Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • China’s cord blood banks to advance research and treatment

    China’s cord blood banks to advance research and treatment

    China’s seven provincial-level cord blood banks have unveiled a comprehensive action plan to enhance research and clinical applications of cord blood. The initiative was announced at the 12th Cord Blood Symposium, organized by the Chinese Maternal and Child Health Association in Beijing. The participating banks, officially approved by the National Health Commission, are located in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and the provinces of Guangdong, Shandong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang.

    The action plan focuses on increasing public awareness about cord blood and cell therapy, improving the quality of cord blood collection, and ensuring high standards in processing and cryopreservation. It also aims to promote the use of cord blood in clinical settings and advance research and applications at medical and scientific institutions.

    Cord blood, collected from a newborn’s umbilical cord shortly after birth, has significant potential in treating various diseases. Wei Xiaofei, an official from the Beijing cord blood bank, highlighted that China has over 30 years of experience in cord blood storage and application. The seven official banks have collectively stored more than 2.45 million units of cord blood and released over 45,000 units for clinical use.

    ‘The action plan enables the seven cord blood banks to leverage their respective strengths, collaborate on targeted research, develop high-quality solutions, and jointly accelerate the translation of scientific achievements into clinical practice,’ Wei stated.

    Sun Zimin, a professor from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, noted that cord blood can now be used to treat nearly 80 diseases, including leukemia, aplastic anemia, immunodeficiency disorders, genetic metabolic diseases, and certain neurological conditions. She added that through optimizing pretreatment and supportive care, the stable engraftment rate of cord blood transplantation in clinical practice has risen to over 97 percent.

    Sun emphasized the importance of establishing larger and higher-quality public cord blood banks to provide lifesaving opportunities for more patients, especially those in urgent need of a transplant who are unable to find a suitable match.

  • BBC leaders to face lawmakers’ grilling over its standards after Trump threatened to sue

    BBC leaders to face lawmakers’ grilling over its standards after Trump threatened to sue

    The BBC’s leadership is set to undergo intense scrutiny as its chairman, Samir Shah, along with board member Robbie Gibb and former editorial adviser Michael Prescott, face questioning from the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee. This hearing comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding a misleading edit of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s speech in a BBC documentary titled ‘Trump: A Second Chance?’. The documentary, produced by a third-party company, spliced three quotes from Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech into a single statement, creating the impression that he directly incited the Capitol riot. Trump has threatened a billion-dollar lawsuit over the edit, which the BBC has apologized for but denies constitutes defamation. The broadcaster’s editorial standards have been further questioned following internal concerns raised by Prescott about alleged institutional bias in its coverage of issues like Gaza and transgender rights. The crisis has deepened with the recent resignations of the BBC’s director general and head of news, as well as board member Shumeet Banerji, citing governance issues.

  • Polycon Gulf: Manufacturing quality products in the UAE since 1993

    Polycon Gulf: Manufacturing quality products in the UAE since 1993

    Polycon Gulf Limited, a subsidiary of Al Nasser Industrial Enterprises LLC, has been a cornerstone of the UAE’s industrial sector since its establishment in 1993. Renowned for its innovative use of polyethylene, Polycon has carved a niche in manufacturing high-quality, environmentally friendly products. The company’s diverse portfolio spans polymers, steel, and intermediaries, with a strong regional presence in Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia through strategic joint ventures. Polycon’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its production of 100% reusable and recyclable products, which boast exceptional resistance to physical and chemical wear. The company’s state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced laboratories and quality testing units, are certified under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, underscoring its dedication to quality, environmental safety, and customer satisfaction. Polycon’s expertise extends to customized product development, catering to sectors such as defense and government. Its pioneering use of polyethylene lining for corrosion protection has set new industry benchmarks, outperforming traditional coatings like GRE and epoxy. With investments in cutting-edge roto-molding technology and a robust after-sales service network across the UAE and GCC, Polycon continues to lead the way in sustainable industrial innovation.

  • Ex-Sichuan vice-governor expelled from Party, public office for corruption

    Ex-Sichuan vice-governor expelled from Party, public office for corruption

    Ye Hanbing, the former vice-governor of Sichuan Province and ex-director of the provincial public security department, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and dismissed from public office due to severe violations of Party discipline and national laws. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision announced the decision on Monday, marking a significant step in China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

  • Malaysian floods affect 11,000 people across seven states

    Malaysian floods affect 11,000 people across seven states

    Torrential rains have triggered widespread flooding across seven Malaysian states, impacting more than 11,000 individuals, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. The affected regions include Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu, and Selangor, with 3,839 families displaced as of Monday. This annual monsoon season, which runs from October to March, frequently causes severe flooding along Malaysia’s eastern coast, displacing thousands annually. The situation echoes last November’s devastating floods, which forced over 37,000 people to flee their homes within a week. Authorities are working to provide relief and support to those affected, though the recurring nature of these disasters highlights the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.

  • Watch: Ronaldo’s incredible bicycle-kick goal sparks frenzy as Al Nassr clinch another win

    Watch: Ronaldo’s incredible bicycle-kick goal sparks frenzy as Al Nassr clinch another win

    In a match that will be remembered for its sheer brilliance, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a moment of magic as Al Nassr secured their ninth consecutive victory in the Saudi Pro League 2025/26 season. Facing Al-Khaleej at Al-Awwal Park on Sunday, Ronaldo’s jaw-dropping bicycle kick in the dying moments of the game capped off a dominant 4-1 win for his team. The goal, reminiscent of his iconic strike against Juventus in 2017, served as a testament to the Portuguese superstar’s enduring class, even at the age of 40. The stadium erupted in awe as Ronaldo soared unnaturally high to execute the acrobatic finish, leaving fans and opponents alike in disbelief. Social media platforms were ablaze with praise, with fans hailing Ronaldo as the ‘Greatest of All Time.’ Al Nassr’s official account summed it up perfectly: ‘Call it skill, call it instinct… we call it Ronaldo.’ The match began with Joao Felix opening the scoring in the 39th minute, followed by Wesley doubling the lead just three minutes later. Al-Khaleej briefly rallied with a goal from Murad Al Hawsawi in the 47th minute, but Sadio Mane restored Al Nassr’s two-goal advantage with a lobbed curler in the 77th minute. Ronaldo’s breathtaking goal in stoppage time sealed the victory, taking his league goal tally to 10 and solidifying Al Nassr’s position at the top of the table. With 30 goals in nine matches, Al Nassr continues to dominate the league, while Al-Khaleej remains in sixth place with 14 points. Ronaldo’s remarkable statistics further cement his legacy, with 110 goals in 123 appearances for Al Nassr and 84 goals in 86 Saudi Pro League matches, making him the third-highest scorer in the league’s history.

  • Volcano erupts in northern Ethiopia, sending ash plumes toward Yemen and Oman

    Volcano erupts in northern Ethiopia, sending ash plumes toward Yemen and Oman

    A previously inactive volcano in northern Ethiopia, Hayli Gubbi, erupted unexpectedly on Sunday, sending massive ash plumes across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman. Located in the seismically active Afar region, the eruption blanketed the nearby village of Afdera in dust, disrupting daily life and raising concerns about the economic impact on local livestock herders. Mohammed Seid, a local administrator, confirmed no casualties but expressed fears for the livelihoods of residents, whose animals now face food shortages due to the ash-covered grazing lands. Seid noted that this was the first recorded eruption of Hayli Gubbi, adding to the unpredictability of the situation. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in France confirmed the eruption through satellite imagery. Residents, including Ahmed Abdela, described the event as akin to a bomb explosion, with shock waves and dense smoke. The eruption also stranded tourists and guides in the village near the Danakil desert, a popular tourist destination, which remained covered in ash on Monday. Local authorities shared visuals of the towering ash plume, highlighting the scale of the event.

  • Former deputy head of China’s medical products regulator prosecuted for bribery

    Former deputy head of China’s medical products regulator prosecuted for bribery

    Chen Shifei, the former deputy head of China’s National Medical Products Administration, has been formally prosecuted on charges of bribery. The Second Branch of the People’s Procuratorate in Shanghai recently filed the lawsuit with the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court, as confirmed by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Monday. This legal action follows a comprehensive investigation by the National Commission of Supervision into Chen’s alleged misconduct. Chen is accused of exploiting his official positions to grant undue advantages to others and accepting substantial bribes in the form of money and valuables. The case underscores China’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption within its regulatory bodies, reflecting the government’s commitment to maintaining integrity and accountability in public service.

  • Former senior discipline regulator expelled for serious Party violations

    Former senior discipline regulator expelled for serious Party violations

    Wang Huimin, a former high-ranking official in China’s regulatory and disciplinary bodies, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) following an investigation into severe violations of Party discipline and national laws. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission (NSC) announced the decision on Monday, citing multiple breaches of ethical and legal standards. Wang, who previously served as a member of the Party Committee of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and director of the CCDI and NSC’s inspection and supervision group stationed at the CSRC, was found to have abused his authority, deviated from the CPC’s poverty alleviation strategy, and engaged in corrupt practices. Investigations revealed that Wang accepted lavish banquets, failed to report personal matters as required, and allowed relatives and associates to exploit his position for personal gain. Additionally, he used his influence to facilitate benefits for others in areas such as recruitment, corporate listings, and promotions, accepting substantial bribes in return. The CCDI and NSC have stripped Wang of his official privileges, confiscated his illegal gains, and transferred his case to judicial authorities for prosecution. Wang, 66, began his career in 1975 and held various prominent positions, including president of China Construction Bank’s Xinjiang branch and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Xinjiang. His expulsion underscores the CPC’s ongoing efforts to enforce strict discipline and combat corruption within its ranks.

  • Australia senator condemned for burka stunt in parliament

    Australia senator condemned for burka stunt in parliament

    An Australian senator has ignited widespread condemnation after donning a burka in parliament while advocating for a ban on the Muslim garment. Pauline Hanson, a member of the anti-immigration One Nation party, faced sharp criticism from her colleagues, with one labeling her actions as “blatant racism.” The senate proceedings were temporarily disrupted as Hanson refused to remove the burka, which she wore in protest after her proposed bill to ban full face coverings in public was rejected. This marks the second time Hanson has worn the garment in parliament, following a similar stunt in 2017. Her latest act has drawn ire from fellow lawmakers, including Muslim senators who denounced her behavior as “disgraceful” and “disrespectful.” Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the government leader in the senate, condemned Hanson’s actions, stating that she was “not worthy of a member of the Australian Senate” and moved to suspend her. Hanson defended her actions on Facebook, writing, “If they don’t want me wearing it – ban the burka.” This incident is the latest in a series of controversial statements and actions by Hanson, who has long been criticized for her anti-immigration and anti-Muslim rhetoric, including her 2016 maiden speech in which she claimed Australia was being “swamped by Muslims.”