Global Pulse

分类： society

  • 10 dead in mass shooting in Canada, 25 injured

    10 dead in mass shooting in Canada, 25 injured

    A tranquil community in northeastern British Columbia was shattered by a devastating mass shooting on Tuesday, resulting in ten fatalities—including the suspected perpetrator—and leaving more than 25 individuals wounded. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed the tragic incident occurred in Tumbler Ridge, a small town of approximately 2,400 residents situated near the Alberta border.

    According to official RCMP statements, law enforcement responded to an active shooter situation at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where six victims were discovered deceased. Two additional fatalities were located at a residence connected to the incident, while another individual succumbed to injuries while being transported to medical facilities. Among the injured, two victims sustained life-threatening wounds.

    Police indicated the suspected shooter was found deceased at the scene with what appeared to be self-inflicted injuries. Notably, official alerts described the potential perpetrator as a brown-haired female wearing a dress, marking a rare instance of female involvement in such mass casualty events.

    The Peace River South School District implemented immediate lockdown protocols at both the secondary school and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School as the situation unfolded. Larry Neufeld, local legislative representative, confirmed that extensive emergency resources including RCMP reinforcements and ambulance services had been deployed to the remote community.

    The secondary school, which serves 175 students in grades 7 through 12 according to provincial records, became the epicenter of one of Canada’s deadliest school shootings in recent history. The incident has sent shockwaves through the nation, which typically experiences far fewer mass shooting events compared to its southern neighbor.

  • Lantern festival lights up Datong

    Lantern festival lights up Datong

    The historic city of Datong in Shanxi province transformed into a radiant spectacle on February 10, 2026, as the annual Ancient Capital Lantern Festival commenced its dazzling display. This year’s celebration, strategically timed to welcome the upcoming Year of the Horse, marked the latest iteration of an event that has become synonymous with winter tourism in the region.

    The festival’s centerpiece features an extraordinary illumination of Datong’s 7.2-kilometer ancient city walls, which serve as a majestic backdrop for 46 meticulously crafted lantern displays and long-scroll-style installations. These artistic creations transform the historical architecture into a vibrant canvas of light and color, creating a breathtaking fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.

    Since its inaugural edition in 2013, the Datong Ancient Capital Lantern Festival has evolved from a local celebration into a significant cultural phenomenon that attracts visitors nationwide. The event has demonstrated remarkable growth in both scale and sophistication, establishing itself as a cornerstone of Datong’s winter tourism strategy. The festival not only preserves traditional Chinese lantern artistry but also revitalizes it through innovative designs and technologies.

    The economic impact of the festival continues to bolster Datong’s off-season tourism, providing substantial benefits to local businesses and hospitality services. Cultural experts note that such events play a crucial role in preserving intangible cultural heritage while simultaneously driving regional economic development through cultural tourism.

  • Emergency call released of boy who swam for hours to save family

    Emergency call released of boy who swam for hours to save family

    A dramatic coastal rescue operation has highlighted extraordinary adolescent bravery after newly released emergency audio captured the moment a 13-year-old boy sought help following a maritime emergency. Austin Appelbee became his family’s sole hope for survival when strong currents swept his mother and siblings into treacherous waters off the Australian coast.

    The incident unfolded during what was supposed to be a routine family outing near Venus Bay, Victoria. Without hesitation, the teenager embarked on a grueling hours-long swim through darkness and challenging conditions to reach safety and alert authorities. His determined effort covered approximately one kilometer of open water before he could make contact with emergency services.

    Recordings from Triple Zero emergency services reveal the boy’s composed demeanor as he provided critical details to dispatchers while physically exhausted from his swim. Operators maintained communication with Austin as they coordinated a multi-agency response involving water police, air support, and local rescue teams.

    The successful rescue operation resulted in all family members being recovered alive and receiving medical treatment for exposure and exhaustion. Marine safety experts have since highlighted the dangerous coastal conditions that can develop rapidly in the area, even during seemingly calm weather.

    Australian authorities have praised Austin’s exceptional presence of mind and physical endurance under extreme duress, noting that his actions undoubtedly prevented a tragic outcome. The case has sparked renewed discussions about coastal safety education and emergency preparedness for families engaging in water-based activities.

  • Ten dead after a shooting in Canadian province of British Columbia, police say

    Ten dead after a shooting in Canadian province of British Columbia, police say

    A remote Canadian community is reeling from a devastating shooting incident that left ten people dead, including the suspected perpetrator, in the northeastern region of British Columbia. The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday in the small municipality of Tumbler Ridge, where authorities discovered multiple victims across different locations.

    According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the grim discovery included six fatalities at a local high school, two additional victims at a residence connected to the incident, and another individual who succumbed to injuries while being transported to medical facilities. The suspected shooter was found deceased from what investigators believe was a self-inflicted wound. Law enforcement officials have confirmed they are not seeking additional suspects and have assured the public there is no ongoing threat.

    The incident has sent shockwaves through Tumbler Ridge, a secluded community of approximately 2,400 residents situated in the Rocky Mountain foothills, roughly 1,155 kilometers northeast of Vancouver. Beyond the confirmed fatalities, medical personnel are evaluating approximately 25 individuals for various injuries at a local healthcare center.

    British Columbia’s Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger expressed profound sympathy for the affected community, stating she has personally communicated with local leadership. ‘All our thoughts are with people in Tumbler Ridge,’ Minister Krieger announced via social media platform X. ‘I’ve spoken to the mayor and local MLA, and we are offering the RCMP any additional assistance they need.’

    The tragedy marks one of Canada’s most severe mass shooting incidents in recent years, highlighting the ongoing challenge of gun violence in communities across the nation. As investigators continue their work at multiple crime scenes, the tight-knit community faces a long process of healing and recovery from the unprecedented violence that has shattered their sense of security.

  • Ireland launches world first scheme to provide basic income for artists

    Ireland launches world first scheme to provide basic income for artists

    Ireland has established itself as an international pioneer in cultural policy by launching the world’s first permanent basic income program specifically designed for artists. The groundbreaking Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) initiative will provide selected artists with a weekly payment of €325 (£283) over a three-year period to support their creative endeavors.

    The permanent program follows a highly successful pilot scheme initiated in 2022 to assist the arts and culture sector’s recovery from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Ireland’s Culture Minister Patrick O’Donovan, the country now stands as a “global leader in the area of artist support” through this innovative approach.

    Economic impact assessments have demonstrated the program’s remarkable effectiveness. Minister O’Donovan revealed that every €1 invested in the pilot generated an impressive €1.39 in economic return, while simultaneously enabling artists to dedicate more time to their creative practices and significantly improving their overall quality of life.

    The selection process will identify 2,000 eligible artists through an “anonymous randomised selection process” to ensure equitable opportunities for all applicants. The Department of Culture has established specific eligibility criteria requiring applicants to be Irish residents, professional artists with established creative practices, and maintaining primary creative operations within Ireland.

    Application guidelines will be published in April, with the selection process opening in May 2026. The department anticipates receiving a “high volume” of applications and acknowledges that funding cannot be extended to all eligible candidates. Those not selected in the current cycle will have another opportunity to apply when the program reopens in 2029.

    Minister O’Donovan emphasized that this permanent initiative represents a “major milestone” that will fundamentally “sustain the careers” of participating artists and help “retain their talent in the arts sector.” The program directly addresses the income instability that has historically made artistic careers particularly challenging in Ireland, as demonstrated by comprehensive research from the pilot phase.

  • ‘Absolute’ robbery: Indian Supreme Court slams banks over Rs520-billion digital fraud

    ‘Absolute’ robbery: Indian Supreme Court slams banks over Rs520-billion digital fraud

    India’s Supreme Court has delivered a scathing indictment of the nation’s banking sector, condemning systemic failures and alleged collusion in a massive ₹520 billion (approximately $6.3 billion) digital fraud scheme targeting citizens. The landmark ruling came during proceedings initiated by the court itself (suo motu) regarding sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ scams that have victimized thousands nationwide.

    Justice Surya Kant, presiding over the case, declared the unprecedented financial hemorrhage between April 2021 and November 2025 constituted ‘absolute robbery,’ noting evidence that bank officials appeared ‘completely hand in glove with the accused.’ The court characterized financial institutions as becoming ‘a liability’ despite their fiduciary responsibility as trustees of public funds.

    The sophisticated fraud operation involved criminals impersonating senior police and security officials to falsely inform victims—predominantly elderly citizens—of their implication in fictitious drug smuggling cases. Through psychological manipulation and fabricated legal threats, perpetrators gained remote access to bank accounts, systematically draining life savings under the guise of ‘digital arrests.’

    The judicial intervention followed a petition from an elderly couple defrauded of ₹15 million after scammers impersonated judicial authorities. In response, the court has mandated urgent reforms: directing the Central Bureau of Investigation to lead investigations, ordering the Home Ministry to formally implement the Reserve Bank of India’s January 2026 Standard Operating Procedure within two weeks, and establishing nationwide protocols for temporary debit freezes during suspected fraud incidents.

    The ruling emphasizes enhanced inter-agency coordination and represents one of India’s most significant judicial responses to cyber-enabled financial crime, highlighting institutional accountability in protecting vulnerable citizens from technologically sophisticated predation.

  • Senegalese university students say death of protester dashes hope for change

    Senegalese university students say death of protester dashes hope for change

    DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s premier higher education institution descended into chaos this week as violent protests over delayed student stipends culminated in a tragic death and mass campus evacuations. The incident has exposed deep-seated systemic failures in the country’s education funding system and sparked nationwide outrage.

    Authorities confirmed the death of Abdoulaye Ba, a second-year medical student, following severe head injuries sustained during demonstrations at Cheikh Anta Diop University. While official reports remain vague, student representatives assert Ba was not participating in protests but was brutally assaulted by police within his residence. Social media footage captured terrifying scenes of students fleeing burning dormitories, some leaping from windows to escape the inferno.

    The unrest stems from a protracted stipend crisis affecting approximately 80,000 students at West Africa’s largest university. Many have endured months without receiving their 40,000 CFA franc ($73) monthly allowances—a critical financial lifeline for the majority who rely solely on this support. The situation deteriorated when university administrators shut down cafeterias after students refused to pay for meals typically covered by food stamps.

    This tragedy occurs against a backdrop of recurring academic disruptions that have plagued Senegalese universities for years. Extended closures—sometimes exceeding nine months—have created overlapping academic years and bureaucratic delays in stipend distributions. The current government inherited substantial debt from previous administrations, complicating resolution efforts despite campaign promises to address corruption and improve resource management.

    Interior Minister Mouhamadou Bamba Cissé acknowledged “acts of violence observed on both sides” during a press conference where unverified footage of Molotov cocktails played nearby. Amnesty International Senegal joined rights groups in condemning the “disproportionate use of force by police” at the university.

    The political dimension adds complexity to the crisis. Many students previously supported Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who gained popularity through anti-corruption platforms. However, their administration’s response to the stipend crisis has generated widespread disillusionment among former supporters.

    Khadija Ndiaye, a history student without stipends for three months, expressed betrayal: “We were fighting for him during his campaign. It’s contradictory for him to now say students can survive without stipends.” Literature student Ibrahima Diatta echoed this sentiment, noting that stipends function as “de facto salaries” for many students supporting rural families.

    Education experts warn that the government’s decision to close campus housing—forcing thousands to return to countryside homes—may exacerbate academic calendar disruptions and further delay stipend payments. As David Célestin Faye, secretary-general of Senegal’s professors’ union, emphasized: “Students are not a burden, they are an investment that must be supported.”

  • Tumbler Ridge mass shooting: What we know so far

    Tumbler Ridge mass shooting: What we know so far

    The remote Canadian community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, is reeling from one of the nation’s deadliest mass shootings, which claimed nine lives and left 25 others injured on Tuesday. The tragedy unfolded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby residence, sending shockwaves through the close-knit town of approximately 2,400 residents.

    According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), authorities received an active shooter report at 13:20 local time (20:20 GMT). Police response was immediate, with officers arriving at the school within two minutes of the emergency call—a rapid intervention that officials believe prevented further casualties. The RCMP implemented an urgent shelter-in-place order for the entire community while initiating lockdown procedures at both the secondary school and nearby elementary school.

    The investigation revealed six victims deceased inside the educational facility, with two additional fatalities discovered at a connected residence. A ninth victim succumbed to injuries during transport to medical facilities. Approximately 25 individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are receiving treatment at the local medical center. The suspected perpetrator was found deceased at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted wound.

    British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety Nina Krieger characterized the event as a ‘devastating day’ for the province. Eyewitness accounts from students described barricading classroom doors for over two hours before police evacuation. Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student, recounted receiving disturbing images on his phone during the lockdown before being escorted to safety.

    Community leaders expressed profound grief, with Mayor Darryl Krakowka noting the personal connections within the small town: ‘I don’t call them residents. I call them family.’ Town Councillor Chris Norbury emphasized the unprecedented nature of the violence in a community where residents traditionally don’t lock their doors.

    The incident prompted national responses, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney canceling a scheduled trip to Germany. British Columbia Premier David Eby described the shootings as ‘unimaginable tragedy’ that would cause parents across the province to ‘hug our kids a little tighter tonight.’

    Authorities continue investigating potential motives and connections between the suspect and the school, though the individual’s identity remains undisclosed. The RCMP is conducting additional searches of nearby properties to identify any further victims or connections to the attack.

  • Xinjiang through my eyes: Horse racing in Zhaosu

    Xinjiang through my eyes: Horse racing in Zhaosu

    In China’s northwestern Xinjiang region, a profound transformation is underway in the ancient tradition of horse racing. Bayinbieleke, a dedicated horse trainer from Zhaosu, embodies this shift as he prepares for the prestigious Heavenly Horse International Tourism Festival. Despite challenging weather conditions including heavy rainfall, his team’s meticulous preparation ensured the festival’s opening ceremonies proceeded flawlessly.

    The trainer’s vision extends far beyond local recognition. While deeply proud of regional equestrian traditions, Bayinbieleke now aspires to cultivate riders and horses capable of competing on international platforms. “My aspiration is to develop superior equine athletes that will gain recognition throughout China and across the global stage,” he stated, highlighting the evolving ambitions within Xinjiang’s equestrian community.

    This development represents the broader cultural and economic evolution occurring in Xinjiang, where traditional practices are being reimagined with contemporary global relevance. The region’s rich horsemanship heritage, once primarily a local spectacle, is now positioning itself within the international equestrian circuit, potentially creating new economic opportunities and cultural exchanges through the universal language of sport.

  • Xinjiang through my eyes: The prairie doctor

    Xinjiang through my eyes: The prairie doctor

    In the vast grasslands of Xinjiang, 70-year-old Maolixialifu Hapa embodies a lifetime commitment to community healthcare. Since graduating in 1976, the traditional Chinese medicine practitioner has deliberately chosen rural service over research institute opportunities, bringing both medical expertise and genuine human connection to remote villages.

    For nearly five decades, Dr. Maolixialifu has served as both physician and trusted friend to countless villagers, integrating traditional Chinese medical knowledge with modern healthcare practices. His approach represents a unique blend of cultural preservation and community service that has become increasingly rare in modernizing China.

    The elderly doctor’s recent declaration—”If my health allows, I will help them and treat them all my life”—captures the essence of his dedication. This philosophy extends beyond mere medical treatment to encompass holistic care that addresses both physical ailments and emotional well-being.

    Dr. Maolixialifu’s story emerges as part of a broader series exploring Xinjiang’s cultural landscape, highlighting how traditional practices continue to thrive alongside modernization efforts. His work demonstrates how grassroots healthcare initiatives can successfully bridge cultural traditions with contemporary medical needs in China’s western regions.