Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Australian PM defends US ambassador after Trump run-in

    Australian PM defends US ambassador after Trump run-in

    A recent meeting at the White House between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Australia’s Ambassador to the U.S., Kevin Rudd, has drawn significant attention due to a candid and somewhat contentious exchange. During the encounter, Trump openly expressed his dislike for Rudd, referencing critical tweets the ambassador had posted about him prior to his diplomatic appointment. Rudd, a former Australian Prime Minister, acknowledged the tweets, prompting Trump to retort, ‘I don’t like you either,’ which elicited laughter from the room. Despite the tense moment, Trump later softened his stance, telling Rudd, ‘all is forgiven.’

    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has staunchly defended Rudd, praising his dedication and effectiveness as ambassador. Albanese emphasized Rudd’s tireless efforts, particularly in advancing key bilateral initiatives such as the AUKUS submarine deal and a significant $8.5 billion rare earths agreement. At a Friends of Australia breakfast attended by U.S. politicians, Albanese lauded Rudd’s work, stating, ‘If there’s a harder working ambassador on The Hill, then please let me know.’ Republican Congressman Michael McCaul also commended Rudd, humorously noting his relief that the ambassador remained ‘gainfully employed.’

    However, the incident has not been without controversy. Australia’s opposition leader, Sussan Ley, called for Rudd’s dismissal, citing the ambassador’s past criticisms of Trump. Rudd, who was appointed in 2023 for a four-year term, has been a polarizing figure in U.S.-Australia relations, particularly given his 2020 description of Trump as the ‘most destructive president in history’ and a ‘traitor to the West.’ Despite these challenges, Rudd’s role in strengthening ties between the two nations has been widely recognized, underscoring the complexities of diplomatic relationships in the face of personal and political differences.

  • Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh drop first photos of daughter Dua on Diwali

    Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh drop first photos of daughter Dua on Diwali

    On the festive occasion of Diwali, Bollywood’s celebrated couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh shared the first-ever photographs of their daughter, Dua, sending waves of excitement across social media. The images, posted on Deepika’s official account, showcased the family in traditional Indian attire, radiating warmth and joy. Deepika and Dua were seen in vibrant red outfits, while Ranveer complemented the look with a cream kurta-pyjama and a gold necklace. The heartwarming pictures captured the mother and daughter sharing a tender moment, with Ranveer standing proudly beside them. The post quickly went viral, amassing over 1.2 million likes within just 30 minutes. The couple, who welcomed their daughter in September 2024, had maintained a private stance regarding their family life until this grand reveal. Fans and followers flooded the comments section with messages of love and admiration, celebrating the family’s Diwali festivities. This rare glimpse into their personal life has further cemented their status as one of Bollywood’s most beloved couples.

  • Dozens of Israeli soldiers identified in ICC complaint on killing of Hind Rajab

    Dozens of Israeli soldiers identified in ICC complaint on killing of Hind Rajab

    The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has escalated its pursuit of justice by identifying an additional two dozen Israeli soldiers allegedly involved in the death of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed during Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The foundation is referring these soldiers to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their roles in what it describes as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Among those named are three high-ranking commanders: Colonel Beni Aharon, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Ella, and Major Sean Glass, with Ella and Glass believed to have directly overseen the killings. The HRF plans to progressively disclose the identities of 22 other soldiers as it files national-level complaints in various jurisdictions. The foundation’s efforts follow the release of an hour-long documentary on Al Jazeera Arabic, which highlighted the case. HRF has submitted a 120-page Article 15 filing to the ICC, supported by digital, satellite, and forensic evidence, alleging that Israeli forces knowingly targeted Hind and her family, as well as the ambulance sent to rescue her. The HRF’s legal team asserts that these actions violate Articles 6, 7, and 8 of the Rome Statute. The foundation has also initiated a criminal case in Argentina against Itay Cukierkopf, a tank crew member named in its ICC complaint. HRF’s strategy includes leveraging social media posts by Israeli soldiers boasting of their operations in Gaza as evidence in its global legal campaign. By early 2025, the foundation had amassed over 8,000 pieces of evidence related to alleged war crimes. HRF President Dyab Abou Jahjah emphasized the foundation’s commitment to holding war criminals accountable, stating, ‘We are going after war criminals wherever they go.’ Hind Rajab’s death on January 29, 2024, has become emblematic of the broader violations of international humanitarian law committed by Israeli forces. An investigation revealed that Hind and her family were struck by 335 bullets as they attempted to flee northern Gaza. Hind’s final phone call, in which she pleaded for help, has since been released, capturing global attention. A feature film about her ordeal is expected to compete for an Oscar next year. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives.

  • Visa and mortgage restrictions may be limiting flow of Indian nationals to US

    Visa and mortgage restrictions may be limiting flow of Indian nationals to US

    The United States is increasingly becoming a less attractive destination for non-permanent residents, particularly Indian nationals, due to stringent visa regulations and limited access to housing loans, according to recent media reports. Historically, Indians have dominated the H-1B visa category, often arriving in the US for higher education and subsequently pursuing employment opportunities. However, escalating visa fees, restrictive policies, and diminishing housing prospects are deterring Indian students and professionals from choosing the US as their preferred destination.

  • North Korea has fired ballistic missiles toward the east, Seoul says

    North Korea has fired ballistic missiles toward the east, Seoul says

    North Korea has resumed its ballistic missile testing activities after a five-month hiatus, launching multiple suspected short-range missiles on Wednesday. The missiles were fired from a location south of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. While the exact trajectory and landing points remain undisclosed, the launches were directed northeastward, raising regional tensions just days before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea. The APEC summit, scheduled for October 30 to November 1, focuses on economic integration and trade, with no military agenda. However, North Korea’s actions have drawn significant attention, as experts suggest the tests may be a strategic move to assert its nuclear capabilities and demand international recognition as a nuclear weapons state. South Korea has heightened its surveillance and is collaborating closely with the U.S. and Japan to monitor the situation. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that the missiles did not enter Japan’s territorial waters or exclusive economic zone. This marks the first ballistic missile test since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, pledging to restore peace on the Korean Peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has intensified weapons development since his nuclear diplomacy with former U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. Despite recent hints at resuming talks, Kim’s display of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a military parade earlier this month underscores his commitment to expanding North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. The Hwasong-20 ICBM, described as the country’s most powerful nuclear weapon system, could be test-launched in the coming months, further escalating tensions in the region.

  • AI-driven observability gains momentum as enterprises embrace hybrid work and cloud

    AI-driven observability gains momentum as enterprises embrace hybrid work and cloud

    As digital transformation accelerates across the Middle East, enterprises are increasingly prioritizing observability to address the challenges of performance, visibility, and control in hybrid and cloud-dependent environments. The shift to remote work, widespread cloud adoption, and the growing complexity of IT ecosystems have made observability — the ability to monitor, analyze, and optimize digital experiences — a critical focus for CIOs and IT leaders.

    Riverbed Technology, a leader in network optimization, is positioning itself at the forefront of this evolution. At GITEX, the company unveiled its latest innovations in observability and performance acceleration, including Riverbed IQ Ops, a platform enhanced with AI and machine learning capabilities. These tools enable predictive analysis, automated remediation, and integration with third-party systems like ServiceNow, empowering IT teams to proactively manage performance and security across distributed environments.

    Salman Ali, Riverbed’s Senior Manager for Solution Engineering in the GCC, emphasized the strategic use of AI in their approach. “We’re not just adding AI for the sake of it,” he said. “We’re using causal AI and generative algorithms to deliver actionable insights, break down silos across infrastructure, applications, and networks, and unify observability across the enterprise.”

    Riverbed’s methodology focuses on data quality and relevance. Its platform collects, filters, and analyzes data to ensure AI delivers meaningful outcomes, from forecasting IT issues to correlating performance metrics across domains. This unified observability model is particularly valuable in hybrid work scenarios, where consistent access and performance are essential regardless of user location.

    The company is also playing a pivotal role in the UAE’s digital transformation journey. As organizations migrate services to the cloud and digitize operations, Riverbed provides visibility into user behavior, service adoption, and performance metrics — both before and after migration. “Digitization has enabled us to give companies the right visibility into how services are used and where enhancements are needed,” Ali explained.

    Looking ahead, Riverbed identifies three major trends driving demand for observability: digitization, cloud adoption, and hybrid work. As applications move further from users, the need for deep visibility and control becomes more urgent. “The more digital we become, the more we need to understand our environments,” Ali noted. “Observability is the foundation for that understanding.”

  • Britain removes terrorism designation for Syria’s HTS

    Britain removes terrorism designation for Syria’s HTS

    In a significant policy shift, the British government has removed Hay’at Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) from its list of banned terrorist organizations. This decision, announced on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the UK’s approach to Syria. HTS, a former Al Qaeda affiliate, was initially proscribed in 2017, making it illegal to support or join the group. The move aligns with broader international efforts to engage with Syria’s new government, led by President Ahmed Al Sharaa, who assumed power following the ousting of long-time leader Bashar Al Assad. The UK government emphasized that this decision would facilitate closer collaboration with Syria, particularly in dismantling Assad’s chemical weapons program and restoring regional stability. This development follows the U.S. revocation of HTS’s foreign terrorist organization designation in July 2025. Meanwhile, Syria’s Economy Minister, Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, expressed optimism at a London conference that U.S. sanctions against Syria could be lifted in the near future.

  • Youth trace roots by sharing stories

    Youth trace roots by sharing stories

    Young individuals from Taiwan gathered in Beijing to reflect on the shared heritage and historical ties between Taiwan and mainland China, emphasizing the importance of a correct understanding of history and national identity. The event, held at the Taiwan Guild Hall, marked the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration to China and was organized by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, China Daily’s national news channel, the Beijing Taiwan Compatriots Association, and the association for relatives of patriots in Taiwan who fought against Japanese occupation. Four youth representatives from Taiwan shared their personal and familial connections to this historical period, highlighting the enduring bonds across the Taiwan Strait. Lo Chih-ying, a 23-year-old from Changhua county, traced her family’s roots back over 300 years to Fujian province, underscoring the deep ancestral ties. Lu Ying-chu, a 21-year-old student from Taipei, recounted the painful history of Taiwan’s cession to Japan in 1895 and the resilience of her great-grandfather during the occupation. Lin Ching-mao, a 26-year-old Peking University student, honored the resistance against Japanese rule, while Lin Kuan-ting from Taipei spoke of the belief that Taiwan’s future is intertwined with the strength of the motherland. The event also featured their participation in a documentary, ‘Stories across the Strait,’ which deepened their historical awareness. Li Zhenguang, dean of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Beijing Union University, stressed the significance of this historical memory for the younger generation, calling them the hope of the Chinese nation.

  • Aster DM Healthcare ranked 2nd largest healthcare provider in UAE, 15th in EMEA by revenue

    Aster DM Healthcare ranked 2nd largest healthcare provider in UAE, 15th in EMEA by revenue

    Aster DM Healthcare, a prominent integrated healthcare provider in the GCC and India, has achieved significant milestones in the healthcare industry. According to Healthcare Business International’s (HBI) 2025 report, the company has been ranked as the second-largest healthcare provider in the UAE and the 15th largest in the EMEA region by revenue. This recognition underscores Aster DM Healthcare’s substantial influence and growth in the global healthcare sector. Additionally, four of its hospitals were recently featured in Newsweek’s ‘World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2026’ list, which highlights 350 top hospitals worldwide. Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, expressed pride in this achievement, attributing it to nearly four decades of patient trust and the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible, and compassionate care. He emphasized that the organization’s mission aligns with the UAE’s Vision 2031, which aims to position the country as a global healthcare hub. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director & Group CEO, echoed this sentiment, stating that the recognition reflects the dedication of their teams and the trust placed in them by their customers. Established in 1987, Aster DM Healthcare operates a vast network of 15 hospitals, 124 clinics, and 333 pharmacies across the GCC and Jordan. The company is renowned for its integrated healthcare model, which includes three distinct brands: Aster, Medcare, and Access. In line with its vision of accessible healthcare, Aster has also launched the region’s first healthcare super app, myAster, to meet the evolving needs of patients through both physical and digital channels.

  • Takaichi elected Japan’s first female PM, unveils cabinet lineup

    Takaichi elected Japan’s first female PM, unveils cabinet lineup

    In a historic moment for Japan, Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the nation’s first female prime minister, marking a significant milestone in the country’s political landscape. The election, held on Tuesday, saw Takaichi secure victory in both houses of the Diet, Japan’s parliament, with a decisive majority. Her win comes at a critical juncture for Japan, which has been grappling with political scandals and economic challenges. Takaichi, the president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), garnered 237 votes in the lower house, surpassing her opponent, Yoshihiko Noda of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, who secured 149 votes. In the upper house, Takaichi led with 123 votes, triggering a runoff where she ultimately emerged victorious. This dual triumph officially named her Japan’s 104th prime minister. Takaichi’s cabinet lineup, unveiled shortly after her election, aims to foster party unity and ensure policy stability. Key appointments include Minoru Kihara as chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi as internal affairs minister, Shinjiro Koizumi as defense minister, and Toshimitsu Motegi as foreign minister. Takaichi, a 64-year-old ultraconservative politician, assumed the LDP presidency earlier this month, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned following the party’s consecutive electoral defeats. Her administration will lead a minority government in coalition with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), a partnership expected to focus on reviving Japan’s economy and creating a self-sustaining nation. While some opposition leaders have congratulated Takaichi, others have criticized her administration for shelving key policies. The political landscape remains tense as the new government prepares to address Japan’s pressing economic and social issues.