Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Lantern festival lights up Datong

    Lantern festival lights up Datong

    The historic city of Datong in Shanxi province transformed into a radiant spectacle on February 10, 2026, as the annual Ancient Capital Lantern Festival commenced its dazzling display. This year’s celebration, strategically timed to welcome the upcoming Year of the Horse, marked the latest iteration of an event that has become synonymous with winter tourism in the region.

    The festival’s centerpiece features an extraordinary illumination of Datong’s 7.2-kilometer ancient city walls, which serve as a majestic backdrop for 46 meticulously crafted lantern displays and long-scroll-style installations. These artistic creations transform the historical architecture into a vibrant canvas of light and color, creating a breathtaking fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.

    Since its inaugural edition in 2013, the Datong Ancient Capital Lantern Festival has evolved from a local celebration into a significant cultural phenomenon that attracts visitors nationwide. The event has demonstrated remarkable growth in both scale and sophistication, establishing itself as a cornerstone of Datong’s winter tourism strategy. The festival not only preserves traditional Chinese lantern artistry but also revitalizes it through innovative designs and technologies.

    The economic impact of the festival continues to bolster Datong’s off-season tourism, providing substantial benefits to local businesses and hospitality services. Cultural experts note that such events play a crucial role in preserving intangible cultural heritage while simultaneously driving regional economic development through cultural tourism.

  • Captain Marsh becomes latest injured player as Australia start T20 World Cup campaign vs Ireland

    Captain Marsh becomes latest injured player as Australia start T20 World Cup campaign vs Ireland

    COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup campaign has been dealt a significant blow with captain Mitch Marsh ruled out of their opening match against Ireland due to a training injury. Cricket Australia confirmed scans revealed internal testicular bleeding after Marsh was struck in the groin during practice earlier this week.

    The captain’s absence compounds an already substantial injury crisis for the Australian squad. Fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood had previously been ruled out of the tournament, while batter Tim David was rested to facilitate complete recovery from an existing injury in anticipation of a potential call-up during later stages.

    Hazlewood’s situation has proven particularly concerning for selectors. Despite initial expectations that the pace bowler would recover from his hamstring injury in time for the Super Eights stage, medical staff determined that accelerating his rehabilitation program would pose unacceptable risks, leading to his formal withdrawal.

    In response to the mounting injury concerns, selectors have implemented contingency measures. Steve Smith, who hasn’t played a Twenty20 international in two years, has been summoned to Sri Lanka to acclimatize and remain on standby should his services be required. Meanwhile, according to ICC protocols, fast bowler Sean Abbott emerges as a potential replacement option for Hazlewood.

    Australia, the 2022 champions, are late starters in this year’s tournament, playing their first Group B match on the fifth day of competition. Their preparations have been less than ideal, having suffered a 3-0 series defeat to Pakistan in recent Twenty20 fixtures. Group B currently sees Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka occupying the top two positions, with Ireland and Oman sitting third and fourth after losing their opening matches.

  • Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu taken off on stretcher after scary fall at Olympics

    Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu taken off on stretcher after scary fall at Olympics

    In a harrowing incident during the women’s halfpipe qualifying rounds at the Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, veteran Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu sustained a head injury following a dramatic crash on Wednesday. Medical assessments confirmed that while the 33-year-old athlete suffered impact to her head, she sustained no significant spinal injuries according to sources familiar with her condition who spoke to The Associated Press under condition of anonymity.

    The accident occurred during Liu’s second qualifying run as she attempted to complete a complex 900-degree spin maneuver. The toe edge of her snowboard caught unexpectedly in the snow surface, propelling her forward and causing her to impact the bottom of the halfpipe face-first with violent force. The impact created a disturbing visual as her legs and board whipped over her back in what snowboarding terminology describes as a ‘Scorpion’ crash.

    Competition was immediately suspended for approximately ten minutes while emergency medical personnel provided on-site treatment. The two-time Olympic silver medalist was subsequently transported from the venue via stretcher. Sources indicated that Liu maintained consciousness throughout the incident, a positive sign following the traumatic impact.

    This safety incident marks the second concerning injury within days at the Winter Games, following Australian snowboardcross competitor Cam Bolton’s hospitalization with two stable neck fractures just 48 hours prior. The consecutive incidents have raised discussions about athlete safety protocols in extreme winter sports. China’s Olympic committee has yet to issue an official statement regarding Liu’s condition or prognosis, maintaining their typical discretion regarding athlete medical information.

  • Pakistan: Punjab CM Maryam appoints Ali Dar as adviser on AI and Special Initiatives

    Pakistan: Punjab CM Maryam appoints Ali Dar as adviser on AI and Special Initiatives

    In a significant move toward technological governance reform, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has appointed Ali Mustafa Dar as her official adviser on Artificial Intelligence and Special Initiatives. The appointment, effective immediately, positions Dar to lead the development of forward-looking projects aimed at transforming provincial governance through emerging technologies.

    The notification, issued under constitutional authority Article 130(11), confirms Dar will serve on a pro bono basis with a mandate focusing on three core areas: improving governance efficiency, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing public service delivery through AI-enabled solutions. The role carries the full status and powers of a provincial cabinet minister, including participation in Punjab Assembly sessions.

    Dar brings substantial international expertise to the position, having studied Software Engineering at University College London and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. Prior to his return to Pakistan three years ago, he founded and led HDS Group of Companies, a prominent UAE-based real estate development conglomerate now managed by his younger brother.

    Beyond his professional credentials, Dar maintains significant political connections as the son of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and son-in-law of PML-N president Nawaz Sharif. Since the party’s 2024 election victory, he has reportedly facilitated numerous high-level international engagements, convincing global business leaders from technology and real estate sectors to invest in Pakistan.

    Notably, Dar has also emerged as a prominent advocate for autism awareness in Pakistan, drawing from personal experience as father to an 18-year-old son with autism. His advocacy work has focused on supporting children with autism and raising public awareness about neurodiversity.

    The appointment signals the provincial government’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into public administration while leveraging diaspora expertise for national development.

  • Prototypes of Long March 10 rocket and Mengzhou spaceship conduct flight test

    Prototypes of Long March 10 rocket and Mengzhou spaceship conduct flight test

    China’s ambitious space program achieved a significant milestone with the successful flight testing of prototype models for its next-generation launch vehicle and crew spacecraft. The Long March 10 rocket and Mengzhou spacecraft prototypes underwent comprehensive testing that marks a crucial step forward in China’s manned lunar exploration ambitions.

    The flight test, conducted on February 11, 2026, represents a strategic advancement in China’s aerospace capabilities as the nation positions itself as a major spacefaring power. The Long March 10 rocket is specifically designed to support China’s lunar exploration objectives, featuring enhanced payload capacity and reliability compared to previous iterations in the Long March series.

    Simultaneously, the Mengzhou spacecraft prototype demonstrates China’s progress in developing advanced crew transportation systems capable of supporting extended missions beyond low Earth orbit. The spacecraft incorporates technological innovations for deep space travel, including improved life support systems, radiation protection, and reentry capabilities necessary for lunar return missions.

    This successful test provides critical data for engineers and scientists to validate design concepts, performance parameters, and operational procedures. The results will inform further refinements before the systems proceed to full-scale production and operational deployment.

    The development aligns with China’s broader space strategy that includes establishing a permanent lunar research station and potentially sending Chinese astronauts to the lunar surface within the coming decade. These advancements contribute to the growing international interest in lunar exploration and position China as a key participant in the new era of space exploration.

  • ‘Absolute’ robbery: Indian Supreme Court slams banks over Rs520-billion digital fraud

    ‘Absolute’ robbery: Indian Supreme Court slams banks over Rs520-billion digital fraud

    India’s Supreme Court has delivered a scathing indictment of the nation’s banking sector, condemning systemic failures and alleged collusion in a massive ₹520 billion (approximately $6.3 billion) digital fraud scheme targeting citizens. The landmark ruling came during proceedings initiated by the court itself (suo motu) regarding sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ scams that have victimized thousands nationwide.

    Justice Surya Kant, presiding over the case, declared the unprecedented financial hemorrhage between April 2021 and November 2025 constituted ‘absolute robbery,’ noting evidence that bank officials appeared ‘completely hand in glove with the accused.’ The court characterized financial institutions as becoming ‘a liability’ despite their fiduciary responsibility as trustees of public funds.

    The sophisticated fraud operation involved criminals impersonating senior police and security officials to falsely inform victims—predominantly elderly citizens—of their implication in fictitious drug smuggling cases. Through psychological manipulation and fabricated legal threats, perpetrators gained remote access to bank accounts, systematically draining life savings under the guise of ‘digital arrests.’

    The judicial intervention followed a petition from an elderly couple defrauded of ₹15 million after scammers impersonated judicial authorities. In response, the court has mandated urgent reforms: directing the Central Bureau of Investigation to lead investigations, ordering the Home Ministry to formally implement the Reserve Bank of India’s January 2026 Standard Operating Procedure within two weeks, and establishing nationwide protocols for temporary debit freezes during suspected fraud incidents.

    The ruling emphasizes enhanced inter-agency coordination and represents one of India’s most significant judicial responses to cyber-enabled financial crime, highlighting institutional accountability in protecting vulnerable citizens from technologically sophisticated predation.

  • Xinjiang through my eyes: Horse racing in Zhaosu

    Xinjiang through my eyes: Horse racing in Zhaosu

    In China’s northwestern Xinjiang region, a profound transformation is underway in the ancient tradition of horse racing. Bayinbieleke, a dedicated horse trainer from Zhaosu, embodies this shift as he prepares for the prestigious Heavenly Horse International Tourism Festival. Despite challenging weather conditions including heavy rainfall, his team’s meticulous preparation ensured the festival’s opening ceremonies proceeded flawlessly.

    The trainer’s vision extends far beyond local recognition. While deeply proud of regional equestrian traditions, Bayinbieleke now aspires to cultivate riders and horses capable of competing on international platforms. “My aspiration is to develop superior equine athletes that will gain recognition throughout China and across the global stage,” he stated, highlighting the evolving ambitions within Xinjiang’s equestrian community.

    This development represents the broader cultural and economic evolution occurring in Xinjiang, where traditional practices are being reimagined with contemporary global relevance. The region’s rich horsemanship heritage, once primarily a local spectacle, is now positioning itself within the international equestrian circuit, potentially creating new economic opportunities and cultural exchanges through the universal language of sport.

  • Middle East CEOs feel the heat as boards demand faster results and deeper transformation

    Middle East CEOs feel the heat as boards demand faster results and deeper transformation

    Corporate leadership across the Middle East is experiencing unprecedented pressure as boardrooms worldwide compress executive timelines and demand faster, more demonstrable results. According to Russell Reynolds Associates’ Global CEO Turnover Index Annual Report 2025, CEO departures reached 234 globally last year—marking a 16% year-on-year increase and standing 21% above the eight-year average.

    The data reveals a significant contraction in executive tenure, with the average term of departing CEOs declining to 7.1 years in 2025 from 8.3 years in 2021. This trend reflects a fundamental recalibration of performance expectations, with directors becoming “far more explicit about what results must be delivered—and when.” The report emphasizes that the CEO role has become “materially more complex and harder than it has ever been.”

    Middle Eastern companies, particularly those navigating rapid economic diversification, digital transformation, and evolving regulatory landscapes, find themselves directly impacted by these global currents. Boards are making definitive decisions earlier in leadership lifecycles, with departures within 30-36 months surging 79% year-over-year. This shift reflects the inheritance challenges facing new CEOs, who often take helm of underperforming organizations or those facing activist investor pressure.

    Nicolas Manset, Head of the Middle East at Russell Reynolds Associates, notes: “Middle East CEOs are operating under the same global forces driving record CEO turnover worldwide, from geopolitical shocks and investor scrutiny to accelerated transformation. The Gulf continues to strengthen its position as a globally competitive business hub, attracting international capital, multinational headquarters and world-class executive talent.”

    The report identifies intensified investor scrutiny as a key pressure point. Rusty O’Kelley, who co-leads RRA’s Board & CEO Advisory Partners in the Americas, warns that “the margin for error has narrowed significantly” for today’s corporate leaders. Activist campaigns have directly contributed to accelerated CEO exits, with Barclays data showing a record 32 CEOs resigning within a year of activist involvement in 2025.

    Succession patterns reveal that first-time CEOs accounted for 86% of global appointments in 2025—a consistent trend since 2018. This pattern, reflected in Middle Eastern companies’ investment in homegrown leadership, presents both opportunity and risk. Laura Sanderson, RRA’s UK leader, observes: “Historically, the first couple of years of a CEO’s tenure were about clarifying the mandate… That grace period has been severely compressed. Today, CEOs are expected to demonstrate momentum almost immediately.”

    The technology sector provides a notable case study: after record churn in 2024, tech CEO exits halved in 2025 as boards paused leadership changes amid intense operational demands. This suggests that stability can be strategic, though boards continue to expect cost discipline and near-term validation.

    Persistent diversity challenges remain, with women comprising just 9% of incoming CEOs globally in 2025—down from 11% in 2024. The report highlights insufficient female representation in key feeder roles such as CFO, COO, and divisional P&L leadership positions.

    For Gulf corporations, the leadership playbook is evolving from episodic transitions to continuous succession planning. Boards must now define 24-36-month outcomes with precision and treat CEO development as an ongoing governance responsibility. As the report concludes, in a market that prizes rapid transformation, adequate support structures can determine the difference between sustained momentum and costly missteps.

  • Xinjiang through my eyes: The prairie doctor

    Xinjiang through my eyes: The prairie doctor

    In the vast grasslands of Xinjiang, 70-year-old Maolixialifu Hapa embodies a lifetime commitment to community healthcare. Since graduating in 1976, the traditional Chinese medicine practitioner has deliberately chosen rural service over research institute opportunities, bringing both medical expertise and genuine human connection to remote villages.

    For nearly five decades, Dr. Maolixialifu has served as both physician and trusted friend to countless villagers, integrating traditional Chinese medical knowledge with modern healthcare practices. His approach represents a unique blend of cultural preservation and community service that has become increasingly rare in modernizing China.

    The elderly doctor’s recent declaration—”If my health allows, I will help them and treat them all my life”—captures the essence of his dedication. This philosophy extends beyond mere medical treatment to encompass holistic care that addresses both physical ailments and emotional well-being.

    Dr. Maolixialifu’s story emerges as part of a broader series exploring Xinjiang’s cultural landscape, highlighting how traditional practices continue to thrive alongside modernization efforts. His work demonstrates how grassroots healthcare initiatives can successfully bridge cultural traditions with contemporary medical needs in China’s western regions.

  • New study paves way to eco-friendly refrigeration

    New study paves way to eco-friendly refrigeration

    A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revolutionized refrigeration technology by developing a novel cooling method that simultaneously achieves zero emissions, high cooling capacity, and exceptional heat transfer efficiency. Published in the prestigious journal Nature, this research addresses critical environmental and energy challenges posed by conventional cooling systems.

    The research team, under the leadership of Professor Li Bing from the Institute of Metal Research, discovered an innovative approach that integrates solid cooling effects with liquid flow dynamics. Their investigation focused on ammonium thiocyanate, a non-toxic industrial salt that demonstrates remarkable thermal properties when dissolved in water. The team observed that the salt’s dissolution absorbs substantial heat, while applying pressure reverses the process, causing precipitation and heat release. This reversible cycle creates a continuous cooling mechanism ideal for refrigeration applications.

    Unlike traditional vapor-compression systems that account for approximately 20% of China’s electricity consumption and 7.8% of carbon emissions, this new technology eliminates the need for environmentally harmful fluorocarbon refrigerants. Professor Li explained that their method transcends conventional limitations by combining refrigerant and heat-transfer medium into a single fluid, effectively solving what scientists previously termed the ‘impossible triangle’ of caloric materials.

    Laboratory results demonstrated exceptional performance, with temperature drops of nearly 30°C achieved within 20 seconds at room temperature and cooling spans reaching 54°C at elevated temperatures. The prototype system showed a cooling capacity of 67 joules per gram with efficiency approaching 77%, while in-situ spectroscopic experiments confirmed the process’s stability, reversibility, and instantaneous response to pressure changes.

    The technology’s superior high-temperature performance positions it as an ideal solution for thermal management in next-generation artificial intelligence computing centers, where heat dissipation presents significant challenges. While the research shows tremendous promise for industrial and domestic refrigeration applications, the team acknowledges that further engineering breakthroughs are needed to optimize rapid and reversible pressure-tuned phase transitions for commercial implementation.