Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • Mianhua steams up good fortune for Chinese New Year

    Mianhua steams up good fortune for Chinese New Year

    The city of Huanghua in China’s Hebei province is enveloped in the aromatic essence of traditional mianhua steamed buns as Lunar New Year celebrations unfold. These elaborately crafted decorative buns represent more than culinary tradition—they embody cultural heritage and aspirations for prosperity in the coming year.

    Local resident Zhang Ruixia from Houxianzhuang village emphasizes the cultural significance: “Consuming mianhua during the New Year period invites abundance and favorable fortune.” Like many community members, Zhang prepared these symbolic baked goods well in advance to distribute among relatives during customary Spring Festival visits, strengthening familial bonds through shared tradition.

    Huanghua’s practice of creating ceremonial steamed buns spans generations, with contemporary iterations reflecting both cultural continuity and socioeconomic transformation. Municipal authorities recognize this custom as dual-faceted: preserving cultural identity while demonstrating tangible outcomes of rural revitalization initiatives. The craftsmanship involved in mianhua production has evolved into a sustainable economic activity that supports local artisans while maintaining cultural authenticity.

    The intricate designs of these steamed creations often incorporate symbolic motifs representing longevity, wealth, and happiness. This culinary art form has gained renewed attention as both a preservation of intangible cultural heritage and an example of how traditional practices can adapt to modern economic contexts without sacrificing cultural significance.

  • Storm paralyses travel, forcing more than 8,000 US flight disruptions

    Storm paralyses travel, forcing more than 8,000 US flight disruptions

    A severe winter storm has brought transportation across the US Northeast to a virtual standstill, triggering massive flight cancellations and delays that exceeded 8,000 incidents. The powerful blizzard dumped more than 30 inches (76.2 cm) of snow across multiple states, forcing road closures, school cancellations, and creating nightmarish conditions for travelers.

    Major US carriers including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines each cancelled approximately 20% of their scheduled flights on Monday. JetBlue Airways suffered particularly severe disruptions, cancelling about 80% of its operations due to its significant Northeast presence. The airline has preemptively cancelled 1,600 flights through Wednesday in anticipation of ongoing challenges.

    While airlines expressed cautious optimism about resuming operations Tuesday, they warned that conditions remain difficult. According to analytics firm Cirium, cancellation rates are expected to drop from Monday’s 19% to approximately 7% on Tuesday, still significantly above the typical 1% cancellation rate for US domestic flights.

    Southwest Airlines, which experienced fewer cancellations due to limited Northeast exposure, stated its plans to ‘ramp up operations tomorrow, if conditions permit us to safely do so.’ American Airlines reported successful resumption of operations at Washington Reagan National and Philadelphia airports, while Delta and American both anticipate restoring service at New York’s LaGuardia, JFK, and Boston airports by late Tuesday morning.

    The transportation crisis extended beyond aviation, with US passenger railroad Amtrak cancelling dozens of trains between New York and Boston and on other Northeast routes. Several state governments issued orders prohibiting non-essential travel on roadways due to hazardous conditions and significant snowfall accumulation.

  • PSG star Hakimi faces trial for alleged rape

    PSG star Hakimi faces trial for alleged rape

    Moroccan international footballer Achraf Hakimi, a prominent defender for Paris Saint-Germain, will stand trial in France following rape allegations brought by a young woman. The judicial proceedings were confirmed by both the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office and Hakimi’s legal representative on Tuesday.

    The case originated in February 2023 when a then-24-year-old woman filed a formal complaint with police in the Val-de-Marne region, southeast of Paris. She alleged that the athlete had sexually assaulted her during an encounter at his residence. According to initial police reports, the complainant stated she had initially connected with Hakimi through Instagram in January 2023 before visiting his home via a taxi arranged by the player.

    Hakimi has consistently maintained his innocence regarding all allegations. Through his legal counsel Fanny Colin, the football star contends that the prosecution’s case lacks substantive evidence. Colin emphasized that the accuser allegedly obstructed investigative procedures by declining medical examinations, DNA testing, and forensic analysis of her mobile device while withholding the identity of a potentially crucial witness.

    The 27-year-old defender, who achieved global recognition during Morocco’s historic semifinal run in the 2022 World Cup, publicly expressed confidence in the judicial process. On social media platform X, Hakimi stated he would approach the trial calmly, asserting that the proceedings would ultimately reveal the truth.

    PSG management has adopted a reserved stance regarding the development. Coach Luis Enrique, addressing media inquiries before a Champions League match, noted that the matter remained within the purview of judicial authorities. Despite the serious allegations, Hakimi continued regular training and remained eligible for team selection.

    The plaintiff’s attorney, Rachel-Flore Pardo, acknowledged her client’s relief at the case progressing to trial while praising the judiciary’s handling of the matter. However, Pardo simultaneously highlighted perceived institutional barriers, suggesting that the #MeToo movement had yet to fully penetrate certain male-dominated domains including professional football.

    Hakimi, who developed through Real Madrid’s academy before achieving success with Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, and ultimately PSG, maintains his playing status during ongoing legal proceedings.

  • India inspects 90% of cough syrup makers, finds lapses in some

    India inspects 90% of cough syrup makers, finds lapses in some

    India’s pharmaceutical regulatory authority has completed sweeping inspections of approximately 90% of the nation’s cough syrup manufacturers, revealing significant compliance failures across multiple facilities. The comprehensive audit comes in response to a series of international tragedies linking Indian-made syrups to the deaths of over 140 children across Africa and Central Asia since 2022.

    Drugs Controller General of India Rajeev Raghuvanshi announced the findings at the IPA 11th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit in Mumbai, confirming that nearly 1,100 manufacturers had undergone rigorous evaluation. The inspections identified critical violations including breaches of good manufacturing practices, failure to test incoming raw materials, and implementation of invalid methods and processes.

    The regulatory crackdown follows the October discovery of diethylene glycol contamination in Coldrif cough syrup manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical, which resulted in 24 pediatric fatalities. This incident has placed unprecedented pressure on India’s $42 billion pharmaceutical industry, challenging its reputation as the ‘pharmacy of the world’.

    Raghuvanshi stated, ‘We took serious actions on serious non-compliances, and our belief is that the rot of cough syrup manufacturing will be removed.’ While declining to specify the exact number of non-compliant companies or identify them publicly, the regulator confirmed additional protective inspections of 1,250 drug manufacturing units to evaluate potential risks.

    Concurrently, India’s drug regulatory agency is undertaking transformative reforms to achieve parity with US Food and Drug Administration standards. The modernization initiative includes creating 1,500 new positions—40% through flexible contract roles—and potentially engaging global industry experts as advisors. The regulator is also piloting artificial intelligence applications to streamline application reviews and has eliminated redundant export clearance requirements for shipments to the US, Europe, Australia, Japan, the UK and Canada.

  • Hohhot hosts contemporary Spring Festival temple fair

    Hohhot hosts contemporary Spring Festival temple fair

    The vibrant city of Hohhot in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region inaugurated its 2026 Spring Festival Cultural Temple Fair this Sunday, launching an eight-day cultural extravaganza along the historic Saishang Old Street in Yuquan district. The festival, which commenced on February 22nd, will continue through March 3rd, strategically concluding on the Lantern Festival that traditionally marks the finale of Chinese New Year celebrations.

    Under the thematic banner ‘Celebrate Chinese Year in Hohhot’, the event orchestrates a sophisticated fusion of time-honored Spring Festival customs with contemporary artistic expressions. Local authorities have curated an immersive program that showcases the region’s diverse intangible cultural heritage through dynamic performances, interactive installations, and traditional craft demonstrations.

    The temple fair represents a cultural bridge connecting Mongolia’s rich ethnic traditions with universal Chinese New Year practices. Visitors can experience authentic folk dances, traditional music performances, and artisan workshops demonstrating centuries-old craftsmanship techniques passed down through generations.

    Beyond traditional displays, the festival incorporates modern technological elements and interactive experiences designed to engage younger audiences while preserving cultural authenticity. Food stalls offering regional delicacies, handicraft markets featuring local artisans, and cultural exhibitions provide a comprehensive sensory journey through Inner Mongolia’s unique cultural landscape.

    The event serves dual purposes: preserving traditional customs while innovating their presentation for contemporary audiences. This approach has transformed the temple fair into both a cultural preservation initiative and a significant tourism driver, attracting visitors from across China and internationally during the Spring Festival travel period.

  • Mexico hunts 23 inmates sprung from jail during wave of violence

    Mexico hunts 23 inmates sprung from jail during wave of violence

    A coordinated wave of retaliatory violence orchestrated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has plunged multiple Mexican states into chaos following the confirmed death of its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho.” The strategic resort city of Puerto Vallarta became a primary battleground where cartel operatives implemented road blockades, incinerated vehicles, and executed a brazen prison break.

    According to official reports, armed assailants utilized a vehicle to ram through prison gates in Puerto Vallarta, facilitating the escape of 23 inmates during the widespread unrest. The security apparatus across Jalisco state has initiated a multi-state manhunt for the fugitives, though authorities have not yet disclosed their identities or potential cartel affiliations.

    The violence resulted in a devastating human toll, with over 70 casualties reported nationwide, including 25 members of Mexico’s National Guard. The tourist-oriented economy of Puerto Vallarta suffered immediate disruption as major airlines suspended flights and cruise lines canceled scheduled port calls. Residents and visitors received emergency shelter-in-place orders while thick black smoke from burning vehicles blanketed the resort landscape.

    El Mencho, who ranked as Mexico’s most-wanted criminal and carried a $15 million U.S. bounty for his capture, met his end during a special forces operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. Defense officials revealed that intelligence from one of the drug lord’s romantic partners enabled authorities to locate him. A fatal firefight erupted between Cervantes’ security detail and Mexican forces during the apprehension operation, resulting in his subsequent death from sustained injuries.

    While the Mexican government reported successful clearance of most cartel-erected blockades by Monday, continued violence was documented in Morelia—El Mencho’s birthplace—where armed groups persisted in destroying property and terrorizing civilians.

    The CJNG, under El Mencho’s leadership, evolved into a formidable transnational criminal enterprise with operations extending beyond its Jalisco stronghold into numerous Mexican states. The organization has gained notoriety for its extreme brutality, frequent confrontations with security forces, and significant role in fentanyl trafficking that drew particular attention from the Trump administration.

  • Saudi, Egypt, other foreign ministers condemn Israel’s West Bank moves in joint statement

    Saudi, Egypt, other foreign ministers condemn Israel’s West Bank moves in joint statement

    A significant multinational coalition comprising Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Brazil, France, Spain, Turkey, Qatar, along with the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, has issued a forceful joint statement condemning Israel’s recent territorial expansions in the occupied West Bank. The diplomatic condemnation, released through the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Monday evening, addresses measures approved by Israel’s cabinet on February 15 that substantially extend administrative control over Palestinian territories.

    The statement characterizes these developments as implementing ‘sweeping extensions to unlawful Israeli control’ through systematic reclassification of Palestinian land as Israeli ‘state land.’ This administrative maneuver accelerates illegal settlement activity while further entrenching Israeli administration in territories recognized under international law as occupied Palestinian land.

    Diplomats explicitly labeled these settlements and supporting decisions as ‘a flagrant violation of international law’ and a dangerous progression toward ‘unacceptable de facto annexation.’ The West Bank represents core territory Palestinians seek for an independent state, though much remains under Israeli military control with limited Palestinian self-rule in Western-backed Authority-administered areas.

    The coalition warned these measures fundamentally undermine ongoing peace and stability efforts while threatening meaningful prospects for regional integration. This coordinated international response highlights growing diplomatic concern over unilateral actions that alter territorial status quo in one of the world’s most politically sensitive regions.

  • Thai officials say 72 tigers at tourist parks died of canine distemper, allaying bird flu fears

    Thai officials say 72 tigers at tourist parks died of canine distemper, allaying bird flu fears

    Thai health authorities have confirmed that the sudden deaths of 72 tigers at two northern Thailand animal parks resulted from canine distemper virus (CDV) infection, explicitly ruling out any connection to avian influenza. The fatalities occurred within a concentrated 10-day period between February 8-18 at Tiger Kingdom facilities in Chiang Mai province’s Mae Taeng and Mae Rim districts.

    Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat addressed concerns at a Tuesday press conference, emphasizing that the CDV pathogen presents no known transmission risk to humans. ‘There has not been an animal-to-human infection case,’ Minister Promphat stated, while acknowledging ongoing health monitoring of individuals with recent animal contact.

    Veterinary investigations revealed the presence of CDV genetic material and secondary bacterial infections in necropsy results, with no detected traces of avian influenza viruses. Officials noted that confined big cats face heightened vulnerability to such infections due to stress factors and genetic limitations from inbreeding practices.

    Despite official reassurances, participating veterinarian Visit Arsaithamkul raised concerns about undetermined infection origins. Through social media channels, Dr. Arsaithamkul suggested possible contamination through shared food sources between the geographically proximate facilities.

    All deceased tigers underwent controlled cremation and burial procedures following thorough disinfection protocols to prevent further disease spread. Both affected parks remain temporarily closed as investigations continue.

    Health authorities maintain nationwide vigilance against potential avian influenza threats, with Disease Control Department Director-General Monthien Khanasawat advising cautious poultry consumption practices following recent regional bird flu cases.

  • DPRK top leader outlines general economic goals for next five years

    DPRK top leader outlines general economic goals for next five years

    PYONGYANG – North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has delineated a measured economic strategy for the nation’s forthcoming five-year development cycle, emphasizing stabilization, structural consolidation, and incremental qualitative advancement. The announcement was delivered during a pivotal address at the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) on Monday, February 23, 2026.

    As General Secretary of the WPK, Kim articulated that the primary objective of the new quinquennial plan is to establish a solid foundation for the national economy. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported his statements, which framed the period as a critical phase for reinforcing economic stability before pursuing more ambitious qualitative development.

    Kim underscored the fundamental purpose of the Party Congress, stating its main schedule was to meticulously formulate and subsequently ratify a long-term strategic blueprint. He emphasized that the success of the congress would be measured by its effectiveness in defining the nation’s strategic orientation, establishing precise sector-specific goals, and adopting concrete decisions to achieve them.

    This economic roadmap signifies a continuation of a pragmatic approach, potentially indicating a sustained focus on internal development and self-reliance amid persistent international sanctions and geopolitical pressures. The speech did not elaborate on specific industries or quantitative targets, instead maintaining a broad focus on systemic strengthening and controlled progress.

  • Chinese artist shares perspective on cross-cultural artistic expression

    Chinese artist shares perspective on cross-cultural artistic expression

    NEW YORK – Renowned Chinese artist Yi Ming, whose creative vision has shaped some of China’s most prominent international events, recently articulated his philosophy on cross-cultural artistic expression during an engagement at Harvard University. The multidisciplinary creator—accomplished in painting, calligraphy, and design—emphasized the critical importance of ‘leaving space’ as a universal principle in artistic communication across cultural boundaries.

    Yi brings unique credibility to this perspective, having served as a key visual designer for both the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. This rare dual experience has provided him with a distinctive vantage point to observe the evolution of China’s cultural presentation on the global stage. He characterized the 2008 Games as an endeavor centered on ‘Harmony,’ with artistic efforts focused on demonstrating the depth and strength of Chinese civilization to international audiences.

    ‘The fundamental objective in 2008 revolved around facilitating global understanding of China,’ Yi explained. ‘By contrast, the 2022 Winter Olympics represented a significant thematic shift toward romanticism and technological artistry. Our approach reflected greater national confidence—we sought to present China not merely as historically significant, but as contemporary, engaging, and emotionally resonant.’

    Beyond his Olympic contributions, Yi’s portfolio includes serving as chief stylist for the 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou, the 2018 Qingdao SCO Summit, and the acclaimed ‘Beijing 8 Minutes’ segment at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Despite this impressive institutional work, the artist self-identifies primarily as a ‘storyteller’ who communicates China’s cultural heritage through visual language.

    Yi maintains that while large-scale events have brought him recognition, artistic authenticity stems from personal style. His work integrates modern aesthetics while consistently emphasizing the Chinese artistic principle of ‘liubai’—intentionally leaving space for imagination. This concept takes on enhanced relevance in today’s technology-driven environment, particularly with the emergence of artificial intelligence.

    ‘In our rapidly accelerating, technology-saturated world, such creative space provides essential room for human breath and reflection,’ Yi noted. ‘While AI demonstrates remarkable efficiency and learning capacity, artists must focus on what machines cannot replicate: genuine emotion, vitality, and creativity.’

    The artist also commented on the global circulation of Chinese cultural content through digital platforms, citing the international popularity of vertical short dramas as evidence of how quickly cultural elements can now travel. He observed growing international interest in both traditional Chinese mythology and the country’s modern technological engagement.

    Addressing Harvard students, Yi encouraged artistic exploration and self-discovery, emphasizing that across diverse cultures and backgrounds, creative space remains essential for imagination, kindness, and love to flourish amidst relentless technological advancement.