Global Pulse

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  • PepsiCo to cut some US snack prices after backlash

    PepsiCo to cut some US snack prices after backlash

    PepsiCo has announced significant price reductions across its popular snack portfolio in the United States, marking a strategic reversal following consumer resistance to previous increases and mounting pressure from appetite-suppressing medications. The move affects flagship brands including Doritos, Lays (marketed as Walkers in the UK), and Cheetos, with prices decreasing by approximately 15% beginning this week.

    The decision comes as the food and beverage conglomerate confronts dual challenges: widespread consumer frustration over shrinking product sizes amid persistent inflation, and the growing market penetration of GLP-1 weight-loss injections such as Wegovy and Ozempic. These medications have demonstrated substantial impact on eating habits, with many users reporting significantly reduced food expenditures due to suppressed hunger.

    PepsiCo leadership emphasized their responsiveness to economic pressures facing American households. “We’ve dedicated the past year to attentive consumer listening, and the consistent feedback indicates considerable financial strain,” stated Rachel Ferdinando, PepsiCo’s US Food Division lead. “This price adjustment demonstrates our commitment to alleviating pressure where possible.”

    The timing coincides strategically with the upcoming Super Bowl on February 8th—traditionally the year’s most profitable period for snack manufacturers. The company confirmed that package dimensions, ingredient quality, and flavor profiles will remain unchanged despite the reduced suggested retail prices, though final pricing determinations rest with individual retailers.

    Financially, PepsiCo reported robust quarterly revenue of $29.34 billion for the period ending December 27th, yet its shares had declined approximately 5% throughout 2025 while underperforming against competitor Coca-Cola over a five-year horizon. Early Tuesday trading saw a nearly 4% share price increase following the announcement.

    Looking forward, CEO Ramon Laguarta revealed the company is “heavily investing in portion control strategies,” with over 70% of current US products being single-serve items. This includes increased focus on multipack offerings and the forthcoming introduction of health-conscious alternatives like Doritos Protein later this year.

    The corporation acknowledges ongoing challenges from production cost inflation, including aluminum tariffs, labor market pressures, and climate-related disruptions—factors that previously led French supermarket giant Carrefour to cease stocking PepsiCo products in multiple European markets citing “unacceptable” pricing practices. Despite these headwinds, PepsiCo anticipates 2026 will deliver record productivity savings.

  • UAE’s first robotic-assisted SEEG marks significant step in epilepsy treatment

    UAE’s first robotic-assisted SEEG marks significant step in epilepsy treatment

    Abu Dhabi’s Cleveland Clinic has achieved a medical breakthrough by performing the United Arab Emirates’ inaugural robotic-assisted stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) procedure, revolutionizing the diagnostic approach to complex epilepsy cases. This advanced technique represents a substantial leap forward in neurological care, building upon the hospital’s previous accomplishment of the nation’s first non-robotic SEEG performed just last year.

    The innovative robotic SEEG methodology replaces traditional frame-based systems that required rigid head frames fixed directly to patients’ skulls—an often uncomfortable and time-intensive process. Instead, this minimally invasive approach utilizes robotic precision to implant delicate electrodes into targeted brain regions, enabling physicians to monitor electrical activity and pinpoint the exact origin of epileptic seizures with unprecedented accuracy.

    Medical executives at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi emphasize that this technological advancement transcends mere equipment acquisition. Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber, Chief Executive Officer, stated: ‘We are providing epilepsy patients with access to safer, more precise diagnostics that can fundamentally transform their treatment pathways. Our investment in neurological innovation enables brain understanding at previously impossible levels.’

    The institution has already successfully completed three procedures since implementing the robotic technology, demonstrating both its clinical viability and growing impact. According to Dr. Florian Roser, Chief Medical Officer and Institute Chief of the Neurological Institute, the technique allows for personalized approaches tailored to each patient’s unique brain anatomy, significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy while facilitating better-informed treatment strategies.

    This medical milestone reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position at the forefront of minimally invasive neurological treatments and reflects the UAE’s broader commitment to healthcare innovation that prioritizes patient safety, comfort, and superior clinical outcomes.

  • Pop Mart New Year’s Garden Fair opens in Shanghai

    Pop Mart New Year’s Garden Fair opens in Shanghai

    Shanghai’s iconic Bund Finance Center has undergone a spectacular transformation through an innovative collaboration with Chinese creative toy giant Pop Mart. Since February 1st, the historic waterfront district has become home to an elaborate New Year’s Garden Fair featuring fantastical installations that blend traditional Chinese elements with contemporary pop culture aesthetics.

    The centerpiece of the exhibition is the stunning Palace Lantern Carousel, an elaborate structure that reimagines traditional lantern festival designs through a modern artistic lens. Joining this centerpiece are illuminated displays featuring Pop Mart’s most beloved characters, including the wildly popular Labubu and Twinkle Twinkle figures, all creatively reimagined as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations.

    In a synchronized celebration of light and culture, all six distinct zones of the nearby Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival were simultaneously illuminated for the first time, creating a coordinated visual spectacle across multiple Shanghai landmarks. This coordinated lighting ceremony represents a significant expansion of the traditional lantern festival format, merging commercial innovation with cultural preservation.

    The collaboration marks a significant moment in the evolution of Chinese festival celebrations, demonstrating how traditional customs can be reinterpreted through contemporary commercial creativity. The exhibition runs throughout the Lunar New Year period, offering both residents and visitors an immersive experience that bridges historical Chinese traditions with modern entertainment concepts.

  • Beijing launches pilot for online pediatric consultations to ease hospital crowding

    Beijing launches pilot for online pediatric consultations to ease hospital crowding

    In a groundbreaking healthcare initiative, China’s National Health Commission has authorized a pioneering one-year pilot program in Beijing that fundamentally transforms pediatric care delivery. This innovative scheme, effective from January through December, marks the nation’s first official endorsement of initial medical consultations for specific childhood conditions via digital platforms.

    The program represents a significant departure from existing regulations that previously confined internet-based medical services exclusively to follow-up appointments after an initial physical examination. This strategic shift aims to harness digital technology to address two critical healthcare challenges: reducing overwhelming congestion at metropolitan hospitals and expanding access to premium medical expertise for patients residing beyond Beijing’s metropolitan area.

    Two premier pediatric institutions—Beijing Children’s Hospital and the Capital Institute of Pediatrics, both under the auspices of Capital Medical University—have been designated to implement this revolutionary program. Their digital medical services will concentrate on three specialized areas: child growth and development metrics, pediatric nutritional guidance, and dermatological conditions affecting children.

    The health commission has established rigorous protocols to ensure the program’s integrity and safety. Participating physicians must demonstrate a minimum of three years of independent clinical practice, and all virtual consultations require the presence of a legal guardian alongside the child patient. Crucially, the guidelines mandate immediate termination of online sessions and referral to physical medical facilities if a child’s condition presents complexities unsuitable for remote diagnosis.

    Enhanced oversight mechanisms covering both medical safety protocols and cybersecurity measures form an integral component of the pilot framework, reflecting the government’s commitment to balancing innovation with patient protection in the digital healthcare landscape.

  • Elite Yemeni fighters swap allegiances from UAE to Saudi Arabia

    Elite Yemeni fighters swap allegiances from UAE to Saudi Arabia

    A significant realignment of military loyalties is underway in southern Yemen as the National Resistance Forces (NRF) and other armed groups transition their allegiance from the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia. This strategic shift follows Saudi Arabia’s recent demand for Emirati forces to withdraw from Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC)-controlled territories.

    The transformation became evident when Saudi Arabia backed the PLC’s call for UAE withdrawal after the Southern Transitional Council (STC) unilaterally seized territory under its control. The UAE announced its departure following a Saudi air strike targeting weapons shipments destined for separatists. Saudi forces subsequently moved swiftly to establish presence in key areas including Aden, Lahj, Hadhramaut, and the west coast.

    Veteran fighters like Ammar, a 49-year-old soldier with two decades of service, describe the loyalty shift as a matter of military protocol rather than political ideology. “In the army, we don’t follow politics; we follow our commander,” Ammar explained to Middle East Eye. “We were grateful to the Emirati officers, and we are happy to work with Saudi officers now. Both are working to save Yemen.”

    The transition extends beyond military presence to economic support. Saudi Arabia has assumed responsibility for paying January salaries to NRF fighters who previously received compensation from the UAE. Riyadh has also funded public servant salaries across PLC-controlled areas and taken over financing of humanitarian projects, including hospitals, that the UAE abruptly abandoned upon withdrawal.

    Younger soldiers express more nuanced perspectives, emphasizing that political awareness helps avoid being drawn into “wrong battles.” Gawed Sobaihi, a 34-year-old stationed at a checkpoint in Lahj governorate, noted the Yemeni national flag now flies where the STC’s “independence flag” once hung. “Once friction emerged between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, we decided to stand with Riyadh,” Sobaihi stated, referencing Saudi Arabia’s 2015 intervention against Houthi rebels.

    Saudi Arabia is now working to unify various military groups under Yemen’s Ministry of Defense, addressing significant pay disparities where some fighters receive Saudi riyals while others are paid in devalued Yemeni rials. “Standardizing pay across all forces will be vital for the unity of the military,” Sobaihi emphasized.

    However, seasoned Yemeni journalist Mohammed Ali questions the nature of this shifted loyalty, suggesting that when military allegiance changes based on financial support, it resembles mercenary work rather than genuine patriotism. “The country that provides basic services and pays public servants’ salaries in Yemen will inevitably earn the backing of the population,” Ali observed. “That loyalty once lay with the UAE; now it lies with Saudi Arabia. If another country steps in to cover salaries, that support will shift again.”

    While expressing gratitude for Saudi support, Ali hopes for long-term solutions that enable Yemen to rely on its own resources rather than external assistance, particularly through resumed fuel production and exports.

  • Xi calls for cooperation with Uruguay in multiple areas

    Xi calls for cooperation with Uruguay in multiple areas

    In a significant diplomatic engagement at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi convened on February 3, 2026, to chart a comprehensive roadmap for bilateral cooperation. The meeting marked a pivotal moment in Sino-Uruguayan relations, occurring exactly 38 years after the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

    President Xi articulated a vision for strengthened alignment of development strategies across multiple sectors, emphasizing traditional areas like trade, finance, agriculture, and infrastructure while championing expansion into emerging fields including green technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and clean energy. This diversified approach aims to drive substantial economic transformation and growth for both countries.

    The Chinese leader highlighted the timing significance of President Orsi’s visit—the first by a Latin American leader in 2026—noting that Uruguay’s upcoming leadership roles in international organizations presents unique opportunities for collaboration. China expressed support for Uruguay’s 2026 chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China, as well as its rotating presidencies of CELAC and Mercosur.

    The summit produced concrete outcomes with the signing of over ten cooperation documents covering investment and trade, signaling a tangible deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership. Both leaders committed to enhancing people-to-people exchanges through cultural, educational, sports, and subnational engagement programs to strengthen the natural affinity between their citizens.

    Against the backdrop of what President Xi described as ‘major changes unseen in a century’ within the international landscape, the two nations pledged to strengthen Global South solidarity and jointly promote a multipolar world order characterized by equality and inclusive economic globalization.

  • Indian rupee, stocks rally after trade deal with US

    Indian rupee, stocks rally after trade deal with US

    Financial markets in India surged on Tuesday following a significant diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and New Delhi, with President Donald Trump announcing a substantial reduction in reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods. The unexpected trade agreement, revealed through Trump’s Truth Social platform on Monday, immediately triggered robust investor confidence across Indian markets.

    The Indian rupee demonstrated remarkable strength, appreciating by over one percent to reach 90.40 against the US dollar during early trading sessions. Simultaneously, equity markets experienced substantial gains as investors responded positively to the prospect of improved trade relations between the world’s two largest democracies.

    This development marks a dramatic reversal from August, when bilateral relations deteriorated after Trump escalated import duties on Indian products from 25 percent to 50 percent. The previous tariff hike was implemented amid allegations that India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil was indirectly supporting Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine.

    The newly announced agreement reduces reciprocal tariffs to 18 percent, a move Trump attributed to his “friendship and respect” for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his social media statement, the US president characterized Modi as “a great friend and respected leader,” noting that their discussions encompassed both trade matters and collaborative efforts to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

    Prime Modi expressed enthusiastic approval of the agreement, describing it as a “wonderful announcement” that would benefit India’s 1.4 billion citizens. He emphasized that enhanced cooperation between major economies creates substantial opportunities for mutually advantageous partnerships while delivering tangible benefits to both populations.

    The tariff reduction comes amid India’s strategic diversification of trade relationships, including last month’s comprehensive trade agreement with the European Union and recent efforts to normalize economic ties with China.

  • Wadan Developments marks a key milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony of Cybèle

    Wadan Developments marks a key milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony of Cybèle

    Wadan Developments has officially commenced construction on Cybèle, an innovative residential project at Dubai Land Residence Complex (DLRC), signaling a significant advancement in the company’s expansion strategy. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by executive leadership and project partners, underscored Wadan’s transition from conceptual planning to physical realization of their design-forward development philosophy.

    Cybèle represents a modern approach to urban living, featuring park-front positioning and villa views with emphasis on spatial efficiency, natural illumination, and contemporary architectural aesthetics. The development will offer meticulously designed residences complemented by premium amenities including a comprehensive fitness center, swimming pool, dedicated children’s play zones with supervised childcare facilities, and landscaped communal areas that balance privacy with social engagement.

    Strategically situated within Dubai’s rapidly evolving landscape, Cybèle provides optimal connectivity to commercial districts and lifestyle destinations while maintaining an exclusive residential atmosphere. The project distinguishes itself through integrated artificial intelligence technology, featuring smart home systems accessible via the Wadan App that enable residents to manage lighting, climate control, and security functions, thereby enhancing energy conservation and daily convenience.

    Construction execution is managed internally by Auto Link Contracting (ALC), Wadan’s proprietary construction division, ensuring stringent quality control and adherence to project timelines. This integrated approach facilitates seamless coordination between architectural design and on-site implementation, maintaining the company’s commitment to excellence throughout all development phases.

    The Cybèle project embodies Wadan Developments’ core principles of technological innovation, functional elegance, and sustainable community building, positioning the company as a forward-thinking contributor to Dubai’s evolving urban fabric.

  • Libya’s stateless Tuareg: A forgotten human rights crisis at ‘risk of imminent explosion’

    Libya’s stateless Tuareg: A forgotten human rights crisis at ‘risk of imminent explosion’

    In the vast desert landscapes of southwestern Libya, an entire generation of Tuareg people exists in a paradoxical state of belonging without recognition. Indigenous to North Africa and traditionally nomadic across five nations, these communities face systematic exclusion from citizenship despite deep historical roots in Libyan territory.

    The administrative nightmare begins at birth for thousands like Abdulbaqi Hamdi, a Tuareg in his early twenties born and raised in Libya yet denied basic documentation. “We have always been on the margins of the state, but we have never been outside our homeland,” Hamdi reflects, capturing the essence of this institutional limbo.

    Historical context reveals this predicament stems from decades of political manipulation rather than accident. During Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, many Tuareg families from Mali and Niger settled in southern Libya, fleeing Sahelian droughts and conflicts. They were recruited into military service with promises of naturalization that never materialized—a deliberate strategy of administrative blackmail to maintain control.

    The 2011 uprising that toppled Gaddafi worsened their situation dramatically. Tuareg communities faced immediate suspicion due to some members’ involvement in Gaddafi’s army, resulting in double marginalization: first through exploitation by the state, then through stigmatization after its collapse.

    Libya’s current political fragmentation between rival governments in Tripoli and Benghazi has created governance vacuums in the Fezzan region, where most Tuareg inhabit areas under military commander Khalifa Haftar’s control. Entire neighborhoods in cities like Sabha and Ubari lack basic infrastructure—nonexistent roads, sanitation networks, and healthcare facilities—functioning as forgotten enclaves.

    The legal framework exacerbates this exclusion. Law No. 8 (2014) made the national identification number mandatory for accessing fundamental rights: obtaining passports, voting, owning property, or receiving social assistance. Without this number, Tuareg individuals cannot register marriages, open bank accounts, obtain SIM cards, or even receive death certificates.

    Education and healthcare access remain particularly problematic. While children can attend school, they are denied official diplomas. Medical treatment requires navigating complex administrative hurdles that often prove insurmountable.

    Human rights activist Majdi Bouhanna estimates between 16,000-17,000 families remain affected, their cases languishing in “provisional” civil registries despite completed legal processes. Contrary to popular belief, this issue impacts indigenous Tuareg alongside those with cross-border histories, reflecting broader systemic failures in civil registration.

    The security implications are profound. Marginalized youth, deprived of education and formal employment, increasingly turn to informal economies or armed groups. This creates vulnerability to recruitment by militias and criminal organizations operating in migration and smuggling routes that crisscross the Fezzan region.

    Community responses have emerged despite these challenges. Khadidja Andidi, a humanitarian activist in Ubari, established the volunteer center Noor al-Ilm following deadly inter-tribal conflicts in 2014-2015. Her organization provides healthcare, training, and emergency assistance while operating outside official channels due to her own statelessness.

    UN reports from 2018 highlight how denial of nationality fuels chronic marginalization, exacerbating conflicts and instability. As Bouhanna emphasizes, “The Tuareg are an integral part of Libya. They have protected its borders and defended the country at every stage of its history.”

    With anger mounting and calls for mobilization increasing on social media, experts warn of potential explosion in an already fragile nation. The bureaucratic nightmare surrounding Tuareg and Tebu communities represents not just a human rights crisis, but a critical security vulnerability that demands immediate political resolution.

  • India warns Meta, WhatsApp against sharing user data for ads

    India warns Meta, WhatsApp against sharing user data for ads

    In a landmark ruling with significant implications for digital privacy, India’s Supreme Court has delivered a forceful rebuke to Meta Platforms and its messaging subsidiary WhatsApp regarding their data sharing framework. The court explicitly prohibited the company from utilizing any user data for advertising purposes, demanding a legally binding commitment against such practices.

    The bench characterized Meta’s data sharing approach as fundamentally unacceptable, drawing a striking parallel to ‘a sophisticated method of pilfering private information.’ Judicial authorities emphasized that citizen privacy rights cannot be compromised for corporate commercial interests, particularly those of multinational corporations.

    The court further scrutinized Meta’s consent mechanism, noting that the complexity of opt-in/opt-out language creates barriers for ordinary users. Justices specifically referenced how such technical terminology would challenge the comprehension of vulnerable populations, including street vendors with limited digital literacy.

    Meta has been granted until February 9 to submit a comprehensive response to the court’s concerns. This legal confrontation stems from petitions challenging substantial penalties imposed by Indian regulatory bodies, including the Competition Commission of India’s ₹2.13 billion fine and subsequent rulings from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.

    The decision represents a critical juncture in the ongoing global debate regarding technology governance, user privacy protections, and the ethical responsibilities of digital platforms operating in diverse socioeconomic environments.