分类: society

  • Shanghai unveils new year celebration program

    Shanghai unveils new year celebration program

    Shanghai authorities have announced an extensive program of cultural and commercial activities to mark the arrival of 2026 and the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations. The festive season, running through March 3, will encompass New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, and Lantern Festival with a carefully curated blend of traditional cultural events and modern commercial promotions.

    At a Tuesday press conference, city officials detailed hundreds of scheduled events including performances, concerts, art exhibitions, shopping festivals, tourism activities, and sporting events. According to Huang Binbing, Deputy Director of Shanghai’s Publicity Department, the celebration program features over 300 activities specifically for the New Year’s Day holiday period, comprising 132 cultural performances, 13 concerts, and 134 art exhibits. The Spring Festival period in February will see nearly 400 events welcoming the Year of the Horse.

    Immediate celebrations include spectacular firework displays along the Baoshan district waterfront and around Dishui Lake in the Lin-gang Special Area. Fitness enthusiasts can participate in 16 running events across 11 urban districts to usher in the new year. The city’s cultural institutions will present diverse musical performances while more than 20 ancient towns will host traditional folk events for visitors.

    The commercial dimension of the celebrations was emphasized by Liu Min, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, who announced more than 100 major promotional events designed to stimulate consumer spending in shopping districts and across e-commerce platforms. Tourists will receive special discounts, gifts, and unique cultural experiences including traditional Chinese medicine demonstrations and Chinese New Year traditions at tax-free stores.

  • Quiet luxury: Why the world’s wealthiest are choosing privacy over visibility

    Quiet luxury: Why the world’s wealthiest are choosing privacy over visibility

    The prestigious Fluxx Conference 2025 has recognized two transformative leaders for their groundbreaking contributions to education and renewable energy development across the Middle Eastern region. This annual gathering of innovators and change-makers spotlighted individuals whose work demonstrates exceptional potential for creating sustainable societal impact.

    The education honoree has revolutionized learning accessibility through digital platforms that connect remote communities with quality educational resources. Their initiative has significantly reduced educational disparities while incorporating culturally relevant curricula that preserve regional heritage while preparing students for global challenges.

    Simultaneously, the renewable energy pioneer was acknowledged for developing scalable solar power solutions specifically engineered for desert environments. Their technological advancements have enabled previously energy-insecure communities to access reliable electricity while establishing new benchmarks for sustainable infrastructure development in arid climates.

    Conference organizers emphasized that both awardees exemplify Fluxx’s core mission of identifying and amplifying solutions that address pressing regional needs while creating replicable models for global application. The selection process involved rigorous evaluation of projects based on innovation scalability, community engagement, and long-term sustainability metrics.

    Industry analysts note that recognizing these parallel advancements highlights the interconnected nature of educational development and energy infrastructure in building resilient communities. The honorees’ work demonstrates how technological innovation and human development must progress simultaneously to achieve meaningful regional progress.

    The awards ceremony included commitments from several venture philanthropy organizations to fund the expansion of both projects, potentially affecting millions across the Middle East. This recognition comes amid increased global attention on the region’s capacity for innovation that addresses both local challenges and universal human needs.

  • Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of John F Kennedy, dies aged 35

    Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of John F Kennedy, dies aged 35

    Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy and prominent climate journalist, has passed away at age 35 following a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia. The tragic news was confirmed through a social media announcement by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation on behalf of her grieving family.

    Schlossberg, who had recently welcomed her second child, received her devastating cancer diagnosis in May 2024. In a profoundly moving essay published in The New Yorker last November titled “A Battle With My Blood,” she revealed her prognosis gave her less than a year to live. The climate journalist documented her intensive medical journey, including chemotherapy treatments and a bone marrow transplant, while confronting the heartbreaking reality that her children might grow up without memories of their mother.

    Her writing poignantly addressed the emotional weight of introducing another tragedy to a family already marked by profound loss. President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, and her uncle, John F. Kennedy Jr., died in a 1999 plane crash. Schlossberg expressed particular concern for her mother, Caroline Kennedy—former U.S. ambassador to Japan and Australia—writing about her lifelong effort to protect her mother from additional pain and sorrow.

    As the daughter of designer Edwin Schlossberg and diplomat Caroline Kennedy, Tatiana had built her own professional identity as an environmental writer, contributing to The New York Times and authoring “Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don’t Know You Have.” Her work focused on making complex climate issues accessible to broader audiences.

    The Kennedy family, American political royalty, has now endured another generation of untimely loss, with Tatiana’s passing marking the latest chapter in their very public history of personal tragedies.

  • China’s poverty eradication practice inspires world

    China’s poverty eradication practice inspires world

    International development specialists worldwide are recognizing China’s monumental achievement in poverty elimination as a transformative model for global development strategies. The unprecedented success, accomplished through resolute national leadership and meticulously implemented targeted approaches, presents actionable insights for emerging economies grappling with similar challenges.

    Development economists highlight that China’s comprehensive anti-poverty framework combined top-down political commitment with grassroots implementation mechanisms. This multi-dimensional strategy incorporated infrastructure development, educational enhancement, and economic empowerment programs tailored to regional specificities. The scale and speed of China’s poverty reduction—lifting hundreds of millions from deprivation within decades—represents one of the most significant socioeconomic transformations in modern history.

    Global South nations are particularly examining China’s experience as they formulate their own development agendas. The Chinese approach demonstrates how coordinated policy measures, technological integration, and social mobilization can simultaneously address both income poverty and multidimensional deprivation. International organizations are documenting these methodologies for potential adaptation in different cultural and economic contexts.

    This recognition comes as developing countries seek practical solutions to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. China’s experience provides empirical evidence that large-scale poverty reduction is achievable through context-specific strategies that combine economic growth with targeted social protection measures. The model emphasizes the importance of maintaining poverty alleviation as a consistent national priority supported by measurable implementation frameworks.

  • More artists cancel Kennedy Center shows after Trump name change

    More artists cancel Kennedy Center shows after Trump name change

    A growing wave of artistic protest has emerged at Washington’s premier performing arts venue as multiple acts cancel scheduled performances in response to the institution’s controversial renaming. The Kennedy Center’s board, recently populated with Trump allies, voted this month to rebrand the facility as ‘The Donald J Trump and the John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,’ triggering immediate backlash from the artistic community.

    The Cookers, an acclaimed jazz ensemble, abruptly cancelled their planned New Year’s Eve performances. While their official statement avoided direct mention of the controversy, drummer Billy Hart confirmed to The New York Times that the name change ‘evidently’ influenced their decision. The group referenced jazz’s historical roots in ‘struggle and relentless insistence on freedom’ in explaining their withdrawal.

    They were joined by Doug Varone and Dancers, who cancelled April engagements, stating they ‘can no longer permit ourselves nor ask our audiences to step inside this once great institution.’ Folk artist Kristy Lee similarly cancelled her January performance, asserting she couldn’t ‘stand on that stage and sleep right at night’ when American history is being ‘renamed for somebody else’s ego.’

    Center President Richard Grenell responded aggressively, characterizing the cancellations as ‘a form of derangement syndrome’ and alleging the artists ‘were booked by the previous far left leadership.’ He particularly targeted musician Chuck Redd, who cancelled his annual Christmas Eve performance, by demanding $1 million in damages for what he called a ‘political stunt’ that ‘has cost us considerably.’

    The renaming has sparked legal and historical debates beyond the artistic community. Some lawmakers and legal scholars contend that because the center was named through 1964 legislation, Congressional approval is required for any official name change. Members of the Kennedy family have denounced the move, with former Congressman Joe Kennedy III emphasizing that the venue ‘is a living memorial to a fallen president’ that cannot be renamed ‘any more than someone can rename the Lincoln Memorial.’

    Despite these objections, new signage reflecting the Trump name was added to the building’s exterior the day after the board’s vote, cementing the controversial change that continues to divide the arts community.

  • Traffic restrictions announced as Abu Dhabi gears up for New Year celebrations

    Traffic restrictions announced as Abu Dhabi gears up for New Year celebrations

    Abu Dhabi authorities have unveiled comprehensive traffic management protocols in preparation for the upcoming New Year festivities. Effective from noon on December 31, 2025, through 6:00 AM on January 1, 2026, stringent restrictions will prohibit trucks, heavy freight vehicles, and labor transport buses from operating within Abu Dhabi Island’s core traffic zones. Supplementary controls will simultaneously affect the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road (E22) corridor during identical operational hours.

    Additional movement constraints will be enforced along Hazza Bin Sultan Street in Al Ain from December 31 at noon until January 1 at 1:00 AM. Furthermore, partial intersection closures along King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street will be implemented from January 1 through January 5, 2026, facilitating extended celebration activities and pedestrian safety measures.

    These traffic mitigation strategies represent standard operational procedures for large-scale public events, specifically designed to optimize traffic flow and enhance public safety during peak celebration periods. Transportation authorities strongly advise motorists and commercial operators to strategically plan alternative routes utilizing perimeter roads outside the island complex while emphasizing compliance with official directives to prevent penalties and unnecessary delays.

    The emirate’s New Year programming features spectacular celebrations including the flagship Sheikh Zayed Festival at Al Wathba, promising an elaborate display combining synchronized drone formations, advanced pyrotechnics, and cultural presentations reflecting Emirati heritage. With over sixty fireworks locations scheduled across the UAE, residents and visitors will have numerous options for midnight countdown events featuring enhanced safety protocols at waterfront promenades, festival grounds, and community spaces.

    Coinciding with the federal designation of January 1, 2026, as an official public holiday, the extended weekend includes remote work provisions for government employees, allowing broad participation in the celebrations across the capital city and surrounding emirates.

  • 41 young men die in South Africa from circumcision procedures during initiation ceremonies

    41 young men die in South Africa from circumcision procedures during initiation ceremonies

    South African authorities reported a devastating death toll of 41 young men during traditional circumcision rituals performed as part of cultural initiation ceremonies this November and December. The tragic incidents have ignited serious concerns about safety standards within these sacred cultural practices.

    Traditional initiation represents a fundamental rite of passage into manhood among various ethnic communities including the Xhosa, Ndebele, Sotho and Venda peoples. Annually, young men undergo isolation at initiation schools where they receive cultural education and learn community values. However, the circumcision component continues to claim lives despite government interventions through legislative measures.

    Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa addressed the nation Tuesday, revealing that negligence from both registered initiation schools and parents contributed to the summer initiation fatalities. The minister specifically highlighted Eastern Cape province as the most affected region with 21 recorded deaths.

    Alarming practices include the dissemination of unverified medical advice, such as instructing initiates to avoid water consumption to accelerate healing. Minister Hlabisa emphasized parental responsibility, stating, ‘When parents fail to monitor their children’s wellbeing at these schools, they inadvertently place them at grave risk.’

    Financial motivations drive the proliferation of illegal initiation schools, as parents are expected to pay for their children’s participation. Authorities have made 41 arrests connected to unlawful operations, including parents who falsified their children’s ages to gain admission. South African law strictly requires initiates to be at least 16 years old with parental consent.

    These ceremonies typically occur during winter (June-July) and summer (November-December) school holidays, with successful completions traditionally celebrated through joyful cultural festivities across African communities.

  • North Point Education Group: Shaping the Future of Young Leaders in the UAE

    North Point Education Group: Shaping the Future of Young Leaders in the UAE

    For over four decades, North Point Education Group (NPE) has established itself as a cornerstone of the United Arab Emirates’ educational landscape, consistently delivering quality learning experiences that prioritize accessibility, future readiness, and strong moral foundations. The group continues to broaden its influence through institutions that seamlessly integrate academic excellence with comprehensive character development and leadership cultivation.

    NPE’s British curriculum schools form a central component of their educational offering, providing internationally benchmarked academics alongside balanced developmental experiences. The Hope English School in Sharjah, established in 2023 as one of NPE’s newest institutions, exemplifies this commitment through its creation of inspiring learning environments that balance nurturing support with ambitious educational goals. The school’s focus on foundational excellence, student wellbeing, and holistic development aims to foster confident, capable young individuals.

    The Bloomington Academy in Ajman, operating since 2014 with British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation, stands as another flagship institution within the group. The academy has demonstrated consistent academic excellence, with students regularly receiving Cambridge Learner Awards for outstanding performance. Beyond rigorous academics, Bloomington emphasizes individual growth through specialized programs in STEM disciplines, artistic pursuits, athletic development, and leadership training. The institution further demonstrates its commitment to excellence through merit-based scholarships for high-achieving students.

    Across all NPE institutions, the educational philosophy emphasizes collaborative partnerships between educators, parents, and students. Dedicated teaching teams work closely with families to provide personalized attention and support tailored to each child’s needs. These efforts are complemented by vibrant extracurricular programs encompassing sports, arts, community service initiatives, and leadership development opportunities, ensuring well-rounded student development.

    Complementing its British curriculum offerings, NPE maintains long-established institutions including The Royal Academy in Ajman, a premier CBSE curriculum school with over forty years of educational service. This diversity further underscores the group’s extensive contribution to UAE education.

    With admissions currently open, North Point Education Group invites families to explore their educational institutions and witness firsthand the impact of nurturing, inspiring, and affordable education grounded in academic excellence, personal growth, and future preparedness.

  • Dubai reserves 4 beaches for families only during New Year celebrations

    Dubai reserves 4 beaches for families only during New Year celebrations

    In preparation for New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, Dubai Municipality has implemented a comprehensive public safety initiative designating four public beaches exclusively for families. The measure, effective from December 31, 2025 through January 1, 2026, encompasses Jumeirah Beach 2, Jumeirah Beach 3, Umm Suqeim Beach 1, and Umm Suqeim Beach.

    This strategic decision forms part of an integrated readiness plan developed through coordinated efforts with Dubai Police, the Roads and Transport Authority, and the Dubai Resilience Centre. The initiative prioritizes creating family-friendly environments while maintaining public comfort and security during anticipated large-scale celebrations.

    The municipality’s comprehensive approach extends beyond beach designations to encompass multiple public safety dimensions including park management, recreational facility oversight, waste management systems, and enhanced food safety protocols. These measures aim to ensure smooth operations during the holiday period while addressing potential crowd management challenges.

    Authorities have emphasized that this proactive planning reflects Dubai’s commitment to maintaining its reputation as a premier destination for family-oriented tourism and safe public celebrations. The beach restrictions align with broader traffic management strategies previously announced, including anticipated congestion measures and alternative celebration options for residents seeking to avoid crowded areas.

  • Search continues for Texas teen who vanished on Christmas Eve

    Search continues for Texas teen who vanished on Christmas Eve

    Authorities in Bexar County have released potentially significant dashcam footage in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, who vanished during her morning walk on Christmas Eve in San Antonio, Texas.

    The newly obtained video, captured by a vehicle’s dashboard camera, shows an individual walking near Mendoza Olmos’s neighborhood whose clothing reportedly matches what the missing teen was wearing when she disappeared. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar cautioned that investigators cannot definitively confirm the person’s identity but acknowledged the clothing correlation during a press conference.

    Law enforcement agencies are exploring multiple scenarios in the week-long search operation, including voluntary disappearance, self-harm, and potential abduction. The investigation has now expanded to include collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    Previous surveillance footage released by authorities showed Mendoza Olmos searching through her vehicle’s trunk for an unspecified item before apparently continuing on foot, leaving both her car and mobile phone behind—behavior her family describes as highly uncharacteristic.

    The missing teen’s parents have publicly expressed their emotional turmoil while maintaining hope for her safe return. Her father, Alfoso Mendoza, emotionally appealed during a CBS Mornings interview: ‘I miss her, come home. I might sound strong…but it hurts.’ Her mother similarly conveyed the family’s determination to remain strong despite their anguish.

    The case continues to develop as law enforcement pursues all available leads in the disappearance that has gripped the San Antonio community.