Global Pulse

分类： society

  • American University of Sharjah Open Day 2025: Spend a day exploring an elite American university experience

    American University of Sharjah Open Day 2025: Spend a day exploring an elite American university experience

    The American University of Sharjah (AUS) is set to host its annual Open Day on November 23, 2025, offering high school students and their families a unique opportunity to explore one of the UAE’s premier educational institutions. From 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM, attendees will engage in guided campus tours, visit state-of-the-art facilities, and interact with faculty, students, and admissions staff. The event aims to provide an authentic glimpse into academic life, campus culture, and the myriad opportunities available at AUS.

    AUS, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, offers 33 undergraduate majors and 48 minors across four colleges: Architecture, Art and Design; Arts and Sciences; Engineering; and Business Administration. Recent additions to its curriculum, such as data science and digital construction engineering, reflect the university’s responsiveness to global industry demands. AUS also stands at the forefront of innovation, with faculty and students contributing to groundbreaking research in areas like breast cancer therapies, drone radar systems, and blockchain-powered carbon trading platforms.

    The university’s integration of artificial intelligence into its curriculum, with 58 AI-related courses, further underscores its dedication to preparing students for future challenges. Its AI Hub and six specialized research centers provide cutting-edge resources for both faculty and students. AUS’s reputation for producing job-ready graduates is well-established, with alumni securing positions at global giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, as well as regional government entities. Many have also pursued advanced degrees at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Stanford.

    Ranked among the top universities in the UAE, the Arab world, and globally, AUS offers a vibrant multicultural environment with over 100 nationalities represented. Its 124 student clubs and 34 sports teams foster creativity, leadership, and community engagement. Financial support is also available through scholarships and grants, including merit awards, full-tuition scholarships, and family tuition grants.

    Participation in the Open Day is free and open to all high school students, parents, and counselors. For registration and more information, visit openday.aus.edu or contact the Office of Enrollment Management at infodesk.aus.edu.

  • Beijing issues fog alert with visibility dropping below 500 meters

    Beijing issues fog alert with visibility dropping below 500 meters

    On the morning of October 29, 2025, the Beijing Meteorological Service issued a yellow fog alert for several districts, including Daxing, Tongzhou, Chaoyang, Shunyi, Fangshan, and Fengtai. Visibility in some areas dropped below 500 meters, significantly impacting transportation and public safety. The National Meteorological Center also renewed the yellow fog warning at 6 a.m., indicating that foggy conditions would persist across Beijing and other parts of the country until noon. In southern Beijing, visibility was reported to be as low as 200 meters. Authorities advised the public to stay updated on traffic conditions, use public transportation, and exercise caution on the roads. Outdoor activities, particularly high-altitude work, were suspended for safety. Meteorologists predict that visibility will improve from late night into Thursday morning due to northerly winds. China’s four-tier weather warning system categorizes yellow as the third most severe level, following red and orange.

  • Brazilians in a Rio favela line up bodies after the city’s deadliest police raid

    Brazilians in a Rio favela line up bodies after the city’s deadliest police raid

    In the wake of a massive police operation targeting a notorious drug gang, residents of a Rio de Janeiro favela spent the night collecting bodies from their community and laying them in a central square. By early Wednesday morning, at least 50 bodies, mostly of young men, were displayed in Penha, one of the two sites targeted in what has become Rio’s deadliest police raid. Critics have condemned the operation as another example of Brazil’s excessive use of force. The raid, involving 2,500 police and soldiers, resulted in at least 64 deaths, including 60 suspected gang members and four officers, according to state Governor Claudio Castro and police officials. Residents, however, believe the death toll is higher, with some bodies yet to be counted. Many victims were found in a wooded area near the community. Forensic authorities retrieved the bodies by late Wednesday morning, but the state government has not yet commented on the incident. Local activist Raull Santiago, part of a team that discovered about 15 bodies before dawn, described the scene as a massacre, with victims showing signs of execution, including gunshots to the head and stab wounds. Governor Castro defended the operation, stating that Rio is at war against ‘narco-terrorism,’ a term reminiscent of the Trump administration’s campaign against drug smuggling in Latin America. The state government claimed those killed had resisted police action. Rio has a long history of lethal police raids, but the scale and lethality of Tuesday’s operation are unprecedented. Non-governmental organizations and the U.N. human rights body have raised concerns and called for investigations. The operation aimed to capture leaders and curb the territorial expansion of the Red Command criminal gang, which has tightened its grip on favelas in recent years. Police arrested 81 suspects and seized 93 rifles and over half a ton of drugs. The raid triggered violent retaliation from gang members, leading to chaos across the city. Schools and a local university canceled classes, and roads were blocked with buses used as barricades. Gang members reportedly targeted police with drones, one of which was captured on video firing a projectile. Governor Castro criticized the federal government for not providing sufficient support, a claim challenged by the Justice Ministry, which stated it had responded to Rio’s requests for national forces. Gleisi Hoffmann, the Lula administration’s liaison with parliament, acknowledged the need for coordinated action but highlighted recent anti-money laundering efforts as evidence of federal action against organized crime. Lula’s chief of staff, Rui Costa, called for an emergency meeting in Rio with local authorities and the Justice Minister. Criminal gangs have expanded their presence across Brazil, including in the Amazon rainforest. Filipe dos Anjos, secretary general of favela rights’ organization FAFERJ, argued that such police operations fail to address the root problem, as organized crime quickly reorganizes. ‘In about thirty days, they will be back to selling drugs, stealing cargo, and collecting payments,’ he said, adding that these operations achieve little for society.

  • 3 rare North China leopards spotted in Hebei nature reserve

    3 rare North China leopards spotted in Hebei nature reserve

    In a significant ecological development, infrared cameras have captured rare footage of three North China leopards in the Hebei Yinheshan Provincial Nature Reserve. The sightings, which include both male and female individuals, suggest that this endangered species may be expanding its range. The reserve, spanning 36,000 hectares in western Fuping county, Baoding, has been under joint biodiversity monitoring since April 2024. The team has recorded multiple clear videos of the leopards, with some individuals appearing repeatedly, indicating a stable presence rather than transient passage. This marks the northernmost sighting of the North China leopard in the Taihang Mountains in the past decade, just 160 kilometers from Beijing’s administrative boundary. The monitoring team also recorded footage of the Chinese goral, a primary prey species of leopards, in the same area in March, although the goral population size remains unclear. Yang Jianwei, head of the Fuping County Forestry and Grassland Bureau, attributed these findings to Fuping’s long-term commitment to ecological protection and afforestation. The reserve’s forest coverage has increased substantially in recent years, leading to greater biodiversity among both plant and animal species. The forestry department will continue monitoring and has reminded visitors and villagers to be cautious in the mountains.

  • From quiet sands to viral fame: How Exit 116 became UAE’s newest desert hotspot

    From quiet sands to viral fame: How Exit 116 became UAE’s newest desert hotspot

    As winter approaches in the UAE, the allure of the desert draws adventure seekers back to its golden dunes. Among these, Exit 116 has emerged as a newfound hotspot, transforming from a neglected sandy area into a vibrant hub for car and motorcycle enthusiasts. This remarkable transformation began in early 2022 when Emirati resident Mohammed Al Mazrouei noticed the site’s potential despite its declining footfall. Leveraging his social media influence on platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, Al Mazrouei rallied a community of volunteers to clean, organize, and secure the area. What started as a modest clean-up effort soon evolved into a full-fledged community movement, supported by rescue teams, paramedics, and local businesses. By 2024, Exit 116 had gained widespread recognition, attracting visitors from across the UAE and neighboring GCC countries. Al Mazrouei and his team ensured the site’s safety and cleanliness, organizing weekly events and competitions that prioritized regulatory compliance. This initiative not only revived a forgotten desert area but also fostered tourism and entrepreneurship in the region. Today, Exit 116 stands as a testament to collective effort, offering a safe and organized environment for desert adventures and motorsports enthusiasts.

  • Abu Dhabi authorities bring fire under control after blaze at Musaffah industrial area

    Abu Dhabi authorities bring fire under control after blaze at Musaffah industrial area

    A significant fire erupted in the Musaffah Industrial Area of Abu Dhabi on the evening of Tuesday, October 28, 2025, prompting an immediate response from local authorities. Abu Dhabi Police, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, swiftly mobilized to combat the blaze, which had engulfed several commercial shops. Through coordinated efforts, the fire was successfully brought under control, and subsequent cooling and smoke extraction operations were initiated to ensure the area’s safety. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or casualties were reported during the incident. In a statement shared on social media platform X, officials urged residents to rely solely on official government sources for accurate information. This incident follows a similar fire in the same industrial area last month, which was also promptly managed by emergency teams. The quick and efficient response highlights the preparedness and effectiveness of Abu Dhabi’s emergency services in handling such crises.

  • Messages in a bottle from WWI soldiers found on Australian coast

    Messages in a bottle from WWI soldiers found on Australian coast

    In a remarkable discovery, two messages in a bottle written by Australian soldiers during World War I have been found on the south-western coast of Australia, more than a century after they were penned. The letters, written in 1916 by Privates Malcolm Neville and William Harley, were unearthed earlier this month on Wharton Beach near Esperance, Western Australia, by local resident Deb Brown and her family. The Browns, who regularly clean up litter on the beach during their quad bike trips, spotted the thick glass bottle partially buried in the sand. Despite the paper being wet, the messages remained legible. The cheerful notes were written just days into the soldiers’ voyage to the battlefields of France. Private Neville, who was killed in action at the age of 28, wrote to his mother, describing the food on board as ‘real good’ and expressing his happiness. Private Harley, who survived the war and returned home, addressed his letter to whoever might find the bottle, as his mother had already passed away. Ms. Brown, determined to return the letters to the soldiers’ descendants, successfully traced Private Neville’s great-nephew, Herbie Neville, through online research. The discovery has deeply moved the families, particularly Private Neville’s 101-year-old niece, Marian Davies, who remembers her uncle leaving for war and never returning. Private Harley’s granddaughter, Ann Turner, described the find as a ‘miracle,’ feeling as though her grandfather had reached out from the grave. An oceanography professor suggested the bottle may have been in the water for only a few weeks before washing ashore, where it likely remained buried for a century. The letters, now in the hands of the soldiers’ descendants, serve as a poignant reminder of the personal stories behind the global conflict of World War I.

  • Nigeria’s Nobel-winning author Wole Soyinka says his US visa was revoked

    Nigeria’s Nobel-winning author Wole Soyinka says his US visa was revoked

    Renowned Nigerian author and Nobel Prize laureate Wole Soyinka revealed on Tuesday that his non-resident visa to the United States had been revoked, suggesting that his recent criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump might be the reason behind the decision. Soyinka, who became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, expressed his belief that the visa denial was less about him personally and more a reflection of broader U.S. immigration policies. The 91-year-old author, who has previously held a green card and taught in the U.S., humorously recounted how his green card ‘had an accident’ eight years ago when he destroyed it in protest of Trump’s inauguration. Soyinka stated that he has no intention of reapplying for a visa, emphasizing the principle of human dignity. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos referred inquiries to the State Department, which has yet to comment on the matter.

  • ‘I have to get what I need right now’: Americans brace for expiry of critical food benefits

    ‘I have to get what I need right now’: Americans brace for expiry of critical food benefits

    Chantille Manuel, a Florida resident, has achieved remarkable personal milestones over the past five years, including overcoming addiction, losing over 140 pounds, and launching her own beauty salon. Despite these accomplishments, she continues to rely on food assistance from local churches and the U.S. government to feed herself. ‘I don’t want to have to have help from anybody, I want to be self-sufficient,’ she says. However, her situation is precarious as the ongoing government shutdown threatens to cut off essential food aid for millions of Americans like her. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides reloadable debit cards for food purchases, is at risk of running out of funds starting November 1. This program is a lifeline for one in eight Americans, including Ms. Manuel, who spent her October benefits last week on essentials like coffee, creamer, and tuna. ‘It’s either going to be there or it’s not,’ she says. ‘So I might as well get what I need right now.’ The Trump administration has declined to use a contingency fund to continue SNAP benefits, citing the need to reserve funds for emergencies like natural disasters. Even if used, these funds would only cover about 60% of a single month’s benefits, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Democrats and Republicans remain divided on the issue, with Democrats accusing the administration of prioritizing other services over SNAP. On Tuesday, Senate Democrats introduced legislation to fund SNAP during the shutdown, but its passage is uncertain. Meanwhile, food banks like All Faiths Food Bank in Sarasota, Florida, are bracing for increased demand. Last year, the food bank served over 80,000 people with more than 22 million pounds of food. ‘Receiving food is an inalienable right,’ says Nelle Miller, the food bank’s CEO. ‘I just can’t imagine denying food, water, or air to any human being.’ As the shutdown enters its 29th day, the longest in U.S. history, the fate of SNAP recipients hangs in the balance, with many fearing they will soon have to turn to food banks for survival.

  • Paris police acknowledge major gaps in Louvre’s defenses after jewel theft

    Paris police acknowledge major gaps in Louvre’s defenses after jewel theft

    The recent daylight theft at the Louvre Museum has sparked a national reckoning over France’s ability to safeguard its cultural treasures. Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure revealed significant vulnerabilities in the museum’s security systems during a Senate hearing on Wednesday. He highlighted outdated technology, including analog video networks that produce low-quality images and slow real-time sharing. A long-awaited $93 million security upgrade, involving 60 kilometers of new cabling, is not expected to be completed until 2029–2030. Alarmingly, the Louvre’s authorization to operate its security cameras expired in July and was not renewed, a lapse that underscores broader negligence. On October 19, thieves exploited these weaknesses, breaking into the Apollo Gallery and stealing eight pieces of the French crown jewels valued at $102 million. The theft was first reported by a cyclist, not the museum’s alarms, further exposing flaws in the alert system. Two suspects were arrested, but their custody is set to expire, raising concerns about the investigation’s progress. The incident has also revealed an insurance blind spot, as the jewels were not privately insured, leaving the Louvre to bear the total financial loss. Faure emphasized the need for advanced tools like AI-based anomaly detection to enhance security, while rejecting calls for a permanent police post inside the museum. The heist has intensified scrutiny on the Louvre’s management, already strained by chronic understaffing and mass tourism. Experts fear the stolen jewels may be irreversibly altered, adding urgency to France’s debate on protecting its cultural heritage.