Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Heriot-Watt University Dubai convenes global and regional leaders at the second edition of the Sustainability Symposium

    Heriot-Watt University Dubai convenes global and regional leaders at the second edition of the Sustainability Symposium

    Heriot-Watt University Dubai has successfully concluded its second annual Sustainability Symposium, creating a pivotal platform for addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The February 2026 gathering united academics, industry pioneers, policy architects, humanitarian organizations, and students under the thematic focus “The Essential Role of Strategic Partnerships in Achieving Sustainable Packaging Solutions.”

    The symposium built upon the foundational work initiated in 2024, emphasizing that sustainable packaging transformation cannot occur through isolated efforts. Through expert keynote presentations, real-world business case studies, and dynamic panel dialogues, participants explored practical methodologies for post-consumption waste management, emerging sustainable materials, and scalable solutions applicable to both commercial and humanitarian supply chains.

    Dr. Matthew Sukumaran, Chief Operating Officer of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, emphasized the institution’s dedication to converting theoretical concepts into actionable environmental solutions. “This platform actively bridges the gap between academia and implementation by bringing together diverse stakeholders,” Sukumaran noted. “Strategic partnerships form the cornerstone of meaningful progress in sustainable packaging, demonstrating how collective action generates measurable, scalable impact.”

    Maher Al Kaabi, Advisor to the Group Chairman of Al Serkal Group and UAE Circular Economy Council member, delivered a keynote address highlighting the multidimensional nature of packaging sustainability. “Addressing sustainable packaging demands synergistic alliances that integrate scientific innovation, industrial capability, regulatory frameworks, and humanitarian considerations,” Al Kaabi stated. “Academic institutions like Heriot-Watt play crucial roles in translating research into circular solutions that support national sustainability objectives while delivering economic and environmental value.”

    The symposium featured deep-dive examinations of critical packaging challenges, including the complexities of collection systems, segregation technologies, and recycling infrastructure. Discussions also covered advancements in biodegradable and compostable materials alongside adaptations of international best practices for regional implementation.

    A standout feature was the presentation of the II Design Competition outcomes, where Heriot-Watt students developed applied solutions for Expo City Dubai’s post-consumption waste management and sustainable packaging for humanitarian supply chains. These student projects, created in collaboration with Dubai Humanitarian and Othalo, demonstrated how innovative design thinking combined with strategic partnerships can produce tangible environmental benefits.

    The event reinforced Heriot-Watt University’s position as a convening force in sustainability discourse, actively supporting the UAE’s circular economy objectives through knowledge exchange, partnership facilitation, and practical innovation.

  • Former Xinjiang herder discovers prosperity and passion on the ski run

    Former Xinjiang herder discovers prosperity and passion on the ski run

    URUMQI, China – At a premier ski resort near China’s northwestern city of Urumqi, 19-year-old Huzar Tohtarhan navigates a demanding schedule between coaching sessions and an unexpected second career as an action sports videographer. The former herder from Miao’ergou village has transformed his childhood passion into a thriving profession, emblematic of Xinjiang’s growing winter tourism economy.

    Huzar’s days are structured around tight intervals between day and night skiing sessions, often allowing less than an hour for meals and preparation. His expertise extends beyond instruction to capturing follow-cam footage for clients seeking professional-grade skiing videos. This specialized service has gained significant popularity through social media platforms like Douyin, with approximately 30 skiers booking purely for filming services this winter alone.

    The transition from rural herding to ski professionalism represents a remarkable journey. Huzar first encountered snowboarding at age six through his parents, who worked at a local ski area. Despite initial injuries and without formal training, he developed his skills through middle school teams and relentless practice. As China’s skiing popularity surged and Xinjiang developed its winter sports infrastructure, what began as hobby evolved into viable career opportunity.

    Local government and village support enabled Huzar to obtain professional instructor certification, marking his official departure from traditional herding life. “Herding meant being under the sun and wind all day, often alone,” he reflected. “Now I’m doing what I truly love.”

    His technical proficiency now includes backward skiing for frontal shots—a skill acquired through persistent practice that initially resulted in numerous bruises. Beyond athletic mastery, Huzar emphasizes the human connections forged through his work: “Before, my companions were horses and sheep. Sometimes I didn’t speak all day. Now I meet people from all over.”

    The economic impact extends beyond individual success. Nearby villages have developed complementary businesses including guesthouses, restaurants, and extended-hour strawberry-picking gardens, transforming seasonal summer tourism into year-round industry. During Xinjiang’s inaugural “snow holiday” in December 2025, the resort attracted over 20,000 skiers, with Huzar personally instructing more than 500 students this season.

    Through social media, Huzar shares technical advice, behind-the-scenes content, and scenic landscapes, hoping to inspire others to discover unconventional career paths. His story reflects broader regional development where traditional livelihoods are evolving alongside emerging economic opportunities in China’s northwestern frontier.

  • Young railway staff on track for Spring Festival travel rush

    Young railway staff on track for Spring Festival travel rush

    As China’s monumental Spring Festival travel period commences, a dedicated team of young technicians at Chongqing West EMU Depot stands at the forefront of transportation safety. These skilled mechanics, including 26-year-old Shi Gaohua, have intensified their maintenance protocols to ensure the seamless operation of China’s high-speed rail network during the world’s largest annual human migration.

    The 2026 Spring Festival travel rush, spanning from February 1st to March 13th (a 40-day period), anticipates transporting hundreds of millions of passengers returning to their hometowns for family reunions. At the heart of this operation, the maintenance crew works meticulously through night shifts, conducting comprehensive inspections on bullet trains’ critical systems including braking mechanisms, electrical components, and structural integrity.

    Shi Gaohua, representing the new generation of railway professionals, exemplifies the technical expertise required for maintaining China’s advanced rail infrastructure. ‘Every bolt, every circuit matters when millions of families are counting on us for safe journeys,’ Shi remarked during a recent overnight shift. His team employs specialized diagnostic equipment and follows rigorous checklists to identify potential issues before they escalate.

    The Chongqing West Depot, serving as a crucial maintenance hub in southwestern China, has implemented extended work schedules and enhanced quality control measures to handle the increased operational demands. These young technicians, many fresh from specialized railway academies, combine digital monitoring systems with hands-on mechanical expertise to maintain the world’s largest high-speed rail network operating at peak efficiency during this critical travel period.

    China’s railway system expects to handle approximately 480 million passenger trips during this year’s Spring Festival migration, with high-speed trains accounting for over 70% of total railway transportation. The work of these maintenance crews remains largely unseen by travelers but forms the essential foundation enabling the massive seasonal migration that defines Chinese cultural traditions.

  • UAE ranks highest globally for public satisfaction, says survey

    UAE ranks highest globally for public satisfaction, says survey

    The United Arab Emirates has achieved the world’s highest level of public satisfaction according to a comprehensive global survey released during the 2026 World Government Summit. The Gallup study, which gathered responses from adults across 107 nations, reveals that nearly one-third of UAE residents report no significant concerns regarding economic stability, employment opportunities, government performance, or safety and security.

    The groundbreaking research, titled ‘The World’s Most Important Problem: What People Need Leaders to Hear in 2026’, demonstrates that Gulf nations dominate the satisfaction rankings, with Kuwait and Bahrain following the UAE in global standings. The survey identifies four primary thematic concerns worldwide: economic stability, employment conditions, political governance, and security matters.

    Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, emphasized the human dimension of progress assessment: “People don’t feel progress through GDP charts. They experience it through safety, dignity and opportunity in their daily lives. Leaders who ignore this fundamental truth risk addressing the wrong priorities entirely.”

    Within the UAE specifically, environmental concerns (19%) emerged as the most pressing issue among residents, followed by employment considerations (12%), infrastructure development (12%), and economic matters (7%). This distribution indicates a society where basic needs are largely met, allowing attention to shift toward quality-of-life and sustainability issues.

    The findings align with the recently released 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, which positions the UAE at the global forefront for governmental trust. Notably, 63% of UAE respondents believe future generations will experience improved living conditions—nearly double the global average of 32%.

    The study further reveals that personal experiences and perceptions shape national concerns more significantly than external indicators alone. Globally, economic anxiety represents the predominant concern across 71 nations, particularly among young adults aged 15-34 and female respondents.

    Wealthier nations demonstrate greater concern regarding political governance, especially where institutional trust is weak. Conversely, countries experiencing conflict or instability prioritize physical safety above all other considerations, including economic and governance issues.

  • An angel resembling Italy’s Meloni is painted over after an outcry from church and state

    An angel resembling Italy’s Meloni is painted over after an outcry from church and state

    ROME — A controversial artistic depiction that transformed a celestial cherub into the visage of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has been abruptly removed from Rome’s historic Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, concluding a week of intense public scrutiny and institutional investigations.

    The altered fresco, created during chapel renovations in 2000, suddenly gained notoriety when La Repubblica newspaper featured the Meloni-esque angel on its front page last Saturday. The image showed a traditionally rendered cherub body supporting a face unmistakably resembling Italy’s conservative leader, kneeling before a bust of Italy’s last king, Umberto II.

    Church authorities intervened decisively on Tuesday night, instructing the original restorer Bruno Valentinetti to obscure the political portrait. By Wednesday morning, visitors discovered the angel’s face had been crudely covered with a layer of paint or plaster, leaving the cherub’s body intact but faceless.

    The Diocese of Rome and Italy’s Culture Ministry had simultaneously launched formal inquiries into the matter. While the work itself didn’t constitute damage to historic patrimony—dating only from 2000—Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the pope’s vicar for Rome, emphasized that political figures have no place in sacred art.

    The temporary alteration transformed the ancient basilica into an unlikely tourist attraction, with crowds sometimes disrupting religious services to photograph the unusual artwork. Premier Meloni herself responded with humor on social media, posting the image with a laughing/crying emoji and the caption: “No, I definitely don’t look like an angel.”

    Investigations continue to determine the cherub’s original appearance for proper restoration, ensuring the sacred space maintains its artistic integrity free from political associations.

  • Irish government to impose total ban on scramblers in public places

    Irish government to impose total ban on scramblers in public places

    The Irish government is implementing sweeping legislative measures to completely prohibit scrambler bikes in public spaces, following the tragic death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in Dublin last month. The new regulations, designated as “Grace’s Law” by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, received cabinet approval Wednesday, signaling one of Europe’s most comprehensive crackdowns on off-road vehicle misuse.

    While existing statutes already restrict mechanically propelled vehicles from public roads without proper registration and insurance, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien is introducing “additional legal clarity” that explicitly bans scramblers in nearly all roadway circumstances. Most scramblers, designed exclusively for off-road use, lack registration capabilities, rendering them inherently illegal for public thoroughfares under current frameworks.

    The enhanced legislation empowers Gardaí with expanded authority to confiscate and destroy non-compliant vehicles rather than returning them to owners. This strategic shift aims to permanently reduce recirculation of improperly used scramblers. Minister O’Brien emphasized the urgency of these measures, stating: “We owe it to Grace Lynch, her family and her friends to introduce regulations to further restrict the inappropriate use of scramblers in public places.”

    Statistical evidence underscores the necessity for intervention. Garda records indicate 167 scramblers were seized nationally in 2025, while Northern Ireland’s PSNI reported nearly 10,000 scrambler-related incidents over six years. The government anticipates enacting these provisions within weeks, with junior ministers Sean Canney and Jerry Buttimer collaborating on implementation strategies.

  • Details of Jeffrey Epstein post-mortem released in latest files

    Details of Jeffrey Epstein post-mortem released in latest files

    The U.S. Department of Justice has released previously undisclosed photographs depicting Jeffrey Epstein’s body being attended to by medical personnel immediately following his death in custody. These twenty images, many deemed too graphic for public dissemination, form part of a declassified FBI investigation into the financier’s controversial demise.

    The documents, published Friday among millions of Epstein-related files, include timestamps indicating the photos were taken at approximately 06:49 on August 10, 2019—roughly 16 minutes after guards found him unresponsive in his Metropolitan Correctional Center cell. The images show medical teams performing resuscitation efforts on Epstein while he lay on a stretcher, with visible neck injuries clearly documented in close-up shots.

    BBC Verify conducted extensive forensic analysis of the released materials, confirming these particular images had not previously appeared online prior to January 30. The verification process included reverse image searches and cross-referencing with accompanying documents such as an 89-page post-mortem report filed by New York’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

    The comprehensive FBI report spans 23 pages and contains a detailed six-week timeline of Epstein’s incarceration from his July 6, 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges until his death. Notably, the documents reveal Epstein was placed on suicide watch after an earlier July 23 incident where he allegedly accused his cellmate—Nicholas Tartaglione, a former police officer facing murder charges—of attempting to kill him.

    Contradicting his documented mental state, psychological evaluations from July 24 show Epstein stating he had “no interest in killing myself” and that suicide “would be crazy.” The following day, he reportedly told psychologists he was “too vested in my case to fight it” and wanted to return to living his life.

    Critical security failures emerge in the documentation: prison guards failed to conduct scheduled checks at 03:00 and 05:00 on the night of Epstein’s death, the camera system in his unit was nonfunctional, and his cellmate had been transferred the previous day—contrary to the warden’s specific recommendations against housing Epstein alone.

    The release includes both redacted and unredacted versions of the FBI report, though the Justice Department has not clarified why both versions were included. Both the FBI and DoJ declined to provide additional commentary regarding the newly public documents.

  • Son of Norway’s crown princess chokes back tears giving evidence at rape trial

    Son of Norway’s crown princess chokes back tears giving evidence at rape trial

    In a tense Oslo courtroom, Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, delivered emotional testimony at his trial facing four rape charges and approximately thirty additional criminal allegations. The defendant appeared visibly overwhelmed throughout the proceedings, frequently pausing to remove his glasses and wipe tears from his eyes while describing the intense media scrutiny he has endured since childhood.

    Høiby’s testimony followed earlier statements from his first alleged rape victim, who testified under protection of anonymity about experiencing complete memory loss after what she believes was being drugged at a December 2018 gathering in the basement of his parents’ residence. The woman described profound feelings of ‘betrayal and shock’ upon later viewing police evidence containing videos allegedly showing sexual assault occurring shortly after initial consensual contact.

    During his half-hour uninterrupted statement, Høiby acknowledged extensive involvement with drugs and alcohol while articulating what he characterized as an ‘extreme need for validation’ stemming from his public identification primarily as ‘his mother’s son.’ The defendant detailed meeting his first accuser at a social event where he reportedly used cocaine for the initial time, though he maintains innocence regarding all criminal charges.

    The trial unfolds amid simultaneous royal controversy involving Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who recently postponed private travels indefinitely following revelations of her extensive three-year correspondence with convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Palace officials confirmed the postponement without elaboration while the royal household faces mounting criticism over the informal tone of these communications.

    Although born prior to his mother’s marriage into royalty, Høiby holds no formal royal status or public position. His court appearance followed overnight hospitalization rather than return to detention facilities, with observers noting visible trembling during earlier proceedings. The three-judge panel heard testimony while two alleged victims observed from the courtroom’s left section, though Høiby avoided visual contact with them throughout his statement.

  • UAE schools adjust exam schedules ahead of Ramadan to reduce student stress

    UAE schools adjust exam schedules ahead of Ramadan to reduce student stress

    Educational institutions across the United Arab Emirates are implementing strategic academic calendar modifications in anticipation of Ramadan’s overlap with critical examination periods. With the holy month projected to commence approximately on February 19 (subject to moon sighting), administrators are carefully coordinating assessment schedules to accommodate fasting students’ needs while maintaining academic integrity.

    The scheduling conflict presents particular challenges as Ramadan coincides with several major board examinations. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) tests commence on February 17, while ISC/ICSE examinations for Classes 12 and 10 are scheduled for February 12 and 17 respectively.

    Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal of Credence High School, explained the comprehensive approach: “We meticulously manage exam durations, spacing between papers, and staff supervision protocols to ensure equitable conditions while minimizing fatigue for fasting students. All Ramadan-specific timetable modifications are communicated extensively through official channels well in advance.”

    Michelle Thomas, Principal/CEO of GEMS Al Barsha National School, emphasized the wellbeing-first philosophy: “Conscious of student welfare and fairness during Ramadan, we generally avoid scheduling internal examinations during this period. The majority of our students observe fasting, and this approach ensures they can maintain their religious practices without additional academic pressure.”

    When assessments cannot be rescheduled, schools are implementing alternative evaluation formats. These include lighter assessment structures, flexible timing arrangements, and recorded instructional materials for post-iftar review when students are better nourished and hydrated.

    Communication emerges as a critical component of the strategy. Institutions are utilizing detailed circulars, parental emails, assembly announcements, and digital platforms to ensure transparency regarding amended schedules and wellbeing measures. This proactive communication strategy helps families plan effectively while reducing student stress during the holy month.

    Natalia Svetenok, Principal of Woodlem British School in Ajman, highlighted the comprehensive approach: “Student satisfaction and wellbeing remain our primary focus. We reduce energy-intensive activities, moderate the learning pace, and maintain flexible evaluation schedules while ensuring full compliance with UAE regulations regarding Ramadan organization in educational settings.”

  • Enhanced airport services ease chunyun journey

    Enhanced airport services ease chunyun journey

    China’s extensive 2026 Spring Festival travel period (chunyun) is now officially underway, marked by unprecedented operational coordination among the nation’s aviation sectors. In response to the extended holiday timeline—the longest recorded—airports nationwide have implemented comprehensive service enhancements to accommodate the massive surge in passenger traffic.

    Airlines, airport authorities, and air traffic control agencies have achieved full synchronization in their preparations. Key measures include a significant expansion of flight capacity, the optimization of check-in procedures to reduce waiting times, and the implementation of advanced logistical protocols to ensure terminal operations proceed without disruption.

    A notable improvement is the streamlined experience for international travelers arriving at major hubs like Beijing Capital International Airport. Authorities have successfully integrated processing systems, allowing international passengers to clear checks with efficiency comparable to domestic travel, effectively eliminating previous bottlenecks during peak periods.
    This systemic upgrade represents a significant investment in China’s transportation infrastructure, aiming to transform the traditionally hectic chunyun into a smoother and more manageable travel experience for millions of citizens journeying for family reunions.