Global Pulse

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  • UAE: Five winners from India, Bangladesh share Dh250,000 in Big Ticket draw

    UAE: Five winners from India, Bangladesh share Dh250,000 in Big Ticket draw

    In a heartwarming display of international community spirit, five expatriate workers from India and Bangladesh have been declared joint winners of Dh250,000 in the latest Big Ticket lottery series. The Series 282 draw awarded Dh50,000 to each recipient, all of whom represent the diverse workforce that forms the backbone of the United Arab Emirates.

    The winning cohort includes four Indian nationals hailing from Kerala and one Bangladeshi resident, each with unique stories of persistence and generosity. Sony K Thompson, a 28-year-old maintenance engineer from Kerala residing in Sharjah, achieved his first victory after merely four months of participation. ‘I purchase tickets monthly with ten friends, making this triumph particularly encouraging early in my Big Ticket journey,’ Thompson revealed, adding that he intends to distribute his winnings among his playing group.

    Demonstrating remarkable dedication, 65-year-old general technician Ressa Maramthottathil Shah has maintained his lottery participation for fifteen years. The three-decade Dubai resident, who buys tickets with a consortium of twenty friends, expressed overwhelming joy upon learning of his win while vowing to continue his longstanding tradition.

    The technological sector contributed another winner in Rexi Abraham Chacko, a 50-year-old IT specialist who has independently purchased tickets for five years. The Dubai-based professional described his win as unexpected and announced plans to allocate portions of his prize to philanthropic causes, stating: ‘I aspire to provide regular charitable support and share these blessings with others.’

    Completing the Indian contingent is Saju Anatt Subramanyan Mohanan Anatt Mohanan, a 45-year-old Abu Dhabi-based engineer with four years of lottery participation. The Bangladeshi representation comes from Mohammed Baktier MD Abdul Fazl, a 45-year assistant quality control manager who secured his maiden victory on only his second attempt. A Dubai resident since 2008, Fazl intends to utilize his winnings for property acquisition in his homeland while supporting underprivileged families and orphanages in Bangladesh.

    Lottery organizers simultaneously unveiled details of their January campaign, featuring a monumental Dh20 million grand prize alongside five secondary prizes of Dh1 million each. The month-long event will include weekly electronic draws awarding Dh50,000, complemented by luxury vehicle prizes including a BMW X5 and Range Rover Velar. Tickets remain available through digital platforms and physical counters at Zayed International Airport and Al Ain Airport, with the grand draw scheduled for February 3.

  • From Ramadan to Eid: Dubai launches ‘season of Wulfa’ to celebrate Emirati culture

    From Ramadan to Eid: Dubai launches ‘season of Wulfa’ to celebrate Emirati culture

    Dubai has unveiled an ambitious cultural initiative titled ‘Season of Wulfa’ to celebrate traditional Emirati heritage across three significant Islamic occasions. Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and overseen by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, the comprehensive program spans 30 locations throughout the emirate.

    The season encompasses 50 distinct initiatives developed through collaborations between government entities and private sector partners. The programming is strategically designed to highlight three pivotal cultural milestones: Haq Al Leila (occurring approximately February 3rd), the holy month of Ramadan (February 19-March 19), and Eid Al Fitr (March 20-22). Each celebration maintains its unique traditions while collectively reinforcing community bonds and shared values.

    Haq Al Leila serves as the introductory celebration, featuring traditional children’s activities where young participants visit homes with decorated bags, recite poetry, and receive sweets and gifts. This pre-Ramadan celebration sets the tone for the subsequent observances.

    During Ramadan, Dubai transforms with adjusted business hours and enhanced cultural programming. The city offers authentic experiences including traditional iftars, suhoors, and special shopping promotions that reflect the spirit of generosity and reflection characteristic of the holy month.

    The season culminates with Eid Al Fitr celebrations marked by vibrant decorations, family gatherings, and city-wide festivities. The entire initiative aims to strengthen social cohesion, showcase Emirati authenticity, and provide residents and visitors with immersive cultural experiences that highlight the UAE’s rich heritage and contemporary hospitality.

  • Prashant Tamang’s wife thanks fans for support, outpouring of grief

    Prashant Tamang’s wife thanks fans for support, outpouring of grief

    The entertainment industry mourns the untimely passing of Prashant Tamang, the celebrated winner of Indian Idol Season 3 and subsequent Bollywood actor, who died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday. His wife, Martha Aley, has confirmed the natural circumstances surrounding his demise while expressing profound gratitude for the global outpouring of support.

    In an emotional statement, Aley described the overwhelming response from fans worldwide: “I’ve been receiving calls from all over the world. People that I know, people that I don’t know, I’ve been getting flowers. People are standing outside my house, people have come to the hospital to see him for the last time.” She emphasized the natural nature of his passing, clarifying that Tamang was asleep when he passed away with her right beside him.

    The Darjeeling-born performer, who transitioned successfully from reality television fame to acting, notably appeared in Paatal Lok Season 2 and was anticipated to feature in Salman Khan’s upcoming film Battle of Galwan. His career began in Nepali cinema with the 2010 box office success Gorkha Paltan, followed by three additional Nepali films including the war drama Nishani in 2014.

    Aley’s heartfelt message to fans captured the essence of Tamang’s legacy: “He was a great soul, he was a great human. I hope you remember him like that.” She specifically thanked supporters for their consistent encouragement throughout his career through messages, social media engagement, and appreciation of his artistic work.

    The news has triggered an extensive wave of grief across social media platforms, with fellow artists, public figures, and countless admirers paying tribute to the multifaceted performer’s life and contributions to both music and cinema.

  • US sends more agents to Minneapolis despite furore over woman’s killing

    US sends more agents to Minneapolis despite furore over woman’s killing

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is escalating its presence in Minneapolis despite mounting political opposition, deploying hundreds of additional federal agents to the city following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an immigration officer. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the officer’s actions during multiple television appearances on Sunday, characterizing Good’s behavior as “domestic terrorism” and maintaining the shooting was justified self-defense.

    The incident has ignited nationwide protests and created a sharp political divide. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have vehemently contested the federal government’s narrative, citing viral footage that allegedly shows Good’s vehicle turning away from the officer and posing no immediate threat. Both Democratic leaders have demanded the withdrawal of federal agents from their city.

    Speaking from Air Force One, President Donald Trump characterized Good as “violent” and “very, very disrespectful to law enforcement,” adding that “these are professional agitators” who shouldn’t be tolerated. The administration’s position has drawn criticism from local officials who argue the investigation has been compromised by its exclusively federal nature, with the FBI leading the probe while excluding local authorities.

    Confrontations between protesters and federal agents continued through the weekend, with officers deploying pepper spray outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Secretary Noem accused Democratic leaders of encouraging violence through their rhetoric, stating they had “extremely politicized and inappropriately talked about the situation on the ground in their city.”

    Meanwhile, activists have established makeshift memorials honoring Good, with community members laying flowers at sites throughout Minneapolis. The escalating tension occurs against the backdrop of ongoing immigration enforcement operations in residential areas and a separate highly politicized fraud investigation in Minnesota.

  • Skeleton race investigated as US slider accuses Canada

    Skeleton race investigated as US slider accuses Canada

    The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) has launched a formal investigation into Canada’s controversial decision to withdraw athletes from a North American Cup event, a move that veteran American slider Katie Uhlaender claims destroyed her final opportunity to qualify for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

    The incident occurred at Sunday’s skeleton competition in Lake Placid, where Canada’s unexpected withdrawal of four athletes reduced the field below the 21-participant threshold required for full Olympic qualification points. Uhlaender, a 41-year-old double world champion seeking to compete in her sixth Olympic Games, had needed those points before the January 18 deadline to secure her spot in Milan-Cortina.

    Despite winning the development race, the reduced field meant Uhlaender couldn’t accumulate sufficient ranking points. The American athlete received what she described as devastating news from Canadian coach Joe Cecchini, a friend of two decades, who allegedly informed her of the planned withdrawal on Friday.

    In emotional statements reported by DW, Uhlaender expressed her devastation: ‘I cried when I found out he went through with this plan. I didn’t know if it hurt more that my friend of 20 years just nailed my coffin, my Olympic dream is over. Or, that my best friend of 20 years is doing something so horrible that hurts so many people.’

    Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) defended its decision, stating the withdrawal resulted from ‘careful evaluation of the program’s needs and in consultation with the IBSF.’ The organization maintained that its actions were ‘appropriate, transparent, and aligned with both athlete welfare and the integrity of the sport,’ emphasizing that development circuits shouldn’t serve as primary Olympic qualification pathways.

    While acknowledging the ‘unintended impact on the size of the field,’ BCS asserted that continuing to race these athletes wasn’t in their best interests or those of the program. The organization reiterated its commitment to athlete health, safety, and long-term development as its highest priority.

    The IBSF confirmed to BBC Sport that its Integrity Unit would investigate the incident. USA Bobsled/Skeleton welcomed the review, stating its commitment to ‘fair play and protecting the rights of athletes’ while acknowledging the importance of maintaining positive international relationships within the sport.

  • Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Expected release date, features and UAE price

    Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Expected release date, features and UAE price

    Samsung Electronics is preparing to unveil its next-generation flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with industry insiders pointing toward a February 25, 2026 launch event. The device represents a significant refinement of Samsung’s ultra-premium smartphone lineup rather than a complete redesign, focusing on substantial improvements in core performance metrics.

    According to multiple reliable sources including prominent leakers Ice Universe and Evan Blass, Samsung will host its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on the specified date, continuing the company’s recent pattern of U.S.-based flagship reveals. The launch timeline indicates a slight delay from Samsung’s traditional January release schedule, with retail availability projected for global markets by mid-March 2026.

    Technical specifications leaked to date suggest noteworthy advancements across multiple domains. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to incorporate Samsung’s new M14 OLED display technology, reportedly achieving 20-30% greater power efficiency compared to previous generation panels. This enhancement could substantially improve battery performance when combined with other optimizations.

    Performance will likely be driven by Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, potentially utilizing a custom “For Galaxy” variant manufactured on an advanced 2nm process. This chipset promises significant gains in both computational power and energy management.

    After maintaining similar battery specifications for several generations, Samsung appears ready to implement meaningful capacity increases. Leaks indicate a battery ranging between 5,100mAh and 5,400mAh, complemented by a long-awaited upgrade to 60W wired charging capabilities. Internal testing reportedly demonstrates the device reaching 75% charge from zero in approximately 30 minutes.

    Design refinements include a slimmer profile at approximately 7.9mm thickness while maintaining the prominent camera housing necessary for improved photographic capabilities. The camera system itself is expected to feature larger apertures for enhanced low-light performance.

    Pricing in the UAE market is anticipated to remain stable relative to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which launched at Dh5,099. Final costs will vary according to storage configurations and local taxation structures.

  • Former Fed chairs condemn criminal investigation into Jerome Powell

    Former Fed chairs condemn criminal investigation into Jerome Powell

    In a remarkable show of institutional solidarity, three former Federal Reserve chairs have joined forces with seven other economic policy leaders to condemn what they characterize as an unprecedented Justice Department investigation targeting current Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

    The coalition—which includes former Treasury Secretaries Janet Yellen, Lawrence Summers, Tim Geithner, and Jacob Lew alongside ex-Fed chairs Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan—issued a forceful statement on Monday decrying the criminal probe as a direct threat to central bank independence.

    ‘This investigation represents an extraordinary departure from established norms,’ the signatories declared. ‘The Federal Reserve’s operational autonomy and the public’s perception of that independence remain fundamental pillars of American economic stability.’

    The unusual intervention came just one day after Powell revealed in an unscheduled video statement that federal prosecutors had served subpoenas and threatened criminal indictment over his congressional testimony regarding Federal Reserve facility renovations. Powell characterized the investigation as ‘unprecedented’ and suggested it stemmed from President Trump’s persistent dissatisfaction with interest rate policy.

    ‘The Justice Department’s actions must be viewed within the broader context of sustained administrative pressure on the Fed,’ Powell asserted, referencing Trump’s very public campaign for lower interest rates to reduce government borrowing costs and stimulate lending.

    Notably, the signatories span both political parties, having been appointed by Democratic and Republican administrations alike. Their statement emphasized that such investigative tactics against a sitting Fed chair ‘have no place in the United States, whose greatest strength is the rule of law’ and warned that similar practices in emerging economies ‘produce highly negative consequences for inflation and broader economic functioning.’

    The White House has distanced itself from the probe, with President Trump claiming he didn’t ‘know anything’ about the investigation. Legal analysts suggest any attempt to remove Powell would trigger immediate market turbulence and complex litigation regarding the limits of presidential authority over the central bank.

  • Instagram denies breach after many receive emails asking to reset password

    Instagram denies breach after many receive emails asking to reset password

    Instagram has forcefully denied experiencing a data security breach following widespread user reports of receiving unsolicited password reset emails. The Meta-owned platform acknowledged an incident where an external entity exploited a system vulnerability to generate legitimate password reset notifications, but maintained that no unauthorized access to its internal systems occurred.

    The controversy intensified when cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes publicly contradicted Instagram’s official statement. Through a social media post viewed over 2.3 million times, Malwarebytes asserted that cybercriminals had actually compromised 17.5 million accounts, extracting sensitive information including physical addresses, phone numbers, and email contacts. The security company linked the password reset emails to an active sale of allegedly stolen data on hacker forums, where a threat actor claimed possession of user information from a purported 2024 leak.

    Independent security researchers have offered alternative explanations, suggesting the data in question might originate from publicly accessible information collected in 2022 rather than a recent system intrusion. This theory posits that the data could have been compiled through previous scraping operations rather than a direct platform breach.

    The conflicting narratives have created significant confusion among Instagram’s user base, with many initially suspecting phishing attempts due to the unsolicited nature of the password reset emails. Security experts confirmed that the reset links themselves appeared legitimate and non-malicious, though they recommended users directly access the official app or website to implement security changes.

    Instagram’s failure to identify the external party responsible for generating the legitimate reset requests has raised additional questions about the platform’s security protocols and transparency practices. The company continues to maintain that user accounts remain secure despite the incident.

  • Etihad flies a record 22.4 million passengers in 2025, launches 16 new routes

    Etihad flies a record 22.4 million passengers in 2025, launches 16 new routes

    Abu Dhabi’s national carrier Etihad Airways has achieved unprecedented growth in 2025, transporting a record-breaking 22.4 million passengers throughout the year. This represents a substantial 21% year-on-year increase, marking the highest annual passenger volume in the airline’s operational history.

    The airline’s commercial performance demonstrated remarkable strength, with passenger load factors reaching 88.3% – an improvement of two percentage points compared to 2024 figures. This performance was particularly notable during December’s peak travel period, when the carrier transported 2.2 million passengers with an 87.6% load factor, representing a 28% increase over the same month in the previous year.

    Etihad’s expansion accounted for approximately half of the total passenger growth across the UAE aviation sector, underscoring its pivotal role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism and economic development objectives. The airline’s growth strategy included the addition of 29 aircraft to its operating fleet during 2025, bringing its total to 127 aircraft – the largest fleet in the company’s history. This expansion included the introduction of Airbus A321LR aircraft, enabling the extension of premium cabin offerings to shorter and medium-haul destinations.

    Network development saw significant progress with the launch of 16 new routes, expanding Etihad’s global reach to 110 destinations by December 2025. CEO Antonoaldo Neves announced ambitious future plans, including a $10 billion investment over the next five years for new aircraft acquisitions and continued annual hiring of 2,500 personnel. Neves emphasized that the airline has doubled in size over the past three years and has dramatically improved its profitability standing within the aviation industry.

    The CEO attributed this success to sustained customer confidence in Etihad’s product and service quality, noting that the airline is ‘better positioned than ever’ to welcome visitors to Abu Dhabi while delivering exceptional travel experiences. Looking forward to 2026, the carrier remains committed to maintaining safety standards, enhancing customer service, and pursuing sustainable growth that benefits both Abu Dhabi and the communities it serves globally.

  • Golden Globes 2026: Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas dazzle in coordinated looks

    Golden Globes 2026: Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas dazzle in coordinated looks

    The 2026 Golden Globes red carpet witnessed a masterclass in celebrity couple styling as Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas made a striking joint appearance. Arriving early to maximize their media exposure, the globally recognized pair captivated photographers and fans with their sartorial harmony and affectionate interactions.

    Priyanka commanded attention in an exquisitely crafted navy blue tiered gown that showcased sophisticated architectural draping. Her ensemble was elevated by a stunning diamond jewelry collection that glittered under the flashbulbs. Nick complemented her nautical-inspired palette with a meticulously tailored black tuxedo that epitomized timeless Hollywood elegance, demonstrating how understated menswear can create powerful visual impact alongside more elaborate womenswear.

    Beyond their fashion moment, Chopra Jonas served as one of the ceremony’s presenters, joining an illustrious roster that included industry heavyweights George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and emerging talents like Charli XCX. Notably, several presenters doubled as nominees, creating additional anticipation around award announcements.

    The couple’s appearance comes as Chopra Jonas prepares for her upcoming film project ‘The Bluff,’ scheduled for Prime Video premiere on February 25, 2026. Their coordinated red carpet strategy not only generated significant media buzz but also reinforced their status as one of entertainment’s most visually synchronized power couples.