Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Cross-Strait bonds shine in Spring Festival fireworks show

    Cross-Strait bonds shine in Spring Festival fireworks show

    A spectacular pyrotechnic spectacle illuminated the night sky on Tuesday as the coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian province and neighboring Kinmen island jointly hosted their annual Spring Festival fireworks display. The 30-minute exhibition, synchronized across both locations separated by less than two kilometers at their closest point, marked the commencement of the Year of the Horse with brilliant bursts of color reflected on the waters between them.

    This cross-Strait tradition, established in 1987, has evolved into a powerful symbol of cultural connectivity between mainland China and Taiwan. Waterfront areas on both sides attracted substantial crowds who gathered to witness the dazzling show accompanied by festive musical arrangements. Kinmen residents further enriched the celebrations with traditional lion dances, believed to usher in prosperity and good fortune for the lunar new year.

    The event held profound significance for attendees from both communities. Chang Yang-yang, a Kinmen native attending for the third time, emphasized the familial symbolism: “When both sides set off fireworks together, it shows we are one family.” This sentiment was echoed by Han Ying-huan, a Taiwanese entrepreneur based in Xiamen, who noted the shared aspirations for cross-Strait integration and national rejuvenation.

    Parallel celebrations occurred between Fuzhou, Fujian’s capital, and Matsu island, where communities exhibited lanterns demonstrating common folk traditions for the 24th consecutive year. These cultural exchanges coincide with revitalized cross-Strait tourism, with 2025 recording over 5 million mutual visits—a six-year peak. Fujian resumed group tours to Kinmen and Matsu in 2024, with Shanghai recently announcing similar initiatives.

    The event aligns with Beijing’s commitment to enhancing cross-Strait travel facilitation and promoting grassroots cultural exchanges. Peng O-ya, a Taipei native residing in Xiamen for three decades, shared the experience with Taiwanese relatives via video call, expressing hope for continued collaboration: “I hope that compatriots across the Strait can work hand in hand, strive together in this promising era, and jointly fulfill their beautiful aspirations.”

  • Olives, opera and a climate-neutral goal: How a mural in Greece won ‘Best in the World’

    Olives, opera and a climate-neutral goal: How a mural in Greece won ‘Best in the World’

    The southern Greek city of Kalamata, historically celebrated for its premium olives and Mediterranean allure, has achieved global artistic recognition. A monumental mural transforming opera legend Maria Callas into a powerful allegory for the city has been honored as the 2025 “Best Mural of the World” by Street Art Cities, an international platform dedicated to urban art.

    This distinction emerges from a deliberate urban strategy rather than mere artistic coincidence. City officials, led by Deputy Mayor Vassilis Papaefstathiou for strategic planning and climate neutrality, conceived the mural as a visual manifesto for Kalamata’s ambitious goal to become climate-neutral by 2030. The artwork serves as an accessible representation of complex initiatives including sustainable development, agricultural innovation, and local economic resilience for its 73,000 residents.

    Artist Kleomenis Kostopoulos, 52, executed the visionary piece, explaining that the mural titled ‘Kalamata’ uses Callas allegorically rather than literally. Instead of a conventional operatic portrait, he created an earthy, grounded depiction connecting people to their land through symbolic elements: native birds, agricultural products, and tree branches representing both roots and growth. Her dress embodies the “bloom and fruition” of Kalamata’s blessed terrain.

    The creation process presented significant challenges, requiring approximately two weeks of intensive work spread across a month due to weather interruptions. Kostopoulos employed brushes, spray paint, and a cherry-picker to complete the massive installation.

    Beyond aesthetic achievement, the mural has become a civic focal point generating multiple benefits. It has enhanced tourism promotion and stimulated discussions about public art’s role in urban spaces, with additional building owners expressing interest in hosting similar works. The artwork also strengthens local identity at a critical time, as southern Greece faces increasing climate pressures including heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires that threaten the olive groves central to the regional economy.

    The Callas connection resonates deeply with locals—though born in New York to Greek immigrants, her father originated from a village south of Kalamata, making her a beloved native daughter. This bond is institutionally recognized through the Maria Callas-named alumni association at the local music school and a dedicated exhibition at the cultural center.

    Community response reflects profound pride, with tourism educator Dimitra Kourmouli expressing “immense pride” in the recognition. Officials and the artist hope the award will catalyze broader appreciation for public art’s cultural, social, and economic benefits throughout Greece, serving as a springboard for meaningful conversations about art in public spaces.

  • Third Briton dies in French Alps avalanches in one week

    Third Briton dies in French Alps avalanches in one week

    A series of devastating avalanches in the French Alps on Tuesday resulted in multiple fatalities, including a British national, marking a continued pattern of winter tragedies in the region. The incidents occurred in two separate locations under elevated avalanche risk conditions.

    In the first tragedy near the resort town of La Grave, a British man in his 30s and a Polish citizen were killed while skiing off-piste with a group of five individuals. The avalanche struck without warning, burying the victims under heavy snow. Two other members of the group—a German and an Australian skier—miraculously escaped uninjured.

    Simultaneously, a second avalanche occurred in the neighboring Valloire area, claiming one life and leaving two hikers in critical condition. French authorities have launched comprehensive investigations into both incidents to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths.

    The French weather service had issued elevated avalanche warnings for both regions, rating the risk at level four (high) on a five-point scale for La Grave due to recent snowfall and strong winds, while Valloire faced the maximum level five risk designation.

    These latest fatalities bring the winter season’s death toll to 28 in the French Alps, following another tragic incident just days earlier that claimed the lives of two British nationals and a French citizen. The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is providing consular assistance to affected families and remains in contact with local authorities.

    The Alpine region has experienced numerous fatal avalanches since the beginning of the year, including a particularly deadly weekend in January that resulted in six fatalities, highlighting the persistent dangers of mountain activities during winter conditions.

  • Suspect in Rhode Island ice hockey shooting killed ex-wife and son

    Suspect in Rhode Island ice hockey shooting killed ex-wife and son

    A targeted shooting at a Rhode Island ice hockey arena has culminated in a devastating family tragedy, with authorities confirming the victims as the suspect’s ex-wife and adult son. The incident occurred Monday at Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket during a high school hockey match, sending players and spectators into panic as gunfire erupted.

    Police identified the deceased shooter as Robert Dorgan (also known as Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgan), who apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the attack. The victims were confirmed as Rhonda Dorgan, the shooter’s ex-wife, and their son Aidan Dorgan. Three additional family members—Rhonda’s parents and a family friend—sustained critical injuries and remain hospitalized.

    Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves stated that two legally owned firearms were recovered from the scene: a Glock 10mm pistol and a SIG Sauer P226. Chief Goncalves credited a bystander’s intervention with helping to swiftly conclude the tragic event, though no confrontation preceded the shooting according to investigators.

    Court documents reveal Rhonda Dorgan had filed for divorce in February 2020, initially citing “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” as grounds before changing to “irreconcilable differences.” That same month, the shooter had filed a police report alleging threats from his father-in-law, who used derogatory language toward transgender people. Though criminal charges were initially filed, they were subsequently dismissed.

    Police are examining thousands of the suspect’s social media posts but emphasize that gender identity remains “irrelevant to the investigation at this point.” The shooter was reportedly wearing female clothing during the incident.

    A family statement posted for an online fundraiser expressed how the family has been “forever changed by the tragic events” and noted the grandparents’ critical condition. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, the suspect’s employer, extended sympathies to all affected by the tragedy.

    Eyewitness accounts describe the chaos that unfolded as families scrambled to safety. Melissa Dunn, whose son participated in the game, recounted hearing loud noises initially mistaken for routine arena sounds before realizing the danger. She described returning to the arena to find paramedics performing CPR in the stands—an image she characterized as “really disturbing.”

  • US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies at 84, family says

    US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies at 84, family says

    Reverend Jesse Jackson, the towering figure of America’s civil rights movement and one of the nation’s most influential African American voices, passed away peacefully on Tuesday at age 84, according to a family announcement. The Baptist minister’s six-decade career spanned from marching alongside Martin Luther King Jr. to pioneering presidential politics that paved the way for the nation’s first Black president.

    The Jackson family confirmed his passing without disclosing the specific cause, though the reverend had publicly disclosed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2017. Recent months had seen hospitalizations related to additional neurodegenerative conditions.

    In an emotional statement, Jackson’s family memorialized him as “a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world.” They urged supporters to “honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by” — justice, equality, and unconditional love.

    Jackson’s remarkable journey began in segregated Greenville, South Carolina, where he was born Jesse Louis Burns to a teenage mother in 1941. His self-described background — “I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had a shovel programmed for my hands” — fueled his determination to overcome racial barriers through education and activism.

    His civil rights career ignited in 1965 during the Selma-to-Montgomery marches, where he captured Dr. King’s attention. Jackson would later stand beside King during the tragic Memphis assassination in 1968. His activism evolved into political history-making when he became the most prominent Black presidential candidate until Barack Obama’s election, running twice for the Democratic nomination in the 1980s.

    President Obama acknowledged this legacy on social media: “We stood on his shoulders,” recognizing Jackson’s foundational role in making his own historic presidency possible.

    Beyond domestic activism, Jackson emerged as an international mediator, negotiating prisoner releases in Syria, Iraq, and Serbia while advocating against South African apartheid. He founded the Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition in 1996, continuing his social justice work through political activism and organizational leadership.

    Political figures across the spectrum offered tributes, from President Donald Trump’s description of Jackson as “a force of nature” to Vice President Kamala Harris’s characterization of him as “one of America’s greatest patriots.” Former President Joe Biden remembered Jackson’s “determined and tenacious” spirit in the ongoing fight to “redeem the soul of our Nation.”

    Jackson’s presence marked pivotal moments in racial justice history — from weeping at Obama’s 2008 victory to standing with George Floyd’s family during the 2021 trial. He is survived by his wife and six children, leaving a legacy that forever altered America’s political and social landscape.

  • Youth Spring Festival gala brings cultural dialogue to New Jersey

    Youth Spring Festival gala brings cultural dialogue to New Jersey

    The American Dream entertainment complex in New Jersey transformed into a vibrant stage for cultural exchange on February 14, 2026, as nearly 300 young performers from diverse East Coast backgrounds gathered for the American Youth Spring Festival Gala. The event marked a significant reinterpretation of the Spring Festival tradition following its recent UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation, showcasing how ancient customs evolve through new generational perspectives.

    Co-hosted by J.I.A. International Group Inc. and American Dancer Association Inc., the gala featured a spectacular fusion of Eastern and Western performance arts. Traditional lion dances shared the stage with contemporary acts, while bilingual hosting bridged linguistic divides. For many non-Chinese participants, the event provided their first immersive experience with Spring Festival traditions as living artistic practice rather than abstract cultural concept.

    A highlight included a screening of China Media Group’s Spring Festival Gala promotional segment, which introduced American audiences to the philosophical concepts of ‘harmony’ and ‘reunion’ central to the celebration. Chief planner David Cui described the event as dual-purpose: ‘The Spring Festival is not only the most representative traditional festival of the Chinese nation, but also the most important spiritual bond for Chinese communities overseas.’

    Executive director Chen Wang co-hosted with three multicultural youth presenters, demonstrating remarkable poise and linguistic fluency throughout the bilingual production. The choice of venue at the American Dream complex symbolized the event’s core mission: creating platforms where Chinese-American youth and their multicultural peers could showcase talents while fostering deeper cross-cultural understanding through shared artistic experience.

  • Fast-moving wildfires rage across southwestern US

    Fast-moving wildfires rage across southwestern US

    Emergency crews are battling rapidly spreading wildfires across the southwestern United States, with one significant blaze in the Oklahoma Panhandle region already scorching approximately 15,000 acres of land. The Ranger Road Fire continues to demonstrate extreme fire behavior, propelled by favorable conditions for wildfire expansion including high winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation.

    The fire’s substantial footprint highlights the increasing vulnerability of southwestern states to early and aggressive wildfire seasons, which experts attribute to changing climate patterns and extended drought conditions. Local authorities have implemented evacuation protocols for threatened communities while deploying ground crews and aerial resources to establish containment lines.

    This incident forms part of a broader pattern of intense wildfire activity across the southwestern U.S., where similar blazes have strained firefighting resources and threatened both rural and suburban areas. The coordination between local, state, and federal agencies underscores the seriousness of the threat as they work to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure against the fast-moving flames.

  • Rescuers search for 10 missing skiers after California avalanche

    Rescuers search for 10 missing skiers after California avalanche

    Emergency responders are battling extreme conditions in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains after a major avalanche struck the Castle Peak area near Truckee on Tuesday. The incident has left 10 backcountry skiers unaccounted for while six survivors await extraction from the treacherous terrain.

    The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the avalanche occurred approximately at 11:30 PST in the popular backcountry skiing zone. The group consisted of four professional guides and twelve clients, all now caught in one of the most dangerous avalanche scenarios in recent memory.

    Rescue operations have mobilized 46 emergency personnel, including highly specialized ski teams deployed from nearby Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Alder Creek Adventure Center. In a remarkable adaptation of equipment, rescue teams have deployed a SnoCat—typically used for slope maintenance at ski resorts—to navigate the unstable snowpack.

    The meteorological conditions have created a perfect storm of danger. The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a ‘high’ danger rating (4 out of 5), warning that ‘large avalanches may run through treed areas’ and predicting a widespread natural avalanche cycle through Wednesday morning. Boreal Mountain has recorded 76 centimeters (30 inches) of snowfall within 24 hours, prompting the resort’s closure due to high winds and poor visibility.

    The storm system has caused significant regional disruption, forcing closures of major transportation arteries including Interstate 80 and Highway 50. Rescue commanders have instructed the six located survivors to shelter in place while teams work against time and elements to reach them.

    This incident highlights the increasing dangers of backcountry skiing during extreme weather events and the extraordinary measures taken by mountain rescue professionals when nature turns deadly.

  • Ramadan begins: UAE Awqaf announces Fajr, Iftar timings for the holy month

    Ramadan begins: UAE Awqaf announces Fajr, Iftar timings for the holy month

    The United Arab Emirates has officially confirmed the commencement of Ramadan 2026 following the successful sighting of the crescent moon on February 17. The Moon-Sighting Committee, convening at Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi, verified the astronomical event that marks the beginning of Islam’s holiest month.

    The UAE General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments has released comprehensive prayer schedules for the duration of Ramadan. According to the announcement, February 18 will mark the first day of fasting for millions of Muslims across the Emirates. The atmosphere throughout the UAE was filled with anticipation as communities gathered to witness the celestial phenomenon that determines the Ramadan timeline.

    Regional synchronization sees several Gulf Cooperation Council nations aligning their observances. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have concurrently confirmed February 18 as their Ramadan commencement date following successful moon sightings. However, Oman has declared a divergent start date of February 19 after its astronomical committee reported no visual confirmation of the crescent moon on February 17.

    The announcement triggers widespread adjustments across UAE society, from modified business hours to altered dining patterns and special spiritual activities. The holy month represents a period of intensified worship, reflection, and community bonding for Muslim residents, while also influencing the daily rhythms of the entire population regardless of faith background.

  • Look: UAE’s faithful offer first Taraweeh prayers on eve of Ramadan

    Look: UAE’s faithful offer first Taraweeh prayers on eve of Ramadan

    Across the United Arab Emirates, Muslim communities gathered in mosques and prayer halls on Tuesday evening to observe the inaugural Taraweeh prayers, marking the spiritual commencement of the holy month of Ramadan. The special night prayers, conducted following the confirmation of the Ramadan crescent moon, demonstrated the nation’s deep religious observance and cultural traditions.

    Worshippers participated in extended congregational prayers that characterize Taraweeh, a distinctive feature of Ramadan nights where lengthy portions of the Quran are recited throughout the month. Mosques across the seven emirates saw faithful attendees following COVID-19 precautionary measures while maintaining the spiritual atmosphere of the occasion.

    The first Taraweeh prayers hold particular significance as they set the tone for the month of fasting, reflection, and increased devotion. Religious authorities across the UAE had coordinated preparations to ensure smooth arrangements for the night prayers, including crowd management, sanitation protocols, and organized recitation schedules.

    This religious observance occurs as the UAE continues to balance traditional Islamic practices with modern urban requirements, implementing appropriate measures to facilitate worship while maintaining public health standards. The successful commencement of Taraweeh prayers reflects the country’s commitment to preserving religious customs while adapting to contemporary circumstances.