Global Pulse

分类： society

  • UAE: Barbecue banned in some areas of Al Ain’s Jebel Hafeet; up to Dh4,000 fine

    UAE: Barbecue banned in some areas of Al Ain’s Jebel Hafeet; up to Dh4,000 fine

    Al Ain municipal authorities have implemented a comprehensive prohibition on barbecue activities across Jebel Hafeet’s parking areas, imposing substantial financial penalties for violations. The Department of Municipalities and Transport, in collaboration with Al Ain City Municipality, has erected explicit warning notices throughout the mountain’s parking facilities indicating that “Barbecue/BBQ is strictly prohibited in this area. Violation may result in a penalty.”

    This regulatory measure coincides with Al Ain’s recent designation as the 2026 Arab Tourism Capital, awarded in December 2025 by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism’s Executive Office. The prestigious recognition underscores the growing regional prominence of Emirati tourist destinations and highlights the need to preserve environmental integrity.

    Jebel Hafeet represents one of the UAE’s most frequented natural attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of residents and international visitors annually during cooler months. The site has undergone significant development featuring diverse food and beverage establishments alongside family-oriented recreational facilities.

    The enforcement action derives legal authority from Abu Dhabi Law No. (2) of 2012 concerning the Preservation of Public Appearance, Health and Tranquillity. Initial violations carry a Dh1,000 fine, escalating to Dh2,000 for second offenses and reaching Dh4,000 for third transgressions. Supplementary warning signage has been installed throughout Green Mubazzarah Park’s non-designated zones to maintain aesthetic standards.

    Residents have expressed mixed reactions to the implementation. Dubai inhabitant Ahmed Malik noted the recent appearance of prohibition signage during a weekend visit, contrasting with his previous experience during National Day celebrations when no restrictions were visibly communicated. Sharjah resident Samina Khan emphasized the location’s popularity for family gatherings, citing both Green Mubazzarah’s children-friendly facilities and the mountain summit’s appealing climate for social activities.

  • Raw emotions as mourners attend Mass for Swiss bar fire victims

    Raw emotions as mourners attend Mass for Swiss bar fire victims

    The picturesque Swiss Alpine town of Saint Christopher remains shrouded in grief as hundreds gathered for a solemn memorial Mass honoring victims of the catastrophic New Year’s Eve blaze at Le Constellation nightclub. Amid snow-covered streets and the continuous operation of tourist cable cars in the background, the community confronted the devastating reality that claimed dozens of young lives.

    Forensic teams continue the painstaking process of identifying victims through DNA analysis and dental records, as many remains were severely damaged in the intense fire. Families who had clung to hope for days now receive the most tragic confirmation, with police having identified over 20 victims despite the challenges posed by the fire’s destruction.

    Laetitia Brodard, whose teenage son Arthur perished in the incident, attended the service surrounded by supportive friends. Having previously circulated his photograph online in desperate searches, she confirmed his passing with the heartbreaking tribute: ‘He died that first day’ and later expressed on social media that Arthur had ‘gone to party in paradise.’

    The emotional service witnessed multiple attendees collapsing from overwhelming grief as the community remembered those lost and those still hospitalized with critical burns. Following the Mass, a silent procession advanced toward the fire site, now concealed behind white screening but surrounded by an expanding shrine of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes bearing photographs of victims.

    In a poignant moment, uniformed rescue workers received spontaneous applause as they arrived at the memorial site arm-in-arm. One emotional first responder, who contemplated leaving his profession after the tragedy, revealed that the experience had forged an unbreakable bond among emergency personnel: ‘I need them, and they need me. All my thoughts are for the victims and their families.’

    Criminal investigators have launched proceedings against the French couple operating the establishment, suspecting them of negligent homicide, arson, and bodily harm. Video evidence appears to show staff delivering champagne bottles with ignited sparklers while elevated on shoulders, with sparks subsequently igniting soundproofing foam ceiling materials that accelerated the fire’s spread.

    Authorities are examining multiple safety considerations including compliance with material flammability standards, potential overcrowding, emergency exit accessibility from the basement venue, and the availability of functional fire extinguishers. Additional footage reveals tragic attempts by patrons to extinguish flames using clothing items, while others initially continued dancing and recording rather than evacuating.

    Despite the profound sorrow, community members expressed determination for accountability rather than anger. ‘We believe the police will do their work well and we hope there is justice,’ stated Diana, who attended the memorial while friends remain hospitalized fighting for survival.

  • Berlin power outage affecting 45,000 homes blamed on ‘politically motivated’ attack

    Berlin power outage affecting 45,000 homes blamed on ‘politically motivated’ attack

    BERLIN — Critical power infrastructure in southwest Berlin has sustained severe damage from a fire that authorities have attributed to politically motivated left-wing extremists, triggering an extensive multi-day blackout affecting tens of thousands of residents and businesses.

    The incident occurred Saturday morning when a cable bridge spanning the Teltow Canal near the Lichterfelde power plant was deliberately set ablaze. Initial impact assessments indicated approximately 45,000 households and 2,200 commercial enterprises across four districts lost electricity, with subsequent disruptions to heating systems and internet connectivity throughout the affected regions.

    Berlin’s Senator for Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey characterized the situation as exceptionally severe, noting the outage impacted critical infrastructure including healthcare facilities, hospitals, and numerous social service institutions alongside residential and commercial properties.

    Despite restoration efforts that have reconnected thousands of households by Sunday, municipal authorities project many residents could remain without power until Thursday. Restoration operations have been significantly hampered by adverse winter conditions, with snowfall and subfreezing temperatures complicating repair efforts while exacerbating hardships for affected citizens.

    Law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident as a deliberate act of arson, drawing parallels to a similar September power outage in southeast Berlin where radical activists previously claimed responsibility. Authorities are currently verifying the authenticity of a responsibility claim letter associated with the latest attack.

    Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner, quoted by German news agencies, unequivocally identified the perpetrators as left-wing extremists, condemning the attack on essential energy infrastructure as an unacceptable endangerment of public safety.

  • Dubai completes 60% of Oud Metha, Al Asayel roads project as 2026 begins

    Dubai completes 60% of Oud Metha, Al Asayel roads project as 2026 begins

    Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced significant progress on the Oud Metha Road and Al Asayel Street development project, with 60% of construction completed as of January 2026. This critical infrastructure initiative forms part of the broader Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project aimed at enhancing urban connectivity across multiple districts.

    The comprehensive development encompasses four major intersections featuring an extensive network of bridges spanning 4.3 kilometers and roads extending 14 kilometers. Current construction milestones reveal 70% completion of bridges facilitating traffic flow from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road northbound toward Business Bay Crossing, with anticipated opening scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

    Key infrastructure enhancements include a tunnel serving traffic from Dubai-Al Ain Road toward Al Wasl Club Street, which has reached approximately 60% completion. Remaining road widening operations and associated bridge constructions are progressing toward a third-quarter 2026 operational deadline.

    The project’s four upgraded intersections represent engineering marvels:

    1. Oud Metha Road-Sheikh Rashid Road Intersection: Enhanced with additional left-turn slip ramps and expanded right-turn lanes, increasing capacity to 4,000 vehicles hourly

    2. Oud Metha Road-Al Asayel Street Intersection: Features two new bridges connecting Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road via Al Wasl Club Street, with capacities reaching 3,600 vehicles hourly

    3. Al Wasl Club Street-Al Khail Road Intersection: Includes a new two-lane bridge and upgraded access roads with dedicated parking solutions

    4. Zabeel Palace Street Intersection: Incorporates a single-lane vehicle tunnel and expanded bridge capacity from 2,200 to 3,300 vehicles hourly

    Upon full completion, the project will serve over 420,000 residents across Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Metha, Umm Hurair, Latifa Hospital, and Al Wasl Club districts. Transportation efficiency will dramatically improve, with Oud Metha Road capacity increasing by 50% to 15,600 vehicles hourly and journey times reduced from 20 minutes to just 5 minutes—representing a 75% improvement in traffic flow.

  • New Year holiday sees 142 million domestic tourism trips

    New Year holiday sees 142 million domestic tourism trips

    China’s tourism sector demonstrated remarkable vitality during the recent New Year’s Day holiday period, with official data revealing substantial economic activity across domestic destinations. According to statistics released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the three-day holiday commencing Thursday witnessed approximately 142 million domestic tourist excursions nationwide.

    The holiday period, which spanned from January 1 to January 3, 2026, generated approximately 84.8 billion yuan (equivalent to $12.13 billion) in tourism revenue, signaling a robust recovery in domestic consumption patterns. The figures underscore China’s continuing shift toward domestic tourism as a primary economic driver within the service sector.

    Across the country, citizens engaged in diverse leisure activities, from cultural experiences to natural sightseeing. In Nanning, capital of South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, visitors flocked to scenic areas to admire chrysanthemum displays, as captured in aerial drone photography on January 3. The imagery revealed vibrant crowds enjoying floral exhibitions and other holiday attractions.

    The tourism surge occurred alongside increased mobility nationwide, with reports indicating nearly 20% growth in daily passenger trips throughout the holiday period. Additionally, border authorities recorded approximately 6.62 million cross-border trips, reflecting renewed international travel interest following recent developments in travel policies.

    Industry analysts suggest these numbers represent not only pent-up travel demand but also the effectiveness of government initiatives promoting domestic tourism and cultural consumption. The data provides encouraging indicators for China’s broader economic outlook as the country continues to implement measures stimulating domestic demand and supporting service industry recovery.

  • 6.62m cross-border trips recorded over New Year’s holiday

    6.62m cross-border trips recorded over New Year’s holiday

    China’s National Immigration Administration reported a substantial surge in cross-border mobility during the recent New Year holiday period, with total trips reaching 6.62 million between Thursday and Saturday. The three-day holiday period demonstrated remarkable recovery in international travel, averaging approximately 2.21 million daily crossings—a significant 28.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

    Travel patterns revealed distinct demographic trends among travelers. Mainland Chinese residents accounted for the majority of crossings at 3.36 million trips, representing a substantial 39.1 percent year-on-year increase. Residents from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions followed with 2.42 million trips, marking a 15.9 percent growth. Foreign nationals contributed 828,000 crossings, showing a robust 29.8 percent increase from previous year figures.

    Notably, visa-free entry policies facilitated 292,000 foreign national entries, demonstrating a 35.8 percent surge that highlights China’s increasingly open border policies. The transportation sector similarly experienced growth, with authorities inspecting 283,000 inbound and outbound flights, vessels, trains, and vehicles—an 11.4 percent increase year-on-year.

    The data reflects both restored travel confidence and China’s ongoing efforts to normalize cross-border movement following global travel disruptions. The statistics indicate not only returning tourism and business travel but also suggest strengthening international connections across multiple transport modalities.

  • DAMAC marks Sheikh Mohammed’s 20 years as Ruler with citywide drone tribute

    DAMAC marks Sheikh Mohammed’s 20 years as Ruler with citywide drone tribute

    Dubai’s iconic skyline served as the canvas for an extraordinary tribute on January 4th, 2026, as DAMAC Group commemorated the 20th anniversary of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s accession as Ruler of Dubai. The renowned real estate developer orchestrated a citywide celebration honoring two decades of unprecedented urban transformation and visionary governance.

    Hussain Sajwani, founder and chairman of DAMAC Group, expressed profound admiration for Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership legacy. “His Highness has established Dubai as a global paradigm of ambition, opportunity, and superior quality of life,” Sajwani stated. “Beyond the physical transformation of our skyline, his vision has fundamentally elevated human potential, fostered unprecedented opportunities, and positioned knowledge and innovation as cornerstones of national development.”

    The anniversary festivities featured two meticulously choreographed drone displays that illuminated the evening sky at 6:45 PM and 9:30 PM. These aerial performances were strategically positioned at Jumeirah Beach Residence and other prominent locations across Dubai, creating a visual symphony visible throughout the city.

    DAMAC further amplified the celebratory atmosphere by deploying commemorative banners across its most distinguished properties. This architectural tribute encompassed Safa One, DAMAC Tower by Paramount, DAMAC Lagoons, DAMAC Hills, DAMAC Hills 2, DAMAC Heights, and the distinctive Cavalli Tower.

    As a pioneering force in Dubai’s luxury real estate sector, DAMAC has evolved in parallel with the city’s remarkable growth trajectory. The company’s portfolio of residential, lifestyle, and mixed-use developments embodies the emirate’s global aspirations and ambitious spirit. These anniversary celebrations reinforce DAMAC’s ongoing dedication to supporting Dubai’s future vision—a future characterized by innovation, excellence, and groundbreaking concepts.

    The drone tribute not only celebrated past achievements but also symbolized the continuing partnership between private enterprise and visionary leadership in shaping Dubai’s ongoing narrative of success and global significance.

  • US students experience New Year’s Eve in Hebei school

    US students experience New Year’s Eve in Hebei school

    A delegation of over 100 American educators and students from Iowa recently immersed themselves in authentic Chinese cultural traditions during a special New Year’s Eve celebration at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School in Hebei province. The visit, which commenced on December 27 and extends through January 6, represents a significant cultural exchange initiative between the two nations.

    The American contingent experienced the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year celebrations firsthand by participating in traditional activities alongside their Chinese peers. The cultural immersion included various interactive experiences designed to foster mutual understanding and friendship between the students from both countries.

    Prior to the New Year’s Eve festivities, the group visited Beijing’s iconic Great Wall on December 29, where they captured memorable group photographs against the backdrop of the ancient structure. This excursion provided the American visitors with profound insights into China’s rich historical heritage and architectural marvels.

    The exchange program, initiated through an official invitation from the Hebei-based institution, aims to strengthen educational ties and promote cross-cultural dialogue between the two regions. Such international educational exchanges have become increasingly valuable in building bridges of understanding between nations.

    The participating students gained unique perspectives on Chinese customs, traditions, and contemporary educational practices through direct interaction with their Chinese counterparts. These experiences contribute significantly to global citizenship education and international relationship building among the younger generation.

  • China’s daily passenger trips up nearly 20% in New Year holiday

    China’s daily passenger trips up nearly 20% in New Year holiday

    China’s transportation networks experienced a significant surge in activity during the recent New Year holiday period, with official data revealing substantial growth in passenger movement across the country. According to statistics released by the Ministry of Transport, the three-day holiday concluding on Saturday witnessed an average of 198 million inter-regional passenger journeys daily, representing a notable 19.62 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

    The cumulative travel volume throughout the holiday timeframe reached approximately 595 million passenger trips, demonstrating robust demand for transportation services nationwide. This upward trend in mobility indicators reflects growing public confidence in travel and suggests continued recovery in domestic transportation patterns following recent global challenges.

    The data, compiled and verified by transportation authorities, provides valuable insights into consumption patterns and economic vitality during important holiday periods. The substantial year-on-year growth rate indicates not only renewed public willingness to travel but also the effectiveness of infrastructure developments that have enhanced connectivity between regions.

    Transport analysts note that such metrics serve as important economic indicators, reflecting broader consumer confidence and spending patterns. The increased mobility during the holiday period typically correlates with heightened commercial activity in tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors across destination cities and popular travel routes.

  • China records over 6.61m cross-border trips during New Year holiday

    China records over 6.61m cross-border trips during New Year holiday

    China’s National Immigration Administration reported a substantial resurgence in cross-border mobility during the recent three-day New Year holiday period, with total trips exceeding 6.61 million. The data, released on Sunday, reveals a remarkable 28.6 percent year-on-year increase in average daily cross-border movements compared to the previous year’s holiday period.

    The statistics demonstrate particularly robust growth in international visitor traffic, with foreign national entries climbing to 828,000—a significant 29.8 percent increase from the 2025 New Year holiday figures. Notably, China’s visa-free policy facilitated 292,000 of these international arrivals, representing a substantial 35.8 percent surge in visa-exempt admissions compared to the same period last year.

    This upward trajectory in cross-border mobility signals a continuing recovery in international travel and cultural exchange following global pandemic restrictions. The pronounced increase in visa-free entries highlights the effectiveness of China’s streamlined entry policies for foreign nationals, potentially reflecting improved diplomatic relations and enhanced global connectivity. The data provides encouraging indicators for the tourism and hospitality sectors as China continues to normalize international travel protocols and foster people-to-people exchanges across its borders.