Global Pulse

标签： North America

北美洲

  • ‘Who’s next?’ – American lawmakers call for ‘justice’ in the US after Andrew arrest

    ‘Who’s next?’ – American lawmakers call for ‘justice’ in the US after Andrew arrest

    American legislators are intensifying pressure for comprehensive investigations into individuals associated with Jeffrey Epstein, inspired by the recent detention of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on allegations of misconduct in public office. The arrest has triggered bipartisan calls for parallel accountability measures within the United States justice system.

    Congressman Thomas Massie, instrumental in legislation compelling the Department of Justice to disclose Epstein-related documents, declared on social media: ‘Prince Andrew was just arrested. Now we need JUSTICE in the United States.’ This sentiment echoes across party lines, with Representative Suhas Subramanyam, chairing the House Oversight Committee, characterizing the development as a ‘huge breakthrough’ in pursuing powerful figures connected to Epstein’s network.

    Subramanyam extended an invitation for the former royal to provide testimony voluntarily, emphasizing: ‘If he did nothing wrong, then he should clear his name. Our door is open and we will talk to him on his terms—I will fly out to the UK if necessary.’ The Virginia Democrat noted that victims had found symbolic justice in Mountbatten-Windsor’s prior removal of titles, viewing it as initial progress toward addressing systemic impunity among elites.

    California Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Nancy Mace both highlighted their legislative roles in advancing accountability, with Mace noting her singular congressional demand for the royal’s arrest. ‘Today, on his 66th birthday, that call was answered,’ she stated. ‘We will not stop until every co-conspirator and enabler is held fully accountable.’

    The released Epstein documents enumerate numerous high-profile names including technology billionaires, political leaders, and business magnates, though inclusion doesn’t imply criminal culpability. UK authorities confirmed they are evaluating complaints regarding alleged transmission of confidential materials to Epstein, clarifying that current allegations do not involve sexual offenses.

    Congressional investigators reaffirmed their commitment to exhaustive inquiry, vowing: ‘No one connected to Jeffrey Epstein will escape accountability. Our work is just beginning, and we will pursue justice for every individual who participated in the abuse of women and girls.’

  • UAE: Indian sports and entertainment platform signs Emirati golfer Ahmad Skaik

    UAE: Indian sports and entertainment platform signs Emirati golfer Ahmad Skaik

    In a landmark move for regional sports management, India’s premier talent platform LegaXy has officially launched its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) operations through a strategic alliance with UAE-based Optima Sports and Capital. This expansion marks LegaXy’s inaugural international venture and establishes it as the first Indian sports and entertainment entity to establish a foothold in the region.

    The partnership aims to develop a comprehensive sports ecosystem across MENA, encompassing athlete representation, brand collaborations, experiential projects, and original content creation. The collaboration debuts with the exclusive signing of Ahmad Skaik, the UAE’s top-ranked professional golfer, as its flagship regional athlete.

    Skaik emphasized the timing’s significance for Emirati golf, stating: “This partnership arrives at a pivotal moment for our sport’s development. I’m honored to represent the UAE as we collectively build something truly meaningful for the region’s athletic future.”

    Sachin Kerur, Chairman of Optima Sports and Capital, praised LegaXy’s established credentials in athlete brand development, noting that combining LegaXy’s global perspective with Optima’s regional proficiency would create a world-class platform grounded in Middle Eastern values. “Our signing of Ahmad Skaik demonstrates our unwavering commitment to credibility, excellence, and nurturing homegrown talent,” Kerur added.

    LegaXy Founder and CEO Amitesh Shah identified MENA as one of the world’s most dynamic sports markets, describing Skaik as embodying the professionalism, ambition, and international mindset that characterizes the region’s emerging athletic generation.

    Mohammed Sirajuddin, LegaXy’s Founding Advisor, highlighted the UAE’s rapidly advancing sports infrastructure as providing ideal conditions for global expansion. He emphasized that the Optima partnership brings essential local expertise to unlock unprecedented opportunities for both athletes and brands throughout the Middle East.

  • Levi’s® reframes denim for the rhythm of women’s lives in the Middle East

    Levi’s® reframes denim for the rhythm of women’s lives in the Middle East

    Levi Strauss & Co. is strategically repositioning its denim offerings to align with the evolving lifestyle demands of women across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations through its Fit for Life Season 3 initiative. This movement represents a significant departure from traditional heritage marketing toward practical, comfort-driven design philosophy that resonates with contemporary regional preferences.

    The campaign emerges in response to a noticeable transformation in Middle Eastern fashion sensibilities, where denim has transitioned into a wardrobe staple capable of adapting to multifaceted daily routines. Women increasingly prioritize garments that seamlessly transition from professional environments to social gatherings without compromising comfort or stylistic integrity. This shift toward versatile, all-day clothing has become particularly relevant during extended periods like Ramadan, where attire must remain appropriate from dawn until late-night festivities.

    Mir Zia Mahmood, General Manager for the Middle East at Levi Strauss & Co., emphasizes the campaign’s strategic direction: ‘Fit for Life Season 3 embodies our evolution from being perceived primarily as a denim heritage brand to becoming an integral part of women’s daily lives across the region. We’re focusing on designs that feel inherently natural, exceptionally comfortable, and highly adaptable to various social contexts and physical activities.’

    The collection introduces thoughtfully engineered silhouettes including the Middy Loose Boot, Loose Boot, Cinch Baggy, and Super Baggy Barrel designs that prioritize freedom of movement through hip and thigh areas while maintaining structural integrity. The Shaping Wide Leg option provides a softened contour, while the XL Skirt demonstrates denim’s expansion beyond traditional jeans into modest styling configurations prevalent throughout the region.

    Levi’s approach demonstrates sophisticated cultural intelligence by blending global brand authenticity with regional dressing conventions. The collection incorporates breathable fabrics, fluid layering options, and modest proportions that address both climatic considerations and cultural preferences without sacrificing contemporary aesthetic appeal.

    Rather than operating as a limited-term campaign, Fit for Life has evolved into an ongoing platform that strengthens the brand’s relationship with Middle Eastern consumers. This initiative underscores denim’s transformation from seasonal fashion item to foundational wardrobe element that consistently aligns with how women actually live, dress, and move through their daily routines across the GCC region.

  • Microsoft error sees confidential emails exposed to AI tool Copilot

    Microsoft error sees confidential emails exposed to AI tool Copilot

    Microsoft has confirmed a significant security lapse in its AI-powered productivity tool, Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, which mistakenly accessed and summarized confidential user emails. The incident, first reported by technology publication Bleeping Computer, exposed protected content from enterprise users’ draft and sent folders within Outlook desktop applications.

    The tech giant markets Copilot Chat as a secure generative AI solution for workplace environments, integrated across Microsoft’s ecosystem including Outlook and Teams. However, a configuration error caused the system to bypass established sensitivity labels and data loss prevention policies designed to prevent unauthorized access to confidential information.

    Microsoft responded swiftly to the breach, deploying a worldwide update to address what it described as a ‘code issue.’ Company representatives emphasized that the incident did not grant unauthorized access to protected data, stating: ‘Our access controls and data protection policies remained intact, though this behavior did not meet our intended Copilot experience.’

    The notification regarding this security flaw appeared on multiple support platforms, including the IT support dashboard for England’s National Health Service (NHS), suggesting potential impact on healthcare organizations. Microsoft assured that patient data remained secure throughout the incident.

    Industry experts have expressed concern about the accelerating pace of AI implementation in corporate environments. Nader Henein, data protection and AI governance analyst at Gartner, commented that ‘this sort of fumble is unavoidable’ given the rapid deployment of novel AI capabilities. He noted that organizations lack adequate tools to manage and secure each new feature effectively.

    University of Surrey cybersecurity expert Professor Alan Woodward highlighted the inherent risks of rapidly developed AI tools, stating: ‘There will inevitably be bugs in these tools, not least as they advance at break-neck speed, so even though data leakage may not be intentional it will happen.’ He advocated for privacy-by-default designs and opt-in-only approaches to such technologies.

    The incident, which Microsoft first identified in January, underscores the broader challenges facing organizations as they integrate increasingly sophisticated AI tools into sensitive work environments while maintaining data security protocols.

  • Dubai bank Emirates NBD launches silver bars from 100g to 1kg

    Dubai bank Emirates NBD launches silver bars from 100g to 1kg

    Dubai’s largest banking institution, Emirates NBD, has significantly expanded its precious metals offerings with the introduction of physical silver bars, responding to escalating investor demand for tangible asset diversification. The newly launched products, available in four distinct denominations ranging from 100 grams to 1 kilogram, represent the bank’s strategic move to capitalize on the growing preference for non-correlated investment vehicles.

    The silver bars, minted in high purity standards of 999.0 and 999.9 fineness, carry the Emirates NBD hallmark guaranteeing authenticity and quality assurance. This development follows the remarkable success of the bank’s gold bar initiative launched in December 2025, which demonstrated substantial market uptake and reinforced Dubai’s position as a regional bullion trading hub.

    Market dynamics have particularly favored silver investments, with prices surging approximately 130% throughout the previous year—outperforming gold’s 60% appreciation. This substantial growth has catalyzed increased investor interest in silver as both a diversification tool and wealth preservation asset.

    Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Wholesale Banking at Emirates NBD, emphasized the institution’s unique positioning to connect wholesale market depth with retail accessibility. ‘As global markets witness a pronounced shift toward hard assets, we are providing clients with robust tools for financial security,’ Al Qassim stated.

    Ammar Al Haj, Group Treasurer and Head of Global Markets, further elaborated that the silver bar offering addresses the growing appetite for real assets through a secure, banking-grade platform. The initiative combines scale, transparency, and institutional governance, providing both retail and high-net-worth investors with flexible access to physical silver ownership within a trusted financial framework.

  • Trump says world has 10 days to see if Iran deal reached

    Trump says world has 10 days to see if Iran deal reached

    President Donald Trump has declared that the world will learn within approximately ten days whether the United States will secure a nuclear agreement with Iran or resort to military escalation. Speaking at the inaugural session of his newly established Board of Peace in Washington D.C., Trump characterized recent negotiations as “very good” while simultaneously acknowledging the historical complexity of reaching meaningful accords with Tehran.

    The administration appears to be pursuing parallel tracks of diplomacy and military pressure. Recent days have witnessed both reported progress in U.S.-Iran talks held in Switzerland and a significant surge of American military assets to the Middle East, including the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. This dual approach has created an atmosphere of heightened tension, with satellite imagery confirming Iran’s reinforcement of military facilities and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issuing social media threats against U.S. forces.

    Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who also serves as Trump’s son-in-law, have conducted what the president described as productive meetings with Iranian representatives. However, Trump emphasized that additional work remains and warned that Washington “may have to take it a step further” if diplomatic efforts fail.

    The Board of Peace, initially conceived to address the Israel-Hamas conflict, appears to have expanded its mandate beyond Gaza reconstruction. Its composition of approximately two dozen nations has raised questions about whether the Trump administration intends to create an alternative forum that might marginalize United Nations diplomacy.

    Congressional opposition to potential military action is mounting across party lines. Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) are preparing to force a vote under the 1973 War Powers Act, which grants Congress authority to constrain presidential war powers. Khanna emphasized that conflict with Iran “would be catastrophic,” noting the nation’s significant military capabilities and the vulnerability of thousands of U.S. troops stationed in the region. Despite this legislative effort, prospects for passage remain uncertain, particularly after Senate Republicans blocked a similar resolution regarding Venezuela in January.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously stated that Iran would be “very wise” to negotiate a deal, indicating the administration’s preference for diplomatic resolution while maintaining military options. The situation remains fluid with last year’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and reported discussions of new attack options underscoring the volatility of the current standoff.

  • Trump-appointed panel approves White House ballroom project

    Trump-appointed panel approves White House ballroom project

    The Commission of Fine Arts has granted overwhelming approval for former President Donald Trump’s controversial ballroom project at the White House, despite significant opposition from preservation groups and the public. The presidential-appointed panel endorsed the design following architectural modifications addressing initial commission concerns.

    The project, which necessitated the demolition of the White House’s East Wing in October 2025, has been championed by Trump as essential for national security and diplomatic hospitality. “We must protect the country and its guests,” stated Commission Chairman Rodney Mims Cook Jr., emphasizing the facility’s purported century-and-a-half necessity.

    Opposition has been substantial, with the National Trust for Historic Preservation filing litigation to halt construction, citing non-compliance with mandated review processes. Public sentiment appears largely against the project, with Commission Secretary Thomas Luebke revealing over 2,000 public comments received, with more than 99% expressing opposition.

    Trump maintains that current White House facilities are inadequate for hosting significant national events and foreign dignitaries. The former president has promised a privately-funded structure that will become “the most beautiful ballroom anywhere in the world,” though specific donor details remain undisclosed.

    The development continues to generate intense debate regarding historical preservation versus executive modernization ambitions at America’s most iconic residence.

  • US trade deficit hits fresh high despite Trump’s tariffs

    US trade deficit hits fresh high despite Trump’s tariffs

    The United States witnessed its merchandise trade deficit surge to an unprecedented $1.2 trillion in the past fiscal year, marking a 2.1% increase from 2024 levels, according to official data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This record imbalance emerged despite the Trump administration’s comprehensive tariff strategy aimed at reshaping global trade dynamics.

    President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which imposed levies of at least 10% on imports from nearly every trading partner, failed to stem the tide of foreign goods entering American markets. Instead, imports reached a historic peak of $3.4 trillion, driven partially by artificial intelligence-related business investments that boosted demand for computer components and equipment.

    The administration’s trade policy, which intended to revitalize domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on overseas production, produced mixed results. While trade with China—an early target of the tariffs—declined significantly, reducing the bilateral deficit by approximately 30% to $202.1 billion (the smallest gap in two decades), the US simultaneously recorded record trade imbalances with Mexico, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

    The broader goods and services deficit, which incorporates sectors such as travel and digital services, remained virtually unchanged at $901.5 billion compared to $903.5 billion in 2024. This persistent gap contradicts one of the White House’s primary economic objectives: reducing what officials characterize as a national security vulnerability caused by overdependence on foreign manufacturing.

    Business communities have faced substantial turbulence due to frequent revisions to tariff policies and the administration’s use of trade threats as diplomatic leverage. Most recently, the president signed an executive order threatening additional taxes on nations maintaining trade relations with Iran.

    The future of the tariff regime remains uncertain as the Supreme Court considers a legal challenge brought by businesses and states that could potentially invalidate most of last year’s tariffs. Administration officials have indicated they would pursue alternative mechanisms to reinstate the tariffs should the court rule against them.

    Financial analysts at Wells Fargo project continued supply chain realignments but anticipate modest import growth regardless of tariff pressures in the coming year.

  • Overwashing, too much Retinol: Ramadan skincare mistakes to avoid

    Overwashing, too much Retinol: Ramadan skincare mistakes to avoid

    As the holy month of Ramadan transforms daily routines with extended fasting periods and altered sleep patterns, dermatologists across the UAE are highlighting significant skincare concerns that emerge during this spiritual period. Medical experts identify dehydration-induced dryness, increased sensitivity, and circadian rhythm disruptions as primary challenges affecting skin health during this time.

    Dr. Malaz Eldirdiry, specialist dermatologist at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi, explains that reduced daytime fluid intake directly impacts skin physiology. “Dehydration can manifest as visible dryness and dullness while potentially exacerbating pre-existing conditions like eczema,” she notes. However, with proper post-iftar hydration management, fasting can yield neutral or even beneficial effects including improved oil balance and acne reduction.

    The disruption of natural sleep-wake cycles presents another significant factor. Skincare professionals emphasize that late nights and early suhoor awakenings interfere with the skin’s nocturnal repair processes, potentially leading to delayed healing, persistent inflammation, and fatigued appearance.

    Common Ramadan Skincare Missteps:

    Excessive cleansing rituals intended to maintain freshness often backfire by compromising the skin’s protective barrier. Dermatologists recommend limiting cleansing to morning and evening sessions using gentle formulations rather than harsh soaps that trigger rebound oil production.

    The temptation to combat dullness through aggressive exfoliation—particularly as Eid approaches—frequently results in heightened sensitivity and pigmentation issues. Experts advise prioritizing hydration over intensive scrubbing to restore natural radiance.

    Potent active ingredients including retinol, high-concentration acids, and alcohol-based toners may require reduced frequency during Ramadan. Rather than complete elimination, spacing applications while monitoring skin response helps prevent adverse reactions.

    Barrier repair emerges as the cornerstone of effective Ramadan skincare. A simplified routine featuring hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid, appropriate moisturization, and consistent sun protection proves most effective.

    Professional treatment scheduling requires strategic timing, with aesthetic expert Ahmed Nhaban recommending appointments 2-3 hours post-iftar when hydration levels are restored. UAE clinics report increased evening bookings during Ramadan for this reason.

    For pre-Eid preparations, dermatologists advise advanced scheduling of cosmetic procedures, noting that Botox requires 10-14 days for optimal results before celebrations commence.

    Skincare specialists recommend adopting a two-phase daily approach: lightweight hydration with antioxidant protection and sunscreen after suhoor, followed by intensive repair formulations featuring barrier-restoring ingredients after iftar. This circadian-aware strategy helps maintain skin equilibrium throughout Ramadan’s unique demands.

  • Gold prices to average $5,300 in 2026 and $5,500 in 2027, IIF says

    Gold prices to average $5,300 in 2026 and $5,500 in 2027, IIF says

    A significant structural shift in the gold market is paving the way for sustained higher price levels, according to a new analysis from the Institute of International Finance (IIF). The global financial think-tank projects the precious metal will average $5,300 per ounce throughout 2026 before climbing to an average of $5,500 in 2027, signaling a new long-term trading range driven by increased financialization and changing global monetary conditions.

    The IIF’s comprehensive assessment identifies several fundamental factors supporting medium-term demand, notably robust central bank acquisitions and potential ETF inflows. However, short-term price movements will continue to reflect dynamic interactions between real yield fluctuations, US dollar strength, global liquidity conditions, and geopolitical risk perceptions.

    Garbis Iradian, Chief Economist for Mena and Central Asia at IIF, emphasized that while gold appears structurally better supported than in previous market cycles, its trajectory remains contingent on multiple variables. ‘Gold prices will ultimately reflect the evolution of key drivers rather than a mechanical continuation of recent gains,’ Iradian stated in the newly released research note.

    The analysis outlines specific upside risks that could propel prices beyond baseline projections, including an accelerated decline in real yields, renewed financial system stress, stronger-than-anticipated ETF inflows, or escalating geopolitical tensions that sustain safe-haven demand. Conversely, downside risks emerge from a prolonged high-interest rate environment, US dollar appreciation, weakening global liquidity, or a deceleration in official-sector purchasing activity.

    Market context shows gold trading around $5,000 per ounce on Thursday after reaching record highs of $5,500 earlier in the year, with prices demonstrating volatility throughout the trading session. In UAE markets, 24K gold was quoted at Dh600.75 per gram, reflecting regional price variations.

    The IIF’s baseline projection assumes a soft-landing scenario characterized by gradual monetary easing, modest US dollar weakness, improving global liquidity conditions, and sustained official-sector demand. Under these conditions, gold prices are expected to remain elevated through 2026–2027, though the pace of appreciation may moderate as macroeconomic tailwinds gradually diminish.