Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Dubai introduces region’s first system for 15-minute health inspections for ships

    Dubai introduces region’s first system for 15-minute health inspections for ships

    Dubai has pioneered a groundbreaking maritime health inspection system that dramatically reduces vessel clearance times from two hours to just 15 minutes. The Health Inspection Management Application (HIMA), unveiled at the World Health Expo, represents the region’s first integrated digital solution for combating cross-border health threats through advanced automation and data analytics.

    The innovative system operates through pre-arrival digital integration, where ship tracking technologies provide comprehensive data including the vessel’s last ten ports of call and medical logs before docking. According to Ali Thani Al Mehairi, Consultant at Dubai Health Authority’s Public Health Protection Department, this preemptive data collection enables inspectors to conduct risk assessments prior to physical arrival, transforming the inspection process into a verification procedure rather than a discovery mission.

    HIMA’s intelligent alert system automatically flags vessels with medical incidents exceeding 3% of personnel, prioritizing high-risk ships while expediting clearance for others. The completely digitized workflow eliminates traditional paperwork, allowing ship agents to submit requests and receive approvals through a seamless online platform.

    The phased implementation commenced immediately at Port Rashid and Al Shindagha Port, with comprehensive coverage across all Dubai maritime ports scheduled by late 2026. Authorities confirmed expansion plans for land border crossings by 2027 and are exploring adaptations for air travel security.

    Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General of DHA, characterized HIMA as “a qualitative leap in the emirate’s public health framework” that reinforces Dubai’s leadership in deploying digital solutions for community safety. The system’s Arabic namesake, meaning “securing your borders,” reflects its core mission of strengthening public health defenses while ensuring uninterrupted commercial operations through smart data utilization and automated risk management.

  • Iconic P-pop legends SB Girls to bring world tour to Abu Dhabi; tickets now on sale

    Iconic P-pop legends SB Girls to bring world tour to Abu Dhabi; tickets now on sale

    The iconic Filipino pop ensemble SexBomb Girls, widely recognized as SB Girls or SBG, has officially confirmed Abu Dhabi as a destination on their highly anticipated worldwide reunion tour. The legendary group, which dominated Asian music charts throughout the 2000s, will perform at 321 Sports, Al Hudayriyat open grounds on March 28, 2026.

    Tickets for the historic concert became available on February 8 through organizer ProXperts UAE, with pricing structured across three tiers: General Admission at AED 299, Golden Circle at AED 499, and VIP experiences at AED 899. The premium VIP package guarantees front-stage proximity, while Golden Circle offers placement within the high-energy audience section nearest the performance area.

    Founded in 1999 by choreographer Joy Cancio, SexBomb Girls initially gained prominence as featured dancers on the popular variety program ‘Eat Bulaga!’ before transitioning into recording artists. The collective achieved extraordinary commercial success with four multi-platinum studio albums, establishing themselves as the Philippines’ preeminent girl group years before K-pop’s international breakthrough.

    The group’s signature performance style, characterized by infectious choreography and their legendary ‘Get Get Aww’ catchphrase, remains deeply embedded in Filipino popular culture. While rumors suggest potential additional performances in Dubai, no official dates have been confirmed through authorized ticketing platforms.

    For the substantial Filipino expatriate community residing in the UAE, particularly millennials who grew up with the group’s music, this concert represents a profound nostalgic experience. The international tour provides overseas fans with a rare opportunity to reconnect with a foundational element of their youth culture.

    Ticket registration and purchases are being processed exclusively through the Festival AccessPass portal at https://festival.accesspass.ae/, where registered users receive direct purchase links.

  • Ramadan 2026: How UAE schools adjust timetables to support fasting students

    Ramadan 2026: How UAE schools adjust timetables to support fasting students

    Educational institutions across the United Arab Emirates are implementing comprehensive adjustments to academic schedules and activities in preparation for Ramadan 2026, anticipated to commence around February 19 subject to moon sighting confirmation. These strategic modifications prioritize the physical and emotional wellbeing of fasting students while maintaining educational continuity.

    In Dubai, numerous schools have established a framework limiting instructional hours to approximately five per day. Credence High School CEO-Principal Deepika Thapar Singh emphasized the institution’s adherence to KHDA guidelines, noting that while academic lessons continue through engaging classroom activities, fasting students receive exemptions from physical education. These students instead participate in supervised alternatives including library sessions, reflective activities, and light academic support.

    Abu Dhabi institutions are adopting similarly flexible approaches. GEMS World Academy – Abu Dhabi offers families multiple timetable options to accommodate individual health requirements, sleep patterns, and family circumstances. Principal Shahina Ahmad OBE clarified that while daily duration is reduced, the exact cap remains fluid and aligned with official guidance. Notably, the school maintains physical education participation through adapted programming focusing on theoretical components and non-strenuous activities rather than complete exemption.

    Dewvale School has implemented a condensed schedule from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM, with Principal Seema Umar emphasizing the balance between academic rigor and student welfare. The institution will maintain in-person learning on Fridays throughout Ramadan, with Abu Dhabi schools potentially reducing Friday schedules to approximately four hours to accommodate family routines and declining energy levels late in the week.

    Beyond schedule adjustments, schools are creating dedicated quiet spaces for rest and reflection, while enhancing communication with families through workshops, newsletters, and circulars. These resources provide practical guidance for supporting first-time fasters, including nutritional advice, sleep management strategies, and emotional reassurance techniques. Institutions like Diyafah International School offer exempt students alternative activities including quiet reading, academic assignments, and supervised study sessions in designated calm environments.

    The comprehensive approach demonstrates the UAE education sector’s commitment to cultural sensitivity, student welfare, and academic continuity during the holy month, fostering environments of empathy and inclusivity for all students regardless of their fasting status.

  • Israeli weapons ‘evaporate’ thousands of Palestinians in Gaza: Investigation

    Israeli weapons ‘evaporate’ thousands of Palestinians in Gaza: Investigation

    An in-depth investigation by Al Jazeera has uncovered disturbing evidence that Israeli forces are deploying internationally prohibited thermal and thermobaric weapons in Gaza, resulting in the complete vaporization of thousands of Palestinian bodies. The findings reveal a systematic pattern of destruction that extends beyond conventional warfare tactics.

    According to documentation from Gaza’s civil defense teams, over 2,800 cases of Palestinians have been recorded as vanished since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023. The Al Jazeera Arabic programme ‘The Rest of the Story’ reported that these individuals have effectively evaporated, leaving behind only minimal biological traces—fragments of flesh, blood specks on walls, or mere ash.

    The scale of destruction in Gaza is unprecedented, with approximately 90% of the territory’s infrastructure reduced to rubble. Israeli combat engineers have methodically demolished countless homes through controlled explosions, while armored bulldozers have systematically leveled entire neighborhoods, including schools, businesses, and medical facilities.

    Weapons experts and ground testimonies attribute the phenomenon of human vaporization to Israel’s deployment of US-supplied thermal munitions, commonly referred to as vacuum or aerosol bombs. These weapons generate extreme temperatures exceeding 3,500 degrees Celsius (6,332 degrees Fahrenheit)—far beyond water’s boiling point of 100 degrees Celsius. The intense heat is produced by tritonal, a mixture of TNT and aluminum powder used in American-made bombs.

    Civil defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal explained the meticulous verification process: ‘When a family reports five people were inside a structure, and we recover only three intact bodies, we classify the remaining two as evaporated only after exhaustive searches yield nothing but biological evidence.’

    Munir al-Bursh, Director General of Gaza’s Palestinian Ministry of Health, confirmed the scientific plausibility of vaporization, noting that human bodies—composed of 80% water—would inevitably turn to ash when exposed to such extreme temperatures.

    The investigation identified specific US-manufactured munitions deployed in Gaza, including the MK-84 ‘Hammer’, BLU-109 bunker buster, and GBU-39 small diameter bomb. Notably, the BLU-109 was reportedly used in an attack on al-Mawasi—an area Israel had previously designated as a ‘safe zone’—resulting in the vaporization of 22 Palestinians in September 2024.

    In late November, Hamas called for an international committee to investigate Israel’s use of prohibited weapons, citing horrific testimonies from citizens and doctors in northern Gaza. The Palestinian movement accused Israel’s ‘terrorist occupation army’ of deploying internationally banned munitions that cause bodily vaporization.

    The human cost continues to mount, with current figures indicating over 72,037 fatalities and nearly complete destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, creating one of the most severe humanitarian crises in modern conflict.

  • Switzerland Tourism releases creative video ahead of Chinese New Year

    Switzerland Tourism releases creative video ahead of Chinese New Year

    In a strategic move to capture the Chinese travel market, Switzerland Tourism has launched an innovative promotional video titled “Gallop to Switzerland!” timed with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations. The campaign creatively merges traditional Chinese cultural symbols with Switzerland’s most iconic landscapes and transportation experiences.

    The visually striking production features two actresses placing traditional Chinese New Year elements—including red lanterns, intricate paper-cut window decorations, spring festival couplets, and symbolic Chinese knots—against the backdrop of Switzerland’s most picturesque destinations. These include the snow-covered peaks of Zermatt, the majestic Jungfrau region, Mount Pilatus, and Mount Titlis, alongside breathtaking journeys aboard the renowned Bernina and Glacier Express rail routes.

    Daniela Chiani, Director for Greater China at Switzerland Tourism, explained the cultural significance behind the campaign during a Beijing promotional event. “The horse holds profound symbolism in both our cultures,” she noted. “In Chinese tradition, it represents diligence and ambition, while in Switzerland it embodies courage and exploratory spirit. This dual meaning provides the perfect metaphor for our 2026 marketing strategy.”

    The initiative has received strong diplomatic support from the Swiss embassy in China. Felix Schwendimann, Counselor and Head of the Culture and Media Section, emphasized the video’s role in fostering bilateral understanding. “This creative presentation offers Chinese audiences a glimpse into Switzerland’s unique charm while conveying our nation’s welcoming spirit,” he stated. Schwendimann further highlighted tourism’s crucial role in strengthening people-to-people connections between the two countries, noting that true travel experiences extend beyond scenery to include cultural immersion and personal connections.

    The campaign launch coincides with encouraging tourism statistics. Media reports indicate Chinese tourists recorded approximately 1.071 million overnight stays in Switzerland from January to October last year, representing a 5.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth trajectory underscores the importance of the Chinese market to Switzerland’s tourism industry and validates targeted cultural marketing approaches.

  • Oman announces working hours of public, private sector employees in Ramadan

    Oman announces working hours of public, private sector employees in Ramadan

    The Sultanate of Oman has officially unveiled its revised work schedule for both public and private sector employees in anticipation of Ramadan 2026. The holy month is projected to commence on either February 18 or 19, contingent upon the sighting of the crescent moon on February 17.

    In alignment with practices across the Muslim world, which commonly adjust professional schedules to accommodate spiritual observances and family time during fasting, Oman has implemented specific guidelines. For administrative personnel within the State apparatus, the official daily work period will be condensed to five hours, effective from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

    Entities operating under a flexible hours system will grant unit heads the autonomy to designate employee attendance and departure times. This scheduling must align with operational requirements, with a permissible window spanning from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Work hours will be calculated based on actual attendance.

    Regarding remote work arrangements, unit leaders are authorized to select employees eligible for telecommuting, ensuring no disruption to workflow. A mandatory stipulation requires that at least 50% of the total workforce be physically present at their workplaces at any given time.

    A significant directive for the private sector mandates a reduction to a maximum of six working hours per day for Muslim employees. This translates to a weekly cap of 30 hours for the duration of Ramadan, facilitating greater participation in religious and familial activities.

  • How Dubai uses VR headsets to help kids relax during treatment

    How Dubai uses VR headsets to help kids relax during treatment

    Dubai Health is spearheading a transformative approach to healthcare through its newly established Centre for Innovation and Technology, deploying cutting-edge technologies to enhance patient experiences and clinical outcomes. The 2,000-square-meter innovation hub serves as the core of this initiative, focusing on converting healthcare challenges into practical, technology-driven solutions.

    A flagship program utilizes virtual reality (VR) headsets to alleviate anxiety and pain in pediatric patients undergoing frequent blood procedures, such as those at the thalassemia center. According to Yacine Hadjiat, Director of the Centre, clinicians reported significant anxiety in young patients during cannulation. The immersive VR experience effectively distracts children, reducing their focus on medical needles and creating a more relaxed treatment environment. This program has already been trialed on over 100 patients and is expanding to emergency and mental health departments across multiple hospitals.

    Beyond VR applications, the innovation center is executing a comprehensive redesign of patient journeys. Through collaboration with clinicians, staff, and medical students, more than 90 improvement projects have been identified to address pain points from registration to waiting times. Enhancements include streamlined digital access via the Dubai Health app, where patients pre-upload information to facilitate seamless clinic visits, and physical redesigns of clinical spaces to reduce stress.

    The center operates through four specialized laboratories focusing on human-centered design, data and artificial intelligence, sensors and wearables, and extended reality technologies.

    Looking toward the future, Dubai Health is advancing a groundbreaking research initiative named Pain Detect, funded by the Dubai Future Foundation’s 2024 RDI grant. This project aims to develop an AI-powered wearable system that objectively measures pain through physiological signals, moving beyond subjective patient descriptions. This technology could revolutionize care for non-communicative patients, including children and intensive care occupants, establishing a new global standard in pain management.

  • Iran offers clemency to over 2,000 convicts, excludes protest-related cases

    Iran offers clemency to over 2,000 convicts, excludes protest-related cases

    In a significant judicial development, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has authorized clemency measures for 2,108 convicts, approving either full pardons or substantial sentence reductions. The announcement, made public through the judiciary’s official Mizan Online portal on Tuesday, comes as the nation prepares to commemorate the anniversary of its Islamic Revolution—a period traditionally marked by such acts of governmental mercy.

    Judicial authorities explicitly confirmed that these pardons exclude all individuals connected to recent civil unrest. According to Deputy Judiciary Chief Ali Mozaffari, the comprehensive list deliberately omits ‘defendants and convicts from the recent riots,’ drawing a clear distinction between general criminal cases and those involving protest-related charges.

    The background to this exclusion stems from widespread demonstrations that initially erupted in late December over economic pressures and living costs, subsequently evolving into broader anti-establishment protests. Iranian officials acknowledge over 3,000 fatalities during this period, characterizing the events as foreign-instigated violence involving ‘terrorist acts.’ Conversely, international monitoring groups like HRANA report significantly higher casualty figures, estimating nearly 7,000 deaths predominantly among protesters.

    This clemency exercise follows established patterns where Iranian leadership utilizes religious and national occasions to demonstrate judicial leniency, though the current administration maintains its firm stance against those participating in what it terms ‘domestic criminality’ during civil disturbances.

  • Rehab robots in UAE offer new hope for stroke and spinal injury patients

    Rehab robots in UAE offer new hope for stroke and spinal injury patients

    Aster DM Healthcare, a major UAE healthcare provider, is pioneering a revolutionary approach to neurological and pediatric rehabilitation through the deployment of over 21 FDA-approved robotic systems across its facilities this year. These advanced medical technologies represent a significant leap forward in treating stroke survivors, spinal injury patients, and children with developmental conditions.

    The robotic systems, described by Managing Director and Group CEO Alisha Moopen as ‘next level’ technology, work in collaboration with neurosurgeons and physiotherapists to retrain the brain by rebuilding damaged neural connections. ‘There are people who have just given up complete hope after certain injuries,’ Moopen stated. ‘There is a chance that they will be able to walk again.’

    Among the most groundbreaking innovations is the world’s first pediatric rehabilitation robot scheduled for introduction in Dubai later this year. This specialized technology will support children with ADHD and other developmental challenges through integrated brain mapping, virtual reality immersion therapy, and targeted neural stimulation. Moopen emphasized that this advancement ‘will change the way we talk about child behaviors, child psychology and child development issues.’

    Concurrent with its technological expansion, Aster DM Healthcare is significantly growing its physical infrastructure. The group will open two new multi-specialty hospitals in Dubai’s Studio City and Discovery Gardens areas, adding over 250 beds to their current approximately 920-bed UAE capacity. Additionally, plans are underway to expand Aster Hospital in Al Qusais with 122 operational beds.

    Moopen attributed this expansion to demographic shifts rather than increased illness rates. ‘It’s not that people are getting sicker; it’s that people are living longer,’ she explained. ‘When your length of life has increased, the requirement for healthcare increases.’ This longevity trend has created new demand for geriatric care services, with the UAE seeing more retirees choosing to settle in the country.

    Complementing these developments, Aster launched the Thrive system—a comprehensive preventive health assessment that tests for 100 biomarkers including blood health, cardiac function, metabolism, hormones, inflammation, and nutritional status. This proactive health monitoring platform will integrate with major wearable devices and the myAster app, enabling physicians to provide personalized insights and preventive recommendations for long-term wellbeing.

  • India tightens grip on social media with new three-hour takedown rule

    India tightens grip on social media with new three-hour takedown rule

    India’s government has significantly intensified its regulatory framework for digital platforms by mandating social media companies to remove unlawful content within a dramatically shortened three-hour window. This sweeping policy shift, announced on Tuesday, represents a substantial tightening of the previous 36-hour compliance timeline established under the nation’s 2021 Information Technology rules.

    The accelerated takedown requirement presents formidable operational challenges for major technology corporations including Meta Platforms, YouTube (Google), and X (formerly Twitter), potentially straining their content moderation capabilities and legal review processes. The amended regulations emerge amid ongoing tensions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration and global technology firms regarding digital governance and free speech parameters.

    In a notable modification from earlier proposals, the government relaxed requirements concerning artificial intelligence-generated content. Instead of mandating that platforms visibly label AI-generated material across ten percent of its surface area or duration, the revised rules now stipulate that such content must be “prominently labelled” without specifying exact placement parameters.

    This regulatory development occurs within a broader context of India’s increasingly assertive digital policy landscape, which has previously addressed concerns regarding age-based social media restrictions, data privacy protections, and children’s online safety measures. The three-hour compliance window represents one of the world’s most stringent content removal mandates, potentially establishing a precedent for other nations considering similar regulatory approaches to digital content governance.