Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • Israeli raids across West Bank leave one dead and dozens detained

    Israeli raids across West Bank leave one dead and dozens detained

    Israeli military operations across the occupied West Bank have escalated, resulting in the death of a young Palestinian man and the detention of numerous individuals during widespread overnight raids. According to Palestine’s Ministry of Health, 20-year-old Mohammed Rajih Nasrallah from al-Dhahiriya succumbed to abdominal gunshot wounds sustained during an Israeli operation south of Hebron on Tuesday evening. Medical staff at Dura Hospital reported his condition remained critical until he was pronounced dead.

    Concurrent operations unfolded across multiple regions. In the Bethlehem area, Israeli forces apprehended at least three individuals. More extensively, in the village of Amatin east of Qalqilya, troops conducted two-hour home raids, arresting ten Palestinians and allegedly causing substantial property damage according to local accounts.

    The Nablus region witnessed particularly aggressive maneuvers as Israeli forces stormed the villages of Madma and Burin, detaining dozens for interrogation and making several arrests. The security situation prompted the local Directorate of Education to transition schools in Burin, Madma, and Asira al-Qibliya to remote learning until Thursday.

    Additional incidents were reported in Tulkarm, where forces shot and wounded Khader Mohammed Shahada in the thigh before taking him into custody as he departed his residence with his sister. Hebron governorate saw twelve Palestinians arrested, including two women, during operations characterized by property searches and alleged assaults on residents. Separate raids in the Aqbat Jabr camp south of Jericho resulted in two further detentions.

    Amid these security operations, settler violence continued with Israeli settlers uprooting 200 olive trees in Turmus Ayya north of Ramallah, reflecting the ongoing expansion of attacks targeting Palestinian agricultural resources.

    The context for these developments remains deeply troubling. Israeli forces routinely detain Palestinians without specific charges, with thousands currently held in Israeli prisons under conditions described as dehumanizing. Since October 2023, documentation from Israeli rights organization B’Tselem indicates at least 84 Palestinians, including one child, have died in Israeli detention facilities, highlighting systematic concerns regarding treatment and accountability.

  • Dubai’s Al Habtoor Group announces closure of Lebanon operations, terminates all workers

    Dubai’s Al Habtoor Group announces closure of Lebanon operations, terminates all workers

    Dubai-based conglomerate Al Habtoor Group has announced the complete cessation of its operations in Lebanon, citing accumulated losses exceeding Dh6.24 billion ($1.7 billion) and deteriorating conditions in the crisis-stricken nation. The decision, announced Wednesday, will result in the termination of all employees and the closure of all Lebanese assets.

    The group, chaired by billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor, revealed that prolonged instability, hostile campaigns, and defamatory actions against its businesses had made continued operations unsustainable. This drastic move follows the company’s earlier threat to pursue legal action against both the Lebanese government and the Banque du Liban for allegedly violating agreements that pushed operations into financial distress.

    Al Habtoor Group established its Lebanese presence in 2001 with substantial investments across multiple sectors including hospitality, retail, leisure, real estate, and banking. Despite absorbing substantial operational burdens during successive wars and crises, the group stated it had exhausted all reasonable efforts to resolve disputes amicably with Lebanese authorities.

    In a statement, the conglomerate emphasized that institutional failure and the absence of structural solutions to address fundamental deficiencies had compelled this decision. The closure represents a necessary legal and operational measure to prevent further financial drain and protect the group’s interests.

    This development follows Al Habtoor’s January 2025 announcement canceling all investment projects in Lebanon and putting existing properties up for sale, citing security concerns and operational challenges. The Emirati investor had previously expressed personal safety concerns, including death threats received in 2024.

  • First-time Taiwan applicants for mainland travel permits surge over 57%

    First-time Taiwan applicants for mainland travel permits surge over 57%

    In a significant development for cross-strait relations, Taiwan residents are applying for mainland travel permits at unprecedented rates following the implementation of a fee exemption policy. Official data from China’s National Immigration Administration reveals a remarkable 57.2% year-on-year increase in first-time applicants from Taiwan since the policy took effect on July 1, 2025.

    The comprehensive statistics demonstrate a substantial growth in cross-strait mobility. Overall permit applications from Taiwan residents increased by 11.9% during the same period, while first-time entries to the mainland surged by 40.9% in the latter half of 2025. The total number of Taiwan residents entering mainland China climbed by 24.4% year-on-year, indicating strengthened people-to-people exchanges across the strait.

    Administration spokesperson Lyu Ning emphasized the policy enhancements that have accompanied the fee waiver. “Immigration authorities have implemented refined systems to ensure equal treatment for Taiwan compatriots,” stated Lyu. These measures include issuing temporary travel documents for emergency situations involving lost or damaged permits, and establishing verification services that link travel permits with residence permits.

    The administration has maintained free real-time identity verification services to facilitate first-time visitors’ access to transportation, financial, and telecommunications services on the mainland. Looking forward, authorities plan to introduce additional innovative policies specifically targeting first-time applicants and younger demographics to further streamline cross-strait travel procedures.

    Infrastructure expansion has also played a crucial role in this increased connectivity. In 2025, the administration significantly expanded processing capabilities by adding 42 ports authorized to issue single-entry travel permits, bringing the total to 100 facilities across the mainland. Additionally, nationwide processing was implemented for mainland residents applying for exit and entry permits to visit relatives in Taiwan, creating more balanced travel opportunities across the strait.

  • Google unveils AI tool probing mysteries of human genome

    Google unveils AI tool probing mysteries of human genome

    Google DeepMind has launched AlphaGenome, a groundbreaking artificial intelligence system designed to interpret the complex regulatory language of the human genome. This deep learning model represents a significant advancement in genomic research, potentially accelerating the discovery of treatments for genetic disorders.

    According to Pushmeet Kohli, Vice President of Research at Google DeepMind, while the 2003 mapping of the human genome provided ‘the book of life,’ interpreting its contents remained profoundly challenging. ‘We have the text—a sequence of three billion nucleotide pairs—but understanding the grammar of this genome represents the next critical frontier,’ Kohli explained during the announcement.

    The technology specifically targets non-coding DNA, which constitutes approximately 98% of the human genome. Once dismissed as ‘junk DNA,’ this genetic material is now understood to function as a regulatory conductor, directing how genetic information operates within cellular structures. These sequences contain numerous variants associated with diseases that have previously eluded comprehensive analysis.

    AlphaGenome distinguishes itself through its ability to process exceptionally long DNA sequences—up to one million nucleotides—while maintaining high resolution predictions. The model analyzes how each nucleotide pair influences biological processes, including gene activation and RNA production. This capability allows researchers to compare mutated and non-mutated sequences, providing unprecedented insight into genetic disease mechanisms.

    Trained on public datasets measuring non-coding DNA across hundreds of human and mouse cell types, AlphaGenome builds upon Google’s established scientific AI work, which includes the Nobel Prize-winning AlphaFold protein structure prediction system. The tool is already being utilized by 3,000 researchers across 160 countries and remains openly accessible for non-commercial scientific investigation.

    Independent researchers have acknowledged the model’s transformative potential while noting limitations. Ben Lehner of Cambridge University confirmed the system ‘performs very well’ but emphasized that AI models remain constrained by training data quality. Robert Goldstone of the Francis Crick Institute noted that while environmental factors influencing gene expression fall outside the model’s scope, AlphaGenome nevertheless represents a ‘breakthrough’ for simulating genetic disease foundations.

  • Senior Biden aide demands ‘thank you’ for US role in Israel’s Gaza genocide

    Senior Biden aide demands ‘thank you’ for US role in Israel’s Gaza genocide

    A sharp diplomatic rift has emerged between the Biden administration and Israeli leadership as senior US official Amos Hochstein publicly condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what he termed as “untruthful and ungrateful” statements regarding American military support.

    The controversy erupted following Netanyahu’s assertion that Israeli military casualties in Gaza resulted from perceived US arms restrictions. Hochstein, a specially appointed envoy with deep ties to Israel having been born there and served in the Israeli military, delivered a stinging rebuke minutes after Netanyahu’s press conference remarks.

    Hochstein’s background lends particular weight to his criticism. After his military service in the 1990s as a tank crewman, he transitioned into business and energy sectors before becoming a key diplomatic intermediary between Israeli leadership and multiple US administrations.

    The US envoy detailed the substantial military assistance provided to Israel, citing over $20 billion in support—the largest in Israel’s history—along with the deployment of two aircraft carriers to the region. Hochstein emphasized that President Biden’s administration had “saved Israel at its most vulnerable moment,” making Netanyahu’s claims particularly jarring.

    This criticism was echoed by another senior Biden official, Brett McGurk, who categorically denied Netanyahu’s account of arms restrictions. McGurk highlighted the administration’s achievements including securing a Gaza ceasefire, facilitating hostage returns, neutralizing Hezbollah threats in Lebanon, and countering Iranian aggression through coordinated military operations.

    The White House has consistently denied implementing any comprehensive arms embargo, acknowledging only a single paused shipment of high-payload bombs due to concerns about their use in densely populated urban areas. Netanyahu revived these claims while attempting to explain his previous comments to The Economist regarding Israeli military tactics in Gaza.

    This public airing of grievances reveals underlying tensions in the US-Israel relationship despite substantial American military and diplomatic support throughout recent conflicts.

  • Australian Open: ‘Extremely lucky’ Djokovic into semifinals as Musetti retires

    Australian Open: ‘Extremely lucky’ Djokovic into semifinals as Musetti retires

    In a dramatic turn of events at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic secured an unexpected passage to the semifinals following opponent Lorenzo Musetti’s mid-match retirement due to injury. The Serbian tennis legend found himself trailing significantly, having dropped the initial two sets 6-4, 6-3, before the Italian fifth seed was compelled to withdraw during the third set.

    The match witnessed a stark contrast in performance, with Djokovic uncharacteristically accumulating 32 unforced errors throughout the contest. Musetti demonstrated superior court coverage and shot selection, consistently pressuring the defending champion with precise groundstrokes and tactical brilliance. The Italian established dominance early, breaking Djokovic’s serve multiple times while maintaining his own service games with composure.

    However, the momentum shifted abruptly when Musetti required medical attention for an upper right leg injury while trailing 1-2 in the third set. Despite attempting to continue, his mobility became severely compromised, ultimately forcing his retirement at 1-3 down in the set.

    Djokovic, who described himself as ‘extremely lucky’ during post-match comments, acknowledged Musetti’s superior performance: ‘I feel really sorry for him—he was the far better player today. I was on my way home tonight. He should have been the winner, no doubt.’

    The victory carries historical significance, marking Djokovic’s 103rd singles win at Melbourne Park, surpassing Roger Federer’s previous record. It also represents his 54th Grand Slam semifinal appearance, extending his own existing record. The Serbian now awaits the winner between defending champion Jannik Sinner and American eighth seed Ben Shelton as he continues his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

  • German investigators search Deutsche Bank offices in money laundering probe

    German investigators search Deutsche Bank offices in money laundering probe

    FRANKFURT, Germany — German authorities executed coordinated searches at Deutsche Bank offices on Wednesday as part of an extensive money laundering investigation targeting Germany’s largest financial institution. The operation, conducted by Frankfurt prosecutors, focused on unidentified bank employees and previous business relationships with foreign entities suspected of facilitating illicit financial activities.

    The law enforcement action spanned multiple locations, including the bank’s Frankfurt headquarters and additional premises in Berlin. Prosecutors indicated the investigation centers on transactions potentially designed to conceal the origin of funds through the banking system, though specific details regarding the scale and nature of these transactions remain undisclosed.

    Deutsche Bank confirmed the presence of investigators in an official statement, emphasizing their full cooperation with authorities while declining further commentary on the ongoing probe. The timing of the raid proves particularly significant, occurring just one day before the bank’s scheduled release of its 2025 earnings report.

    This investigation continues a pattern of regulatory challenges for Deutsche Bank, which has faced substantial penalties in recent years. In 2018, New York regulators imposed a $205 million fine for foreign exchange market manipulation. The previous year saw dual penalties: $41 million from the Federal Reserve for anti-money laundering control failures, and a massive $629 million settlement with New York and British regulators for control lapses that enabled wealthy Russian clients to launder approximately $10 billion through the institution.

  • France’s finance minister demands tech firm Capgemini explain ICE contract

    France’s finance minister demands tech firm Capgemini explain ICE contract

    PARIS — French Finance Minister Roland Lescure has issued a strong appeal to technology giant Capgemini, demanding complete transparency regarding its subsidiary’s contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This development occurs amid escalating concerns about the agency’s enforcement of the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies.

    The multinational corporation, which maintains a workforce exceeding 340,000 across more than 50 countries, entered into an agreement with ICE in December through its U.S.-based subsidiary Capgemini Government Solutions (CGS). Minister Lescure addressed French legislators Tuesday evening, emphasizing that Capgemini must provide comprehensive clarification about its activities and reconsider the ethical implications of this engagement.

    This governmental pressure follows revelations that Capgemini’s CEO Aiman Ezzat only recently became aware of the contract. In a LinkedIn statement, Ezzat acknowledged that the nature of this work has raised significant questions compared to the company’s typical business operations. He revealed that CGS operates under a specialized governance structure that permits handling classified U.S. government work, with strict separation from Capgemini Group operations.

    According to Ezzat, CGS maintains completely independent decision-making processes, firewalled networks, and a board controlled by U.S. directors with security clearances. This structure, mandated by U.S. regulations, prevents the parent company from accessing any classified information or contracts.

    Minister Lescure remained unconvinced by these explanations, asserting that corporate ownership inherently requires knowledge of subsidiary activities. The controversy emerges against the backdrop of intensified immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, where recent ICE actions resulted in the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens, amplifying scrutiny of the agency’s methods.

  • Now, UAE residents can pay insurance premiums, file claims in cryptocurrencies

    Now, UAE residents can pay insurance premiums, file claims in cryptocurrencies

    The United Arab Emirates insurance industry has entered a transformative phase with the introduction of cryptocurrency payment solutions, marking a significant milestone in financial innovation. Dubai Insurance has pioneered this movement by launching the nation’s first digital wallet for crypto assets within the insurance sector, enabling residents to conduct insurance transactions using digital currencies.

    Abdellatif Abuqurah, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Insurance, characterized the development as “a defining moment” for both the company and the broader insurance landscape across the UAE and Middle Eastern region. “By becoming the first insurance company to enable the receipt of premiums and payment of claims in digital assets through a secure digital wallet, we are redefining how insurance services are delivered while remaining aligned with regulatory and governance frameworks,” Abuqurah stated.

    This groundbreaking initiative follows the UAE banking sector’s earlier adoption of cryptocurrency solutions, which already offers digital currency buying and selling services. Notably, RAKBank and Zand have obtained formal approvals from the Central Bank of the UAE for dirham-backed stablecoins, signaling robust regulatory support for digital asset integration.

    The momentum for cryptocurrency adoption in the UAE continues to accelerate at an exceptional pace. According to the World Crypto Rankings 2025 report by Bybit and DL Research, the Emirates leads the Middle East and North Africa region in cryptocurrency adoption and ranks fifth globally. The report further notes that the UAE is establishing itself as “the de facto bridge between Asia, Europe, and Africa in tokenised finance.”

    In February 2025, Liva Group and Relm Insurance collaborated to launch specialized insurance products for companies operating in emerging sectors including digital assets, blockchain, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and the space economy.

    Dubai Insurance has strategically partnered with Zodia Custody to ensure secure infrastructure for digital asset transactions. Zane Suren, Managing Director for Commercial Operations in the Middle East and Africa at Zodia Custody, emphasized that “as digital asset adoption accelerates, insurers need trusted infrastructure that allows policyholders to transact confidently with digital assets.”

    Abuqurah further elaborated on the significance of this development, noting that “digital assets have become part of everyday financial life in the UAE. We believe insurers have a clear role to play providing security, strong governance, and confidence in a changing landscape.” This move represents the latest in a series of digital financial innovations in the UAE, including recent initiatives allowing employees to receive salaries through digital wallets.

  • Is the US preparing to strike Iran?

    Is the US preparing to strike Iran?

    A substantial and methodical military buildup is underway in the Middle East as U.S. forces position themselves for potential action against Iran. This strategic mobilization follows President Donald Trump’s recent social media ultimatum warning Tehran that unless it agrees to limit its nuclear program, the next American attack would be “far worse” than previous operations.

    The Pentagon has significantly enhanced its regional presence with additional aircraft, defense systems, and naval assets. Open-source intelligence reports confirm the arrival of F-15 fighter jets, refuelling tankers, and specialized surveillance aircraft including RC-135s and E-3G Sentry planes—similar to those deployed in last June’s Operation ‘Midnight Hammer’ that successfully targeted Iranian nuclear facilities with precision bunker-buster bombs.

    Most notably, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has been redirected from the Indo-Pacific to the Gulf region. This formidable naval force includes advanced F-35 stealth jets, three destroyers armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, and typically accompanies a nuclear-powered submarine. The deployment complements the approximately 50,000 U.S. military personnel already stationed across bases in Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf allies.

    Military analysts suggest this posture indicates serious preparation for potential strikes. Matthew Savill, Director of Military Sciences at RUSI and former UK government Iran policy official, notes that current U.S. capabilities would allow strikes “almost anywhere in Iran” against all but the most deeply buried facilities. Possible targets include Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure, coastal defense systems, or even leadership figures within the Revolutionary Guard Corps.

    While the Trump administration maintains that diplomatic solutions remain possible, the president’s message emphasizes that time is “running out” for Iran to negotiate. The military movements suggest readiness for what Trump characterized as a mission capable of being fulfilled “with speed and violence, if necessary.”