Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • First-of-its-kind pearl auction held utilizing Hainan FTP

    First-of-its-kind pearl auction held utilizing Hainan FTP

    In a groundbreaking event for luxury goods trading, Sanya’s Heren Gold and Jewelry Industry Park hosted the inaugural Tahitian black pearl auction leveraging Hainan Free Trade Port’s zero-tariff policy on January 24, 2026. This historic auction represents the first application of FTP’s preferential policies for high-end pearls, marking a significant milestone in China’s luxury market liberalization.

    The auction, held at the Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, was strategically designed to demonstrate Hainan’s evolving role as a global jewelry trading hub. By implementing tariff-free policies specifically for premium pearls, the event showcased how the FTP is transforming the island’s economic landscape and consumer market dynamics.

    This initiative aligns with broader national efforts to position Hainan as a premier international tourism and consumption destination. The successful execution of this pearl auction establishes a new operational model for high-value goods transactions within the free trade port, potentially setting a precedent for other luxury commodities.

    Industry observers note that the event’s significance extends beyond immediate commercial transactions, representing a strategic test case for specialized luxury markets within China’s broader free trade ecosystem. The auction mechanism developed for these Tahitian black pearls could serve as a template for future high-end goods trading platforms throughout the region.

    The convergence of jewelry expertise, tariff innovation, and international market access demonstrates Hainan’s growing sophistication in global luxury trade networks. This development occurs against the backdrop of China’s continuing economic reform initiatives and its increasing integration with international luxury markets.

  • The blueprint of a coffee empire: Roasters grows from Jumeirah villa to world record holder

    The blueprint of a coffee empire: Roasters grows from Jumeirah villa to world record holder

    DUBAI – What began as a personal quest for coffee perfection in a Jumeirah villa has transformed into a record-breaking global brand that has redefined Dubai’s premium coffee culture. Roasters, co-founded by CEO Konstantin Harbuz and his wife, has evolved from a curiosity-driven project into a prestigious empire with 11 locations across the city.

    The journey started with a simple vision: create a space serving the world’s finest coffee. Their inaugural villa location featured pioneering elements including Dubai’s first coffee shop rooftop terrace, VIP rooms, and live roasting facilities. By 2021, overwhelming customer response—evidenced by consistent weekend queues—captured the attention of major developers Dubai Holding and Emaar, leading to simultaneous flagship openings at JBR and Dubai Mall.

    Behind the brand’s exceptional standards lies a deeply personal approach. The founders travel extensively to source rare beans from 24 coffee-producing countries, including exclusive Cup of Excellence winners. Operational excellence is maintained by over 300 employees, with quality assurance led by certified Q graders and a head roaster ensuring uncompromising standards across all locations.

    The Roasters differentiation strategy combines champion-level coffee consistency with strategic location planning. The company employs a data-driven approach analyzing demographics, customer mentality, and emerging trends in each district, adapting branches to neighborhood characteristics while maintaining core identity.

    In a landmark achievement, Roasters secured the Guinness World Record for the world’s most exclusive coffee experience through carefully sourcing limited coffee lots and navigating rigorous verification processes. The accomplishment generated extraordinary global exposure, with over 1,000 international media outlets covering the story within two weeks.

    Beyond premium beans, the brand has developed substantial culinary offerings including all-day dining, artisan bakery items, signature desserts, and recently introduced caviar and truffle menus that have gained remarkable popularity.

    The company’s expansion strategy includes four additional UAE locations in 2026 to strengthen GCC presence, followed by international expansion beginning with a Hong Kong flagship opening in April 2026. This marks the start of Roasters’ mission to share Dubai-born coffee excellence globally.

    Reflecting on the brand’s evolution, Harbuz emphasizes the profound fulfillment derived from serving over 750,000 guests in 2025 alone. Most earnings are reinvested into growth and personnel development, representing the founders’ commitment to giving back to Dubai by positioning the city as a true global coffee capital.

  • Climber delays rope-free skyscraper challenge over rain

    Climber delays rope-free skyscraper challenge over rain

    Renowned American free solo climber Alex Honnold has postponed his highly anticipated rope-free ascent of Taipei 101 due to unfavorable weather conditions. The 508-meter (1,667-foot) skyscraper, among the world’s tallest structures, presented wet surface conditions that forced a 24-hour delay for safety reasons.

    Honnold, who achieved global recognition for his unprecedented rope-free climb of Yosemite’s El Capitan in 2017, expressed disappointment but emphasized safety considerations. ‘Sadly it’s raining in Taipei right now so I don’t get to go climbing,’ the 40-year-old climber stated on Saturday.

    The architectural marvel features eight distinct sections designed to resemble bamboo segments, creating unique climbing challenges with slight overhangs. Netflix, which will stream the event live, has implemented a 10-second delay protocol as a precautionary measure. ‘We’ll cut away. Nobody expects or wants to see anything like that to happen,’ explained Netflix executive Jeff Gaspin.

    The climb, now rescheduled for Sunday, represents a lifelong ambition for Honnold, who is married with two children. His historic El Capitan ascent was documented in the Academy Award-winning film ‘Free Solo,’ showcasing his extraordinary climbing prowess on the 915-meter granite face.

    This attempt follows French climber Alain Robert’s 2004 ascent using safety equipment, which required four hours to complete. Honnold’s approach will involve three distinct phases: navigating an initial 113-meter section of sloping steel and glass, conquering the eight bamboo-inspired segments, and finally scaling the tower’s spire.

    Netflix officials confirmed that ‘safety remains our top priority’ while acknowledging the significance of this athletic achievement in the mountaineering world.

  • UAE President says learning ‘reinforces identity’ on International Day of Education

    UAE President says learning ‘reinforces identity’ on International Day of Education

    On International Day of Education, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan articulated a powerful vision for learning as both an instrument of national development and a guardian of cultural identity. In his address, the President emphasized that education remains “a fundamental pillar of the UAE’s long-term strategic vision,” specifically designed to reinforce national values while driving progress.

    The country’s educational framework, according to the President, serves dual purposes: empowering youth to become “active partners” in national advancement while simultaneously preserving Emirati heritage. This approach positions education as critical infrastructure supporting the nation’s priorities across knowledge sectors, technological innovation, and economic diversification.

    Echoing this sentiment, Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education, utilized social media platform X to recognize the collective effort behind the nation’s educational achievements. She celebrated “teachers, families, and learners across the UAE who make education a shared national effort,” highlighting the collaborative nature of the country’s learning ecosystem.

    The Minister further elaborated on the practical orientation of UAE’s educational strategy, noting the commitment to providing “every learner with practical skills to thrive.” This skills-based approach, she explained, directly serves national economic objectives by preparing citizens of all ages to contribute to a competitive economy while enhancing the country’s international standing.

    Both leaders framed education as an indispensable investment in the nation’s future prosperity, with Al Amiri concluding that through collective effort, the UAE prepares its people “for a more prosperous tomorrow for all.”

  • ‘It felt like doomsday’: Karachi mall inferno came after ignored warnings, delayed response

    ‘It felt like doomsday’: Karachi mall inferno came after ignored warnings, delayed response

    A catastrophic fire that engulfed Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping complex on January 17th has exposed critical safety failures and institutional neglect, resulting in one of Pakistan’s deadliest urban disasters in recent memory. The inferno claimed at least 67 lives with 15 individuals still missing and presumed dead, according to police official Asad Ali Raza.

    Survivors described apocalyptic scenes as smoke rapidly filled the multi-story building within seconds, plunging the complex into complete darkness. Muhammad Imran, a shop owner with pre-existing health conditions, recounted the horror: ‘It felt like doomsday. You couldn’t see the person next to you.’ His escape, along with dozens of others, was severely hampered by locked emergency exits and inadequate ventilation systems.

    Investigative findings reveal that Gul Plaza had been operating in violation of building safety standards for over a decade. Documents obtained by Reuters show the provincial Sindh Building Control Authority had filed multiple court cases regarding safety compliance issues dating back to 1992, with the most recent inspections in 2023-2024 categorizing the building’s fire safety systems as ‘unsatisfactory’ across critical categories including alarm systems, emergency lighting, and firefighting equipment.

    The tragedy was compounded by delayed emergency response and inadequate resources. While provincial spokesperson Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani stated the first fire vehicles arrived within 10 minutes of the initial emergency call, survivors reported watching the complex burn as firefighters struggled with equipment limitations and logistical challenges. The blaze, fueled by flammable materials and over 50 gas cylinders stored within the building, raged for nearly two days before being fully extinguished.

    The human toll continues to unfold as families await DNA identification of remains. Many of the missing were shop employees and traders who reportedly helped others escape before succumbing to the flames themselves. The disaster has left Karachi’s commercial community traumatized and questioning how repeatedly identified safety violations were allowed to persist unchecked.

  • ICC replaces Bangladesh with Scotland at T20 World Cup over security stalemate

    ICC replaces Bangladesh with Scotland at T20 World Cup over security stalemate

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — In an unprecedented last-minute decision, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the upcoming T20 World Cup following a contentious security dispute. The dramatic roster change comes after weeks of failed negotiations between cricket’s governing body and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

    The conflict originated from BCB’s formal request to relocate its matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing unspecified security apprehensions. Despite multiple high-level discussions conducted both virtually and in-person over three weeks, the ICC remained unconvinced by Bangladesh’s security claims.

    In an official statement released Saturday, the ICC revealed it had conducted thorough security assessments and found “no credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team in India” for the month-long tournament commencing February 7. The governing body emphasized that modifying the published event schedule so close to the tournament’s opening was not justified.

    The situation reached its climax when BCB failed to confirm its participation by the ICC’s stipulated deadline. This procedural failure triggered the ICC’s established governance protocols, resulting in Scotland’s selection as the replacement team based on their ranking as the highest-tier T20 team not initially qualified.

    Complicating matters further, the Bangladesh government cited strained political relations with India as the underlying reason for their security concerns. The tension reportedly stems from the recent removal of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League by order of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

    The dispute has garnered international attention, with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi publicly criticizing the ICC for alleged “double standards” and expressing solidarity with Bangladesh. Naqvi revealed that Pakistan’s own participation remains contingent on government approval, indicating potential further disruptions to the tournament lineup.

    Scotland now prepares to enter Group C, where they will assume Bangladesh’s original schedule of three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai, adding an unexpected dynamic to the tournament’s competitive landscape.

  • Iran says two Daesh‑linked men executed for 2023 bus bombing

    Iran says two Daesh‑linked men executed for 2023 bus bombing

    Iranian judiciary authorities have carried out the execution of two individuals convicted of orchestrating a deadly 2023 bus bombing that targeted pilgrims, with official sources confirming their affiliation with the terrorist organization Daesh (ISIS).

    The Mizan News Agency, the official media outlet of Iran’s judiciary, reported on Saturday that both executed individuals were directly responsible for planting and detonating the explosive device that struck a passenger bus traveling from Tehran to Ilam province. The western region of Ilam shares a strategic border with Iraq and serves as a frequent transit route for religious pilgrims.

    The tragic incident, which occurred in 2023, resulted in the death of a young child and caused significant injuries to multiple other passengers aboard the vehicle. The attack represented one of several security challenges Iran has faced from extremist groups operating within the region.

    Judicial proceedings determined that the perpetrators had established operational ties with ISIS, which has historically claimed responsibility for similar attacks targeting civilian populations in Iran. The execution demonstrates Tehran’s continued hardline approach toward security threats and terrorist activities within its borders.

    This development occurs amid ongoing regional tensions and reflects Iran’s persistent concerns regarding terrorist infiltration and operations targeting its civilian infrastructure and religious sites.

  • Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariffs over its new trade deal with China

    Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariffs over its new trade deal with China

    In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, former President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Canada through social media on Saturday, threatening to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian imports should the nation proceed with its recently negotiated trade agreement with China. Trump asserted that Prime Minister Mark Carney would be “sorely mistaken” if he believed Canada could serve as a transit point for Chinese goods entering the United States.

    The threat emerges amidst already strained relations between the two NATO allies, further complicated by Trump’s persistent interest in acquiring Greenland and his controversial remarks suggesting Canadian absorption into the United States. Trump’s provocative language extended to referring to Carney as “Governor Carney”—a derogatory nickname previously used for former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—highlighting the deterioration in their diplomatic relationship.

    This development occurs against the backdrop of Canada’s strategic move to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for reduced import taxes on Canadian agricultural products. Ironically, Trump had initially characterized this agreement as a positive step for Canada. The former president subsequently revoked Carney’s invitation to participate in his proposed “Board of Peace,” an initiative aimed at addressing global conflicts.

    The ongoing trade friction between the nations continues despite the protective framework provided by the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which is scheduled for review this year. The situation represents a critical juncture in North American relations with potential implications for global trade dynamics and international diplomacy.

  • China places highest-ranking general under investigation

    China places highest-ranking general under investigation

    In a significant development within China’s military leadership, the Ministry of National Defense has announced formal investigations against two of the nation’s highest-ranking generals for serious legal and disciplinary violations. The probe targets General Zhang Youxia, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission and long considered President Xi Jinping’s closest military ally, alongside General Liu Zhenli, another senior military officer.

    The defense ministry’s statement provided no specific details regarding the allegations, though the phrase ‘violations of discipline and law’ typically serves as official terminology for corruption cases within China’s political context. The investigation marks a dramatic fall from grace for General Zhang, a 75-year-old veteran with combat experience who had remained in service beyond standard retirement age—previously interpreted as a sign of particular trust from President Xi.

    This development continues President Xi’s extensive anti-corruption campaign that has swept through multiple government sectors since he assumed power, with recent focus intensifying on military leadership. Just three months earlier, nine senior generals were removed in one of the largest military purges in decades.

    The timing of the announcement follows weeks of speculation after both generals were conspicuously absent from a major Party event in December. With these investigations, the Central Military Commission’s membership has now been reduced from seven to just two officials: President Xi himself and Zhang Shengmin, who oversees military disciplinary matters.

    Analysts note that while anti-corruption efforts receive public support for promoting governance integrity, critics argue these campaigns frequently serve as tools for political consolidation. President Xi has consistently described corruption as the ‘biggest threat’ to Communist Party rule and maintains that the anti-graft battle remains ‘grave and complex.’

    The investigation of General Zhang carries particular symbolism given his status as the son of one of China’s revolutionary founding generals and his position on the 24-member Politburo, the Party’s elite decision-making body.

  • Agarwood exhibition steeps Shanghai museum in fragrance

    Agarwood exhibition steeps Shanghai museum in fragrance

    The Shanghai History Museum has transformed into an olfactory wonderland with the inauguration of an extraordinary agarwood exhibition, opening its doors to the public on January 24, 2026. This immersive cultural presentation represents a significant collaboration between the Shanghai History Museum and Hainan Museum, showcasing one of the world’s most precious natural commodities through February 22, 2026.

    The exhibition presents a comprehensive exploration of agarwood’s cultural significance, historical applications, and artistic representations. Visitors are treated to an array of rare artifacts, including intricately carved artworks, traditional medicinal preparations, and historical documentation that traces the aromatic resin’s journey through Chinese civilization. The curation emphasizes both the scientific properties and cultural heritage surrounding this prized material, known as ‘liquid gold’ in traditional Chinese circles for its exceptional value and versatile uses.

    Museum directors from both institutions highlighted the exhibition’s role in promoting interprovincial cultural exchange, particularly between coastal Shanghai and tropical Hainan, where agarwood cultivation has flourished for centuries. The collaboration marks a milestone in cultural preservation efforts, bringing together expertise from both regions to present a holistic narrative of this unique natural treasure.

    The sensory experience extends beyond visual displays, with specially designed zones allowing visitors to engage with agarwood’s distinctive fragrance through controlled olfactory demonstrations. Educational workshops accompanying the exhibition provide deeper insights into authentication techniques, conservation challenges, and the sustainable future of agarwood production in contemporary society.