Global Pulse

博客

  • UAE weather: Red, yellow alerts issued for fog as visibility decreases

    UAE weather: Red, yellow alerts issued for fog as visibility decreases

    The United Arab Emirates experienced significant fog conditions for the third consecutive day on Thursday, February 12, 2026, prompting meteorological authorities to issue safety alerts. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) implemented both red and yellow fog alerts effective until 10:00 AM as visibility dramatically decreased across the nation.

    According to the NCM’s forecast, UAE skies remained generally fair to partly cloudy throughout Thursday, with mist formation anticipated over certain coastal regions. Temperature readings varied between 15°C and 33°C, with Dubai reaching a high of 32°C while Abu Dhabi recorded 31°C.

    Meteorological conditions included the appearance of low clouds eastward on Thursday morning, with forecasts indicating increasing humidity levels overnight and into Friday morning. Winds remained light to moderate, blowing from southeasterly to northeasterly directions at speeds of 10-20 km/h, occasionally reaching 30 km/h. Maritime conditions remained calm with slight seas reported in both the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea.

    Abu Dhabi Police issued warnings to motorists, emphasizing the importance of adhering to reduced speed limits displayed on electronic road signboards. The advisory specifically highlighted the need for heightened attention during low-visibility conditions caused by the dense fog.

    The persistent fog conditions represent a recurring weather pattern during this period, requiring continued public awareness and precautionary measures for transportation safety.

  • Who were the victims of the shootings in Tumbler Ridge, Canada?

    Who were the victims of the shootings in Tumbler Ridge, Canada?

    The remote community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, with a population of merely 3,000 residents, is reeling from a devastating dual shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday. The tragedy unfolded at two separate locations—a local residence and Tumbler Ridge Secondary School—resulting in eight fatalities and 27 individuals sustaining injuries.

    Among the deceased is 39-year-old Jennifer Strang, mother of the 18-year-old suspect, Jesse van Rootselaar. According to CBC News reports, Strang was discovered deceased at a residential property alongside another family member. Court documents from 2015 reveal that Strang and her children had previously led what was described by a judge as ‘an almost nomadic life,’ traveling extensively across Canada before being legally restricted from leaving British Columbia.

    The school shooting claimed the lives of four students and one educator. Victims include 12-year-old Kylie Smith, remembered by her family as a vibrant soul passionate about art and anime. ‘She was the light of her family,’ her loved ones expressed to CTV News. Her father, Lance Young, emotionally added, ‘She was just a beautiful soul. We just loved her so much.’

    Additional victims at the educational facility included two 12-year-old girls, two boys aged 12 and 13, and a 39-year-old female teacher. At the residential crime scene, police confirmed the death of van Rootselaar’s 11-year-old step-brother alongside Strang.

    The consecutive violent episodes have created profound shockwaves through the tightly-knit community, where nearly every resident is expected to personally know affected individuals given the scale of casualties relative to the town’s small population.

  • Ramadan 2026: Experience Mughlai-inspired community Iftar in Old Delhi

    Ramadan 2026: Experience Mughlai-inspired community Iftar in Old Delhi

    In the historic lanes of Old Delhi, a unique cultural initiative is transforming Ramadan traditions beyond conventional culinary tourism. Since 2017, cultural curator Abu Sufiyan Khan has orchestrated Dastarkhwan-e-Jahaanuma—an intimate community iftar experience that emphasizes authentic home-style cooking over commercial food offerings.

    Through his platform Tales of City, Khan collaborates with local bawarchis (cooks) and families to present dishes actually prepared in Muslim households during Ramadan, complete with their cultural and emotional significance. “While most visitors explore crowded markets and restaurant-style Mughlai offerings,” Khan explains, “our focus remains on the food traditions of homes and their deeper meaning during the fasting month.”

    The initiative represents a deliberate shift from monument-based tourism to immersive cultural engagement. Tales of City specializes in creating participatory experiences where attendees interact directly with historians, artists, home cooks, and community knowledge keepers. The platform’s vision centers on making cultural heritage accessible, relevant, and rooted in lived experience.

    Dastarkhwan-e-Jahaanuma—meaning “a shared table that offers a view of the world”—has evolved into a community platform for dialogue and shared understanding. Unlike typical food festivals, it functions as a cultural space where guests experience Ramadan through food, prayer, hospitality, and togetherness. The format emphasizes story exchange, memory sharing, and tradition preservation alongside the culinary experience.

    This year’s edition highlights Mughlai and Purani Dilli food traditions, particularly dishes associated with fasting. The event has attracted diverse participants, including Arab visitors and NRIs from Gulf countries seeking cultural reconnection. For many, the experience becomes emotional—a return to community roots rather than mere dining.

    Regarding expansion, Khan maintains that current efforts focus on strengthening the Delhi edition, though future collaborations in Lucknow, Mumbai, Agra, and Jaipur are under consideration. The organizer stresses the importance of keeping the initiative community-rooted rather than commercially replicated, preserving its authenticity as a space where food, conversation, and culture converge naturally.

  • Polls close in first election since Gen Z protests ousted Bangladesh leader

    Polls close in first election since Gen Z protests ousted Bangladesh leader

    Bangladesh has entered a pivotal moment in its democratic history as ballot counting commences following a landmark general election. This electoral process marks the nation’s first since the 2024 student-led revolution that unseated long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

    The political landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation, with over 2,000 candidates competing for parliamentary seats. Notably absent is Hasina’s Awami League party, which has been banned from participation. The election features a contest between the center-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a coalition alliance led by the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, which has joined forces with a new political entity emerging from the student protest movement.

    The 2024 uprising, which according to UN estimates resulted in approximately 1,400 protester fatalities, created the conditions for this political reset. The interim government, which assumed power following Hasina’s ouster, has framed this election as part of a broader constitutional reform effort to address what it describes as a fundamentally flawed political system.

    Security measures reached unprecedented levels with nearly one million police and military personnel deployed nationwide to ensure orderly voting procedures. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, after casting his ballot in the capital Dhaka, characterized the election as the country’s transition from ‘ended the nightmare’ to ‘begun a new dream.’

    The two principal candidates, Tarique Rahman representing the BNP and Jamaat’s leader Shafiqur Rahman, both participated in the voting process in Dhaka. Election results are anticipated to be announced on Friday, potentially reshaping Bangladesh’s political trajectory for generations to come.

  • Nine dead, including gunman, in school shooting in Canada

    Nine dead, including gunman, in school shooting in Canada

    The remote town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, is grappling with profound grief following a devastating school shooting that resulted in nine fatalities, including the 18-year-old perpetrator. The incident at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday represents Canada’s deadliest school shooting in over three decades, sending shockwaves through the nation.

    According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the shooter has been identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, a local resident who identified as female both socially and publicly. The investigation revealed Van Rootselaar was found deceased inside the school with an apparently self-inflicted injury, alongside two recovered firearms—a long gun and a modified handgun.

    The victims include a 39-year-old female educator, three 12-year-old female students, and two male students aged 12 and 13. In a tragic development, police subsequently discovered two additional victims at a residential location—identified as the shooter’s 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother.

    The violence left twenty-seven individuals injured, with two female victims aged 12 and 19 requiring airlift transportation to hospital and remaining in serious condition. Authorities noted that after medical evaluation, no discernible physical injuries were identified among others transported to local medical facilities.

    Law enforcement officials emphasized the rapid evolution of the crisis, with Superintendent Ken Floyd acknowledging the critical cooperation from school officials, first responders, and the community. Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald confirmed investigators believe the suspect acted alone and are working to determine the motive behind the attack.

    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed devastation over the tragedy, extending prayers and deepest condolences to affected families while affirming the federal government’s support for British Columbians confronting this horrific event.

  • UK economy subdued at end of 2025 as budget uncertainty weighed on businesses and consumers

    UK economy subdued at end of 2025 as budget uncertainty weighed on businesses and consumers

    LONDON — Britain’s economy experienced near-stagnation during the final quarter of 2026, according to official data released Thursday, with economic analysts attributing the slowdown to widespread uncertainty surrounding governmental budget policies that suppressed both business investment and consumer spending.

    The Office for National Statistics reported that the world’s sixth-largest economy expanded by a mere 0.1% between October and December, mirroring the sluggish growth rate recorded in the previous quarter. While the annual growth rate improved to 1.3% from 2025’s 1.1%—marking the strongest yearly performance since 2022—the quarterly figures fell substantially below expectations.

    Economic experts identified the prolonged anticipation of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ November budget announcement as a primary factor behind the economic hesitation. Throughout most of the quarter, businesses and consumers adopted a cautious wait-and-see approach amid speculation that the Treasury would abandon key pledges regarding income tax stability. When finally revealed, the implemented tax increases proved significantly less severe than initially feared.

    Suren Thiru, Economics Director at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, characterized the disappointing quarter as the culmination of another frustrating economic year. “Growth diminished alarmingly rapidly following 2025’s robust beginning, with escalating taxation, intensified uncertainty, and weak productivity progressively constraining economic activity,” Thiru observed.

    Despite some recent indicators suggesting potential growth acceleration in early 2026, the Bank of England has adopted a more cautious outlook. Last week, the central bank downgraded its growth projections for both 2026 and 2027, reducing forecasts from 1.2% to 0.9% and from 1.6% to 1.5% respectively.

    The Labour government, which has witnessed declining public support since its 2024 election victory partly due to economic concerns, now pins hopes on anticipated interest rate reductions. With inflation expected to decrease significantly throughout the year, officials anticipate the Bank might implement a quarter-point cut in March, potentially lowering the main rate to 3.50% from the current 3.75%.

    Simon Pittaway, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation think tank, emphasized the government’s critical challenge: “The imperative for 2026 involves intensifying focus on growth initiatives to establish a sustained economic recovery that will ultimately translate into improved household incomes.”

  • Capturing hearts with leafy greens

    Capturing hearts with leafy greens

    In Dubai’s multicultural dining scene, an unexpected culinary revolution is unfolding through the unlikely marriage of Chinese agriculture and Middle Eastern desert terrain. The success story begins not in restaurant kitchens but in the arid expanses of the Nazwa Desert, where Wemart’s organic farms have transformed barren landscapes into productive agricultural hubs.

    At the heart of this transformation lies a remarkable agricultural achievement: two organic farms spanning 8.7 hectares now yield approximately 5,000 kilograms of fresh Chinese vegetables daily. This agricultural bounty includes over 30 varieties, with bok choy leading production at 600 kilograms per day alongside romaine lettuce, white radish, chives, and coriander.

    The journey to this success required overcoming extraordinary challenges. When entrepreneur Sun Jiansheng first envisioned growing Chinese vegetables in UAE’s desert conditions in 2012, temperatures regularly exceeded 40°C and could reach 60°C during summer months. The initial obstacles included infertile soil, scarce rainfall, and unpredictable sandstorms capable of destroying entire crops.

    Through innovative solutions including drilling 180-meter-deep wells for irrigation and transporting organic fertilizer from distant pastures, the farming team gradually transformed the sandy terrain into productive agricultural land. The operation now employs 45 international workers, including Pakistani national Shakeeb Khan who has worked there for 14 years alongside his brothers.

    The farms’ output supplies Wemart’s grocery stores across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh, where the fresh vegetables have become particularly popular at malatang stations—Chinese street food stalls where diners select ingredients to be cooked in spicy broth. These stations serve approximately 300 bowls daily, attracting diverse customers from Asian, Arab, African, and European backgrounds.

    For Dubai’s approximately 400,000 Chinese expatriates, the availability of authentic Chinese vegetables represents a taste of home. As Hunan native Xie Jingyi noted while enjoying malatang, ‘Eating authentic malatang in Dubai is such a comfort!’ The vegetables have also gained popularity among local Emiratis, with Abdulla Alaqib praising their crisp texture and fresh flavor.

    As the Lunar New Year approaches, Wenchao Group (Wemart’s parent company) is increasing production to ensure Chinese communities across the Middle East can celebrate with traditional vegetables on their holiday tables, marking another chapter in this unexpected desert-to-table success story.

  • Mideast investors woo potential partners at forum

    Mideast investors woo potential partners at forum

    Middle Eastern investors actively courted Chinese partners at the recent Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, showcasing lucrative opportunities across real estate development, renewable energy, and corporate services. Representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Oman emphasized their nations’ political stability and business-friendly environments as key advantages for international collaboration.

    Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China, set the tone at the ‘Future Horizons: The UAE-Hong Kong Connect’ strategic dialogue, emphasizing his country’s commitment to “an open and predictable business environment” focused on “delivering clear outcomes.” The event, co-hosted by the UAE Consulate in Hong Kong and InvestHK, featured substantial delegations from the emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah.

    Ras Al Khaimah’s development authorities presented ambitious projects seeking foreign investment. Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of government master developer Marjan, highlighted the Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort scheduled to open in 2027, explicitly inviting Hong Kong developers and investors to participate in the emirate’s hospitality sector expansion.

    Sameh Muhtadi, CEO of Abu Dhabi-listed RAK Properties, outlined plans to develop 50,000 units by 2030, expressing hope for strategic partnerships with Hong Kong entities. Meanwhile, Sandra Marie Louw of RAK International Corporate Centre highlighted their ecosystem serving over 40,000 corporations with cross-border operational support and tax optimization services.

    From Sharjah, investment officials promoted the emirate’s three major ports—Khalid, Khorfakkan, and Hamriyah—as multimodal logistics hubs offering diverse investment systems and spaces.

    Oman’s representatives extended invitations to the upcoming Suhar Investment Forum while detailing the nation’s renewable energy transition. Haitham Al Omairi of Sohar Port and Freezone outlined Oman’s net-zero 2050 goals, highlighting opportunities in solar energy value chains and green hydrogen production targeting 1.3 million tons by 2030 and 8 million metric tons by 2050.

  • Australian tourism leader says Chinese market vital to industry

    Australian tourism leader says Chinese market vital to industry

    SYDNEY – Australia’s tourism sector is witnessing a remarkable resurgence from Chinese travelers, with industry leadership emphasizing the market’s critical importance to the nation’s economic landscape. Robin Mack, the newly appointed Managing Director of Tourism Australia, has declared the country’s doors wide open to Chinese visitors, identifying China as an indispensable source market for inbound tourism.

    Recent statistical analysis reveals compelling evidence of this recovery. Official data covering the twelve months through November last year documented approximately 1 million Chinese tourist arrivals in Australia, representing a significant 16 percent surge compared to the previous year. This growth trajectory establishes China as Australia’s fastest-expanding tourism market currently.

    The financial impact proves even more substantial. Chinese visitors contributed AU$12.3 billion (approximately US$8.71 billion) to the Australian economy – a striking 29 percent year-over-year increase that essentially restores expenditure levels to those observed before the global pandemic. This expenditure pattern has elevated China to Australia’s second-largest inbound market by visitor volume and its premier market in terms of total tourism spending.

    Mack expressed particular optimism about future prospects, noting that with the gradual restoration of international flight capacities, enhanced tourism product diversity, and strengthened industry partnerships, the Chinese market is positioned to reclaim its pre-pandemic status as Australia’s leading source of visitors.

    The seasonal patterns of Chinese travel demonstrate distinct peaks during Australia’s summer months (December-February), coinciding with the Chinese New Year celebrations, alongside increased visitation during China’s July-August school holidays and the October National Day ‘Golden Week’ period.

    Contemporary travel trends indicate Chinese tourists are increasingly favoring smaller group arrangements and independent travel experiences, with growing demand for customized itineraries and immersive cultural engagements. Natural landscapes, wildlife encounters, and culinary experiences including local wines remain primary attractions for these visitors.

    Tourism Australia’s strategic marketing initiatives, including the global ‘Come and Say G’day’ campaign launched its second chapter in China first last August, have been instrumental in building momentum toward major travel periods like the upcoming Chinese New Year.

    Beyond economic benefits, Mack emphasized tourism’s role as a vital cultural bridge fostering people-to-people connections between the nations. The mutual exchange – with increasing numbers of Australians also traveling to China – continues to strengthen bilateral understanding and friendship. Mack, a frequent visitor to China himself, extended warm invitations for Chinese travelers to experience Australia during the forthcoming Lunar New Year celebrations.

  • Russia fires another barrage at Ukrainian cities as next round of US-brokered talks is unclear

    Russia fires another barrage at Ukrainian cities as next round of US-brokered talks is unclear

    Ukrainian cities endured another devastating night of Russian missile and drone attacks as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict faced renewed uncertainty. According to Ukrainian officials, Russian forces launched a massive assault overnight Wednesday to Thursday, targeting civilian infrastructure across multiple population centers.

    The aerial offensive involved 219 long-range strike drones, 24 ballistic missiles, and a guided aircraft missile, with Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa serving as primary targets. The attacks resulted in significant damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure, leaving thousands without heating during freezing temperatures.

    In Dnipro, four civilians including a 4-year-old girl and a newborn boy sustained injuries from the strikes. Kyiv reported damage to several residential buildings with two injuries, while Odesa saw a residential high-rise partially destroyed and commercial establishments set ablaze, leaving one person wounded.

    The escalation in military aggression coincides with diplomatic maneuvering behind the scenes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Washington has proposed additional negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations scheduled for next week in either Miami or Abu Dhabi. While Ukraine has “immediately confirmed” its participation, Zelenskyy indicated that Moscow appears to be “hesitating” about committing to the talks.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered a vague acknowledgment that another round of discussions was expected “soon” but provided no concrete details. The potential negotiations form part of a yearlong peace initiative by the Trump administration, which has reportedly set a June deadline for both parties to reach an agreement.

    Substantial obstacles remain to any comprehensive settlement. The two nations remain deeply divided over critical issues including the status of Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russian forces, particularly in the eastern Donbas region. Moscow continues to demand additional territorial concessions from Kyiv, while Ukraine seeks Western-backed security guarantees, EU membership prospects, and a postwar reconstruction package before considering any proposed 20-point settlement.

    Meanwhile, Russia has persisted in targeting Ukrainian civilian areas and energy infrastructure, ignoring U.S. proposals for an “energy ceasefire” that would also restrict Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil facilities.