Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Philippines’ Duterte fit to face ICC proceedings, judges say

    Philippines’ Duterte fit to face ICC proceedings, judges say

    The International Criminal Court has formally declared former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte mentally competent to participate in pre-trial proceedings regarding alleged crimes against humanity. This judicial determination, issued on Monday, directly countermands defense claims that the 80-year-old leader suffers from cognitive impairments that would prevent his meaningful engagement with the court.

    Judicial authorities at The Hague-based court have scheduled a critical hearing for February 23rd to evaluate whether prosecutors have established sufficient evidentiary foundation to advance the case to full trial. The ICC’s medical assessment panel concluded that Duterte retains adequate mental capacity to exercise his procedural rights effectively, noting that participation standards “did not have to be at their notionally highest level.”

    Duterte faces allegations of orchestrating systematic human rights violations during his controversial anti-drug campaign (2016-2022), which resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings of suspected drug offenders. The former president consistently defended the brutal crackdown as necessary for establishing public order and economic stability.

    Congresswoman Leila de Lima, a prominent Duterte critic who was previously imprisoned on fabricated drug charges during his administration, hailed the ruling as a victory for accountability: “This tells victims that in the reckoning of Duterte at the ICC, their voices will not be sidelined by technical evasions.”

    The former leader’s arrest at Manila International Airport in March 2025 coincided with the dissolution of his political alliance with successor President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Duterte’s detention has polarized Philippine society, drawing condemnation from human rights organizations while maintaining support among populist constituencies who feel marginalized by traditional political elites.

    Notably, Duterte secured election as mayor of Davao City while incarcerated in May 2024, demonstrating his enduring political influence. His daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, remains a formidable presidential contender for the 2028 elections, where term limits prevent Marcos from seeking reelection.

  • North Korea launches suspected ballistic missiles toward the sea, neighbors say

    North Korea launches suspected ballistic missiles toward the sea, neighbors say

    In a significant escalation of regional tensions, North Korea conducted suspected ballistic missile tests on Tuesday, launching projectiles toward the sea off its eastern coast. The provocative military demonstration comes as the isolated nation intensifies hostile rhetoric toward South Korea preceding a major political assembly.

    Japanese and South Korean defense authorities confirmed detecting the launch activity, with Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office and Defense Ministry identifying the projectiles as possible ballistic missiles. South Korea’s Defense Ministry reported tracking at least one unidentified projectile but provided no immediate details regarding the weapons’ flight distance or trajectory.

    This latest provocation follows North Korea’s recent allegations of unauthorized South Korean surveillance drone incursions across the border in January and September—claims that Seoul has categorically denied. The South Korean government has initiated investigations to determine whether civilian-operated drones might have been involved.

    Security analysts interpret these developments as strategically timed to amplify anti-South Korean sentiment before the ruling Workers’ Party congress, scheduled to convene in late January or February. This marks the first such gathering in five years and may feature significant policy declarations, including the potential formalization of leader Kim Jong Un’s concept of a hostile “two-state” system on the Korean Peninsula in the party constitution.

    The missile tests represent the latest in a series of advanced weapons demonstrations by North Korea. Earlier this month, the nation conducted test flights of hypersonic missiles under Kim’s personal supervision, with state media emphasizing his directive to strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrent capabilities.

    In December, North Korea additionally tested what it described as long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles, while releasing imagery suggesting progress on its first nuclear-powered submarine project. Weapons development achievements are expected to feature prominently during the upcoming party congress, analysts note.

  • India and EU set to announce landmark trade deal

    India and EU set to announce landmark trade deal

    In a significant geopolitical development, India and the European Union have finalized a comprehensive trade agreement following nearly two decades of intermittent negotiations. The breakthrough comes as both economic powers seek to strengthen international partnerships amid growing trade tensions with the United States.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended India’s Republic Day celebrations in Delhi as chief guests, setting the stage for Tuesday’s bilateral summit where the agreement will be formally announced. The presence of EU leadership at this symbolic event underscores the strategic importance both parties place on this partnership.

    The agreement, described by officials as the ‘mother of all trade deals,’ represents approximately 25% of global GDP and one-third of worldwide trade. It will enhance market access for Indian exports to European markets while facilitating entry for European investments and goods—particularly automobiles and beverages—into India’s rapidly expanding economy.

    This development occurs against a backdrop of increasing protectionist measures globally. Both India and the EU have faced economic pressure from recent US tariff policies, including the 50% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration last year. The timing of this agreement sends a powerful message about both economies’ commitment to multilateral trade cooperation in an era of rising trade barriers.

    While negotiations began in 2007 and stalled in 2013 due to disagreements over market access and regulatory standards, discussions formally resumed in July 2022. The most contentious issues included access to India’s automobile sector, agricultural goods, and carbon-linked tariffs. Intensive negotiations over recent days successfully resolved these remaining chapters.

    The formal signing is expected later this year following approval by the European Parliament and European Council. This agreement marks India’s latest in a series of trade pacts, including recent agreements with the UK, Oman, and New Zealand, while the EU recently concluded a landmark deal with Mercosur after 25 years of negotiation.

  • India’s prime minister says it has reached a free trade deal with the EU

    India’s prime minister says it has reached a free trade deal with the EU

    In a landmark development for global trade, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday the successful conclusion of a comprehensive free trade agreement between India and the European Union. This monumental pact, affecting approximately two billion people across both economies, culminates sixteen years of complex diplomatic and economic negotiations.

    The agreement, characterized by both parties as the ‘mother of all deals,’ establishes one of the world’s most significant bilateral trade frameworks. The partnership encompasses an extraordinary 25% of global GDP and accounts for approximately one-third of worldwide trade activity, creating substantial opportunities for businesses and consumers across both markets.

    Prime Minister Modi revealed the breakthrough during a virtual address at an energy conference, emphasizing the transformative potential of the agreement. ‘This landmark accord will generate tremendous economic benefits and strengthen strategic cooperation between our nations,’ Modi stated, highlighting the agreement’s broad economic implications.

    The timing of this agreement carries particular significance as both India and the EU face escalating trade tensions with the United States, which has imposed substantial import tariffs affecting both economies. These developments have disrupted traditional trade patterns and accelerated the pursuit of alternative economic partnerships among major global players.

    The formal announcement was scheduled to occur later Tuesday through a joint declaration involving Prime Minister Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa. This high-level participation underscores the strategic importance both sides attribute to the agreement.

    Analysts suggest this agreement could reshape global trade dynamics by creating a powerful economic bloc that balances against other major trading nations while establishing new standards for international commerce in the 21st century.

  • Takeaways from AP’s report on how Bangladeshi workers were tricked into fighting in the Ukraine war

    Takeaways from AP’s report on how Bangladeshi workers were tricked into fighting in the Ukraine war

    An extensive investigation by the Associated Press has uncovered a systematic scheme wherein Bangladeshi laborers were fraudulently recruited for civilian positions in Russia, only to be coerced into active military participation in the Ukraine conflict. The findings, based on firsthand accounts from survivors and documentation from affected families, reveal a disturbing pattern of human trafficking disguised as employment opportunities.

    Three escaped workers—Maksudur Rahman, Mohan Miajee, and Jehangir Alam—provided chilling testimonies of their ordeal. They described being manipulated into signing Russian-language military contracts under false pretenses, followed by compulsory basic training in combat techniques and drone operations. Subsequently, they were forced to perform high-risk duties including frontline supply transport, casualty evacuation, and body recovery operations. Some reported being utilized as human shields in active combat zones.

    Labor recruiters specifically targeted economically vulnerable communities in Bangladesh, promoting attractive employment opportunities as cooks, cleaners, and launderers within Russian military installations. These offers included false promises of eventual Russian residency. Many victims incurred substantial debts or liquidated assets to cover processing fees administered by the now-defunct recruitment agency SP Global.

    While the precise number of affected individuals remains undetermined, evidence suggests potentially hundreds of Bangladeshi nationals may have been involuntarily conscripted. Bangladeshi police investigations indicate approximately forty citizens may have perished in combat operations.

    Authorities in Bangladesh have initiated trafficking investigations targeting networks operated by local intermediaries with connections to Russian officials. The probe began following January 2025 testimony from a returnee who exposed the fraudulent recruitment practices. This led to the identification of nine additional victims and criminal charges against a key operative—a dual Bangladeshi-Russian national residing in Moscow.

    The Russian Defense Ministry and Bangladeshi government authorities have not responded to repeated requests for commentary regarding these allegations.

  • Bangladeshi workers lured to Russia for jobs were forced to fight in the war in Ukraine

    Bangladeshi workers lured to Russia for jobs were forced to fight in the war in Ukraine

    An extensive investigation by The Associated Press has uncovered a systematic pattern of human trafficking wherein Russian military operatives and labor recruiters are deliberately deceiving Bangladeshi nationals into combat roles in Ukraine under false pretenses of civilian employment.

    The scheme begins with aggressive recruitment in Bangladesh’s impoverished regions, where brokers promise lucrative salaries of $1,000-$1,500 monthly for non-combat positions such as janitors, chefs, and laundry attendants in Russia. Desperate workers often take substantial loans—up to $9,800—to pay broker fees, viewing overseas employment as their only economic opportunity.

    Upon arrival in Moscow, victims are immediately coerced into signing Russian military contracts they cannot comprehend. Subsequently transported to military facilities, they receive abbreviated combat training—typically just three days—covering weapons handling, drone warfare, and medical evacuation procedures before being deployed to frontlines.

    Multiple eyewitness accounts describe brutal treatment: recruits face severe beatings, torture with shovels, confinement in basement cells, and threats of imprisonment or execution for non-compliance. They are systematically positioned ahead of Russian forces during advances, forced to transport supplies under fire, and retrieve casualties amid intense drone warfare.

    The scale of this trafficking operation remains unclear, though witnesses report observing hundreds of South Asian combatants alongside Russian units. Similar recruitment patterns have emerged targeting vulnerable populations in India, Nepal, and African nations.

    Bangladeshi authorities have initiated investigations, uncovering intermediary networks with connections to Russian government entities. At least 40 Bangladeshi nationals are believed to have perished in combat, though official confirmation remains elusive as both Russian and Bangladeshi governments have declined to respond to inquiries.

    Families of missing personnel cling to documents—military contracts, visa papers, and dog tags—as potential evidence for repatriation efforts. Meanwhile, advocacy organizations like BRAC have identified at least 10 confirmed cases and suspect many more unreported instances of coerced military service.

    This exploitation highlights broader systemic issues: Russia’s deliberate targeting of economically vulnerable populations to supplement its military manpower, and the inadequate protections for migrant workers caught in geopolitical conflicts beyond their comprehension or consent.

  • Asian shares track Wall Street gains as gold edges lower

    Asian shares track Wall Street gains as gold edges lower

    Asian equity markets demonstrated remarkable resilience on Tuesday, posting broad gains despite escalating trade tensions between the United States and South Korea. The positive momentum followed an upward trajectory on Wall Street, where robust corporate earnings reports continued to fuel investor optimism.

    Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 0.9% to close at 53,333.54, while South Korea’s Kospi delivered a particularly impressive performance with a 2.7% surge to 5,084.85. This substantial gain occurred despite former President Donald Trump’s announcement of impending tariff increases on South Korean goods, including automobiles, lumber, and pharmaceutical products. Trump declared via social media that rates on certain goods would escalate from 15% to 25%, citing insufficient progress on trade framework implementation.

    The South Korean government responded with diplomatic urgency, confirming high-level meetings with U.S. officials. Industry Minister Kim Jung-Kwan will engage with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, while Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo prepares for separate discussions with Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The presidential office reiterated its commitment to implementing last year’s trade agreement.

    Technology stocks emerged as the primary drivers of South Korea’s market performance. Samsung Electronics climbed 4.9%, and semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix soared 8.7%, effectively counterbalancing losses in the automotive sector where Kia Corp. declined 1.1% and Hyundai Motor Co. dropped 0.8%.

    Other Asian markets showed mixed but generally positive results. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 1.3% to reach 27,106.83, while China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.2% to 4,139.90. Taiwan’s Taiex advanced 0.8%, and India’s Sensex edged 0.1% higher. Only Shenzhen’s smaller market benchmark experienced a slight decline of 0.1%.

    Investors now turn their attention to the Federal Reserve’s impending interest rate decision scheduled for Wednesday. While the central bank is expected to maintain current rates, market participants anticipate potential cuts in 2026 to stimulate economic growth. The persistent inflation exceeding the Fed’s 2% target complicates monetary policy decisions.

    This week also brings earnings reports from several technology titans including Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Tesla, and Apple, which could significantly influence market direction. Precious metals continued their ascent with gold adding 0.2% to $5,089.70 per ounce after briefly surpassing $5,100 for the first time, reflecting investor caution amid geopolitical uncertainties.

  • Orkla’s Eastern strengthens UAE leadership as demand for spices and convenience foods surges

    Orkla’s Eastern strengthens UAE leadership as demand for spices and convenience foods surges

    Orkla India’s flagship brand Eastern has solidified its position as the UAE’s leading Indian spice label, with company executives identifying the Emirates as the strategic spearhead of their global expansion ambitions. This market dominance comes amid surging consumer demand for both traditional spices and modern convenience foods across the Gulf region.

    According to Ashvin Subramanyam, CEO of International Business at Orkla India, the GCC accounts for approximately 70% of the company’s international sales, with the UAE alone contributing over one-third of this revenue. The company has demonstrated remarkable growth with a 14% compound annual growth rate over the past three years, a trajectory management expects to accelerate further.

    Initially popular among the Malayali and broader Indian diaspora, Eastern has successfully transcended cultural boundaries to gain significant traction in Arabic and Emirati households. Strategic partnerships with major retailers including Union Coop and Sharjah Coop have been instrumental in mainstreaming the brand beyond its traditional consumer base. Recent market data confirms Eastern’s position as the household reach leader among Indian spice brands in the UAE.

    The brand’s cross-cultural success stems from Orkla’s sophisticated culinary research capabilities through its Cuisine Centre of Excellence. This dedicated facility conducts in-depth studies of regional dishes, reverse-engineers flavor profiles, and drives innovation across spice blends, meal solutions, and convenience food categories.

    This research-driven approach has enabled Eastern to expand beyond Indian flavors into a growing Arabic spice range, supported by locally tailored marketing and product development. The company has particularly focused on younger consumers seeking convenient formats without compromising authenticity, exemplified by innovations like the “5-Minute Breakfast” range that recreates Kerala staples in ready-to-prepare formats.

    With a distribution network spanning over 16,000 outlets, Orkla’s growth strategy centers on innovation, expanded distribution, and consumer insight-led marketing. The UAE’s dynamic food landscape—characterized by global culinary trends, health-driven preferences, and demand for clean-label offerings—provides fertile ground for accelerated expansion.

    Industry events like Gulfood have served as significant catalysts for the brand’s regional visibility and innovation efforts. Subramanyam emphasized the importance of such platforms in fostering the “positive collision of ideas” that drives culinary innovation and international recognition for regional brands.

  • UK’s Starmer heads to China seeking a thaw in relations but risking a rift with Trump

    UK’s Starmer heads to China seeking a thaw in relations but risking a rift with Trump

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is embarking on a diplomatically sensitive mission to China this Wednesday, marking the first visit by a UK leader since 2018. The trip comes at a pivotal moment as Britain navigates increasingly strained relations with the United States under President Donald Trump, who has imposed tariffs and criticism on traditional allies.

    Starmer’s delegation includes Business Secretary Peter Kyle and numerous corporate leaders, signaling Britain’s intent to secure Chinese technological investment and greater market access for UK financial services, automotive exports, and Scotch whisky. The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping directly, seeking to reinvigorate economic ties while managing complex security concerns.

    Professor Zhao Minghao of Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies noted China’s evolving role, observing that “China is no longer just the world’s factory; it is also becoming a global market.”

    The diplomatic landscape has shifted dramatically since the so-called “golden era” of UK-China relations proclaimed in 2015 by Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron. Recent years have seen relations deteriorate over Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s civil liberties, support for Russia in Ukraine, and growing concerns about espionage and economic interference.

    Kerry Brown, director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London, characterized the challenging environment: “Starmer is going to be talking to a very skeptical audience. Britain has not been very consistent in its relations with China. We have been very hot and cold.”

    The Labour government, after conducting an 18-month review of China policy, promotes a doctrine of “hard-headed pragmatism”—balancing national security protection against espionage with continued diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation. This approach comes as Britain’s economy, the world’s sixth largest, requires stimulation amid stagnant growth and persistent cost-of-living pressures.

    Starmer’s outreach to Beijing coincides with mounting tensions with Washington. Despite initially avoiding public criticism of Trump’s attacks on London’s mayor, British immigration policies, and his lawsuit against the BBC, Starmer recently condemned Trump’s aspirations regarding Greenland and his disparaging comments about NATO allies in Afghanistan.

    This diplomatic rebalancing extends beyond Britain. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently visited Beijing, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz scheduled to follow next month—signaling a broader trend among US allies to hedge against Washington’s unpredictability.

    However, rapprochement with China carries significant risks. Trump has threatened 100% tariffs on Canadian goods following Carney’s recent trade agreement with China, suggesting similar consequences could await Britain.

    Starmer also faces domestic criticism over security concerns, particularly regarding the approval of a massive 20,000-square-meter Chinese embassy near the Tower of London. Critics warn the “mega-embassy” could facilitate espionage and intimidation of dissidents. Additional controversy surrounds the agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which some fear could expand Chinese influence near a strategic UK-US military base.

    Human rights considerations present further complications. Former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten urged Starmer to firmly address issues including treatment of Uyghur minorities and the imprisonment of British citizen Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist.

    According to Brown, the visit will likely be deemed successful if it secures substantial Chinese investment while avoiding major political pitfalls, establishing “consistency, a bit more predictability” in bilateral relations: “Friends where we can be friends, otherwise agree to disagree.”

  • Libya signs $20bn oil deals with US and French energy companies

    Libya signs $20bn oil deals with US and French energy companies

    In a significant move to revitalize its energy sector, Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Unity has finalized a monumental 25-year oil development pact with global energy titans TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips. The agreement, signed during an economic summit in the capital, targets a substantial expansion of the Waha Oil Company, a subsidiary of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC).

    The cornerstone of the deal is a $20 billion investment package designed to more than double Waha’s current output from approximately 350,000 barrels per day (bpd) to a projected 850,000 bpd. This ambitious plan involves the development of four new oil fields and an extensive exploration program across 19 concession areas. Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibah heralded the partnership on social media platform X, projecting over $376 billion in state revenue over the next quarter-century and characterizing it as a ‘qualitative and unique achievement’ that strengthens ties with major global energy players.

    The signing ceremony also featured a separate logistics and exploration agreement with Chevron and Egypt, underscoring a broader international re-engagement with Libya’s energy wealth. The presence of U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Massad Boulos, whose family connections to former President Trump have drawn scrutiny, lent diplomatic weight to the proceedings. The U.S. Embassy in Libya issued a statement praising the expanded Waha Consortium as evidence of ‘deepening collaboration’ between the two nations.

    This massive investment represents a potent vote of confidence in the Dbeibah administration from Western governments and corporations, despite Libya’s protracted political instability. The country, which possesses Africa’s largest oil reserves, has seen international investment dwindle since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi. The nation subsequently fractured, with eastern Libya currently under the control of military commander Khalifa Haftar and his sons, who are courting support from various international patrons including the UAE and Turkey.

    Analysts note the deals signal a pragmatic shift in the complex proxy conflicts that have defined post-Gaddafi Libya, with foreign governments and local elites increasingly prioritizing economic interests over rigid political alliances. This realignment is further illustrated by Egypt’s engagement with the Tripoli government despite its ongoing disputes with the Haftar family over the latter’s alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.

    The involvement of Envoy Boulos has attracted particular attention following previous reports by Middle East Eye and The New York Times concerning discussions about unlocking frozen Libyan assets for U.S. investments and his family’s social connections to figures with interests in the region’s oil sector.