Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • DAW Construction showcases PRC infrastructure expertise at Big 5 Global 2025

    DAW Construction showcases PRC infrastructure expertise at Big 5 Global 2025

    Dubai-based Dar Alwd Construction (DAW) made a significant impact at Big 5 Global 2025 by demonstrating its pioneering infrastructure solutions centered on advanced Polymer Resin Concrete (PRC) technology. The event served as a strategic platform for the construction firm to highlight its engineering expertise and sustainable material applications aligned with the UAE’s national development goals.

    In collaboration with Qatar German Pipes Company (QGPC), DAW presented comprehensive case studies showcasing PRC implementation across critical infrastructure projects. This next-generation material exhibits exceptional durability, corrosion resistance, and extended service life while substantially reducing maintenance requirements. Current applications span sewerage networks, stormwater management systems, access chambers, manholes, and pipeline infrastructure across prominent developments including Al Juraiana and Nomad by Shurooq.

    The environmental advantages of PRC position it as a cornerstone material for sustainable infrastructure development. With minimal water absorption characteristics, reduced lifecycle emissions, and a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional concrete, PRC directly supports the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative. The material’s extended operational lifespan further enhances its sustainability credentials while delivering superior performance under demanding conditions.

    Tarek Musbah Abdul Rahman, General Manager of DAW Construction, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation: ‘Big 5 Global enables us to demonstrate how advanced materials transform infrastructure delivery. Our PRC experience proves that material innovation, backed by robust execution capabilities, achieves long-term performance and durability while supporting national infrastructure objectives.’

    Looking toward 2026, DAW plans to expand PRC implementation across upcoming projects, reinforcing its dedication to engineering excellence and sustainable construction practices. The company continues to integrate advanced materials and innovative engineering approaches to develop resilient, future-ready infrastructure solutions throughout the UAE.

  • Pakistan Educational and Cultural Board honoured

    Pakistan Educational and Cultural Board honoured

    DUBAI – The Pakistan Educational and Cultural Board (PECB) has been distinguished with the Gold Category Award during the second phase of the Ethraa Empowerment Programme, an initiative orchestrated by Dubai’s Community Development Authority (CDA). The accolade was presented during a formal ceremony at Emirates Towers on December 17, 2025, in recognition of PECB’s exemplary performance and distinguished social services within the community.

    Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of the CDA, conferred the award and emphasized in her keynote address the critical importance of community partnership, civil society enhancement, and the instrumental role non-profit organizations play in advancing social development—core tenets of both Dubai and the wider UAE national vision.

    The Gold Category Award specifically honors institutions that exhibit superior service quality, sustainable governance frameworks, and the delivery of comprehensive support services to priority demographic groups. PECB, which oversees the Pakistan Education Academy and English Language Private School, stood out for its alignment with these rigorous criteria.

    Chairman Hassan Hokal and Vice-Chairman Rashid Ashraf accepted the award on behalf of PECB. They were accompanied by the principals of both institutions, Shamaela Ahmad and Muhammad Atif.

    In his acceptance speech, Mr. Hokal expressed profound gratitude to the CDA, noting that initiatives like the Ethraa Programme significantly bolster public confidence in non-profit entities while incentivizing continuous improvement in service quality. He described the recognition as a tangible manifestation of the Dubai Government’s commitment to social development, inclusivity, and sustainable community progress.

    Mr. Hokal further attributed this achievement to the concerted efforts of PECB’s leadership, board of governors, management, educators, and staff, acknowledging that support from students, parents, volunteers, and the broader community has been fundamental to their success.

    The Ethraa Programme serves as a strategic platform for promoting social welfare, institutional transparency, and community service, resonating with the vision of the Dubai Government and its leadership. PECB’s gold-tier selection underscores the organization’s successful integration into Dubai’s social development strategy and its substantial contributions to education and communal service.

    Looking forward, PECB reaffirmed its dedication to expanding its educational and social initiatives in accordance with governmental visions centered on tolerance, harmony, and sustainable development, pledging to maintain the highest professional standards in community service.

  • Dembele, Yamal to vie for Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai

    Dembele, Yamal to vie for Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai

    Dubai is set to host football’s elite at the 16th annual Globe Soccer Awards on December 28th at the luxurious Atlantis The Royal hotel. The exclusive ceremony will crown winners across multiple categories following an unprecedented global voting process that garnered over 30 million fan votes.

    The awards feature intense competition across nine core categories including Best Men’s Player, Best Women’s Player, and various club honors. Paris Saint-Germain emerges as a dominant force with multiple nominations following their UEFA Champions League victory. The French club contends for Best Men’s Club alongside Barcelona, Chelsea, Flamengo, and Liverpool.

    Individual accolades showcase fascinating matchups with PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé and young Barcelona phenom Lamine Yamal both vying for top honors. In the coaching category, PSG’s Luis Enrique faces formidable competition from Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Barcelona’s Hansi Flick, and Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca.

    The women’s categories feature Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí attempting an unprecedented third consecutive Best Women’s Player victory against strong contenders including Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo.

    Adding significant star power to the event, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed his attendance. The Al Nassr forward also appears as a finalist in the Best Middle East Player category alongside notable footballers Salem Al-Dawsari, Karim Benzema, and Riyad Mahrez. Organizers promise a game-changing edition filled with surprises as the global football community gathers to celebrate the year’s outstanding achievements.

  • ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ review: Why the Gaza docufiction is a hard watch

    ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ review: Why the Gaza docufiction is a hard watch

    Acclaimed director Kaouther Ben Hania’s groundbreaking docufiction ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ has emerged as one of the most psychologically challenging cinematic experiences of the year, forcing audiences to confront the brutal realities of the Gaza conflict without the comfort of emotional detachment. The film reconstructs the tragic final hours of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who became trapped in a vehicle with six deceased family members after Israeli Defense Forces attacks, through an innovative blend of dramatic reenactment and authentic audio recordings.

    The narrative unfolds primarily through the perspective of Red Crescent rescue workers, whose increasingly desperate attempts to coordinate a safe evacuation reveal the bureaucratic and moral complexities of operating in active war zones. Palestinian actors Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, and Amer Hlehel deliver powerful performances as emergency responders navigating the impossible balance between protocol and human compassion. Hlehel’s portrayal of coordinator Mehdi proves particularly nuanced, presenting a character who must maintain clinical detachment despite overwhelming circumstances.

    Ben Hania’s directorial approach masterfully maintains tension throughout the production, interspersing moments of human connection and even humor among rescue workers with the grim reality of their mission. The film’s most controversial aspect—the incorporation of actual emergency calls and battlefield footage—creates an unprecedented immediacy that has left international audiences and festival jurors deeply affected. Following its Venice Film Festival premiere, the production received a historic 20-minute standing ovation, though many viewers acknowledged difficulty processing the raw emotional impact of the authentic audio elements.

    The director’s deliberate choice to focus on the rescue team’s perspective rather than recreating Hind’s direct experience demonstrates sophisticated narrative restraint, allowing audiences to comprehend the horror through the responders’ emotional breakdowns rather than explicit visual depiction. This technique ultimately creates a more profound meditation on trauma, empathy, and the psychological toll of humanitarian work in conflict zones. The film stands as both a memorial to a tragic individual loss and a broader commentary on the human cost of geopolitical conflicts.

  • Heavy rains, thunderstorms: UAE embassy issues warning to citizens in Oman

    Heavy rains, thunderstorms: UAE embassy issues warning to citizens in Oman

    The UAE Embassy in Muscat has issued an urgent advisory to Emirati citizens residing in or visiting Oman, urging extreme caution as a significant low-pressure system generates severe weather conditions across the Arabian Peninsula. This meteorological disturbance, tracking from west to east, has unleashed heavy rainfall and intense thunderstorms throughout the region, impacting Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman with particular severity.

    In response to the deteriorating conditions, the embassy emphasized the critical need for citizens to exercise utmost vigilance against hazards including flash flooding, waterlogged roadways, and powerful winds. Official safety protocols issued by Omani authorities must be strictly adhered to for personal safety.

    For emergency assistance, the embassy activated dedicated contact channels: 0097180024 and 0097180044444. Furthermore, citizens were strongly encouraged to register with the Tamheed service to ensure timely receipt of critical updates and support.

    This regional weather event has prompted widespread operational changes. Several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, including the UAE, have preemptively implemented remote working arrangements and distance learning programs to mitigate risks and ensure public safety as the unstable conditions persist, significantly disrupting daily life and transportation networks.

  • ‘An Arab won’t check me’: Israeli police beat Palestinian security guard at football match

    ‘An Arab won’t check me’: Israeli police beat Palestinian security guard at football match

    A disturbing incident of police brutality has emerged from Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium, where Qays Haddad, a 21-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel serving as head security guard, was violently assaulted by approximately 13 police officers during a December 8th football derby between Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Jerusalem.

    According to Haddad’s account published by Haaretz, the altercation began when three plainclothes detectives attempted to enter the stadium without properly identifying themselves. When Haddad performed his security duty by extending his hand to slow their entry, one detective reportedly responded with ethnic prejudice, stating “An Arab won’t check me” before revealing his police credentials.

    The situation rapidly escalated as the three detectives initiated the physical assault before summoning uniformed officers who joined the beating. Haddad described being handcuffed, punched repeatedly across his body, and subjected to racist epithets including being called an “Arab son of a bitch.” The violence was so severe that officers’ hands became bloodied from the assault, and Haddad lost consciousness for several minutes.

    Emergency medical response was deliberately delayed according to Haddad, who waited thirty minutes for an ambulance while vomiting blood and struggling to breathe due to choking injuries that left visible marks on his neck.

    When attempting to file an official complaint the following day, Haddad was reportedly told by a policewoman that “There’s no way a brother can file a complaint for another brother.” A formal investigation was eventually opened several days after the incident.

    The attack has left Haddad with lasting physical and psychological trauma, including difficulty eating, sleeping disturbances, and anxiety triggered by police sirens. The incident has sparked fear among Palestinian security personnel throughout Israel, with many reportedly hesitant to continue working alongside police forces.

    Israeli police issued a statement acknowledging a confrontation occurred but provided no details about the excessive force employed, instead suggesting complaints should be directed to “relevant authorities.”

    This case emerges amidst growing concerns about racism and political tensions in Israeli sports, including recent displays of banned extremist symbols at matches, censorship of critical fan expressions, and UEFA sanctions against Israeli teams for discriminatory behavior by supporters.

  • Protesters storm offices of leading Bangladesh dailies after a 2024 uprising activist dies

    Protesters storm offices of leading Bangladesh dailies after a 2024 uprising activist dies

    Bangladesh descended into political turmoil Thursday night as enraged protesters stormed the offices of the country’s two leading newspapers following the death of prominent opposition activist Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. The violent demonstrations included arson attacks that trapped journalists inside burning buildings.

    Hadi, a spokesperson for the Inqilab Moncho cultural group and vocal critic of both India and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, succumbed to injuries sustained in a targeted assassination attempt one week earlier. The activist was shot while riding a rickshaw in Dhaka by motorcycle-borne assailants who remain at large.

    The assassination has triggered significant diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India. Bangladeshi authorities claim the shooter likely fled to India, prompting reciprocal diplomatic summonses between the neighboring nations. India subsequently summoned Bangladesh’s envoy to express condemnation, while Dhaka demanded clarifications from New Delhi.

    Hadi had planned to run as an independent candidate in February’s national elections—the first since the 2024 uprising that ousted Hasina’s 15-year administration. The Inqilab Moncho group has actively promoted anti-Indian sentiment in the Muslim-majority nation since Hasina’s removal, with the former leader now residing in self-imposed exile in India.

    Thursday’s protests began with hundreds gathering at Dhaka’s Shahbagh Square, chanting religious and political slogans. The demonstrations rapidly escalated as separate groups attacked the headquarters of Prothom Alo (Bangladesh’s leading Bengali-language daily) and The Daily Star (the premier English-language publication). Security forces deployed around the buildings but refrained from intervening as fires trapped staff inside, with one journalist reporting severe smoke inhalation via social media.

    Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader who assumed power after Hasina’s August 2024 ouster, addressed the nation promising justice for Hadi’s killers. Yunus declared a national day of mourning for Saturday while urging calm. Critics however blame Yunus’s administration for rising Islamist influence in a country with a troubled history of political violence.

    The interim government has banned all activities of Hasina’s Awami League party, including participation in February’s elections. Last month, a Bangladeshi court sentenced the former prime minister to death for crimes against humanity related to the 2024 uprising. Recent days have seen additional anti-India protests targeting diplomatic facilities, prompting India to suspend tourist visas for Bangladeshis citing security concerns.

  • Research ward at children’s hospital in Shanghai treats over 200 patients with rare diseases

    Research ward at children’s hospital in Shanghai treats over 200 patients with rare diseases

    The Children’s Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai has reached a significant milestone, with its specialized research ward successfully treating more than 200 patients afflicted with difficult-to-diagnose rare diseases since its inauguration in July 2024. This cutting-edge medical facility has drawn patients from across China and internationally, offering hope to families facing complex pediatric health challenges.

    Rare pediatric diseases present particular diagnostic difficulties, with approximately 72% of these conditions having genetic origins. These disorders frequently involve multiple organ systems and contribute significantly to infant mortality, accounting for 35% of such cases worldwide. The diagnostic journey for these conditions typically spans four to eight years from initial symptom manifestation to definitive diagnosis, creating substantial challenges for patients and medical professionals alike.

    Established to address these diagnostic and treatment hurdles, the 3,000-square-meter research ward features 60 patient beds and represents a novel approach to tackling rare diseases. The facility combines clinical care with advanced research capabilities, creating an environment where diagnostic protocols and treatment methodologies can be developed and refined simultaneously.

    Among the recent success stories is a two-month-old infant from South Africa who arrived at the facility with suspected Krabbe disease. Following comprehensive medical evaluation, the infant received a tailored treatment regimen that included hematopoietic stem cell transplantation earlier this month. This case exemplifies the ward’s international reach and its capacity to deliver personalized medical interventions for complex conditions.

    The hospital commemorated these achievements with a special ceremony in May, honoring the recovery of a young patient from Pakistan who had received treatment at the facility. This event underscored the hospital’s growing reputation as a center of excellence for rare disease treatment and its commitment to international medical collaboration.

  • Chongqing symposium examines planning cities around sound, smell, touch

    Chongqing symposium examines planning cities around sound, smell, touch

    Chongqing University served as the epicenter of innovative urban planning discourse from December 12-15, 2025, hosting the groundbreaking X-SCAPE 2025 International Symposium on Multisensory Urban Experience and Inclusive Design. The four-day gathering united approximately 30 distinguished scholars and practitioners from prestigious institutions worldwide, including the University of Cambridge, University College London, and multiple Chinese academic centers.

    The symposium marked a significant departure from traditional visually-dominated urban planning approaches, instead focusing on how auditory, olfactory, tactile, and perceptual elements fundamentally shape human urban experiences. Experts presented research demonstrating how soundscapes, scent environments, tactile surfaces, and spatial perceptions contribute to urban livability, particularly for vulnerable populations including visually impaired citizens, elderly residents, and neurodiverse communities.

    Participants explored evidence-based methodologies for creating urban environments that engage all human senses, moving beyond mere visual aesthetics to develop spaces that promote psychological well-being, social inclusion, and physical accessibility. The discussions emphasized practical applications of multisensory design principles, highlighting how cities can become more resilient, health-promoting, and accommodating to diverse human needs through intentional incorporation of sensory elements in public spaces, transportation systems, and residential areas.

    The symposium outcomes included developing frameworks for integrating multisensory considerations into urban policy, with particular attention to creating standards that address the often-overlooked dimensions of urban experience. This pioneering approach represents a paradigm shift in urban design philosophy, potentially transforming how cities worldwide plan for human-centered environments that cater to the full spectrum of human sensory capabilities.

  • Watch: Snow in the desert? Saudi Arabia has a white winter in some areas

    Watch: Snow in the desert? Saudi Arabia has a white winter in some areas

    In an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon, the arid landscapes of northwestern Saudi Arabia experienced a rare blanket of snowfall on Thursday, December 18th, 2025. The majestic Jabal Al Lawz mountain region witnessed desert dunes transformed into winter wonderlands as temperatures plummeted across the Arabian Peninsula.

    Social media platforms circulated captivating visuals depicting local residents, clad in winter attire, celebrating the unprecedented weather event with traditional songs and dances. Vehicle rooftops and desert surfaces alike disappeared beneath a layer of white precipitation, creating surreal contrasts against the region’s characteristic terrain.

    This exceptional weather occurrence stems from an extended period of low-pressure systems dominating Middle Eastern atmospheric conditions throughout the previous week. Meteorological authorities from BBC Weather indicated further intensification throughout Thursday, with anticipated thunderstorms progressing eastward toward the United Arab Emirates and Qatar by nightfall.

    The Saudi government, alongside neighboring Gulf nations, has issued comprehensive safety advisories urging citizens to exercise caution during these unusual weather patterns. While residents expressed awe and jubilation at the natural spectacle, authorities emphasized preparedness for continued precipitation and potentially hazardous travel conditions.

    This event marks one of the most significant winter weather occurrences in recent Arabian meteorological history, highlighting changing climate patterns across traditionally arid regions. Scientists and climate observers are particularly interested in documenting the duration and environmental impact of these unusual precipitation events.