Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Hundreds of firefighters tackle blaze in slum area of South Korea’s Gangnam district

    Hundreds of firefighters tackle blaze in slum area of South Korea’s Gangnam district

    A significant fire engulfed Guryong Village, an impoverished enclave within Seoul’s affluent Gangnam district, early Friday morning, prompting a massive emergency response. Approximately 300 firefighters mobilized to combat the blaze that broke out around 5:10 AM local time (2010 GMT Thursday), with authorities subsequently elevating the fire alert to the second-highest level amid concerns the flames could spread to adjacent mountainous terrain.

    Fire and disaster officials confirmed the evacuation of 47 residents from the affected area, with no immediate reports of casualties. Yonhap News Agency indicated approximately 110 individuals were residing in the fire-impacted zone. Emergency efforts faced substantial challenges as dense haze and fine dust pollution prevented the deployment of firefighting helicopters, forcing crews to rely solely on ground operations with 85 fire trucks.

    Elderly residents, many wearing protective masks, were witnessed fleeing their homes as thick black smoke billowed over the neighborhood. Kim Ok-im, a 69-year-old longtime resident, described waking to a neighbor’s alert and discovering rapidly spreading flames. ‘A few years ago, a flood swept everything away, and now it feels like fire will take the rest,’ she expressed, voicing concerns about potential homelessness.

    South Korean Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung directed officials to deploy all available personnel and equipment prioritizing life rescue and fire containment operations. The incident highlights the persistent vulnerabilities of Guryong Village, often described as Seoul’s largest remaining shantytown. This informal settlement emerged decades ago when families displaced by public works projects—including preparations for the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Seoul Olympics—established unauthorized dwellings on Gangnam’s periphery.

    The area’s structural characteristics contribute significantly to fire risks, with makeshift homes densely packed and constructed from highly combustible materials including vinyl sheets, plywood, and Styrofoam. These vulnerabilities were previously documented in fire department assessments following a 2023 blaze. While most residents have relocated ahead of planned redevelopment into high-rise residential complexes, approximately 336 households remained in the village according to Gangnam District urban planning authorities.

  • Man accused of murdering woman and toddler in Munich car attack goes on trial

    Man accused of murdering woman and toddler in Munich car attack goes on trial

    A high-profile trial commenced in Munich on Friday against Farhad N, a 25-year-old Afghan national accused of deliberately driving his car into a trade union demonstration in February 2025, resulting in two fatalities and dozens of injuries. The defendant, identified only by first name and initial in compliance with German privacy statutes, faces charges for what prosecutors describe as a religiously motivated attack.

    Federal prosecutors presented evidence indicating Farhad N acted out of “excessive religious motivation,” believing himself obligated to target randomly selected Germans in retaliation for perceived Muslim suffering in Islamic nations. According to investigative reports, the defendant shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) and engaged in prayer immediately following the incident.

    The victims included 37-year-old Amel, an engineer of Algerian descent who had resided in Germany since childhood, and her two-year-old daughter Hafsa. Both succumbed to their injuries shortly after being struck by the defendant’s BMW Mini. Among the 44 additional casualties, several sustained critical wounds requiring extensive medical treatment.

    The demonstration involved approximately 1,400 municipal workers—including hospital staff and daycare employees—advocating for improved wage conditions. The trial location sits merely hundreds of meters from the actual attack site, creating a somber atmosphere throughout proceedings.

    Despite evidence of Farhad N consuming online extremist content, authorities confirm no established connections to formal jihadist organizations like Islamic State. The defendant arrived in Germany as an unaccompanied minor in 2016 during the peak of Europe’s migrant crisis, which saw over one million asylum seekers enter the country. Although his asylum application was ultimately rejected, deportation measures were not implemented, granting him temporary residency status in Munich.

    Records indicate Farhad N maintained legal employment as a security guard under valid work permits and had no prior criminal convictions. His Instagram activity revealed interests in bodybuilding alongside religious themes. The trial is projected to extend through June, with the defendant’s legal counsel declining to comment on either the allegations or personal circumstances.

  • South Korean visitor praises Ningxia’s spicy street food

    South Korean visitor praises Ningxia’s spicy street food

    A South Korean social media influencer’s enthusiastic endorsement of a regional Chinese street food has ignited cross-cultural culinary excitement. Kim Jun-hyeok, a former international student at Ningxia University, recently revisited Yinchuan where he discovered lahuhu, a distinctive noodle dish from Northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

    His spontaneous reaction to the vibrant red broth at a roadside stall was captured on video and subsequently went viral across multiple platforms. Initially anticipating overwhelming spiciness, Kim expressed surprise at the dish’s complex flavor profile. “The visual intensity suggests extreme heat, but the actual experience is remarkably balanced,” he observed during the tasting. “The chili delivers aromatic warmth rather than pure burning sensation, creating a genuinely comforting culinary experience.”

    Lahuhu represents a unique chapter in China’s street food history, originating in the 1980s as mala chuan (spicy skewers) before evolving into its current form. The dish features a thick, paste-like broth crafted from finely milled chili peppers blended with toasted sesame and wheat flour. Ingredients including chewy wheat gluten noodles and thinly sliced potatoes are simmered directly in the rich sauce.

    The dish’s culinary signature lies in its distinct jiao characteristic—a Chinese gastronomic term describing the lightly toasted, smoky aroma achieved through precision-frying of chili powder in oil. This technique creates depth and warmth without excessive heat.

    Kim’s culinary journey through Ningxia continues beyond this discovery, with the influencer noting his growing appreciation for the region’s noodle traditions. He plans to further explore local cuisine while sharing his gastronomic adventures with his online audience, potentially paving the way for cross-cultural culinary exchange between China and South Korea.

  • UAE weather: Temperatures to drop, dusty day expected

    UAE weather: Temperatures to drop, dusty day expected

    Meteorological authorities in the United Arab Emirates have issued weather advisories indicating significant atmospheric changes across the nation. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasts a substantial temperature decline accompanied by dusty conditions throughout Friday, January 16, 2026.

    Weather patterns will feature partly cloudy skies with low cloud formations expected particularly along coastal and northern regions. The most notable development involves a dramatic temperature differential, with readings anticipated to range from a brisk 7°C in interior areas to a moderate 25°C in other parts of the country.

    Moderate to fresh northwesterly winds will prevail, occasionally strengthening with speeds reaching 60 km/hr. These conditions will generate blowing dust and sand, significantly reducing horizontal visibility across affected regions. Maritime conditions will be particularly challenging, with very rough seas forecast for the Arabian Gulf and rough conditions in the Oman Sea.

    Major urban centers will experience varied temperature ranges: Dubai anticipates highs of 23°C dipping to 20°C, Abu Dhabi expects similar maximum temperatures with a slightly warmer minimum of 23°C, while Sharjah will see peaks of 22°C cooling to 18°C overnight.

    The NCM emphasizes that this weather shift marks the beginning of a cooler period as the weekend approaches, advising residents to prepare for changing conditions and reduced visibility, particularly in open and desert areas.

  • Julio Iglesias denies sexual assault allegations

    Julio Iglesias denies sexual assault allegations

    Spanish music icon Julio Iglesias has publicly refuted serious allegations of sexual assault and human trafficking brought forward by two former employees. The 82-year-old recording artist, whose career spans decades with over 300 million records sold, issued a formal denial via Instagram following reports initially published by Spanish and U.S. media outlets.

    The accusations, currently under investigation by Spain’s national judiciary, originate from a domestic worker and physiotherapist who were employed at Iglesias’s Caribbean residences in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic during 2021. They allege they endured a coercive environment characterized by sexual harassment, restricted mobility, excessive working hours without breaks, and surveillance of personal communications.

    According to advocacy organizations Women’s Link Worldwide and Amnesty International, the complaint details potential crimes of human trafficking for forced labor and violations of sexual freedom. The women’s testimonies describe a pattern of abuse that included working up to 16-hour days without time off and having their movements controlled.

    In his response, Iglesias expressed profound sadness over the allegations, stating: ‘I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and deeply sadden me.’ He emphasized his commitment to defending his dignity and revealing what he characterizes as the complete truth.

    The case has drawn divided reactions, with some former associates defending Iglesias’s character while media investigations claim to have corroborating evidence including photographic documentation, communication records, and medical reports. The national court’s investigation continues as it examines crimes allegedly committed beyond Spanish borders.

  • Xinjiang official, famed as a ‘rural influencer’, dies after fall from horse

    Xinjiang official, famed as a ‘rural influencer’, dies after fall from horse

    The innovative government official He Jiaolong, whose social media prowess earned her nationwide recognition as a ‘rural influencer,’ has tragically passed away at age 47 following a horseback riding accident during official duties. The incident occurred on January 11th while she was filming preliminary segments for an agricultural e-commerce program in Bole city, located within Xinjiang’s Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture.

    According to official reports from Xinjiang Daily, He sustained severe head injuries from the fall and was immediately transported to a local medical facility. Despite coordinated efforts between regional health authorities and national specialists who conducted remote consultations, her condition remained critical. She was subsequently transferred to a hospital in Urumqi for intensive care but ultimately succumbed to her injuries on the evening of January 14th.

    He served as director of Xinjiang’s Agricultural Product Brand Development and Marketing Service Center, operating under the regional Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. She pioneered a novel approach to rural development by leveraging digital platforms to promote local agricultural specialties and tourism destinations. Her Douyin account amassed an impressive 6.4 million followers and 65 million likes across approximately 800 short videos.

    The official gained national prominence in 2020 while serving as deputy head of Zhaosu county in the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture. Her innovative livestreaming sessions generated substantial economic benefits, including 14 million yuan ($2 million) in agricultural sales within just five months. A particularly memorable promotional video featuring her galloping across snowfields in a vibrant red cloak accumulated over 600 million views across multiple platforms.

    Beyond her commercial success, He maintained strict ethical standards, accepting no income beyond her government salary and directing all viewer donations to public welfare programs. Her work earned both regional and national honors, cementing her legacy as a transformative figure in rural development through digital innovation.

  • Woman who accused high-profile twins of sexual assault found dead in Australia

    Woman who accused high-profile twins of sexual assault found dead in Australia

    In a significant development within the high-profile Alexander brothers case, Kate Whiteman, the first woman to publicly accuse real estate moguls Oren and Alon Alexander of sexual assault, was found deceased in Australia late last year. The New South Wales coroner’s office has concluded its investigation, determining her death as non-suspicious.

    Whiteman, 45, had filed a lawsuit in March 2024 alleging the brothers sexually assaulted her in New York in 2012. Her case triggered a cascade of allegations that ultimately led to the arrest of Oren, Alon, and their older brother Tal on sex trafficking charges months later.

    The Alexander brothers, who maintain their innocence and have pleaded not guilty, are scheduled to face trial at the end of January. Their PR representative stated they were unaware of Whiteman’s death and suggested the timing of this revelation “invites obvious questions” ahead of trial.

    The case has expanded significantly since Whiteman’s initial allegations. The day after her lawsuit, Rebecca Mandel filed similar claims against Oren and Alon, alleging she was drugged and assaulted at a 2010 party. By February 2025, at least 17 women had filed civil lawsuits with accusations spanning Miami, Manhattan, and Moscow.

    In December 2024, the FBI arrested all three brothers, who now face more than 10 sex trafficking offenses. Prosecutors allege the brothers “worked together and with others to engage in sex trafficking” since at least 2010, claiming they have interviewed over 60 women who report being raped by at least one of the brothers.

    Defense attorneys have characterized the charges as government “overreach” and maintain the evidence will prove the allegations false. The brothers have been held without bail at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center for the past 13 months as they await trial.

  • ‘Hobbit houses’ that might just save a Moldovan village

    ‘Hobbit houses’ that might just save a Moldovan village

    Nestled in the Moldovan countryside, the village of Rogojeni has earned the nickname “hobbit village” for its unique subterranean dwellings that resemble structures from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. These traditional ‘basca’ houses, built partially underground to naturally regulate temperatures against Moldova’s extreme seasonal shifts, have become an unexpected beacon of hope for a community facing depopulation.

    With only 30 residents remaining in a village that once housed 200, Mayor Ruslan Groza acknowledges the existential threat facing Rogojeni. “We genuinely fear the potential disappearance of our village given the drastic population decline,” stated Groza, who has made tourism development central to his preservation strategy. Since restoring one dwelling as a museum in 2020, tourist interest has steadily grown, putting Rogojeni on the international travel map.

    The cultural appeal extends beyond architecture to living traditions. Visitors like Sangkyoung Lee, a 22-year-old South Korean student, experience immersive cultural exchanges, including participation in traditional pig roasts ahead of Orthodox Christmas celebrations. Inside the museum-house, guests savor authentic Moldovan cuisine—pig stew, polenta with sheep cheese, pickles, and local wine—served in rooms adorned with vibrantly colored, hand-sewn carpets.

    This cultural revival occurs against a stark demographic backdrop. Moldovan villages have lost nearly half a million inhabitants since 2014, with approximately one million citizens now living abroad, primarily in EU countries. Many settlements have become ghost towns, with Rogojeni’s abandoned school and church standing as crumbling monuments to this exodus.

    Yet hope persists through cultural champions like Mariana Groza, the mayor’s wife. A literature teacher who has embraced traditional crafts, she operates a workshop creating embroidery and folk costumes, sharing these traditions globally via TikTok. “Not a single day passes without me sewing cross-stitch or crocheting,” she explained. “Promoting our traditions is essential to our identity.”

    During recent pre-Christmas celebrations, village women—including octogenarians—performed traditional carols accompanied by accordion music. The ceremony concluded with the throwing of wheat grains to wish prosperity upon attendees, blending performance with participatory ritual. For elderly residents like Maria Ardeleanu, these interactions with tourists bring joyful connection amid loneliness, while simultaneously preserving unique knowledge about living in these distinctive earth-sheltered homes.

  • Man accused of violently assaulting Labor figure Tim Picton returns to court to face more assault charges

    Man accused of violently assaulting Labor figure Tim Picton returns to court to face more assault charges

    A 20-year-old man currently facing charges for the alleged assault that left Western Australian Labor strategist Tim Picton in a coma has now been charged with a separate violent attack occurring just two days prior. Brodie Jake Dewar appeared in Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday to address allegations concerning a Christmas Day incident in Kalamunda, where he is accused of striking a 40-year-old man in the head, causing the victim to fall and hit his head on pavement.

    The recent court appearance adds another layer to the serious violent charges against Dewar, who was already in custody for the December 27th attack outside a Perth nightclub. In that incident, authorities allege Dewar struck Mr. Picton in the head approximately at 5:30 am, resulting in the victim hitting his head on the pavement and remaining hospitalized in a coma since the assault.

    Mr. Picton represents a significant figure in both political and mining sectors, having served as a key strategist behind former Premier Mark McGowan’s landslide 2021 election victory and currently holding the position of director of strategy at mining giant Mineral Resources. He is also the brother of South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton.

    The family of Mr. Picton released a statement characterizing him as “a much loved father, husband, brother and son, as well as a friend to so many across Australia.” Dewar has been remanded in custody as both cases proceed through the judicial system, with the latest charges involving acts causing bodily harm or danger.

  • Ayat: The Palestinian restaurant winning hearts and minds through food and culture

    Ayat: The Palestinian restaurant winning hearts and minds through food and culture

    Abdul Elenani, CEO and founder of New York’s acclaimed Palestinian restaurant Ayat, developed his resilience through childhood experiences defending his hijab-wearing mother and sisters from post-9/11 harassment in New York City. The Egyptian-American entrepreneur recalls first hearing his mother called a terrorist at age five, and by eight, he was actively intervening against anti-Muslim bigotry.

    This early commitment to justice evolved into Ayat, a Michelin-guide featured establishment that boldly communicates Palestinian culture and political realities through cuisine. Elenani’s journey included previous restaurant ventures where he hesitated to explicitly identify as Palestinian, but the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastation of his coffee chain business inspired a more purposeful approach.

    Named after his Palestinian-American wife Ayat Masoud—a lawyer who contributed traditional family recipes—the restaurant features dishes like maklouba, celebrating what Masoud calls “the masters of party slash family meals.” Since opening in Bay Ridge in 2020, Ayat has expanded to eight locations despite significant challenges.

    The restaurant’s explicit Palestinian identity has attracted both support and hostility. During Israel’s war on Gaza, Ayat experienced increased harassment, including anti-Palestinian graffiti, verbal abuse, and coordinated review bombing after a New York Times critic featured their politically-charged murals. One mural depicting Israeli soldiers pointing guns at Palestinian children triggered thousands of negative reviews, many from Tel Aviv.

    Yet Elenani emphasizes overwhelming community support, particularly from Jewish neighbors who attended their free Shabbat dinners. The restaurant regularly hosts community events, including Thanksgiving meals for those alone during holidays and celebrations for political candidates. Their expansion continues with plans for national growth in 2026, including a Columbia University location named after Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza.

    Hanifa Abbasi, head of communications for Elenani’s Anani Group, summarizes their experience: “For every piece of hate we get, we get ten times more love.” Elenani’s approach combines culinary excellence with cultural advocacy, creating spaces where food becomes a medium for dialogue and resistance.