Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Wall Street holds steadier after Trump says he won’t use force to take Greenland

    Wall Street holds steadier after Trump says he won’t use force to take Greenland

    Wall Street exhibited tentative stabilization on Wednesday as investor nerves settled following President Trump’s clarification that he would not employ military force to acquire Greenland. This statement helped the market recoup a fraction of the substantial losses incurred during the previous session’s sell-off, which was triggered by the geopolitical uncertainty surrounding the proposal.

    The S&P 500 index advanced 0.3%, edging closer to its recent all-time peak after a 2.1% plunge on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 200 points (0.4%), while the Nasdaq composite registered a more modest 0.1% gain. The calming of tensions was also reflected in the bond market, where the yield on the 10-year Treasury note retreated slightly to 4.28% from 4.30%.

    Corporate earnings emerged as a primary market driver, providing pockets of strength. Halliburton surged 3.6% after the oilfield services giant delivered quarterly profits that surpassed analyst expectations. United Airlines ascended 3.5% following a similarly robust earnings report and optimistic revenue guidance from CEO Scott Kirby for 2026.

    However, not all corporate news was positive. Netflix shares tumbled 4.8% as investor focus shifted from its profit beat to concerns over decelerating subscriber growth. Kraft Heinz faced even steeper losses, plummeting 6.6% after Berkshire Hathaway signaled a potential divestiture of its massive 325-million-share stake, a move compounded by recent board resignations and a major write-down.

    Underlying anxieties persisted, evidenced by a 1.9% rally in gold, which breached $4,800 per ounce for the first time. Market participants continued to monitor the implications of proposed 10% tariffs on several European nations and evolving fiscal policies in Japan, where Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s snap election call sent government bond yields to record levels amid expectations for expansive tax cuts and spending.

  • Man who assassinated former Japanese prime minister gets life in prison

    Man who assassinated former Japanese prime minister gets life in prison

    A Japanese court has imposed a life imprisonment sentence on Tetsuya Yamagami, the 45-year-old perpetrator who assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022. The Nara District Court delivered its verdict on Wednesday, aligning with prosecutors’ demands for maximum punishment under applicable statutes.

    The courtroom proceedings revealed Yamagami’s meticulously planned attack during Abe’s campaign speech in Nara, where he employed a homemade firearm to fatally strike the prominent statesman. This violent act profoundly shocked a nation renowned for its stringent firearm regulations and generally low incidence of political violence.

    Yamagami’s testimony unveiled his underlying motivations, explaining that he targeted Abe after viewing a video message the former leader had sent to an affiliate of the Unification Church. The assailant expressed intense animosity toward the religious organization, claiming his actions aimed primarily to damage the church and expose its deep-rooted connections with Japan’s political establishment.

    The trial exposed decades of intertwined relations between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the controversial South Korean-based religious movement. These revelations prompted significant political repercussions, including the party’s strategic distancing from the church and subsequent governmental investigations.

    These investigations culminated in the revocation of the church’s tax-exempt religious status in Japan and ultimately led to its ordered dissolution. Additionally, the assassination has triggered comprehensive reviews of security protocols for public figures and dignitaries throughout Japan.

    While prosecutors sought life imprisonment, defense attorneys advocated for a reduced sentence of no more than 20 years, citing Yamagami’s traumatic childhood as the son of a church adherent. Japanese law permits capital punishment in murder cases, though prosecutors typically reserve this for incidents involving multiple fatalities.

    The case has generated unusual public sympathy for Yamagami, with thousands petitioning for clemency and sending care packages to his detention facility. His actions have also spurred legislative changes, including new regulations restricting aggressive donation solicitations by religious organizations.

  • Tourist helicopter goes missing near volcano in Japan

    Tourist helicopter goes missing near volcano in Japan

    Rescue operations are underway in southwestern Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture after a sightseeing helicopter carrying three individuals vanished during a tour near the volatile Mount Aso volcano. The aircraft, operated by Takumi Enterprise, departed from Aso City Zoo at 10:52 local time Tuesday for what should have been a routine 10-minute scenic flight but failed to return as scheduled.

    According to local authorities, police helicopters scanning the area later identified an object resembling an aircraft within the crater of Nakadake—one of Mount Aso’s five distinct peaks—during afternoon surveillance. Official confirmation regarding whether this object is indeed the missing Robinson R44 helicopter remains pending as investigation continues.

    The flight manifest included a 64-year-old veteran pilot with four decades of aviation experience and two Taiwanese tourists. The operator confirmed the aircraft had completed two uneventful tours earlier that day before disappearing on its third scheduled trip. Weather conditions at the time of disappearance were reported as cloudy over the Nakadake region, complicating initial search efforts which were suspended Tuesday evening due to visibility constraints before resuming at dawn Wednesday.

    In response to the incident, Takumi Enterprise has temporarily grounded its entire fleet of sightseeing helicopters. The volcanic helicopter tours represent a significant tourism attraction for the region, offering aerial views of one of Japan’s most geologically active landscapes. This incident echoes a previous emergency involving the same company in 2024 when one of their helicopters made an emergency landing at Mount Aso, resulting in injuries to three occupants.

    Mount Aso, which last erupted in October 2021 producing substantial volcanic plumes, remains one of the country’s most monitored volcanic zones due to its persistent activity.

  • NRIs in UAE: Can I buy property on behalf of a friend in India?

    NRIs in UAE: Can I buy property on behalf of a friend in India?

    Legal authorities are issuing stern warnings to non-resident Indians in the UAE regarding property transactions involving resident Indian friends. Recent advisory highlights significant legal risks when NRIs make property payments on behalf of residents in India, contrary to foreign exchange regulations.

    The Reserve Bank of India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme permits resident Indians to remit up to $250,000 annually for specified transactions, including overseas property acquisitions. However, when non-resident Indians or foreign citizens make payments on behalf of resident Indians, this constitutes a violation of Section 3(a) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

    The Enforcement Directorate has demonstrated increased vigilance in investigating such cases, treating them as serious contraventions of exchange control regulations. Offenses under FEMA are compoundable but involve substantial financial penalties for the resident Indian beneficiary, who becomes subject to comprehensive investigation procedures.

    Concurrently, India has implemented sweeping labor reforms through four consolidated labor codes that replace century-old regulations. The new framework expands wage definitions, enhances social security coverage for unorganized workers, and establishes minimum wage protections across all employment categories. The reforms specifically address gender-based wage discrimination and extend benefits to gig economy workers and contract employees.

    Despite global automotive industry challenges, Indian automobile exports demonstrated remarkable resilience with 858,000 vehicles exported in 2025—a 15% increase from previous years. Manufacturing giants including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Kia have expanded their global footprint across African, South American, and developed markets, with India emerging as a strategic export hub for new electric vehicle models.

    Legal experts emphasize that cross-border financial assistance for property purchases, while well-intentioned, exposes both parties to significant regulatory consequences and recommend strict adherence to authorized banking channels for all international remittances.

  • Beauty brands find fertile ground for expansion in the Middle East

    Beauty brands find fertile ground for expansion in the Middle East

    The Middle East’s beauty sector is rapidly transforming into one of the world’s most influential markets, creating unprecedented expansion opportunities for professional haircare brands. According to industry insights from leading brand It’s a 10, the region demonstrates remarkable resilience and dynamic growth driven by increasingly discerning consumers who prioritize premium, salon-quality products.

    Market analysis reveals two significant consumer behavior shifts gaining momentum across the region: a heightened demand for ingredient transparency and a growing emphasis on scalp health as the foundation of overall hair wellness. These evolving preferences are reshaping product development and marketing strategies throughout the GCC nations.

    The professional salon segment remains the cornerstone of market penetration strategies, with hairdressers continuing to serve as crucial brand ambassadors. This channel’s importance is particularly pronounced in the Middle East, where consumers exhibit strong financial readiness to invest in high-performance beauty solutions.

    Distribution partnerships are proving vital to successful market expansion. The Nazih Group, It’s a 10’s regional distributor for the past five years, exemplifies the critical role local partners play in navigating import regulations, compliance requirements, and logistical challenges while simultaneously building brand presence.

    Looking toward 2026, major beauty brands are preparing significant market investments including expansion into all Ulta stores scheduled to open across the GCC. The upcoming year will also see the introduction of two new brands—FAST Haircare and Rewind It 10—specifically designed to address regional consumer needs while maintaining global quality standards.

    Brands are balancing international consistency with local relevance by maintaining uncompromising product quality while developing tailored marketing approaches and region-specific messaging that resonates with Middle Eastern professionals and consumers alike.

  • CE Ventures backs $55 million Series A funding of US biotech pioneer, Think Bioscience

    CE Ventures backs $55 million Series A funding of US biotech pioneer, Think Bioscience

    In a significant move for the biotechnology sector, UAE-based CE Ventures has announced its participation in a $55 million Series A funding round for Colorado-based Think Bioscience. The investment round, notably oversubscribed, was spearheaded by Regeneron Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, and Janus Henderson Investors.

    Think Bioscience is pioneering a revolutionary synthetic biology platform designed to tackle one of medicine’s most persistent challenges: so-called ‘undruggable’ protein targets. The company’s innovative approach identifies previously hidden binding sites on proteins, enabling the development of small-molecule therapeutics for conditions that have long eluded conventional treatment modalities.

    The company’s lead program addresses Noonan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 2,500 births worldwide. This condition presents serious cardiac and lymphatic complications, cognitive impairment, chronic pain, and short stature. Currently, no approved therapies target the underlying biology of this syndrome, representing a significant unmet medical need.

    Tushar Singhvi, Deputy CEO and Head of Investments at Crescent Enterprises, expressed strong conviction in the investment: ‘Think Bioscience is building a differentiated platform at the frontier of synthetic biology and drug discovery, with the potential to expand what is pharmaceutically possible for patients with high unmet need.’

    Dr. Jerome Fox, co-founder and CEO of Think Bioscience, emphasized the transformative potential of their work: ‘Our lead programme has the potential to give a broad set of Noonan patients a normal life. We are grateful to our investors for supporting our vision to develop life-changing therapies.’

    The funding will accelerate the advancement of Think Bio’s internal pipeline of first-in-class small molecule programs while further developing their proprietary discovery platform. This investment aligns with CE-Ventures’ strategy of backing R&D-intensive, asset-light business models in deep-tech and biotech sectors with global competitive potential.

    Dr. Damir Illich, Manager of Life Sciences at CE-Ventures, who will join Think Bio’s board as an observer, noted: ‘Think Bioscience is addressing one of drug discovery’s most critical bottlenecks by enabling small-molecule drugs against historically undruggable targets.’

    The announcement comes as CE-Ventures prepares to host ‘The Microbiome Revolution’ on February 5, 2026, in Dubai, bringing together global experts to explore the growing human microbiome market, projected to exceed $4 billion by 2030.

  • Ajman Bank welcomes new employees as part of Emiratisation and talent development journey

    Ajman Bank welcomes new employees as part of Emiratisation and talent development journey

    Ajman Bank has inaugurated a new cohort of Emirati professionals through its comprehensive ETHRAA development framework, marking a significant advancement in its nationalization strategy. The initiative represents a strategic commitment to cultivating homegrown talent within the UAE’s financial services industry.

    The bank’s leadership emphasizes that human capital development serves as a fundamental pillar for institutional resilience and sustainable growth. Chief Executive Officer Mustafa Al Khalfawi stated: ‘Our deliberate focus on Emiratization enables us to build critical capabilities, leadership depth, and organizational continuity. This investment in national talent aligns perfectly with our governance framework and core values, ultimately enhancing our capacity to deliver long-term value to the communities we serve.’

    The newly recruited employees will undergo an intensive week-long orientation program developed in partnership with the Emirates Finance Institute. This curriculum transcends conventional onboarding by incorporating executive-led sessions, structured learning across essential banking disciplines, and immersion into the bank’s Islamic finance principles and operational methodologies.

    Chief Human Resources Officer Hend Ismail Al Ali elaborated on the program’s design: ‘ETHRAA establishes a sustainable ecosystem for empowering UAE Nationals through clear professional development pathways. This initiative supports both the evolving requirements of the banking sector and the nation’s broader objective of building a knowledge-based economy driven by national capabilities.’

    The program’s distinctive feature involves active participation from the Executive Committee members, who serve as presenters and mentors to reinforce institutional alignment and cultural values. This leadership engagement ensures early exposure to decision-making principles and performance expectations, fostering accountability and organizational belonging from the outset.

    Ajman Bank’s systematic approach to talent development recently garnered recognition when the institution secured first place in the Medium-sized Entities category at the prestigious Nafis Awards. The ETHRAA program continues to serve as a persistent catalyst within the bank’s talent ecosystem, integrating skills-based development, mentorship, and strategic exposure to prepare Emirati professionals for leadership positions across the organization.

  • Unions and students seek Columbia University board reforms after Trump deal

    Unions and students seek Columbia University board reforms after Trump deal

    A coalition of students and faculty at Columbia University has initiated a comprehensive campaign to fundamentally restructure the institution’s highest governing body, the Board of Trustees. This movement emerges from mounting concerns over what participants describe as systemic governance failures and the disenfranchisement of university stakeholders.

    The campaign, spearheaded by the Columbia chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), cites multiple catalysts for reform. Primary among these is the administration’s handling of pro-Palestine protests, particularly the decision to involve law enforcement which resulted in hundreds of student arrests, numerous suspensions, and several students facing deportation proceedings. Activists maintain these actions have created a chilling effect on free speech across campus.

    Additional grievances include the university’s settlement with the Trump administration, wherein Columbia agreed to pay $220 million to resolve allegations of violating federal anti-discrimination laws rather than contesting the charges. Professor Michael Thaddeus, AAUP vice-president, characterized this as a ‘deeply misguided decision’ that involved unprecedented concessions to government demands regarding hiring practices, curriculum development, and admissions policies.

    The campaign also highlights the case of Dr. Robert Hadden, a former gynecologist convicted of sexual assault, whose misconduct they allege was systematically concealed by university administration for decades.

    Critics identify structural deficiencies within the current governance model. The 20-member board, composed primarily of finance sector executives with minimal academic representation, operates through a self-perpetuating nomination process without stakeholder input. Professor Jean E Howard notes the board’s concerning lack of transparency, refusing to publish meeting minutes while simultaneously curtailing the powers of the University Senate.

    The proposed reforms envision transforming the board into a democratically elected body that better reflects the Columbia community’s diversity. Advocates argue this structural change would counter what they describe as oligarchic governance serving the interests of the wealthiest one percent rather than the broader university population.

    While organizers acknowledge the long-term nature of this initiative, they emphasize the urgency of establishing more representative governance to restore Columbia’s ethical and intellectual integrity amid what they characterize as the challenges of the Trump era.

  • Exclusive: US envoy accused SDF chief of trying to drag Israel into internal Syria matters, sources say

    Exclusive: US envoy accused SDF chief of trying to drag Israel into internal Syria matters, sources say

    In a tense diplomatic confrontation preceding Sunday’s ceasefire agreement, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack allegedly confronted Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi over attempts to involve Israel in Syria’s internal affairs, according to anonymous diplomatic sources who spoke with Middle East Eye.

    The closed-door meeting, which occurred in Erbil on Saturday amid Syrian government advances into SDF-controlled territories, also featured veteran Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani. Sources indicate Barrack delivered sharp criticism regarding Abdi’s delayed implementation of a March 2025 integration agreement that envisioned SDF merging with the Syrian army by year’s end.

    Barrack, a consistent advocate for a unified Syrian state, reportedly accused the SDF leadership of “stalling, failing to implement the agreement with the Syrian government, and relying on foreign powers.” The envoy issued a stark warning against involving Israel, stating such actions would “bring destruction” and potentially create friction between two crucial U.S. allies—Turkey and Israel.

    These allegations emerge alongside acknowledgments from senior SDF officials, including Ilham Ahmed, who confirmed communications with Israeli representatives and expressed openness to support from any external party willing to protect Kurdish communities and their political achievements.

    During the meeting, Barrack challenged Abdi’s apparent failure to recognize Syria’s transformed political landscape, noting: “You still want to deal with the situation as if Bashar al-Assad is ruling Syria… There is a fundamental change; Damascus is our partner today in the fight against terrorism.”

    Contrasting this tone, Barzani reportedly described his recent meeting with Syrian President al-Sharaa as positive while requesting assistance for Kurdish civilian protection, presenting documented evidence of threats facing Kurdish communities. The Kurdish leader offered to serve as “new guarantor” for any revised agreement and requested a follow-up meeting between Sharaa and Abdi.

    The diplomatic efforts culminated in Sunday’s ceasefire announcement, with Syria’s military assuming nearly complete territorial control and dismantling the Kurdish-led forces that governed northeast Syria for over a decade. The agreement stipulates SDF withdrawal from Arab-majority Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces, including border crossings and energy fields, though specific implementation timelines remain unclear.

    Barrack subsequently praised the agreement on social media, characterizing it as progress toward a “unified Syria” and noting President al-Sharaa’s recognition of Kurds as “an integral part of Syria.”

  • New Zealand election scheduled for Nov. 7 with the costs of living and housing the top issue

    New Zealand election scheduled for Nov. 7 with the costs of living and housing the top issue

    WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has officially designated November 7 as the date for New Zealand’s next general election, setting the stage for a contentious battle over economic leadership and policy direction. The center-right leader will pursue a second term amidst persistent voter concerns about living costs and economic recovery.

    The electoral contest presents a remarkable political coincidence, featuring two leaders named Christopher vying for premiership—repeating the 2023 electoral dynamic. Luxon’s National Party government faces formidable opposition from Chris Hipkins’ resurgent Labour Party, with analysts predicting an exceptionally close race.

    New Zealand’s political structure features a unicameral parliamentary system where coalition-building proves essential. Both major parties typically require alliances with smaller political entities to secure governing majorities, granting minor parties disproportionate influence in determining the nation’s leadership.

    Economic performance dominates the electoral discourse, with Luxon emphasizing his administration’s efforts to rebuild the pandemic-affected economy. Recent economic indicators show a 0.5% contraction over the past twelve months, while emigration to Australia has reached record levels during Luxon’s tenure. The Prime Minister attributes these challenges to what he characterizes as economic mismanagement by the previous Labour administration.

    Opposition Leader Hipkins has dismissed Luxon’s economic narrative as ‘management-speak mumbo-jumbo,’ accusing the government of failing to deliver on key promises including housing affordability and healthcare accessibility. The debate extends to infrastructure investment and pension funding, with Luxon criticizing Labour’s debt accumulation approach while Hipkins condemns the government’s tax policies.

    Luxon, a former Air New Zealand CEO and business executive, brings corporate leadership experience but faces criticism regarding his political novice status and perceived disconnection from ordinary citizens. Hipkins, who briefly served as prime minister following Jacinda Ardern’s resignation, emphasizes his humble background and governmental experience despite his party’s 2023 electoral setback.

    The electoral outcome will likely hinge on negotiations with minor parties. Luxon’s current coalition includes the libertarian ACT and populist New Zealand First parties, while Hipkins would likely seek support from the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori. Historical patterns suggest single-term governments are uncommon in New Zealand politics, with the last occurrence dating to 1975.