Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Prominent scholar Tariq Ramadan sentenced to 18 years for rape

    Prominent scholar Tariq Ramadan sentenced to 18 years for rape

    In a landmark verdict, the Paris Criminal Court has sentenced prominent Swiss academic Tariq Ramadan to 18 years imprisonment for multiple rape convictions. The ruling, delivered in absentia on Wednesday, concludes a high-profile trial involving three separate victims between 2009 and 2016.

    Presiding Judge Corinne Goetzmann emphasized the ‘extreme gravity of the acts,’ particularly noting the rape of vulnerable persons as a determining factor in the substantial sentence. The court heard harrowing accounts from victims who described initially consensual encounters that escalated into violent assaults. One victim testified to experiencing ‘a fear of imminent death’ during strangulation by Ramadan.

    The judicial panel established a critical legal distinction regarding consent, with Judge Goetzmann stating unequivocally that ‘consenting to sexuality is not the same as consenting to any sexual act whatsoever,’ affirming the possibility of retracting consent during sexual activity.

    Ramadan’s legal team denounced the proceedings as a ‘judicial farce,’ with defense attorney Ouadie Elhamamouchi alleging ‘relentless pursuit’ of his client. All four defense lawyers staged a dramatic exit from the courtroom, protesting what they termed a ‘travesty of justice.’

    The 63-year-old Oxford scholar, who held visiting positions at Qatari and Moroccan institutions, was previously convicted of rape in Switzerland. He claimed hospitalization in Geneva due to multiple sclerosis complications, but court-ordered medical examinations determined his condition was stable and presented no barrier to trial participation.

    The sentence includes permanent banishment from French territory following prison term completion, marking a significant development in France’s judicial approach to sexual violence cases.

  • Italy’s culture minister pledges to buy more artworks, as latest purchase shown in Rome

    Italy’s culture minister pledges to buy more artworks, as latest purchase shown in Rome

    ROME — In a significant cultural development, Italy’s Ministry of Culture has unveiled a newly acquired devotional painting by early Renaissance master Antonello da Messina at the Senate building. The acquisition signals a strengthened national strategy to reclaim historically significant artworks for public access.

    Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli confirmed the government’s intensified acquisition policy following the presentation of the double-sided panel painting “Ecce Homo,” purchased from Sotheby’s New York for $14.9 million. This strategic move comes merely weeks after another major state investment—a 30 million euro ($35 million) Caravaggio portrait obtained from a private collector.

    The recently acquired artwork, measuring 20.3 cm by 14.9 cm, features two distinct devotional scenes: one side depicts Jesus Christ wearing the crown of thorns at the moment Pontius Pilate presents him to the crowd, while the reverse shows Saint Jerome the Penitent. Dating approximately to 1470, the painting carries remarkable historical provenance—it was reportedly carried by its previous owner in a leather bag for years and used regularly for prayer, with the surface of Saint Jerome visibly worn by devotional kissing.

    Minister Giuli emphasized the ministry’s commitment despite budgetary constraints, noting that cultural acquisition funds represent separate allocations from other government operations. “Our pockets are not deep,” Giuli acknowledged, “as the Culture Ministry budget constitutes less than 0.3% of the national budget, but it is sufficient to purchase works of great artistic and public significance.”

    The painting will initially be exhibited at the National Museum of Abruzzo in L’Aquila before touring multiple Italian institutions, ensuring maximum public accessibility. This acquisition represents part of Italy’s broader cultural heritage preservation initiative, following the recent landmark Caravaggio purchase depicting Maffeo Barberini, who later became Pope Urban VIII.

  • Guthrie on missing mother: ‘We cannot be at peace without knowing’

    Guthrie on missing mother: ‘We cannot be at peace without knowing’

    Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie has broken her public silence regarding the mysterious disappearance of her mother, delivering an emotional account of the family’s ongoing ordeal. In her first interview since the incident, Guthrie detailed the chilling moment she received news that her mother had vanished without trace.

    The high-profile journalist revealed her internal struggle with whether her national television prominence might have inadvertently placed her family in danger. ‘We cannot find peace while this uncertainty hangs over us,’ Guthrie expressed, articulating the anguish of not knowing her mother’s whereabouts or condition.

    Guthrie’s candid reflections highlight the complex intersection of public visibility and personal tragedy, as she grapples with the possibility that her celebrity status could have made her mother a potential target. The interview provides unprecedented insight into how media personalities confront private crises while maintaining professional composure on national television.

    Law enforcement agencies continue their investigation into the disappearance, following multiple leads while the family maintains hope for resolution. The case has drawn significant public attention, underscoring how personal tragedies affecting public figures resonate with broader audiences and raise questions about privacy and safety in the spotlight.

  • ‘Mom’s missing’ – Savannah Guthrie recounts devastating aftermath of kidnapping

    ‘Mom’s missing’ – Savannah Guthrie recounts devastating aftermath of kidnapping

    In a deeply emotional interview on NBC’s TODAY show, renowned television anchor Savannah Guthrie has broken her silence regarding the disappearance of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who vanished from her Tucson, Arizona residence on February 1st. Guthrie revealed harrowing details about the investigation, including two ransom notes delivered to media outlets and her personal struggle with the possibility that her celebrity status may have made her mother a target.

    The investigation, led by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, has determined that Nancy Guthrie was likely ‘targeted’ with a specific motive, though authorities have declined to publicly disclose details while the investigation remains active. Critical evidence includes security footage capturing a masked individual near the home approximately one hour before the disappearance and the removal of the doorbell camera from Nancy’s front entrance.

    Guthrie described the devastating moment she learned of her mother’s disappearance: ‘My sister called me in a panic saying ‘Mom’s missing.’ I was in complete disbelief,’ she recounted during the interview with former co-host Hoda Kotb. Family members discovered Nancy’s home with doors propped open, though her personal belongings—including cellphone and purse—remained inside, eliminating theories of voluntary departure or medical emergency.

    The emotional toll on the Guthrie family has been profound. Savannah temporarily stepped away from her broadcasting duties, missing planned NBC Olympic coverage, while the family maintains a $1.1 million reward ($1 million from the family plus FBI’s $100,000) for information leading to Nancy’s whereabouts. Despite investigators suggesting Nancy may no longer be alive, Guthrie emphasized the family’s need for closure: ‘We cannot be at peace without knowing what happened.’

    Authorities continue to pursue leads while Guthrie makes a heartfelt plea for anyone with information to come forward, stressing that ‘it is never too late to do the right thing.’ The case remains one of Arizona’s most prominent missing person investigations, drawing national attention to the vulnerability of elderly relatives of public figures.

  • Chongqing tea farmers harvest spring tea in eco-friendly gardens

    Chongqing tea farmers harvest spring tea in eco-friendly gardens

    NANCHUAN DISTRICT, CHONGQING – Against the backdrop of lush, terraced hillsides, tea farmers in Changping village are engaged in the meticulous harvest of spring tea leaves, marking the beginning of the annual production season. This year’s harvest, however, represents more than just agricultural tradition—it signifies the successful implementation of an innovative eco-agritourism model that is revitalizing rural communities.

  • Rescuers attempt to save stranded humpback whale off German coast

    Rescuers attempt to save stranded humpback whale off German coast

    A dramatic rescue operation is underway along Germany’s northern coastline as emergency teams battle to save a humpback whale stranded on a sandbank in Lübeck Bay. The massive marine mammal, measuring approximately 12-15 meters in length and weighing an estimated 15 tons, was first discovered on Monday, triggering an intensive response from wildlife experts and local authorities.

    Heavy machinery has been deployed to excavate a channel through the sandbank, creating a potential pathway for the whale to return to deeper waters. The challenging conditions are compounded by harsh weather, including icy easterly winds that complicate rescue efforts. Divers have assessed the animal’s condition and report visible signs of distress, including rope entanglement in its mouth suggesting previous encounter with fishing gear.

    Marine biologists from the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research indicate the whale, believed to be a young male, has been without food for three days but note that humpback whales can typically survive weeks without feeding. Despite the physical strain, the animal remains responsive with both eyes open and demonstrates vocalization capabilities.

    Previous attempts to encourage movement using natural high tides, rotational techniques, and artificial wave creation from boats have proven unsuccessful. The operation is being livestreamed from Timmendorfer Strand, drawing significant public attention to this race against time. While experts acknowledge the survival chances remain slim, rescue teams continue their efforts with determined optimism.

  • ‘They were trying to dehumanise me’: Palestine Action hunger strikers allege mistreatment in prison

    ‘They were trying to dehumanise me’: Palestine Action hunger strikers allege mistreatment in prison

    Five individuals recently released from UK prisons have come forward with severe allegations of medical neglect and dehumanizing treatment during their prolonged pre-trial detention. The group, associated with direct action organization Palestine Action, had engaged in a 66-day hunger strike protesting their extended custody.

    Kamran Ahmed, 28, described experiencing persistent chest pains and breathing difficulties since concluding his hunger strike at HMP Pentonville. Medical tests during the strike revealed his heart muscle had significantly atrophied, with healthcare professionals warning him of imminent ‘death risk.’ Ahmed recounted being shackled to prison officers during multiple hospitalizations, even during showers, despite doctors’ requests to remove restraints. ‘The doctors had made multiple attempts to tell the officers, “I think you need to actually remove the cuffs or at least loosen them,”‘ Ahmed told journalists.

    The defendants were initially detained in connection with an alleged August 2024 break-in at an Elbit Systems weapons factory near Bristol. Their detention exceeded the UK’s standard six-month pre-trial custody limit, occurring amid the Labour government’s controversial—and later court-deemed unlawful—proscription of Palestine Action in July 2025.

    Other detainees reported similar experiences. Teuta Hoxha, 30, stated she was ‘chained to an officer like a dog’ during hospital visits. Qesser Zuhrah, 21, described being left immobile on her cell floor for 22 hours with worsening chest pains, with prison staff allegedly refusing her requests for ambulance transport. Heba Muraisi, 31, reported being ‘violently cuffed and dragged across the prison by six guards’ and denied appropriate religious accommodations.

    A Ministry of Justice spokesperson maintained that ‘all individuals were managed in line with longstanding policy while in prison,’ including regular medical checks and hospital transfers when deemed appropriate. The hunger strike concluded in December after the government decided not to award a contract to Elbit’s UK subsidiary. Most defendants were released on bail in February after aggravated burglary charges were dropped against 18 individuals.

  • Police in Kenya exhume at least 33 bodies from a mass grave

    Police in Kenya exhume at least 33 bodies from a mass grave

    KENYAN INVESTIGATIONS UNCOVER DISTURBING BURIAL PRACTICES IN KERICHO

    KERICHO, Kenya — Homicide detectives have made a grim discovery in western Kenya, exhuming the remains of 33 individuals from a mass grave at a church-owned cemetery. The recovery included eight adults, twenty-five children, and various dismembered body parts contained within gunny sacks, according to official statements released Thursday.

    Mohamed Amin, Director of Criminal Investigations, confirmed to journalists that the bodies appeared to have been transferred from Nyamira District Hospital to this private burial site in Kericho. The investigation now focuses on determining whether proper legal procedures were followed in the disposal of these remains.

    Under Kenyan legislation, medical facilities and morgues must obtain court authorization before disposing of unclaimed bodies that have been held for more than fourteen days. The current case has raised serious questions about compliance with these regulations.

    Government forensic experts performed autopsies on Thursday to establish causes of death, though identities of the deceased remain undisclosed. Authorities have taken at least two individuals into custody in connection with the incident.

    Local media reports describe unidentified persons transporting the bodies using a government vehicle before conducting hasty burials. Cemetery workers reportedly alerted law enforcement to the suspicious activity.

    Community members have expressed alarm and demanded transparency. “We need authorities to conduct a thorough investigation,” stated resident Brian Kibunja, while another local, Samuel Moso, questioned whether government involvement occurred or if separate groups organized the mass burial.

    This incident marks Kenya’s third major mass grave discovery in recent years. In 2023, police uncovered hundreds of bodies in Kilifi forest connected to a cult leader who starved followers, while earlier this year, nine bodies were recovered from a Nairobi dumpsite.

    The timing of this discovery coincides with escalating concerns about human rights violations in Kenya. Missing Voices, a rights organization, has documented 125 extrajudicial killings and six enforced disappearances over the past year, showing an increase from 104 such killings reported the previous year.

  • Visitors explore Grand Canal culture on Henan tour

    Visitors explore Grand Canal culture on Henan tour

    A distinguished delegation of international guests recently concluded an immersive four-day cultural expedition through China’s Henan province, tracing historical pathways along the ancient Grand Canal. The educational journey, titled “Following Edgar Snow’s Footsteps – Henan Tour,” commenced on March 22nd as a featured component of the 2026 China Internet Media Forum.

    The cultural odyssey transported participants through the historically rich cities of Zhengzhou and Luoyang, offering deep insights into China’s profound civilizational heritage. The highlight of the tour featured a comprehensive visit to the Sui-Tang Dynasties Grand Canal Culture Museum in Luoyang on March 25th, where delegates gained scholarly perspectives on the canal’s monumental historical significance as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    The Grand Canal, representing the world’s most extensive and ancient artificial waterway system, served for centuries as a vital economic and cultural artery connecting northern and southern China. The museum exhibition meticulously detailed the canal’s construction evolution, operational mechanisms, and its enduring impact on regional development, trade patterns, and cultural exchange throughout Chinese history.

    This culturally significant event brought together media representatives, cultural scholars, and international observers to examine China’s historical contributions to global civilization through firsthand experience and academic discourse. The program effectively blended historical education with contemporary cultural diplomacy, fostering greater international appreciation for China’s architectural marvels and their continuing relevance in modern society.

  • Air Canada CEO ‘deeply saddened’ his poor French skills distracted from victims of crash

    Air Canada CEO ‘deeply saddened’ his poor French skills distracted from victims of crash

    Air Canada’s Chief Executive Michael Rousseau has issued a formal apology amid mounting criticism for delivering condolences exclusively in English following a tragic runway collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport that claimed the lives of two pilots. The incident, which occurred Sunday night, involved an Air Canada-operated Jazz Aviation aircraft colliding with an emergency response vehicle shortly after landing from Montreal.

    Rousseau’s video statement, intended to express solidarity with grieving families and affected staff, instead ignited national controversy due to his inability to deliver the message in French—Canada’s co-official language. The CEO acknowledged in a bilingual written statement Thursday that his linguistic limitation had ‘diverted attention from those who are mourning,’ particularly significant as one deceased pilot, Antoine Forest, was French Canadian.

    Political leaders including Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned Rousseau’s monolingual approach as demonstrating ‘a lack of compassion,’ while Quebec Premier François Legault explicitly called for his resignation. Despite admitting to years of unsuccessful French language training, Rousseau maintained commitment to improvement but did not address resignation demands.

    Investigative authorities released preliminary findings indicating air traffic controllers had cleared both aircraft and fire truck for runway access. Cockpit voice recordings captured last-minute warnings to the vehicle moments before impact. The accident injured dozens of passengers, with four remaining hospitalized as of Wednesday.

    Canada’s parliamentary Committee on Official Languages has summoned Rousseau to explain the language choice before parliamentarians. The airline, historically subject to Canada’s Official Languages Act despite privatization in 1988, faces renewed scrutiny regarding linguistic compliance.

    Recovery operations progressed Thursday with removal of the damaged aircraft from the runway, as authorities targeted full operational restoration by Friday morning.