Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Bencic masks fitness woes to keep the Dubai dream alive

    Bencic masks fitness woes to keep the Dubai dream alive

    Despite visible physical struggles, Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic demonstrated remarkable resilience at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Monday, overcoming a first-set deficit to secure a hard-fought 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas.

    The Swiss ninth seed, who withdrew from the Abu Dhabi Open earlier this month due to illness, displayed both competitive grit and fan-friendly generosity throughout the match. Following her comeback victory, Bencic engaged enthusiastically with spectators, even pausing to hold a fan’s toddler for photographs.

    ‘It was a really difficult time as I was not even able to practice properly after Abu Dhabi,’ Bencic revealed in post-match comments. ‘I’m just really happy I can be here and play again. Obviously, I’m struggling a bit with my fitness and ball security—this wasn’t my best performance.’

    The 28-year-old, who won the Dubai title in 2019, emphasized the psychological challenges of returning to competition: ‘It’s kind of crazy how fast you lose confidence and how long it takes for you to gain it again. But for sure, I’m here to fight and gain my confidence again.’

    Bencic now prepares for a challenging second-round encounter against Czech Republic’s Sara Bejlek, whom she described as ‘on fire’ and playing ‘really great tennis’ based on her observation of Bejlek’s previous match.

    The tournament saw several notable developments beyond Bencic’s victory. British star Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, suffered elimination in a three-set thriller against Croatia’s Antonia Ružić (6-1, 5-7, 6-2). Meanwhile, 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia fell to Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya, who advances to face American two-time Grand Slam winner Coco Gauff.

    In other matches, Spain’s Paula Badosa delivered a commanding performance against Katerina Siniakova (6-3, 7-5), while Amanda Anisimova received a walkover after opponent Barbora Krejčíková withdrew due to injury.

    The championship continues with highly anticipated appearances from Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and defending champion Mirra Andreeva on Tuesday. Particular attention will focus on Filipina phenomenon Alexandra Eala as she challenges sixth-seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini for a spot in the round of 16.

  • Lunar New Year prayers and festivities usher in the Year of the Horse

    Lunar New Year prayers and festivities usher in the Year of the Horse

    Communities worldwide commenced vibrant observances of the Lunar New Year on Tuesday, transitioning from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse within the Chinese zodiac cycle. This culturally significant festival, recognized as the paramount annual holiday across China and various East Asian nations, manifested through diverse traditions spanning multiple continents.

    In Hong Kong, midnight temple gatherings featured residents lining up to offer incense and articulate aspirations for the forthcoming year. Thick aromatic smoke permeated the air as devotees respectfully bowed before placing incense clusters in designated containers outside temple halls.

    Vietnam’s Tet celebrations energized urban centers with spectacular pyrotechnic displays synchronized to live musical performances. Bridges and skyscrapers transformed into luminous canvases during countdown events where entertainers engaged enthusiastic crowds.

    Moscow’s winter landscapes adopted festive characteristics with two-week cultural events featuring traditional Chinese street fairs. Snow-dusted avenues adorned with crimson lanterns and dragon motifs provided backdrop for culinary exploration and leisurely promenades. These Russian celebrations coincide with deepening Sino-Russian relations, a geopolitical development drawing mixed international responses amid ongoing Ukrainian conflicts.

    Taiwan’s Baoan Temple hosted morning ceremonies where the symbolic ringing of temple bells resonated 108 times—a number considered profoundly auspicious. Worshippers presented colorful floral arrangements and conducted incense-based rituals at outdoor altars throughout Taipei’s sacred precincts.

  • Visa-free entry for Omani citizens to Azerbaijan till Feb 2027

    Visa-free entry for Omani citizens to Azerbaijan till Feb 2027

    In a significant diplomatic development, Azerbaijan has officially eliminated visa requirements for citizens of Oman, facilitating enhanced travel connectivity between the two nations. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that this policy took effect on February 15, 2026, establishing a streamlined entry protocol that will remain operational until February 15, 2027.

    Under the new framework, Omani passport holders gain authorization to enter and remain in Azerbaijan for tourism or business purposes without obtaining prior visas. The arrangement permits stays of up to thirty days per visit, with travelers allowed to utilize this visa exemption up to three separate instances throughout the policy’s duration.

    Travelers must ensure their passports maintain validity for at least six months beyond their intended date of entry into Azerbaijani territory. Additionally, the Omani government has advised all prospective visitors to secure comprehensive international health insurance coverage spanning their entire period of stay, ensuring medical protection while abroad.

    This bilateral agreement reflects growing diplomatic cooperation between the South Caucasus nation and the Gulf state, potentially fostering increased tourism exchange and economic interaction. The visa waiver signifies Azerbaijan’s continued efforts to expand its global connectivity and strengthen international partnerships, particularly with Middle Eastern countries.

    The implementation follows a trend of visa facilitation policies emerging across the region, with several nations recently simplifying entry procedures to stimulate tourism and cross-cultural engagement. This development positions Azerbaijan as an increasingly accessible destination for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals seeking new travel experiences.

  • Sheikh Hamdan directs Dubai Games prize money to be donated to charity

    Sheikh Hamdan directs Dubai Games prize money to be donated to charity

    In a significant move blending competitive sports with social responsibility, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has mandated the reallocation of gaming tournament winnings to charitable organizations. The directive specifically concerns prize money earned by F3 and NAS teams during their top performances at the seventh Dubai Games edition held from February 12-15 at Dubai Festival City.

    The Crown Prince, who holds multiple governmental roles including UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, emphasized the initiative’s alignment with broader objectives to enhance sports’ societal impact. The decision reflects a strategic vision to foster collective responsibility toward humanitarian causes that generate tangible improvements in community welfare.

    This philanthropic gesture occurred during the Battle of the Community competition, where F3 secured first position followed by NAS as runners-up. The Dubai Games 2026 event featured high-intensity challenges with professional medical support systems in place for participants, though specific monetary values of the redirected prizes remain undisclosed.

    The initiative establishes a precedent for integrating esports and gaming competitions with social development frameworks, demonstrating how recreational activities can directly contribute to societal betterment through structured charitable mechanisms.

  • Gaza reconstruction: Who has signed up to Trump’s Board of Peace?

    Gaza reconstruction: Who has signed up to Trump’s Board of Peace?

    Washington witnessed the inaugural gathering of President Donald Trump’s controversial Board of Peace on Thursday, marking a significant development in post-conflict governance plans for Gaza. The summit convened against the backdrop of ambitious reconstruction proposals featuring high-rise apartments and data centers, while Israeli military operations persist despite an October ceasefire agreement. The death toll in the enclave has surpassed 72,000 Palestinians since October 2023.

    The board, which Trump has hailed as “the most prestigious assembly ever convened,” requires a $1 billion entrance fee for permanent membership. Of the approximately 60 nations invited, nearly half have declined participation, including many traditional U.S. allies. Currently, 26 countries have joined the initiative that emerged from Trump’s 20-point peace plan announced last September.

    Structural Framework and Leadership:
    The board operates under a hierarchical structure with Trump serving as permanent chairman possessing unrestricted authority to appoint and remove members. An executive board of seven influential figures governs operations:
    – Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law
    – Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
    – Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East
    – Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister
    – Ajay Banga, World Bank President
    – Marc Rowan, U.S. private equity billionaire
    – Robert Gabriel, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor

    These executives will oversee the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a 15-member Palestinian body led by former deputy minister Ali Shaath that handles logistical operations without political authority. Nikolay Mladenov, former Bulgarian foreign minister, serves as High Representative for Gaza.

    Regional Participation and Geopolitical Calculations:
    Ten Middle Eastern and North African nations have joined, including UAE, Morocco, and Bahrain—all signatories of the 2020 Abraham Accords. Egypt’s participation reflects concerns about potential Palestinian displacement and dependence on U.S. military aid. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, and Qatar joined through a joint statement committing to Palestinian self-determination, though Riyadh’s involvement is motivated by desired F-35 jet acquisitions and regional rivalries with the UAE.

    Notable Absences and Controversies:
    The board faces significant opposition from multiple fronts. Israel’s February 12 membership sparked domestic criticism, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocating for military governance instead. The absence of Palestinian political representation—neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority were invited—has drawn condemnation. Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and several Arab states are excluded entirely.

    European participation remains limited to Hungary and Bulgaria as full members, with Italy and Cyprus attending as observers. France declined involvement, citing protection of UN authority, while Germany referenced constitutional incompatibility. Canada had its invitation rescinded after Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized Trump during his Davos address.

    International Skepticism and Legal Challenges:
    The board’s charter omits specific mention of Gaza, raising concerns about potential mission expansion that could marginalize existing international institutions. When questioned about replacing the UN, Trump responded, “It might,” criticizing the organization for failing to meet its potential.

    Human rights organizations have condemned the initiative, with Al-Haq describing it as “a dark day for the international community” that extends Israeli occupation. Hamas officials have dismissed the board as “the farce of the era,” while Islamic Jihad criticized appointments as serving Israeli interests.

    The board operates under UN Security Council Resolution 2803, permitting international stabilization forces in Gaza, though EU diplomat Kaja Kallas claims the current composition exceeds the original mandate. As reconstruction plans advance amid ongoing violence, the board faces profound challenges in establishing legitimacy and effective governance mechanisms.

  • Israel police to deploy around Al-Aqsa for Ramadan, Palestinians report curbs

    Israel police to deploy around Al-Aqsa for Ramadan, Palestinians report curbs

    Jerusalem braces for heightened security measures as Israeli authorities announce massive police deployments around Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the upcoming Ramadan period. The controversial security plan, revealed Monday by senior Jerusalem police officer Arad Braverman, comes amid Palestinian allegations of increasingly restrictive measures at Islam’s third-holiest site.

    Throughout the Muslim holy month of fasting and prayer, traditionally attended by hundreds of thousands of Palestinian worshippers, Israeli forces will maintain constant presence “day and night” across the compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount. Special emphasis will be placed on Friday prayers, which typically draw the largest congregations of Muslim faithful.

    The policing strategy includes a recommended allocation of 10,000 entry permits for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank requiring special authorization to access Jerusalem. However, Palestinian officials contend that actual permit issuance will mirror last year’s restrictive criteria, limited to men over 55 and women over 50—a significant reduction from historical access levels.

    Further tensions emerged as Palestinian authorities reported Israeli restrictions on Islamic Waqf preparations, including prohibitions on installing shade structures and establishing temporary medical clinics. According to Waqf sources, 33 employees have already been barred from the compound in the week preceding Ramadan’s commencement.

    The sacred compound remains a perennial flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, representing both a central symbol of Palestinian identity and the site of the ancient Jewish Second Temple. While longstanding arrangements permit Jewish visits but prohibit prayer, recent years have seen increased challenges to this status quo by Jewish ultranationalists, including far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir’s controversial prayers at the site during his tenure as national security minister.

    Police officials maintain that no changes to the status quo are planned, though Palestinian communities express growing concerns about the erosion of traditional access rights and religious freedoms at one of Islam’s most significant holy sites.

  • Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men chase Israeli female soldiers

    Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men chase Israeli female soldiers

    A disturbing incident in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv has exposed deepening fractures within Israeli society, as two female Israeli Defense Forces soldiers required emergency rescue after being pursued by hundreds of Haredi men. Dramatic footage captured the soldiers fleeing through debris-strewn streets surrounded by protective guards while being chased by screaming protesters clad in traditional black and white attire.

    The soldiers, identified as squad commanders from the education and youth corps, were conducting an official home visit to a prospective unit recruit when the mob targeted them. Israeli academic Shaiel Ben Ephraim characterized the event as “absolute insanity” on social media platform X, noting the incident reflected broader societal collapse.

    The confrontation highlights intensifying tensions over military conscription that has long divided Israeli society. The Haredim community, comprising approximately 15% of Israel’s Jewish population and among its fastest-growing demographics, has historically resisted military service, with many opting instead for religious studies supported by government subsidies.

    This conscription issue has created significant political strain within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, with ultra-Orthodox representation parties United Torah Judaism and Shas recently enacting a “half-resignation” from the coalition over mounting tensions. While Netanyahu condemned the violence as unrepresentative of the broader Haredi community and vowed to prevent “anarchy,” footage showed local residents overturning a police vehicle to cheering crowds.

    Israeli riot police responded with stun grenades and made 23 arrests during the confrontation that left three officers wounded. The incident occurs against the backdrop of Israel’s Supreme Court ruling in June 2024 that ultra-Orthodox Jews could be conscripted, triggering mass opposition from the Haredim community and reigniting a decades-old debate about military service exemptions originally granted by Israel’s first prime minister in 1948.

  • Bangladesh’s Yunus announces resignation, end of interim govt

    Bangladesh’s Yunus announces resignation, end of interim govt

    In a historic transition of power, Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus formally resigned from his position as chief adviser on Monday, marking the conclusion of the caretaker government’s mandate. The 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate delivered a farewell address to the nation, celebrating what he characterized as a restoration of democratic principles following years of authoritarian rule.

    Yunus returned from self-imposed exile in August 2024 amidst a dramatic political upheaval that saw the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government through a student-led uprising. He described the events as a ‘great liberation’ that freed the nation from what he termed ‘the grip of a demon.’

    The political transition culminated in last week’s general elections, which resulted in a decisive victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader Tarique Rahman. Yunus praised the electoral process as setting ‘a benchmark for future elections’ and commended voters, political parties, and electoral institutions for their participation in the democratic exercise.

    Concurrent with the elections, Bangladeshi citizens endorsed sweeping constitutional reforms through a national referendum. The proposed ‘July Charter’—named after the month when the anti-Hasina uprising began—includes provisions for prime ministerial term limits, establishment of an upper parliamentary chamber, enhanced presidential powers, and strengthened judicial independence. While the referendum results are considered binding on winning parties, the reforms still require formal ratification by the newly elected parliament.

    The BNP alliance secured 212 parliamentary seats, compared to 77 seats for the Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition. Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shafiqur Rahman conceded defeat, pledging his party would serve as a ‘vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition.’

    Despite pre-election tensions that resulted in five fatalities and over 600 injuries according to police records, voting day proceeded without major incidents. Newly elected lawmakers are scheduled to be sworn in on Tuesday, with Tarique Rahman expected to assume the role of prime minister, leading the South Asian nation of 170 million people into a new political era.

  • Filipinos in Dubai fear for families as fires in Iloilo raze 20 homes, kill 1 person

    Filipinos in Dubai fear for families as fires in Iloilo raze 20 homes, kill 1 person

    A series of devastating fires tore through residential areas in Iloilo City’s Jaro District on Monday, February 16, resulting in significant destruction and tragedy that resonated across international borders to the Filipino community in Dubai.

    The dual fire incidents, occurring in Benedicto town and Barangay Balabago, consumed approximately 20 homes and claimed the life of 25-year-old Rostom Ancita, who had aspirations of joining the local fire brigade. According to local reports, Ancita became trapped inside a burning vehicle repair shop during the early morning blaze.

    The Benedicto fire generated massive smoke clouds that enveloped the neighborhood, triggering widespread panic among residents. The crisis extended beyond physical boundaries as overseas Filipino workers in Dubai watched helplessly through real-time videos and messages shared by relatives.

    Dubai resident B.R. described the anguish of receiving emergency updates from her mother, who resided merely two blocks from the ignition point. As smoke permeated their family home, her mother and brother were forced to evacuate to a nearby shopping mall for safety. ‘The helplessness is overwhelming when you’re separated by thousands of kilometers,’ B.R. told Khaleej Times. ‘You remain constantly connected to your phone, anxiously awaiting any news.’

    Another Dubai-based Filipino professional, Lorraine P., recounted her immediate panic upon learning about the fires in her hometown. ‘The distance magnifies the stress during emergencies back home,’ the HR manager explained. ‘Your only recourse becomes constant communication and prayers for everyone’s safety.’

    The tragedy highlights the emotional challenges faced by overseas Filipino workers who maintain deep connections to their homeland while building lives abroad. With approximately four hours time difference between the Philippines and UAE, many expatriates experienced the crisis in real-time through digital updates from family members, demonstrating how technology simultaneously connects and heightens anxiety during international emergencies.

  • Abu Dhabi announces Ramadan timings, fees for Darb toll gates, public parking

    Abu Dhabi announces Ramadan timings, fees for Darb toll gates, public parking

    Abu Dhabi’s transportation authorities have unveiled comprehensive operational adjustments for the Darb toll gate system and Mawaqif public parking services in preparation for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The integrated mobility framework will maintain its fee structure while implementing significant timing modifications to accommodate altered traffic patterns and worship schedules during this sacred period.

    The Darb electronic toll collection system will maintain its standard fee of Dh4 per crossing, applicable during two designated peak intervals from Monday through Saturday. Morning operational hours are scheduled from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, with evening toll collection occurring between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Sundays will remain completely toll-free throughout the Ramadan period, providing financial relief for weekly travelers.

    Concurrently, the Mawaqif public parking initiative will implement a dual-interval payment system operating from Monday to Saturday. The first payment window extends from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, followed by a secondary evening period from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM. Parking fees maintain their established structure with standard spaces priced at Dh2 per hour and premium locations at Dh3 per hour. Sunday parking will be universally complimentary across all parking categories.

    Payment facilitation remains accessible through multiple official channels including the dedicated Darb mobile application, the integrated Tamm digital platform, SMS-based payment systems, and physical payment terminals distributed throughout the emirate.

    These transportation modifications form part of a broader nationwide adaptation strategy for Ramadan. The UAE has coordinated comprehensive adjustments including reduced working hours for both public and private sector employees, revised educational schedules, and modified operational hours for commercial establishments. Private sector organizations will implement a standardized two-hour daily reduction during the holy month, while federal employees will transition to abbreviated schedules from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM Monday through Thursday, and 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Fridays.

    The integrated approach demonstrates the emirate’s commitment to balancing operational efficiency with cultural and religious considerations during this significant annual observance.