Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Spring Festival travel rush kicks off

    Spring Festival travel rush kicks off

    China initiated its monumental annual Spring Festival travel period on Monday, marking the beginning of a 40-day mass migration phenomenon known as chunyun. The transportation network across railways, highways, airports, and seaports witnessed unprecedented activity as millions embarked on journeys to reunite with families for the Lunar New Year celebrations.

    At Beijing West Railway Station, construction worker Liu experienced a moment of profound emotion as his train, K4069, departed precisely at 12:40 am. This special temporary service connecting the capital with Nanchang, Jiangxi province, represented the inaugural chunyun departure from Beijing. ‘After working tirelessly throughout the year, I’m finally returning home,’ Liu expressed. ‘The knowledge that this is Beijing’s first chunyun train makes the journey exceptionally meaningful.’

    Transportation authorities reported staggering statistics for the travel rush’s commencement day, with approximately 188 million cross-regional trips recorded nationwide—a notable 13% increase compared to the previous year. Rail systems managed roughly 12 million passenger journeys, while civil aviation facilitated about 2.19 million trips. Road transportation dominated the travel patterns, reflecting the growing preference among Chinese citizens for private vehicle travel during the holiday period.

    The 2026 Spring Festival travel period, which commenced on February 3rd, will continue through March 13th, with the actual Lunar New Year falling on February 17th. This annual migration represents the largest human movement globally, demonstrating both the enduring cultural significance of family reunions and China’s continuously evolving transportation infrastructure capabilities.

  • Son of Norway’s crown princess goes on trial in tense moment for royal family

    Son of Norway’s crown princess goes on trial in tense moment for royal family

    Oslo’s district court has commenced a landmark seven-week trial against Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, marking one of the most significant criminal proceedings in recent Norwegian history. The 29-year-old faces 38 serious charges including multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, threats with a weapon, domestic violence, drug transportation, and violation of restraining orders.

    The trial begins under extraordinary circumstances, with Høiby having been recently detained again on similar charges to those that initially led to his arrest eighteen months ago. He will participate in the proceedings from custody after police secured a four-week remand order, a decision his defense team intends to challenge.

    Simultaneously, Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces mounting scrutiny following revelations of her extensive communication with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Recently published correspondence from the U.S. Department of Justice indicates hundreds of email exchanges between the future queen and Epstein, including evidence of her four-day stay at his Florida residence while he was absent. The crown princess has acknowledged demonstrating ‘poor judgment’ in these interactions.

    The convergence of these scandals has triggered substantial repercussions. The Sex and Society foundation has terminated Mette-Marit’s patronage of their annual Shameless Prize, stating her association with Epstein contradicts their organizational values. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has publicly urged the crown princess to provide comprehensive clarification regarding the nature and extent of her contacts with Epstein.

    Royal experts suggest these developments will have enduring consequences for the monarchy’s reputation. Caroline Vagle, royal correspondent for See and Hear magazine, noted widespread public disappointment, while historian Ole-Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen criticized the royal court’s apparent failure to monitor and prevent these inappropriate communications.

    The trial itself operates under strict reporting restrictions, including bans on identifying the four alleged rape victims and prohibiting photographs of the defendant. Despite the royal family’s absence from proceedings—coinciding with the king and queen’s scheduled attendance at the Winter Olympics in Italy—the case has captured national and international attention.

    Høiby, who maintains his innocence regarding the most serious charges while admitting to some lesser offenses, is expected to testify during the proceedings. If convicted, he potentially faces a minimum ten-year prison sentence.

  • Watch: Why is no-one being prosecuted over the Epstein files?

    Watch: Why is no-one being prosecuted over the Epstein files?

    The comprehensive release of millions of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case has generated widespread public anticipation for new criminal prosecutions, yet legal experts identify multiple structural barriers preventing immediate judicial action. Despite containing names of powerful associates and detailed accounts, these documents primarily constitute civil case records rather than new criminal evidence.

    Legal analysts emphasize that most documents unveiled through recent court orders represent depositions and discovery materials from Virginia Giuffre’s settled civil lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell. These materials lack the evidentiary standards required for criminal convictions, with many accounts representing hearsay or uncorroborated testimony rather than direct proof of criminal activity.

    Prosecutorial challenges include statutes of limitations that have expired for many potential offenses, the death of key figures Epstein and Maxwell, and witness credibility issues. Former federal prosecutors note that while the documents provide contextual information about Epstein’s network, they largely contain allegations already examined by investigators during previous criminal cases.

    The documents’ release through civil litigation mechanisms means they underwent less rigorous verification than criminal evidence would require. Many individuals named maintain their innocence and claim inclusion resulted from Epstein’s manipulation rather than their own wrongdoing. Legal authorities continue reviewing the materials, but experts caution that expectations of imminent prosecutions may be legally unrealistic given existing jurisdictional and evidentiary constraints.

  • Shanties in a Lagos lagoon: Bulldozed and burnt

    Shanties in a Lagos lagoon: Bulldozed and burnt

    In the heart of Lagos, Nigeria’s sprawling metropolis, a humanitarian crisis unfolds as thousands of residents face forced evictions from their waterfront homes in Makoko, the country’s largest informal settlement. The Lagos State government maintains these demolitions target structures built dangerously close to high-voltage power lines, citing critical health and safety concerns. However, community members and advocacy groups allege these actions represent systematic land appropriation for elite urban development projects.

    Anna Sobie, a mother of five, exemplifies the human toll of this operation. Her family now sleeps on the fractured wooden platform that once supported their home, exposed to the elements without adequate shelter. “We’re sleeping in an open space under the rain,” Sobie recounts, describing how excavators arrived with minimal warning while her family was inside their home.

    The demolitions, which began two days before Christmas, have reportedly displaced over 10,000 residents and destroyed more than 3,000 structures including homes, schools, clinics, and churches according to a coalition of ten non-governmental organizations. These groups document alarming tactics including the use of armed security personnel, bulldozers, and alleged arson attacks on occupied dwellings.

    Historical context reveals Makoko was established in the 19th century by fishing communities, with residents claiming customary land rights predating modern Lagos. The settlement’s population estimates range from 80,000 to 200,000 people, many of whom are low-income families and migrants seeking economic opportunities in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration defends the actions as necessary urban management, emphasizing the proximity of structures to electrical infrastructure that poses lethal risks. Special Adviser on Urban Development Olajide Abiodun Babatunde stated: “No responsible government anywhere in the world can allow people to live directly under high-tension cables or obstruct vital waterways.”

    The government has promised financial compensation to affected families but has not provided alternative accommodation. This response has failed to satisfy residents like Elizabeth Kakisiwe, who returned from market to find her home demolished and possessions destroyed. “When rain fell days later, we were drenched,” she describes. “At night, we sit in the cold.”

    Tensions escalated recently when police deployed tear gas against more than 1,000 protesters marching toward the state legislature, resulting in injuries and alleged fatalities. Community leaders report five deaths, including children, from tear gas exposure during earlier demolition operations—claims the government says it will investigate.

    Urban development experts note this conflict occurs against Lagos’s severe housing deficit, which has grown from 2.95 million units in 2016 to 3.4 million in 2025 despite increased construction. The city’s rapid population growth and escalating costs have pushed more residents into informal settlements, creating recurring clashes between urban development goals and community rights.

    As excavators continue their work along the lagoon, displaced residents salvage firewood from debris while children repair fishing nets amid the destruction. The remaining structures stand as fragile testaments to a community fighting to preserve its existence against the pressures of modern urban development.

  • Watch: US and Canada at loggerheads after groundhogs disagree

    Watch: US and Canada at loggerheads after groundhogs disagree

    The annual trans-border meteorological tradition faced renewed diplomatic tension as North America’s foremost furry forecasters delivered conflicting predictions for the impending spring season. Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil, emerging from his slumber at Gobbler’s Knob, glimpsed his shadow amidst ceremonial proceedings – an omen traditionally signaling six additional weeks of wintery conditions. Concurrently, Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam, Canada’s representative rodent, failed to witness any shadow during his parallel prognostication ceremony, thereby forecasting an early spring arrival.

    This meteorological disagreement marks the second consecutive year of discord between the two animal oracles, reintroducing playful tensions between neighboring nations. The centuries-old tradition, rooted in European folklore and popularized in North America since 1887, continues to capture public imagination despite its questionable meteorological accuracy. Scientific analyses indicate the forecasts demonstrate approximately 39% reliability, yet the cultural phenomenon consistently generates international media coverage and public engagement.

    Municipalities surrounding both prediction sites have leveraged the tradition for tourism promotion and local economic stimulation. The event’s persistence highlights how lighthearted cultural practices can momentarily transcend international boundaries while simultaneously highlighting gentle international rivalries. Meteorological authorities from both nations maintain professional distance from the rodent predictions, instead emphasizing data-driven seasonal forecasting models.

  • Andrew under pressure to give evidence on Epstein

    Andrew under pressure to give evidence on Epstein

    Newly disclosed correspondence reveals extensive but unsuccessful attempts by United States authorities to secure Prince Andrew’s cooperation in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, reigniting demands for his testimony from victims’ representatives and government officials.

    Prominent American attorney Gloria Allred, representing several victims of the convicted sex offender, has publicly challenged Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s continued silence. “It’s not too late and he does have information he could share,” Allred stated in a BBC interview, questioning why the royal would participate in a “catastrophic television interview” with BBC Newsnight in 2019 while refusing to engage with law enforcement agencies.

    The released documents detail multiple approaches from US investigators throughout 2020, including formal diplomatic requests to the UK Home Office. Email exchanges between the US Department of Justice and Andrew’s legal team show frustrated attempts to arrange testimony, with American officials eventually concluding that “efforts to obtain a truly voluntary interview have been exhausted.”

    This development follows comments from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who emphasized that “anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information” to properly support victims. Royal sources indicate that Buckingham Palace’s official silence should not be interpreted as complacency, with aides reportedly understanding public concern while maintaining that the institution receives no advance notice of document releases.

    The Palace’s official position remains that the King and Queen’s “thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.” Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing and settled the civil case brought by accuser Virginia Giuffre out of court in 2022 without admitting liability or providing testimony.

    The newly revealed emails also show US officials expressing frustration with their UK counterparts’ handling of information requests regarding Andrew, with one communication noting surprise at the timing of a formal assistance request coinciding with London’s anticipated pandemic peak in April 2020.

  • BBC reports from Oslo court ahead of rape trial of Crown Princess’s son

    BBC reports from Oslo court ahead of rape trial of Crown Princess’s son

    The Norwegian royal institution confronts one of its most significant public challenges as judicial proceedings commence against a member of its immediate lineage. The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit stands accused of sexual assault allegations that have captured national attention and international media coverage.

    Judicial authorities in Oslo are undertaking extensive preparations for the high-profile case, with the BBC confirming its presence in the courthouse to document developments. The allegations emerge against a complex backdrop of previous royal controversies, including the Crown Princess’s documented associations with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

    Legal experts indicate the trial could extend over several weeks, with both prosecution and defense teams preparing detailed evidentiary submissions. The case has prompted broader discussions about accountability within privileged social circles and the evolving nature of Scandinavia’s constitutional monarchies in modern society.

    Royal commentators note the House of Glücksburg maintains its commitment to judicial transparency while acknowledging the personal difficulties facing the accused’s family members. The monarchy’s historical standing remains generally positive among Norwegians, though recent events have undoubtedly tested public perception.

  • China’s drug-related cases decline, but new drug challenges emerge

    China’s drug-related cases decline, but new drug challenges emerge

    China’s judicial authorities report a paradoxical shift in the nation’s narcotics landscape, where traditional drug cases have dramatically decreased while novel psychoactive substances emerge as an increasingly formidable challenge. According to data released by the Supreme People’s Court, Chinese courts concluded 23,732 first-instance drug-related cases in 2025, representing a substantial 33.82% decline from the previous year and a remarkable 82.93% reduction from 2015 figures.

    The sustained downward trajectory in conventional drug cases reflects the effectiveness of China’s stringent anti-drug campaigns and enhanced governance measures. However, judicial officials caution that the overall drug situation remains complex and volatile due to evolving international and domestic factors. As traditional substances face intensified suppression, criminal elements have pivoted toward medical narcotics, psychotropic substances, and new psychoactive alternatives for both abuse and trafficking operations.

    This strategic shift has produced alarming regional patterns, with new drug cases surpassing traditional cases in certain provinces—accounting for over half of all drug-related prosecutions in some areas. These novel substances present unique detection challenges as they frequently mimic everyday consumer products including chocolates, cookies, beverages, and e-cigarettes. Their highly concealable nature and deceptive packaging complicate law enforcement efforts while increasing youth vulnerability.

    In response, the Supreme People’s Court has mandated intensified judicial actions against new drug crimes targeting juveniles, with enhanced penalties for smuggling, manufacturing, and large-scale trafficking operations. The judiciary simultaneously emphasizes the need to protect legitimate medical access for patients while ensuring precise legal characterization of offenses and appropriate sentencing standards across all court levels.

  • One family’s journey reflects changes in travel during Spring Festival

    One family’s journey reflects changes in travel during Spring Festival

    The annual Spring Festival travel rush, known as Chunyun, continues to showcase China’s remarkable transportation evolution through the personal journeys of ordinary citizens. Feng Xianzhen from Guigang in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region recently completed her homecoming trip in a manner dramatically different from just eight years ago.

    This year, Feng and her husband fulfilled their family promise by driving their new energy vehicle home for the traditional reunion, arriving at the Kangzhou South Integrated Energy Station along National Highway G321. The modern service station, part of Sinopec’s network of 700 energy stations providing specialized Spring Festival services, offered free charging, refueling, and food for travelers—a far cry from Feng’s previous travel experiences.

    In 2018, the 38-year-old mother and her husband were part of the renowned ‘motorcycle army’ that characterized Spring Festival migrations. Their journey then involved braving the elements on a motorcycle with their four-year-old son, whose face would become flushed from the prolonged exposure to cold weather during the arduous trip.

    The transformation from motorcycle to new energy vehicle mirrors China’s broader transportation infrastructure development and the growing adoption of eco-friendly travel options. Sinopec’s large-scale initiative during the travel rush period demonstrates how state-owned enterprises are supporting the world’s largest annual human migration event, which sees hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens returning to their hometowns.

    The bright red service tents at energy stations across the country now serve as modern waypoints that contrast sharply with the makeshift rest stops that once served the motorcycle armies. This evolution in travel comfort and convenience reflects both technological progress and improved living standards across China’s regions.

  • Michelangelo’s ‘The Last Judgment’ fresco undergoes 3-month cleaning at Sistine Chapel

    Michelangelo’s ‘The Last Judgment’ fresco undergoes 3-month cleaning at Sistine Chapel

    The Vatican Museums have initiated a comprehensive three-month restoration project for Michelangelo’s monumental fresco ‘The Last Judgment’ within the Sistine Chapel, marking the first significant conservation effort for the masterpiece in thirty years. This ambitious preservation undertaking aims to address the accumulated micro-particle deposits that have formed a whitish haze across the Renaissance artwork’s surface.

    While the chapel will remain accessible to visitors throughout the restoration period, viewing conditions will be partially affected by the necessary scaffolding apparatus. The conservation team specifically targets the removal of foreign particulate matter carried through air circulation from the chapel’s substantial visitor traffic, which exceeds 6 million annual museum guests.

    The Sistine Chapel, originally commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV during the 15th century, achieved its current artistic prominence through Michelangelo’s dual contributions. The Renaissance master first created the celebrated ceiling frescoes, including the iconic ‘Creation of Adam,’ between 1508 and 1512. He returned decades later to complete ‘The Last Judgment’ on the altar wall, solidifying the chapel’s status as a pinnacle of Western art.

    The Vatican maintains continuous environmental monitoring within the chapel, implementing proactive measures to regulate humidity and temperature levels given the substantial visitor numbers. This most recent conservation initiative follows previous restoration campaigns, with the last major cleaning occurring in 1994. The chapel continues to serve both as an artistic treasure and functional religious space, having hosted the papal conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV in May.