China is currently grappling with a significant uptick in respiratory and intestinal infectious diseases, according to the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration. During a recent press briefing, spokesperson Xi Jingjing highlighted the rising prevalence of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, and other acute respiratory infections. Additionally, norovirus infections, hand, foot, and mouth disease, and other intestinal illnesses are circulating at elevated levels, particularly in schools and childcare facilities. Wang Dayan, director of the Chinese National Influenza Center, noted that flu activity is increasing nationwide, with the H3N2 subtype of influenza A dominating over 95% of cases. The remaining cases are attributed to the H1N1 influenza A strain and influenza B. With 23 provincial-level regions reaching a medium level of influenza activity, the administration anticipates a continued rise in cases as the peak flu season approaches from late December to early January. Authorities are urging the public, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and individuals with underlying health conditions, to get vaccinated promptly and enhance personal protection in crowded spaces. Meanwhile, the risk of imported vector-borne diseases like chikungunya fever and dengue fever persists, particularly in southern provinces.
作者： admin
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Rajiv Sharma of NLP Limited receives ‘Best Leadership Training’ award from Alleem Group
Rajiv Sharma, Program Director at NLP Limited, has been awarded the ‘Best Leadership Development Program’ accolade at the 2025 Alleem Business Congress in Ajman. This prestigious recognition underscores Sharma’s groundbreaking work in crafting leadership training initiatives that blend Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) principles with evidence-based frameworks. These programs are designed to foster adaptive, emotionally intelligent leaders capable of navigating the complexities of today’s diverse and digitally driven business landscape.
NLP Limited’s training model emphasizes behavioural intelligence, enabling participants to decode client intent, manage multicultural communication effectively, and influence decision-making with empathy and precision. Over the past year, the program has been adopted by organizations across various sectors, including real estate, banking, hospitality, and professional services. Companies have reported significant improvements in negotiation outcomes, team collaboration, and client retention, attributing these successes to the program’s focus on leadership resilience and human-centred learning.
The award from the Alleem Business Congress highlights a broader trend in the GCC region, where leadership development is increasingly shifting from process-oriented training to approaches that prioritize emotional intelligence and adaptability. NLP Limited continues to expand its collaborations with both private and public sector entities, aiming to enhance workforce capabilities and drive performance excellence across the region.
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Zhang Chaoyang emphasized active thinking in AI era
At the 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, Zhang Chaoyang, the founder and CEO of Sohu, highlighted the critical need for original and authentic thinking in the age of artificial intelligence. He warned that over-reliance on AI could lead to a loss of creative and intellectual capabilities. ‘If we delegate all our thinking processes to AI, we risk losing the ability to generate new knowledge,’ Zhang stated. He emphasized that active human thinking is more crucial than ever as AI continues to evolve and integrate into various aspects of life. This call to action serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining human creativity and innovation in a rapidly advancing technological landscape.
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CIIE concludes with record-high intended deals
The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) concluded on Monday, marking a historic milestone with intended deals valued at $83.49 billion, a 4.4 percent increase from the previous year. Wu Zhengping, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau, announced the figures during a press briefing, highlighting the event’s growing significance in global trade. This year’s expo showcased 461 new products, technologies, and services, surpassing last year’s count of 450 and setting a new benchmark for innovation. The event attracted 4,108 exhibitors, including 290 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders, with a combined exhibition area of 367,000 square meters, both record highs. Notably, 180 multinational companies have consistently participated in all eight editions of the expo, underscoring its enduring appeal. Preparations for the 9th CIIE, scheduled for November 2026, are already underway, with companies securing approximately 80,000 square meters of exhibition space. The expo’s success reflects China’s commitment to fostering international trade and innovation, solidifying its role as a global economic powerhouse.
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New Delhi police detain dozens in anti-pollution protests
In a rare demonstration at New Delhi’s iconic India Gate, dozens of protesters were detained by police on Sunday as they demanded urgent measures to combat the city’s severe air pollution crisis. The protest, attended by people of all ages, saw participants holding banners and chanting slogans like ‘Breathing is killing us’ and ‘Our right, clear air.’ Visuals from the scene showed police forcibly removing protesters and bundling them into buses. The city’s air quality index (AQI) on Monday stood at 345, classified as ‘very poor,’ according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The AQI scale ranges from ‘good’ (0–50) to ‘severe’ (401–500).
New Delhi and its surrounding regions face a recurring winter haze caused by cold air trapping construction dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke from crop burning. This toxic mix leads to widespread respiratory illnesses. Despite efforts by authorities, including a failed cloud seeding attempt last month to induce artificial rain, pollution levels remain alarmingly high.
Opposition leaders criticized the police action, emphasizing the constitutional right to peaceful protest. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, stated on X, ‘The right to clean air is a basic human right. Why are citizens … peacefully demanding clean air being treated like criminals?’ Meanwhile, Delhi’s Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling pollution, stating, ‘We will continue every possible effort to rid us of pollution.’
The protest highlights growing public frustration over the lack of effective action to address the annual pollution crisis, which has plagued the capital for years.
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‘Too dark’: Miss Universe Pakistan Roma Riaz sparks debate over beauty standards
Roma Riaz, the 27-year-old Miss Universe Pakistan 2025, has ignited a global conversation about beauty standards after her selection sparked polarizing reactions. Representing Pakistan on the international stage in Thailand, Roma, who hails from a Punjabi Christian family and was raised in the UK, has faced intense scrutiny over her skin tone and body type. Critics have questioned her suitability, citing her darker complexion, Christian faith, and foreign upbringing as deviations from the conventional Pakistani beauty ideal. Comments such as ‘too dark,’ ‘she needs to lose weight,’ and ‘not a true representation of Pakistani beauty’ have highlighted the deeply ingrained preference for lighter skin in South Asia. However, Roma has embraced the platform to challenge these biases, stating, ‘This pageant was more than just becoming Miss Universe Pakistan. It’s an answer to everyone that has ever questioned my identity.’ She emphasized that beauty is not confined to a single mould, advocating for inclusivity and diversity. Beyond beauty, Roma is committed to promoting education for girls, asserting, ‘Education is empowerment, and I want our girls to be more educated, more respected.’ Her supporters have lauded her courage, with one social media user noting, ‘Why do people find it hard to believe pale people exist in the UK and darker tones exist in Pakistan? They’re both beautiful in their own ways.’ Roma’s journey underscores the evolving standards of beauty pageants and the importance of representation in challenging societal norms.
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Furor over editing of Trump speech sparks ‘existential crisis’ at the BBC
The BBC, a cornerstone of British media, is embroiled in a significant crisis following the resignation of two senior executives over the controversial editing of a speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The incident has sparked widespread debate about the broadcaster’s impartiality and future. The controversy centers on the BBC’s flagship news program, which spliced sections of Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech, creating the impression that he explicitly urged supporters to storm the Capitol. The broadcaster’s chairman, Samir Shah, admitted to an ‘error of judgment,’ while Trump’s attorney threatened legal action, demanding a retraction and compensation. Critics argue this is another example of institutional bias, while supporters defend the BBC as a trusted news source. Journalism professor Julie Posetti described the resignations as an ‘existential crisis’ for the BBC, warning of a destabilizing effect on public-service broadcasting. The scandal has reignited longstanding accusations of bias, with critics from both the left and right questioning the BBC’s neutrality. The broadcaster’s funding model, reliant on an annual TV license fee, is also under scrutiny as viewers increasingly turn to streaming platforms. The BBC, which has inspired public broadcasters worldwide, now faces a pivotal moment in its century-long history.
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SIBF 2025: Feeling low? Poetry ‘pharmacy’ prescribes poems to visitors
The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025 has introduced a unique and captivating attraction: the Poetry Pharmacy. This innovative stall, designed to resemble a traditional dispensary, offers visitors a literary remedy for their emotional needs. Rows of glass jars, neatly labeled with titles such as ‘First Aid,’ ‘Calm,’ ‘Words for Love,’ and ‘Joy,’ contain not medicine but verses printed on tiny scrolls of paper. Each scroll, rolled like a capsule, is ready to be “prescribed” to soothe the heart and mind. The concept, originating from the UK, has become one of the most photographed and talked-about features of this year’s fair. Visitors can browse shelves marked ‘Prescriptions’ and select a poetic cure tailored to their emotional state, guided by a chart that suggests categories like ‘Feeling Lost? Start Here.’ Founder Deborah Alma, known as the ‘Emergency Poet,’ explained that the idea stems from the belief that literature can function as therapy. ‘In the UK, our bookshops are divided by emotional state,’ she said. ‘Here, poems are presented in pill bottles, each containing a verse that resonates with your feelings.’ At the stall, visitors receive personalized prescription slips filled out by ‘pharmacists’ dressed in white coats. The scrolls inside the capsules feature works by renowned poets such as Tagore, Emily Dickinson, and Maya Angelou. The Poetry Pharmacy also offers bottles and matching books for purchase, each color-coded to represent different emotions. For many attendees, the stall is a perfect blend of literary charm and visual delight, making it a memorable highlight of SIBF 2025.
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Some UAE schools to count absences as double from November 10 to 19
In a significant shift, schools across the UAE have announced a new policy that will count student absences as double during the period from November 10 to 19, 2025. This measure, introduced in alignment with the Ministry of Education’s procedural guidelines, aims to ensure academic discipline and readiness as students prepare for their end-of-first-term exams. Previously, the double-absence rule was only enforced on Fridays for unexcused absences. However, this term, the policy will apply to all days leading up to the examinations, which are scheduled from November 20 to December 4, 2025. The policy stipulates that one unexcused day of absence will be recorded as two, potentially impacting a student’s eligibility to meet passing requirements. School administrations have emphasized the importance of daily attendance during this critical period, which also features several academic and enrichment initiatives designed to enhance student performance. These include the ‘Together with the Structure’ Initiative, the ‘Success Initiative,’ and the ‘Digital Empowerment Initiative,’ all aimed at fostering independent learning, creativity, and innovation. Additionally, schools have urged students and parents to ensure the readiness of electronic devices used for online assessments, with repair costs for damaged devices being the responsibility of parents. Secure browsers can be downloaded through official links to ensure a safe testing environment. The policy underscores the Ministry’s vision to build a disciplined, future-ready generation while maintaining academic excellence.
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UAE announces nationwide field exercise with military units, aircraft
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unveiled plans for a large-scale nationwide field exercise, set to take place from November 11 to 13, 2025. Organized by the Ministry of Interior, the exercise will encompass all seven emirates, involving the coordinated movement of military units, vehicles, and aircraft across multiple regions. The ministry has issued a public advisory urging residents to refrain from photographing or sharing any media related to the exercise. Additionally, citizens are advised to avoid exercise sites and yield to police units to ensure smooth operations. This initiative follows a similar exercise conducted in October 2025 by the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, aimed at bolstering the nation’s preparedness for natural disasters and crises. Last year, the UAE executed ‘Resilience 1,’ a three-day nationwide drill conducted at police headquarters across the country. These exercises underscore the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its emergency response capabilities and ensuring national security.