Global Pulse

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  • Gaza civil defence says Israeli strikes kill 11 since dawn on Sunday

    Gaza civil defence says Israeli strikes kill 11 since dawn on Sunday

    Fresh violence has erupted in Gaza despite an ongoing U.S.-brokered truce, with Palestinian rescue services reporting at least 11 fatalities from Israeli military operations since Sunday dawn. The latest casualties highlight the fragile nature of the ceasefire agreement that entered its second phase last month.

    According to Gaza’s civil defence agency, which functions as an emergency response unit under Hamas administration, the casualties occurred across multiple locations. In northern Gaza’s Jabalia region, an airstrike targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons, resulting in five deaths and multiple injuries. Simultaneously, southern Khan Yunis witnessed five additional fatalities from separate strikes, while Gaza City recorded one further casualty from Israeli shelling.

    Medical facilities including Al-Shifa and Nasser hospitals confirmed receiving at least seven bodies from the incidents. The Israeli military defended its actions, citing explicit violations of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas operatives. A military official stated that identified armed militants were observed taking cover near debris east of the designated ‘Yellow Line’ in proximity to Israeli Defense Force positions, allegedly emerging from underground infrastructure.

    The ceasefire framework, implemented on October 10, required Israeli troops to withdraw behind the Yellow Line while maintaining control over more than half of the territory. However, both parties have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement’s terms. Gaza’s health ministry, operating under Hamas authority, reports at least 601 Palestinian fatalities since the truce commenced, while Israeli authorities acknowledge four soldier deaths during the same period.

    The ongoing conflict continues amid challenges in independent verification, with media restrictions and limited access preventing comprehensive documentation of casualty figures and combat operations in the region.

  • Dubai-Salalah travel: Oman Air launches 3 weekly flights for Khareef season

    Dubai-Salalah travel: Oman Air launches 3 weekly flights for Khareef season

    Oman Air has unveiled strategic plans to launch a new direct flight service connecting Dubai and Salalah, marking a significant expansion of its regional network. The national carrier of Oman will commence three weekly year-round flights starting July 3, 2026, strategically timed to coincide with the beginning of Salalah’s renowned Khareef (monsoon) season.

    The airline will begin accepting bookings for this new route from February 16, 2026, providing travelers with enhanced connectivity options between the UAE and Oman’s southern Dhofar Governorate. This initiative responds to growing passenger demand and aims to strengthen regional air corridors across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

    Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, emphasized the carrier’s commitment to supporting tourism growth: ‘With increasing demand for flights to and from Salalah, we are strategically expanding our seat capacity to provide flexible travel options that actively contribute to tourism and economic development in the governorate.’

    The Khareef season, which officially runs from June 21 to September 20 annually, transforms Salalah into a major tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors from the UAE and neighboring Gulf countries who seek respite in its lush green mountains and moderate climate.

    This route expansion follows Oman Air’s demonstrated capacity growth strategy. In January 2026, the airline increased available seats to Salalah by 20% compared to the previous year, following a 15% capacity enhancement during the autumn 2025 season to accommodate peak tourist arrivals.

    Concurrently, Oman Air has been developing its international connectivity, recently launching charter flights between Moscow and Salalah to tap into the growing Russian tourism market. This initiative is projected to bring over 7,000 visitors to the region, providing substantial support to local tourism enterprises and businesses.

    The airline has also announced plans to further optimize its flight schedule, including expanded services during Ramadan, to offer passengers greater flexibility and travel options throughout the year.

  • UAE banks well-positioned to cope with outflows amid rising geopolitical risks

    UAE banks well-positioned to cope with outflows amid rising geopolitical risks

    A comprehensive analysis by S&P Global indicates that banking institutions across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region demonstrate varying levels of preparedness for potential financial outflows stemming from geopolitical tensions. According to the latest assessment, banks in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Oman maintain robust net external asset positions that would enable them to withstand significant deposit withdrawals even under severe geopolitical stress scenarios. Saudi Arabian financial institutions similarly exhibit capacity to endure outflows, notwithstanding their rapidly increasing external debt obligations. The report highlights concerning vulnerabilities in Qatar and Bahrain, where banking sectors face potential funding shortfalls in worst-case conflict scenarios. Bahraini institutions could confront an absolute funding deficit of $1.9 billion by year-end 2025, while Qatari banks may experience a reduced but still substantial $4.4 billion shortfall. S&P maintains an average long-term ‘A-‘ rating for GCC banks, with 95% of outlooks rated stable as of December 2025. The analysis suggests that any credit impact from regional escalation would likely mirror the scale and duration of the June 2025 events when Iran retaliated against American strikes by targeting Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base. While the region remains vulnerable to external debt outflows during tensions, the UAE banking sector specifically demonstrates exceptional resilience against potential geopolitical upheavals.

  • For Indian actor and fitness icon Milind Soman, it’s life as usual at 60

    For Indian actor and fitness icon Milind Soman, it’s life as usual at 60

    At 60 years old, Indian actor and fitness phenomenon Milind Soman continues to embody vitality and wellness, demonstrating that age is merely a number when paired with dedication. The former model, renowned for his iconic appearances in campaigns like ‘Made in India,’ has seamlessly transitioned into his current role as a wellness authority, maintaining a physique that rivals those decades younger.

    Soman’s philosophy centers on fitness as a pathway to longevity rather than mere aesthetics. His daily regimen remains remarkably consistent, featuring 25 leg raises, sumo squats lasting one to two minutes, and the challenging boat pose. This disciplined approach extends to his nutrition, where he prioritizes whole, seasonal foods and light meals that fuel his active lifestyle.

    Beyond personal fitness, Soman’s impact resonates through his creation of Pinkathon, India’s largest women’s running event established to promote health awareness and breast cancer education. His athletic accomplishments are equally impressive, including a Limca Book of Records achievement for running 1,500 kilometers in 30 days during a greenathon event. The pinnacle of his athletic career came in 2015 when he completed the grueling Ironman Triathlon in 15 hours and 19 minutes.

    When asked about his favorite pursuit among modeling, acting, and fitness, Soman unequivocally chooses fitness. His advice for those seeking to improve their physical condition in their 50s and 60s emphasizes gradual progression and the transformative power of consistent effort. ‘Everything you do becomes a learning experience,’ he notes, reflecting his belief that fitness represents an ongoing journey rather than a destination.

  • Israel kills 10 Palestinians in Gaza bombing ahead of ‘Board of Peace’ meeting

    Israel kills 10 Palestinians in Gaza bombing ahead of ‘Board of Peace’ meeting

    Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip resulted in significant casualties over the weekend, with at least 10 Palestinians killed in a series of airstrikes. The attacks, occurring from late Saturday into Sunday, targeted multiple locations across the besieged territory according to reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry.

    The strikes concentrated on both northern and southern regions of Gaza, with four fatalities reported in an attack on a tent shelter housing displaced families near Jabalia. Another five casualties occurred in the Khan Younis area, as confirmed by Palestinian news agency Wafa and Al Jazeera, citing medical sources. Emergency response teams faced substantial challenges reaching affected zones due to the intensity of ongoing bombardments.

    Israel Defense Forces issued a statement characterizing the operations as ‘precise strikes’ conducted in accordance with international law. Military officials claimed the actions responded to what they described as a ‘ceasefire violation’ by Hamas fighters, specifically referencing an incident where ‘terrorists emerged from a tunnel east of the yellow line’—a unilaterally imposed military boundary established by Israeli forces within Gaza.

    These developments occur just days before the inaugural meeting of the ‘Board of Peace’ initiative chaired by US President Donald Trump, scheduled for February 19th. The meeting is expected to include Israel’s foreign minister but will notably lack Palestinian representation. President Trump is anticipated to unveil a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza and detail proposals for a United Nations-mandated stabilization force.

    The ongoing violence highlights the fragile nature of the current ceasefire arrangement. Palestinian authorities report that Israeli forces have committed over 1,600 violations since the October ceasefire agreement, resulting in 601 Palestinian fatalities. Cumulative figures since the conflict’s escalation in 2023 indicate more than 72,061 Palestinians killed and 171,715 wounded.

    A particularly contentious aspect of the Israeli military strategy involves the continuous westward expansion of the ‘Yellow Line’ boundary, which now encompasses approximately 58% of Gaza’s territory. This advancing demarcation, marked by yellow concrete blocks placed within civilian districts, has triggered repeated displacement of Palestinian families and drawn condemnation from human rights organizations.

    The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has characterized Israel’s use of the boundary system as ‘illegal seizure and systematic plundering of the resources of occupied territory’ in violation of international law. Concurrently, Wafa reports continued demolition operations by Israeli bulldozers in Gaza City, with artillery shelling targeting the al-Tuffah neighborhood in the city’s eastern sector.

  • Trump says Board of Peace will unveil $5 billion in Gaza reconstruction pledges at inaugural meeting

    Trump says Board of Peace will unveil $5 billion in Gaza reconstruction pledges at inaugural meeting

    WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his newly established Board of Peace has obtained commitments totaling $5 billion for the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza, alongside pledges of thousands of personnel for international stabilization and police forces in the territory. The formal announcement is scheduled for Thursday during the board’s inaugural meeting in Washington.

    In a social media statement, Trump proclaimed the board would become “the most consequential International Body in History,” though he withheld specific details regarding contributing nations. However, Indonesia’s military independently confirmed preparations to deploy up to 8,000 troops by June’s end for potential humanitarian and peacekeeping operations in Gaza—marking the first concrete commitment to the Republican president’s initiative.

    The reconstruction challenge remains monumental, with joint estimates from the United Nations, World Bank and European Union projecting costs approaching $70 billion to rebuild the coastal enclave after extensive damage from over two years of Israeli bombardment.

    The ceasefire agreement central to this effort mandates an armed international stabilization force to maintain security and oversee the disarmament of Hamas—a critical condition for Israel. Despite this requirement, few nations have demonstrated willingness to participate in such a force thus far.

    While the U.S.-brokered ceasefire from October 10 has reduced the most intense fighting between Israel and Hamas, intermittent Israeli airstrikes and skirmishes persist along military-controlled zones.

    The Board of Peace, initially conceived as a mechanism to address the Israel-Hamas conflict, has evolved into a broader instrument for global crisis resolution, reflecting Trump’s ambition to reshape the post-World War II international order. This development coincides with apparent efforts to circumvent traditional multilateral institutions like the United Nations.

    Notably, many European allies and other traditional partners have declined participation, expressing skepticism that the board might function as a potential rival to the UN Security Council. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite recent White House discussions with Trump, is not expected to attend Thursday’s gathering at the recently renamed Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace—a facility currently embroiled in litigation following the administration’s seizure of the think tank and dismissal of most staff last year.

  • ‘Politics aside’: Top Pakistan ex-cricketers call for urgent treatment for Imran Khan’s vision loss

    ‘Politics aside’: Top Pakistan ex-cricketers call for urgent treatment for Imran Khan’s vision loss

    Prominent Pakistani cricket icons have issued urgent appeals for former national captain Imran Khan to receive immediate medical attention amid reports of severe vision deterioration in his right eye. Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, both legendary fast bowlers who played under Khan’s leadership, have publicly called for authorities to prioritize the 73-year-old’s healthcare needs regardless of political considerations.

    According to ESPNcricinfo reports, Khan has been experiencing significant vision loss attributed to an eye infection that developed during his extended solitary confinement. Medical professionals familiar with the case indicate the condition requires specialized treatment to prevent permanent damage.

    Wasim Akram, expressing profound concern on social media platform X, described the situation as ‘heartbreaking’ and emphasized Khan’s pivotal role in his cricketing development. ‘I sincerely hope the authorities take this seriously and ensure he receives the best possible medical care,’ Akram stated, adding wishes for ‘strength, a speedy recovery, and a full return to good health.’

    Waqar Younis echoed these sentiments while acknowledging Khan’s dual legacy as both sporting hero and philanthropist. ‘Putting politics aside, our national hero who gave us our greatest glory on the sporting field, a cancer hospital which helped so many, including my own mother, is suffering a health emergency,’ Younis noted in his public appeal.

    The former prime minister’s family has consistently raised concerns about inadequate medical attention during his incarceration since August 2023. Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, recently claimed his father retains only 15% vision in his right eye, attributing this deterioration to ‘922 days of solitary confinement, medical neglect, and deliberate denial of proper treatment.’

    Government officials have denied allegations of medical negligence, maintaining that Khan receives appropriate care according to standard prison protocols. The situation continues to draw international attention to Pakistan’s treatment of high-profile political detainees and the intersection of healthcare with judicial proceedings.

  • Saudi Arabia suspends Umrah agency over accommodation lapse for pilgrims

    Saudi Arabia suspends Umrah agency over accommodation lapse for pilgrims

    Saudi authorities have imposed regulatory sanctions against an Umrah travel agency following confirmed failures in providing mandatory accommodation services to Egyptian pilgrims. The Makkah Region Governorate confirmed the suspension on February 14, 2026, noting that immediate alternative lodging arrangements were secured for affected pilgrims.

    This enforcement action represents the latest development in Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive quality control campaign within the religious tourism sector. The Kingdom recently suspended approximately 1,800 foreign travel agencies for service quality violations, granting a 10-day remediation window exclusively addressing new visa issuance limitations.

    The Saudi government maintains rigorous oversight of pilgrim activities through integrated monitoring systems tracking all aspects of religious travel—from visa processing and transportation logistics to accommodation standards. This holistic approach ensures operational efficiency, crowd management optimization, and enhanced pilgrim safety throughout their spiritual journey.

    Industry professionals from the UAE have observed increasing regulatory scrutiny targeting agencies that offer visa processing without comprehensive service packages including approved hotel accommodations and transportation. Saudi regulations explicitly require pilgrims to utilize government-approved hotels specifically designated for Umrah travelers, with strict compliance enforcement mechanisms.

    This regulatory environment reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to elevating service quality standards within its multi-billion dollar religious tourism industry, which hosts millions of pilgrims annually undertaking the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

  • Galloping into Chinese New Year

    Galloping into Chinese New Year

    In an innovative fusion of technology and cultural celebration, China’s Hainan province has unveiled an artificial intelligence pony as its new “Chief Experience Officer” to mark the arrival of the Year of the Horse. This digital ambassador represents a cutting-edge approach to tourism promotion during the significant Lunar New Year period.

    The AI equine character embodies the energetic spirit traditionally associated with the horse in Chinese zodiac symbolism, conveying wishes for success and vitality throughout the coming year. The technological initiative serves as an invitation for global visitors to explore Hainan’s diverse opportunities, described in promotional materials as being ‘as vast as the ocean.’

    Accompanying the announcement is an interactive video component that showcases the AI pony’s virtual tour across China’s famous landmarks, creating a personalized connection by highlighting recognizable sites from various hometowns. This digital engagement strategy demonstrates how regional tourism boards are incorporating advanced technology into cultural marketing campaigns.

    The launch coincides with numerous festive activities across China, including spectacular natural displays like blooming ancient trees in Shaanxi and vibrant cherry blossom fields in Fuzhou. Traditional craftsmanship experiences, such as hands-on Terracotta Warrior workshops in Xi’an, and innovative concepts like train-themed pet restaurants in Changchun offering special New Year’s Eve meals, further enrich the seasonal celebrations.

    This technological initiative reflects China’s broader integration of AI solutions into cultural promotion and tourism development, showcasing how digital innovation can enhance traditional celebrations while reaching global audiences.

  • ‘Drishyam 3’ release date locked in April, confirms Mohanlal

    ‘Drishyam 3’ release date locked in April, confirms Mohanlal

    The cinematic universe of Georgekutty prepares for its conclusive chapter as megastar Mohanlal officially announced the worldwide release date for “Drishyam 3” on April 2, 2026. The confirmation came through the actor’s social media channels, generating immediate excitement among the franchise’s global fanbase.

    Director Jeethu Joseph, the creative architect behind the entire thriller trilogy, has indicated this installment will serve as the definitive conclusion to the narrative that began with the groundbreaking 2013 original. The production team completed principal photography in December 2025, sharing behind-the-scenes moments from the emotional final shoot.

    The journey toward this third installment gained momentum following the remarkable success of “Drishyam 2” in 2021. Joseph revealed that Mohanlal himself initiated discussions about continuing the story shortly after the second film’s triumph. Despite initial creative uncertainties, the director eventually developed a narrative framework that satisfied both his artistic vision and audience expectations.

    Originally emerging as the highest-grossing Malayalam film of its time, the Drishyam phenomenon transcended regional boundaries through successful remakes in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada languages. This cross-cultural adoption established the franchise as one of India’s most influential cinematic exports.

    Industry analysts anticipate substantial box office performance given the franchise’s established track record and the strategic April release window, coinciding with the beginning of the Indian summer entertainment season. The film features returning cast members Meena and Asha Sharath, maintaining continuity with the previous installations while promising to deliver a memorable conclusion to this critically acclaimed series.