Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Bangladesh’s ousted leader Hasina denounces the upcoming election from her exile in India

    Bangladesh’s ousted leader Hasina denounces the upcoming election from her exile in India

    DHAKA, Bangladesh — As Bangladesh approaches its February 12 general election, the political landscape remains deeply fractured following the exclusion of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from the electoral process. From her exile in India, Hasina has issued a stark warning that the exclusionary approach could plunge the nation into prolonged instability.

    The ousted leader, who was sentenced to death in absentia for her government’s crackdown on student protests in 2024 that resulted in hundreds of casualties and ended her 15-year rule, contends that the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has deliberately disenfranchised millions of her supporters. In correspondence with international media, Hasina emphasized that political exclusion inevitably deepens resentment, undermines institutional legitimacy, and creates conditions for future turmoil.

    With over 127 million eligible voters, this election represents Bangladesh’s most significant political event in decades. The Yunus administration has pledged to ensure electoral integrity, with security forces committed to maintaining order and international observers from the European Union and Commonwealth monitoring the process. However, concerns persist regarding the genuineness of inclusivity and democratic standards.

    The political vacuum following Hasina’s August 2024 departure has been marked by heightened security challenges and allegations of civil rights violations. Human rights organizations have documented worrying patterns of arbitrary detentions and attacks on minority communities, while press freedoms have deteriorated with several journalists facing criminal charges.

    The electoral contest now primarily features the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman—son of Hasina’s late rival Khaleda Zia—and a coalition of Islamist groups headed by Jamaat-e-Islami, which faced severe repression during Hasina’s tenure. This configuration marks a dramatic shift from previous political arrangements, raising questions about the country’s democratic trajectory.

    Hasina has dismissed her conviction as the product of a ‘kangaroo court’ while acknowledging that Bangladesh’s political culture must evolve beyond cycles of boycotts and exclusions. She maintains that only a government possessing genuine popular consent can heal the nation’s deep divisions and guide it toward stability.

  • Starmer calls for UK to have a deeper relationship with China during ‘challenging times’

    Starmer calls for UK to have a deeper relationship with China during ‘challenging times’

    In a significant diplomatic overture, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer advocated for strengthened bilateral ties with China during his Thursday meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The newly elected leader, making the first UK prime ministerial visit in eight years, emphasized the necessity of collaboration on pressing global issues including climate change and international stability.

    Speaking at the Great Hall of the People, Starmer articulated his vision for ‘a long-term, consistent and comprehensive strategic partnership’ between the two nations. This high-stakes diplomatic engagement marks a deliberate effort to mend relations following several years of heightened tensions stemming from concerns over Chinese espionage activities in Britain, Beijing’s support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict, and human rights issues in Hong Kong.

    The Prime Minister’s delegation, comprising over 50 prominent business executives and cultural organization leaders, underscores Britain’s dual objectives of pursuing economic opportunities while navigating complex geopolitical considerations. The visit occurs against the backdrop of sluggish domestic economic performance, making expanded trade and investment relationships increasingly imperative.

    Starmer’s Beijing engagement places him among a growing cohort of Western leaders seeking direct dialogue with China, following recent visits by counterparts from South Korea, Canada, and Finland, with Germany’s chancellor expected next month. This diplomatic pattern suggests a recalibration of international approaches to engaging with China amid evolving global trade dynamics and political uncertainties.

  • Man who exposed human rights abuses in China granted US asylum

    Man who exposed human rights abuses in China granted US asylum

    A United States immigration court has granted political asylum to Chinese national Guan Heng after determining he possessed legitimate grounds to fear persecution upon returning to China. The 38-year-old had clandestinely documented facilities in China’s northwestern Xinjiang region, where international human rights organizations allege over one million ethnic Uyghurs remain involuntarily detained.

    Guan’s legal journey began when he entered the US illegally in 2021 and subsequently filed for asylum. His case encountered complications when he was detained during a mass deportation initiative under the Trump administration in August. Initial plans to deport him to Uganda were abandoned in December following public outcry regarding his situation.

    During Wednesday’s judicial proceedings, Guan testified via video link from a US correctional facility that his motivation for filming was humanitarian rather than strategic. ‘I sympathized with the persecuted Uyghurs,’ he stated when questioned about whether his documentation effort was designed to support an asylum claim.

    The evidentiary footage, published primarily on YouTube after Guan’s departure from China, shows what he characterizes as ‘concentration camps’ in Xinjiang. His circuitous route to the United States included transit through Hong Kong, Ecuador, and the Bahamas before reaching Florida.

    This case unfolds against a backdrop of serious international allegations against China. Multiple nations including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the Netherlands have accused China of committing crimes against humanity and potential genocide against Xinjiang’s Uyghur Muslim population. A 2018 UN human rights committee report cited credible evidence indicating China detained up to one million individuals in ‘counter-extremism centers’ within the heavily restricted region.

    China maintains consistent denial of all human rights abuse allegations, officially characterizing the facilities as ‘re-education camps’ essential for terrorism prevention and Islamist extremism eradication. Meanwhile, exiled Uyghurs continue reporting family members who have disappeared or live under constant surveillance.

    Additional evidence emerged through a 2022 BBC acquisition of police files detailing camp operations, including standard deployment of armed guards and implementation of shoot-to-kill protocols for escape attempts. Camp survivors have provided harrowing accounts of systemic physical, psychological, and sexual torture, with women reporting widespread rape and sexual abuse.

    Guan’s legal representative, Chen Chuangchuang, characterized the case as a ‘textbook example of why asylum should exist,’ emphasizing America’s ‘moral and legal responsibility’ to provide protection. The presiding judge recognized the validity of Guan’s fears, noting his family in China had already faced interrogation, thus establishing his legal eligibility for asylum. The Department of Homeland Security retains the right to appeal within a 30-day window.

  • Dubai gold prices gain Dh115 per gram in a month after reaching record high globally

    Dubai gold prices gain Dh115 per gram in a month after reaching record high globally

    Dubai’s gold market witnessed an unprecedented rally as prices soared to record-breaking levels, with 24K gold reaching Dh635.5 per gram on Wednesday evening. This represents a remarkable increase of Dh115.5 per gram within the first month of 2026 alone, significantly outpacing the entire year’s performance of 2025 when prices closed at Dh520 per gram on December 31.

    The precious metal’s surge extended across all variants, with 22K, 21K, 18K, and 14K gold trading at Dh588.5, Dh564.25, Dh483.5, and Dh377.25 per gram respectively. The global benchmark spot gold surpassed the psychological $5,300 milestone before settling at $5,288.26 per ounce at 8pm UAE time.

    Financial analysts attribute this historic rally to multiple converging factors. Alex Kuptsikevich, Chief Market Analyst at FxPro, noted that the collapse of the USD index enabled gold to break through the $5,300 barrier for the first time in history. “Precious metals act as politically neutral assets,” Kuptsikevich explained. “They respond to White House policy but maintain independence from the direct influences that affect stocks, bonds, and the US dollar.”

    The current market dynamics reveal a significant shift in investment patterns. According to experts, gold is benefiting from dual capital movements: flight from US assets and simultaneous outflows from the cryptocurrency market. This contradicts earlier expectations that cryptocurrency would thrive under potential pro-crypto policies, instead demonstrating gold’s enduring appeal as a politically independent store of value.

    Vijay Valecha, Chief Investment Officer at Century Financial, emphasized that sustained central bank purchasing, combined with increasing investor preference for non-dollar assets, continues to drive strong underlying demand. Despite potential short-term corrections due to overbought conditions, the fundamental outlook remains bullish amid persistent geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts between the US and NATO allies with Canada, stalled Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, and ongoing tariff uncertainties.

    Adding to the complex economic backdrop, US consumer confidence has plummeted to multi-year lows, further enhancing gold’s traditional role as a hedge against economic volatility, bond market fluctuations, and inflationary pressures. This convergence of factors has created ideal conditions for gold’s spectacular performance, establishing it as the preferred safe-haven asset during current global uncertainties.

  • Boeing expects India, South Asia to add 3,290 jets over next 20 years

    Boeing expects India, South Asia to add 3,290 jets over next 20 years

    In a significant upward revision of its regional forecast, Boeing has projected that airlines across India and South Asia will require 3,290 new commercial aircraft over the next two decades. This substantial increase from the previous estimate of 2,835 jets reflects the extraordinary transformation of the region into one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets.

    The aerospace giant attributes this accelerated demand to multiple converging factors: robust economic expansion, rapidly growing middle-class populations, and an unprecedented surge of first-time air travelers. This perfect storm of conditions has created an environment where carriers are aggressively modernizing fleets and expanding capacity while airports undergo comprehensive upgrades.

    According to Boeing’s detailed breakdown, the projected fleet composition reveals 2,875 single-aisle aircraft—the workhorses of regional and domestic routes—alongside 395 wide-body jets destined for international expansion. This strategic allocation underscores the dual growth pattern occurring within the market: intensive domestic network development alongside international route expansion.

    Ashwin Naidu, Boeing’s Managing Director of Commercial Marketing for India and South Asia, emphasized the unique nature of this growth cycle: “While many global aviation markets have reached maturation focused primarily on fleet replacement, India represents the opposite phenomenon—explosive organic expansion that requires both new aircraft and infrastructure development.”

    The company specifically highlighted infrastructure challenges, noting that over 30% of India’s aviation network remains concentrated around Delhi and Mumbai, creating operational bottlenecks that must be addressed to sustain growth. This assessment comes as Boeing itself regains industrial momentum, having delivered the most aircraft in 2025 since 2018 and surpassing Airbus in net orders for the first time in seven years.

    Despite this optimistic outlook, the industry continues to face significant headwinds. Supply chain disruptions persist, limiting manufacturers’ ability to capitalize on strong demand and forcing airlines to allocate substantial resources toward maintaining older aircraft until new deliveries can be completed.

  • First Abu Dhabi Bank posts record Dh21.11b profit as diversified growth powers strong performance

    First Abu Dhabi Bank posts record Dh21.11b profit as diversified growth powers strong performance

    First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the United Arab Emirates’ largest financial institution by assets, announced unprecedented financial results for 2025, achieving a historic net profit of Dh21.11 billion. This represents a remarkable 24 percent surge from the previous year, demonstrating the bank’s exceptional operational performance across its diversified portfolio.

    The bank’s extraordinary performance was fueled by robust client engagement, substantial non-interest income expansion, and strategic execution across all business segments. Pre-tax profits soared even higher, climbing 27 percent to reach Dh25.20 billion, while operating income increased by 16 percent year-on-year to Dh36.68 billion.

    FAB’s balance sheet experienced significant growth, with total assets expanding by 16 percent to Dh1.40 trillion. The institution’s lending portfolio grew by 17 percent to Dh616 billion, while customer deposits increased by 7 percent to Dh841 billion. Notably, the bank’s gross non-performing loans ratio decreased to a record low of 2.2 percent, reflecting stringent risk management practices.

    Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, FAB’s Chairman, emphasized that these results represent “multiple years of consistent progress in building scale, resilience and long-term value.” He highlighted the bank’s expanding global footprint and its role in facilitating international capital flows between the UAE and key growth markets.

    The bank’s international operations demonstrated particularly strong performance, with international loans growing by 35 percent and deposits increasing by 25 percent. FAB’s overseas franchise now contributes 19 percent of group revenue, with significant advancements in Turkey, India’s GIFT City, and landmark transactions in Nigeria.

    Group CEO Hana Al Rostamani attributed the record performance to both operational excellence and the accelerated implementation of the bank’s artificial intelligence strategy. “2025 marked a transformative acceleration in our AI journey,” she stated, referencing the deployment of Microsoft Copilot to all employees and over thirty enterprise-wide agentic AI applications that enhanced productivity and client experience.

    In recognition of this exceptional performance, the Board recommended a record cash dividend of 80 fils per share, totaling Dh8.84 billion – the highest distribution in FAB’s history.

    The bank demonstrated strength across all business units: Investment Banking & Markets revenue grew 16 percent to Dh11.79 billion, Wholesale Banking revenue increased 11 percent to Dh6.40 billion, and Personal, Business, Wealth & Privileged Client Banking delivered 10 percent revenue growth to Dh12.65 billion.

    Non-interest income emerged as a particularly strong performer, surging 36 percent to Dh16.35 billion and accounting for 45 percent of group revenue. Fees and commissions jumped 28 percent, while FX and investment income climbed 40 percent driven by record trading volumes.

    FAB maintained robust liquidity and capital buffers, with a CET1 ratio of 13.3 percent and liquidity coverage ratio of 154 percent. The bank advanced its sustainable finance agenda, facilitating Dh381 billion in sustainable and transition financing – achieving 76 percent of its 2030 target.

    With this strong financial foundation and clear strategic roadmap, FAB enters 2026 positioned to sustain high-quality performance while deepening international connections and scaling AI-driven transformation across its global operations.

  • ECOVIS International President Visits UAE, reinforcing the region’s strategic role

    ECOVIS International President Visits UAE, reinforcing the region’s strategic role

    In a significant move highlighting the Middle East’s escalating importance in global professional services, ECOVIS International President Kay conducted a strategic visit to Dubai, hosted by the network’s UAE member firm ECOVIS JRB. The high-level engagement underscores the region’s transformation into a critical hub for quality-driven advisory services amid rapidly evolving regulatory landscapes.

    The visit served as a platform to reinforce ECOVIS International’s commitment to the UAE and broader Middle Eastern markets, which are undergoing profound structural shifts. President Kay emphasized the region’s deliberate transition from historically low-tax, low-regulation environments toward frameworks prioritizing robust governance, transparency, and systematic compliance. This evolution aligns perfectly with ECOVIS’s global positioning as a mid-market professional services network focused on quality and technical depth.

    During intensive meetings with ECOVIS JRB leadership, including founding partners Salman Rafique (Compliance and Assurance) and Rashmi Rajkumar (Tax and Financial Reporting), discussions centered on aligning quality standards and governance frameworks. Kay emphasized that ground-level engagement in the UAE enables deeper strategic alignment as the market matures into a regional center for cross-border advisory coordination.

    The dialogue highlighted fundamental changes in regional compliance expectations. Rafique noted that businesses can no longer treat compliance as a year-end formality, but must implement consistent systems, documentation, and governance throughout the year. Regulators now demand demonstrable substance, clear audit trails, and accountability—a shift requiring significant operational adaptation.

    Rajkumar addressed the transformative impact of the UAE’s Corporate Tax introduction and digital compliance initiatives, including upcoming e-invoicing requirements. She stressed that real-time, accurate accounting has become the foundation for effective tax compliance and audit readiness, making robust internal processes and digital preparedness critical competitive advantages.

    The visit solidifies ECOVIS International’s recognition of the Middle East as a long-term strategic pillar for growth and influence, while reinforcing ECOVIS JRB’s role in guiding businesses through regulatory complexity with clarity and confidence.

  • Seifert, Santner give New Zealand consolation T20 win over India

    Seifert, Santner give New Zealand consolation T20 win over India

    In a powerful display of cricketing prowess, New Zealand secured a resounding 50-run victory against India in the fourth T20 international held in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. The win serves as a crucial morale booster for the Kiwis after India had already clinched the five-match series.

    The foundation for New Zealand’s triumph was laid by a spectacular batting performance, culminating in a formidable total of 215-7. Openers Tim Seifert and Devon Conway orchestrated a devastating century partnership, dismantling the Indian bowling attack from the outset. Seifert’s explosive innings of 62 runs off just 36 deliveries set an aggressive tempo, while Conway provided solid support with his 44-run contribution.

    Despite a middle-order stumble that saw key wickets falling to Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, Daryl Mitchell’s blistering unbeaten 39 from 18 balls provided the late innings surge that pushed New Zealand past the 200-run mark.

    India’s chase never gained substantial momentum as New Zealand’s bowling unit, led by captain Mitchell Santner’s exceptional figures of 3-26, systematically dismantled the home team’s batting lineup. The visitors struck early and often, reducing India to 63-4 and effectively ending their hopes of another successful chase.

    The lone bright spot for India emerged through Shivam Dube’s spectacular counterattack, where he hammered 65 runs from just 23 balls, including seven massive sixes. However, his unfortunate run-out termination proved to be the final turning point as India eventually collapsed for 165 runs in 18.4 overs.

    Both captains acknowledged the match’s significance as essential preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with Santner emphasizing the value of competing against India in their home conditions ahead of the global tournament.

  • Indians pay tribute after Arijit Singh retires at 38 as Bollywood singer

    Indians pay tribute after Arijit Singh retires at 38 as Bollywood singer

    In a seismic shift for India’s music industry, Bollywood’s most recognizable voice has announced his departure from playback singing. Arijit Singh, whose emotionally resonant vocals have defined contemporary Indian cinema for over a decade, declared via Instagram that he would no longer accept new film singing assignments, effectively ending an era in Bollywood music.

    The 38-year-old vocalist, whose collaborations span from Ed Sheeran to AR Rahman, characterized his journey as “wonderful” while providing no specific reasons for his departure. Industry reports indicate Singh will honor existing commitments while pivoting toward independent musical projects beyond commercial cinema.

    Singh’s decision comes at an unprecedented career peak—fresh from sold-out performances at London’s Wembley Arena, a rare achievement for Indian playback artists. His distinctive bruised-yet-buttery vocal quality became the auditory backdrop for millions, articulating heartbreak, longing, and reconciliation through chart-topping soundtracks.

    The artist’s relationship with fame has always been complex. Despite commercial dominance, Singh consistently avoided celebrity culture—rarely granting interviews, skipping award ceremonies, and maintaining residence in his West Bengal hometown rather than industry hubs. His public appearances typically feature hoodie-concealed anonymity, a stark contrast to his stadium-filling celebrity.

    Singh’s musical origins trace to Jiaganj, where born into a family of classical musicians, he received early training in tabla and vocals. His first teacher, Birendra Prasad Hazari, recalled extraordinary talent evident even in toddlerhood. Despite an early setback on reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005, Singh persisted through years of industry marginalia before achieving explosive success with 2013’s “Tum Hi Ho” from Aashiqui 2.

    That ballad revolutionized Bollywood romance music, replacing spectacle with vulnerability and becoming a national phenomenon that transcended its source film. The subsequent years brought record-breaking output across multiple languages and collaborations with every major composer, though recent criticism noted vocal homogeneity across projects.

    Singh had previously acknowledged reducing his workload, expressing discomfort with ubiquitous playback and noting artistic exhaustion from recording hundreds of annual songs. His selective recent output and focus on independent work foreshadowed this transition.

    Fans now speculate whether this move reflects artistic evolution, rejection of commercial pressures, or personal rediscovery. Regardless, Singh’s voice remains indelibly woven into India’s cultural fabric—a testament to an artist who redefined Bollywood music while remaining profoundly ambivalent about the fame it brought.

  • US-Iran tensions soar: 10 American warships float Middle East waters

    US-Iran tensions soar: 10 American warships float Middle East waters

    The United States has dramatically escalated its naval presence in the Middle East, deploying a formidable fleet of ten warships to regional waters amid soaring tensions with Iran. This military mobilization, comparable in scale to the naval force assembled for the Venezuelan operation earlier this year, represents one of the most significant shows of force in the region during the Trump administration.

    The naval contingent includes the formidable USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, accompanied by three destroyers and advanced F-35C stealth fighter aircraft. Additionally, six other warships—comprising three destroyers and three littoral combat ships—are currently operating throughout the region, creating a substantial concentration of American firepower.

    President Donald Trump explicitly acknowledged the deployment through his Truth Social platform, declaring that a ‘massive Armada is heading to Iran’ and emphasizing its readiness to ‘rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.’ This rhetoric echoes previous statements in which Trump warned Iran against suppressing protesters and suggested outside intervention might be imminent.

    The current crisis originated when Iran initiated a severe crackdown on widespread domestic protests that began as economic demonstrations but evolved into a broader movement challenging the Islamic Republic’s authority. The clerical leadership, which has maintained power since the 1979 revolution, responded with lethal force against demonstrators.

    While Trump previously claimed to have deterred hundreds of executions through diplomatic pressure, he has recently renewed threats against Iran. The naval deployment signals a potentially decisive shift in Washington’s approach to Tehran, putting significant military capabilities within striking distance should the administration decide to take action.