Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale transports visitors through time

    Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale transports visitors through time

    RIYADH — The third Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, now open at JAX District’s repurposed warehouses until May 2, presents a profound exploration of movement, migration, and temporal transitions through diverse artistic mediums. Titled ‘In Interludes and Transitions’ (Arabic: ‘Fil hil wal terhal’), the exhibition features 68 international artists, including over 25 newly commissioned works, curated by Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed.

    Bangladeshi artist Sarker Protick’s photographic series ‘Awngar’ investigates British colonial railway infrastructure in historic Bengal, connecting coal mining regions across Bangladesh and India. His luminous photographs examine how transportation networks shaped South Asian identity while subtly commenting on colonialism’s environmental legacy.

    Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj presents ‘Very volcanic over this green feather,’ an installation born from childhood memories of the Kosovo War that transforms trauma into imaginative resistance. ‘Fantasy and invention are not escapes, they are necessities,’ Halilaj explained, describing his work as advocating ‘tenderness and vulnerability as political positions.’

    French sculptor Théo Mercier’s ‘House of Eternity’ creates archaeological fiction from 400 tonnes of locally sourced sand, resembling ancient desert monoliths. This paradoxical installation—both permanent and ephemeral—will be returned to its original dunes post-exhibition, highlighting sand as both allegory and exploited resource.

    The biennale’s opening ceremony featured Mohammed Alhamdan’s procession performance ‘Folding the Tents,’ with roaring Chasse cars heralding Saudi Arabia’s growing contemporary art scene. Notable video works include Raqs Media Collective’s ‘Something Rare to Lose’ and Saudi artist Ahaad Alamoudi’s dreamlike imagery exploring elusive pursuit.

    UAE connections appear through Abu Dhabi-born Afra Al Dhaheri’s plexiglass dining table and Abdullah Al Saadi’s ‘The Slipper’s Journey’ with found stones. Curators Razian (Jameel Arts Centre) and Ahmed (Ishara Art Foundation) bring extensive Gulf region experience, shaping the biennale into a platform for empathetic dialogue.

    Against global political tensions, this multi-month event invites rhythmic contemplation of shared human journeys—from Arabian nomadic traditions to modern migrations—affirming art’s capacity to document transformation while fostering continuity.

  • Digital publishing: How writers are discovering new ways to reach readers

    Digital publishing: How writers are discovering new ways to reach readers

    The global publishing landscape is undergoing a profound transformation as digital platforms empower a new generation of writers to bypass traditional gatekeepers and connect directly with millions of readers worldwide. This revolution, accelerated during pandemic lockdowns, has created unprecedented opportunities for diverse voices to flourish.

    When COVID-19 confined people to their homes, Delhi homemaker Varsha Shrivastava discovered her literary voice through Pratilipi, a mobile publishing application. Without formal training or publishing aspirations, she began typing stories on her phone that would eventually culminate in the ‘Murdon ki Train’ trilogy, amassing over 17 million reads. ‘It was my very first story, and I never imagined it would travel this far,’ Shrivastava reflects, noting how this accidental beginning launched her writing career.

    Her experience exemplifies a broader movement where digital platforms are creating entirely new storytelling ecosystems. Pratilipi, founded in Bengaluru a decade ago with the Sanskrit-derived philosophy of ‘copy’—suggesting stories both mirror and shape society—has grown into one of India’s largest self-publishing platforms. It now hosts literature in 12 regional languages including Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, and English, featuring over 15 million stories from more than one million authors with nearly 10 million active readers.

    The platform’s impact extends beyond text, with successful adaptations into multiple media formats. Priya Yadav’s ‘Bedard Piya’ has been transformed into a generative AI-animated series with Teevra Studios, while Priti Jadhav’s ‘Charitraheen’ is being developed for screen adaptation through Roy Kapur Films. Seema Jain’s short story ‘Bahurani’ has had rights acquired by The Viral Fever (TVF), and Vinod Kumar Dave’s ‘Kaali Parchai’ has evolved into a motion-comic episodic series under Pratilipi Films.

    This democratization of publishing represents a fundamental shift from the traditional model where, according to Pratilipi CEO Ranjeet Pratap Singh, ‘less than one per cent of submissions would be published.’ Digital platforms have eliminated these barriers, allowing writers from any location to publish instantly, build readerships, receive real-time feedback, and generate income. The ecosystem includes international players like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, which has enabled global distribution, along with Google Play Books, Kobo Writing Life, and Apple Books.

    A particularly significant aspect of this transformation is the prominence of women writers, who constitute approximately 55% of Pratilipi’s authors and dominate its top performer lists. Many writing in their mother tongues, these women are finding not only readers but creative confidence and identity through platforms that celebrate stories rooted in lived experience rather than commercial predictability.

    The revolution continues to expand as niche interests flourish and success becomes determined by reader engagement rather than publisher approval. This seismic shift has created a fluid storytelling universe where literature becomes accessible to anyone with a story worth telling, fundamentally redefining what it means to be a published author in the digital age.

  • Gaza death toll was a third higher than official figures, says Lancet study

    Gaza death toll was a third higher than official figures, says Lancet study

    A groundbreaking epidemiological study published in The Lancet Global Health journal has revealed a stark discrepancy in Gaza conflict mortality data, estimating that violent deaths during the first 16 months of hostilities significantly exceeded official reports. The comprehensive survey, conducted by an international team of demographers, economists, and epidemiological experts, calculated approximately 75,200 violent fatalities occurred between October 7, 2023, and January 5, 2025—representing a 35 percent increase over the Palestinian health ministry’s documented count of 49,090 during the same period.

    The Gaza Mortality Survey employed rigorous methodological approaches, interviewing 2,000 representative households encompassing 9,729 individuals across Gaza. Experienced Palestinian pollsters collected detailed familial mortality data, with findings indicating that 3.4 percent of Gaza’s population suffered violent deaths during the survey period. The research validated that demographic distributions reported by health officials—showing 42,200 women, children, and elderly victims comprising 56 percent of total fatalities—were remarkably accurate.

    Professor Michael Spagat, an economics expert at Royal Holloway and study co-author, highlighted additional conflict-related mortality, estimating approximately 8,200 further deaths attributable to indirect effects including malnutrition and untreated diseases. The research team emphasized that health ministry figures provided a conservative baseline rather than an overcount, with multiple independent methodologies confirming the reliability of administrative casualty recording systems despite extreme operational conditions.

    The findings gain further credibility through correlation with independent analyses, including a November estimate from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research that calculated 78,318 fatalities through December 2024. While Israeli authorities have historically questioned Palestinian health ministry data, a military official recently acknowledged approximately 70,000 Gaza deaths, aligning more closely with the new epidemiological findings than previous official estimates.

  • Parents forgive driver after son’s death in UAE, say ‘nothing will bring him back’

    Parents forgive driver after son’s death in UAE, say ‘nothing will bring him back’

    In a profound display of compassion amidst unimaginable grief, Indian expatriates in the UAE have chosen forgiveness over retribution following the accidental death of their only child. Sherafudheen and his wife, residents of Dubai, lost their 21-month-old son Alan in a tragic parking lot incident in Sharjah’s Muweilah area last week.

    The toddler, named after both the Syrian refugee Alan Kurdi and the mystic poet Rumi, was described by his father as ‘the light of our life’ in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times. The family had waited six years for his arrival, making the loss particularly devastating.

    The accident occurred when Alan’s mother took him downstairs to dispose of garbage. The child, playing with a neighbor’s son of similar age, spotted a cat and impulsively ran toward the animal. Despite his mother’s calls to stop, Alan misinterpreted her pursuit as play and ran directly into the path of a vehicle exiting the parking lot.

    In an extraordinary decision, the grieving parents provided Sharjah police with a written statement absolving the driver of blame. ‘It wasn’t anyone’s fault,’ Sherafudheen explained. ‘It was an unfortunate incident involving momentary lapses of attention from all sides. Punishing the driver will not bring back our son.’

    The driver, also an Indian expatriate, had his passport temporarily retained but was released from custody following the family’s declaration. He has since maintained contact with the bereaved parents, checking on their wellbeing.

    Sherafudheen hopes his family’s tragic experience will serve as a cautionary tale for both parents and drivers throughout the UAE. ‘A momentary lapse of attention brought our whole world crashing down,’ he noted, emphasizing the need for heightened road safety awareness.

    The family had extensive plans for their future in the UAE, including religious pilgrimages and relocation to more affordable emirates. While these dreams have been shattered, the parents demonstrate remarkable resilience, stating they are ‘trusting God and trying to move forward.’ They plan to return to Dubai together once they have processed their grief, refusing to be separated during this difficult period.

  • Central government to investigate deadly Hubei fireworks shop blast

    Central government to investigate deadly Hubei fireworks shop blast

    China’s central government has initiated a high-level investigation into a catastrophic fireworks explosion in Hubei province that resulted in twelve fatalities. The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon at a retail establishment specializing in fireworks and firecrackers located in Zhengji township.

    In response to the severity of the tragedy, the State Council Work Safety Committee has formally classified the event as a major accident, triggering a specialized supervision protocol reserved for serious safety failures. A multi-agency task force comprising officials from the committee’s office, the Ministry of Emergency Management, the Ministry of Public Security, and the National Fire and Rescue Administration has been deployed to the accident site to direct investigation efforts and oversee rescue operations.

    Preliminary findings indicate the disaster began with an initial explosion that rapidly progressed to widespread combustion. While emergency response teams mobilized immediately following the blast, the precise sequence of events and underlying causes remain under active examination by investigators.

    The comprehensive supervision process aims to establish accountability, identify potential safety protocol violations, and develop enhanced preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies. China maintains stringent regulatory controls over fireworks production and distribution due to inherent safety risks, particularly during periods of heightened demand surrounding traditional cultural festivals and celebrations.

  • Pakistan extends airspace ban on India till March 23

    Pakistan extends airspace ban on India till March 23

    The protracted aerial standoff between Pakistan and India is set to continue through March 23rd, as Islamabad issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) extending its airspace restrictions against Indian aircraft. This reciprocal closure, now entering its eleventh consecutive month, represents one of the longest disruptions in civil aviation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

    The airspace restrictions originated on April 24, 2025, when Pakistan implemented the ban in response to India’s earlier closure following the Pahalgam terror attack. The tit-for-tat measures have created significant operational challenges for airlines, particularly Indian carriers who are reportedly incurring approximately $1 billion in annual losses due to extended flight paths, increased fuel consumption, and logistical complications.

    Approximately 800 flights operated by Indian airlines have been affected, primarily those connecting Delhi and other northern Indian airports to destinations in the Gulf region, Middle East, Europe, and eastern North America. Interestingly, Pakistan International Airlines has experienced minimal impact since the carrier operates limited routes that traverse Indian airspace toward eastern destinations.

    The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that the NOTAM applies to both of the country’s flight information regions in Karachi and Lahore. This marks the second major airspace closure between the nations in recent years, recalling the nearly five-month shutdown in 2019 following the Pulwama terror attack and subsequent military tensions. During that previous closure, Indian airlines suffered financial losses exceeding $64 million.

    Aviation analysts note that India is expected to maintain reciprocal restrictions, prolonging the economic and operational consequences for both nations’ aviation sectors. The persistent airspace closure underscores how geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt regional connectivity and economic stability in South Asia.

  • Bodo/Glimt stun Inter, Gordon hits four in Newcastle Champions League romp

    Bodo/Glimt stun Inter, Gordon hits four in Newcastle Champions League romp

    In a night of extraordinary UEFA Champions League drama, Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt delivered one of the competition’s greatest upsets by defeating last season’s finalists Inter Milan 3-1 in their playoff first leg. The Arctic Circle club, who previously bested Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the group stage, demonstrated their European credentials with a commanding performance against the Serie A leaders.

    The scoring opened in the 20th minute when Sondre Brunstad Fet capitalized on Bodo/Glimt’s aggressive start. Although Inter’s Francesco Pio Esposito leveled proceedings on the half-hour mark—a goal validated by VAR despite handball appeals—the Norwegian side reclaimed control after the break. Kasper Hogh provided a brilliant assist for Jens Petter Hauge’s 61st-minute strike before adding his own goal just three minutes later, establishing a formidable advantage ahead of next week’s return leg at San Siro.

    Meanwhile, Newcastle United delivered a devastating attacking display in Azerbaijan as Anthony Gordon scored four goals in their 6-1 demolition of Qarabag. The English winger opened his account within three minutes, completed his hat-trick within 34 minutes, and added a penalty before halftime. Gordon’s remarkable quadruple brings his tournament tally to 10 goals, trailing only Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé in the scoring charts.

    In other playoff action, Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid shared six goals in a thrilling 3-3 stalemate. The Belgian side twice came from behind, with Christos Tzolis netting an 89th-minute equalizer after Joel Ordonez’s own goal had seemingly handed Atletico victory. Bayer Leverkusen took control of their tie with Olympiacos, avenging last month’s defeat with a 2-0 victory in Piraeus courtesy of Patrik Schick’s quickfire double around the hour mark.

  • T20 World Cup: West Indies finish group stage unbeaten after easing past Italy

    T20 World Cup: West Indies finish group stage unbeaten after easing past Italy

    The West Indies cricket team completed a flawless group stage campaign at the T20 World Cup with a commanding 42-run victory against Italy in Kolkata on Thursday. The two-time champions demonstrated their championship pedigree by securing their spot in the Super Eight stage with an unblemished record.

    Captain Shai Hope delivered a masterclass performance, scoring 75 runs from just 46 deliveries to register his 11th T20 International half-century. His commanding innings established a competitive target of 166 runs despite Italy’s determined bowling effort. Hope’s leadership proved instrumental in stabilizing the West Indies innings after early setbacks caused by Italian pacers Ali Hasan and Thomas Draca.

    Italy’s chase began disastrously when Matthew Forde’s precision bowling dismantled Justin Mosca’s stumps early in the innings. Akeal Hosein’s strategic bowling later claimed the wicket of Anthony Mosca, who had briefly threatened with two sixes before being deceived by a slower delivery.

    The Italian side showed resilience through JJ Smuts (24 off 27) and Ben Manenti (26 off 21), who mounted a temporary fightback. However, their efforts were curtailed by Gudakesh Motie’s spin expertise, which yielded figures of 2/24. West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph delivered a devastating performance with 4/30, while Forde complemented with 3/19, collectively bowling out Italy for 123 in 18 overs.

    Despite disciplined bowling from Italy’s spinners Manenti (2/37) and Crishan Kalugamage (2/25) that restricted West Indies to 165-6, the target proved insurmountable for the associate nation. Italy concludes their tournament journey with a single victory against Nepal, while the West Indies advance with formidable momentum.

  • CASA VOGUE DESIGN LLC delivers premium fit-out excellence with 45-day fast-track hospitality project in Dubai

    CASA VOGUE DESIGN LLC delivers premium fit-out excellence with 45-day fast-track hospitality project in Dubai

    CASA VOGUE DESIGN LLC has established itself as a formidable player in Dubai’s competitive construction sector by completing a luxury hospitality project within an unprecedented 45-day timeframe. The Dubai-based fit-out and construction execution company, founded in 2023 under managing partner Nowar Hemid, has demonstrated exceptional capability in delivering high-standard developments for government entities, semi-government organizations, and premium private clients.

    The company’s recent flagship achievement—the complete fit-out execution for AMARU Restaurant & Lounge at Souk Madinat Jumeirah—showcases their operational excellence under extreme schedule pressure. This luxury dining venue, inspired by authentic Latin American cuisine and vibrant cultural elements, required meticulous attention to detail, regulatory compliance, and operational durability beyond mere visual appeal.

    CASA VOGUE DESIGN’s success stems from a disciplined approach to project management that includes structured manpower deployment, rigorous quality control checkpoints, and seamless multi-trade coordination. The 45-day delivery was made possible through clear pre-planning, rapid mobilization of skilled professionals, daily progress monitoring, and strict adherence to UAE authority standards while maintaining continuous stakeholder communication.

    Operating within Dubai’s highly regulated construction environment, the company has mastered the balance between accelerated timelines and uncompromised workmanship. The AMARU project particularly highlights their expertise in managing complex hospitality environments where precision execution directly impacts business performance and operational functionality.

    With a growing portfolio spanning commercial spaces, villas, townhouses, and high-standard developments, CASA VOGUE DESIGN continues to build its reputation as a dependable execution partner in the region’s fast-moving property market. The company’s core philosophy emphasizes disciplined site management, compliance with local regulations, and scheduled handover without compromising quality—a combination that positions them favorably for future projects with semi-government entities and private developers seeking premium delivery under tight deadlines.

  • Nissan to recall about 643,000 SUVs in US over engine, gear issues

    Nissan to recall about 643,000 SUVs in US over engine, gear issues

    Nissan Motor Corporation has initiated a substantial safety recall affecting approximately 643,000 Rogue sport utility vehicles across the United States. The announcement came Thursday following investigations by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that identified two distinct mechanical issues posing significant safety risks.

    The Japanese automaker is implementing two separate recall actions simultaneously. The first recall targets 318,781 Rogue SUVs manufactured between specific production periods, addressing faulty throttle body gears that have shown susceptibility to breakage. The second recall encompasses 323,917 vehicles from different production batches, focusing on damaged engine bearings that could potentially lead to hazardous oil leakage.

    According to NHTSA documentation, these technical defects present serious driving hazards. The compromised throttle body gears could result in sudden loss of propulsion power, while the damaged engine bearings might cause hot engine oil discharge, creating dual threats of potential engine compartment fires and unexpected power failure while driving.

    As remediation measures, Nissan authorized dealerships will perform essential software updates to the engine control modules and conduct thorough inspections of the identified components. Where inspection reveals damaged parts, technicians will execute complete replacements using enhanced components designed to address the identified failure points.

    The recall campaign represents one of the most significant automotive safety actions of the year, affecting nearly all Rogue SUV models from specific model years. Nissan has committed to directly notifying affected vehicle owners through official channels, with repair services to be provided at no cost to consumers.