分类: society

  • Video shows suspect in foiled attack near Mamdani’s NYC residence

    Video shows suspect in foiled attack near Mamdani’s NYC residence

    Newly released surveillance footage has identified an individual allegedly involved in a foiled violent incident that unfolded near New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ official residence in Gracie Mansion this past Saturday. The security breach attempt occurred during heightened tensions between opposing demonstration groups that had assembled outside the property.

    The confrontation began when a small contingent of anti-Islam demonstrators gathered outside the mayoral residence, quickly drawing a substantially larger group of counter-protesters. Law enforcement authorities reported that the situation escalated into physical altercations between the two factions before the attempted attack was intercepted by security personnel.

    NYPD officials have confirmed they are investigating the incident as a potential targeted security threat, though specific details about the nature of the foiled attack remain under investigation. The security video, which has been circulated among law enforcement agencies, shows the suspect maneuvering through the protest crowds before being apprehended by police details stationed around the perimeter.

    Mayor Adams, who was reportedly inside the residence during the incident, has been briefed on the security developments. City hall representatives emphasized that the mayor’s security protocol was never compromised and that the quick response demonstrated the effectiveness of protective measures in place for public officials.

    The NYPD’s Intelligence Division and Counterterrorism Bureau have joined the investigation, examining whether the suspect had connections to either protest group or acted independently. Community leaders from both Muslim and activist organizations have condemned the violence and called for peaceful dialogue amid rising political tensions in the city.

  • EU recovery funds fuel frenzied restorations around Rome, including at famed basilica

    EU recovery funds fuel frenzied restorations around Rome, including at famed basilica

    ROME — While Michelangelo’s monumental Moses sculpture has long drawn visitors to the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, a remarkable transformation is now unfolding within its hallowed halls. A substantial infusion of European Union pandemic recovery funding has ignited an ambitious restoration campaign, bringing to light centuries-old artistic treasures that have languished in obscurity.

    High above the basilica floor, restorer Melanie Khanthajan works with surgical precision at a dizzying 20-meter (65-foot) elevation. Armed with specialized tools, she meticulously executes the delicate ‘descialbo’ technique—carefully removing layers of accumulated plaster to reveal serpentine decorations surrounding a historically significant coat of arms. ‘Each layer removal presents new discoveries,’ Khanthajan reflects from her scaffolding perch. ‘It’s an ongoing revelation that continually surprises and delights our team.’

    The comprehensive restoration encompasses the basilica’s ceilings, altar, tombs, marble columns, and decorative elements through a €2 million ($2.3 million) EU grant. This investment supports eleven dedicated restorers working at an accelerated pace to meet the 2026 funding deadline. The project forms part of Rome’s broader ‘Caput Mundi’ initiative, which allocated €500 million ($579 million) for over 100 cultural renovations throughout the Eternal City.

    Built during the 5th century under the Eastern Roman Empire and later reconstructed under Pope Julius II in the 16th century, the basilica derives its name (‘vincoli’ meaning chains) from the revered relics contained within its altar—chains traditionally believed to have bound St. Peter in Jerusalem that miraculously fused with those from his Roman imprisonment.

    The current restoration focuses particularly on the Della Rovere family coat of arms, featuring a distinctive oak tree motif that Pope Julius II incorporated throughout the church’s ceilings, arches, and chapels. While Michelangelo’s iconic Moses remains untouched for now, the masterpiece will receive careful cleaning upon project completion.

    Ilaria Sgarbozza, scientific director of the restoration project, notes the extraordinary timeline: ‘Work commenced approximately eight months ago and will conclude by May 2026—a remarkably accelerated schedule that demonstrates our commitment to preserving this cultural heritage.’ The project represents both a technical achievement in art conservation and a symbolic rebirth of historical treasures through strategic EU investment.

  • NPC deputy promotes ethnic unity education in Xinjiang school

    NPC deputy promotes ethnic unity education in Xinjiang school

    In China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, National People’s Congress deputy Min Xiaoqing is spearheading an ambitious educational initiative to strengthen ethnic unity through comprehensive curriculum integration and cultural exchange programs. As the general Party branch secretary of Tacheng No. 6 Middle School, Min brings unique personal perspective to her work—she grew up in a mixed Han and Russian ethnicity household, providing firsthand understanding of multicultural coexistence.

    With over 1,800 students and teachers representing 14 distinct ethnic groups, the school has implemented a multi-faceted approach to fostering national identity. The institution utilizes standardized national textbooks for ethics, language, and history instruction while prioritizing Mandarin proficiency across all ethnic backgrounds. Teachers receive specialized training to enhance their language instruction capabilities, ensuring effective communication and cultural connection.

    The school’s methodology extends beyond classroom instruction with regular themed activities including Ethnic Unity Promotion Month, specialized class meetings, and flag-raising ceremonies that highlight stories of interethnic cooperation. Cultural and sports events such as art festivals, athletic competitions, and community service projects provide additional platforms for cross-cultural bonding and relationship building.

    Min, recognized as a national role model for ethnic unity and progress in 2024, emphasizes that these measures actively promote “exchanges, interactions and integration of all ethnic groups” while strengthening identification with Chinese culture and reinforcing the consciousness of the Chinese nation as a unified community.

    The educational practices at Tacheng No. 6 Middle School reflect broader regional dynamics in a city where over 20% of families consist of two or more ethnic groups. Tacheng’s longstanding tradition of ethnic coexistence earned it recognition as a national model city for ethnic unity and progress from the National Ethnic Affairs Commission in 2014.

    Looking forward, Min advocates for increased policy support, funding, and talent acquisition to advance educational quality throughout Xinjiang. Her institution plans to implement smart campus technologies and artificial intelligence solutions to address resource challenges while enhancing political, physical, and aesthetic education programs. The school will also expand mental health support services to ensure students’ comprehensive development and prepare them to contribute meaningfully to national rejuvenation efforts.

  • A sweeping biography of Robert McNamara wins $50,000 book prize

    A sweeping biography of Robert McNamara wins $50,000 book prize

    A comprehensive biographical work examining the complex legacy of former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara has been awarded the prestigious Barbara and David Zalaznick Book Prize in American History. The New-York Historical Society announced on Monday that ‘McNamara at War’ by Philip and William Taubman received the $50,000 honor for its profound exploration of one of America’s most controversial political figures.

    The biography meticulously traces McNamara’s remarkable trajectory from his post-World War II business leadership prominence to his tumultuous tenure as defense secretary during the Vietnam War. The work presents McNamara’s story through the lens of classical Greek tragedy, charting his journey from excellence (arete) through arrogance (hubris), reckless folly (ate), and ultimately punishment for his pride (nemesis).

    McNamara, who served across two Democratic administrations for seven years as defense secretary, departed the Pentagon in February 1968 following announced resignation plans three months earlier. His exit came amid profound disagreements with President Lyndon Johnson and military leadership over Vietnam strategy, occurring simultaneously with the rapidly escalating anti-war movement across the nation.

    The former defense secretary, who passed away in 2009, spent decades expressing profound regrets about the Vietnam conflict he once championed but ultimately deemed unwinnable. The Taubman brothers’ work provides fresh perspective on this deeply divisive period in American history through the prism of McNamara’s personal and professional transformation.

    At an April ceremony, the authors will receive an engraved medal and the distinguished title of American Historian Laureate. They join an esteemed list of previous winners including Robert Caro’s ‘The Passage of Power,’ Ron Chernow’s ‘Washington: A Life,’ and Beverly Gage’s ‘G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century.’

  • New career unlocked! Senior care specialist

    New career unlocked! Senior care specialist

    A groundbreaking profession has emerged as a focal point during China’s ongoing Two Sessions political gatherings: the senior care specialist. This newly recognized career path represents a significant shift in how China addresses its aging population challenges while creating opportunities for younger generations.

    China Daily journalist Xia Ji embarked on an investigative journey to understand this developing field, consulting with CPPCC members about the profession’s future prospects. The research culminated in an immersive experience at a senior care community, where Ji shadowed Yi Yi, a Generation Z care specialist, throughout her daily routine.

    The firsthand account reveals a profession that combines technical expertise with emotional intelligence, requiring specialists to navigate complex healthcare systems while providing compassionate companionship. These specialists undergo specialized training in gerontology, mobility assistance, medication management, and emotional support techniques tailored to elderly needs.

    China’s rapidly aging demographic landscape has accelerated demand for qualified care professionals. The official recognition of senior care specialists during the Two Sessions indicates government commitment to standardizing and professionalizing elderly care services nationwide.

    Young professionals like Yi Yi are bringing innovative approaches to traditional care models, incorporating technology-assisted monitoring, personalized activity planning, and intergenerational connection strategies that benefit both caregivers and recipients. The career offers competitive compensation packages and clear advancement pathways, making it increasingly attractive to young Chinese job seekers.

    The transformation of elderly care from informal family responsibility to professionalized service sector reflects broader socioeconomic changes in Chinese society and represents one of the fastest-growing employment categories in the healthcare ecosystem.

  • US teacher killed after toilet paper prank goes wrong

    US teacher killed after toilet paper prank goes wrong

    A Georgia high school educator met an untimely death following a devastating accident during what began as a conventional student prank, according to local authorities. The incident occurred when Jason Hughes, a 40-year-old teacher, attempted to intercept students engaged in toilet papering his residence—a traditional high school mischief activity.

    Emerging from his home to surprise the perpetrators, Hughes lost his footing on rain-slicked pavement and fell. In the ensuing chaos as students fled the scene in two vehicles, one driver unintentionally struck the fallen educator. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that despite immediate efforts by the students to render aid before emergency services arrived, Hughes succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a medical facility.

    The driver, 18-year-old Jayden Ryan Wallace, now faces vehicular homicide charges alongside four other students charged with criminal trespass and littering on private property. In a remarkable display of compassion, the Hughes family has publicly advocated for the dismissal of all charges against the students. Laura Hughes, the victim’s spouse and fellow educator at the same institution, characterized her husband as someone who cherished his students and had anticipated the prank with enthusiasm.

    School district representatives memorialized Hughes as a deeply committed teacher, mentor, and coach who commanded widespread respect throughout the educational community. A memorial has been established at the school where Hughes contributed both academically and athletically, serving as a testament to his enduring impact.

  • Belarus journalist convicted of treason and sentenced to 9 years in prison

    Belarus journalist convicted of treason and sentenced to 9 years in prison

    In a continuing assault on press freedom, Belarusian authorities have sentenced journalist Pavel Dabravolski to nine years in a maximum-security prison on treason charges, marking the fifth media professional imprisoned within two weeks. The closed-door trial at Minsk City Court proceeded without public scrutiny, according to documentation from the Belarusian Association of Journalists.

    Dabravolski, a 36-year-old award-winning reporter who contributed to both international and domestic news outlets including the now-outlawed BelaPAN network, becomes the latest casualty in President Alexander Lukashenko’s systematic suppression of independent journalism. The conviction follows Lukashenko’s pattern of consolidating power through relentless opposition crackdowns that intensified following the disputed 2020 presidential election.

    The political landscape in Belarus has been characterized by widespread repression since the 2020 protests, which international observers denounced as fraudulent. During the unrest, authorities arrested over 65,000 demonstrators, subjected thousands to physical violence, and systematically dismantled hundreds of independent media organizations and NGOs.

    Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya condemned the verdict, stating Dabravolski faced ‘trumped-up charges’ for merely performing his journalistic duties during the post-election coverage. ‘We see that the conveyor belt of repression inside Belarus continues unabated,’ she declared.

    Andrei Bastunets, head of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, confirmed to Associated Press that repression is escalating significantly, noting that Belarus now holds Europe’s worst record for freedom of speech. The organization documents 28 journalists currently imprisoned—a statistic that contradicts government claims of improving human rights conditions through recent prisoner releases.

    Parallel to media suppression, Belarusian security forces have intensified targeting of cultural institutions. On Monday, the KGB designated four independent publishing houses producing Belarusian-language literature as ‘extremist’ without justification. This aligns with Lukashenko’s longstanding promotion of Russian language dominance—now comprising most official business and media content—while marginalizing native Belarusian language and culture.

    Human rights organization Viasna reports at least 10 individuals have been arrested in the past month during raids on independent publishers, estimating the total number of political prisoners at 1,140. These developments occur despite Lukashenko’s recent gestures toward Western reconciliation through limited prisoner releases, while maintaining close ties with Moscow amid international sanctions.

  • Long queues at US airports frustrate travellers

    Long queues at US airports frustrate travellers

    A severe travel crisis is unfolding across American airports as the ongoing partial government shutdown creates massive operational disruptions. Since the shutdown commenced on February 14th, critical airport security and screening personnel have been working without pay, leading to widespread staff shortages and an alarming spike in passenger processing times.

    The cascading effects of the political impasse are most visible in the form of serpentine security lines and congested terminals at major hubs. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, who are deemed essential personnel, are still required to report for duty despite the lapse in funding. However, the financial strain and morale collapse within the workforce have resulted in increased absenteeism, forcing remaining officers to manage unsustainable passenger volumes.

    Travelers are reporting wait times exceeding two hours at key airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Newark Liberty International. The logistical nightmare is not only causing missed flights and itinerary chaos but also raising significant concerns about compromised security protocols. Industry analysts warn that the system is approaching a breaking point, with potential long-term damage to both traveler confidence and the nation’s economic vitality, given aviation’s critical role in commerce.

  • Canadian officials rescue 23 people who floated away on ice sheet

    Canadian officials rescue 23 people who floated away on ice sheet

    A perilous situation on Lake Huron culminated in a dramatic aerial rescue operation Sunday afternoon, as Ontario Provincial Police coordinated the evacuation of twenty-three individuals from a disintegrating ice sheet. The emergency unfolded near Owen Sound, approximately 200 kilometers northwest of Toronto, when unexpectedly strong winds and currents detached a massive ice shelf from the shoreline, carrying the group approximately two kilometers into open waters.

    The crisis began around noon local time when recreational ice fishermen suddenly found themselves adrift on a rapidly fracturing ice floe. Kevin Fox, one of the stranded anglers, recounted the terrifying moment of realization when his GPS device indicated movement across the lake’s surface. ‘I turned around and saw waves forming behind us,’ Fox documented on social media, describing the immediate panic that ensued.

    As the ice continued to break into smaller fragments, multiple victims became partially submerged in the freezing waters while desperately seeking stable sections of the disintegrating platform. Some resorted to making emotional farewell calls to family members, anticipating the worst outcome as their situation grew increasingly dire.

    Two helicopter crews executed a complex multi-trip extraction mission under challenging high-wind conditions, successfully retrieving all twenty-three individuals from the unstable ice formation. Several victims required medical attention for hypothermia symptoms following their prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, though all are expected to make full recoveries.

    Police officials praised the coordinated response, emphasizing the critical importance of situational awareness for winter recreational activities. This incident echoes a similar rescue operation recently conducted in Vermont’s Lake Champlain, highlighting the inherent dangers of unstable ice conditions during seasonal transition periods.

  • 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.