Global Pulse

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  • Q&A: Activists, ‘sister-friends’ Gloria Steinem and Leymah Gbowee channel their bond into a new book

    Q&A: Activists, ‘sister-friends’ Gloria Steinem and Leymah Gbowee channel their bond into a new book

    In an extraordinary convergence of activist legacies, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee and feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem have transformed their transcontinental friendship into an inspirational children’s book. Their collaboration, “Rise, Girl, Rise: Our Sister-Friend Journey. Together For All,” represents both a dual biography and a call to action for future generations.

    The relationship between the Liberian peace activist and the American feminist icon began two decades ago through filmmaker Abigail Disney, who documented Gbowee’s peace movement work. Despite their different continents and distinct activist battles—Gbowee’s focus on peace and women’s rights in Liberia versus Steinem’s lifelong feminism advocacy—their connection proved instantaneous and profound.

    “I was just starstruck,” Gbowee confessed regarding her first encounter with Steinem, while the 91-year-old activist countered that Gbowee herself had become a “global celebrity” since winning the 2011 Nobel Prize for her transformative work in Liberia.

    The book, illustrated by Kah Yangni, traces both women’s childhoods: Steinem’s unconventional education traveling across America in a trailer with her antique-dealer father, and Gbowee’s upbringing in Liberia’s timber-rich landscape. It chronicles their parallel discoveries of injustice and their subsequent commitments to activism.

    A pivotal moment in their friendship occurred during an Easter Sunday conversation in 2009 when Gbowee questioned her place in the feminist movement. Steinem’s kitchen-table wisdom about the necessity of supportive “sisters” provided the emotional sustenance that sustained their bond and ultimately inspired this literary project.

    Conceived during pandemic isolation, the book intentionally bridges generational and geographical divides. While technically targeted at ages 11 and up, both authors emphasize its universal message of love, acceptance, and activism that resonates across gender and age boundaries. The work stands as testament to how shared commitment to social justice can forge powerful connections that span oceans and decades.

  • FBI launches terrorism investigation after explosives lit outside NYC mayor’s home

    FBI launches terrorism investigation after explosives lit outside NYC mayor’s home

    Federal and local authorities in New York have initiated a comprehensive terrorism investigation after two homemade explosive devices were deployed near the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday. The incident, which officials describe as “an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism,” occurred amidst escalating tensions between anti-Islam demonstrators and counter-protesters outside Gracie Mansion.

    New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that both devices were ignited, with at least one being thrown toward the protest area. Although the explosives failed to cause casualties, Commissioner Tisch emphasized they “could have caused serious injury or death” due to their construction and intent.

    Two Pennsylvania residents—18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi—have been apprehended in connection with the attack. Surveillance footage and witness accounts indicate both suspects appeared agitated by the anti-Islam protest before allegedly deploying the devices.

    Forensic analysis revealed the explosives were constructed using triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a highly volatile compound frequently employed in terrorist attacks. The devices consisted of glass bottles filled with explosive material and surrounded by fragmentation elements like nuts and bolts, utilizing firework-type fuses for ignition.

    Law enforcement officials subsequently located a vehicle linked to the suspects on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. NYPD bomb squad robots discovered additional suspicious materials inside the car consistent with explosive manufacturing.

    The initial protest was organized by Jake Lang, a far-right influencer previously pardoned for his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riots. The demonstration was substantially outnumbered by counter-protesters, with approximately 100 participants engaged in the opposing group.

    In addition to the terrorism charges, police arrested 21-year-old Ian McGuiness for allegedly deploying pepper spray against counter-protesters. McGuiness and three others face charges including disorderly conduct and obstruction.

    Mayor Mamdani condemned both the original protest as “rooted in bigotry and racism” and the subsequent violence as “reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.” The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation, reviewing extensive video evidence and pursuing all leads regarding potential terrorist connections.

  • South Korea advances to the WBC quarterfinals with 7-2 win over Australia

    South Korea advances to the WBC quarterfinals with 7-2 win over Australia

    In a high-stakes showdown at the Tokyo Dome, South Korea’s national baseball team clinched a dramatic 7-2 victory against Australia on Monday, securing their advancement to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals through a complex tiebreaker scenario. The triumph marks South Korea’s first appearance in the tournament’s knockout stage after three consecutive failures to escape pool play.

    The game unfolded as a nail-biting mathematical puzzle, with South Korea requiring a victory margin of five runs or more to advance from Pool C. The team initially established a commanding 4-0 lead within the first three innings, with Bo Gyeong Moon delivering an exceptional offensive performance that included four RBIs, bringing his tournament total to an impressive 11.

    Australia mounted several comeback attempts, twice narrowing the deficit to four runs, but each time South Korea responded with additional scoring. The decisive moment arrived in the ninth inning when Australian shortstop Jarryd Dale committed a critical throwing error that extended the inning. This miscue enabled Hae-Min Park to reach third base and subsequently score on Hyun Min Ahn’s sacrifice fly, providing the crucial fifth-run margin.

    The drama intensified in the bottom of the ninth when South Korean right fielder Jung Hoo Lee made a spectacular diving catch off Rixon Wingrove’s line drive, preventing what appeared to be a certain double that could have scored an Australian runner and reduced the final margin to four runs—which would have eliminated South Korea from contention.

    Pitcher Ju Young Son earned the victory while Australian starter Lachlan Wells was charged with the loss. South Korea now joins previously qualified Japan and superstar Shohei Ohtani as Pool C representatives in the quarterfinals, completing a remarkable turnaround after their early tournament struggles.

  • China’s public security continues to improve in 2025

    China’s public security continues to improve in 2025

    China has reinforced its status as one of the world’s safest nations with substantial improvements in public security throughout 2025, according to the latest annual report from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP). The comprehensive assessment reveals marked declines across multiple crime categories, demonstrating the effectiveness of the country’s enhanced law enforcement strategies.

    Prosecutor General Ying Yong presented the detailed findings during the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress, highlighting a dual reduction in both criminal apprehensions and prosecutions. Official statistics indicate authorities approved 664,000 criminal arrests—an 11.7 percent decrease from the previous year—while initiating 1.4 million public prosecutions, representing a 13.9 percent year-on-year decline.

    The judicial crackdown on severe violent offenses remained particularly robust, with prosecutors pursuing 54,000 individuals for grave crimes including intentional homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping. Simultaneously, China intensified its campaign against organized criminal networks, prosecuting 9,870 participants in mafia-style organizations and 65 officials accused of providing protective cover for such operations.

    Law enforcement agencies maintained strict enforcement policies against transnational crimes, human trafficking, and narcotics operations, resulting in 39,900 prosecutions for these offenses. In a significant breakthrough for cold cases, the SPP authorized the pursuit of 380 homicide suspects from investigations dormant for over two decades, ensuring long-elusive fugitives faced justice.

    Cybersecurity emerged as a critical focus area, with prosecutors charging 182,000 individuals for internet-related crimes including cyberbullying, malicious rumor propagation, online extortion, and coordinated trolling operations. The campaign against telecommunications fraud produced 69,000 prosecutions, with special attention directed toward cross-border criminal syndicates. Under SPP coordination, authorities brought charges against 285 members of four major family-based criminal organizations operating in northern Myanmar for offenses spanning fraud, intentional homicide, and assault.

    The judicial protection of personal information rights saw substantial strengthening, with prosecutors filing charges against 6,142 individuals for privacy violations and handling 4,456 public interest litigation cases concerning data protection matters.

  • Stars hit Paris runways, but fall’s real trend was dressing for hard times — and real life

    Stars hit Paris runways, but fall’s real trend was dressing for hard times — and real life

    PARIS — The autumn-winter 2024 season at Paris Fashion Week transcended its traditional celebrity spectacle to deliver a profound industry reset. While front rows featured Oprah Winfrey, Rooney Mara, and Diane Kruger, the collections themselves addressed a pressing contemporary question: How does one dress for a world characterized by darkness, instability, and constant exposure?

    Three distinct aesthetic movements emerged across major houses, signaling a collective departure from pandemic-era comfort dressing toward more protective and intentional fashion statements.

    The dominant trend featured what critics are calling ‘armor for anxious times.’ At Balenciaga, Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli collaborated with ‘Euphoria’ creator Sam Levinson to present a collection exploring darkness and light. This manifested in guarded silhouettes: balloon bombers, cocoon backs, and portrait collars that physically framed models’ faces. Similarly, Sarah Burton’s third Givenchy collection presented multiple visions of strength through exact tailoring, strong coats, and peplum hips, while maintaining connection to real-life contexts. Most radically, Junya Watanabe transformed motorcycle gear and emergency blankets into couture-like forms, and McQueen’s Seán McGirr explored paranoia through slashed leather trousers and chainmail textures that simultaneously suggested exposure and defense.

    The second significant shift occurred in silhouette. After years of oversized dominance, Paris runways embraced sharper, more body-conscious lines. Celine’s Michael Rider led this transition with coats and suits sitting closer to the torso, cropped flare trousers, and crisp narrow overcoats for menswear. This new sharpness wasn’t restrictive but character-driven—classic clothes reimagined with stranger proportions and more exact lines. The trend appeared across other houses: Burton relaxed her previously strict hourglass shapes at Givenchy without abandoning structure, while McQueen’s low-rise minis and neat boots continued the body-aware direction.

    The third trend redefined luxury glamour by embracing imperfection. Designers consciously incorporated friction and raw emotion into their presentations. Andreas Kronthaler at Vivienne Westwood staged a simultaneous exploration of grief, eroticism, and disorder through rough seams, smudged lipstick, and unfinished bridal looks. This appetite for authenticity permeated the week: Rider hinted at complex inner lives beneath beautiful surfaces, Piccioli maintained darkness through strategic shadow, and Burton populated Givenchy with distinct female characters rather than a singular ideal.

    Collectively, these movements indicate fashion’s pivot from escapism toward resilience. The most compelling collections didn’t attempt to make the world disappear but rather to equip women with sartorial armor for navigating contemporary realities.

  • N Korea cancels Pyongyang Marathon for ‘some reasons’

    N Korea cancels Pyongyang Marathon for ‘some reasons’

    In an unexpected development, North Korea has officially canceled the Pyongyang International Marathon scheduled for April 5, 2026, offering no substantive explanation for the decision. The announcement was communicated to Koryo Tours, the British-operated tour agency recognized as the event’s official partner, by North Korea’s athletics association.

    The notification, attributed to the association’s general secretary, cited vague “some reasons” for the cancellation while expressing gratitude to international elite and amateur runners who had shown interest in participating. According to Koryo Tours, the determination appears final and was made at a level surpassing the event’s direct organizers, suggesting higher governmental authority involvement.

    This marks the first cancellation since the event’s post-pandemic revival in 2025 after five consecutive years of COVID-19 related suspensions. Established in 1981 to commemorate the birth of North Korea’s founding leader Kim Il Sung, the marathon typically attracts foreign participants through specialized tour packages.

    Koryo Tours, which operates from Beijing, had sold out its premium packages priced from €2,190 for 2.5 nights in Pyongyang including race entry and city tours. The company has committed to full deposit refunds while offering participants the option to retain credits for future events. No date has been set for the 2027 edition of the competition, which traditionally features 5km, 10km, half-marathon and full marathon distances open to both amateur and professional athletes.

  • Finnish pair wins a barrel of ale in annual ‘wife-carrying’ contest in England

    Finnish pair wins a barrel of ale in annual ‘wife-carrying’ contest in England

    DORKING, Surrey — An unconventional athletic competition unfolded on the grassy slopes of southern England this weekend as couples participated in the United Kingdom’s annual Wife Carrying Race. The event, characterized by its blend of physical endurance and comedic spectacle, saw Finnish partners Teemu Touvinen and Jatta Leinonen claim victory with a remarkable time of 1 minute and 45 seconds.

    Inspired by 19th-century Finnish folklore about village raids and abductions, the modern interpretation emphasizes lighthearted entertainment above historical accuracy. Participants embraced the absurdity with creative costumes while navigating a 380-meter obstacle course that included hay bale hurdles and water bucket assaults.

    The competition demonstrates remarkable inclusivity in both participant selection and carrying techniques. Contestants must carry partners over 18 years old weighing at least 50 kilograms (110 pounds), with underweight participants requiring weighted rucksacks. The rules explicitly permit carrying ‘someone else’s wife’ or any acquaintance, with organizers humorously recommending ‘they should ideally weigh less than you do.’

    Most competitors employed the traditional ‘Estonian Hold’ method, where the carried person hangs upside-down with legs secured around the carrier’s shoulders. The winning Finnish duo received a barrel of local ale as their championship prize.

    While niche, this Scandinavian export has gained international traction with similar events in the United States, Australia, and Poland. The British event, established in 2008, serves as a qualifying competition for the World Wife Carrying Championships in Finland. This year’s fastest British team—Edward Nash and Kathryn Knight, who finished just four seconds behind the winners—will represent the UK at July’s global championship.

  • Ukrainian bank worker detained by Hungary was forcibly medicated: Kyiv

    Ukrainian bank worker detained by Hungary was forcibly medicated: Kyiv

    A significant diplomatic confrontation has erupted between Ukraine and Hungary following the controversial detention of seven Ukrainian banking officials. According to Kyiv’s foreign ministry, these employees endured severe mistreatment while in Hungarian custody, including psychological pressure and physical coercion.

    The incident unfolded when Hungarian authorities intercepted a routine financial transfer from Austria to Ukraine, seizing approximately $40 million, €35 million, and nine kilograms of gold bars belonging to state-owned Oschadbank. While Budapest justified the action as part of a money-laundering investigation, Ukrainian officials characterized it as an extreme measure that violated international norms.

    Testimonies from the released bank employees reveal disturbing details of their detention. The individuals reported being held in handcuffs for 28 consecutive hours, blindfolded during transportation, and denied access to legal representation or Ukrainian diplomatic personnel. Most alarmingly, one diabetic employee lost consciousness during custody and was subsequently administered a medication against his will that caused dangerous spikes in blood sugar and hypertension, necessitating emergency hospital treatment.

    Ukraine has condemned these actions as ‘unacceptable and disproportionate,’ asserting they represent a blatant violation of European human rights conventions. The Ukrainian government has formally demanded the immediate return of all seized assets and vehicles.

    The confrontation occurs against the backdrop of ongoing tensions regarding the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary. Budapest alleges that Ukraine is deliberately delaying the pipeline’s reopening following January damage from Russian attacks, characterizing it as economic ‘blackmail.’ Kyiv maintains the delay is necessary for legitimate repair work, while suggesting Hungary’s actions against the bank employees constitute retaliatory measures for the energy dispute.

  • Hungarian leader Orbán urges European Union to lift Russian energy sanctions

    Hungarian leader Orbán urges European Union to lift Russian energy sanctions

    BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has formally requested the European Union immediately suspend all sanctions imposed on Russian fossil fuels, citing dramatic energy price increases triggered by ongoing Middle East hostilities. In a social media address on Monday, the Kremlin-aligned leader revealed he had dispatched correspondence to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging comprehensive policy reconsideration.

    The escalating Iran conflict, now entering its second week, has disrupted critical oil and gas transportation routes through the Persian Gulf, generating substantial price volatility across global markets. Orbán convened an emergency governmental session to develop strategies for mitigating gasoline and diesel cost inflation within Hungary.

    This stance aligns with Hungary’s consistent opposition to EU initiatives reducing Russian energy dependence since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Alongside Slovakia, Hungary has preserved and expanded Russian hydrocarbon imports despite continental sanctions. Both nations maintain temporary exemptions from EU prohibitions on Russian oil, historically receiving supplies via the Druzhba pipeline traversing Ukraine.

    However, Druzhba transmissions ceased abruptly on January 27 amid escalating Budapest-Kyiv tensions. Ukrainian authorities attribute the interruption to Russian drone strikes damaging pipeline infrastructure, while Orbán alleges deliberate obstruction by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration. In retaliation, Hungary has vetoed proposed EU sanctions against Russia and blocked a pivotal €90 billion EU financial assistance package destined for Ukraine.

    With elections approaching in April, Orbán’s government has intensified anti-Ukraine rhetoric, accusing Zelenskyy of engineering energy shortages to influence Hungarian electoral outcomes. Tensions further escalated Thursday when Hungarian authorities detained seven Ukrainian state bank employees and confiscated two armored vehicles transporting substantial cash and gold reserves over alleged money laundering activities. Ukraine maintains the transfers constituted routine interbank operations and denies all financial misconduct allegations.

  • World’s oldest articulated bony fish fossil unearthed in Chongqing

    World’s oldest articulated bony fish fossil unearthed in Chongqing

    A groundbreaking paleontological discovery in China’s Chongqing Municipality has revealed the world’s oldest articulated bony fish fossil, fundamentally altering our understanding of vertebrate evolution. The exceptionally preserved specimen, named Eosteus chongqingensis, was excavated from a site in Xiushan county renowned for its exceptional preservation of ancient life forms.

    Dating back approximately 440 million years to the early Silurian Period, this remarkable fossil represents a pivotal moment in paleontological research. The findings, published in the prestigious journal Nature, effectively push back the evolutionary timeline of jawed vertebrates by nearly 11 million years, providing unprecedented insights into the origins of bony vertebrates that would eventually include humans.

    The research collaboration, spearheaded by the Chongqing Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources in partnership with the Chongqing Institute of Paleontology and led by Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Zhu Min, has yielded the most complete record of jawed vertebrates from the previously poorly understood Silurian Period. The exceptional articulation of the fossil provides researchers with unprecedented anatomical details that were previously unavailable from fragmentary remains.

    This discovery not only underscores Chongqing’s emerging significance as a paleontological research hub but also illuminates critical evolutionary transitions that occurred in ancient marine environments. The fossil’s preservation quality offers scientists a rare window into the anatomical features that characterized early jawed vertebrates, enhancing our comprehension of how life diversified from oceanic habitats to eventually colonize terrestrial ecosystems.