Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Visiting Harvard instructor leaves US after BB-gun incident DHS labeled antisemitic

    Visiting Harvard instructor leaves US after BB-gun incident DHS labeled antisemitic

    A Brazilian law professor’s academic tenure in the United States concluded abruptly this week as Carlos Portugal Gouvêa returned to his home country following the revocation of his visa. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the departure of the Harvard Law visiting scholar, who faced allegations of discharging a BB gun near a Massachusetts synagogue during Yom Kippur observances in October.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities apprehended Professor Gouvêa on Wednesday, after which he consented to voluntary departure rather than undergoing formal deportation proceedings. His legal representative, Joseph D. Eisenstadt, verified that his client had arrived in Brazil by Thursday.

    The incident that precipitated these developments occurred on October 1st, when Brookline Police responded to Temple Beth Zion following reports of an armed individual during the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. According to official documents, private security personnel guarding the temple reported hearing multiple shots and observed Gouvêa positioned behind a tree with what appeared to be a rifle. The subsequent confrontation between the professor and responding officers resulted in a physical altercation.

    While Homeland Security officials characterized the episode as an antisemitic attack, Temple Beth Zion issued a statement days after the incident suggesting the shooting appeared unrelated to religious animus. Law enforcement initially indicated that Gouvêa claimed unawareness of both the synagogue’s proximity and the religious significance of the day, stating he had been targeting rodents.

    Legal proceedings saw most charges against Gouvêa dismissed last month, with the professor accepting pretrial probation for six months on a single misdemeanor count of illegally discharging a BB gun. The agreement included restitution payment for damaged property but maintained his not guilty plea. Successful completion of the probation period would result in administrative dismissal of the remaining charge.

    Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at Homeland Security, emphasized that working and studying in the United States constitutes a privilege rather than a right. She stated, ‘There is no room in the United States for brazen, violent acts of anti-Semitism like this. They are an affront to our core principles as a country.’

    Harvard Law School’s website listed Gouvêa as a visiting professor scheduled to teach courses on corruption, inequality, and sustainable capitalism during the fall 2025 semester. The University of São Paulo, where Gouvêa serves as an associate professor, previously issued a statement defending his character and noting his advocacy for human rights and connections to the Jewish community. Harvard University declined to comment on the developing situation.

  • Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street to be partially closed for 14 days

    Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street to be partially closed for 14 days

    Abu Dhabi’s transport authorities have announced significant traffic modifications for one of the city’s major thoroughfares. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (E10) will undergo a phased partial closure spanning 14 days, commencing December 9 and concluding December 22, 2025.

    The closure will be implemented in two distinct phases to facilitate essential infrastructure works. During the initial phase from December 9-15, the three left lanes directing traffic toward Sheikh Zayed Bridge will be inaccessible to motorists. Following this, from December 15-22, attention will shift to the two right lanes on the same route, which will subsequently close.

    This development marks the second such closure on this critical transport artery within recent months, following similar roadworks conducted between October 10-20. The Abu Dhabi Mobility agency has emphasized the necessity of these measures for ongoing urban development projects.

    Transport officials strongly advise drivers to anticipate increased travel times and consider alternative routes during this period. The recommended detours include utilizing adjacent parallel roads and the comprehensive network of Abu Dhabi’s alternative bridges to circumvent the affected area.

    The strategic timing of these closures aims to minimize disruption during off-peak hours where feasible, with certain restrictions implemented overnight. Commuters are encouraged to monitor real-time traffic updates through official channels for the latest routing information.

  • Dragon-lion festival highlights tradition, unity in Jianghua

    Dragon-lion festival highlights tradition, unity in Jianghua

    The Jianghua Yao Autonomous County in Hunan Province became a vibrant tapestry of light and motion on December 3rd, 2025, as it hosted a magnificent dragon-lion lantern festival. This dazzling display formed a central part of the celebrations commemorating the region’s 70th anniversary since its establishment.

    Seventy performance troupes, including participants from neighboring areas, converged upon a central park square at 7:30 PM. In a remarkable demonstration of intergenerational unity, performers aged from 9 to 85 years old captivated onlookers with expertly choreographed traditional dragon and lion dances. Their movements synchronized perfectly with the powerful rhythm of drums and enthusiastic crowd cheers, creating complex and mesmerizing patterns.

    The spectacle featured several extraordinary highlights, most notably a breathtaking 200-meter-long dragon composed of 77 individual sections, presented by a team from Shengang Village. Another crowd-favorite was a brilliantly multicolored dragon operated by a coordinated team of 1,000 performers, creating an unforgettable visual masterpiece.

    Following the stationary performances, the celebration transitioned into a vibrant parade as performers processed through the county’s main thoroughfares, extending the festive atmosphere throughout the community.

    This dragon-lion lantern tradition, officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Yongzhou City, continues to thrive through the dedication of more than 300 active performance troupes who preserve and promote this important cultural practice.

  • Tianjin teacher’s street art transforms urban flaws into magic

    Tianjin teacher’s street art transforms urban flaws into magic

    In the urban landscape of Tianjin, a remarkable transformation is underway as local art educator Yuan Yuan converts mundane urban imperfections into captivating artistic expressions. The 32-year-old teacher has gained social media acclaim for her innovative approach to urban repair through art, most notably turning a simple brick wall crack into an enchanting mural featuring Nick and Judy from the popular animation Zootopia.

    With twelve years of teaching experience, Yuan has dedicated her spare time since last autumn to revitalizing various urban flaws including structural cracks, deteriorating walls, and tree cavities surrounding school environments. Her initiative represents a unique fusion of public art and urban maintenance that simultaneously serves educational purposes and community beautification.

    Yuan’s artistic methodology incorporates clever homophonic puns that carry cultural significance within Chinese educational contexts. Her creations include symbolic representations such as a flying rabbit denoting ‘making rapid progress’ and a mouse holding motivational signage that creatively plays on traditional Chinese idioms. These artistic interventions serve dual purposes as both aesthetic enhancements and subtle educational encouragements for young students.

    Employing durable acrylic paints specifically selected for outdoor conditions, Yuan acknowledges the transient nature of her creations, with most artworks maintaining their vibrancy for approximately one year before naturally fading. This ephemeral quality adds a layer of temporal beauty to her urban interventions, echoing the evolving nature of urban spaces themselves.

    Leading a dedicated team from her art institution, Yuan characterizes this initiative as a public welfare effort rather than a commercial enterprise. She poetically describes her miniature murals as ‘seeds’ planted throughout the urban environment, noting that while she doesn’t anticipate creating a forest, ‘just scattered bits of green are enough’ to positively impact the community’s visual landscape and inspire young minds.

  • Complete smoking ban across Hong Kong’s construction sites under discussion

    Complete smoking ban across Hong Kong’s construction sites under discussion

    Hong Kong’s construction industry is actively considering implementing a comprehensive smoking prohibition across all building sites in response to the catastrophic Tai Po fire that claimed numerous lives last week. The tragic incident at Wang Fuk Court on November 26, which resulted in at least 159 fatalities, has triggered urgent safety reviews and policy reconsiderations throughout the territory’s construction sector.

    Real estate developers and industry associations have demonstrated strong support for the proposed smoking ban. The Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong, led by chairman Stewart Leung Chi-kin, has initiated a formal process to gather consensus among stakeholders. Leung emphasized that contractors should assume direct responsibility for enforcing smoking regulations, with the association preparing to issue official guidelines to all development companies once an agreement is reached.

    In the aftermath of the disaster, construction sites have already begun implementing stricter measures. Notices prominently displayed at work locations explicitly prohibit workers from bringing cigarettes onto premises, with violations carrying severe penalties including immediate expulsion from sites, permanent industry blacklisting, and substantial fines of HK$5,000 (approximately US$642).

    Major industry players including CK Asset Holdings Ltd have reinforced their existing no-smoking policies. The conglomerate confirmed that smoking has always been strictly forbidden at their construction sites, with designated smoking areas provided away from work zones. The company has intensified enforcement efforts, implementing a zero-tolerance approach that includes immediate dismissal of violators and reporting offenders to the Construction Industry Council for further disciplinary action.

    Current Hong Kong Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations already empower commissioners to prohibit smoking and naked flames at any site where flammable materials are present or when fire hazards are identified. The proposed comprehensive ban would extend these provisions to cover all construction sites regardless of specific materials in use, representing a significant enhancement to existing safety protocols.

  • ‘I don’t want to be part of this war machine’: Young Germans protest against military service plans

    ‘I don’t want to be part of this war machine’: Young Germans protest against military service plans

    Berlin witnessed a surge of youth activism as demonstrators flooded the streets to voice staunch opposition to the German parliament’s recently approved voluntary military service initiative. The proposed program, designed to strengthen national defense capabilities in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has sparked intense debate about militarization and civic duty.

    Protest organizers characterized the parliamentary decision as a dangerous step toward normalizing warfare, with many participants carrying signs reading ‘I don’t want to be part of this war machine.’ The movement reflects growing concerns among younger generations about being drawn into military structures despite Germany’s historical stance against compulsory service, which was abolished over a decade ago.

    The demonstration highlights a significant generational divide in security perspectives, with many young Germans expressing skepticism about military solutions to geopolitical crises. The protest occurred amidst ongoing debates in the Bundestag about how best to address evolving security threats while respecting pacifist traditions that have shaped German identity since World War II.

    Government officials have defended the voluntary service proposal as a necessary measure to ensure national security amid rising tensions in Eastern Europe. However, protesters maintain that alternative forms of national service and diplomatic solutions should take precedence over military preparedness in contemporary German society.

  • Greek police fire tear gas at protesting farmers threatening to blockade airport

    Greek police fire tear gas at protesting farmers threatening to blockade airport

    Greek farmers intensified their demonstrations on Friday as riot police deployed tear gas against protesters attempting to blockade the primary access route to Thessaloniki International Airport. The escalating unrest stems from significant delays in European Union agricultural subsidy payments that have left farmers financially strained and unable to plant next season’s crops.

    Across Greece’s agricultural heartlands, thousands of tractors and farming vehicles have occupied strategic locations including border crossings, major highways, and transportation hubs. These coordinated actions have periodically halted traffic and threatened complete shutdowns of critical infrastructure. Authorities have implemented traffic diversions throughout northern and central regions to circumvent the blockades, while freight transportation at borders with Bulgaria, Turkey, and North Macedonia has already been severely disrupted.

    The payment delays emerged following revelations of widespread fraudulent claims within Greece’s agricultural subsidy system. Protesters argue that the resulting administrative review process constitutes collective punishment, leaving legitimate farmers indebted and incapable of purchasing essential planting materials. This crisis compounds existing challenges for Greece’s agricultural sector, including a recent outbreak of goat and sheep pox that necessitated large-scale livestock culling.

    Farmer Vasilis Mavroskas articulated the desperation felt by many: “We’re bankrupt and protesting when we should be sowing. Our inability to plant will directly impact urban food supplies—this is about survival.” Near Thessaloniki, approximately 200-300 farmers with over 100 tractors attempted to breach police cordons to completely seal airport access.

    While Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis maintained the government’s openness to dialogue, he simultaneously issued warnings against the disruption of major transit points. Christos Tsilias, vice president of the Thessaloniki farmers’ union, appealed for public support to pressure authorities into releasing the frozen payments.

    The current protests reflect a recurring pattern of agricultural demonstrations in Greece, though the underlying subsidy scandal has proven particularly consequential. The investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office uncovered systematic fraud and money-laundering activities, prompting the resignation of five senior government officials in June and the phased dissolution of the state agency responsible for subsidy distribution. Dozens of individuals have been arrested in connection with false claims, marking one of Greece’s most significant agricultural subsidy scandals in recent years.

  • The Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan: A new cultural and educational code for the world

    The Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan: A new cultural and educational code for the world

    TASHKENT – In a landmark achievement for cultural diplomacy, Uzbekistan has unveiled the Center for Islamic Civilization, positioning itself as a global nexus for intercultural dialogue and heritage preservation. The monumental complex, situated in Tashkent’s historic Hast-Imam district, represents the culmination of an eight-year vision first articulated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the United Nations.

    The architectural marvel features a 65-meter dome and four symbolic portals representing regional unity. At its heart lies the Hall of the Holy Qur’an, safeguarding the UNESCO-inscribed 7th-century Mushaf of Uthman manuscript. Beyond its museum function, the center operates as a dynamic intellectual ecosystem housing a 200,000-volume library, calligraphy school, restoration laboratories, and craft workshops.

    UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Anany, during his November visit, praised the institution as “a true testament to cultural diversity, tolerance, and openness” that should “become a light for the entire world.”

    The center’s mission extends beyond preservation to active heritage reclamation. Through coordinated efforts with auction houses and private collectors, over 1,000 cultural artifacts have been repatriated to Uzbekistan. The World Society (WOSCU) contributed approximately one thousand manuscripts and artifacts from across the Islamic world.

    Dr. Firdavs Abdukhalikov, director of the center, emphasized its transformative potential: “Everything that for centuries was scattered across history is being gathered into a single whole. These spiritual heights acquire new unity, transforming into a space of memory, enlightenment, and future.”

    The institution serves as both research hub and diplomatic space, hosting offices for UNESCO, ICESCO, and IRCICA alongside a 460-seat conference hall. With over 800 research projects involving 1,500 specialists from 40 countries, the center aims to reshape global understanding of Islamic heritage as a civilization of knowledge, peace, and enlightenment.

  • British Orchard Nursery expands with 15th government-linked branch

    British Orchard Nursery expands with 15th government-linked branch

    Dubai’s premier early childhood institution, British Orchard Nursery (BON), has marked a significant expansion milestone with the inauguration of its newest facility within the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) headquarters. This opening represents the nursery chain’s 15th establishment within a UAE government entity and its 37th branch nationwide, reinforcing its position as the Emirates’ most decorated early education provider.

    The timing of this launch carries profound national significance, coinciding with both the UAE’s 54th National Day celebrations and the official designation of 2025 as the ‘Year of the Community’. This dual alignment underscores the nursery’s commitment to fostering social cohesion, familial support structures, and collaborative community development—cornerstones of the nation’s current strategic vision.

    The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished leadership including Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (PCFC Chairman), Nasser Al Neyadi (PCFC CEO), and Dr. Vandana Gandhi (BON Founder and CEO), alongside various departmental leaders. This high-level participation highlighted the institutional importance placed on early childhood development within government work environments.

    Dr. Gandhi emphasized the strategic significance of this expansion, noting its synchronization with nationwide educational quality enhancements. “Across the Emirates, regulatory bodies including KHDA, ADEK, and SPEA are implementing strengthened frameworks that prioritize educational excellence, transparency, and cultural preservation,” she stated. “Our BONQ inspection model, ISO-certified safety protocols, and EFQM-driven improvement culture directly align with these national objectives as we enter our twentieth operational year.”

    The new PCFC facility embodies contemporary pedagogical approaches centered on project-based, child-initiated learning experiences. Designed to stimulate curiosity and build emotional security, the nursery features open-ended resources, responsive learning environments, and culturally rich developmental spaces. This educational philosophy supports the UAE’s dual objectives of international benchmarking and cultural rootedness in early years’ education.

    Beyond educational services, this expansion represents a strategic partnership model between government entities and private providers. BON currently serves over fifteen government agencies, demonstrating how institutional collaboration can advance workforce support systems and sustainable, family-oriented workplace cultures. The PCFC branch specifically enhances work-life balance for government employees while extending quality early childhood services to broader community networks.

  • Dubai: Man jailed, fined Dh100,000 for using bank account for drug trafficking

    Dubai: Man jailed, fined Dh100,000 for using bank account for drug trafficking

    In a decisive ruling that underscores the United Arab Emirates’ intensified campaign against narcotics-related financial crimes, a Dubai court has delivered a comprehensive verdict against an Asian national convicted of facilitating drug trafficking through his banking services. The defendant received a three-year prison sentence coupled with a substantial fine of Dh100,000, followed by mandatory deportation upon completion of his incarceration.

    The judicial authorities further mandated the complete confiscation of all funds within the defendant’s bank account and instituted a stringent two-year prohibition preventing him from processing monetary transfers or deposits for third parties, whether directly or through intermediary channels. This financial restriction requires explicit prior authorization from the UAE Central Bank, coordinated with the Ministry of Interior, before any future transactional activities can be conducted.

    The case originated from actionable intelligence received by Dubai’s General Department of Anti-Narcotics, indicating that four Asian men were actively engaged in drug consumption and storage at a Bur Dubai residence. Executing a prosecution-sanctioned raid, law enforcement officials uncovered heroin packets, precision weighing scales, and drug distribution paraphernalia within the property. Subsequent searches revealed additional narcotics quantities concealed inside a vehicle belonging to one of the suspects.

    During criminal investigations, one suspect admitted procuring narcotics from an Asian supplier, while another confessed that proceeds from drug sales were channeled through a UAE bank account. Financial records ultimately identified the defendant as the account holder. Despite maintaining that he merely lent his bank card to assist an acquaintance without knowledge of its illicit use, the court rejected his defense, establishing his responsibility for managing drug-related proceeds.

    This verdict represents the UAE’s strengthened judicial approach toward combating narcotics networks, particularly targeting the financial infrastructure that enables drug trafficking operations. The ruling serves as a stark warning about the severe consequences awaiting those who facilitate criminal activities, even through indirect financial assistance.