Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Video: RTA unveils Dubai Tram’s stunning new 20th-anniversary look

    Video: RTA unveils Dubai Tram’s stunning new 20th-anniversary look

    In a grand celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has unveiled a stunning new look for the Dubai Tram. The tram’s exterior has been transformed with a sleek dark blue design, prominently featuring the number ’20’ along its sides and the slogan ’20 Years Celebrating Moving Forward’ displayed in the center. This visual overhaul marks a significant milestone for the RTA, which has been at the forefront of enhancing Dubai’s public transportation system since its inception.

    In addition to the tram’s makeover, the RTA has introduced a series of celebratory offers and gifts for both residents and visitors. These include discounts on movie tickets, online orders, and unique experiences at various transport hubs. The initiative aims to engage the community and reflect on the RTA’s two decades of innovation and progress.

    Whether arriving at Dubai International Airport, boarding the tram, or traveling by Metro, passengers across the city are invited to join in the festivities. The RTA’s efforts underscore its commitment to not only improving transportation but also fostering a sense of unity and celebration among Dubai’s diverse population.

    The unveiling was shared on social media by the RTA, accompanied by a video showcasing the tram’s new design and the vibrant energy surrounding the anniversary. This event highlights the RTA’s dedication to continuous improvement and its role in shaping Dubai’s dynamic urban landscape.

  • MS Swaminathan: The scientist who saved India from hunger

    MS Swaminathan: The scientist who saved India from hunger

    In 1965, a pivotal moment unfolded in Jaunti, a small village near Delhi, when a skeptical Indian farmer extended his trust to Dr. MS Swaminathan, a scientist who would later be celebrated as the ‘Godfather of the Green Revolution.’ This encounter marked the beginning of a transformative journey that reshaped India’s agricultural landscape and secured its food self-sufficiency. Swaminathan, born in 1925 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, was deeply influenced by the devastating 1943 Bengal Famine, which claimed over three million lives. This tragedy propelled him to dedicate his life to agricultural science, aiming to develop high-yield crops that could combat hunger on a massive scale. After earning his PhD at Cambridge and collaborating with Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug, Swaminathan introduced Mexican wheat strains to India in 1963. By 1971, wheat yields had doubled, turning a nation on the brink of famine into a food surplus powerhouse. Swaminathan’s ‘farmer-first’ philosophy emphasized listening to farmers and adapting scientific solutions to their needs. His work extended beyond India, influencing agricultural practices across Southeast Asia, Africa, and even China. Despite the Green Revolution’s success, Swaminathan acknowledged its environmental costs and advocated for an ‘Evergreen Revolution’ that balanced productivity with ecological sustainability. His legacy, marked by science, compassion, and a relentless commitment to eradicating hunger, continues to inspire global agricultural innovation.

  • UAE: Flying for Umrah? Return ticket a must during check-in, say travel agents

    UAE: Flying for Umrah? Return ticket a must during check-in, say travel agents

    Travel operators in the UAE have reported that airlines and Saudi authorities have implemented stricter regulations for Umrah pilgrims, making a confirmed return ticket mandatory during check-in. This new rule aims to ensure clarity on each pilgrim’s travel dates and prevent overstays in Saudi Arabia. The regulation applies to all travelers, regardless of their visa type or nationality.

  • Look: New Dubai landmark launches over water, Sheikh Mohammed announces

    Look: New Dubai landmark launches over water, Sheikh Mohammed announces

    Dubai is set to welcome a groundbreaking addition to its skyline with the launch of the Dubai Arts Museum, known as Duma. Announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, this floating museum will be situated on an island in the heart of Dubai Creek. Designed by world-renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, Duma is inspired by elements of nature—water, sky, wind, and light—and pays homage to Dubai’s pearl diving heritage through its shell and pearl-inspired design. The museum will feature five floors dedicated to modern art, a library, training spaces, and a café with views of the creek. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that Duma will position Dubai as a global hub for creativity and modern art, reflecting the city’s cultural and artistic spirit. The project also highlights the collaboration between the public and private sectors, with notable contributions from Emirati businessman Abdullah Al Futtaim and his son Omar. Duma joins Dubai’s roster of iconic landmarks, including the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, and the Museum of the Future, further cementing the city’s reputation as a beacon of innovation and culture.

  • ​​Women welcome arrest of charity boss identified in BBC sex-for-aid investigation

    ​​Women welcome arrest of charity boss identified in BBC sex-for-aid investigation

    Sadettin Karagoz, the founder of a Turkish charity, has been arrested following allegations of sexual exploitation of vulnerable women seeking aid. The accusations, uncovered by a BBC investigation, reveal a disturbing pattern of abuse within the organization, which was initially seen as a beacon of hope for Syrian refugees in Ankara. Karagoz denies all charges, claiming his charity has helped over 37,000 people and that the allegations are baseless. However, multiple women have come forward with harrowing accounts of sexual assault and harassment, painting a starkly different picture. The charity, known as the Hope Charity Store, was established in 2014 and has been widely recognized for its humanitarian efforts, even receiving a local newspaper award in 2020. Despite its public acclaim, internal testimonies suggest a darker reality. Three women, including a Syrian refugee named Madina, have accused Karagoz of sexual assault, with seven others corroborating their stories. The victims, fearful of stigma and deportation, initially remained silent, but the BBC’s investigation has spurred legal action. Karagoz, a retired bank worker, has previously faced similar accusations in 2019 and 2025, but insufficient evidence led to dropped charges. This time, however, two additional women have testified, resulting in his arrest. Karagoz has cited health issues, including the removal of a testicle in 2016, as evidence of his inability to engage in sexual activity, but medical experts dispute this claim. The case highlights the vulnerability of refugee women and the systemic challenges in addressing sexual violence in Turkey.

  • ‘Brothers in the forest’ – the fight to protect an isolated Amazon tribe

    ‘Brothers in the forest’ – the fight to protect an isolated Amazon tribe

    Deep within the Peruvian Amazon, the Mashco Piro, one of the world’s largest uncontacted indigenous groups, face an existential threat. For over a century, this nomadic tribe has chosen isolation, relying on the rainforest for sustenance and survival. However, encroaching logging, mining, and external diseases are pushing them to the brink. Tomas Anez Dos Santos, a resident of the small village of Nueva Oceania, recounts his harrowing encounter with the Mashco Piro, who have increasingly ventured closer to human settlements due to deforestation. ‘Let them live as they live,’ he urges, echoing the sentiment of many villagers who feel both fear and respect for their forest-dwelling neighbors. A recent report by Survival International highlights the plight of 196 uncontacted groups globally, warning that half could vanish within a decade without stronger protections. The Peruvian government’s non-contact policy, aimed at safeguarding these vulnerable communities, is under strain as illegal activities and infrastructure projects threaten their habitat. In areas like the Manu River, where the Mashco Piro interact with a government-run control post, efforts to provide food and maintain distance have reduced conflict. Yet, the tribe’s desire to remain isolated is clear. As the world encroaches, the Mashco Piro’s struggle to preserve their way of life underscores the urgent need for conservation and respect for indigenous rights.

  • China’s Liaoning holds flower basket presenting ceremonies to commemorate Chinese People’s Volunteer martyrs

    China’s Liaoning holds flower basket presenting ceremonies to commemorate Chinese People’s Volunteer martyrs

    On October 25, 2025, Liaoning province in Northeast China held solemn flower basket presenting ceremonies in Shenyang and Dandong to mark the 75th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) entering the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. The ceremonies took place at the CPV martyrs’ cemetery in Shenyang, where officials and citizens gathered to pay tribute to the fallen heroes. The event underscored the enduring respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by the volunteers, who played a pivotal role in safeguarding national sovereignty and regional peace. The ceremonies also highlighted the historical significance of the war, which remains a cornerstone of China’s modern history and collective memory. The floral tributes symbolized the nation’s unwavering commitment to honoring its martyrs and preserving their legacy for future generations.

  • Louvre moves jewels to ultra-secure Bank of France vault after heist

    Louvre moves jewels to ultra-secure Bank of France vault after heist

    In the wake of a daring daylight heist that exposed significant security vulnerabilities, the Louvre Museum has relocated some of its most valuable jewels to the Bank of France. The transfer, overseen by a secret police escort on Friday, moved the treasures to a highly secure vault located 26 meters below the Bank’s headquarters in central Paris. This vault, known as the “Souterraine,” houses 90% of France’s gold reserves, Leonardo Da Vinci’s notebooks, and other national treasures, with an estimated total value of €600 million (£520 million).

    The Souterraine is designed to withstand all forms of attack, featuring a 50cm-thick, seven-tonne flame-resistant concrete door reinforced with steel, and a 35-tonne rotating concrete turret that prevents forced entry. This move comes after masked thieves used an angle grinder to breach a reinforced window in the Louvre’s Gallery of Apollo last Sunday, making off with treasures worth €88 million (£77 million), including a necklace belonging to Napoleon’s wife, Empress Marie-Louise, and a diadem of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugenie.

    Despite the swift action by the thieves, who used a mechanical ladder on a lorry to access a first-floor balcony, two of the stolen items, including Empress Eugenie’s Crown, were later found near the museum. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez expressed confidence that the perpetrators would be apprehended. However, Louvre director Laurence des Cars highlighted the museum’s weak and aging infrastructure, revealing that the sole security camera monitoring the exterior wall where the break-in occurred was facing the wrong direction.

  • UAE weather tomorrow: Rains likely; fair, partly cloudy skies expected

    UAE weather tomorrow: Rains likely; fair, partly cloudy skies expected

    Residents of the UAE are advised to prepare for a mix of weather conditions on Sunday, October 26, as the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasts fair to partly cloudy skies. The eastern regions may experience convective cloud formations, potentially leading to rainfall. Temperatures are expected to remain high, with Dubai reaching up to 35ºC and Abu Dhabi peaking at 33ºC. Humidity levels will rise by night and into Monday morning, particularly in coastal and internal areas, increasing the likelihood of fog or mist. Light to moderate Northeasterly to Northwesterly winds are anticipated, with gusts reaching speeds of up to 35kmph. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea are predicted to be slight. Stay informed with the latest updates by following Khaleej Times on WhatsApp Channels.

  • 5.5-magnitude quake jolts Hunchun, NE China’s Jilin province

    5.5-magnitude quake jolts Hunchun, NE China’s Jilin province

    A significant seismic event occurred in Hunchun, located in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Northeast China’s Jilin Province. The earthquake, measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 7:45 pm on Saturday, October 25, 2025, by the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The epicenter was pinpointed at 43.08 degrees north latitude and 131.10 degrees east longitude, with the quake originating at a depth of 560 kilometers. The CENC has confirmed the details, emphasizing the depth and magnitude of the event. Hunchun, known for its proximity to the borders of North Korea and Russia, is a region with a history of seismic activity. The earthquake’s impact on the local population and infrastructure is currently under assessment, with authorities monitoring the situation closely. This event underscores the importance of earthquake preparedness and response strategies in seismically active regions.