Global Pulse

分类： society

  • From Kansas to karst: Unpacking Guangxi’s charms

    From Kansas to karst: Unpacking Guangxi’s charms

    In a remarkable transition from the flat plains of Kansas to the dramatic karst formations of Southern China, American expatriate Gabrielle Chen documents her profound encounter with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region’s natural wonders. Her journey through Liuzhou, Hechi, and Guilin reveals a landscape so visually stunning it challenges perception itself.

    Chen describes Guangxi as a ‘dreamscape’ where mist-veiled mountains pierce the sky and crystalline waters create perfect mirror images of the dramatic topography. This stands in stark contrast to the familiar flat expanses of her Kansas homeland, presenting what she characterizes as nature’s most concentrated artistic achievement.

    The experiential highlight occurred during a bamboo raft excursion across Pohao Lake, where the gentle rhythm of waves synchronized with what Chen describes as a spiritual awakening. Passing beneath ancient stone bridges, she felt she was ‘looking into the Earth’s soul,’ witnessing an seamless integration of mountain, sky, and water that transcends verbal description.

    Chen’s journey included the iconic Liujiang River in Yangshuo, where she replicated the famous imagery from China’s 20 yuan banknote—a symbolic connection between representation and reality. Her account emphasizes that Guangxi’s beauty remains fundamentally un-capturable through reproduction, existing instead as a purely experiential phenomenon that must be personally encountered to be fully appreciated.

    This personal narrative emerges from China Daily’s ongoing series featuring expatriates sharing their experiences across Chinese cities and regions, highlighting cross-cultural appreciation of China’s diverse geographical wonders.

  • Chongqing red leaf festival draws record 4.7 million visitors

    Chongqing red leaf festival draws record 4.7 million visitors

    Chongqing’s Wushan county has witnessed an extraordinary surge in tourism as its 19th Yangtze River Three Gorges International Red Leaf Festival attracted an unprecedented 4.7 million visitors between November and December. According to the local culture and tourism committee, this remarkable figure represents a 13.22 percent increase compared to the previous year’s attendance, setting a new benchmark for the annual autumn event.

    The festival’s overwhelming popularity necessitated unprecedented measures as Wushan’s three major scenic areas issued crowd control notifications for the first time in the event’s history. Several outdoor routes consistently recorded daily visitor numbers exceeding 10,000, while accommodation providers reported average occupancy rates surpassing 80 percent across the county. More than 270,000 guests opted for overnight stays, significantly boosting local hospitality revenue.

    The international festival, centered around the spectacular autumn foliage along the Yangtze River Three Gorges, has evolved into one of Chongqing’s most significant cultural tourism attractions. The dramatic increase in visitor numbers reflects growing domestic tourism demand and successful marketing strategies implemented by local authorities. The event not only showcases nature’s vibrant transformation but also demonstrates how seasonal phenomena can drive substantial economic benefits to regional communities through tourism development.

  • First-class seats, surprise announcement: How Dubai welcomed Great Arab Mind winners

    First-class seats, surprise announcement: How Dubai welcomed Great Arab Mind winners

    Dubai, UAE – In an extraordinary display of honor, the six distinguished winners of the 2025 Great Arab Minds Awards received a red-carpet experience from the moment they boarded their Emirates flights to Dubai. The national carrier orchestrated a series of surprise tributes for the scholars, who were traveling from across the Arab world to receive the region’s most prestigious intellectual honor, often described as the Arab equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

    During their flights, cabin crews made special announcements recognizing the awardees’ presence, drawing applause from fellow passengers. The laureates, seated in first class, were presented with customized congratulatory desserts. Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3, security personnel provided dedicated assistance while immigration officials stamped their passports with a special ‘Great Arab Minds’ commemorative seal.

    The awards ceremony, scheduled at the futuristic Museum of Future – which serves as the permanent headquarters for the Great Arab Minds Initiative – will be presided over by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The event will celebrate exceptional contributions across six categories: Natural Sciences (Professor Majid Chergui), Engineering and Technology (Professor Abbas El Gamal), Medicine (Dr. Nabil Seidah), Economics (Professor Badi Hani), Architecture and Design (Dr. Souad Al Amri), and Literature and Arts (Professor Charbel Dagher).

    Now in its third edition, the initiative represents the Arab world’s most comprehensive program for recognizing intellectual excellence. Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the initiative’s Higher Committee, emphasized that the program not only honors exceptional Arab achievers but also catalyzes investment in research and innovation across governments and institutions.

    The Museum of the Future hosts a permanent research center dedicated to expanding the impact of the awardees’ work, supporting their ongoing contributions to scientific, creative, and intellectual advancement. The initiative aims to inspire Arab youth by providing exemplary role models while strengthening the region’s contribution to global civilization and human progress.

  • Kids with special needs: What Dubai parents must know about ‘external assessments’

    Kids with special needs: What Dubai parents must know about ‘external assessments’

    Dubai’s private education sector is undergoing a significant transformation in its approach to inclusive learning, moving beyond theoretical principles to implement concrete support systems for Students of Determination. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has introduced comprehensive updated guidelines governing external assessments for children with special educational needs, establishing a framework that prioritizes equity over mere equality.

    The revised standards emphasize personalized support tailored to each child’s unique requirements rather than attempting to fit diverse learners into standardized molds. At the core of this educational philosophy lies the recognition that inclusion means providing every student with the specific resources they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

    External assessments, conducted by qualified specialists licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or Community Development Authority (CDA), serve as diagnostic tools to better understand how children learn, communicate, and manage emotions. These evaluations involve professionals including psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and psychiatrists, depending on individual needs.

    Schools follow a structured eight-step process when considering external assessments, beginning with initial observation and progressing through in-school evaluation, additional support implementation, formal review, and only then—if necessary—recommending external assessment with mandatory parental consent. The process emphasizes collaboration between educators and families, with parents participating as essential partners throughout the journey.

    The guidelines establish clear parental rights, including involvement from the earliest stages, transparent communication, input in specialist selection, cost disclosure, and participation in developing individualized education plans. Confidentiality protocols ensure assessment reports remain securely stored with restricted access, requiring parental permission for sharing beyond essential educational staff and authorities.

    For families who disagree with assessment recommendations, the framework provides escalation pathways to KHDA while maintaining parental authority. The system also includes mechanisms to address schools that fail to follow proper procedures, with dedicated channels for resolution through KHDA’s Parent Empowerment and Inclusion teams.

    This progressive approach reflects the UAE’s broader commitment to ensuring learning differences never become barriers to education, focusing on understanding each child’s potential rather than limiting them with labels.

  • Explosion in the Netherlands injures at least 4 and causes widespread damage

    Explosion in the Netherlands injures at least 4 and causes widespread damage

    UTRECHT, Netherlands — A powerful explosion tore through a residential district in central Utrecht on Thursday afternoon, causing significant structural damage and injuring at least four individuals. Emergency services responded to the scene amid chaotic conditions as the blast triggered a substantial fire and sent panicked residents fleeing into adjacent shopping areas.

    According to emergency services spokesman Sjaak Haasnoot, the injured victims were promptly transported to a local medical facility, though the severity of their conditions remains undisclosed. The cause of the detonation has not been determined, with authorities launching a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

    Firefighting crews encountered substantial challenges in their response efforts, unable to immediately access damaged structures due to concerns about potential building collapses. Haasnoot indicated rescue teams faced difficulties assessing whether additional victims might be trapped beneath unstable rubble, stating: “The fire department cannot enter the building because it is still unstable.”

    Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma addressed reporters at the scene, characterizing the event as having “a huge impact on the heart of our city.” She noted the profound shock experienced by community members, particularly those residing near the explosion epicenter. Municipal authorities arranged temporary accommodation at a nearby hotel for displaced residents whose homes sustained damage.

    The comprehensive emergency response included multiple agencies coordinating to secure the area while structural engineers assessed building stability. Investigation teams worked to determine the precise cause of the explosion as recovery operations continued into the evening.

  • Report on tailings dam collapse in Yunnan suggests accountability for 26 individuals

    Report on tailings dam collapse in Yunnan suggests accountability for 26 individuals

    A comprehensive government investigation into the catastrophic tailings dam collapse in Lufeng city has uncovered systemic operational violations and regulatory negligence that culminated in the deadly incident. The official report, released by Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture’s emergency management bureau, details how prolonged illegal practices at the Jianfeng Trading facility directly caused the structural failure that claimed five lives on May 5, 2025.

    The investigative committee determined that the Wuding county-based operation consistently engaged in unauthorized extraction and improper stacking of mining waste materials. These practices created dangerously steep slopes that compromised the structural integrity of the dry-stack tailings facility. Over an extended period, water seepage gradually infiltrated and softened the tailings composition, ultimately triggering the catastrophic collapse.

    The report highlights critical failures across multiple oversight dimensions, noting that relevant regulatory departments neglected their supervisory responsibilities while local Party and government authorities demonstrated significant negligence in addressing evident safety hazards. This collective institutional failure allowed preventable risks to persist despite clear warning signs.

    Accountability measures have been initiated against 26 individuals connected to the disaster. Five principal figures have been transferred to judicial authorities for criminal prosecution, with four already under arrest or facing formal charges. An additional 21 public officials have been referred to disciplinary inspection and supervision departments for administrative accountability.

    The incident has been formally classified as a production safety responsibility accident, emphasizing the avoidable nature of the tragedy had proper protocols been followed. The findings underscore ongoing challenges in industrial safety enforcement within China’s mining sector and highlight the consequences of regulatory complacency.

  • Swiss bar employee who reportedly held sparkler unaware of dangers, family says

    Swiss bar employee who reportedly held sparkler unaware of dangers, family says

    A devastating New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has revealed alarming safety oversights, with new allegations emerging about inadequate staff training. Cyane Panine, a 24-year-old employee who perished in the blaze that claimed 40 lives and injured 116 others, had received no safety instruction and was unaware of the dangerous ceiling materials, according to her family’s legal representative.

    Sophie Haenni, the lawyer representing Panine’s family, stated in an official declaration that the young employee ‘wasn’t supposed to be serving tables’ on the fateful evening but had been directed to assist with high champagne demand. ‘Cyane simply followed instructions given, did her job, and did so in front of the manager,’ Haenni emphasized, noting the complete absence of safety training regarding the ceiling’s flammability.

    Initial investigative findings indicate the inferno originated when sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited highly flammable soundproof foam lining the ceiling—materials that had not undergone mandatory safety inspections for five years at the popular ski resort establishment.

    The bar’s French proprietors, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, now face severe legal consequences including charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Swiss judicial authorities have imposed strict measures against both owners, citing substantial flight risks. Jessica Moretti remains under travel restrictions with surrendered passport and daily police reporting requirements, while Jacques Moretti has been detained for an initial 90-day period.

    In response to the catastrophe, the Swiss canton of Valais has enacted an immediate prohibition on pyrotechnic devices within all indoor public venues. Authorities have additionally established a victim support fund, offering emergency payments of 10,000 francs ($12,500) to each affected family.

    The family’s legal statement portrayed Panine as having felt ‘used’ and ‘suffering from her working conditions’ prior to the incident, expressing ‘incomprehension at the lack of empathy and understanding from her employers’ regarding excessive workloads. Haenni concluded that adherence to basic safety standards and regular inspections ‘could have avoided’ the tragic casualties, unequivocally stating: ‘Cyane is undoubtedly a victim.’

  • Large fire and explosions reported in Dutch city of Utrecht

    Large fire and explosions reported in Dutch city of Utrecht

    A severe fire accompanied by multiple explosions has erupted in the historic center of Utrecht, Netherlands, causing significant structural damage and prompting mass evacuations. The incident occurred near Visscherssteeg alley, with local authorities confirming at least four injuries and potential victims trapped beneath debris.

    Emergency services responded to reports of a deafening explosion that preceded the rapid spread of flames through multiple adjacent buildings. Utrecht’s mayor confirmed to national broadcaster NOS that the situation remains critical, with rescue operations hampered by the unstable condition of affected structures. Fire department officials reported inability to enter the primary building due to imminent collapse risks.

    Eyewitness accounts describe catastrophic damage with walls and windows blown out across several properties. Local business establishments sustained substantial damage, while the precise cause of the explosions and subsequent fire remains under investigation. Civil protection authorities have established safety perimeters and ordered immediate evacuation of residents within the affected zone.

    The municipal government has issued public advisories urging citizens to avoid the city center area to facilitate emergency operations. Structural engineers are assessing the stability of surrounding buildings as firefighting crews continue containment efforts. Medical services have established temporary triage facilities to treat casualties as the full extent of the damage continues to be assessed.

  • China surpasses mine restoration targets during past 5 yrs

    China surpasses mine restoration targets during past 5 yrs

    China has achieved remarkable success in its environmental rehabilitation efforts, having restored 223,333 hectares of historically abandoned mining sites between 2021 and 2025—surpassing its Five-Year Plan target by an impressive 20 percent margin. The Ministry of Natural Resources announced these accomplishments on January 15, 2026, highlighting the nation’s commitment to ecological recovery.

    Throughout this five-year period, China established 68 specialized pilot projects dedicated to mine restoration across the country. These initiatives employed an innovative collaborative framework combining central government guidance, local implementation, and active social participation to address long-standing environmental challenges.

    The comprehensive restoration program yielded substantial environmental benefits: rehabilitation of more than 18,000 abandoned mining sites, elimination of approximately 7,000 geological safety hazards, treatment of over 16,667 hectares of unstable slopes and mining pits, creation of 1,733 hectares of new agricultural and orchard land, and addition of 10,000 hectares of new forest, grassland, and wetland ecosystems.

    These extensive rehabilitation efforts have dramatically improved both ecological conditions and quality of life in formerly degraded mining regions while significantly enhancing the utility value of land previously damaged by extractive industries. China’s ambitious restoration program addresses a substantial legacy of mining impacts, with a 2021 nationwide survey having identified 420,000 hectares of historical mines requiring rehabilitation due to the country’s extensive mineral resources and long development history.

  • Why ‘event nannies’ are becoming a must-have at weddings, parties

    Why ‘event nannies’ are becoming a must-have at weddings, parties

    A transformative trend is reshaping social events across the United Arab Emirates as professional ‘event nannies’ become essential fixtures at celebrations ranging from corporate functions to wedding receptions. This emerging service sector addresses the perennial challenge of child supervision during adult-oriented events, allowing parents to fully participate in social gatherings while their children receive professional care.

    Specialized companies including Yellowsprings, Smart Babissitters and Caregivers Services LLC, and Nannies & More have developed comprehensive childcare solutions for events. These services deploy trained professionals who create age-appropriate entertainment zones featuring activities such as canvas painting, magic shows, slime manufacturing, craft stations, and themed games. The operations are meticulously planned with dedicated spaces often provided by venues, transformed into vibrant activity hubs complete with popcorn machines, candyfloss stations, and gaming zones.

    Fatema Basrawala, a Dubai-based digital marketing manager, attested to the service’s effectiveness after implementing it for a corporate event. “Parents could genuinely relax and socialize while professional caregivers maintained children’s engagement through structured activities,” she noted.

    The business model demonstrates remarkable flexibility, catering to diverse events from intimate family gatherings to luxury celebrations for international royalty. Service providers conduct detailed pre-event consultations to address specific requirements including dietary restrictions, allergy concerns, hygiene protocols, and activity customization based on both budgetary constraints and thematic elements of the event.

    Industry pioneers highlight that the UAE’s vibrant event landscape, combined with its status as a tourist destination, has created ideal conditions for this service expansion. Tasneem Murtaza of Yellowsprings explained, “Whether corporate functions, wedding ceremonies, or holiday parties, children frequently experience boredom while parents struggle to balance supervision with social participation.”

    The trend reflects broader societal shifts toward child-inclusive celebrations without compromising adult enjoyment. As Anushka Kalyanpur De Luca of Nannies & More observed, “This alignment with family-friendly entertainment values demonstrates evolving social norms in urban centers like Dubai.”