FirstFT: Islamabad underneath lockdown as protesters name for Imran Khan’s launch

In at present’s publication:

• Protesters descend on Islamabad

• Huawei’s new homegrown smartphone software program

• An interview with India’s central financial institution chief

Good morning. Pakistan has put its capital underneath lockdown as hundreds of supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan march in direction of town to demand his launch.

Protesters from throughout the nation are descending on Islamabad in assist of Khan, who stays a extensively widespread determine in Pakistan and was imprisoned final 12 months on corruption expenses.

One police officer was killed and dozens of others had been injured in clashes with protesters loyal to Khan, who has been acquitted or obtained bail in 5 instances, however faces felony expenses in additional than 100 others, starting from graft to terrorism, based on his occasion.

Khan has denied all the expenses, which his supporters say are politically motivated.

The newest protests pose a contemporary risk to the legitimacy of the military-backed authorities. They’re additionally the biggest demonstrations within the nation since elections in February, when candidates loyal to the previous prime minister’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf occasion received essentially the most seats however had been blocked from energy by the navy and conventional dynastic events.

Humza Jilani studies from Islamabad on the rising political tensions.

Right here’s what else we’re retaining tabs on at present:

• Financial knowledge: Singapore publishes the commercial manufacturing index for October.

• Conferences: The China Worldwide Provide Chain Expo begins in Beijing and the Apac Wind Vitality Summit opens in Seoul.

• Outcomes: Vietnamese electrical automobile maker VinFast studies earnings.

5 extra high tales

1. Huawei is poised to launch its first flagship cellphone that may run its personal apps on a completely homegrown working system, within the newest signal of how know-how is splintering into competing US and Chinese language ecosystems. The Mate 70 smartphone, which launches at present, will characteristic HarmonyOS Subsequent, which the Chinese language firm hopes to ascertain as a serious rival to Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android.

2. French oil main TotalEnergies has suspended contemporary investments in joint vitality tasks with the Adani Group and stated the Indian conglomerate had not knowledgeable it of a US corruption probe at the same time as the businesses pursued offers collectively. Complete is one among Adani’s high-profile overseas companions on a number of Indian renewable vitality tasks, although these weren’t particularly focused within the US investigation. 

3. The US Division of Justice is in search of to drop two federal felony instances towards Donald Trump, abandoning its historic makes an attempt to prosecute the previous president after voters despatched him again to the White Home for one more time period. DoJ particular counsel Jack Smith cited a long-standing coverage towards indicting and prosecuting a sitting president. Listed here are the instances which are set to be dismissed.

4. Israeli officers say a deal to finish the preventing with Hizbollah could possibly be finalised “within days”, as US diplomats work to dealer a ceasefire settlement that may finish greater than a 12 months of battle between Israel and the Lebanese militant group. Right here’s what we all know in regards to the proposed deal.

5. A professional-Russia, far-right politician has received the primary spherical of Romania’s presidential elections, dealing a serious blow to the nation’s political institution. Călin Georgescu, who has praised Romania’s fascist wartime leaders and campaigned on a protectionist platform, will participate in a run-off vote in two weeks. Learn extra about Romania’s “political earthquake”.

Interview: RBI chief Shaktikanta Das

Reserve Financial institution of India governor Shaktikanta Das has defended the nation’s financial resilience, saying it was “well placed” to deal with world shocks because the spectre of protectionism and commerce wars looms throughout Donald Trump’s second time period as US president.

We’re additionally studying . . . 

• Northvolt dilemma: The Swedish battery group’s fall has left Europe struggling over learn how to recraft its electrical automobile technique to compete with China.

• Nato and Trump: Can Europe defend itself with out American help? Changing US navy heft is not going to be straightforward if the president-elect pulls assist for the alliance.

• Techno-libertarians: Silicon Valley billionaires are promoting a dream of unfettered markets — however actuality is just not so sure, writes Rana Foroohar.

Chart of the day

The US greenback weakened and Treasuries rallied yesterday because the nomination of Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary eased investor fears over Donald Trump’s commerce tariff plans. Right here’s what Bessent has stated in regards to the president-elect’s tariff pledges.

Take a break from the information

China’s chess world champion Ding Liren, who had not received a classical sport since January, shocked India’s Dommaraju Gukesh within the opening spherical of their 14-game, $2.5mn title match. Leonard Barden studies on the championship showdown in Singapore.