分类： society

A significant NHS mental health trust in England has formally withdrawn from a contentious counter-terrorism initiative that permitted police access to confidential patient medical records, including those of young children identified as potential extremism risks. The Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT), serving 1.3 million residents across the West Midlands, terminated its participation in the Counter Terrorism Clinical Consultancy Service (CTCCS) effective April 1, 2025.

The CTCCS program, established in 2016 as a collaborative effort between Counter Terrorism Policing and the NHS in England and Wales, enabled mental health professionals to assess individuals flagged by police as potential security threats, frequently without any criminal activity having occurred. The initiative created pathways for counter-terrorism authorities to obtain sensitive medical information for risk assessment purposes under the guise of clinical consultation.

BSMHFT’s spokesperson confirmed the March 2025 decision resulted from the program’s misalignment with the trust’s strategic priorities. This departure marks the first publicly acknowledged withdrawal from a program that critics argue has surreptitiously integrated counter-terrorism operations within mental healthcare systems.

The program initially operated through ‘Vulnerability Support Hubs’ that assessed individuals, including children as young as six, referred through policing channels for perceived susceptibility to extremism. Mental health professionals working within these units underwent rigorous police vetting procedures to access highly sensitive intelligence.

Over a five-year period, more than 3,000 individuals, predominantly teenagers, were referred to hubs located in London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Common referrals included individuals with psychotic disorders, personality disorders, mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and learning difficulties.

The program faced substantial criticism for blurring the boundaries between healthcare and surveillance, undermining patient consent protocols, and repurposing NHS expertise for intelligence-led policing. Researchers documented that CTCCS clinicians routinely contacted healthcare providers to request sensitive medical information, including diagnoses and treatment compliance records, which were then utilized to inform counter-terrorism decisions without patient knowledge.

Professor Charlotte Heath-Kelly, an international security scholar at the University of Warwick, noted the program’s disproportionate impact on Muslim communities, with research indicating Muslims were assessed at a ratio of 28:1 compared to white British referrals. The program allegedly bypassed established NHS safeguards and violated patient privacy rules by sharing medical information with counter-terrorism case officers without patient consent.

Campaign group Medact, which first exposed the program in 2021, welcomed BSMHFT’s withdrawal, describing the program as ‘unethical and Islamophobic.’ Research manager Hil Aked stated: ‘Mental health workers should be providing patients with care, not spying on them for police,’ while calling on remaining participating NHS trusts to follow suit.

BSMHFT had served as one of three foundational NHS trusts supporting the program since its inception, processing all referrals from the Midlands and Wales. The trust maintained a dedicated team working exclusively on the program for several years before its strategic reversal.

NHS England, British Counter-Terror Police, and the Home Office had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.

China’s extensive railway infrastructure is currently managing the most intense return migration period following the conclusion of the Spring Festival holiday season. According to the China State Railway Group Co Ltd., February 23rd marked the anticipated peak travel day, with projections indicating approximately 18.5 million passenger journeys throughout the national railway network on this single day.

This substantial passenger volume continues the pattern established on the previous day, which recorded nearly 18.3 million journeys. To accommodate this massive movement of travelers, railway authorities implemented significant capacity expansion measures, adding 2,297 extra trains to the regular schedule to meet the extraordinary demand.

Major metropolitan centers including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen experienced substantial bidirectional passenger flows, with both arrivals and departures reaching critical volumes simultaneously. Local railway departments across China have activated comprehensive service measures to maintain operational efficiency and passenger safety during this period of extreme congestion.

The 2026 Spring Festival, traditionally known as the Chinese New Year, occurred on February 17th, with the official holiday period spanning nine days beginning February 15th. This annual migration pattern represents the world’s largest periodic human movement, with hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens traveling to reunite with family before returning to their workplaces and cities of residence.

A migrant worker from Kerala’s Thrissur district has safely returned to India following her detention in the United Arab Emirates for visa violations, culminating a complex international legal rescue operation. The woman, identified as originating from Arimpur, had initially traveled to Sharjah under a housemaid visa arrangement after making substantial payments to a recruitment agent.

After completing nearly two years of domestic service, her legal residency status expired when the same agent demanded an additional AED 9,000 (approximately ₹220,000) for visa renewal—a sum beyond her financial capacity. Forced to continue employment without valid documentation, she subsequently faced an absconding complaint filed by her sponsor with UAE immigration authorities.

The situation escalated when authorities apprehended her during a routine supermarket visit, leading to detention pending resolution of her immigration status. Her family in India initiated missing person proceedings, triggering intervention from Manalur MLA Murali Perunelli, who partnered with UAE-based Yab Legal Services.

Under CEO Salam Pappinisseri’s direction, the legal firm executed rapid emergency procedures, securing an official outpass within 48 hours and coordinating travel arrangements. The collaborative effort between Indian political representation and Emirati legal expertise successfully navigated complex international jurisdictional protocols, culminating in her repatriation.

This case highlights ongoing challenges within transnational labor migration systems, particularly regarding visa sponsorship mechanisms and migrant worker protections in the Gulf region. It also demonstrates effective cross-border cooperation mechanisms that can resolve immigration crises through diplomatic and legal channels.

The ancient tradition of Shehuo has transformed the streets of Urumqi into a dynamic tapestry of living folk culture, marking the commencement of annual celebrations in the capital of Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This vibrant cultural phenomenon, characterized by elaborate street performances and traditional rituals, has drawn widespread participation from local communities and visitors alike.

The festival inauguration featured ten distinct Shehuo troupes representing various districts and counties across Urumqi, alongside a specially invited performance group from another city. These troupes demonstrated the remarkable diversity and regional variations within this centuries-old performance art form, showcasing unique interpretations that have been preserved through generations.

Throughout the celebration period, multiple urban districts have established dedicated cultural spaces within scenic areas, commercial districts, public parks, and central squares. The programming includes spontaneous Shehuo flash mob performances and comprehensive folk culture exhibitions designed to encourage active public engagement. These initiatives aim to transform the city into an interactive cultural landscape where traditional practices seamlessly integrate with contemporary urban life.

The Shehuo festival represents a significant effort in cultural preservation, bringing ancient customs to modern audiences while maintaining their authentic character. By establishing these cultural destinations throughout the city, organizers have created accessible platforms for cultural exchange and community participation, ensuring that traditional art forms continue to thrive in contemporary society.

The ancient city of Datong in Shanxi Province has emerged as an unexpected tourism phenomenon, recording an unprecedented 735% year-on-year surge in visitor interest during the recent Spring Festival holiday. This remarkable growth positioned Datong as China’s fastest-growing destination, outperforming major metropolitan areas as both domestic and international travelers sought authentic cultural experiences.

Travel analytics from platform Qunar revealed Datong became a preferred destination for international visitors celebrating Chinese New Year, with bookings from non-Chinese passports increasing approximately 20% annually. Primary source markets included South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, the United States, and Russia, reflecting growing global interest in traditional Chinese celebrations beyond commercialized urban centers.

The city’s transformation into a cultural epicenter was facilitated by approximately 160 meticulously curated events throughout the holiday period. These included magnificent lantern displays, vibrant folk parades, intangible cultural heritage performances, and immersive historical activities that transported visitors back through centuries of Chinese tradition.

Tourists reported profound experiences connecting with China’s historical legacy. ‘It was breathtaking,’ remarked Sha Anna, a Beijing visitor attending the Datong lantern festival with her family. ‘Standing on the ancient city wall overlooking the sea of lights felt like traveling back to the Northern Wei period. This experience helped our family disconnect from digital devices and reconnect with each other through shared cultural discovery.’

Local residents observed a particularly resonant festive atmosphere this year. Yu Zhandong, a Datong-based photographer, noted: ‘The celebrations masterfully blended historical authenticity with contemporary spectacle. The illumination of our ancient architecture through fireworks and lantern displays created a warm, immersive environment that truly captured the spirit of Chinese cultural continuity.’

This tourism surge represents a broader trend of travelers seeking meaningful cultural engagement rather than conventional tourism, suggesting a growing appreciation for China’s regional cultural heritage and traditional celebration methods.