Global Pulse

标签： North America

北美洲

  • Helen & Sons, BBK Partnership form strategic joint venture to expand business support across UAE and GCC

    Helen & Sons, BBK Partnership form strategic joint venture to expand business support across UAE and GCC

    In a strategic move reshaping the business consultancy landscape, Helen & Sons Business Consultancy has entered into a transformative joint venture with BBK Partnership, creating an integrated platform for comprehensive corporate support services throughout the United Arab Emirates and Gulf Cooperation Council region.

    The alliance, effective immediately, merges Helen & Sons’ established business formation expertise with BBK Partnership’s financial advisory capabilities, establishing a unified service ecosystem for enterprises at every development stage. This collaboration addresses the growing demand for seamless business support from initial market entry through operational expansion and financial management.

    Helen & Sons contributes seventeen years of specialized experience in UAE regulatory compliance, offering company incorporation, licensing solutions across free zone and mainland jurisdictions, visa processing, and government liaison services. The firm has facilitated hundreds of international companies in establishing regional footholds with customized market entry strategies.

    Complementing this foundation, BBK Partnership brings over two decades of multinational financial expertise cultivated across UAE, UK, and Australian markets. Their comprehensive portfolio encompasses accounting, auditing, strategic tax planning, CFO advisory services, payroll administration, compliance frameworks, and specialized forensic accounting investigations.

    The partnership’s foundation rests upon shared commitment to long-term, trust-based client relationships and transparent service delivery. Both organizations emphasize fixed-fee pricing structures to eliminate financial uncertainty for clients seeking to navigate the region’s complex regulatory environment.

    Technological integration forms a cornerstone of the collaboration, with both firms implementing cloud-based accounting systems, real-time financial reporting tools, and consolidated documentation platforms. These digital enhancements are supported by dedicated client service teams ensuring responsive support throughout the business lifecycle.

    The joint venture particularly benefits emerging sectors including e-commerce ventures, consulting firms, fintech innovators, and professional service providers requiring simultaneous regulatory compliance and financial transparency. Current and prospective clients can access bundled service packages combining business establishment with ongoing financial management support.

    Beyond core services, the alliance plans to host educational workshops and seminars throughout the UAE, addressing critical topics including company formation best practices, financial planning methodologies, compliance requirements, and scalable growth strategies for regional expansion.

    The partnership is already operational, serving existing clients of both organizations through the newly established integrated platform at www.bbkhns.com.

  • Would you pay for WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook? Meta to test premium subscriptions

    Would you pay for WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook? Meta to test premium subscriptions

    Meta Platforms is developing premium subscription tiers that would introduce enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities across its social media applications, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. According to a TechCrunch report verified by Meta representatives, these paid offerings would provide access to advanced AI tools while maintaining free access to core platform functionalities.

    The subscription model would incorporate Vibes, Meta’s AI-powered video generation application that enables users to create customized visual content through artificial intelligence. Additionally, Meta plans to integrate technology from Manus, an AI specialist company acquired for approximately $2 billion in December. The Singapore-based firm, which originally operated from China, specializes in developing “truly autonomous” agents capable of executing complex tasks with minimal user intervention, such as trip planning and presentation development.

    This strategic shift follows previous experimentation with monetization approaches. In 2023, Facebook tested restrictions on link-sharing capabilities for non-paying users. More recently, United Kingdom users encountered notifications offering ad-free experiences on Facebook and Instagram for £2.99 monthly, while European Union users received similar offers at €5.99 monthly. These developments represent Meta’s evolving approach to revenue diversification beyond advertising.

    The Manus acquisition has attracted regulatory attention, with Chinese authorities announcing reviews to determine potential violations of technology export or national security regulations. Despite these premium offerings, Meta has confirmed that essential platform services will remain accessible without subscription requirements.

  • CRYSTAL unveils a new vision for real estate in Dubai

    CRYSTAL unveils a new vision for real estate in Dubai

    DUBAI – A transformative new player has emerged in Dubai’s competitive real estate landscape with the official launch of CRYSTAL, a design-focused development firm built upon principles of cultural integration and generational legacy. The company formally announced its market entry on January 30, 2026, revealing both its distinctive brand identity and preliminary details of an upcoming flagship project in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC).

    CRYSTAL distinguishes itself through a philosophy that merges Indian heritage with Arabic and Western influences, creating a unique architectural and design approach that prioritizes meaningful spaces over conventional development formulas. Founded on family values and long-term responsibility, the company represents what it terms a ‘second-generation mindset’ – blending respect for tradition with technological innovation and forward-thinking urban design.

    CEO Mustafa B Gandhi articulated the company’s vision: ‘Dubai has consistently demonstrated ambitious growth, but true vision requires more than repetition. CRYSTAL introduces intentionality to real estate development, where every architectural detail serves a purpose and each residential space conveys a narrative.’

    The developer’s methodology emphasizes craftsmanship, material integrity, and spatial design that enhances daily living experiences. Rather than pursuing rapid expansion or maximum scale, CRYSTAL focuses on creating environments that evolve with their inhabitants, prioritizing longevity and cultural relevance over transient market trends.

    While specific details of the JVC flagship project remain confidential, the company confirms it will embody CRYSTAL’s core principles of elevated living standards, cultural equilibrium, and architectural transparency. The development promises to challenge conventional market expectations through its fusion of design excellence and cross-cultural inspiration.

    CRYSTAL’s emergence signals a potential shift in Dubai’s property sector toward more culturally-rooted, design-conscious development approaches that value lasting impact over immediate returns.

  • Sharjah Light Village to continue till first few days of Ramadan; check out ticket prices

    Sharjah Light Village to continue till first few days of Ramadan; check out ticket prices

    The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has inaugurated the fifteenth edition of its acclaimed Light Festival, launching the Light Village experience on January 29, 2026. This annual celebration of Emirati culture and heritage through artistic illumination will officially commence on February 3 and continue through February 15, transforming the emirate’s architectural landmarks into dynamic canvases of light and creativity.

    In a significant expansion for 2026, the Light Village will extend its programming into the initial days of Ramadan, continuing through February 22 and offering 25 days of immersive experiences. The festival features groundbreaking light installations by international artists, including Japanese visionary Yasuhiro Chida, whose interactive works blend light, art, and technology within an environmentally conscious framework.

    The festival grounds include dedicated children’s play areas and interactive programming suitable for all age groups. Thirteen locations across Sharjah will host light displays, including the Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi House, Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah Mosque, Kalba Waterfront, and the historically significant Sharjah Fort.

    Admission pricing structure:
    – General admission (ages 12+): 20 AED
    – Children (3-11 years): 10 AED
    – Yasuhiro Chida’s immersive experience (adults): 50 AED
    – Yasuhiro Chida’s immersive experience (children): 25 AED
    – Combined entry and gallery bundle (adults): 60 AED
    – Combined entry and gallery bundle (children): 30 AED
    – Full season pass (January 29-February 22): 180 AED

    The February 3 opening ceremony will mark the official debut of light shows and interactive experiences throughout the emirate, celebrating cultural heritage through cutting-edge artistic expression.

  • Luigi Mangione will not face death penalty if convicted, judge rules

    Luigi Mangione will not face death penalty if convicted, judge rules

    In a significant legal development, a federal court has eliminated capital punishment as a potential sentence for Luigi Mangione, the accused murderer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett, an appointee of President Biden, dismissed two federal firearms charges that carried death penalty specifications, determining they failed to meet the statutory definition of “crimes of violence.”

    The ruling represents a substantial setback for federal prosecutors who had characterized the December 2024 shooting as a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination.” While removing the death penalty possibility, Judge Garnett preserved stalking charges that still carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The court has granted government attorneys a 30-day window to appeal the death penalty exclusion.

    In a victory for prosecutors, Judge Garnett authorized the admission of critical evidence recovered from Mangione’s backpack at the time of his arrest. The inventory included a firearm, fraudulent identification documents, and a notebook allegedly containing Mangione’s detailed grievances against the American healthcare system. Defense attorneys had sought to suppress this evidence, claiming unlawful seizure without proper warrant authorization.

    Mangione, a 27-year-old Ivy League graduate from an affluent Maryland family, maintains his innocence against all federal and state charges. The federal trial is scheduled to commence jury selection on September 8th, with opening statements expected October 13th. Concurrently, New York state prosecutors are pursuing a separate trial timeline as early as July, where Mangione faces nine charges including second-degree murder.

    The case took another unusual turn recently when Minnesota resident Mark Anderson allegedly attempted to impersonate an FBI agent to secure Mangione’s release from Brooklyn detention. Authorities report Anderson arrived at the facility armed with a barbecue fork and pizza cutter, resulting in his current confinement at the same institution housing Mangione.

  • AES Visionary Entrepreneurs’ Forum Season 2 to inspire UAE’s businessmen

    AES Visionary Entrepreneurs’ Forum Season 2 to inspire UAE’s businessmen

    The UAE’s business community is preparing for the highly anticipated AES Visionary Entrepreneurs’ Forum Season 2, scheduled for February 6, 2026, at the Khaleej Times headquarters in Dubai. This exclusive gathering will unite entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and innovative changemakers from across the Emirates for a morning of strategic networking and knowledge sharing from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

    Organized by AES Edu Marketing & Events Network with Khaleej Times as exclusive media partner, the event underscores a shared commitment to strengthening the nation’s entrepreneurial infrastructure through meaningful collaboration and story amplification. The forum’s carefully designed program features curated panel discussions, recognition ceremonies, and networking sessions specifically tailored for AES community members.

    Central to the event’s agenda is the celebration of entrepreneurial success stories, leadership insights, and the growing importance of community-driven business models in today’s dynamic economic environment. The forum aims to transcend conventional business networking by fostering genuine connections that extend beyond transactional relationships.

    Leading this initiative is Ayesha Shaik, founder of AES Edu Marketing Events Networks FZE, recognized as one of the UAE’s most influential voices in education and entrepreneurship. As a serial entrepreneur, educator, and podcaster, Shaik conceived the platform to honor authentic business journeys while empowering emerging leaders.

    ‘Our vision centers on creating inclusive, value-driven environments where entrepreneurs can learn, grow, and collaborate with purpose,’ Shaik explained regarding the forum’s underlying philosophy. The AES network continues to focus on building supportive ecosystems that facilitate meaningful professional development and strategic partnership opportunities within the UAE’s vibrant business landscape.

  • Haleon leads Guinness World Record attempt for ‘most nationalities running on a treadmill’

    Haleon leads Guinness World Record attempt for ‘most nationalities running on a treadmill’

    In an unprecedented fusion of corporate wellness advocacy and global community engagement, healthcare giant Haleon is spearheading an ambitious attempt to secure the Guinness World Record for ‘Most Nationalities Running on a Treadmill.’ The groundbreaking initiative, scheduled for February 1, 2026, during Dubai Marathon weekend, represents a strategic alignment of the company’s Centrum and Voltaren brands toward promoting inclusive health participation.

    The endeavor transcends conventional corporate social responsibility by creating an immersive platform where diverse nationalities converge on treadmill stations, transforming individual exercise into a powerful demonstration of collective wellbeing. This activation deliberately operates outside the marathon’s formal program, establishing itself as an independent movement designed to democratize health engagement across cultural and physical ability spectrums.

    Haleon’s approach addresses a fundamental challenge in global healthcare: the disparity between health knowledge and actionable behavior. Through this multisensory experience, the company aims to materialize abstract wellness concepts into tangible, emotionally resonant activities. The treadmill setup serves as both literal equipment and metaphorical device, representing the universal accessibility of movement as a cornerstone of health.

    Centrum, the world’s leading multivitamin brand, brings scientific rigor to the initiative by emphasizing internal nourishment and nutritional empowerment. Simultaneously, Voltaren contributes its expertise in musculoskeletal health, enabling participants to engage in movement without pain-related limitations. This dual-brand strategy reflects Haleon’s comprehensive vision of supporting the human body through both internal supplementation and external pain management.

    The event architecture welcomes participants across the fitness spectrum—from seasoned runners to first-time exercisers—with inclusive design principles ensuring accessibility for various physical capabilities. Beyond the record attempt itself, the initiative seeks to catalyze lasting behavioral shifts from passive health awareness to active participation, establishing new paradigms for corporate-led health engagement in the Middle East region and globally.

    Regardless of whether the Guinness World Record is formally achieved, the activation already succeeds in creating a transnational dialogue about health inclusivity, demonstrating how corporate entities can facilitate meaningful health conversations through innovative, participatory experiences that celebrate human diversity and shared wellness aspirations.

  • New AI-powered classifieds platform Shoofi gains early traction in the UAE and GCC

    New AI-powered classifieds platform Shoofi gains early traction in the UAE and GCC

    A transformative artificial intelligence-powered classifieds platform named Shoofi is demonstrating remarkable early adoption metrics throughout the United Arab Emirates and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Departing from conventional marketplace models that implement AI capabilities selectively, Shoofi has engineered a comprehensively integrated AI architecture that permeates the entire transactional lifecycle.

    The GCC’s secondary goods marketplace continues its expansion trajectory, fueled by exceptional smartphone saturation and predominantly mobile-oriented consumer behaviors. Despite this growth, the regional market contends with persistent fragmentation challenges including linguistic diversity, inconsistent content standards, trust deficiencies, and limited monetization frameworks beyond conventional advertising. Shoofi’s foundational architecture specifically targets these structural market inefficiencies.

    Shoofi’s technological differentiation emerges through its deeply embedded AI infrastructure. The platform autonomously generates listings through image recognition and minimal user input, intelligently categorizes offerings, recommends optimal pricing strategies, and standardizes listing formats. Advanced AI algorithms simultaneously conduct content moderation, duplicate detection, and behavioral fraud prevention, creating a streamlined user experience while maintaining content integrity.

    Addressing the GCC’s multilingual composition, Shoofi incorporates real-time AI translation capabilities directly within listing presentations and communication channels. This linguistic integration enables seamless cross-cultural transactions without requiring sellers to create multiple advertisement versions or buyers to navigate language barriers. The platform’s ongoing development includes additional AI-enhanced communication tools specifically designed to facilitate successful transactions.

    Since its commercial introduction, Shoofi has attracted over 15,000 active users engaging in daily transactions across primary categories. The platform’s algorithm prioritizes successful deal completion rather than mere listing volume, aligning system incentives with user success metrics. A proprietary ranking model evaluates listing freshness, relevance, content quality, and seller trustworthiness to optimize user experience and transaction predictability.

    Trust constitutes a fundamental component of Shoofi’s operational philosophy, implemented through measurable seller ratings, verified transaction confirmations, and behavioral analytics that directly influence listing visibility. This trust infrastructure simultaneously reduces fraudulent activities while encouraging repeated platform engagement.

    The platform’s monetization strategy advances beyond traditional advertising through the impending introduction of Shoofi Pay—an integrated escrow payment solution that releases funds exclusively upon transaction confirmation. This development positions Shoofi as a transaction integrity guarantor while establishing commission-based revenue streams. Concurrently, the platform is developing specialized commercial tools for small-to-medium businesses and professional sellers, including digital storefronts, analytical capabilities, and structured pricing models.

    Designed as a pan-regional solution for GCC markets, Shoofi combines unified technological architecture with sophisticated localization and multicultural design elements. The platform’s competitive emphasis focuses on transactional quality and execution efficiency rather than listing price competition. This approach represents a paradigm shift from classifieds as static advertising inventory to dynamic transactional infrastructure, offering investors a scalable model with diversified revenue potential and regional expansion capabilities.

  • UN risks ‘imminent financial collapse’, secretary general warns

    UN risks ‘imminent financial collapse’, secretary general warns

    The United Nations is confronting its most severe financial crisis in history, with Secretary-General António Guterres warning of “imminent financial collapse” unless member states immediately fulfill their financial obligations. In an urgent letter to ambassadors, Guterres revealed that the UN’s operational funds could be completely depleted by July, threatening the organization’s ability to deliver essential programs worldwide.

    The crisis stems from unprecedented levels of unpaid membership fees, with outstanding contributions reaching a record 77% of total assessments by the end of 2025. Guterres emphasized that the current situation differs fundamentally from previous financial challenges, as several member states have formally announced their refusal to honor their mandatory contributions under the UN Charter.

    A particularly problematic financial rule exacerbates the crisis: the UN must return unspent funds to members if budgets cannot be fully implemented. Guterres described this as a “double blow” that forces the organization to “return cash that does not exist.”

    The United States, traditionally the UN’s largest contributor, has dramatically reduced its funding. The Trump administration has withdrawn from approximately 31 UN agencies, characterizing them as “wasteful” and advancing “globalist agendas over US priorities.” While the US recently pledged $2 billion for humanitarian programs, this represents a drastic reduction from its 2022 contribution of $17 billion.

    President Trump has simultaneously established an alternative peacekeeping initiative—the Board of Peace—leading to speculation about potentially replacing certain UN functions. When questioned whether this board might supplant the UN, Trump responded ambiguously: “Well, it might.”

    Guterres concluded with an ultimatum: either all 193 member states honor their financial commitments immediately, or they must fundamentally restructure the UN’s financial framework to prevent total collapse.

  • Dubai Police warn residents of fake employment agencies

    Dubai Police warn residents of fake employment agencies

    Dubai authorities have issued a formal security advisory alerting residents to sophisticated employment scams proliferating across social media platforms. The Dubai Police Force, through its specialized Anti-Fraud Centre, revealed an increasing pattern of criminal entities posing as legitimate recruitment agencies to defraud job seekers and employers alike.

    The fraudulent operations primarily target two vulnerable groups: individuals seeking employment opportunities and households attempting to hire domestic workers. Scammers create deceptive advertisements promising visa sponsorships, employment contracts, and domestic staffing services that lack any legal foundation. These operations systematically extract personal information and illicit payments from victims before disappearing.

    This warning constitutes part of the broader #BewareOfFraud public awareness campaign designed to educate residents about evolving digital deception tactics. Police emphasized the critical importance of verifying the licensing status of any recruitment service provider before disclosing personal information or transferring funds.

    The alert follows multiple recent security advisories from Dubai Police regarding similar schemes. On January 4, authorities had already cautioned residents about a noticeable surge in work visa sponsorship scams. Previous warnings also highlighted fake domestic worker recruitment accounts that have resulted in significant financial losses for victims, including one case involving Dh10,000.

    Official channels for reporting suspected fraud include the Dubai Police Smart Application, the dedicated eCrime digital platform, and the non-emergency police hotline (901). Authorities encourage immediate reporting of any suspicious job offers or recruitment practices to prevent further victimization.