Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Portugal temporarily closes Iran embassy, advises citizens not to travel to the country

    Portugal temporarily closes Iran embassy, advises citizens not to travel to the country

    In a significant diplomatic move reflecting escalating regional tensions, Portugal has announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Tehran. The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement on Thursday, January 15, 2026, citing a “context of tension” as the primary reason for this decisive action.

    The government has concurrently issued a travel advisory strongly recommending that Portuguese nationals avoid all travel to Iranian territory. This precautionary measure comes amidst growing international concerns about stability in the region.

    According to the ministry’s disclosure, eight Portuguese citizens have already been evacuated from Iran, with additional nationals making preparations to depart. However, the statement also noted that ten other passport holders, including seven dual nationals, have chosen to remain in the country despite the advisory.

    This embassy closure, finalized on Wednesday, follows diplomatic protests lodged by Lisbon. Just a day prior, the Portuguese government had summoned Iran’s ambassador to express formal condemnation against what it described as the “violent repression of demonstrations” against the Tehran regime. During this diplomatic confrontation, Portuguese officials urged Iranian authorities to respect the fundamental rights of its citizens.

    Further amplifying Portugal’s stance, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel utilized social media platform X to declare the nation’s readiness to support and join any European Union initiative to strengthen sanctions against Iran. This position aligns Portugal with potential coordinated international action aimed at pressuring the Iranian government.

  • From Kansas to karst: Unpacking Guangxi’s charms

    From Kansas to karst: Unpacking Guangxi’s charms

    In a remarkable transition from the flat plains of Kansas to the dramatic karst formations of Southern China, American expatriate Gabrielle Chen documents her profound encounter with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region’s natural wonders. Her journey through Liuzhou, Hechi, and Guilin reveals a landscape so visually stunning it challenges perception itself.

    Chen describes Guangxi as a ‘dreamscape’ where mist-veiled mountains pierce the sky and crystalline waters create perfect mirror images of the dramatic topography. This stands in stark contrast to the familiar flat expanses of her Kansas homeland, presenting what she characterizes as nature’s most concentrated artistic achievement.

    The experiential highlight occurred during a bamboo raft excursion across Pohao Lake, where the gentle rhythm of waves synchronized with what Chen describes as a spiritual awakening. Passing beneath ancient stone bridges, she felt she was ‘looking into the Earth’s soul,’ witnessing an seamless integration of mountain, sky, and water that transcends verbal description.

    Chen’s journey included the iconic Liujiang River in Yangshuo, where she replicated the famous imagery from China’s 20 yuan banknote—a symbolic connection between representation and reality. Her account emphasizes that Guangxi’s beauty remains fundamentally un-capturable through reproduction, existing instead as a purely experiential phenomenon that must be personally encountered to be fully appreciated.

    This personal narrative emerges from China Daily’s ongoing series featuring expatriates sharing their experiences across Chinese cities and regions, highlighting cross-cultural appreciation of China’s diverse geographical wonders.

  • Iran will ‘defend itself against any foreign threat’, Araghchi tells Saudi FM

    Iran will ‘defend itself against any foreign threat’, Araghchi tells Saudi FM

    In a significant diplomatic development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held urgent telephone discussions on Thursday amid escalating regional tensions. The conversation centered on potential military confrontation between Iran and the United States, with Araghchi emphasizing Tehran’s readiness to “defend itself against any foreign threat.”

    The diplomatic exchange occurred as Washington continues to contemplate military options in response to Iran’s handling of domestic protests. According to Araghchi’s Telegram channel statement, the Iranian minister stressed the critical need for “global condemnation of foreign interference in the internal affairs of regional countries.”

    In a crucial development, Saudi Arabia directly communicated to Tehran that it would not permit its territory or airspace to be utilized for any military offensive against Iran. A source close to the Saudi military confirmed to AFP that “Saudi Arabia has informed Tehran directly that it will not be part of any military action taken against it.”

    The Saudi Press Agency acknowledged the conversation, noting that both ministers “discussed developments in the region and how to enhance its security and stability.” This diplomatic engagement occurs against the backdrop of explicit warnings from Tehran that it would target US military and shipping assets if attacked, while the United States maintains that military response remains an option concerning Iran’s protest crackdown.

  • Chongqing red leaf festival draws record 4.7 million visitors

    Chongqing red leaf festival draws record 4.7 million visitors

    Chongqing’s Wushan county has witnessed an extraordinary surge in tourism as its 19th Yangtze River Three Gorges International Red Leaf Festival attracted an unprecedented 4.7 million visitors between November and December. According to the local culture and tourism committee, this remarkable figure represents a 13.22 percent increase compared to the previous year’s attendance, setting a new benchmark for the annual autumn event.

    The festival’s overwhelming popularity necessitated unprecedented measures as Wushan’s three major scenic areas issued crowd control notifications for the first time in the event’s history. Several outdoor routes consistently recorded daily visitor numbers exceeding 10,000, while accommodation providers reported average occupancy rates surpassing 80 percent across the county. More than 270,000 guests opted for overnight stays, significantly boosting local hospitality revenue.

    The international festival, centered around the spectacular autumn foliage along the Yangtze River Three Gorges, has evolved into one of Chongqing’s most significant cultural tourism attractions. The dramatic increase in visitor numbers reflects growing domestic tourism demand and successful marketing strategies implemented by local authorities. The event not only showcases nature’s vibrant transformation but also demonstrates how seasonal phenomena can drive substantial economic benefits to regional communities through tourism development.

  • China carries out nearly 8.5m hectares of land greening in 2025

    China carries out nearly 8.5m hectares of land greening in 2025

    China has made extraordinary strides in ecological restoration, having successfully greened approximately 8.47 million hectares of land throughout 2025 according to official data released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. This remarkable achievement was announced during the administration’s annual work conference, highlighting the nation’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.

    The comprehensive greening initiative encompassed multiple approaches to ecological rehabilitation. Nearly 3.6 million hectares were transformed through strategic afforestation projects, while the remaining areas were restored through sophisticated grassland rehabilitation techniques. These concerted efforts have produced tangible results, with China’s forest coverage rate now reaching 25.09 percent and forest stock volume approaching 21 billion cubic meters.

    Examining the broader Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China’s environmental accomplishments become even more impressive. The country successfully greened a total of 36.6 million hectares, including 12.3 million hectares through afforestation. Additionally, an annual average of approximately 3.1 million hectares of degraded grassland underwent restoration, maintaining comprehensive vegetation coverage above the critical threshold of 50 percent.

    Perhaps most notably, China has emerged as a global leader in desertification control. Over the past five years, the nation has treated roughly 10.1 million hectares of desertified land while implementing protective measures across nearly 1.9 million hectares to prevent further deterioration. This systematic approach has resulted in continuous declines in desertification and sandification-affected areas, positioning China as the first major nation to achieve zero net growth in land degradation—a landmark accomplishment in global environmental conservation.

  • Zhou Liang sees hope for Yangtze sturgeon after decades of conservation work

    Zhou Liang sees hope for Yangtze sturgeon after decades of conservation work

    After 35 years of relentless dedication, Zhou Liang, director of the Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals, is witnessing transformative progress in restoring the wild population of the critically endangered Yangtze sturgeon. The 53-year-old conservationist has pursued this mission as both a professional commitment and a personal legacy, continuing the work initiated by his late father, Zhou Shiwu.

    The Yibin Institute, recognized as China’s first private research organization focused on preserving rare aquatic species in the Yangtze River, represents a remarkable family endeavor. Rather than pursuing urban career opportunities after university, Zhou Liang returned to his hometown in Sichuan Province to establish this pioneering conservation facility during a period of severe ecological crisis.

    By the turn of millennium, the Yangtze sturgeon faced existential threats from multiple fronts: intensive overfishing, extensive dredging operations, and widespread dam construction had decimated natural breeding populations. Scientific surveys confirmed the alarming absence of naturally spawned juvenile sturgeons throughout the entire river system by approximately 2000.

    The conservation breakthrough emerged in 2004 when Zhou’s team mastered large-scale artificial breeding techniques. This scientific achievement resulted in the successful hatching of tens of thousands of Yangtze sturgeon fry at the institute’s breeding facilities, marking a critical milestone in species preservation.

    Current observations indicate promising signs of population recovery, suggesting that decades of coordinated efforts between research institutions, government agencies, and local communities are finally yielding measurable ecological restoration. Zhou’s work demonstrates how sustained scientific commitment can reverse even the most severe biodiversity declines, offering valuable insights for global conservation initiatives.

  • Experts growing new skin for badly-burnt survivors of Swiss fire tragedy

    Experts growing new skin for badly-burnt survivors of Swiss fire tragedy

    In an unprecedented medical response, the Cell Production Centre at Lausanne University Hospital has mobilized its entire team to cultivate life-saving skin grafts for victims of Switzerland’s devastating New Year’s bar fire. The specialized facility—Europe’s largest of its kind—has received 15 urgent requests for artificial skin cultivation specifically for Crans-Montana fire survivors, a number that typically represents three-quarters of their annual caseload.

    The tragedy at Le Constellation bar on January 1st resulted in 40 fatalities—primarily teenagers—and left 116 injured, with 80 patients still hospitalized across Switzerland and neighboring countries weeks after the incident. According to Laurent Carrez, the center’s pharmacist technical manager, medical staff are working seven days weekly to address the overwhelming need.

    This cutting-edge medical process begins with collecting healthy skin samples from burn victims themselves to prevent tissue rejection. Through sophisticated laboratory techniques, technicians can transform a mere 10 square centimeters of original tissue into substantial grafts covering up to 7,800 square centimeters—approximately the surface area of three human backs.

    The production occurs in controlled cleanroom environments where specialists meticulously nurture skin cells in nutrient-rich solutions. The current phase involves multiplying keratinocyte cells, which naturally form layered tissue over approximately three weeks. These laboratory-grown skins lack hair follicles and sweat glands but provide critical protection once grafted.

    As explained by severe burns specialist Olivier Pantet, such extensive tissue cultivation becomes essential when patients have lost over 50% of their skin surface. While awaiting grafts, medical teams utilize temporary measures including specialized dressings, donor skin, and even fish skin applications.

    The grafting process itself carries significant challenges, with an 80% success rate considered excellent outcomes. Post-operative care involves meticulous environmental control in high-humidity rooms maintained at 30°C (86°F), followed by extensive rehabilitation with joint positioning and splinting.

    Authorities believe the catastrophic fire ignited when champagne bottles adorned with sparklers contacted soundproofing foam on the basement ceiling. Lausanne University Hospital currently treats seven patients from the incident, many suffering from both extensive surface burns and deep tissue damage.

  • Weekly quiz: Where are BTS kicking off their comeback tour?

    Weekly quiz: Where are BTS kicking off their comeback tour?

    This week witnessed significant developments across global affairs, space exploration, and entertainment, underscoring a period of intense international activity. Iranian authorities implemented severe measures to quell domestic protests, resulting in numerous casualties and drawing international condemnation. The crackdown represents one of the most forceful governmental responses to civil unrest in the region this year, highlighting ongoing tensions within the country.

    In a landmark space mission, four astronauts executed an emergency return from the International Space Station following an unprecedented medical evacuation. The crew made a safe landing back on Earth, marking a critical moment for space agencies and their emergency protocols. This incident represents the first medical evacuation of its kind from the orbital laboratory, testing the resilience and preparedness of international space collaboration.

    Meanwhile, production of the popular reality series ‘Love Island: All Stars’ faced sudden disruption as cast and crew were evacuated from the filming villa due to rapidly spreading wildfires. The incident forced temporary suspension of filming, with contestants relocated to secure locations as firefighters battled the blazes.

    These events occurred alongside numerous other global developments, including continued tensions on the Korean Peninsula following statements from K-pop group BTS regarding their mandatory military service, and ongoing diplomatic maneuvers in international relations. News organization Ben Fell compiled these events into a weekly news quiz, challenging readers to test their awareness of current affairs alongside archival quizzes and retrospectives.

  • Kuwait to test emergency warning siren on Monday as monthly checks begin

    Kuwait to test emergency warning siren on Monday as monthly checks begin

    Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has announced the implementation of a comprehensive emergency warning system testing program, with the inaugural monthly siren test scheduled for Monday, January 19 at 10:00 AM local time. The initiative establishes a recurring testing protocol that will occur systematically on the first Monday of each month at the designated hour.

    Authorities have emphasized the routine and precautionary nature of these tests, designed to ensure the nation’s emergency alert infrastructure remains fully operational. The announcement follows Kuwait’s previous security enhancement measures implemented in 2025, when rising regional tensions prompted the construction of protective shelters within the government complex.

    These shelters, capable of accommodating approximately 900 individuals, were developed in response to escalating security concerns following US military actions against Iranian nuclear facilities. The new monthly testing regimen represents Kuwait’s ongoing commitment to national preparedness and public safety protocols.

    The Ministry of Interior has communicated these developments through official channels, including press statements and social media platforms, to ensure public awareness and prevent unnecessary alarm during the scheduled tests. Citizens and residents are advised to recognize the scheduled tests as part of Kuwait’s standardized emergency response preparedness strategy.

  • UAE: NMC Healthcare eyes acquisitions, rebranding as hospital crosses 50 years

    UAE: NMC Healthcare eyes acquisitions, rebranding as hospital crosses 50 years

    NMC Healthcare, a prominent UAE-based medical provider, is strategically positioning itself for transformative growth through potential acquisitions and comprehensive rebranding initiatives. This strategic shift comes as the organization celebrates its remarkable 50-year legacy within the UAE healthcare landscape.

    Chief Executive David Hadley revealed the company’s ambitious roadmap during a recent media briefing in Dubai, emphasizing the significance of reaching this milestone anniversary. “Achieving five decades of service in a nation that’s only 54 years old represents an extraordinary legacy worth preserving while simultaneously embracing evolution,” Hadley stated.

    The healthcare group, which faced substantial financial challenges leading to its delisting from the London Stock Exchange and subsequent administration under creditor guidance, has successfully navigated extensive restructuring in recent years. This financial reorganization has positioned NMC for renewed strategic development.

    Current expansion initiatives include significant facility enhancements across multiple emirates. The organization is advancing a major development project at Dubai Investment Park, substantially repositioning its exclusive medical facility in the rapidly growing Dubai South region. Additionally, plans are underway for modernizing the nearly 50-year-old Sharjah facility, though Hadley acknowledged the complexities involved in such heritage infrastructure projects.

    Beyond physical infrastructure, NMC is implementing a calculated network expansion strategy involving approximately ten new clinics over the coming years to establish presence within emerging communities. Regarding acquisition strategy, Hadley noted the shifting global healthcare landscape toward consolidation: “Standalone hospital operations have become increasingly challenging in today’s market. Integration within larger healthcare networks provides critical operational advantages.”

    The executive specifically highlighted Dubai’s acquisition opportunities, noting the company’s current concentration of assets in Abu Dhabi with limited premium facilities in Dubai. “We’ve identified several promising acquisition targets in Dubai and anticipate being able to announce concrete progress on these growth initiatives within the current year,” Hadley concluded.