Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Iran-US nuclear talks conclude in Geneva ‘after significant progress’: Omani FM

    Iran-US nuclear talks conclude in Geneva ‘after significant progress’: Omani FM

    GENEVA – A third round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, mediated by Oman, concluded in Geneva on Thursday with both sides acknowledging substantial advancements. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi characterized the talks as achieving “significant progress in the negotiation.”

    The discussions, which commenced Thursday morning, featured high-level representation from both nations. Iran’s delegation was led by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, while the U.S. contingent included Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.

    Minister Albusaidi indicated that while delegations will return to their respective capitals for consultations, technical-level discussions are scheduled to resume next week in Vienna. In a public statement, he noted that both parties exhibited “unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions,” describing the ongoing efforts as intensive and constructive.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi echoed this optimism in remarks to state television, confirming that dialogues had entered serious phases concerning the elements of a potential agreement. He reported “very good progress” on both nuclear-related issues and the critical matter of sanctions relief, suggesting another round of talks could be convened within a week.

    These diplomatic efforts unfold against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions, exacerbated by a recent U.S. military buildup in West Asia. The core of the negotiations remains a potential exchange: restrictions on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and stockpiles in return for the alleviation of stringent U.S. sanctions.

    The U.S. position, established during the Trump administration, continues to advocate for an indefinite and verifiable agreement designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, coupled with warnings of potential military action should diplomacy prove futile. Conversely, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is purely peaceful and insists that discussions must focus on securing the removal of sanctions that have crippled its economy.

  • India and Israel pledge to boost ties in defence and technology

    India and Israel pledge to boost ties in defence and technology

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a significant two-day diplomatic mission to Israel, marking his second visit since 2017 and resulting in the establishment of a Special Strategic Partnership between the two nations. The visit produced over a dozen bilateral agreements spanning defense, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space exploration, trade, education, investment, agriculture, and economic cooperation.

    During joint statements with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, both leaders announced progress toward a comprehensive free trade agreement while condemning terrorism unequivocally. Modi specifically endorsed US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza during a news conference, stating that “humanity must never become a victim of conflict” while affirming India’s support for peaceful resolution efforts.

    The Indian leader paid respects at Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial, and addressed the Knesset where he expressed solidarity with Israel following the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks: “We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond.”

    Significant practical outcomes included Israel’s commitment to admit 50,000 additional Indian workers over the next five years and India’s extension of its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) digital payment system to Israel, enhancing financial connectivity between the nations.

    The visit faced domestic criticism in India, particularly from opposition Congress party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh who accused the Modi government of abandoning Palestinian interests. However, analysts viewed the diplomacy as reflecting India’s long-term strategic requirements in the Middle East, with Kabir Taneja of the Observer Research Foundation noting that regional stability remains “critically important” for India’s broader interests.

  • Weak yen weighs on livelihoods

    Weak yen weighs on livelihoods

    Japan’s currency crisis is deepening as the yen plunges to historic lows, creating severe economic pressures that are eroding living standards and threatening stagflation. The Bank for International Settlements revealed in February that the yen’s real effective exchange rate plummeted to 67.73 in January—the lowest level since Japan adopted floating exchange rates in 1973, representing approximately one-third of its 1995 peak value.

    This dramatic depreciation stems from fundamental structural weaknesses including prolonged economic stagnation, widening interest rate differentials with the United States, heavy dependence on energy imports, demographic decline, and mounting fiscal burdens. According to Professor Yangchoon Kwak of Rikkyo University’s College of Economics, these factors collectively exert sustained medium to long-term pressure on the currency.

    The weak yen has triggered a dangerous inflationary spiral in the import-dependent nation. Japan’s core consumer price index rose 3.1% year-on-year in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive annual increase. Among 522 surveyed items, 440 recorded price hikes with rice prices skyrocketing 67.2% and egg prices increasing 10.3%.

    Compounding the crisis, real wages adjusted for inflation fell 1.3% in 2025—the fourth straight annual decline—creating a painful squeeze on household budgets. The situation has prompted major corporations including McDonald’s Japan and East Japan Railway to announce significant price increases, while Tokyo apartment rents have surged by ¥63,000 ($400) over five years.

    Economists warn that if prices continue outpacing wage growth, Japan could face stagflation—a combination of economic stagnation and inflation that further undermines consumer confidence. The government has implemented temporary relief measures including gasoline tax cuts and utility subsidies, but experts question whether these will offset broader inflationary pressures.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces criticism after admitting to distributing ¥30,000 congratulatory gifts to ruling party lawmakers following recent elections—a move opposition leaders characterize as reflecting outdated political culture amid ongoing public distrust over money and politics.

  • Major battery breakthrough paving way for EV upgrade

    Major battery breakthrough paving way for EV upgrade

    Chinese researchers have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in battery technology by developing a lithium metal battery with unprecedented energy density exceeding 700 watt-hours per kilogram while maintaining stable performance in extreme cold conditions down to -50°C. This technological leap, detailed in a recent publication in the prestigious journal Nature, addresses two critical bottlenecks that have hindered electric vehicle adoption: limited range and poor cold-weather performance.

    The research team, led by Professor Chen Jun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Vice-President of Nankai University, implemented a novel molecular engineering approach. By replacing oxygen atoms with fluorine atoms in hydrocarbon solvent molecules, the team created a unique fluorinated electrolyte system based on lithium-fluorine coordination. This molecular redesign enables superior ion transfer efficiency and exceptional stability under ultrahigh energy densities and extreme temperature conditions.

    Professor Yan Zhenhua of Nankai University’s College of Chemistry provided context, noting that conventional lithium-ion batteries typically achieve 160-300 Wh/kg energy density, support ranges up to approximately 800 kilometers, and operate reliably between -20°C and -30°C. The new technology represents more than a 50% performance improvement over existing solutions while simultaneously addressing the high cost and safety concerns traditionally associated with lithium metal batteries.

    The research has already progressed from laboratory breakthrough to commercial application. In collaboration with Chinese automaker Hongqi, the team has developed a mass-producible battery system with cell energy density exceeding 500 Wh/kg, enabling vehicles to achieve over 1,000 kilometers on a single charge. According to Lu Tianjun of China Automotive New Energy Battery Technology Co, vehicles equipped with these batteries are expected to enter mass production by year-end.

    Professor Chen emphasized the importance of industry-academia collaboration in translating scientific discoveries into practical technologies. “We can’t always stay in the ivory tower. Our goal is to address real industrial challenges,” he stated. The technology holds significant potential beyond electric vehicles, with applications in embodied intelligent robots, low-altitude economy, polar exploration, aerospace, and aviation sectors.

  • South Korea allows Google to export map data after years of frustration over Google Maps

    South Korea allows Google to export map data after years of frustration over Google Maps

    In a landmark decision addressing long-standing digital navigation challenges, South Korean authorities have conditionally approved Google’s request to export high-precision mapping data overseas. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced Friday that after extensive review by government and private security experts, Google may transfer 1:5,000-scale map data subject to rigorous protective measures.

    The authorization mandates Google to implement comprehensive security safeguards, including processing all data through domestic servers before export and receiving explicit government clearance. Critical restrictions require the exclusion of contour lines and sensitive geographical information, along with the removal of coordinates from South Korean territory. Additionally, Google must blur satellite and aerial imagery of military installations and sensitive sites across its time-series services including Google Earth and Street View.

    Google will be required to appoint a dedicated compliance officer within South Korea to oversee map export operations. The ministry emphasized that failure to adhere to these conditions could result in immediate suspension or revocation of the approval.

    Cris Turner, Google’s Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, welcomed the decision in an official statement, expressing anticipation for “ongoing collaboration with local officials to bring fully functioning Google Maps to Korea.”

    This resolution concludes years of regulatory stalemate during which South Korean officials consistently denied Google’s mapping data export requests, citing paramount national security concerns. These restrictions had positioned South Korea among the few global markets where Google Maps operated with limited functionality, compelling most locals to utilize domestic alternatives like Naver and Kakao.

    The breakthrough addresses mounting concerns from tourism stakeholders who argued that inadequate digital navigation tools potentially undermined South Korea’s ambitions to establish itself as a premier international travel destination.

  • Ten photos from across China: Feb 20 – 26

    Ten photos from across China: Feb 20 – 26

    China Daily Information Co (CDIC) has established stringent copyright protection protocols governing all digital content published across its platforms. The comprehensive policy explicitly prohibits unauthorized republication or utilization of any materials—including textual content, photographs, and multimedia information—without obtaining prior written consent from CDIC.

    The company’s intellectual property guidelines emphasize that all content published since 1994 remains protected under CDIC’s exclusive ownership rights. The policy framework extends to technical specifications, recommending 1024*768 or higher display resolution for optimal viewing experience across its digital properties.

    CDIC maintains formal registration credentials (License: 0108263, Registration Number: 130349) affirming its status as a licensed multimedia content publisher. The organization has additionally established clear channels for commercial engagements through its advertised site partnership opportunities, while also providing career pathways for both domestic and expatriate professionals seeking employment within the media organization.

    The company encourages audience engagement through designated follow mechanisms, though such interaction remains subject to the same copyright protections governing all proprietary content. This policy framework demonstrates CDIC’s commitment to maintaining editorial integrity while protecting intellectual property in the digital publishing landscape.

  • Nepal will hold first election since deadly protests, with 3 rivals vying to be prime minister

    Nepal will hold first election since deadly protests, with 3 rivals vying to be prime minister

    Nepal stands at a critical political juncture as the nation prepares for decisive parliamentary elections following last year’s youth-led uprising that toppled the previous government. This electoral contest features three distinct contenders representing divergent political philosophies, each vying to become Nepal’s 16th prime minister since the monarchy’s abolition in 2008—a statistic underscoring the chronic instability that has characterized the Himalayan nation’s governance.

    The electoral frontrunner emerges as Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former rapper and structural engineer who captured public imagination during his tenure as Kathmandu mayor. Known popularly as ‘Balen,’ Shah’s anti-establishment platform propelled him to municipal victory in 2022, where he gained recognition for addressing urban challenges including illegal vending and waste management, though not without controversy regarding his aggressive demolition policies. Now leading the National Independent Party, Shah’s campaign rhetoric emphasizes equitable access to education and healthcare for Nepal’s economically disadvantaged populations.

    Gagan Thapa, 49, represents the established political order as the newly elected leader of Nepal’s oldest political force, the Nepali Congress. Having recently overcome internal party resistance to secure leadership, Thapa positions himself as a reformist within the traditional democratic framework. His platform prioritizes the elimination of systemic corruption within five years and establishing greater governmental accountability, addressing directly the grievances that fueled last year’s deadly protests that claimed dozens of lives.

    The third contender, former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, seeks a return to power despite being ousted during last year’s violent unrest. The controversial communist leader maintains significant support within his party base, advocating for policy stability and economic development. Oli’s political stature previously surged during his confrontation with India’s 2015 economic blockade, which caused severe shortages throughout Nepal.

    This triangular contest occurs against the backdrop of Nepal’s delicate geopolitical positioning between regional powers China and India, with Oli’s communist factions historically leaning toward Beijing while Thapa’s Nepali Congress maintains closer ties to New Delhi. The election outcome will determine not only domestic policy direction but also potentially recalibrate Nepal’s international alignments.

  • Hong Kong’s budget surplus masks mounting structural deficit

    Hong Kong’s budget surplus masks mounting structural deficit

    Hong Kong’s financial landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, with the government now projecting a HK$2.9 billion (US$372 million) surplus for the 2025/26 fiscal year—a dramatic reversal from the previously anticipated HK$67 billion deficit. Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced this unexpected fiscal improvement during Wednesday’s budget presentation, attributing the positive shift to stronger-than-anticipated revenue streams and strategic financial management.

    The surplus emerges against a complex backdrop of economic challenges and opportunities. Fiscal reserves are expected to grow to HK$657.2 billion by March 2026, up from HK$647.3 billion the previous year, signaling stabilization in public finances despite persistent weakness in the property sector.

    Multiple factors contributed to this fiscal turnaround. Stamp duty revenue reached HK$99.5 billion—HK$31.9 billion above initial projections—driven by renewed vigor in equity markets and accelerated economic growth. Additionally, the government expanded bond issuance to HK$155 billion while strategically reallocating HK$62 billion from various special endowment funds established outside government accounts.

    The property market crisis that began in late 2021 fundamentally altered Hong Kong’s fiscal model. Land premium revenue plummeted to an average of HK$16.8 billion annually over the past three years, representing a HK$110 billion annual shortfall compared to pre-2021 levels. This revenue decline coincided with increased capital expenditure, which grew 27% to HK$155 billion in 2024/25 and another 21% to HK$187 billion in 2025/26.

    Credit rating agencies have expressed cautious optimism. Fitch Ratings noted that while Hong Kong’s government debt-to-GDP ratio remains manageable at 15% in 2024/25, continued bond issuance averaging HK$177 billion annually through 2029/30 could gradually erode fiscal strength. Fiscal reserves are projected to decline to approximately 14% of GDP by 2029/30, compared to 41% at the pre-pandemic peak.

    Financial Secretary Chan defended the borrowing strategy, emphasizing that the projected debt-to-GDP ratio of 19.9% remains “highly prudent” by international standards. He reiterated that bond proceeds would exclusively fund infrastructure investments rather than recurrent government expenditure.

    Looking ahead, the government plans to draw HK$15.8 billion from special funds, HK$37 billion from Bond Fund surplus, and HK$75 billion from Exchange Fund investment income to maintain fiscal stability in 2026/27. However, Hong Kong Monetary Authority Chief Executive Eddie Yue cautioned that the favorable market conditions of 2025 may not persist, citing global economic uncertainties, central bank policies, AI developments, and geopolitical tensions as potential headwinds.

  • Palestinian activist sues Betar USA for violation of civil rights

    Palestinian activist sues Betar USA for violation of civil rights

    A landmark federal civil rights lawsuit has been initiated by Nerdeen Kiswani, a prominent Palestinian-American activist and founder of the pro-Palestinian organization Within Our Lifetime, against the far-right Zionist group Betar USA. The legal action, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges a systematic campaign of violent intimidation, threats, and harassment spanning several months.

    Kiswani, a naturalized U.S. citizen who arrived as a Palestinian refugee in childhood, asserts that Betar USA orchestrated a targeted campaign against her that transcended protected speech. The complaint details how the group utilized social media platforms to offer cash rewards for delivering beepers to Kiswani—a menacing reference to Israel’s 2024 use of exploding pagers against Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon. The lawsuit further describes physical confrontations where Betar affiliates allegedly cornered Kiswani on public sidewalks and at demonstrations while shouting threats.

    The legal team from Lee & Godshall-Bennett LLP and Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP contends that Betar unlawfully targeted their client. The group reportedly submitted Kiswani’s name to federal authorities during the Trump administration, advocating for the revocation of her citizenship and her deportation. This tactic aligns with Betar’s publicly acknowledged practice of collecting names of pro-Palestine activists for submission to government officials, which previously resulted in the harassment, arrest, and forced self-deportation of several international students in New York City.

    The lawsuit invokes the Ku Klux Klan Enforcement Act of 1871, a Reconstruction-era statute originally designed to protect freed slaves and Republican activists from organized racial terror. The legal action aims to terminate what plaintiffs characterize as Betar’s “campaign of terror” against those opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza.

    This development follows the recent dissolution of Betar’s New York chapter after an investigation by the state attorney general found the group repeatedly targeted individuals based on their faith and ethnic origin, specifically Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and Jewish New Yorkers.

    Founded in 1929 and recently obtaining US tax-exempt nonprofit status in July 2024, Betar USA describes itself as “loud, proud, aggressive and unapologically Zionist.” The group traces its origins to the right-wing Zionist ideologue Ze’ev Jabotinsky’s 1923 formation of a youth paramilitary organization in Latvia, formally named Brit Yosef Trumpeldor after a Jewish settler killed in a 1920 firefight with Palestinians.

    The case represents a significant test of civil rights protections against organized intimidation tactics in the context of highly charged political discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

  • Pakistan’s defense minister says that there is now ‘open war’ with Afghanistan after latest strikes

    Pakistan’s defense minister says that there is now ‘open war’ with Afghanistan after latest strikes

    ISLAMABAD — Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated dramatically into overt military conflict, with Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declaring Friday that his nation’s “patience has now run out” and characterizing the situation as “open war” between the neighboring countries.

    The declaration follows a series of reciprocal airstrikes and border clashes that began after what Pakistan described as Afghan cross-border aggression. According to Pakistani officials and Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, Pakistan conducted aerial assaults targeting Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia province in what Islamabad claims was a retaliatory measure.

    In a significant diplomatic shift, Defense Minister Asif used social media platform X to articulate Pakistan’s transformed stance. He expressed disappointment that instead of fostering regional stability following NATO’s withdrawal, the Taliban government had allegedly transformed Afghanistan into “a colony of India” and become a hub for international militants “exporting terrorism.”

    Casualty reports from both sides conflict dramatically. Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry claims to have killed 55 Pakistani soldiers, captured others alive, and destroyed numerous military installations. Conversely, Pakistani officials acknowledge only two soldier fatalities while asserting they eliminated 133 Afghan fighters, wounded over 200, and captured nine combatants.

    The confrontation represents the collapse of a Qatar and Turkey-brokered ceasefire established months earlier. Pakistani security officials, speaking anonymously, reported observing white flags raised at some Afghan border posts—typically indicating a cessation request—but emphasized continued “strong retaliatory response” to what they termed “unprovoked aggression.”

    The violence has disrupted humanitarian operations, with authorities relocating Afghan refugees awaiting repatriation at the Torkham border crossing to safer locations. This conflict emerges against the backdrop of Pakistan’s extensive 2023 crackdown on undocumented migrants, which has already compelled nearly three million people to return to Afghanistan according to UN estimates.