Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Oh My Desk: Building a new kind of coworking space and business center in Dubai

    Oh My Desk: Building a new kind of coworking space and business center in Dubai

    In Dubai’s competitive business landscape, where grandeur often overshadows functionality, Oh My Desk emerges as a transformative force in the coworking sector. Founded by entrepreneur Guillaume Rassemi, this innovative business center challenges conventional office models by prioritizing human-centered design over superficial extravagance.

    The concept originated from Rassemi’s personal frustration with existing workspaces that prioritized aesthetics over practicality. “Most offices were built either to impress visitors or to maximize square meters,” Rassemi explains. “Very few were designed around how people actually live and work every day.” This realization sparked the creation of workspaces that balance professional functionality with homely comfort.

    Oh My Desk’s distinctive approach manifests through carefully calibrated environments featuring warm materials, natural lighting, and functional layouts that foster concentration rather than distraction. The company consciously avoids both sterile minimalism and over-designed theatricality, instead crafting spaces where professionals can thrive long-term.

    Beyond physical infrastructure, Oh My Desk redefines community building in coworking environments. Unlike venues that force networking, this establishment cultivates organic relationships through thoughtfully designed common areas and optional events. This authentic approach has generated genuine collaborations among its diverse membership of entrepreneurs, consultants, creatives, and international teams.

    Strategically located in Dubai’s prime business districts—Downtown Dubai and Business Bay—the company offers fully serviced private offices, flexible contracts, and all-inclusive pricing. This model particularly appeals to scaling businesses and international companies entering the UAE market, providing operational flexibility without compromising on security or professional standards.

    The leadership combination of Rassemi’s strategic vision and co-founder Amir Mottaghi’s architectural expertise ensures both operational excellence and timeless design. Their disciplined expansion strategy focuses on sustainable growth across the GCC region, with planned locations in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.

    Oh My Desk’s upcoming flagship in Dubai Design District, featuring a panoramic rooftop space, represents the culmination of their philosophy—demonstrating that in a city known for excess, restraint and human-centered design can become powerful competitive advantages.

  • Australian Open: Supreme Sabalenka and Rybakina set up final showdown

    Australian Open: Supreme Sabalenka and Rybakina set up final showdown

    Melbourne witnessed two commanding performances on Thursday as Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina powered through their respective semifinal matches to arrange a highly anticipated championship showdown at the Australian Open.

    World number one Sabalenka demonstrated why she reigns supreme at Melbourne Park, securing her fourth consecutive final appearance with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory over Ukrainian challenger Elina Svitolina. The Belarusian powerhouse delivered a masterclass in aggressive baseline tennis, overwhelming her opponent with relentless power and precision.

    Meanwhile, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina battled through a tense encounter against American Jessica Pegula, ultimately prevailing 6-3, 7-6(7) in a hard-fought contest that showcased her resilience under pressure. The Russian-born Kazakh player’s victory sets up a blockbuster rematch of the 2023 final against her familiar rival Sabalenka.

    The semifinal between Sabalenka and Svitolina carried additional significance beyond tennis, occurring against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, for which Belarus has served as a staging ground. Since 2022, players from Russia and Belarus have competed as neutral athletes in Grand Slam events.

    Sabalenka’s achievement places her among tennis legends, becoming only the third woman in the professional era to reach four consecutive Australian Open finals, joining Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Martina Hingis in this exclusive club. The top seed now seeks her third Australian Open title in four years and her fifth Grand Slam trophy overall.

    Rybakina’s path to the final proved more challenging as she faced determined resistance from Pegula, who saved three match points before succumbing in a tiebreak. The victory continues Rybakina’s impressive form after she concluded her 2025 season by defeating Sabalenka to claim the WTA Finals trophy.

    The stage is now set for what promises to be an electrifying championship match between two of women’s tennis most formidable competitors, both seeking to add another major title to their growing legacies.

  • Turkey deploys F-16 jets to Somalia as it strengthens economic ties

    Turkey deploys F-16 jets to Somalia as it strengthens economic ties

    In a significant strategic move, Turkey has positioned three F-16 fighter jets at Mogadishu’s international airport, marking a substantial escalation of its military and economic footprint in Somalia. This deployment, confirmed on Wednesday, follows months of construction activity at the airport where Turkish engineers have built new hangars and prepared facilities to host the advanced aircraft.

    According to Somali officials and analysis of satellite imagery, the military buildup has been underway since at least September, supported by numerous Turkish cargo flights suspected of delivering essential spare parts and ammunition. While Turkey’s defense ministry declined specific commentary, ministry sources acknowledged maintaining an active air command presence in Somalia, emphasizing their role in enhancing Somalia’s counterterrorism capabilities through training and advisory support.

    This military expansion directly supports Turkey’s broader economic ambitions in the region. Reliable sources indicate the fighter jet deployment precedes Ankara’s planned dispatch of an oil exploration platform to commence offshore drilling later this year. Concurrently, plans are advancing for a spaceport project in northern Mogadishu, signaling Turkey’s multidimensional investment strategy.

    The timing of Turkey’s enhanced military presence coincides with growing regional tensions following Israel’s recent recognition of breakaway Somaliland. Ankara has explicitly reaffirmed its commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity through formal statements from its National Security Council, the nation’s top defense oversight body.

    Turkey’s deepening engagement extends beyond military cooperation. The recent appointment of Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud—a Turkish-educated officer with training at Turkey’s Defence University—as commander of Somalia’s National Army illustrates the extensive institutional ties between the nations.

    This deployment builds upon Turkey’s established military assistance, which previously included armed drones and attack helicopters transferred to Somali forces. The comprehensive defense agreement signed in February 2024 further commits Turkey to assisting Somalia in establishing a naval force, with two utility helicopters already delivered to the Somali navy.

    Since 2011, Turkey has invested heavily in Somalia’s infrastructure and humanitarian needs, constructing the world’s largest embassy in Mogadishu, providing over $1 billion in drought relief, and managing critical infrastructure including the city’s airport and port. The Turksom military base has trained approximately one-third of Somalia’s military personnel, cementing Turkey’s role as a primary security partner in the Horn of Africa.

  • AI governance tops China’s 2025 technology buzzwords list

    AI governance tops China’s 2025 technology buzzwords list

    In a significant development reflecting China’s evolving technological priorities, ‘AI governance’ has emerged as the foremost buzzword in the nation’s 2025 technology lexicon. The Chinese Society for Science and Technology Journalism unveiled this ranking, highlighting a global transition in artificial intelligence from pure technological competition toward establishing comprehensive regulatory frameworks.

    Yin Chuanhong, President of the Science Popularization Times, emphasized during the announcement ceremony that ‘ensuring safe, reliable, and controllable AI development has become the most pressing issue for the global community.’ He noted China’s growing recognition that technological advancement must be complemented by sophisticated governance mechanisms to guarantee sustainable progress.

    The selection process, which integrated big data analytics with expert assessment, also identified nine other pivotal technological terms: embodied intelligence, controlled nuclear fusion, brain-computer interface, commercial space, deep-sea technology, deep-space exploration, silver economy technology, intelligent agents, and Chinese innovation. These concepts reflect China’s strategic focus areas and remarkable breakthroughs during the year.

    China’s leadership in global AI governance gained international recognition, with the prestigious journal Nature acknowledging the country’s pioneering role. This was further demonstrated at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, where China proposed establishing a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization and released the Global AI Governance Action Plan.

    Substantial progress was reported across multiple frontier technologies. Controlled nuclear fusion witnessed a milestone achievement with the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor organization completing its massive superconducting electromagnet system. China’s brain-computer interface industry achieved breakthroughs in core technologies and multi-scenario applications, earning designation as one of six priority future industries in the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

    The commercial space sector demonstrated remarkable growth, with the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site and Oriental Spaceport achieving regular launch capabilities. Private rocket companies successfully deployed numerous carrier rockets, while satellite manufacturing facilities established capacity for mass production of hundreds of satellites annually, paving the way for a trillion-yuan market.

    Concurrently, the society released the ‘Top 10 Science and Technology News Events of 2025,’ featuring landmark achievements including DeepSeek’s open-source large models, the Zuchongzhi-3 quantum computing prototype, the world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon, and the commissioning of China’s first electromagnetic catapult aircraft carrier, the CNS Fujian.

  • China-Swiss exhibition on green construction opens

    China-Swiss exhibition on green construction opens

    Beijing witnessed the inauguration of the groundbreaking “Building Type / Climate Zone” exhibition on Thursday, showcasing the remarkable outcomes of the China-Swiss Zero Emission Buildings Project. Held at Langyuan Station, this collaborative initiative represents a significant milestone in sustainable construction technology developed between 2021 and 2025 through the partnership of Switzerland’s Agency for Development and Cooperation and China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

    The exhibition comprehensively documents the bilateral effort to combat global climate change through architectural innovation, featuring three distinct thematic sections. Visitors can explore hundreds of research reports curated by Swiss experts and presented through visually engaging infographics, admire professional architectural photography capturing eight zero-emission demonstration buildings, and examine a unique reproduction of China’s ancient architectural treatise “Yingzao Fashi” (Building Standards) printed on solar panels using advanced silk screen technology.

    Swiss Ambassador to China Krystyna Marty Lang emphasized the project’s significance during the opening ceremony, noting that “this collaboration represents the successful fusion of Swiss expertise in sustainable construction with Chinese innovative technologies and futuristic design capabilities.” The initiative has brought together over 100 experts from more than 30 enterprises and academic institutions across both nations, focusing on three primary areas: standardized research, practical demonstration projects, and comprehensive capacity-building programs.

    While acknowledging the project’s completion, Ambassador Lang characterized it as merely the beginning of a broader movement toward zero-emission construction, stating that “the success paves the way for new pilots, deeper standardization work, and investments that bring us closer to a zero-emission future.” The exhibition will remain accessible to the public free of charge from January 29th through February 13th.

  • China says navy, coast guard are peace guardians

    China says navy, coast guard are peace guardians

    In a robust defense of its maritime operations, China’s Defense Ministry has characterized its naval and coast guard forces as dual guardians of national sovereignty and regional peace. The statement came during a regular press briefing on Thursday from ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin, addressing recent tensions in the South China Sea.

    The commentary followed a January 22nd incident where vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy and China Coast Guard conducted a rescue operation near Huangyan Island (also known as Scarborough Shoal), saving 17 Filipino crew members from distressed waters. The rescued personnel were subsequently transferred to Philippine authorities this past Sunday, completing what China describes as a purely humanitarian mission.

    However, the episode has sparked diplomatic friction. Jiang sharply criticized certain Philippine Coast Guard spokespersons for what he termed the ‘instrumentalization of humanitarian efforts for malicious propaganda purposes,’ labeling such tactics as ‘profoundly dishonorable and contemptible.’

    ‘Human life holds immeasurable value, and compassion recognizes no national boundaries,’ Jiang asserted, emphasizing that China’s maritime forces operate with dual responsibilities. Beyond protecting territorial integrity, he stated they actively contribute to stability and peaceful coexistence in contested waterways.

    The spokesperson reaffirmed China’s commitment to ongoing patrols and protection of its maritime domains while advocating for a ‘maritime community with shared destiny.’ Jiang concluded that China would continue deploying concrete measures aimed at transforming the South China Sea into a zone characterized by peace, friendship, and international cooperation.

  • Eleven more bodies pulled from sea as Philippine ferry toll rises to 29

    Eleven more bodies pulled from sea as Philippine ferry toll rises to 29

    Rescue operations in the southern Philippines have recovered eleven additional victims from the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 ferry sinking, bringing the confirmed death toll to 29. The vessel capsized off the coast of Mindanao in the early hours of Monday, creating a significant maritime disaster that has now entered a critical investigation phase.

    Coast guard officials confirmed the latest casualties were predominantly discovered near Baluk-Baluk Island, adjacent to the sinking location. Local fishermen assisted in the recovery efforts, with verified social media footage showing the harrowing retrieval of victims still wearing life preservers. The discoveries have complicated initial passenger estimates, creating confusion about the actual number of people aboard during the incident.

    The Philippine Coast Guard has acknowledged discrepancies in the missing persons count. Captain Noemie Cayabyab, spokeswoman for the maritime agency, stated that while the official manifest indicated 10 missing individuals, including the ship’s captain and crew members, families have reported additional unaccounted passengers. This discrepancy has prompted authorities to expand their search and verification procedures.

    Specialized dive teams from Manila have joined the recovery mission, deploying unmanned submersible equipment to locate the wreckage resting approximately 76 meters (250 feet) below the surface. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ maritime regulatory body has grounded all vessels operated by Aleson Shipping Lines pending a comprehensive safety investigation.

    Survivor accounts describe chaotic scenes during the sinking, with passengers reportedly receiving no emergency alerts from crew members. Aquino Sajili, a 53-year-old attorney who survived the disaster, indicated potential legal action against the shipping company, citing negligence in safety protocols and emergency response procedures.

  • India should consider age-based curbs on social media, adviser says

    India should consider age-based curbs on social media, adviser says

    India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has called for significant restrictions on social media access for younger users, describing platform algorithms as “predatory” in their approach to maximizing user engagement. The recommendation, featured prominently in India’s annual economic survey published Thursday, suggests implementing age-based access limits and holding platforms responsible for age verification measures.

    The proposal aligns India with a growing global movement to protect children from digital addiction. Australia became the first nation to implement a comprehensive ban for children under 16 last year, while France’s National Assembly recently backed legislation prohibiting social media access for those under 15. Britain, Denmark, and Greece are reportedly studying similar measures.

    Nageswaran’s recommendations highlight particular concerns about younger users’ vulnerability to compulsive usage patterns and harmful content. The economic survey specifically notes that algorithms appear targeted at users between 15 and 24 years old, with cheap telecom data plans contributing to widespread adoption—approximately 75% of young smartphone users regularly engage with social media apps.

    The adviser recommended that families implement screen-time limits, device-free hours, and shared offline activities to counter digital addiction’s negative effects on academic performance and workplace productivity, which he attributed to distractions, sleep deprivation, and reduced focus.

    While the recommendations aren’t binding, they carry significant weight in policy discussions within Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Past economic survey recommendations have influenced tax reforms, investment rule changes, and digital infrastructure development.

    The proposal comes as several Indian states are already considering restrictions. The coastal state of Goa and southern state of Andhra Pradesh have both announced they’re studying Australia’s regulatory framework for potential implementation. Andhra Pradesh’s IT minister, Nara Lokesh, stated on social media platform X that “children are slipping into relentless usage, affecting their attention spans and education.”

    Social media platforms face substantial impact in India, their largest user market with approximately 750 million smartphones and one billion internet users. Research firm DataReportal indicates YouTube has 500 million users in India, followed by Instagram with 481 million and Facebook with 403 million users. The country currently doesn’t set a minimum age for social media access.

    Meta, Alphabet (YouTube’s parent company), and X didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Meta has previously expressed support for laws enabling parental oversight while cautioning that outright bans might push teenagers toward less regulated, potentially more dangerous platforms.

    Some digital rights activists and technology experts have expressed concerns that age-based restrictions might prove ineffective since children can bypass them using false identification. They instead advocate for measures that help children and parents develop healthier social media usage habits.

  • Strikes to inspire protests, much larger attack: What are Trump’s options on Iran?

    Strikes to inspire protests, much larger attack: What are Trump’s options on Iran?

    The Trump administration is actively contemplating a spectrum of military responses against Iran, ranging from targeted strikes to extensive bombing campaigns, according to multiple anonymous sources familiar with high-level deliberations. These considerations emerge amidst heightened tensions following Tehran’s brutal suppression of nationwide protests that resulted in thousands of civilian casualties.

    Washington’s strategic calculus involves potential attacks on Iranian security forces, military commanders, and critical infrastructure, with the dual objectives of empowering protest movements and crippling Iran’s military capabilities. While President Trump has not finalized any decision regarding military intervention, the recent deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier group to the region has significantly expanded American offensive options.

    Intelligence assessments and regional analyses suggest air power alone would be insufficient to achieve regime change in Tehran. Israeli officials and Arab diplomats have expressed concerns that military action could actually strengthen the Iranian regime’s position rather than weaken it, potentially triggering broader regional instability. The complex succession dynamics surrounding Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who retains ultimate authority despite reduced public visibility, further complicate potential intervention scenarios.

    Regional powers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Egypt have actively lobbied against military action, fearing retaliatory strikes from Iranian-aligned forces across the Middle East. Gulf states particularly worry about missile attacks and drone assaults from Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting their territories and critical infrastructure.

    The ongoing deliberations reflect the administration’s attempt to balance maximum pressure tactics with diplomatic overtures regarding Iran’s nuclear program. While Tehran has expressed willingness to negotiate based on “mutual respect and interests,” it has simultaneously prepared for potential military confrontation, creating a precarious standoff with global implications.

  • Dubai education fair helps families navigate studying abroad

    Dubai education fair helps families navigate studying abroad

    Dubai is set to host the Glinks Pathfinder Education Fair 2026 this Saturday, January 31st, providing families with direct access to international education opportunities. The event will take place at the Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, offering personalized guidance for students considering overseas studies.

    Unlike digital research alone, this fair facilitates face-to-face interactions with official representatives from over 25 prestigious universities across the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Canada. Participants can explore diverse academic disciplines including artificial intelligence, engineering, medical sciences, business administration, environmental studies, and creative arts.

    The initiative addresses the complex decision-making process surrounding international education, which typically involves evaluating academic compatibility, financial planning, and career prospects. Families will receive comprehensive information on admission criteria, scholarship opportunities, visa procedures, and post-graduate employment pathways.

    Prabhjeet Singh, Founder and CEO of Glinks International, emphasized the fair’s mission to replace uncertainty with concrete educational planning. ‘We designed this event to transform speculative research into actionable insights for families contemplating global education options,’ Singh stated.

    Prospective applicants will benefit from practical advantages including application fee waivers worth $150 for the 2026-2027 academic intake when applying to partner institutions during the event. The complimentary fair encourages early registration to ensure participants maximize their access to expert guidance and institutional comparisons.

    This gathering represents a significant opportunity for both students and parents to collaboratively plan educational journeys with verified information from source representatives, moving beyond digital research to personalized consultation.