Global Pulse

分类： politics

  • Chinese courts see surge in foreign-related cases

    Chinese courts see surge in foreign-related cases

    China’s judicial authorities reported a substantial increase in international legal disputes during 2025, with approximately 40,000 first-instance civil and commercial cases involving foreign parties processed throughout the year. This represents a remarkable 50 percent surge compared to previous year’s figures, according to official data released by the Supreme People’s Court on January 19, 2026.

    The dramatic rise in cross-border litigation reflects China’s expanding global economic engagement and the judicial system’s evolving capacity to handle complex international legal matters. The Supreme People’s Court emphasized that these developments demonstrate the nation’s continued commitment to enhancing foreign-related adjudication capabilities while ensuring equal protection for both domestic and international litigants.

    Beyond international cases, Chinese courts managed an overwhelming volume of over 20 million first-instance civil and commercial disputes nationwide, marking an 11 percent annual increase. Intellectual property litigation showed significant growth with more than 470,000 cases processed, representing a five percent year-on-year increase that underscores China’s evolving innovation landscape.

    Environmental justice also saw substantial developments, with courts processing over 160,000 first-instance civil environmental cases—an 11 percent increase that demonstrates strengthened judicial support for ecological protection initiatives.

    In criminal justice, authorities intensified efforts against criminal offenses, processing more than 1 million first-instance criminal cases while sentencing over 1.4 million defendants. Notably, both case numbers and conviction rates demonstrated a year-on-year decline, suggesting potential improvements in crime prevention strategies.

    The comprehensive judicial data reveals a nation undergoing rapid legal transformation across multiple domains, with particular significance for international businesses and investors engaged with China’s expanding economy.

  • Iran warns attack on Khamenei would mean full-scale war

    Iran warns attack on Khamenei would mean full-scale war

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stark warning that any military action targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would constitute a declaration of “full-scale war against the Iranian nation.” The statement, delivered via social media platform X on Sunday, represents the most direct response yet to provocative comments from former US President Donald Trump, who recently characterized Khamenei as “a sick man” and called for new leadership in Iran during an interview with Politico.

    President Pezeshkian directly linked Iran’s economic hardships to “the longstanding enmity and inhumane sanctions imposed by the United States government and its allies.” His warning follows Trump’s claim on Friday that he had received assurances from “very important sources” in Tehran regarding the planned executions of protesters, which reportedly led to a pause in potential US military action.

    The escalating diplomatic crisis unfolds against the backdrop of significant civil unrest within Iran. In a rare official acknowledgment, Supreme Leader Khamenei confirmed that “several thousand” people died during recent protests, while simultaneously blaming the United States and President Trump personally for the violence and casualties. Khamenei’s social media account stated unequivocally that Iran holds “the US President guilty due to the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation.”

    Despite earlier statements from Iranian officials suggesting executions might not proceed, authorities indicated on Sunday they might still carry out death sentences for detained protesters. An anonymous Iranian official provided a significantly higher death toll than previously acknowledged, confirming at least 5,000 fatalities since anti-government demonstrations began on December 28th. The official attributed these deaths to “terrorists and armed rioters” allegedly supported by “Israel and armed groups abroad.”

    Recent developments suggest the government’s severe crackdown, which included a near-total internet blackout beginning January 8th, has substantially quelled the protests. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported a “very slight rise in internet connectivity” to approximately 2% of normal levels, with some services gradually being restored. Meanwhile, in a symbolic challenge to authorities, Iranian state television was reportedly hacked on Sunday, broadcasting messages from Reza Pahlavi and showing protest footage that encouraged security forces to support demonstrators.

  • How could Europe respond to Trump’s Greenland tariffs?

    How could Europe respond to Trump’s Greenland tariffs?

    A fresh transatlantic trade confrontation has erupted following former President Donald Trump’s unexpected ultimatum to eight European nations regarding Greenland. On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose escalating tariffs—starting at 10% on February 1st and potentially rising to 25% by summer—unless these countries support his administration’s initiative to purchase Greenland.

    The targeted nations include major EU economies France and Germany, alongside the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, and Finland. European leaders have responded with firm opposition, with the European Commission vowing to protect the bloc’s economic interests through available mechanisms.

    This development jeopardizes the fragile trade détente established less than six months ago when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen negotiated a reduction of threatened US tariffs from 30% to 15% on EU exports. That agreement, which was scheduled for European Parliament ratification next week, now faces suspension according to influential German MEP Manfred Weber.

    Without formal approval or extension of the current suspension, previously prepared EU counter-tariffs totaling €93 billion on American goods—ranging from livestock to aircraft parts and whiskey—will automatically activate on February 7th. This would create significant political pressure on Trump from US exporters facing European market restrictions.

    The EU’s most powerful trade weapon, the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), represents a potential nuclear option. This mechanism allows the bloc to impose comprehensive trade and financial restrictions while bypassing international treaties, effectively blocking access to the single market. However, deploying the ACI involves a lengthy process—potentially exceeding one year—and risks substantial economic collateral damage to EU members themselves.

    Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has adopted a conciliatory stance, explicitly rejecting immediate retaliatory measures and emphasizing that “a tariff war is in nobody’s interests.” Alternative options under consideration include expanding the Digital Services Tax, which could impact major US tech corporations like Amazon and Meta.

    The legal foundation of Trump’s tariff strategy remains uncertain, with the US Supreme Court poised to rule on whether the former president overstepped his authority by implementing taxes through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

  • US Catholic cardinals urge Trump administration to embrace a moral compass in foreign policy

    US Catholic cardinals urge Trump administration to embrace a moral compass in foreign policy

    In an unprecedented move, three influential American Catholic cardinals have publicly called upon the Trump administration to realign its foreign policy with ethical principles, warning that current approaches risk causing extensive human suffering rather than fostering global peace. Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago, Joseph Tobin of Newark, and Robert McElroy of Washington jointly expressed deep concerns regarding recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela, considerations about acquiring Greenland, and substantial reductions in foreign assistance programs.

    The religious leaders characterized the contemporary foreign policy discourse as dangerously mired in “polarization, partisanship, and narrow economic and social interests,” emphasizing the absence of a coherent moral vision. Cardinal McElroy notably observed that “Most of the United States and the world are adrift morally in terms of foreign policy,” while acknowledging America’s continuing significant global influence.

    This declaration represents the second instance in recent months where high-ranking U.S. Catholic figures have openly challenged administration policies perceived as conflicting with fundamental human dignity principles. The cardinals’ statement draws intellectual inspiration from Pope Leo XIV’s substantial January address to Vatican diplomats, in which the pontiff delivered a comprehensive critique of nations employing force to assert global dominance, thereby undermining international peace and the post-World War II legal framework.

    The church leaders specifically questioned the ethical foundations of military intervention in Venezuela, potential Greenland acquisition attempts, ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and drastic cuts to international development aid. They articulated a vision for American foreign policy that prioritizes human dignity, religious liberty, and economic assistance, stating: “We renounce war as an instrument for narrow national interests and proclaim that military action must be seen only as a last resort.”

    Cardinal Cupich revealed that the statement originated from concerns raised by multiple cardinals during early January Vatican meetings, finding resonance with Pope Leo’s diplomatic address. While acknowledging potential justification for opposing Venezuelan leadership, Cupich criticized the methodology: “When we go ahead and do it in such a way that is portrayed as saying, ‘Because we can do it, we’re going to do it, that might makes right’—that’s a troublesome development.”

    The cardinals emphasized their intervention transcends partisan politics, seeking instead to advocate for ethical governance focused on the common good. Cardinal Tobin summarized this perspective: “It can’t be that my prosperity is predicated on inhuman treatment of others. The real argument isn’t just my right or individual rights, but what is the common good.”

  • Pro-Greenland protesters mock Trump’s MAGA slogan with ‘Make America Go Away’ caps

    Pro-Greenland protesters mock Trump’s MAGA slogan with ‘Make America Go Away’ caps

    COPENHAGEN, Denmark — A wave of creative resistance has swept through Denmark as citizens respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s expressed interest in acquiring Greenland. The movement has found its symbol in parody baseball caps that transform Trump’s iconic “Make America Great Again” slogan into “Make America Go Away.”

    These satirical accessories, created by Copenhagen vintage store owner Jesper Rabe Tonnesen, have evolved from commercial failure to cultural phenomenon following the Trump administration’s serious overtures toward the autonomous Danish territory. What began as a limited run last year has exploded into a nationwide statement, with thousands of caps now in production to meet surging demand.

    The headwear has appeared at public demonstrations, including a weekend protest in freezing temperatures outside Copenhagen City Hall, where participants waved Danish and Greenlandic flags while carrying signs with messages like “No Means No” and “Make America Smart Again.”

    European governments have formally rallied behind Denmark, emphasizing Arctic security concerns and the importance of respecting territorial sovereignty. Meanwhile, Danish citizens have adopted a more direct approach to expressing their disapproval. “I want to show my support to Greenland and also show that I don’t like the president of the United States,” stated 76-year-old Copenhagen resident Lars Hermansen, who participated in the weekend demonstration.

    Tonnesen, 58, described his motivation: “When a delegation from America went up to Greenland, we started to realize this probably wasn’t a joke—it’s not reality TV, it’s actually reality. So I said, OK, what can I do? Can I communicate in a funny way with a good message and unite the Danes?”

    The movement has also produced linguistic creativity with an alternative design featuring the phrase “Nu det NUUK!”—a clever play on words that replaces the Danish expression “Nu det nok” (meaning “Now it’s enough”) with the name of Greenland’s capital city.

    Protesters maintained a balance between serious messaging and lighthearted expression. Kristian Boye, 49, who attended the Copenhagen rally, captured this dual approach: “I’m here to support the Greenlanders, who are going through a very hard time right now. They are being threatened with having their country invaded. I think it’s totally unacceptable.”

  • EU executive arm, Russia and Thailand asked to join Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza

    EU executive arm, Russia and Thailand asked to join Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza

    The United States has extended invitations to multiple nations to participate in President Donald Trump’s newly proposed ‘Board of Peace,’ intended to oversee the implementation of the next phase of the Gaza peace plan. The European Commission, Russia, and Thailand have confirmed receipt of invitations, with each expressing cautious interest while undertaking detailed reviews of the proposal.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that President Vladimir Putin is examining the invitation’s specifics, while Thai authorities similarly acknowledged they are assessing the details. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will consult with EU leadership regarding potential participation, though no formal acceptance has been declared.

    The initiative faces significant opposition from Israeli officials, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich denouncing the plan as ‘bad for the State of Israel’ and calling for its cancellation. Smotrich asserted Israeli sovereignty over Gaza during a ceremony inaugurating a new West Bank settlement, advocating for military administration rather than international oversight.

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office previously stated that the board’s formation occurred without Israeli coordination and contradicts official government policy. The United States is expected to announce formal board membership during the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos.

    According to undisclosed charter details obtained by AP, a $1 billion contribution would secure permanent membership dedicated to Gaza reconstruction efforts, while three-year appointments require no financial commitment. The board’s potential scope suggests it could function as an alternative to established international bodies like the UN Security Council.

    Concurrently, Egypt has expressed support for the newly appointed committee of Palestinian technocrats tasked with managing Gaza’s daily affairs during the peace plan’s implementation. Meanwhile, UN agencies report improved but still fragile humanitarian conditions, with over three-quarters of Gaza’s population experiencing crisis-level food insecurity despite expanded aid operations.

  • Pentagon readies 1,500 troops for potential Minnesota deployment, US officials say

    Pentagon readies 1,500 troops for potential Minnesota deployment, US officials say

    The Pentagon has initiated preparations to deploy approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers from Alaska to Minnesota, according to U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters on Sunday. This military mobilization comes in response to escalating tensions in the midwestern state, where widespread protests have erupted against intensified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

    The development follows President Donald Trump’s Thursday threat to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would authorize military deployment if state officials fail to contain demonstrations targeting immigration authorities. While the Army has placed units on prepare-to-deploy status, officials emphasized that actual deployment remains uncertain and contingent on potential violence escalation.

    Tensions in Minneapolis intensified dramatically after the January 7th fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by ICE officer Jonathan Ross during a vehicle encounter. The administration has already dispatched 3,000 immigration and Border Patrol officers to the region, despite local officials characterizing the protests as largely peaceful.

    Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed strong opposition to military intervention, stating on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ that ‘We don’t need more federal agents to keep people safe. We are safe.’ He warned that military deployment would further exacerbate tensions in the city.

    The situation has grown increasingly complex with multiple incidents drawing national attention. The Justice Department has launched an investigation into a protest at a St. Paul church where demonstrators disrupted a service to protest a pastor’s alleged ICE affiliations. Meanwhile, ICE agents conducted a Sunday operation in St. Paul, removing a Hmong community member from his home while facing vocal opposition from neighbors.

    President Trump has justified the increased federal presence by referencing a social welfare funds scandal in Minnesota, specifically targeting the state’s Somali immigrant community. However, enforcement actions have expanded to include other immigrant groups, including the recent arrest of three workers from a family-run Mexican restaurant in Willmar.

    The potential deployment involves soldiers from two infantry battalions under the 11th Airborne Division, specializing in cold-weather operations. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the Department of War ‘is always prepared to execute the orders of the commander-in-chief if called upon,’ using the administration’s preferred terminology for the Defense Department.

    This development represents the latest chapter in the administration’s pattern of federal interventions, primarily targeting cities governed by Democratic officials. While the president maintains these actions are necessary to combat crime and protect federal property, local leaders accuse the administration of federal overreach and exaggerating isolated violence incidents to justify military deployment.

  • Trump to charge $1bn for permanent ‘peace board’ membership: reports

    Trump to charge $1bn for permanent ‘peace board’ membership: reports

    Former President Donald Trump’s administration has reportedly approached multiple nations with a unprecedented proposition: contribute $1 billion to secure permanent membership on a newly conceived ‘Board of Peace.’ According to documents obtained by Bloomberg and other media outlets, the initiative would be chaired by Trump himself and include invited heads of state such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, and Canada’s Mark Carney.

    The board’s draft charter reveals a tiered membership structure where standard three-year terms could be extended indefinitely for nations contributing over $1 billion within the first year of operation. While initially presented as overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction, the charter broadly defines the board’s mission as promoting ‘stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict’ without specific geographical limitations.

    The proposal notably criticizes existing international institutions, suggesting the board would possess ‘the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed’—a clear reference to Trump’s longstanding skepticism toward organizations like the United Nations. The White House framework outlines a main board, a Palestinian technocratic committee, and an executive board with advisory functions.

    Membership would be exclusively by invitation from the chairman (Trump), who would retain authority to remove member states subject to a two-thirds veto. The emerging board composition has already drawn criticism from Israel regarding proposed Gaza committee representatives from Turkey and Qatar.

  • Trump says world ‘not secure’ until US has Greenland

    Trump says world ‘not secure’ until US has Greenland

    A severe diplomatic crisis is unfolding across the Atlantic as former U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies his campaign to acquire Greenland, declaring that global security is contingent on Washington exercising ‘Complete and Total Control’ over the vast Arctic territory. The escalating situation has prompted European leaders to close ranks and prepare economic countermeasures against what they condemn as outright ‘blackmail.’

    In a message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, published Monday and authenticated by his office, Trump asserted that the world ‘is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.’ He further revealed a shift in his geopolitical philosophy, stating, ‘I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace,’ a sentiment he attributed to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize. While peace would remain ‘predominant,’ he declared his priority is now ‘what is good and proper for the United States of America.’

    The confrontation deepened over the weekend when Trump threatened to impose a 10 percent tariff—with potential for escalation—on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1, targeting nations opposing his Arctic designs. German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and French Finance Minister Roland Lescure jointly denounced the tactic as ‘unacceptable blackmail between allies of 250 years.’

    In response, the European Union has called an emergency summit for Thursday to coordinate its strategy. Although the bloc’s stated priority is to ‘engage not escalate,’ it is preparing a three-pronged retaliatory strategy: pausing the current U.S.-EU tariff deal, reinstating suspended EU tariffs on American imports, and deploying legal instruments against ‘economic blackmail.’ The announcement rattled European stock markets as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned a ‘trade war is in no one’s interest.’

    On the ground, Greenland’s population of 57,000 is asserting its sovereignty. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated on Facebook, ‘We will not be pressured… Greenland is a democratic society with the right to make its own decisions.’ In a symbolic rebuke, the island’s dogsled federation disinvited the new U.S. Arctic envoy, Jeff Landry, from its annual race.

    Meanwhile, the strategic justification for the acquisition continues. Trump claims the mineral-rich island is vital for ‘national security,’ arguing that Denmark cannot protect it from rivals like Russia or China—a claim Denmark disputes, noting ongoing efforts with NATO allies to ‘increase military presence and training activity in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.’

  • Trump links Greenland dispute to not getting Nobel Peace Prize

    Trump links Greenland dispute to not getting Nobel Peace Prize

    In a remarkable diplomatic escalation, former US President Donald Trump has issued threats against NATO allies while explicitly linking his foreign policy decisions to his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The controversy emerged through a text message exchange with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, where Trump declared he no longer feels “obliged to think purely of Peace” after Norway’s Nobel committee awarded the prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado instead of him.

    The message, obtained and verified by major US media outlets, reveals Trump’s renewed insistence on US control of Greenland, which he claims is essential for global security. “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland,” Trump stated in his communication with the Norwegian leader.

    Prime Minister Støre confirmed receiving the message on Sunday in response to a joint communication he had sent with Finland’s president expressing concern over proposed tariff increases related to the Greenland dispute. Støre emphasized that the Norwegian government plays no role in Nobel Prize selections, which are determined by an independent committee.

    Trump has threatened to impose escalating tariffs—starting at 10% in February and potentially rising to 25% by June—on eight NATO allies unless they support his proposed takeover of the strategically significant Arctic territory. The sparsely populated but resource-rich island has become a focal point in Trump’s national security strategy due to its value for early warning systems and regional monitoring.

    The former president has not ruled out military action against a NATO member to acquire Greenland and has questioned Denmark’s historical claim to the territory, suggesting American explorers had equal historical presence. Trump framed his demands within the context of NATO reciprocity, stating, “I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States.”

    International response has been swift, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asserting that Greenland’s status “belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone” and condemning the use of tariffs against allies as “wrong.” Danish and Greenlandic officials are scheduled to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to address the escalating situation.

    The Nobel Foundation has clarified that Peace Prize medals cannot be “passed on or further distributed,” despite Machado’s recent meeting with Trump at the White House where she reportedly gave her medal to him. This development follows Trump’s non-endorsement of Machado after US forces removed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, instead backing Maduro’s vice-president as interim leader.