Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • Expo highlights potatoes’ vital role in food security and farmers’ income

    Expo highlights potatoes’ vital role in food security and farmers’ income

    The 15th China International Potato Expo and the 3rd Weifang International Food and Agricultural Products Expo commenced on Monday in Weifang, Shandong province, spotlighting the potato industry’s critical role in global food security and economic development. The event, which attracted participants from 26 countries and regions, including the Netherlands, Peru, Russia, South Korea, and Brazil, emphasized the crop’s significance beyond its status as a staple food.

    In his opening remarks, Tao Huaiying, China’s national chief veterinary officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, highlighted the potato industry’s dual role in ensuring food security and boosting farmers’ incomes. He noted that China, a leading producer of diverse potato varieties such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cassava, is pivotal in addressing global food challenges. Tao called for enhanced international collaboration in key technological areas, including bio-breeding, smart agriculture, and green farming, to optimize resource allocation and extend industrial chains.

    Zhang Hongqi, director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, underscored Shandong’s prominence in the potato sector, producing over 7 million metric tons annually and processing approximately 5.5 million tons of potatoes and sweet potatoes. He highlighted the region’s innovative approach, transforming a single sweet potato into more than 40 products, thereby creating added value at multiple stages.

    Carlos Aldeco, a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in China, emphasized the expo’s broader significance as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and partnership. He pointed out that the global agri-food system faces urgent challenges from climate change, conflicts, economic shocks, and demographic transitions, making such events crucial for fostering sustainable solutions.

    The expo not only showcased potatoes and agricultural products but also served as a hub for global agricultural exchange, reinforcing the potato’s role as a vital contributor to food security, livelihoods, and sustainability worldwide.

  • Dream Media Motion hosts glamorous Dream Fashion Gala Season 2, Noor-e-Diwali

    Dream Media Motion hosts glamorous Dream Fashion Gala Season 2, Noor-e-Diwali

    Dream Media Motion recently hosted the highly anticipated Dream Fashion Gala Season 2 – Noor-e-Diwali, transforming Dubai’s Khalidia Palace Hotel into a hub of glamour and cultural celebration. Spearheaded by Namrata Kashyap, Founder and CEO of Dream Media Motion, the event exemplified her innovative approach to merging fashion, art, music, and culture into a single, unforgettable experience. The gala featured a breathtaking fashion show, a premium exhibition, and a series of dynamic entertainment performances that beautifully highlighted the fusion of Indian and Emirati traditions. Attendees were treated to thrilling competitions, including Miss & Mr. Teens, Best Dressed Male, and Best Dressed Female, alongside electrifying performances by renowned Bollywood artists. Bollywood actress Shivani Sharma added star power as the celebrity chief guest, while Sheikha Dr Hind Bint Abdulaziz Al Qasimi and a host of UAE VVIPs, dignitaries, and celebrities graced the event with their presence. With over 300–400 guests in attendance, the evening was a testament to Dubai’s vibrant fashion scene. The gala culminated in an exquisite 5-star dinner, offering a perfect blend of luxury, networking, and festivity. The event received widespread acclaim and media coverage, further cementing Dream Media Motion’s reputation as a leader in innovative and high-quality event production.

  • Dubai: 48 barbers set Guinness World Record with a beard trim every 19 seconds

    Dubai: 48 barbers set Guinness World Record with a beard trim every 19 seconds

    In a remarkable display of precision and teamwork, 48 barbers from across the GCC and Lebanon made history at the Beautyworld Middle East 2025 event in Dubai. Under the banner of BeautyLive by Fresha and in collaboration with STMNT Grooming, these skilled professionals achieved a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive beard trims and shaves completed in one hour by a team. The event, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, saw 190 men groomed in just 60 minutes, averaging one trim every 19 seconds. Each barber attended to approximately four clients, spending around 15 minutes per person. The achievement not only set a new benchmark but also introduced a fresh category to the Guinness World Records. The atmosphere was electric, with music playing, cameras rolling, and the crowd cheering as the barbers worked in perfect harmony. For participants like Khaled Kabboul from Director’s Cut and Amir Manzour from Mantis Barbershop, the event was a testament to the artistry and community spirit of barbering. ‘This moment is huge for us,’ said Kabboul. ‘We showed that barbering isn’t just a service; it’s a form of art, skill, and community.’ Manzour added, ‘Being part of something this historic means a lot. It was intense but deeply fulfilling.’ The successful attempt was meticulously monitored and verified by Guinness World Records adjudicators, who confirmed the new record. This event not only celebrated the craft of barbering but also highlighted Dubai’s penchant for hosting extraordinary achievements.

  • myAster hits 5 million users as UAE’s healthcare market embraces digital shift

    myAster hits 5 million users as UAE’s healthcare market embraces digital shift

    In a significant milestone for digital healthcare in the UAE, myAster, the innovative health and wellness platform by Aster DM Healthcare, has reached over 5 million users within just three years of its launch. This achievement underscores the region’s accelerating shift towards digital-first healthcare solutions, where patients increasingly turn to online platforms for medical, wellness, and beauty services. Launched in 2022, myAster has become a cornerstone of the UAE’s healthcare ecosystem, offering seamless access to 7 hospitals, 72 clinics, and more than 680 doctors across 30 specialties. The platform has facilitated over 50,000 video consultations, enabling users to connect with general physicians in as little as 10–15 minutes, reflecting the growing demand for convenience and efficiency in healthcare delivery. Beyond traditional medical services, myAster has expanded into homecare, offering physiotherapy, IV drips, and nurse visits, while its “Lab on App” feature consolidates prescriptions, lab reports, and radiology results. The platform’s Health Profile tool empowers users to monitor critical health metrics such as blood pressure, glucose levels, and risk factors like smoking and hypertension. myAster has also tapped into the UAE’s thriving wellness and beauty market, providing thousands of skincare products, including popular K-Beauty items, and an AI-powered skin analysis tool that delivers personalized recommendations based on 18 skin metrics and environmental factors. Its 24/7 express delivery service, available in five Emirates, ensures products reach users within 90 minutes. With its recent expansion into Saudi Arabia, featuring Arabic voice input and generative AI capabilities via Google Cloud, myAster is poised to replicate its success across the GCC. Aster DM Healthcare, which operates 15 hospitals, 124 clinics, and 333 pharmacies across the region, is leveraging myAster to bridge its physical and digital offerings. As the UAE continues to invest in health tech and patient-centric care, platforms like myAster are set to redefine the future of healthcare delivery in the region.

  • Pakistani producer Abdullah Seja on ‘Sher’, Dubai’s creative scene, and the future of Urdu content

    Pakistani producer Abdullah Seja on ‘Sher’, Dubai’s creative scene, and the future of Urdu content

    Abdullah Seja, the visionary producer behind hit shows like ‘Sher’ and ‘Kaisi Teri Khudgharzi’, has become a prominent figure in the Urdu entertainment industry. With ‘Sher’ amassing over 4 billion views across platforms, Seja’s production house, Idream Entertainment, has solidified its place in the global streaming landscape. In a recent interview with City Times, Seja shared insights into his creative journey, the evolving habits of content consumers, and his vision for the future of Urdu content.

    Seja emphasized the responsibility that comes with producing content, stating, ‘Delivering content is always a responsibility; you have to be relevant to the society you’re producing for.’ He highlighted the importance of understanding diverse audience segments and creating relatable narratives. Dubai, which he describes as his ‘second home,’ plays a pivotal role in his creative process. ‘Dubai is a melting pot for all creative individuals,’ he noted, adding that the city’s dynamic environment helps him align his vision with global trends and market dynamics.

    Seja also discussed the growing connection between his content and the UAE’s diverse diaspora. With ARY, a major channel in the UAE, airing his shows, he has established a strong foothold in the region. He expressed optimism about future collaborations with local channels and stakeholders in the MENA region, aiming to produce more Urdu-based content tailored to the expatriate audience.

    Looking ahead, Seja believes that content consumption will continue to evolve, with platforms like YouTube enabling personalized viewing experiences. ‘Content consumption is very personalized,’ he explained, noting that algorithms now push similar dramas to viewers based on their preferences. Despite these changes, he remains confident in the timeless nature of storytelling, stating, ‘There are only seven stories in the world; the execution and packaging will evolve.’

    Seja’s approach to producing diverse content, from mass entertainers like ‘Sher’ to neighborhood dramas like ‘Sharpasand’, reflects his understanding of varied audience tastes. ‘Every drama will have its own life,’ he remarked, emphasizing that each project resonates uniquely with its audience. As he continues to innovate and collaborate, Seja is poised to shape the future of Urdu content on a global scale.

  • Rail freight rises amid steady economy

    Rail freight rises amid steady economy

    China’s railway freight sector has demonstrated robust growth in the first three quarters of 2025, reflecting the nation’s steady economic momentum. According to the China State Railway Group, the railway network transported 3.03 billion metric tons of cargo during this period, marking a 3.4 percent increase compared to the previous year. Daily loading of train cars also rose by 4.3 percent, averaging 185,300 cars per day. This growth has been attributed to the continuous optimization of logistics products and enhanced transport efficiency, which have been pivotal in supporting both domestic and international trade flows. The company has intensified efforts to advance market-oriented freight reforms and improve service quality, aligning with national strategies to modernize the logistics system and reduce costs. Key goods, particularly coal, have been prioritized, with 1.55 billion tons transported, including 1.06 billion tons for power generation, ensuring stable energy supplies. Intermodal transport has also expanded significantly, with rail-water combined transport handling 12.78 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up 16.9 percent. Additionally, the digital freight platform now hosts 143,000 trucks, facilitating 242 million tons of rail-road combined transport. Cross-border freight has remained stable, with China-Europe freight trains making 14,500 trips and trains to Central Asia totaling 10,800, a 22.8 percent year-on-year increase. The China-Laos Railway also saw a 10.4 percent rise in cross-border cargo, further strengthening international trade links.

  • Crescent Enterprises champions global collaboration and innovation in urban transformation

    Crescent Enterprises champions global collaboration and innovation in urban transformation

    Crescent Enterprises has taken center stage as the Premier Partner of the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) and Mayors’ Forum, held at Expo City Dubai. The event brought together over 1,500 city leaders, including mayors, deputy mayors, and senior officials, alongside business and innovation leaders, to foster collaboration and share insights on sustainable urban development. Crescent Enterprises, along with its subsidiary Gulftainer, hosted an exclusive Dinner in the Desert, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to dialogue and partnership in shaping the cities of the future. Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises, highlighted the UAE’s legacy of public-private collaboration, from Expo 2020 to COP28, and its dedication to sharing best practices globally. Tushar Singhvi, Deputy CEO and Head of Investments, underscored the private sector’s role in transforming cities from data-rich to decision-wise through digital infrastructure and innovation. Farid Belbouab, Group CEO of Gulftainer, discussed the transformative potential of ports and logistics in fostering sustainable coastal economies. Crescent Enterprises’ multi-platform strategy, spanning logistics, technology, and venture development, aligns with the UAE’s vision for sustainable urban transformation and the summit’s theme, ‘Connecting Cities, Creating Futures.’

  • UN human rights investigator delivers Gaza report from South Africa because of US sanctions

    UN human rights investigator delivers Gaza report from South Africa because of US sanctions

    Francesca Albanese, an independent United Nations investigator, delivered a scathing critique of global nations for their failure to challenge the United States over sanctions imposed on her. Speaking via video from South Africa during a General Assembly session, Albanese labeled the sanctions as ‘unlawful and spiteful,’ emphasizing that they undermine the U.N.’s independence and integrity. She urged the international community to confront this ‘dangerous precedent’ and highlighted the challenges she faced in presenting her latest report on Israeli human rights violations in the Palestinian territories. Despite the unprecedented attacks against her, Albanese noted that powerful nations have only issued declarations and condemnations without taking concrete steps since the U.S. imposed sanctions this summer. The U.S. State Department has yet to respond to requests for comment. Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer and the U.N.’s special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza since May 2022, has consistently criticized Israel’s policies, describing its actions as ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid.’ In her latest report, she painted a grim picture of Gaza, describing it as ‘strangled, starved, shattered’ under a fragile ceasefire. Israel and the U.S. have vehemently rejected her claims, with Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon dismissing her report as ‘shameful’ and ‘one-sided,’ and personally attacking her as a ‘witch.’ The U.S. sanctions, announced in July by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accused Albanese of antisemitism and supporting terrorism. Albanese countered these allegations, asserting that she was targeted for fulfilling her role and vowed to continue her work. The U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, and the U.N.’s chief spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, both condemned the sanctions, calling them ‘unacceptable.’ The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. Albanese called for a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories, criticizing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire as insufficient and enabling continued violence.

  • No survivors: Small plane crashes in Kenya, killing all 11 on board

    No survivors: Small plane crashes in Kenya, killing all 11 on board

    A devastating plane crash in Kenya on Tuesday morning resulted in the tragic loss of all 11 individuals on board, including foreign nationals. The small aircraft, operated by Mombasa Air Safari, was en route from the coastal tourist destination of Diani to Kichwa Tembo airstrip in the Maasai Mara National Park when it crashed at approximately 5:30 am local time (0230 GMT). According to John Cleave, chairman of Mombasa Air Safari, the passengers included eight Hungarians, two Germans, and a Kenyan captain. Cleave confirmed that there were no survivors and expressed deep condolences, stating, ‘Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic event.’ The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has dispatched government agencies to the crash site to investigate the cause of the accident. This incident follows another tragic aviation event in August, when a light aircraft belonging to the medical NGO Amref crashed near Nairobi, claiming six lives and injuring two others. The latest crash has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region, particularly for small aircraft operating in remote areas.

  • ‘They refused to take auditions’: Sonam Bajwa reveals her struggle against typecasting in Bollywood

    ‘They refused to take auditions’: Sonam Bajwa reveals her struggle against typecasting in Bollywood

    Actress Sonam Bajwa, renowned for her work in Punjabi cinema, has recently opened up about her struggles with typecasting in Bollywood. Despite her impressive filmography in Punjabi films, Bajwa revealed that Hindi filmmakers often pigeonholed her as merely a glamorous face, overlooking her acting capabilities. This perception delayed her entry into Bollywood, where she had to wait years for a role that showcased her talent beyond her appearance. Bajwa is currently receiving acclaim for her performance in the newly released film ‘Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat,’ co-starring Harshvardhan Rane. In the film, she plays an actress who challenges toxic love, a role that allowed her to demonstrate her acting prowess. In an interview with ANI, Bajwa expressed her frustration with the industry’s reluctance to consider her for performance-oriented roles, often dismissing her without auditions. She emphasized that her social media presence and public appearances might have contributed to this narrow perception. Despite these challenges, Bajwa has successfully transitioned into Bollywood with roles in ‘Housefull 5’ and ‘Baaghi 4.’ Her journey highlights the persistent issue of typecasting in the film industry and the resilience required to overcome such barriers.