India’s anti-obesity drug market has experienced a staggering sixfold increase over the past five years, driven by surging demand among urban professionals and the growing prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Originally developed to manage diabetes, drugs like semaglutide (marketed as Rybelsus and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro) are now being hailed as revolutionary weight-loss solutions. These GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a natural hormone regulating hunger, slow digestion and act on the brain’s appetite centers, helping users feel full longer. However, their rapid adoption has sparked concerns about misuse, lack of medical supervision, and the risks of side effects such as nausea, gallstones, and muscle loss.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Starbucks to sell majority stake in China business
Starbucks has announced a groundbreaking $4 billion deal with investment firm Boyu Capital, selling a 60% stake in its China operations. Under the agreement, Starbucks will retain a 40% stake in its Chinese retail business and maintain ownership of its brand in the region. The coffee giant, which entered China in 1999, has faced increasing competition from local brands like Luckin Coffee, despite being the country’s second-largest market outside the U.S. The partnership with Boyu Capital, described as a ‘significant milestone,’ underscores Starbucks’ commitment to long-term growth in China. The company plans to expand its footprint from 8,000 to 20,000 outlets and introduce new beverages and digital platforms. Boyu Capital, known for its investments in retail, financial services, and technology, brings deep consumer insights to the collaboration. The deal, set to finalize by mid-2025, follows months of uncertainty after former CEO Laxman Narasimhan hinted at strategic partnerships to bolster competitiveness. This move mirrors similar strategies by global brands like KFC and Pizza Hut, which spun off their Chinese operations in 2016. Starbucks has faced declining sales in China due to the pandemic, reduced consumer spending, and fierce competition. Luckin Coffee, with its lower prices and aggressive expansion, now operates more stores than Starbucks in China. Despite price cuts to compete, Starbucks has seen profit margins shrink. Under CEO Brian Niccol, the company is revamping its menu, hiring more baristas, and scaling back automation efforts as part of a broader turnaround strategy. With over 40,000 outlets worldwide, Starbucks continues to navigate challenges in one of its most critical markets.
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HK urged to advance nation’s strength, self-reliance
Hong Kong is being urged to harness its potential as a global hub for technology, innovation, and high-caliber talent to bolster China’s scientific and technological self-reliance. This call follows the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, held in Beijing from October 20 to 23, which outlined the Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). The plan emphasizes enhancing scientific and technological capabilities as a core principle for national development. Hong Kong’s unique position, supported by its integration with the mainland and global connections, is seen as pivotal in advancing its roles as a financial, shipping, trade, and innovation hub. The recommendations also stress the importance of governance by patriots and law-based administration in the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. Experts like Lau Siu-kai, a consultant and former vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, highlighted the need for proactive industrial transformation and improved governance in Hong Kong to align with national strategies. Additionally, Angus Ng Hok-ming, chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Association, emphasized the importance of upgrading youth capabilities and vision to support emerging fields like green finance and digital trade. The central government is expected to support Hong Kong’s development, particularly through initiatives like the Northern Metropolis project, to solidify its role in global innovation and technology.
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Sweet sixteen as Aoife Kelly trumps rivals to win Sharjah Ladies Open title in style
The 16th Sharjah Ladies Open Golf Championship concluded in spectacular fashion at the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club (SGSC), with Aoife Kelly of Trump International emerging as the champion. Kelly’s composed and confident performance, marked by a one-under 71, secured her first SGSC Ladies Open title. The event, held on a picturesque morning, showcased Kelly’s precision and poise as she navigated the course with three birdies and two bogeys. Her victory was celebrated with enthusiastic applause from fellow competitors and spectators.
Kelly expressed her elation after receiving the trophy, praising the course’s impeccable condition and its ability to reward skillful play. “It’s always a pleasure to play here at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club,” she remarked. Sana Tufail finished as the runner-up with a one-over-par 73, while Lara Bakhour secured third place with a determined 79.
In the Net Division, Ela Camurlu claimed the top spot in Division A with a net 72, and Debra Jaunich of SGSC matched that score to win Division B. The tournament underscored the rising prominence of women’s golf in the UAE, reflecting SGSC’s dedication to fostering competitive and inclusive opportunities for players of all skill levels. The event not only highlighted the growing talent in the sport but also reinforced the club’s reputation as a premier venue for high-stakes golf competitions.
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Barca boss Flick wants Rashford to be more clinical in front of goal
Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, has called for Marcus Rashford to improve his efficiency in front of goal despite the forward’s crucial strike in their recent 3-1 LaLiga triumph over Elche. Rashford’s goal, scored from a challenging angle, sealed the victory, propelling the defending champions to second place in the league standings with 25 points, just five behind leaders Real Madrid.
Since joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United in July, the England international has netted six goals across all competitions. Flick, however, believes Rashford has the potential to convert more of the opportunities he creates. ‘When you see the chances he has, I think one or two more goals would be beneficial, also for him,’ Flick remarked in a post-match interview. He praised Rashford’s importance to the team, stating, ‘I know he can perform at this level, and I am pleased he is demonstrating it for the fans, the club, and his teammates.’
Rashford himself acknowledged areas for improvement in his decision-making on the pitch. ‘I always strive to make the right choices during the game. Even today, I could have had more assists or goals; sometimes the decision to shoot or pass was incorrect,’ the 28-year-old admitted to Spanish media. He emphasized his team-first mentality, adding, ‘My focus is not solely on my output. If I am doing the right things, I know I will always be able to score and assist. My priority is to build relationships within the team and feel comfortable.’
Barcelona’s upcoming fixtures include a Champions League clash against Club Brugge on Wednesday, followed by a LaLiga encounter with Celta Vigo on Sunday.
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UAE nears historic Moon mission as Rashid Rover 2 heads to US for launch preparations
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on the brink of a groundbreaking lunar exploration mission as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announces the completion of the Rashid Rover 2’s development phase. The rover, a key component of the Emirates Lunar Mission, has been dispatched to the United States for final launch preparations in collaboration with Firefly Aerospace. This mission aims to explore the far side of the Moon, a region that remains largely uncharted. The rover underwent rigorous testing in the UAE, including Thermal Vacuum testing in collaboration with the French space agency CNES, as well as solar panel performance tests, antenna and robotic arm deployment simulations, and vibration tests to ensure its readiness for the harsh lunar environment. Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, chairman of MBRSC, emphasized that this milestone reflects the UAE’s growing expertise in space science and technology. The mission, set for 2026, marks a significant step in the UAE’s ambitions to expand its presence in space exploration.
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Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda Zia to contest in February elections
Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, an 80-year-old political stalwart, is set to contest in the upcoming February elections, as confirmed by her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Monday. A dominant figure in the nation’s tumultuous political landscape, Zia’s return marks a significant moment in the country’s power struggles. Her party is widely regarded as the frontrunner in the polls. Zia will contest in three constituencies, according to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a senior BNP leader. Her participation comes after years of imprisonment and health challenges under the rule of her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in a mass uprising in August 2024. Zia, who served as prime minister three times, was jailed in 2018 on corruption charges under Hasina’s administration, which also restricted her from seeking medical treatment abroad. She was released last year following Hasina’s fall from power. Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, who has been living in the UK since 2008, will also run in the elections. Rahman, acquitted of serious charges after Hasina’s departure, has long claimed political persecution. The political rivalry between Zia and Hasina, often referred to as the ‘Battle of the Begums,’ has shaped Bangladesh’s politics for decades. This feud traces back to the 1975 assassination of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the subsequent rise of Zia’s husband, Ziaur Rahman, who became president in 1977 before his own assassination in 1981. Zia inherited the BNP leadership and emerged as a formidable political force, eventually alternating power with Hasina over the years.
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Why is the UAE involved in Sudan’s bloody civil war?
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, has been accused of committing mass executions and atrocities in the city of el-Fasher, which it recently seized. Satellite images and video evidence reveal widespread bloodshed, with experts likening the situation to the Rwandan genocide. This massacre is the latest in a brutal civil war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which has displaced over 13 million people since April 2023. Both factions have been accused of war crimes, including indiscriminate bombings, sexual violence, and torture. The RSF is reportedly backed by the UAE, which has been accused of complicity in genocide at the International Court of Justice. Sudan’s history of conflict dates back to its independence in 1956, with decades of instability under Omar al-Bashir’s regime. The current war began in April 2023, fueled by tensions over integrating the RSF into the national army. The conflict has left thousands dead and nearly 25 million facing acute food insecurity. The UAE’s involvement includes supplying weapons and financial support to the RSF, despite international arms embargoes. The UAE’s strategic interests in Sudan’s agricultural and mineral resources, particularly gold, have driven its intervention. International responses have been slow, with the ICJ dismissing Sudan’s case against the UAE due to jurisdictional issues. The UK and other nations have been criticized for their ambiguous stance on the conflict. A recent peace plan proposed by the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE offers a temporary truce, but the RSF’s establishment of a parallel government complicates efforts. The situation remains dire, with no end to the humanitarian crisis in sight.
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‘I dreamed to hug him. Now I hope to bury him’: Gaza’s missing haunt their families
In a somber hall at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, dozens of families gather, their eyes fixed on a screen displaying images of decomposed bodies. These remains, returned by Israeli authorities as part of a prisoner swap deal with Hamas, bear signs of torture and decay. Without DNA testing equipment, families are left to identify their loved ones through photographs—a harrowing process that offers little closure. Wafaa al-Aloul, a mother receiving treatment in Egypt, spends hours scrutinizing the images, searching for her son Mohammed, who disappeared in September. Her story mirrors the anguish of thousands in Gaza, where an estimated 10,000 people remain missing, many believed buried under rubble or forcibly disappeared by Israel. The World Health Organization reports that over 92% of Gaza’s health system, including forensic services, has been destroyed, further complicating identification efforts. Dr. Ahmed Dhahir of Nasser Hospital describes the primitive methods used to document remains, noting that many bodies show signs of fatal abuse. As families cling to hope, the conflict’s toll continues to devastate Gaza’s civilian population.
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North Korea says its longtime ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam has died
SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Yong Nam, a steadfast North Korean official who served as the nation’s ceremonial head of state for over two decades, has died at the age of 97, as reported by North Korea’s state media on Tuesday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that Kim, who held the position of president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly from 1998 to 2019, passed away on Monday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects by visiting Kim Yong Nam’s bier on Tuesday, expressing profound condolences.