. Security forces maintained a significant presence throughout the event route.

    Local newspapers captured the national mood with headlines proclaiming “Heroic!” and “Unforgettable” while street vendors reported booming business in patriotic merchandise. The victory parade culminated with an official reception at the presidential palace, where the team received state honors.

    Despite controversy surrounding the match’s conclusion—including the Moroccan FA’s formal complaints to CAF and FIFA regarding player and fan conduct—Senegalese supporters expressed overwhelming pride in their team’s accomplishment. The championship solidifies Senegal’s football dominance in Africa, marking their third final appearance in the last four AFCON tournaments.