Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Tributes flow following death of Rhoda Roberts, an Indigenous leader credited with coining term ‘Welcome to Country’

    Tributes flow following death of Rhoda Roberts, an Indigenous leader credited with coining term ‘Welcome to Country’

    Australia is mourning the loss of Rhoda Roberts AO, the pioneering Indigenous leader credited with creating the seminal phrase ‘Welcome to Country,’ who passed away at age 66 after battling a rare form of ovarian cancer. Her death on Saturday has triggered an outpouring of tributes from across the nation’s cultural, political, and media landscapes.

    Roberts’ multifaceted career spanned journalism, acting, and production, establishing her as a transformative figure in Australian cultural life. She made history as the first Indigenous presenter on prime-time Australian television, co-hosting the program ‘First In Line’ with Michael Johnson. Her foundational work extended to co-establishing the country’s inaugural national Aboriginal theatre company, The Aboriginal National Theatre Trust.

    In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to performing arts and Indigenous cultural advancement, Roberts was honored as an Officer of the Order of Australia. Her conceptualization of ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremonies has become an integral part of Australia’s national identity, formalizing recognition of Traditional Custodians at events nationwide.

    SBS’s First Nations Director Tanya Denning-Orman memorialized Roberts as ‘a fiercely proud Bundjalung woman’ who inspired generations. ‘She did not just lead change, she galvanised a sector, nurturing and guiding the leaders who are carrying the flame of change forward,’ Denning-Orman stated.

    Federal Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke acknowledged Roberts’ profound national impact, noting ‘For every step Rhoda took forward she took a generation of people with her. We have more creativity, more Australians dreaming bigger and a better understanding of our nation because of Rhoda Roberts.’

    SBS Chair Nicholas Pappas AM emphasized Roberts’ enduring legacy, describing her leadership as ‘bold, visionary, and grounded in cultural stewardship that has left an enduring mark on Australia’s creative and cultural life.’ Acting Managing Director Jane Palfreyman characterized Roberts as a ‘true trailblazer’ whose influence remains deeply embedded within the organization.

    Roberts’ family expressed their profound grief in an Instagram statement, noting ‘Words fail to capture the true love, depth, intelligence and warmth that was our beloved Rhoda. She will be so deeply missed, no one compared to our Rhoda and there will never be another like her.’

  • ‘Very dangerous’: Storm warning as 5cm hail batters western Sydney suburb

    ‘Very dangerous’: Storm warning as 5cm hail batters western Sydney suburb

    Meteorological authorities have escalated weather warnings across Sydney as an intense thunderstorm system unleashes destructive conditions throughout the region. The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed record-breaking hailstones measuring up to 5 centimeters in diameter pummeled the western suburb of Penrith during the afternoon hours, accompanied by violent wind gusts reaching 91 km/h at Western Sydney Airport.

    The severe weather event has triggered comprehensive emergency responses across multiple districts. The NSW State Emergency Service has issued urgent directives for residents in Katoomba, Yass, Penrith, Lithgow, Jenolan Caves, and Springwood to seek immediate shelter indoors. Meteorological experts warn of potentially life-threatening flash flooding conditions developing across the Metropolitan, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Hunter, Illawarra, and South West Slopes regions.

    Emergency services have emphasized extreme danger surrounding floodwaters, specifically prohibiting pedestrian movement, cycling, or vehicle travel through inundated areas. The weather system continues generating additional threats including damaging wind patterns and substantial hail accumulation across expanded territories including the Central West Slopes, Plains, and Riverina Districts.

    Complementing the thunderstorm alerts, formal flood warnings remain active for multiple river systems including the Thomson River, Cooper Creek, Barcoo River, and the Lower Balonne and Bokhara River networks. Meteorological analysts project continued severe weather patterns throughout the evening hours, urging residents to monitor official emergency channels for real-time developments and safety instructions.

  • Models with Down syndrome in Romania strike a pose for World Down Syndrome Day

    Models with Down syndrome in Romania strike a pose for World Down Syndrome Day

    BUCHAREST, Romania — In a vibrant celebration of diversity and inclusion, Bucharest transformed into a runway of extraordinary beauty as dozens of models with Down syndrome showcased designer creations at the SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala. The event, held at the Romexpo center, marked World Down Syndrome Day with a powerful statement about fashion’s role in promoting social acceptance.

    Organized by the Down Plus Association Bucharest, the gala featured an innovative concept: 50 seamstresses from across Romania designed custom garments for young people with intellectual disabilities they had never met. The creations were crafted without fittings, relying solely on measurements and imagination.

    Georgeta Bucur, president of the organizing association, emphasized the emotional significance of the gathering. ‘The costumes were created without anyone trying them on,’ she noted. ‘But the most important thing is that people gathered together again. This event is really special—it’s the most beautiful thing that could happen.’

    For participants like 19-year-old Antonia Voicu, who graced the runway in a puffy green netted dress with a crown of red roses, the experience represented a dream realized. ‘I feel like I’m always fashionable, and I like to strike a pose,’ she expressed before her debut. Her caretaker, Diana Negres, described the event as ‘a big step’ for Antonia, who had always envisioned ‘being a star’ on stage.

    The inspiration behind the fashion show came from organizer Cristina Bucur, who has a child with disabilities. ‘I wanted other children to experience wearing a costume during a fashion show, to know what it’s like to be cheered on stage,’ she explained. ‘They enjoy it enormously because they see that someone looks at them, that someone does something for them.’

    According to the Romania Down Syndrome Federation, approximately 12,000 people in Romania and over 6 million worldwide live with Down syndrome. In 2022, the country reported one Down syndrome birth per 847 births.

    Nine-year-old Marusika Burlaca, who modeled a pearl-studded pink dress, captured the spirit of the event: ‘On stage, us children go on a parade, and today I’m dressed in a nice dress and try to do some modeling.’

    The event aligned with this year’s World Down Syndrome Day theme of combating loneliness, which disproportionately affects individuals with intellectual disabilities. The United Nations General Assembly officially declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day in 2011 to promote equal freedoms and opportunities while raising global awareness.

  • Watch: Thick smoke billows from South Korea car parts plant in deadly fire

    Watch: Thick smoke billows from South Korea car parts plant in deadly fire

    A catastrophic industrial fire tore through a major automotive components manufacturing facility in Daejeon, South Korea, on Wednesday, resulting in a devastating loss of life and numerous casualties. Emergency responders confirmed at least 10 fatalities with dozens more sustaining injuries as thick, black smoke billowed from the rapidly spreading blaze.

    The fire erupted without warning at the industrial complex specializing in automobile part production, quickly consuming large sections of the manufacturing plant. Dramatic footage captured by witnesses showed massive plumes of toxic smoke rising hundreds of feet into the air, visible from across the metropolitan area of Daejeon, South Korea’s fifth-largest city.

    Firefighting units from multiple districts rushed to the scene, encountering intense heat and challenging conditions that hampered rescue operations. The facility’s structural integrity became an immediate concern as flames spread through sections containing flammable materials used in automotive manufacturing.

    Survivors described chaotic scenes as workers attempted to evacuate through smoke-filled corridors. Emergency medical teams established triage areas near the site to treat those suffering from smoke inhalation and burn injuries, with numerous ambulances transporting the wounded to regional hospitals.

    South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued an immediate directive for all available resources to be deployed, emphasizing the priority of rescue operations and promising a thorough investigation into the fire’s origins. The Ministry of Employment and Labor simultaneously announced plans for comprehensive safety inspections at similar industrial facilities nationwide.

    The tragedy represents one of South Korea’s deadliest industrial accidents in recent years, raising serious questions about workplace safety protocols in the country’s manufacturing sector, which supplies components to major global automakers.

  • A drug transformed my life. Now it’s derailed my Australian dream

    A drug transformed my life. Now it’s derailed my Australian dream

    A groundbreaking medical treatment has created an unexpected immigration dilemma for a young British woman with cystic fibrosis. Regan Sparks, 23, from Benfleet, Essex, has seen her health transformed by the drug Trikafta (also known as Kaftrio) since it became available through the NHS in 2020. The medication has enabled her to pursue activities previously unimaginable for someone with her condition—securing employment, establishing relationships, and even training for marathons.

    However, when Sparks applied for an Australian working holiday visa in 2023, her medical success story became an administrative obstacle. Australia’s immigration health requirements impose a cost threshold of A$86,000 (£45,700) for potential medical expenses during a visa period. With Trikafta costing A$250,000 (£133,000) annually, her application was denied despite her improved health status and ability to function normally.

    The rejection came as a profound disappointment to Sparks, who had previously completed a three-month solo backpacking trip through Southeast Asia without visa complications. ‘I’ve never let my CF stop me from doing anything,’ she stated. ‘The fact that just on paper you’re denying me for something completely out of my control feels like a kick in the teeth.’

    Sparks has proposed that Australia implement alternative measures for such cases, including allowing applicants to sign health waivers or fully fund their own treatment. The Australian Department of Home Affairs maintains that all applications are assessed individually, with health conditions not automatically leading to rejection. The department is currently reviewing its migration health requirements, including the significant cost threshold, with findings to be published later.

  • Russia’s school propaganda was highlighted by Oscar-winning film – but does it work?

    Russia’s school propaganda was highlighted by Oscar-winning film – but does it work?

    In contemporary Russia, a silent struggle unfolds within households as parents attempt to counter state-mandated patriotic education programs permeating school curricula. The Oscar-winning BBC documentary ‘Mr Nobody Against Putin’ illuminates this phenomenon through footage captured by Pavel Talankin, a former school events coordinator from Karabash in the Ural Mountains.

    The film reveals how children are systematically exposed to militaristic narratives following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Classrooms now incorporate flag-raising ceremonies, revised history textbooks labeling the conflict as a ‘special military operation,’ and compulsory lessons promoting state-approved Russian values. The education ministry recently announced plans to introduce government-vetted toys and games to nurseries to further reinforce traditional values.

    Parents like Nina from Moscow face difficult dilemmas when their children enthusiastically participate in these activities. ‘She likes her teacher, she likes her classmates – she likes being a part of it,’ Nina explains, having changed her name for safety concerns. When she once kept her daughter home to avoid a patriotic event, the child felt excluded from her peer group.

    Psychological experts note the particular vulnerability of young children to authority figures’ messages. ‘If you tell a young child that the war is good, they will accept it,’ says psychotherapist Anastasia Rubtsova. Researchers like Emily Willoughby from the University of Minnesota suggest that while childhood provides a critical window for attitude formation, parental influence typically prevails when families actively counter institutional messaging.

    However, in Russia’s tightly controlled information environment, outcomes become less predictable. Implementation varies significantly across schools, with some educators enthusiastically embracing the guidelines while others subtly resist or dilute the messaging.

    The documentary captures telling scenes: children receiving Russian flags during assemblies, classrooms where students are warned about enemy propaganda, and the creation of a new youth organization reminiscent of Soviet-era Pioneer groups. Despite these efforts, many students like 14-year-old Maia from St. Petersburg find the ‘Conversations about Important Things’ sessions boring and perfunctory.

    As Professor Paul Goode of Carleton University notes, compelling public performances of patriotism serves to reinforce the regime’s power perception—a message amplified through state media and controlled elections. Meanwhile, authorities have streamlined military recruitment for school-leavers, using financial incentives and patriotic appeals to bolster troop numbers.

    This educational transformation represents a profound societal shift where childhood development becomes intertwined with state political objectives, leaving families to navigate the delicate balance between institutional compliance and personal values.

  • The forgotten Indian woman trailblazer in British medicine

    The forgotten Indian woman trailblazer in British medicine

    In an era when medicine remained an overwhelmingly male-dominated field and European institutions systematically excluded women, Dr. Jamini Sen shattered one of healthcare’s most formidable barriers. The Bengali physician made history in 1912 by becoming the first woman admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow—an institution founded in 1599 that had long maintained gender-based restrictions.

    Born in 1871 in Barisal within the Bengal Presidency, Sen emerged from a progressive family as one of seven siblings. Her educational journey began at Calcutta’s Bethune College, culminating in her qualification from Calcutta Medical College in 1897. This achievement marked her entry into a profession characterized by rigid racial hierarchies and gender exclusion.

    Sen’s early career took an extraordinary turn when she accepted a position as house physician to Nepal’s royal household and head of Kathmandu Zenana Hospital. For nearly a decade, she practiced high-level medicine within deeply traditional settings, earning the confidence of King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah while introducing modern clinical methods. Her tenure coincided with palace unrest and suspected political intrigue, eventually prompting her departure from the country.

    Driven by professional ambition, Sen traveled to Britain in 1911 with support from the Lady Dufferin Fund. She obtained a medical license in Dublin, studied at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and ultimately challenged the Glasgow fellowship examinations. The Royal College had only recently opened its exams to women, and Sen’s successful completion in 1912 represented a watershed moment—though the institution restricted her privileges compared to male counterparts.

    Her intellectual curiosity led her to Berlin in 1912, where she advanced her knowledge of tropical diseases at a time when continental Europe led this medical specialty. Throughout her career, Sen maintained a profound sense of responsibility toward her “sisters in my country,” as documented in the Glasgow College archives.

    Returning to India, Sen joined the Women’s Medical Service, working in Agra, Shimla, and Puri. Her presence proved particularly crucial in Agra during periods of unrest directed at British doctors, as patients specifically sought out the Indian woman physician. Affectionately known as “saree-wali daktarin sahib” (the sari-clad lady doctor), Sen earned trust through her medical expertise and cultural understanding.

    She confronted significant healthcare challenges, including post-childbirth sepsis epidemics that affected countless young mothers. “The greatest improvement has taken place in maternal cases,” she recorded in her journal with professional pride. Even her practical attire—a pinned sari with full-sleeved blouse and lace collar—signaled a quiet modernity suited to hospital wards rather than drawing rooms.

    Sen’s personal life reflected both her independence and the era’s constraints. While in Nepal, she adopted a baby girl named Bhutu after the child’s mother died in childbirth. As a single mother in traditional Bengali society, Sen balanced professional rigor with private responsibility, though she later experienced the devastating loss of her daughter to illness.

    Today, few physical artifacts survive from Sen’s remarkable life: a gold watch gifted by Nepal’s king (which she wore pinned to her sari), a Tibetan tsog spoon recognizing her medical service, a delicate blue-wing brooch purchased in London, and two grainy photographs preserved in the Glasgow College archives.

    More than a century after her historic achievement, Sen’s portrait was finally unveiled at the Royal College in 2024—a symbolic restoration of a legacy that had faded into obscurity. Her story, meticulously reconstructed by great-niece Deepta Roy Chakraverti in the biography “Daktarin Jamini Sen,” reveals a woman of fierce intellect and radical resolve who confronted both racism in pre-independence India and sexism in British medical institutions.

    Dr. Sen’s journey demonstrates that the making of modern medicine was never exclusively European nor male, but was also shaped in palace wards, epidemic outposts, and examination halls where a determined Bengali woman refused to step aside.

  • As Islamophobia rises, Australia’s Muslims celebrate Eid

    As Islamophobia rises, Australia’s Muslims celebrate Eid

    In the heart of Sydney’s Lakemba district, thousands gathered at the Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb Mosque for a community Iftar celebration marking Ramadan’s end. Beneath the surface of this harmonious gathering, however, loomed an unsettling reality: a police surveillance trailer with 360-degree cameras stood watch—a necessary precaution following numerous threats against the Muslim community.

    Australia is experiencing an unprecedented surge in anti-Islamic sentiment, with reported incidents skyrocketing by 636% since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. According to the Islamophobia Register Australia, weekly cases have exploded from an average of 2.5 to 18—a figure experts warn represents merely ‘the tip of the iceberg’ as many victims avoid reporting.

    The recent Bondi Beach massacre, which police attributed to ‘Islamic state ideology,’ further intensified religious tensions. In its aftermath, Islamophobic incidents surged by 201%, compounding existing fears within Muslim communities. Simultaneously, antisemitic incidents have multiplied nearly fivefold according to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, creating parallel crises of religious intolerance.

    This deterioration in social cohesion was starkly visible when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke faced heckling and accusations of supporting genocide during their Lakemba mosque visit. Worshipers expressed profound frustration over Australia’s stance on the Middle East conflict and perceived governmental inaction against rising Islamophobia.

    Lakemba—where 61% of residents identify as Muslim—has evolved from its Lebanese migrant roots in the 1960s to become Sydney’s multicultural Muslim hub, now including communities from South Asia and beyond. While it offers a safe haven for many, residents report increasing anxiety when venturing beyond their ‘comfort zones.’

    Dr. Moshiuzzaman Shakil, a Bangladeshi public health student, recounted losing his job supporting disabled clients post-Bondi: ‘They asked me: are you a Muslim? After the attack, some people thought Muslims were terrorists.’

    The current crisis echoes Australia’s troubled history with immigration, from the White Australia policy that limited non-European migration until 1973 to the 2005 Cronulla race riots—still remembered as a traumatic watershed moment. Gamel Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, noted: ‘This community has been in trauma since Cronulla. Every time an episode happens now, we curl into the fetal position thinking, please don’t be a Muslim person.’

    Political discourse has exacerbated tensions. Pauline Hanson, leader of the anti-immigration One Nation Party, wore a burka in parliament to advocate for its banning and recently questioned whether ‘good’ Muslims exist—rhetoric that community leaders say legitimizes racism. Kheir observes: ‘Our Facebook posts now get a thousand-plus bigoted comments instead of five to ten. People feel empowered because politicians have enabled this racism to become rampant.’

    Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia Aftab Malik warns of cumulative damage: ‘Each attack reinforces that Muslim identity isn’t welcome in Australia’s social fabric, reducing institutional legitimacy and fraying social cohesion.’

    Despite the challenges, community organizers like Kheir continue advocating for unity. ‘The fair go for all was Australia’s motto,’ he reflects. ‘Sadly, we’re following other Western nations into identity crisis, where the predominant race reasserts itself at minorities’ expense.’

    As Dr. Zouhir Gabsi, author of ‘Muslim Perspectives on Islamophobia,’ bluntly summarizes: ‘Multiculturalism is a politician’s word. It works when sharing a meal, but when applying for jobs, you remain a migrant.’

  • Sanya Dragon King folk custom event celebrates maritime heritage

    Sanya Dragon King folk custom event celebrates maritime heritage

    The coastal city of Sanya in China’s Hainan province came alive with cultural vibrancy as thousands converged upon Dongtian Park for the annual Dragon King folk custom event. This five-day celebration, recognized as local intangible cultural heritage, commemorated the Dragon Head Raising Day occurring on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar.

    The festival opening on March 17 featured an elaborate traditional procession that included deity welcoming ceremonies, tributes from five directions, and the reading of ceremonial addresses. Representatives from five separate Dragon King temples across Sanya participated in the rituals, while fishing vessels offshore sounded ceremonial horns, creating a multisensory experience connecting land and sea.

    Beyond the ceremonial aspects, the event transformed the park into a cultural marketplace where visitors could engage with Hainan’s rich maritime heritage through interactive experiences. The festival served as both cultural preservation and community gathering, attracting both local residents and tourists interested in authentic traditional practices.

    The Dragon King festival represents ongoing efforts to maintain cultural continuity while adapting traditional practices for contemporary audiences. By combining ritual elements with market experiences, organizers created an accessible gateway to understanding the region’s historical relationship with the sea and its mythological protectors.

  • Justice department seeks to dismiss charges against ex-officers over Breonna Taylor raid

    Justice department seeks to dismiss charges against ex-officers over Breonna Taylor raid

    In a significant legal development, the U.S. Department of Justice has formally requested a federal judge to dismiss all criminal charges against two former Louisville police officers connected to the controversial 2020 raid that resulted in the death of Breonna Taylor. The motion targets former detective Joshua Jaynes and former sergeant Kyle Meany, who faced allegations of providing false information to obtain the search warrant for Taylor’s residence.

    Federal prosecutors submitted the dismissal petition exactly six years after the tragic incident, arguing that the case should be terminated “in the interest of justice.” The DOJ’s legal team specifically requested dismissal with prejudice, which would permanently bar any future prosecution of these charges. This development follows a federal judge’s August 2025 decision to downgrade the original felony charges against both officers to misdemeanors, with the court determining that the government could not establish a direct connection between the warrant issues and Taylor’s death.

    The case stems from the March 13, 2020 incident where plainclothes officers executed a controversial “no-knock” warrant at Taylor’s apartment during early morning hours. Authorities believed Taylor’s former boyfriend was using her residence to conceal narcotics, though no drugs were subsequently discovered on the premises. When officers forced entry, Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, discharged a single shot that struck one officer in the leg. Walker maintained that the officers failed to identify themselves, leading him to believe they were intruders. The officers responded with 32 rounds of gunfire, fatally striking Taylor.

    Tamika Palmer, Taylor’s mother, expressed profound disappointment with the DOJ’s action, stating on social media that the notification call informing her of the dismissal was “utterly disrespectful.” She noted this marked the first communication she had received from authorities since they assumed control of the case and asserted that “they have not served me or Breonna well.”

    Of the officers involved in the raid, Brett Hankison remains the only one convicted, found guilty in 2024 of violating Taylor’s civil rights through excessive force. Despite facing a potential life sentence, Hankison received 33 months imprisonment following a Trump administration recommendation for a one-day sentence. Another former officer, Kelly Goodlett, previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to falsify the warrant affidavit and conceal evidence, though sentencing remains pending.

    Taylor’s death became a catalytic moment for the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, occurring alongside the police killing of George Floyd and sparking nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism.