Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Shanghai celebrates Spring Festival with intl students

    Shanghai celebrates Spring Festival with intl students

    Shanghai transformed into a cultural crossroads on January 29, 2026, as nearly 100 international students joined Chinese educators and peers at Shanghai Library East for a dual celebration. The event simultaneously launched the 8th Shanghai Get-together Writing Contest while welcoming the upcoming Spring Festival with traditional Chinese New Year activities.

    The gathering provided international participants with immersive experiences in Chinese cultural traditions while creating opportunities for deeper cross-cultural understanding. Now entering its eighth consecutive year, the writing initiative encourages foreign visitors to document their Shanghai experiences through both written narratives and short video submissions.

    Marking a significant diplomatic milestone, the 2026 contest introduces a special category honoring the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations. This new award category will specifically recognize stories showcasing Sino-African friendship and cultural exchange within Shanghai’s urban landscape.

    “Shanghai extends its welcome to the global community through openness and cultivates international friendships through inclusiveness,” stated Su Ling, Vice President of the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. “Our commitment remains firm in building bridges of mutual comprehension and expanding our worldwide network of companions.”

    Previous contest winner Ijaz Ul Haq from Pakistan reflected on his experience, characterizing Shanghai as an educational environment beyond traditional classrooms. “The city itself became my second classroom,” he noted, “where daily interactions and cultural encounters shaped my learning journey far beyond academic settings.”

  • Mass evictions in Lagos displace thousands including baby twins now living in a canoe

    Mass evictions in Lagos displace thousands including baby twins now living in a canoe

    LAGOS, Nigeria — In the early hours of January 11, Victor Ahansu and his family received their only warning as bulldozers descended upon their Makoko home—the grinding sound of heavy machinery that would leave them homeless. The Ahansu family, including 5-month-old twins, now reside in a wooden canoe shielded from the elements by nothing more than a woven plastic sack, joining thousands displaced in Lagos’ ongoing mass evictions.

    Makoko, one of Africa’s oldest and largest waterfront settlements established in the 19th century, represents a historic community where generations have lived in stilt houses above the lagoon. Known colloquially as the ‘Venice of Africa,’ this distinctive neighborhood has long captured the imagination of urban planners and nonprofit organizations while simultaneously drawing the attention of developers eyeing its valuable waterfront real estate.

    According to local advocacy coalitions, the current demolition wave that began in late December has resulted in the destruction of over 3,000 homes and displacement of approximately 10,000 residents. While authorities cite safety concerns regarding proximity to electrical infrastructure, residents allege the demolitions extended far beyond the mandated 100-meter clearance zone without adequate warning or compensation.

    The Lagos state government, through Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has defended the actions as necessary for urban development and risk mitigation in a rapidly growing megacity of approximately 20 million people. However, critics argue these evictions disproportionately target impoverished communities without providing resettlement alternatives as required by law.

    The human impact is devastating. Basirat Kpetosi, a mother of five, described waking to bulldozers destroying the home she built just last year. ‘We sleep in the open,’ she recounted. ‘When it rained, it rained on my children and me.’

    The situation highlights Lagos’ severe housing affordability crisis, where annual rents for a single room in shared accommodation can reach 700,000 naira ($500)—nearly ten times the city’s minimum wage of 77,000 naira ($55). This economic reality leaves displaced residents with virtually no viable alternatives.

    Recent protests against the evictions were met with tear gas from police, underscoring the growing tensions around urban development strategies in one of Africa’s fastest-growing metropolises. The demolitions continue a pattern observed since 2023, with advocacy groups estimating hundreds of thousands have lost homes under the current administration.

    Legal precedent exists for protecting residents’ rights. A 2017 Lagos High Court ruling viewed by AP specifically found that mass evictions without resettlement arrangements violate constitutional protections against cruel and degrading treatment, raising questions about the current operation’s legality.

  • Special stamps welcome passengers at Dubai airport to celebrate UAE-Kuwait relations

    Special stamps welcome passengers at Dubai airport to celebrate UAE-Kuwait relations

    Dubai International Airport has become the stage for a unique diplomatic celebration as the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) implements special initiatives honoring the deep-rooted relations between the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Under the banner ‘UAE and Kuwait: Brothers Forever,’ the comprehensive program transforms the travel experience while strengthening cultural bonds.

    Arriving passengers are greeted with a distinctive passport stamp featuring the campaign slogan, while terminal halls showcase vibrant displays in Kuwaiti flag colors. A dedicated arrival lane adorned with dual national flags and campaign branding creates an immediate sense of diplomatic camaraderie. The welcoming experience extends further with distribution of symbolic gifts and appearances by popular cultural characters Salem and Salama, transforming routine immigration procedures into meaningful intercultural encounters.

    Complementing the airport activities, GDRFA Dubai has organized Souq Al-Mubarakiya at Alkhawaneej Walk from January 29 to February 1, featuring authentic Kuwaiti retail participation. This carefully curated market recreation offers visitors an immersive experience of Kuwait’s traditional heritage marketplace, effectively bringing a piece of Kuwaiti culture to Dubai residents and tourists alike.

    Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of GDRFA Dubai, emphasized that these initiatives reflect the profound historical connection between the two nations. ‘Emirati-Kuwaiti relations represent deeply rooted bonds of brotherhood, built on decades of loyalty, principled positions, and mutual support,’ he stated, highlighting how these relations have evolved from the era of founding fathers to present-day Gulf unity.

    The comprehensive celebration program demonstrates how diplomatic relations can be expressed through creative public engagement, transforming administrative spaces into platforms for cultural exchange. By integrating traditional elements with modern airport operations, the initiative successfully bridges governmental diplomacy with people-to-people connections, reinforcing the shared values and historical ties that unite the two Gulf nations.

  • Watch: Cars flip, crash into others as drivers lose focus on Abu Dhabi roads

    Watch: Cars flip, crash into others as drivers lose focus on Abu Dhabi roads

    The Abu Dhabi Police have launched a stark public awareness campaign targeting the growing menace of distracted driving, releasing alarming surveillance footage that captures the severe consequences of momentary lapses in attention. The newly published video compilation graphically illustrates a series of preventable roadway catastrophes, including vehicles careening off their lanes, overturning, and violently colliding with other cars.

    This visual evidence, compiled through coordination with the Monitoring and Control Center, serves as an educational tool demonstrating how driver negligence can instantly transform routine travel into life-altering tragedies. Authorities emphasize that distractions—whether from mobile devices, in-car systems, or other interruptions—require only seconds to create devastating outcomes.

    In their official statement accompanying the footage, police officials issued a sobering reminder: “Life possesses greater value than any message or telephone call.” The campaign forms part of broader initiatives to enhance traffic safety awareness and reduce dangerous behaviors that jeopardize all road users. This public warning follows previous alerts from UAE authorities regarding similar incidents where inattentive drivers caused serious accidents by failing to observe traffic conditions.

    The police department’s strategy employs actual accident documentation to create visceral impact, hoping the dramatic visuals will encourage drivers to prioritize concentration behind the wheel. This approach reflects increasing concern over distraction-related incidents throughout the Emirates and represents ongoing efforts to combat preventable accidents through education and enforcement.

  • Funeral for Dubai businessman Dr CJ Roy to take place on February 1

    Funeral for Dubai businessman Dr CJ Roy to take place on February 1

    The international business community is mourning the sudden passing of prominent Dubai-based entrepreneur Dr. CJ Roy, who died unexpectedly on January 30th during an ongoing income tax inspection at his corporate offices in Bangalore. His funeral arrangements have been scheduled for February 1st in the Indian city where he tragically passed.

    Final ceremonies will commence with a condolence visitation from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Nature’s Luxuri Mega Resort and Convention Centre, where associates and family members may pay their final respects. Following the visitation, the procession will continue to St. Joseph’s Syro-Malabar Church for a funeral mass at 2:00 PM, after which Dr. Roy will be laid to rest.

    In an official family statement, the deceased businessman was memorialized as both a “visionary individual whose life exemplified excellence, purpose, and compassion” and a “genuine philanthropist.” The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation by Indian authorities, who are meticulously reviewing his final moments amid the tax raid proceedings.

    According to witness accounts provided to Indian media outlets, Dr. Roy had requested privacy to speak with his mother shortly before his passing. TA Joseph, Managing Director of Confident Group, reported that when staff members received no response after repeated attempts to contact him, they forcibly entered his office and discovered him unresponsive in his chair with visible bloodstains. Despite immediate transportation to a medical facility, resuscitation efforts proved unsuccessful.

    His wife and children, who were in Dubai at the time of the incident, urgently traveled to Bangalore and arrived on Saturday morning. The news has sent shockwaves through business circles in both India and the UAE, where Dr. Roy maintained significant commercial interests and personal relationships.

    Indian media personality Mithun Ramesh, who considered Dr. Roy both mentor and family, expressed profound grief over the loss. “He influenced many major decisions in my life,” Ramesh told Khaleej Times. “I was among the very few people who could visit his home without prior appointment. His absence creates an irreplaceable void.” Ramesh immediately departed from Muscat upon learning the news to attend the funeral services, highlighting the deep personal connections Dr. Roy fostered across international boundaries.

  • From Elon Musk to the former Prince Andrew, a who’s who of powerful men are named in Epstein files

    From Elon Musk to the former Prince Andrew, a who’s who of powerful men are named in Epstein files

    NEW YORK — A massive document release by the U.S. Justice Department has unveiled the extensive social network of late financier Jeffrey Epstein, connecting numerous global elites to the convicted sex offender. The files, made public Friday, reveal previously undisclosed communications and interactions between Epstein and prominent figures from technology, finance, politics, and royalty.

    The documents provide unprecedented insight into how Epstein maintained relationships with powerful individuals even after his 2008 conviction for sex crimes. While none have been charged with crimes related to the investigation, the correspondence reveals the breadth of Epstein’s connections and his attempts to leverage these relationships.

    Among the most frequently mentioned figures is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, whose name appears hundreds of times throughout the documents. The files include emails showing Epstein’s invitation to Buckingham Palace, discussions about introducing the royal to a 26-year-old Russian woman, and photographs depicting the prince in compromising positions.

    Technology billionaires feature prominently in the release, with both Elon Musk and Google co-founder Sergey Brin appearing in Epstein’s correspondence. Musk exchanged emails in 2012-2013 discussing potential visits to Epstein’s Caribbean compound, though the Tesla CEO has publicly stated he refused these invitations. Brin’s communications show planned meetings with Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell years before Epstein’s public exposure as a sexual predator.

    The documents also reveal extensive connections within financial and political circles. New York Giants co-owner Steven Tisch appears in over 400 documents, including emails where Epstein offered to connect him with women. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon exchanged hundreds of friendly texts with Epstein, discussing politics and reputation rehabilitation projects.

    The immediate fallout has already begun, with Slovakian national security adviser Miroslav Lajcak resigning Saturday following the revelation of his communications with Epstein. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson’s correspondence included an invitation for Epstein to visit his private island, asking him to ‘bring your harem.’

    While many figures have denied close ties to Epstein or knowledge of his criminal activities, the documents paint a picture of a sophisticated network that enabled Epstein to maintain social credibility despite his notorious reputation. The release represents the most comprehensive public accounting to date of Epstein’s associations with the world’s elite.

  • Rape trial puts Norway’s royal family in unwelcome glare of public

    Rape trial puts Norway’s royal family in unwelcome glare of public

    Oslo’s district court has become the epicenter of Norway’s most significant criminal proceeding in recent memory as Marius Borg Høiby, stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, stands trial facing 38 criminal charges. The seven-week trial, which commenced Tuesday, involves allegations spanning multiple years and includes four counts of rape, physical assault, threats against a former girlfriend, property damage, drug offenses, and driving violations.

    The 29-year-old, whose mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit married into royalty when he was four, appears without family support in the courtroom. The palace has emphatically distanced itself from the proceedings, emphasizing Høiby’s non-royal status despite his lifelong connection to the monarchy. Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit are notably absent, with the latter battling serious pulmonary fibrosis that requires potential lung transplantation.

    Prosecutors detail disturbing allegations dating from 2018 to November 2024, including sexual assaults occurring while women were incapacitated or asleep—acts legally constituting rape under Norwegian law. One identified accuser, social influencer Nora Haukland, alleges violent physical abuse including punching, kicking, and choking alongside verbal degradation.

    Høiby’s defense counsel Petar Sekulic acknowledges his client takes the accusations seriously while maintaining innocence regarding most charges, particularly those involving sexual violence. The defense also contests a recent addition of marijuana transportation charges involving 3.5 kilograms of the substance.

    The trial unfolds against a backdrop of royal scandals, including Princess Märtha Louise’s controversial marriage to an American shaman and revelations about Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite these challenges, recent polling indicates 73% of Norwegians still support the monarchy, with many apparently distinguishing between the institution and individual family members’ actions.

    As testimony begins from multiple women whose intimate experiences will be scrutinized before international media, the case represents both a personal tragedy for the victims and an unprecedented challenge for Europe’s most accessible monarchy.

  • After ICE raids… a once bustling Chicago neighbourhood has changed

    After ICE raids… a once bustling Chicago neighbourhood has changed

    Chicago’s historic Little Village neighborhood, traditionally known as the “Mexican Magnificent Mile,” has transformed into an economic ghost town following intensified immigration enforcement operations. The Trump administration’s Operation Midway Blitz, launched in September with the stated purpose of targeting “criminal illegal aliens,” has created an atmosphere of pervasive fear that has devastated local commerce.

    Business owners along the 26th Street corridor report catastrophic revenue declines ranging from 30% to 60%, with some establishments recording zero sales over extended periods. Carlos Macias, proprietor of Carniceria y Taqueria Aguascalientes established by his father fifty years ago, describes how armed ICE agents wearing balaclavas conducted raids that traumatized both employees and customers. “Business has dropped half during the week, sometimes even more than that,” Macias states, noting the incident remains etched in his memory.

    The economic impact extends beyond individual businesses. This two-mile commercial thoroughfare represents one of Chicago’s most significant economic hubs outside downtown, generating substantial tax revenues through predominantly Latino-owned enterprises. Alderman Michael Rodriguez reveals that even during peak lunch hours, restaurants remain empty, and public parking spaces sit vacant for the first time in living memory—a situation more severe than during the pandemic.

    While the Department of Homeland Security justifies the operation as necessary for public safety, citing the arrest of over 800 undocumented migrants including sex offenders and gang members, the human and economic costs continue mounting. Street vendors have largely disappeared from corners they traditionally occupied, fearing family separation despite many having lived in the community for decades.

    Chicago officials have responded with the Shopping in Solidarity initiative, encouraging residents to support local businesses. However, established institutions like Taqueria Los Comales have been forced to reduce employee hours dramatically. Owner Christina Gonzalez, also a Chamber of Commerce board member, explains the ripple effect: “The community depends on these small businesses for jobs and income. If they don’t have the hours to withstand that, then they aren’t getting the income that they need.”

    The political dimension remains deeply divisive. While Republican congressional candidate Lupe Castillo supports the enforcement actions, even some Trump voters like shoe store owner Adolfo Peña express bitter disappointment: “This is the worst thing that has happened to us. Unfortunately, I voted for him. That hurts me the most.”

    With Congress approving $170 billion in funding for ICE and Border Patrol through 2029, and plans to hire thousands of additional agents, Little Village residents brace for prolonged enforcement operations that continue to reshape their community’s social and economic fabric.

  • The king’s speech – and why it has foreigners in South Africa worried

    The king’s speech – and why it has foreigners in South Africa worried

    In a speech that dramatically contradicted its intended purpose of calming tensions, Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has ignited national controversy by employing highly derogatory language against foreign migrants. Speaking at the historic Isandlwana battleground where Zulu warriors achieved a legendary victory against British forces 147 years ago, the monarch told supporters that all “kwerekwere”—a deeply offensive term for African migrants—must leave South Africa immediately, even those in relationships with South African citizens.

    The 51-year-old king’s remarks came amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment in KwaZulu-Natal province, where approximately 2.4 million migrants constitute about 4% of South Africa’s population. While not explicitly advocating violence, the monarch insisted migrants must “pack their belongings” regardless of their family circumstances, drawing enthusiastic applause and laughter from his audience.

    The comments represent a troubling continuity with the rhetoric of his late father, King Goodwill Zwelithini, who made similar statements in 2015 that were subsequently condemned by South Africa’s human rights commission. Critics were quick to highlight the irony of the current king’s position, noting that his own mother was from Eswatini and one of his wives also hails from the neighboring kingdom.

    This resurgence of xenophobic discourse occurs against a backdrop of severe economic challenges, with unemployment hovering around 33%—among the highest rates globally. Political newcomers like uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), led by former President Jacob Zuma, have capitalized on this discontent by promoting populist policies advocating the expulsion of undocumented migrants.

    The climate has fostered the emergence of vigilante groups such as Operation Dudula and March on March, which have gained notoriety for their aggressive campaigns against foreign nationals. Recently, these tensions manifested dramatically when protesters surrounded Addington Primary School in Durban, falsely claiming that 90% of students were children of migrants. Official statistics later revealed that foreign pupils constitute only 1.8% of South Africa’s public school population nationwide, and 37% in the specific school.

    Human rights advocates have expressed grave concerns about the king’s statements. Dr. Vusumusi Sibanda, a specialist in African diaspora issues, described the language as “unfortunate” and “worrying,” noting that such rhetoric from influential figures encourages citizens to take the law into their own hands. Security analyst Lizette Lancaster similarly warned that the comments “fuel anti-migrant sentiment and should be strongly condemned.”

    The monarch additionally revived his father’s campaign to remove “Natal” from the province’s name, advocating for simply “KwaZulu.” Cultural experts caution that such a move would represent a dangerous embrace of Zulu nationalism in a multicultural province, potentially reviving historical tensions that nearly derailed South Africa’s transition to democracy in the 1990s.

    With no formal political power but influence over a fifth of South Africa’s population and control of significant communal lands, the Zulu monarchy’s stance on migration carries substantial weight. The king’s controversial comments mark a significant departure from his previous media coverage, which focused primarily on royal succession battles and personal matters, suggesting a new chapter in his public engagement with South Africa’s complex social landscape.

  • Ski Dubai visitors can enjoy up to 6 hours of free parking at Mall of the Emirates

    Ski Dubai visitors can enjoy up to 6 hours of free parking at Mall of the Emirates

    Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates has announced significant enhancements to its parking benefits, offering extended complimentary parking for visitors to its premier attractions. Parkin, the city’s leading parking facility operator, confirmed that guests visiting Ski Dubai can now obtain up to six hours of free parking by validating their attraction payment at the mall’s customer service desk.

    The new policy provides Ski Dubai visitors with two additional hours of complimentary parking beyond the standard four-hour free period, effectively creating a six-hour parking benefit. Similarly, VOX Cinemas patrons can claim an extra two hours of free parking by validating their movie ticket purchases.

    For retail shoppers, the mall maintains its existing policy offering all-day free parking for customers spending Dh150 or more, subject to purchase validation. Weekend visitors continue to enjoy completely free parking on Saturdays and Sundays, though overnight parking remains prohibited with a Dh200 daily penalty for violations.

    The updated parking fee structure at Mall of the Emirates operates on a graduated scale: complimentary for 0-4 hours, Dh20 for 4-5 hours, Dh40 for 5-6 hours, Dh60 for 6-7 hours, Dh100 for 7-8 hours, and Dh150 for exceeding eight hours.

    These parking enhancements form part of the mall’s comprehensive parking management strategy, which transitioned to a barrierless paid parking system in February 2025 following a five-year agreement between Majid Al Futtaim and Parkin PJSC. The innovative technology eliminates traditional entry and exit barriers, significantly improving traffic flow and visitor experience at one of Dubai’s most popular shopping and entertainment destinations.