Global Pulse

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  • Former NDRC deputy director charged with bribery

    Former NDRC deputy director charged with bribery

    In a significant development in China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, former National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) deputy director Xu Xianping has been formally indicted on bribery charges. The Supreme People’s Procuratorate announced on Wednesday that prosecutors have completed their review and filed the case with the Chifeng Intermediate People’s Court in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

    The case, which was initially investigated by the National Commission of Supervision, alleges that Xu exploited multiple high-ranking positions throughout his extensive career to illicitly benefit others while accepting substantial monetary bribes and valuable assets. The prosecution asserts that the 71-year-old official should be held criminally accountable for these corruption offenses.

    Xu’s impressive career trajectory, which spanned nearly five decades, included influential roles as Vice-Governor of Hunan Province, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Hunan Provincial Committee, Deputy Head of the NDRC from 2009 to 2014, and most recently as Counselor of the State Council until 2022. According to judicial authorities, he manipulated these positions of power to facilitate improper advantages for third parties in exchange for significant financial compensation.

    The legal proceedings follow Xu’s initial investigation in March 2025 by anti-corruption authorities. After eight months of intensive scrutiny, he was expelled from the Communist Party in November 2025 and subsequently transferred to prosecutorial agencies for criminal proceedings. The case has been designated to regional authorities in Chifeng under the supervision of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, demonstrating the systematic approach to handling high-profile corruption cases within China’s judicial system.

    This prosecution represents another milestone in China’s comprehensive anti-graft campaign that has targeted officials at various levels of government and state-owned enterprises. The case against a former NDRC official—an institution responsible for China’s economic planning and policy formulation—highlights the continued determination to root out corruption regardless of an individual’s former status or political connections.

  • Prosecution asks for seven years’ jail for crown princess’s son in Norway rape trial

    Prosecution asks for seven years’ jail for crown princess’s son in Norway rape trial

    In a landmark case that has captivated Norway, prosecutors have formally requested a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, concluding their arguments in a trial that has dominated national headlines for nearly seven weeks.

    The 29-year-old defendant faces an extensive list of 40 criminal charges, with prosecutors advocating for convictions on 39 counts. The most severe allegations include four distinct rape charges and serious assault. Høiby has entered not guilty pleas for these primary accusations while admitting to lesser offenses including drug transportation, traffic violations, and breaching a restraining order.

    State Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø presented the prosecution’s final arguments this week at Oslo District Court, emphasizing that the case should be judged solely on factual evidence rather than the defendant’s royal connections. ‘He is not a monster,’ Henriksbø stated during his summation, ‘but must be judged for what he has done.’

    The prosecution’s case hinges on compelling evidence including non-consensual videos documenting three of the alleged rape incidents. Central to their argument is the assertion that the victims were either asleep or otherwise incapacitated during the assaults—a claim directly contradicting Høiby’s defense that all sexual encounters were consensual.

    Henriksbø detailed the recommended sentencing structure: three rape charges should carry two-year terms each, while a fourth more severe incident warranted a three-year sentence. ‘Rape can leave lasting scars and destroy lives,’ the prosecutor told the court, emphasizing the gravity of these offenses.

    The trial has placed unprecedented scrutiny on the Norwegian royal family, coinciding with separate revelations about Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Høiby himself testified about the crushing psychological toll of media coverage, lamenting that public perception had transformed him from ‘Marius’ to ‘a monster.’

    With the prosecution’s case now complete, defense attorneys are preparing their closing arguments. Legal commentators suggest that while Høiby will likely receive reduced sentencing for admitted offenses, the court must weigh the serious nature of the rape allegations against a backdrop of intense public interest and judicial scrutiny.

  • Iranian footballers return home after dropping Australian asylum bids

    Iranian footballers return home after dropping Australian asylum bids

    Five members of Iran’s national women’s football team have returned to their homeland after abruptly withdrawing their applications for humanitarian asylum in Australia. The athletes rejoined their squadmates Wednesday afternoon, crossing into Iran from Turkey after a complex repatriation journey through Malaysia and Oman.

    The development follows intense speculation about potential coercion after several players initially sought protection visas during the Asian Cup tournament in Australia. Human rights advocates have raised alarms that family threats may have forced the athletes to reverse their decisions despite earlier safety concerns.

    Footage from Iranian state television had previously labeled team members as ‘traitors’ for their silent protest during the national anthem at their March 2nd match, occurring shortly after heightened US-Israel tensions with Iran. Although players subsequently sang the anthem in later matches, critics believe government officials accompanying the team compelled this compliance.

    Australian authorities had intervened earlier, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirming five players were relocated to a secure facility and granted humanitarian visa approvals in the early hours of March 20th. These visas would have provided legal residency rights in Australia. Surprisingly, after some athletes began reconsidering their positions, Burke acknowledged the ‘incredibly difficult decisions’ made under complex circumstances.

    Only two players ultimately remained in Australia as defectors, while three identified returnees—Zahra Soltan Meshkehkar, Mona Hamoudi, and Zahra Sarbali—were joined by captain Zahra Ghanbari and one unnamed teammate. Iranian state media celebrated the return as a victory of ‘national spirit and patriotism’ over enemy plans, while IRGC-linked outlets accused Australia of psychological warfare and offering ‘seductive offers’ to the athletes.

    The team’s journey home included a stop at Igdir airport in eastern Turkey, where they underwent customs processing before proceeding to a hotel under police escort prior to their border crossing.

  • MLB teams pressure WBC managers to be careful with pitchers. Venezuela pushed back

    MLB teams pressure WBC managers to be careful with pitchers. Venezuela pushed back

    In a dramatic championship showdown, Venezuela secured its inaugural World Baseball Classic title with a narrow 3-2 victory over the United States, largely due to strategic managerial maneuvering regarding pitcher usage restrictions. Venezuela’s manager Omar López successfully negotiated with Major League Baseball organizations to relax initial limitations on his pitchers, enabling him to deploy Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia for three appearances within four days. This contrasted sharply with U.S. manager Mark DeRosa’s approach, who strictly honored commitments made to MLB clubs by withholding his top reliever Mason Miller in non-save situations. The decisive moment came in the ninth inning when Venezuela’s Eugenio Suárez drove in the winning run against Boston reliever Garrett Whitlock. Palencia then sealed the victory with a dominant 11-pitch closing performance, striking out the final batter with a 99.7 mph fastball. The outcome highlighted the tension between national team ambitions and MLB organizations’ protective measures for their valuable pitching assets during international competition.

  • Senegal government alleges corruption over Afcon

    Senegal government alleges corruption over Afcon

    African football has been plunged into an unprecedented governance crisis following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) controversial decision to strip Senegal of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award the championship to Morocco. The dramatic reversal comes months after Senegal’s thrilling 1-0 extra-time victory against Morocco in January’s final.

  • Juliana Stratton wins Illinois Democratic primary for US Senate

    Juliana Stratton wins Illinois Democratic primary for US Senate

    In a dramatic political turnaround, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton has secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate after mounting a remarkable comeback in the final stages of a fiercely contested primary race. With approximately 90% of votes counted Tuesday night, Stratton outpaced her main rival, U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, according to Associated Press projections.

    The victory marks a significant shift in political momentum for Stratton, who had trailed in polls for months before receiving a decisive endorsement and substantial financial backing—reportedly totaling $12 million—from Illinois billionaire Governor JB Pritzker. This support enabled her to launch a powerful late-stage campaign that resonated with Democratic voters.

    Stratton’s campaign gained traction through her strong stance on immigration reform, particularly her direct call to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—a position that distinguished her from Krishnamoorthi’s more moderate approach of targeting “Trump’s ICE” rather than the entire agency.

    Addressing supporters in Chicago during her victory speech, Stratton declared: “Courage inspired me to run. Courage powered this campaign and courage will bring this fight straight to Donald Trump’s front door.”

    The primary witnessed unusually high voter engagement for a non-presidential election year, with over 1.1 million ballots cast in the Democratic contest—potentially exceeding the record turnout from the 2004 primary when Barack Obama sought the Senate seat.

    Should Stratton prevail in November’s general election against her Republican opponent, she would make history as the sixth Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate since its establishment 237 years ago. Her election would also mark the first time three Black women—Stratton joining Senators Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Rochester—simultaneously serve in the upper chamber. The seat is currently held by retiring five-term Senator Dick Durbin, 81, who will conclude his service next year.

  • Japan beats South Korea 4-1 to set up Women’s Asian Cup final against Australia

    Japan beats South Korea 4-1 to set up Women’s Asian Cup final against Australia

    In a commanding display of football prowess, Japan’s women’s national team secured their place in the Women’s Asian Cup final with an emphatic 4-1 victory over South Korea in Wednesday’s semifinal clash at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.

    The Nadeshiko established early dominance with first-half goals from Riko Ueki and Maika Hamano, setting the tone for what would become a comprehensive performance. Japan’s technical superiority was evident throughout the match as they controlled possession and created numerous scoring opportunities against a South Korean side that had previously edged tournament hosts Australia on goal difference during group stages.

    Japan appeared to extend their lead to 3-0 just before halftime when Aoba Fujino found the net in the 43rd minute, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review. Undeterred, the Asian football powerhouse continued their offensive pressure in the second half.

    Veteran defender Saki Kumagai reinforced Japan’s dominance in the 75th minute, powerfully heading home from Momoko Tanikawa’s precisely delivered corner kick. This marked Japan’s 27th goal of the continental championship, demonstrating their offensive firepower throughout the tournament.

    South Korea managed a consolation goal in the 78th minute when Kang Chae-rim turned sharply and fired a right-footed shot from close range, becoming the first team to breach Japan’s defense in the competition. However, any hopes of a Korean comeback were swiftly extinguished when Remina Chiba restored Japan’s three-goal advantage with a powerful strike in the 81st minute.

    The victory sets up a highly anticipated final against host nation Australia on Saturday, renewing a regional rivalry that has seen Japan defeat the Matildas in back-to-back finals in 2014 and 2018. Australia advanced to the championship match with a 2-1 semifinal victory over defending champion China, courtesy of a 58th-minute winner from superstar striker Sam Kerr.

    All four semifinalists have automatically qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, while additional qualification playoffs featuring Taiwan versus North Korea and Philippines against Uzbekistan will determine two further spots.

  • Bridge as encounter: How a realtor connects expats to home along Liangma River

    Bridge as encounter: How a realtor connects expats to home along Liangma River

    In the heart of China’s capital, the bridges spanning Beijing’s Liangma River serve as more than mere physical structures—they function as vital connectors between diverse international communities and local Chinese society. This waterway has emerged as an unexpected social hub where cross-cultural relationships flourish through real estate connections.

    Evan Ge, a Beijing-based real estate professional, has pioneered a unique approach to helping expatriates establish roots in unfamiliar territory. Rather than simply facilitating property transactions, Ge specializes in creating meaningful cultural bridges that transform foreign residents’ experience of urban living. His methodology combines property expertise with deep cultural understanding, addressing both the practical and emotional challenges of relocation.

    Along the Liangma River’s scenic banks, Ge has developed a network of international clients who benefit from his specialized knowledge of both the local housing market and the subtleties of cross-cultural adaptation. His work extends beyond traditional realty services to include neighborhood orientation, cultural interpretation, and community integration strategies that help foreign nationals navigate the complexities of Beijing life.

    The area surrounding Liangma River has naturally evolved into a melting pot of global cultures, with its bridges serving as metaphorical meeting points where East and West converge. This unique urban environment provides the perfect backdrop for Ge’s bridge-building mission, which ultimately contributes to the social fabric of modern Beijing as an increasingly cosmopolitan metropolis.

  • The Datong Code EP.1 | Intangible cultural heritage micro-drama series | PKU presents

    The Datong Code EP.1 | Intangible cultural heritage micro-drama series | PKU presents

    Peking University has unveiled an innovative micro-drama series titled ‘The Datong Code’ that blends gaming elements with cultural heritage preservation. The project features international student Abdelquoddousse Kailil from Morocco, who portrays a character transitioning from the popular game ‘Black Myth Wukong’ to an immersive real-world adventure in the ancient city of Datong.

    The narrative follows Kailil’s character as he unexpectedly finds himself transported into a mysterious game environment after completing the digital game. In this hybrid reality, he encounters Yuwen, his guide played by Hou Shuyue, another Peking University student from the School of Journalism and Communication.

    The story begins at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yungang Grottoes, where the protagonist receives a symbolic hammer and his first crucial clue. His mission: to locate and collect all Five Elements concealed within Datong’s intangible cultural heritage treasures to return to the real world.

    This groundbreaking series represents a novel approach to cultural education, combining interactive storytelling with authentic cultural preservation. By framing the exploration of traditional Chinese heritage within a game-like structure, the project aims to engage younger audiences and international students in discovering China’s rich cultural legacy.

    The production showcases Peking University’s commitment to innovative educational methodologies and cross-cultural exchange, demonstrating how traditional heritage can be presented through contemporary digital narratives to reach global audiences.

  • Irish PM boxes clever as Trump doubles down on Starmer ‘disappointment’

    Irish PM boxes clever as Trump doubles down on Starmer ‘disappointment’

    Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin demonstrated remarkable diplomatic dexterity during his traditional St. Patrick’s Day meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday. The encounter evolved into an unexpected political sparring session where Martin’s background as an amateur boxer proved metaphorically appropriate.

    The meeting, typically a ceremonial affair marking the longstanding Irish-American relationship, quickly turned substantive as President Trump dominated discussions with criticisms of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and European immigration policies. Trump reiterated his previous characterization of Starmer as “no Winston Churchill,” expressing disappointment in the British leader’s Middle East stance and calling his Iran policy a “big mistake.”

    Martin, who had just hosted Starmer in Cork days earlier for a UK-Ireland summit, mounted a nuanced defense. While acknowledging Churchill’s wartime leadership, the Taoiseach noted that from an Irish perspective during the War of Independence, “he created his own bit of difficulties for us.”

    The dialogue encountered another potential flashpoint when Trump criticized European immigration approaches. Martin countered diplomatically, asserting that “Europe is still a very good place to live” and is sometimes “characterised wrongly in terms of it being overrun.” He emphasized Ireland’s controlled immigration through legal economic channels.

    Throughout the 40-minute meeting, Martin employed strategic discretion, avoiding direct engagement on several contentious issues. He sidestepped questions about Middle Eastern civilian casualties, declined to comment on the conflict’s legality, and even avoided correcting Trump when the president misgendered Irish President Catherine Connolly despite her criticism of US actions in Iran.

    The encounter concluded with Martin emerging unscathed from what observers characterized as a diplomatic test of agility against an unpredictable negotiating partner.