分类： society

As Ramadan approaches in the UAE, the annual reduction of working hours by two hours daily for private sector employees has sparked discussions about workplace productivity during the holy month. While the shortened schedule presents operational challenges, human resources experts and organizational behavior specialists suggest this period may actually enhance focus and efficiency rather than diminish output.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization has historically implemented reduced working hours and flexible arrangements across both public and private sectors to accommodate those observing the fast. According to Ussama Khan, Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, the initial days of Ramadan typically require an adjustment period as individuals adapt to altered sleep patterns, meal timings, and hydration schedules. This transition phase, while potentially affecting concentration temporarily, typically gives way to stabilized energy levels thereafter.

Research from the American Psychological Association and National Library of Medicine indicates fasting does not necessarily impair cognitive function. Studies on intermittent fasting patterns reveal the brain maintains normal operation and can even demonstrate heightened alertness during fasting periods. Khan notes that while comprehensive productivity metrics are limited, qualitative evidence suggests reduced hours may actually enhance focus and effectiveness for many workers.

The impact varies significantly between white-collar knowledge workers and blue-collar manual laborers. For office-based professionals whose productivity relies on cognitive energy, reduced hours can prove beneficial by encouraging task prioritization and eliminating non-essential activities. Conversely, manual workers depending on physical stamina face greater challenges without the extensive support systems available to professional athletes.

Jessie Quintilla, People and Culture Director at LINKVIVA, emphasizes that reduced hours coupled with smarter working methods—such as protected focus time, efficient meetings, and outcome-based measurement—can actually boost engagement. The condensed schedule encourages better planning, stronger collaboration, and healthier work-life boundaries throughout organizations.

Beyond legal compliance, these Ramadan adjustments represent practical measures to protect wellbeing, strengthen social cohesion across the UAE’s diverse workforce, and maintain sustainable productivity throughout the holy month.

Authorities in Tibet Autonomous Region have implemented an immediate closure of the Mount Qomolangma (Everest) scenic area following severe winter weather conditions that have rendered access roads hazardous. The decision was announced Wednesday by the Dingri County Culture and Tourism Bureau after substantial snow accumulation created dangerous driving conditions throughout the region.

The closure, effective from 3:30 pm local time on January 28, 2026, comes as meteorological authorities issued warnings for continued heavy precipitation across southern Tibet. The National Meteorological Center has forecasted particularly severe conditions along the southwestern mountainous regions, where blizzard conditions are expected to develop.

Tourism officials confirmed that maintenance crews are actively working to clear impacted roadways and restore safe passage. While no specific reopening timeline has been established, authorities have committed to providing updates as weather conditions improve and safety can be assured. The scenic area management emphasizes that visitor safety remains their paramount concern during these adverse weather events.

Mount Qomolangma, standing at 8,848.86 meters above sea level, represents one of Tibet’s most significant tourist attractions, typically drawing thousands of visitors annually. This temporary closure demonstrates the ongoing challenges of maintaining accessibility to high-altitude destinations during extreme weather conditions, particularly in winter months when snowfall intensifies.

A Thai Air Force training exercise culminated in a fatal incident on Thursday when an AT-6TH Wolverine light attack and reconnaissance aircraft crashed in a designated military zone. The accident occurred in the Chom Thong district, approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Chiang Mai’s main airport, resulting in the tragic loss of both pilots aboard.

Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai, acting as spokesperson, confirmed the devastating outcome of the mission. The two-seater turboprop plane, manufactured by U.S.-based Beechcraft, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation, was engaged in a routine training operation at the time of the incident. Authorities have immediately launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the precise cause of the crash, examining all potential technical, environmental, and operational factors.

This tragedy strikes shortly after the Thai Air Force bolstered its aerial capabilities with the acquisition of these advanced fighter-trainer aircraft. The commission of its fleet of eight AT-6TH Wolverines was only finalized in September, marking a significant modernization effort for the nation’s military aviation division. The incident represents a considerable setback and has cast a somber shadow over the force, prompting a likely review of training protocols and aircraft safety measures.

A significant winter weather system is poised to deliver extensive precipitation across central and eastern China beginning Thursday, according to the National Meteorological Center’s Wednesday advisory. The comprehensive weather pattern will bring a complex mix of precipitation types affecting numerous provinces with potentially substantial impacts.

Meteorological authorities indicate that several regions including Shaanxi, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Hunan provinces should prepare for heavy snowfall, with certain areas potentially experiencing blizzard conditions. Higher elevation mountainous regions may face additional challenges with possible freezing rain events developing during the storm system.

Chief forecaster Ma Xuekuan emphasized the system’s extensive geographical coverage and complicated precipitation characteristics, noting that some regions will confront particularly intense snowfall accumulations. The meteorological center has highlighted multiple concerns regarding the storm’s potential consequences.

Weather experts have issued warnings regarding probable disruptions to transportation networks, energy distribution systems, and agricultural operations. Public health considerations have also been raised due to the expected severe conditions. Meteorological officials are urging residents throughout affected regions to implement appropriate precautionary measures and stay updated through official weather channels as the system develops.

FUJIAN, CHINA – An international delegation comprising police liaisons from 11 nations and international organization representatives recently concluded an immersive four-day inspection of China’s grassroots law enforcement systems in Fujian province. Organized by China’s Ministry of Public Security from January 12-15, the program offered unprecedented access to policing operations across multiple cities, challenging conventional perceptions of law enforcement institutions.

The delegation’s itinerary included detailed examinations of police facilities in Fuzhou, Quanzhou, and Zhangzhou, where participants observed firsthand the integration of administrative services, technological innovation, and cultural sensitivity within local precincts. Brazilian Federal Police liaison officer Antonio de Padua Vieira Cavalcanti expressed surprise at the welcoming atmosphere within Chinese police stations, noting the stark contrast to more institutional environments in Brazil. “It is a very warm space where people can go to find services,” Cavalcanti remarked.

A significant focus was placed on the renowned Zhangzhou 110 model, a rapid-response unit that has gained national recognition for its community-oriented approach. Philippine embassy police attache Marcy Salting praised the unit’s compassionate methodology, stating: “It really shows how compassionate you are. I really salute all of you, and I would say that I learned a lot from it.”

The tour also highlighted China’s specialized environmental policing initiatives, with delegates visiting Luojiang district’s dedicated natural resources protection station. Jason Beatty, an attache with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, acknowledged China’s progressive approach to ecological enforcement, particularly noting efforts in tiger conservation and mangrove restoration. “A renewed focus on environmental policing is vital for human survival,” Beatty emphasized, stressing the importance of international cooperation in preserving ecosystems.

Technological advancements formed another critical component of the demonstration, with China’s “AI Plus” initiative and big data systems for combating property crimes drawing particular interest. Sener Mavzer, counselor for security cooperation with the Turkish Gendarmerie, noted China’s impressive pace of advancement in crime prevention technology, expressing eagerness to learn from these systems.

The program concluded with strengthened commitments to international collaboration, particularly in addressing transnational crimes and environmental offenses. German Federal Police attache Stefan Korting emphasized that understanding China’s policing history and specific systems through visits to police museums was key to building “a good future” of cooperative law enforcement.

China achieved an unprecedented milestone in cross-border mobility during 2025, with national immigration authorities processing a record-breaking 697 million border crossings—marking a substantial 14.2% increase from the previous year. This remarkable surge was primarily driven by the country’s expansive visa-free policies and enhanced immigration service efficiency.

Foreign nationals accounted for over 82 million crossings, representing a 26% year-on-year increase, with more than 30 million entries occurring through visa-free channels. This visa-free segment witnessed nearly 50% growth compared to 2024, constituting 73% of all foreign entries into China.

Domestic travel patterns showed equally impressive growth, with mainland residents making 335 million border crossings (up 15%) and residents from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan accounting for nearly 280 million crossings (a 10% increase).

The National Immigration Administration’s spokeswoman Lyu Ning attributed this historic movement to comprehensive policy reforms and innovative measures designed to support high-quality development and stimulate economic momentum. Administrative enhancements included expanding the online travel document application pilot to 50 cities, resulting in 457,000 successful digital applications.

Significant policy expansions featured the inclusion of Indonesia in the 240-hour visa-free transit program and the designation of five additional ports in Guangdong province for the scheme, bringing the national total to 65 eligible ports. Additionally, China launched visa-free entry for tourist groups from ASEAN countries visiting Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan province.

Through coordinated efforts with relevant departments, China increased its unilateral visa-free countries to 48 and mutual visa exemption partners to 29, with 28 countries now granting unilateral visa-free access to Chinese citizens.

These initiatives have significantly boosted the ‘Travel in China’ and ‘Shop in China’ campaigns while enhancing China’s global image as an open, inclusive, and dynamic destination. Ministry of Commerce data revealed that expanded visa-free policies and optimized tax refund measures nearly doubled sales of tax-refundable goods.

China Tourism Academy President Dai Bin characterized 2025 as a landmark year for China’s institutional opening-up in tourism, noting the country’s leadership in tourism exchanges with Belt and Road Initiative partners across Southeast Asia, West Asia, Africa, and Latin America. European tourism exchanges have nearly returned to 2019 levels.

Looking ahead to 2026 and the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), China is positioned to assume a greater role in global tourism development. The National Immigration Administration has committed to continuing the expansion and deepening of high-level opening-up policies, optimizing immigration measures, and responding to public demands to further drive economic and social development through continuous reform and innovation.

After a monumental 40-year restoration endeavor, Xi’an’s ancient city wall is once again encircled by a pristine moat, marking a significant achievement in urban conservation. The recently completed project has fully reconnected the moat water system for the first time in over seven decades, transforming what was previously considered an urban eyesore and seasonal flood hazard into a breathtaking historical landmark.

The revitalized moat now presents visitors with a spectacular visual panorama where sunlight dances upon crystal-clear waters against the majestic gray stone fortifications. This transformation has already captivated tourists, with many expressing astonishment at the dramatic improvement in both aesthetic appeal and environmental quality.

According to Jia Haitao, cultural heritage specialist at the Xi’an City Wall Management Committee, the 14.6-kilometer moat originally served as a critical military defense feature during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). “For centuries, successive dynasties maintained this defensive legacy utilizing both engineered and natural barriers against approaching forces,” Jia explained.

In contemporary times, the waterway functioned primarily as a storm drainage system until sedimentation and pollution gradually diminished its utility and created unpleasant odors. The restoration initiative launched in 1983 mobilized hundreds of thousands of local volunteers, with additional support coming from 5,000 PLA soldiers in 1998, creating shared community memories of collective civic effort.

The final 859-meter section near Xi’an Railway Station, completed January 20, 2026, presented particular challenges. Project manager Wang Jie from Sinohydro Corporation Engineering Bureau 15 described how silt accumulation averaging 1.2 meters had compromised drainage capacity and created seasonal flooding that inundated underground facilities.

The comprehensive rehabilitation included extensive desilting operations and the introduction of water-purifying vegetation including irises and water lilies to establish sustainable ecological circulation. The renewed moat now significantly enhances urban flood control capabilities while providing new green spaces for residents and visitors alike.

Local residents have welcomed the transformation, with Wang Jianguo recalling childhood memories of polluted waters now replaced by thriving ecosystems attracting waterbirds and surrounded by landscaped pathways. The illuminated nightscape of the ancient wall reflected in the restored waters has further elevated Xi’an’s tourism appeal, with travel content creators highlighting the moat-side experience as an essential attraction rivaling even the famous Terracotta Warriors.