Global Pulse

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  • Trump administration reviewing Israel’s ‘military edge’ as it eyes Gulf arms deals, sources say

    Trump administration reviewing Israel’s ‘military edge’ as it eyes Gulf arms deals, sources say

    The Trump administration has initiated a comprehensive review of Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME) as it contemplates major defense deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to sources familiar with the discussions. This strategic reassessment comes amid Israeli concerns that advanced weapons transfers to Gulf nations could fundamentally alter the regional military balance.

    Multiple high-level meetings have taken place on Capitol Hill in recent weeks, involving senior U.S. military officials and members of key congressional committees including the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee. The discussions, described as closely guarded, center on potential arms packages that could include advanced F-35 fighter jets for both Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

    A senior State Department official recently visited Israel specifically to address Jerusalem’s security concerns regarding these potential sales. This diplomatic engagement occurs ahead of an anticipated meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump in late December.

    The administration’s consultation with lawmakers marks a notable departure from its typical approach to foreign policy decision-making, which has often bypassed congressional input. This shift appears calculated to secure necessary legislative support for any future arms agreements, as committee leadership can effectively block sales through informal holds.

    President Trump has previously expressed support for providing “top of the line” military equipment to both Israel and Saudi Arabia, despite Israeli lobbying for less advanced versions for Gulf partners. The potential sales have raised particular concern in Israel, which has uniquely modified its F-35I Adir aircraft for extended-range missions, including demonstrated capabilities to reach Iran without refueling.

    The QME concept, formally codified into U.S. law in 2008, mandates periodic assessment of arms sales to Arab states to ensure Israel maintains technological superiority. This policy framework originated from Cold War-era agreements and was strengthened through decades of U.S.-Israel defense cooperation.

    Netanyahu has publicly reiterated his opposition to advanced weapons sales to Saudi Arabia while acknowledging discussions with U.S. officials about preserving Israel’s military advantage. The administration’s current review represents a critical test of how Washington balances its strategic relationships with multiple Middle Eastern allies amid evolving regional dynamics.

  • Trump’s AI hiring campaign: Over 25,000 interested in joining ‘Tech Force’, says official

    Trump’s AI hiring campaign: Over 25,000 interested in joining ‘Tech Force’, says official

    The Trump administration’s ambitious Tech Force program has generated substantial public interest, with approximately 25,000 applicants expressing desire to join the government’s technology initiative, according to official statements released Tuesday. This recruitment drive represents a significant strategic shift from the administration’s earlier focus on reducing federal employment positions.

    Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, announced through social media platform X that the administration will utilize this extensive applicant pool to recruit software engineers, data specialists, and other technology professionals with artificial intelligence expertise. These recruits will be assigned to various federal agencies including the Departments of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and Justice for two-year technology project deployments.

    The initiative forms a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s artificial intelligence agenda, continuing a tradition established by previous administrations of integrating technological talent within government operations. Notably, this technology-focused hiring campaign marks a departure from the workforce reduction policies that characterized the initial months of Trump’s second term, which primarily targeted non-essential government positions while maintaining those deemed critical for national security.

    The first cohort will select approximately 1,000 candidates from the applicant pool, creating competitive placement opportunities within the federal technology infrastructure. While the administration has publicly released recruitment figures, independent verification of the exact number of applicants remains pending through third-party sources.

  • Holiday trading: Why late-December markets demand a different playbook

    Holiday trading: Why late-December markets demand a different playbook

    As financial markets enter the Christmas-New Year transition period, they undergo a fundamental transformation characterized by diminished trading activity and amplified volatility. This seasonal shift creates a uniquely fragile trading environment where traditional market behaviors become less reliable.

    The convergence of multiple factors drives this annual phenomenon: institutional investors conducting year-end portfolio rebalancing, foreign exchange exposure adjustments, and significantly reduced participation across major markets. The resulting liquidity vacuum leads to wider bid-ask spreads and creates conditions where even routine data releases or isolated transactions can trigger disproportionate price movements.

    Historical patterns have often referenced the so-called “Santa Claus Rally”—a tendency for U.S. equity indices to strengthen during late December. However, this seasonal expectation remains contingent on broader macroeconomic conditions, valuation pressures, and evolving policy expectations. The 2025 market trajectory toward 2026 appears particularly dependent on Federal Reserve policy signals, global growth prospects, and investor interpretation of emerging economic indicators.

    Market analysts emphasize that technical discipline becomes paramount during this period. Traders should prioritize higher-timeframe analysis to filter out liquidity-driven distortions, await confirmed breakouts supported by volume, and maintain strict risk management protocols. Position sizing, stop-loss orders, and disciplined profit targets take on increased importance when market depth diminishes.

    Across major asset classes, distinct dynamics emerge. U.S. equities maintain a broadly bullish bias but face potential consolidation risks around stretched valuations and policy uncertainty. Precious metals continue consolidating below their 2025 peaks, awaiting catalyst events to establish new support levels. The U.S. dollar approaches critical multi-year support zones that will likely determine its longer-term trajectory, while crude oil remains sensitive to geopolitical developments and winter demand patterns.

    The consensus among trading professionals suggests that the most effective strategy involves treating holiday market movements as noise rather than meaningful trend developments. Preserving capital and maintaining strategic clarity outweighs pursuing short-term gains in unpredictable conditions. As central banks approach a potentially pivotal policy year, the cautious approach adopted during these final weeks of 2025 may well position investors more advantageously for the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

  • UAE President receives banking delegation supporting Emirati debt relief initiative

    UAE President receives banking delegation supporting Emirati debt relief initiative

    In a significant demonstration of public-private partnership, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan hosted senior banking representatives on Tuesday at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi to acknowledge their pivotal role in a nationwide debt relief program for financially struggling Emirati citizens.

    The presidential reception honored financial institutions collaborating with the Defaulted Debts Settlement Fund, a comprehensive initiative designed to alleviate financial burdens for UAE nationals facing economic challenges. The meeting underscored the deepening culture of corporate social responsibility within the Emirates’ financial sector.

    President Sheikh Mohamed characterized the debt waiver program as instrumental in restoring hope to numerous families while contributing substantially to national social stability objectives. He emphasized that such collaborative efforts between government entities and private institutions form the cornerstone of successful developmental models observed globally.

    ‘When institutions actively fulfill their societal roles, they significantly advance the UAE’s comprehensive development vision,’ Sheikh Mohamed stated during the engagement. He further noted that strengthened social responsibility mechanisms directly correlate with enhanced national resilience and societal cohesion.

    Banking delegates reaffirmed their commitment to supporting national initiatives that promote familial and social stability. Representatives expressed ongoing dedication to the leadership’s efforts in reducing citizens’ financial pressures while simultaneously improving quality of life indicators for Emirati households.

    The dialogue highlighted the evolving paradigm of cooperative governance in the UAE, where economic development and social welfare objectives are increasingly achieved through synergistic partnerships between governmental bodies and private sector organizations.

  • Rivalries and rumours: How the new order of the Murdoch dynasty is playing out

    Rivalries and rumours: How the new order of the Murdoch dynasty is playing out

    The Murdoch media dynasty, long considered one of the world’s most powerful family empires, has reached a watershed moment in its corporate history. Following a contentious closed-court battle in Nevada, three of Rupert Murdoch’s children—Elisabeth, James, and Prudence Murdoch—have been permanently excluded from the family business, receiving substantial financial settlements in exchange for relinquishing their stakes in Fox Corp and News Corp.

    The settlement, which emerged from a legal challenge to a 1999 trust agreement established during Rupert’s divorce from second wife Anna Murdoch, represents a dramatic restructuring of the media conglomerate’s leadership future. Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert’s eldest son from his second marriage, now stands as the unequivocal successor to the 94-year-old media magnate’s empire.

    This familial schism reflects deeper ideological divisions within the family. James Murdoch, who publicly characterized his father as a ‘misogynist’ during the proceedings, expressed feeling betrayed by Rupert’s decision to force the separation. The move was reportedly motivated by Rupert’s concerns that his more liberal-leaning children might steer the companies in a different political direction after his death.

    Despite Lachlan’s successful tenure as CEO of Fox Corp—during which the company’s share price doubled and streaming service Tubi reached profitability—the resolution came at significant financial cost. The company’s improved performance under Lachlan’s leadership increased the valuation of the siblings’ shares, resulting in a substantially larger payout requirement.

    Media analysts characterize this development as potentially permanent, with biographer Claire Atkinson describing it as ‘a sad ending’ for children who had grown up within the business. The Murdoch saga continues to draw comparisons to the acclaimed television drama ‘Succession,’ though reality has proven more complex and enduring than fiction.

    While Elisabeth and Prudence are said to be focusing on moving forward and potentially reconciling with their aging father, James’s relationship with both Rupert and Lachlan appears irreparably damaged. The settlement includes provisions preventing the excluded siblings from purchasing equity in the family companies in perpetuity.

    As Lachlan Murdoch consolidates control, industry observers note his distinct leadership style—more focused on business fundamentals and digital expansion than political kingmaking. However, the substantial debt incurred through the settlement may pressure the company to maintain profitable but politically divisive programming strategies that have characterized Fox News’s success.

  • Brazil’s Supreme Court allows Bolsonaro to leave prison for surgery

    Brazil’s Supreme Court allows Bolsonaro to leave prison for surgery

    Brazil’s Supreme Court has authorized the temporary release of former President Jair Bolsonaro from prison to undergo hernia surgery on Christmas Day. Justice Alexandre de Moraes approved the medical transfer on Tuesday, permitting the 70-year-old to be moved from federal custody to a medical facility on December 24th for the procedure scheduled December 25th.

    The incarcerated former leader is currently serving a 27-year sentence for orchestrating a coup plot following his electoral defeat to left-wing rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2022. Bolsonaro’s health complications stem from a 2018 abdominal stabbing during his presidential campaign, requiring multiple surgical interventions including intestinal surgery earlier this year.

    This medical development occurs amid significant political tensions regarding Bolsonaro’s imprisonment. Brazil’s Congress recently passed legislation that could substantially reduce his sentence from 27 years to under three years, sparking mass protests across major Brazilian cities. President Lula has vowed to veto the bill, though acknowledges his conservative-dominated Congress could override this decision.

    The international dimension of this case intensified as the United States lifted sanctions previously imposed on Justice Moraes in July. President Donald Trump, who previously characterized the investigation into Bolsonaro as a ‘witch hunt,’ expressed support for the sentence-reducing legislation.

  • ‘Retract or resign’: Cair slams US intelligence chief for talk of Muslim threat

    ‘Retract or resign’: Cair slams US intelligence chief for talk of Muslim threat

    America’s foremost Muslim civil rights organization has demanded the resignation of National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard following her controversial characterization of Sharia law as the nation’s paramount security threat. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned Gabbard’s weekend remarks as “delusional and disqualifying” for an intelligence official tasked with objective analysis.

    Speaking at the conservative Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest summit, Gabbard asserted that “Islamist ideology” represents the most significant near and long-term danger to American freedoms and security. She claimed this ideology fundamentally contradicts constitutional principles and seeks to establish a global caliphate that would govern Americans. Her comments received enthusiastic applause from thousands of attendees despite growing concerns within conservative circles about anti-Muslim rhetoric.

    The controversy intersects with broader geopolitical dynamics. Earlier this year, an Israeli government-commissioned study suggested rehabilitating Israel’s image by emphasizing fears of “radical Islam” and “jihadism” following Gaza conflict criticisms. CAIR’s Monday statement emphasized that Gabbard’s role requires factual, apolitical intelligence assessment rather than spreading what they termed “bigoted conspiracy theories.”

    Gabbard specifically singled out Muslim-majority communities in Dearborn, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Paterson, New Jersey, alleging Islamist clerics were actively radicalizing youth. She further accused CAIR of advocating for Sharia law implementation through American legal systems—a claim immediately denied by the organization’s Washington headquarters.

    Local Muslim leaders expressed frustration with what they perceive as systematic vilification. Selaedin Maksut, executive director of CAIR’s Paterson office, described community numbness to ongoing harassment and noted the irony of being characterized as threatening while engaging in standard civil rights advocacy.

    The remarks drew sharp rebukes from New Jersey’s Democratic leadership. Senator Cory Booker, despite his pro-Israel stance, condemned Gabbard’s comments as “dishonest, cruel and un-American” on social media platform X, warning they endangered entire communities. Senator Andy Kim similarly criticized the divisive rhetoric, asserting Muslim Americans’ integral role in society.

  • Israel extends authority to ban foreign media considered ‘harmful to security’ for two more years

    Israel extends authority to ban foreign media considered ‘harmful to security’ for two more years

    Israel’s parliament has enacted a significant legislative amendment permitting the continued restriction of foreign media outlets deemed threatening to national security, extending this authority for an additional two years despite terminating the official state of emergency. The Knesset approved the measure overnight, ensuring that powers initially linked to the Hamas conflict emergency declaration will remain effective until December 31, 2027.

    Originally implemented in April 2024 during heightened hostilities, this legislation notably targeted Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera, which Israeli officials have consistently characterized as a propaganda vehicle for Palestinian militants. The new provision operates independently of emergency statutes, creating a permanent framework for media regulation based on security concerns.

    Under the amended law, the Prime Minister retains authority to identify foreign media entities perceived as endangering national security. Following this determination, the Communications Minister may execute comprehensive restrictions including broadcast termination, office closures, equipment confiscation, and website blocking. The legislation mandates consultation with security agencies prior to implementation, though only a single favorable security assessment is required to authorize actions without judicial oversight.

    Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi emphasized the legislation’s significance, stating: ‘Terrorist channels are out of bounds, in normal times as well as under a state of emergency. After voting for this law several times during the war to stop Al Jazeera’s broadcasts in Israel, we have now finalized it independently of the emergency status.’

    This development occurs against a backdrop of declining press freedoms in Israel. Reporters Without Borders’ 2025 global index documented an 11-position drop in Israel’s press freedom ranking, descending from 101st to 112th place among 180 evaluated nations since the Gaza conflict’s inception.

  • Egypt’s grand museum begins live restoration of ancient boat

    Egypt’s grand museum begins live restoration of ancient boat

    In an unprecedented archaeological undertaking, Egypt has launched a publicly visible restoration of Pharaoh Khufu’s 4,600-year-old solar boat at the Grand Egyptian Museum. The ceremonial vessel, dating back to the Old Kingdom ruler who commissioned the Great Pyramid of Giza, represents one of history’s most significant maritime artifacts.

    Conservation specialists commenced work Tuesday by delicately elevating a deteriorated wooden plank using precision crane technology—the initial component among 1,650 fragile pieces requiring meticulous reassembly. Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy characterized the project as “among the most vital restoration initiatives of the 21st century,” emphasizing its global cultural significance.

    The four-year conservation process, funded through a $3.5 million grant from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), features collaborative expertise between Egyptian and Japanese archaeologists. Project lead Eissa Zidan explained that previous archaeological teams had avoided the undertaking due to the wood’s advanced thermal degradation and fragile state.

    Advanced organic compounds including nano-cellulose and Klucel E are being employed in accordance with international preservation standards to stabilize the ancient materials. The museum simultaneously exhibits a second solar boat from the same period, discovered in superior condition near the Giza pyramids.

    Since its November inauguration, the Grand Egyptian Museum has attracted between 15,000-27,000 daily visitors. Egyptian authorities anticipate this cultural landmark will significantly boost tourism—a sector comprising 9% of national GDP and employing approximately two million citizens. Following pandemic-related challenges and political instability, the government projects a 7% tourism increase for 2026, targeting expansion from 19 million annual visitors.

  • Trump trips, a fake video and 10 possible co-conspirators – Takeaways from new Epstein files

    Trump trips, a fake video and 10 possible co-conspirators – Takeaways from new Epstein files

    The U.S. Department of Justice has unveiled its most substantial batch of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents to date, releasing over 11,000 pages that reveal previously concealed details about the investigation into the deceased financier’s sex trafficking network. This disclosure, mandated by recent legislation, represents the largest single release in an ongoing transparency initiative that began last Friday.

    The newly public files contain heavily redacted FBI communications identifying ten potential Epstein co-conspirators, with six individuals already served subpoenas across Florida, Boston, New York City, and Connecticut. Among the unredacted names appear Ghislaine Maxwell—already serving a 20-year sentence—and former Victoria’s Secret CEO Les Wexner, though Wexner’s legal representatives maintain he was never considered a target or co-conspirator by prosecutors.

    Perhaps the most intriguing revelation involves communications from an individual identified only as ‘A’ using the email address abx17@dial.pipex.com—listed in Epstein’s records under the contact ‘Duke of York.’ In a 2001 email exchange, ‘A’ writing from ‘Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family’ asked Maxwell to ‘find me some new inappropriate friends,’ to which Maxwell responded apologetically that she could only locate ‘appropriate friends.’ This correspondence resurfaces amid ongoing scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s associations with Epstein, though he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

    The document release also sheds new light on Donald Trump’s connections to Epstein, revealing previously unreported travel arrangements. According to a federal prosecutor’s email from January 2020, flight records indicate Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jet ‘many more times than previously reported’—at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996, sometimes accompanied by family members including then-wife Marla Maples and children Tiffany and Eric. The Justice Department separately emphasized that many claims about Trump in the files are ‘untrue and sensationalist.’

    Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern over the extent of redactions in the released documents, arguing that the legislation specifically prohibits withholding names merely to prevent ‘reputational harm.’ Democrat Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, a member of the House Oversight Committee, noted the significance of learning about ’10 co-conspirators potentially that we knew nothing about,’ suggesting congressional scrutiny may intensify.

    The document trove also included bizarre elements such as a fabricated letter purportedly from Epstein to convicted sex offender Larry Nassar, which forensic analysis determined to be inauthentic, and a computer-generated video falsely depicting Epstein in his prison cell. These inclusions demonstrate the challenge authorities face in separating credible evidence from public speculation regarding Epstein’s network and death.