Global Pulse

分类： politics

  • Immigration officers kill another US citizen in Minneapolis, sparking protests

    Immigration officers kill another US citizen in Minneapolis, sparking protests

    Minneapolis became the epicenter of national unrest Saturday when U.S. Border Patrol agents fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse and lawful gun owner, during an immigration enforcement operation. The incident marks the second such fatal shooting by federal agents this month, triggering widespread protests across multiple cities and escalating tensions between state and federal authorities.

    According to Department of Homeland Security officials, the shooting occurred when agents encountered Pretti during what they characterized as an attack situation. Secretary Kristi Noem stated the victim had ‘attacked agents on an immigration raid’ and was ‘there to perpetuate violence, not peacefully protest.’ Federal authorities released an image of a firearm allegedly carried by Pretti during the confrontation.

    However, multiple verified bystander videos reviewed by Reuters present a contradictory narrative. The footage shows Pretti holding a cellular phone rather than a weapon as he attempted to assist female protesters who had been physically pushed to the ground by federal agents. The visual evidence depicts agents pepper-spraying Pretti, forcing him to his hands and knees, and subsequently pinning him down before four rapid gunshots were fired into his back at close range.

    The shooting ignited immediate demonstrations in Minneapolis, where hundreds of protesters confronted masked federal agents deploying tear gas and flashbang grenades. Solidarity protests emerged spontaneously in New York, Washington D.C., and San Francisco as news of the incident spread nationally.

    Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed visceral disgust at the footage, declaring it ‘sickening’ and announcing state assumption of the investigation after federal agents blocked local authorities from the scene. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti had no criminal record beyond traffic violations and pleaded for calm amid escalating tensions.

    The incident has intensified existing friction between the Trump administration and Minnesota officials regarding immigration enforcement tactics. Previous controversies include the January 7th shooting of Renee Good, detention of citizens without proper attire, and apprehension of schoolchildren including a five-year-old boy. The escalating conflict prompted the postponement of a Minnesota Timberwolves NBA game and closure of the Minneapolis Institute of Art for safety concerns.

  • Party backed by generals set for landslide as ‘sham’ Myanmar election ends

    Party backed by generals set for landslide as ‘sham’ Myanmar election ends

    Myanmar has completed a controversial three-phase electoral process widely condemned by the international community as fundamentally undemocratic. The final voting stage concluded with participation limited to approximately one-fifth of the country’s 330 townships, including major urban centers like Yangon and Mandalay, while approximately half of the nation remained excluded from voting due to an ongoing five-year civil conflict.

    The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is projected to secure a overwhelming victory, continuing the political dominance established following the 2021 military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The electoral landscape featured only six parties permitted to field candidates nationwide, with an additional 51 parties and independent candidates restricted to state and regional levels.

    International observers and critics have denounced the process as fundamentally flawed, citing the exclusion of popular political parties, widespread voter intimidation, and the impossibility of genuine democratic participation in conflict-affected regions. The military junta has consistently rejected these criticisms, maintaining the election’s legitimacy and fairness.

    BBC correspondents reporting from Shan State documented a climate of pervasive fear among voters, with extensive surveillance by police and military personnel creating an environment where open political discussion proved nearly impossible. Despite superficially orderly polling procedures featuring new electronic voting machines, the pre-election period was characterized by intimidation and widespread public resignation regarding the predetermined outcome.

    Constitutional procedures now mandate parliament to convene within two months to appoint a new president, with coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing anticipated to assume the presidency. This transition would require him to relinquish direct military command, though his successor is expected to maintain loyalist alignment. The political shift occurs against the devastating backdrop of civil conflict that has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions, and crippled Myanmar’s economy, with recent natural disasters and reduced international aid exacerbating humanitarian suffering.

  • Getting to ‘no’: Europe’s leaders find a way to speak with one voice against Trump

    Getting to ‘no’: Europe’s leaders find a way to speak with one voice against Trump

    LONDON — European diplomacy has undergone a radical transformation in its approach to dealing with President Donald Trump, shifting from appeasement tactics to firm opposition. The catalyst for this dramatic change emerged when Trump renewed demands for U.S. acquisition of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory under Denmark’s sovereignty and NATO ally.

    The previously accommodating European leaders have abandoned their flattering approaches and royal treatment diplomacy. Instead, they’ve established clear boundaries against what they perceive as Trump’s disregard for international norms and territorial sovereignty. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that ‘Britain will not yield’ on supporting Greenland’s sovereignty, while Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized that ‘threats have no place among allies.’

    This diplomatic hardening occurred during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where multiple European nations collectively rejected Trump’s demands regarding Greenland and his proposed ‘Board of Peace’ initiative. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen noted the significance of European unity: ‘When Europe is not divided, when we stand together and when we are clear and strong also in our willingness to stand up for ourselves, then the results will show.’

    Trump responded to the resistance with economic threats, proposing a 10% import tariff on goods from eight European nations—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland—with potential escalation to 25% if no Greenland purchase agreement materialized by June 1.

    Political analysts observe that European leaders have undergone a significant learning curve in dealing with Trump’s transactional approach to international relations. Mark Shanahan, University of Surrey associate professor of political engagement, noted: ‘In Trump’s first term, Europe didn’t know what to expect and tried to deal with him using the old rules of diplomacy… It’s very hard for other leaders who deal with each other through the niceties of a rules-based system.’

    Despite initially standing firm, Trump eventually backtracked on his most aggressive demands, canceling threats of using ‘force’ for Greenland’s acquisition and announcing a framework agreement that would make tariff threats unnecessary. However, European leaders maintained their position, with Frederiksen reiterating: ‘We cannot negotiate on our sovereignty.’

    The confrontation signals a potential fundamental shift in transatlantic relations, with Canada’s Mark Carney suggesting that the alliance has experienced a ‘rupture’ rather than a transition, requiring European countries to build collective power against what he characterized as ‘bully’ behavior.

  • Anthony Albanese’s plea for unity on Australia Day

    Anthony Albanese’s plea for unity on Australia Day

    In the wake of a devastating terrorist attack that shook the nation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has delivered a poignant Australia Day address emphasizing resilience and national unity. The December 14 Bondi Beach massacre, which claimed 15 lives, created a period of national turmoil that tested the country’s social fabric throughout the summer months.

    Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged the profound challenges faced by Australians while highlighting the characteristic courage and compassion that emerged in response to the tragedy. He asserted that Australia’s distinctive national character isn’t accidental but has been deliberately cultivated through generations of collective service and mutual care.

    ‘This summer has tested our nation once again,’ Albanese stated, ‘but as ever in the worst of times, we have witnessed the very best of the Australian character.’ The Prime Minister encouraged citizens to approach the coming year with renewed pride in their country and strengthened faith in one another, emphasizing the ‘collective responsibility’ to build a ‘stronger and fairer’ Australia for future generations.

    Echoing this sentiment, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley delivered a complementary message during her Australia Day appearance in Corowa, historically recognized as the birthplace of Federation. Ley emphasized that unifying elements among Australians significantly outweigh divisive factors, describing the nation as ‘the best country in the world.’

    Both leaders reflected on how the Bondi tragedy had imbued this year’s Australia Day with deeper significance. Ley noted that the attack had ‘shaken the nation to its core’ while simultaneously revealing the powerful resilience of the Australian spirit. She highlighted how ordinary citizens demonstrated extraordinary bravery by rushing toward danger to assist strangers and comforting the wounded during the crisis.

    The coordinated messages from both government and opposition figures represent a concerted effort to strengthen social cohesion following a period of national trauma, reinforcing values of community solidarity and shared national identity.

  • UK plans to create ‘British FBI’ to bring national investigations under single police force

    UK plans to create ‘British FBI’ to bring national investigations under single police force

    The British government has revealed groundbreaking plans to establish a comprehensive National Police Service, colloquially termed the ‘British FBI,’ designed to oversee intricate criminal investigations spanning counterterrorism, digital offenses, and organized crime. This transformative initiative, announced on Sunday by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, represents the most significant overhaul of British policing in decades.

    The newly proposed agency will consolidate multiple specialized units under a single command structure, incorporating counterterrorism operations, regional organized crime task forces, police aviation resources, and road policing functions across England and Wales. This consolidation aims to address critical gaps in local law enforcement capabilities while creating a centralized framework for complex criminal investigations.

    Home Secretary Mahmood emphasized that the current policing model, established generations ago, has become increasingly inadequate against sophisticated modern criminal networks. ‘Many local constabularies lack either the specialized expertise or necessary resources to effectively combat evolving threats such as cyber-enabled fraud, online child exploitation, and transnational criminal organizations,’ Mahmood stated.

    The restructuring will fundamentally redefine policing responsibilities, enabling regional forces to concentrate exclusively on community-level crimes while the national service handles cross-jurisdictional and technically complex cases. The unification is projected to generate substantial operational efficiencies through centralized procurement processes and attract elite investigative talent through enhanced career development opportunities.

    Additional reforms expected alongside the national service implementation include potential consolidation of England and Wales’ 43 regional police forces and modernization of officer recruitment and management protocols. The Metropolitan Police Service, which currently leads counterterrorism efforts, has expressed strong support for the centralized approach, acknowledging the necessity of adapting to contemporary security challenges.

  • Trump’s Greenland ambitions strain MAGA ties with Europe’s far-right

    Trump’s Greenland ambitions strain MAGA ties with Europe’s far-right

    A significant diplomatic schism has emerged between former U.S. President Donald Trump’s political movement and its traditional European far-right allies, triggered by growing concerns over American interventionism. The fracture became particularly evident through widespread condemnation of Trump’s proposed acquisition of Greenland, which multiple European nationalist leaders characterized as a hostile act threatening national sovereignty.

    Despite previous ideological alignment demonstrated during the ‘Make Europe Great Again’ gathering in Madrid less than a year ago, prominent figures including France’s National Rally president Jordan Bardella, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage have publicly criticized Trump’s approaches to Greenland, Venezuela, and Iran. Bardella specifically denounced what he termed ‘commercial blackmail’ regarding Greenland, while Meloni directly informed Trump that his tariff threats represented ‘a mistake.’

    The divergence highlights a fundamental tension within the trans-Atlantic nationalist alliance, where shared ideological convictions on immigration and sovereignty appear insufficient to overcome concerns about American overreach. This development occurs amidst substantial gains by far-right parties across the European Union, which now hold approximately 26% of seats in the European Parliament according to security analyses.

    Not all European nationalist leaders have joined the criticism, however. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, facing his most challenging election in sixteen years, has carefully avoided criticizing Trump, instead positioning the former president as Europe’s best hope for peace in Ukraine and a guarantor of national sovereignty. Similar restraint has been observed among Eastern European allies including Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who cautioned against allowing the Greenland issue to escalate into broader EU-U.S. conflict.

    Analysts suggest this division within the trans-Atlantic nationalist movement may force a recalibration of political alliances, with cooperation potentially continuing on shared grievances such as opposition to EU migration policies and trade agreements, while sovereignty concerns create enduring fractures regarding American foreign policy approaches.

  • US: ICE agents shoot dead another person in Minneapolis

    US: ICE agents shoot dead another person in Minneapolis

    A federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis escalated into a fatal confrontation on Saturday, resulting in the death of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a white male U.S. citizen and lawful gun owner with no criminal record. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers opened fire during what the Department of Homeland Security described as a self-defense response to an armed individual who “violently resisted” apprehension.

    This incident represents the second civilian fatality involving ICE officers in Minneapolis within three weeks, following the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three. The operation has also drawn criticism for the detention of a five-year-old boy alongside his father earlier this week, further inflaming public sentiment.

    Open-source investigative group Bellingcat conducted a detailed analysis of social media footage circulating from the incident. Their examination revealed that agents appeared to remove a firearm from Pretti before the first shot was fired. The analysis further indicated that two different agents discharged their weapons, with at least ten shots heard in total, most occurring while the man lay motionless on the snow-covered street.

    The shooting has triggered widespread outrage and protests across Minneapolis, with state officials demanding accountability. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz characterized the shooting as “horrific” and called for state authorities to lead the investigation, asserting that the federal government “cannot be trusted” with the probe. In a social media post, Governor Walz directly appealed to President Donald Trump to “pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota.”

    Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the federal operation, stating that “a great American city is being invaded by its own federal government.” Representative Ilhan Omar described the shooting as “an execution” and accused President Trump of transforming Minneapolis into a “war zone.” The incident occurs amid the Trump administration’s intensified nationwide campaign to detain and deport undocumented migrants, which has deployed thousands of ICE agents to the Minneapolis area.

  • Ros Atkins on… How popular is President Trump?

    Ros Atkins on… How popular is President Trump?

    BBC Analysis Editor Ros Atkins has launched a comprehensive examination of former President Donald Trump’s current standing with the American public during what has been an exceptionally eventful period in early 2026. The analysis comes as the nation navigates a series of consequential developments both domestically and internationally that have shaped the political landscape.

    The assessment delves beyond superficial polling numbers to explore the nuanced dimensions of Trump’s popularity, measuring public sentiment through multiple indicators including approval ratings, voter enthusiasm, and demographic breakdowns. The investigation considers how recent policy decisions, international engagements, and domestic controversies have collectively influenced perceptions of the former president’s leadership.

    Atkins’ methodology incorporates comparative historical data, placing current approval metrics within the context of previous administrations at similar junctures. The analysis further examines regional variations in support, highlighting the evolving political allegiances across different states and constituencies. Special attention is given to how independent voters and moderate Republicans view Trump’s handling of the pressing issues that have dominated the national conversation throughout this period.

    The timing of this deep dive proves particularly significant as the political ramifications of these approval ratings could influence upcoming electoral strategies and policy directions. The comprehensive assessment provides stakeholders across the political spectrum with critical insights into the American electorate’s current disposition toward one of the nation’s most polarizing political figures.

  • US to gain sovereignty over Greenland areas where American bases are located: Trump

    US to gain sovereignty over Greenland areas where American bases are located: Trump

    In a groundbreaking development reported by the New York Post on Saturday, President Donald Trump revealed that the United States will establish sovereignty over specific territories in Greenland where American military installations are currently situated. This announcement represents a significant shift in Arctic geopolitical dynamics and follows Trump’s persistent interest in acquiring the strategically vital island.

    The President’s statements clarify that this sovereignty arrangement specifically applies to zones containing U.S. military facilities, rather than encompassing the entire Danish autonomous territory. This distinction emerges after previous suggestions of potential acquisition through purchase, which Denmark consistently rejected despite the nations’ allied relationship.

    Notably, during mid-week discussions, President Trump explicitly dismissed the possibility of military intervention as a method to secure control over Greenland. Instead, he emphasized having negotiated access guarantees through NATO channels, suggesting a diplomatic approach to securing American interests in the resource-rich Arctic region.

    The development signals a recalibration of U.S. strategic positioning in the increasingly contested Arctic, where melting ice has opened new shipping routes and access to untapped natural resources. This sovereignty arrangement would mark the most significant territorial adjustment in the region in decades, with implications for international law, Arctic governance, and NATO alliance dynamics.

  • ‘Not deterred’: Anthony Albanese defiant after alleged far-right kidnap threat

    ‘Not deterred’: Anthony Albanese defiant after alleged far-right kidnap threat

    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has adopted a resolute stance following disclosures that far-right extremists with neo-Nazi affiliations allegedly plotted to kidnap him. The reported threats emerged from an online Discord chatroom operated by radical activists, where discussions allegedly included a $10,000 offer to rent a vehicle for the abduction operation. These developments occurred shortly after the Bondi Beach terror attack, though investigators have not connected the plot to that incident.

    Addressing the security concerns, Prime Minister Albanese confirmed that threat levels against him have substantially increased, particularly following events of December 14. Despite these security challenges, the Prime Minister emphasized his unwavering commitment to public engagements and direct interaction with Australian citizens. ‘My primary focus remains ensuring the safety of all Australians, not myself,’ Albanese stated during an ABC interview. ‘I maintain full confidence in the Australian Federal Police and security authorities to perform their duties effectively.’

    The security climate has intensified significantly in recent months, with at least five individuals facing charges for allegedly threatening both Prime Minister Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. These cases include a Sydney man accused of making threatening communications to the Prime Minister’s office and a 19-year-old from Western Australia allegedly sending social media messages containing death threats.

    This escalation coincides with increased visibility of neo-Nazi organizations across Australia. The recently dissolved Nationalist Socialist Network (NSN) has drawn particular attention from security agencies, with ASIO Director-General Mark Burgess and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke repeatedly highlighting concerns about the group’s extremist rhetoric. The group announced its disbandment following new anti-hate legislation passed by federal parliament in response to the Bondi attack.

    The threat environment has extended beyond the Prime Minister, with NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane reporting similar security concerns after criticizing neo-Nazi demonstrations outside state parliament. In a separate development, neo-Nazi figure Joel Davis was denied bail this month for allegedly inciting violence against independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender through Telegram communications.