Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • China targets world-class Earth system forecasting network by 2035

    China targets world-class Earth system forecasting network by 2035

    China has launched an ambitious decade-long strategic initiative to develop a globally advanced Earth system forecasting network by 2035. The comprehensive Earth System Forecasting Development Strategy (2025-2035), recently published by the China Meteorological Administration, establishes a detailed roadmap to significantly enhance extreme weather early warning systems and strengthen public safety protections through sophisticated analysis of complex atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial interactions.

    According to Bi Baogui, Deputy Administrator of the China Meteorological Administration, the strategy incorporates a dual-technical approach that merges the precision of traditional numerical prediction—utilizing supercomputers to simulate physical laws across Earth’s systems—with the computational speed and pattern recognition capabilities of artificial intelligence. “We will continue to advance numerical prediction grounded in physical principles while simultaneously harnessing AI’s potential to extract forecasting patterns from massive meteorological datasets,” Bi stated.

    This integration aims to establish a forecasting system that achieves both scientific rigor and operational efficiency. Gong Jiandong, Director of the Earth System Modeling and Prediction Center, confirmed that China’s core forecasting capabilities are projected to reach world-class standards within the designated timeframe.

    Key technological benchmarks include achieving kilometer-level global Earth system modeling and hundred-meter-level local modeling, enabling seamless forecasting products ranging from minute-by-minute updates to decade-long climate projections. These advanced capabilities are expected to support disaster prevention and mitigation efforts, particularly for nations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

    The initiative promises substantial benefits for daily life and national development through significantly improved forecast accuracy and reliability. Liang Feng, Head of the Department of Forecasting and Prediction, emphasized that enhanced weather predictions will dramatically improve convenience and safety for citizens. Through high-resolution modeling and AI integration, the administration aims to refine predictions for typhoons, thunderstorms, hail, and cold waves, providing longer lead times for warnings of flash floods and landslides while enabling more effective evacuation planning and resource allocation.

    Additionally, deeper research into extreme weather mechanisms will support China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals by optimizing emission reduction pathways. The Earth system forecasting network is also anticipated to guide climate-resilient urban planning, helping cities develop enhanced defenses against waterlogging and heat waves.

  • Crossing the red line means resolute counterattack, warns Chinese mainland

    Crossing the red line means resolute counterattack, warns Chinese mainland

    The Chinese mainland has delivered an unequivocal warning regarding Taiwan-related matters, emphasizing that any actions perceived as crossing established “red lines” will trigger determined countermeasures. This declaration reinforces Beijing’s longstanding position on safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Official statements characterize Taiwan as an inseparable component of China’s territory, rejecting any form of separatist activities or external interference. The warning specifically addresses what authorities describe as “collusion” between Taiwan’s leadership and foreign powers, particularly concerning military cooperation and diplomatic engagements that challenge the One-China principle.

    Analysts interpret this messaging as part of China’s broader strategy to deter perceived challenges to its core interests while maintaining strategic ambiguity regarding specific response scenarios. The timing coincides with increased regional security discussions and follows patterns of heightened rhetoric during periods of cross-strait tension.

    The mainland’s approach combines diplomatic messaging with continued emphasis on peaceful development pathways, while simultaneously reserving the right to employ “all necessary measures” should fundamental boundaries be breached. This dual-track policy reflects the complex balance between conflict prevention and demonstration of resolve in handling Taiwan-related matters.

    International observers note that such warnings serve multiple purposes: reinforcing domestic political narratives, signaling seriousness to external actors, and establishing clear parameters for acceptable behavior within the cross-strait relationship framework.

  • Dubai: Unstable weather conditions till Friday; list of emergency contact numbers

    Dubai: Unstable weather conditions till Friday; list of emergency contact numbers

    The United Arab Emirates is currently confronting a significant meteorological event as unstable weather conditions persist across the region until Friday, December 19. Meteorological authorities have issued comprehensive warnings indicating intermittent rainfall of varying intensity, potentially reaching thunderstorm levels with accompanying lightning and hail phenomena.

    Current atmospheric modeling indicates wind velocities accelerating to 65 km/h, generating substantial dust and sand particles that severely compromise visibility across the region. Maritime conditions have deteriorated significantly, with wave heights projected to reach 9 feet in both the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea, prompting authorities to strongly discourage all marine activities.

    This weather pattern originates from a low-pressure system dominating Middle Eastern atmospheric conditions, with the most intense phase expected during Thursday. According to meteorological analysis, the system initially impacted Saudi Arabia before progressing eastward toward UAE and Qatari territories.

    Dubai’s leadership has taken proactive measures, with Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum personally addressing residents through social media channels, emphasizing preparedness and caution during this weather event.

    Municipal authorities have disseminated critical safety protocols urging residents to:
    – Avoid wadis and areas prone to water accumulation
    – Refrain from mountainous region travel
    – Abstain from maritime activities
    – Exercise extreme vehicular caution with reduced speeds
    – Monitor exclusively official information channels for updates

    Emergency service accessibility remains paramount with dedicated contact numbers operational: Civil Defense (997), Ambulance (998), Dubai Police (999), DEWA (991), RTA (800 9090), Dubai Municipality (800 900), and Dubai Health Authority (800 60).

    The National Centre of Meteorology continues to monitor developments closely, advising citizens to maintain heightened awareness of changing conditions throughout this weather episode.

  • Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda’s ‘Ikkis’ release date postponed

    Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda’s ‘Ikkis’ release date postponed

    The highly anticipated war drama ‘Ikkis,’ featuring legendary actor Dharmendra in one of his final performances, has undergone a scheduled release adjustment. Originally slated for a December 25, 2025 theatrical debut, the film will now premiere on January 1, 2026. Production company representatives announced the date shift through official social media channels.

    Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, ‘Ikkis’ portrays the heroic true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra military honor. The 21-year-old officer demonstrated exceptional valor during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, with the film promising to bring his previously untold story to contemporary audiences.

    Agastya Nanda, emerging as a prominent new talent in Indian cinema, assumes the lead role of Lieutenant Khetarpal. The supporting cast includes established performers Jaideep Ahlawat and Simar Bhatia in significant roles. The production recently organized a special tribute event in Mumbai honoring Lieutenant Khetarpal’s legacy, attended by high-ranking Indian Army officials including Lieutenant General D.S. Kushwah.

    During emotional remarks at the tribute ceremony, Nanda reflected on the profound impact of portraying such an iconic national figure. Addressing young audience members, the actor emphasized Khetarpal’s remarkable youth and enduring legacy: ‘The most striking aspect of this story is how incredibly young Arun Khetarpal was. I hope when young viewers experience this film, they draw inspiration from his extraordinary courage and dedication to his nation.’

    The release adjustment follows the November 24 passing of co-star Dharmendra, whose participation in the project represents one of the veteran actor’s final screen appearances. Industry observers suggest the date change allows appropriate distance from recent events while maintaining the film’s awards season positioning.

  • France catches second escapee in bedsheet prison break

    France catches second escapee in bedsheet prison break

    French authorities have apprehended the second escaped inmate involved in a dramatic prison break from an overcrowded Dijon facility, marking a significant development in a case that has exposed systemic deficiencies within the nation’s correctional system. The 19-year-old fugitive, wanted in connection with a drug-related attempted murder investigation, was located in a dilapidated apartment complex in Marseille—a known narcotics trafficking hub—following an Interpol red notice issuance.

    The escape occurred in late November when two detainees orchestrated an elaborate breakout using blades to sever cell bars before descending with bedsheets from the Dijon prison, a severely overcrowded facility operating at 173% capacity with 311 inmates occupying space designed for 180. The institution, constructed in 1853, has been documented by the Justice Ministry as structurally deficient and fundamentally inadequate for modern penal requirements.

    This incident has ignited fierce criticism from prison unions accusing the government of neglecting conventional facilities while prioritizing high-security establishments for drug-related offenders. The escape methodology—involving suspected drone deliveries of cutting tools—highlighted persistent security vulnerabilities, with prosecutors confirming previous sentencing for similar drone-assisted contraband operations at the same institution.

    The first fugitive, a 32-year-old facing domestic violence charges, was captured merely a day after the escape while casually drinking coffee at a village bar. Investigators revealed this individual had left a cell message complaining of excessive detention duration. Meanwhile, authorities arrested a 19-year-old accomplice near Besançon in late November on charges of organized escape complicity.

    This event unfolds against France’s worsening prison overcrowding crisis, with national statistics from October showing 135 inmates per 100 available spaces—among Europe’s most severe capacity shortages. Just weeks before the breakout, Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin had announced a €6.3 million security upgrade for Dijon targeting mobile phone proliferation, now overshadowed by more fundamental structural failures.

  • EU’s provisional safe countries list includes ‘repressive’ states

    EU’s provisional safe countries list includes ‘repressive’ states

    The European Union has provisionally endorsed a contentious roster of nations designated as ‘safe countries of origin,’ enabling member states to fast-track the rejection of asylum applications. This legislative move, formalized by EU ministers and ratified through a parliamentary vote, permits authorities to deny asylum to individuals who could have sought protection in any of the listed countries, which include Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Bangladesh, Colombia, India, and several EU candidate nations.

    Despite strong opposition from human rights organizations and dissident groups, the measure received majority support in the European Parliament, with only The Left bloc uniformly opposing it. Critics argue that the list incorporates multiple states with documented records of human rights abuses, political repression, and systematic persecution of dissenters.

    Human rights advocates have condemned the legislation as a violation of international asylum protections. Ahmed Attalla of the Egyptian Front for Human Rights stated the policy prioritizes border control over human rights, potentially exposing vulnerable individuals to accelerated deportation procedures. French MEP Damien Careme characterized the move as ‘the end of the right to asylum in Europe,’ accusing the EU of manipulating international law for political convenience.

    The approved framework also introduces ‘safe third country’ provisions, allowing member states to reject asylum seekers if they transited through non-EU nations deemed safe. Scheduled to take effect in June 2026, this policy reflects the EU’s increasingly restrictive immigration stance amid growing anti-migrant sentiment across the continent.

    Numerous case studies highlight concerns regarding the designated countries. Egypt ranks poorly on global freedom indices, with Human Rights Watch documenting systematic repression and thousands of political detainees. Tunisia has dismantled democratic institutions since President Saied’s 2021 coup, while Morocco faces criticism for its occupation of Western Sahara and suppression of Sahrawi activists. Turkey continues widespread persecution of dissidents, with Amnesty International reporting systematic torture in detention facilities.

    The legislation represents a significant shift in EU asylum policy that critics fear will eliminate Europe’s historical role as a sanctuary for those fleeing persecution, war, and instability.

  • UAE wealth evolution: Entrepreneurs embrace family offices for growth

    UAE wealth evolution: Entrepreneurs embrace family offices for growth

    The United Arab Emirates is witnessing a significant transformation in wealth management strategies as its burgeoning class of successful entrepreneurs increasingly adopt family office structures to navigate complex financial landscapes. This evolution represents a fundamental shift from traditional investment approaches toward comprehensive, multi-generational wealth preservation and growth frameworks.

    With the rapid expansion of founder-led businesses across the Emirates, entrepreneurs face increasingly sophisticated financial decisions involving personal wealth management, business reinvestment strategies, global asset allocation, and long-term family priorities. Conventional investment channels—including venture capital and private banking services—typically address isolated aspects of this journey but fail to provide holistic solutions.

    Family offices have emerged as the preferred mechanism for addressing these comprehensive needs. Originally developed for established business dynasties, these structures have been adapted by modern entrepreneurs seeking greater control, flexibility, and long-term perspective. The UAE’s stable regulatory environment, attractive tax policies, and maturing private-market ecosystem have accelerated this transition, positioning Dubai and Abu Dhabi as magnets for both regional and international family offices.

    The appeal of family offices lies in their unique ability to provide long-term alignment with entrepreneurial objectives. Unlike traditional investors operating within fixed fund cycles, family offices invest with generational horizons, allowing entrepreneurs to pursue sustainable growth strategies, complex ventures, and market expansion without short-term exit pressures.

    Beyond capital deployment, these institutions offer strategic depth through decades-old networks spanning real estate, technology, logistics, and healthcare sectors. For founders entering new geographic markets or industries, access to these relationships proves invaluable for establishing partnerships, distribution channels, talent acquisition, and regulatory navigation.

    The comprehensive service spectrum of family offices—encompassing wealth planning, investment structuring, estate management, philanthropy, governance frameworks, and next-generation education—provides entrepreneurs with integrated support that reduces fragmentation in decision-making processes.

    A distinctive trend has emerged with the rise of entrepreneur-led family offices, where founders transition from operating single companies to managing diversified investment portfolios. These dynamic structures typically demonstrate more hands-on approaches, greater innovation openness, and active engagement in opportunity identification—characteristics that align perfectly with the UAE’s expanding technology, advanced industries, and private markets.

    The UAE’s distinctive combination of regulatory clarity and global connectivity—evidenced through DIFC and ADGM’s family-wealth frameworks, residency incentives, and streamlined investment structures—has established the nation as a premier hub for family offices seeking Middle Eastern footholds. This ecosystem fosters increasingly collaborative relationships between entrepreneurs and family offices, transforming them from mere investor-beneficiary arrangements into partnerships that shape long-term economic development.

    As Emirati founders continue expanding across borders, diversifying assets, and planning generational transitions, family offices provide the structural foundation to support these ambitions. In a region characterized by growing innovation, capital concentration, and entrepreneurial energy, these institutions are quietly emerging as powerful drivers behind the next chapter of wealth creation and business development.

  • Winter death toll in Gaza reaches 17 as calls on Israel to lift aid blockade grow

    Winter death toll in Gaza reaches 17 as calls on Israel to lift aid blockade grow

    A severe winter storm has exacerbated the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, claiming at least 17 Palestinian lives including four children who succumbed to hypothermia amid freezing temperatures. The youngest victim, one-month-old Saeed Asaeed Abdeen, died from severe hypothermia as Storm Byron swept through the territory with torrential rains and destructive floods.

    Medical authorities at al-Shifa Medical Complex report critical shortages of medicines and supplies, with over half of vital medications completely unavailable. Director Muhammad Abu Salmiya warned that children face extreme vulnerability from the combined threats of ongoing Israeli bombardment, freezing conditions, and rapidly spreading diseases.

    Gaza’s infrastructure collapse has turned winter weather into a lethal threat. According to Gaza Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal, over a dozen compromised buildings have collapsed since heavy rainfall began last week, with emergency teams responding to damage at more than 90 structures and fielding over 5,000 distress calls within a month.

    The municipal government in Gaza City has raised alarms about a worsening waste management crisis, exacerbated by fuel shortages that have severely limited collection services. Approximately 90% of shelters across the territory have been submerged or swept away by floodwaters, leaving thousands of families without possessions or protection from the elements.

    Visual evidence circulating online shows tents being blown away by high winds, completely flooded shelters and hospitals, and collapsed concrete walls crushing temporary accommodations. In one tragic incident in Gaza City’s Tel al-Hawa neighborhood, a wall collapse on a displacement tent resulted in multiple fatalities.

    The crisis stems from what UN agencies and over 200 NGOs describe as Israel’s systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid. A joint statement condemned Israel’s ‘ongoing re-registration process and other arbitrary hindrances’ that have left millions of dollars worth of essential supplies stranded outside Gaza. The organizations emphasized that humanitarian access constitutes a legal obligation under international humanitarian law, particularly given Israel’s failure to ensure adequate supplies for the population.

    According to the latest UNRWA situation report, Israeli authorities continue blocking the agency from directly delivering humanitarian personnel and aid into Gaza. The territory has endured over two years of restricted goods entry, with only limited supplies entering under intense diplomatic pressure despite the destruction of nearly 80% of structures.

    The compounded crises have left Gaza’s population of over two million without reliable access to clean water, food, shelter, healthcare, clothing, or fuel. Rainwater accumulation combined with destroyed drainage and sewage systems creates additional environmental and health hazards for displaced Palestinians residing in inadequate temporary shelters.

    Israeli military operations continue despite ceasefire discussions, with UNRWA reporting multiple installations struck recently, causing additional casualties. The overall death toll from the conflict now exceeds 70,669, including more than 20,000 children, with thousands more missing and presumed dead.

  • Stormy weather in UAE: Residents wake up to damaged cars, uprooted trees

    Stormy weather in UAE: Residents wake up to damaged cars, uprooted trees

    Residents across the northern emirates awoke to significant disruption on Thursday, December 18th, 2025, following a night of intense thunderstorms that brought torrential rain, hail, and powerful winds. The severe weather event, part of a broader low-pressure system affecting the Middle East, caused widespread damage to property and infrastructure, particularly in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and Umm Al Quwain.

    In RAK, the relentless downpour resulted in residential flooding, with water seeping into homes through doors and windows. The true extent of the damage became apparent at daybreak, revealing vehicles damaged by falling tree branches and debris. Public pathways and parking areas were partially obstructed, littered with broken branches and washed-down refuse. Local authorities had proactively issued mobile phone alerts warning residents of the deteriorating conditions, advising caution around newly formed ponds and streams.

    Social media platforms and weather accounts, including Storm.ae, documented the event with visuals of hailstones and extensive waterlogging on roads. The impact extended beyond property damage, hindering daily commutes and forcing the temporary closure of some businesses in low-lying commercial areas where water had infiltrated shops.

    While the northern regions bore the brunt of the storm, residents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi reported comparatively milder conditions, experiencing only cloudy skies and light drizzle. UAE weather officials have forecast that the unstable conditions are expected to persist, with a potential intensification of thunderstorms continuing through Friday. The event has highlighted community resilience and the operational challenges posed by sudden extreme weather in the region.

  • Qatar: Gaza stabilization force in the making must be neutral

    Qatar: Gaza stabilization force in the making must be neutral

    Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has articulated a firm stance on the proposed international stabilization force for Gaza, emphasizing the critical need for impartiality in postwar arrangements. Following high-level discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the seventh Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue in Washington, the Prime Minister asserted that any security presence must prioritize protecting the ceasefire agreement itself rather than favoring any single party.

    The diplomatic engagement occurred against the backdrop of deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where recent winter storms have exacerbated the crisis. UNRWA reports indicate at least 16 fatalities resulting from Storm Byron’s impact on vulnerable shelters, with three children among the deceased. Agency chief Philippe Lazzarini characterized the disaster as “man-made” due to the population’s forced displacement into inadequate shelters.

    Concurrently, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty advocated for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 during discussions with his Slovak counterpart. The resolution, adopted last month, mandates deployment of an International Stabilization Force while emphasizing the interconnection between humanitarian progress and Palestinian administrative continuity.

    Diplomatic developments suggest movement toward governance structures, with the Times of Israel reporting six nations—Egypt, Qatar, UAE, UK, Italy, and Germany—have committed to participate in a proposed Board of Peace for postwar Gaza management. However, regional analysts caution that such initiatives risk credibility gaps if pursued alongside ongoing military operations and settler violence in the West Bank.

    Arhama Siddiqa of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad notes these diplomatic exchanges reveal emerging regional consensus that stabilization mechanisms must be internationally grounded, impartial, and intrinsically linked to unimpeded humanitarian access. The convergence of Qatari and Egyptian positions highlights Arab concerns that postwar arrangements must not evolve into instruments for managing occupation or shielding Israel from accountability.