Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Conservatives’ Badenoch fails to issue Eid message to British Muslims

    Conservatives’ Badenoch fails to issue Eid message to British Muslims

    The UK’s Conservative Party finds itself embroiled in deepening controversy regarding its engagement with British Muslims following leader Kemi Badenoch’s failure to issue a public Eid al-Fitr greeting. This significant Islamic festival, marking Ramadan’s conclusion, commenced Thursday evening and represents one of the Muslim calendar’s most important observances worldwide.

    While Prime Minister Keir Starmer and leaders across the political spectrum—including Liberal Democrats and Greens—promptly extended Eid greetings through social media channels, Opposition Leader Badenoch remained conspicuously silent on her official X and Facebook accounts throughout Friday. Historical analysis reveals Badenoch last acknowledged Eid in 2022 during her tenure as faith minister, despite regularly recognizing other religious festivals including Hanukkah and Diwali.

    The Conservative Party eventually shared a brief ‘Eid Mubarak’ message on its Facebook page Friday afternoon, though the party declined to comment on Badenoch’s personal silence when approached for clarification.

    This omission occurs amidst escalating tensions following controversial remarks by Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy, who characterized public Muslim prayers during London’s Trafalgar Square iftar event as ‘an act of domination.’ Timothy specifically criticized the public recitation of the adhan (Islamic call to prayer) as representing a ‘declaration of domination,’ while clarifying he wasn’t accusing all participants of Islamist extremism.

    Badenoch notably endorsed Timothy’s perspective by sharing his Telegraph commentary defending these views just before Eid celebrations. This alignment has drawn sharp criticism from political figures including Prime Minister Starmer, who labeled Timothy’s comments ‘utterly appalling’ and asserted he would dismiss such a staff member immediately.

    Independent MP Ayoub Khan, representing Birmingham Perry Barr’s substantial Muslim constituency, condemned Badenoch’s silence as more than oversight: ‘At a time when leadership should unite, your silence speaks volumes. Many in your own party will be questioning what that says about who you choose to represent!’

    Former Conservative Attorney General Dominic Grieve offered constitutional perspective, noting Trafalgar Square’s historical accommodation of diverse religious events. Grieve questioned whether Timothy’s objections applied universally to religious expressions or specifically targeted Muslim practices, warning the latter would constitute ‘discrimination without any lawful basis.’

  • Palestinian worshippers forced to pray in street as Israel bars Eid access to Al-Aqsa

    Palestinian worshippers forced to pray in street as Israel bars Eid access to Al-Aqsa

    In a historic departure from decades of protocol, Israeli authorities implemented a comprehensive closure of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque and Old City during Eid al-Fitr celebrations, marking the first such restriction since Israel’s 1967 seizure of East Jerusalem. The unprecedented measures prevented Palestinian worshippers from accessing Islam’s third holiest site for traditional holiday prayers.

    Security forces erected barricades at all complex entrances early Friday, redirecting thousands of devotees to alternative prayer locations outside the ancient walls. The normally vibrant Old City, typically adorned with Ramadan decorations and bustling with religious activity, stood eerily silent under strict lockdown protocols that limited access exclusively to registered residents.

    Eyewitness accounts describe extraordinary scenes as Palestinian worshippers gathered along Salah al-Din Street, chanting Eid praises while attempting to approach secondary gates. Photojournalist Faiz Abu Rmeleh documented Israeli security personnel deploying stun grenades and tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to pray near Bab al-Zahra entrance. Ultimately, congregants performed Eid prayers outside the local post office under substantial police surveillance, only to be forcibly dispersed immediately following religious observances.

    The restrictions extended beyond religious access, severing traditional family gatherings during the holiday period. Journalist Latifeh Abdellatif reported difficulty re-entering her own neighborhood despite resident status, while family visitors faced complete denial of entry. Simultaneously, security incidents intensified as Iranian missile debris landed near the Old City walls, creating impact craters adjacent to the Jewish and Armenian quarters.

    This closure represents the culmination of months of escalating restrictions on Palestinian access to the holy site. Since October, Israeli authorities have limited Waqf staff to merely 25 personnel per shift within the massive complex and arrested prominent religious figures including Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the mosque’s senior imam. Analysts interpret these measures as fundamentally altering the delicate status quo governing interfaith access established after the 1967 Six-Day War.

    The Al-Aqsa compound, known to Jews as Temple Mount, constitutes one of the most religiously significant and politically sensitive locations in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian leadership perceives the closure as strategic implementation of heightened control measures, potentially mirroring the transformation previously enacted at Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque where Jewish worshippers now control two-thirds of the partitioned holy site.

  • Sanya Dragon King folk custom event celebrates maritime heritage

    Sanya Dragon King folk custom event celebrates maritime heritage

    The coastal city of Sanya in China’s Hainan province came alive with cultural vibrancy as thousands converged upon Dongtian Park for the annual Dragon King folk custom event. This five-day celebration, recognized as local intangible cultural heritage, commemorated the Dragon Head Raising Day occurring on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar.

    The festival opening on March 17 featured an elaborate traditional procession that included deity welcoming ceremonies, tributes from five directions, and the reading of ceremonial addresses. Representatives from five separate Dragon King temples across Sanya participated in the rituals, while fishing vessels offshore sounded ceremonial horns, creating a multisensory experience connecting land and sea.

    Beyond the ceremonial aspects, the event transformed the park into a cultural marketplace where visitors could engage with Hainan’s rich maritime heritage through interactive experiences. The festival served as both cultural preservation and community gathering, attracting both local residents and tourists interested in authentic traditional practices.

    The Dragon King festival represents ongoing efforts to maintain cultural continuity while adapting traditional practices for contemporary audiences. By combining ritual elements with market experiences, organizers created an accessible gateway to understanding the region’s historical relationship with the sea and its mythological protectors.

  • China’s second home-built large cruise ship undocked in Shanghai

    China’s second home-built large cruise ship undocked in Shanghai

    Shanghai witnessed a significant achievement in China’s shipbuilding industry on March 20, 2026, as the Adora Flora City, the nation’s second indigenously constructed large cruise vessel, successfully undocked from its construction berth. This maritime marvel represents a substantial advancement in China’s technological capabilities and positions the country among an elite group of nations capable of manufacturing large-scale cruise ships.

    The colossal vessel boasts impressive specifications with a gross tonnage of 141,900 and stretches 341 meters in length. Designed to accommodate luxury travel on a grand scale, the ship features 2,130 passenger cabins with a total capacity exceeding 5,200 guests. The amenities portfolio rivals those of established international cruise operators, encompassing diverse dining establishments, entertainment venues, retail spaces, cultural exhibits, and comprehensive fitness facilities tailored to passengers across all demographic segments.

    Following the undocking ceremony, the project will transition to its next phase focusing on interior outfitting and comprehensive systems verification. The timeline projects final delivery before the conclusion of 2026, with operational deployment scheduled from Guangzhou’s Nansha International Cruise Home Port. This strategic development underscores China’s growing prominence in the global maritime tourism sector and demonstrates the country’s evolving manufacturing sophistication in high-value naval architecture.

  • Deep plowing can disrupt soil’s porous network, study finds

    Deep plowing can disrupt soil’s porous network, study finds

    An international scientific collaboration has fundamentally challenged conventional agricultural wisdom through innovative seismic technology, revealing how common farming practices damage soil’s natural hydraulic infrastructure. The breakthrough research, spearheaded by Dr. Shi Qibin from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and published in the prestigious journal Science, demonstrates that intensive deep plowing and heavy machinery compaction severely compromise soil’s sponge-like architecture.

    Unlike traditional laboratory methods, the research team from China, the United States, and the United Kingdom deployed fiber-optic cables—identical to those forming the backbone of global internet connectivity—across a 160-meter experimental farm in the UK. This distributed acoustic sensing technology enabled scientists to ‘listen’ to subsurface hydrological activity by transmitting modulated laser pulses through the cables and analyzing returning vibrational signals.

    The investigation uncovered that healthy soil maintains an intricate network of microscopic pores and channels that function as a natural plumbing system. This complex architecture facilitates deep water penetration and storage, creating underground reservoirs that sustain crops during drought conditions. Conversely, conventionally farmed soils exhibit compromised porosity where rainfall accumulates superficially rather than permeating deeply, resulting in rapid evaporation and diminished drought resilience.

    The research team developed a novel ‘dynamic capillary stress’ theoretical model that contradicts established beliefs about soil mechanics. Their model demonstrates how microscopic water films within soil pores generate surface tension forces that structurally reinforce soil when partially hydrated. Agricultural compaction destroys these capillary networks, altering hydrological dynamics and accelerating moisture loss.

    Dr. Shi emphasized the ecological implications: ‘Soil constitutes a sophisticated porous medium rather than merely particulate matter. Its capillary vessel-like structures maintain critical hydrological cycles that support ecosystem stability.’ The findings suggest that while deep tillage may provide short-term yield improvements, it ultimately jeopardizes long-term agricultural sustainability by disrupting these fundamental mechanical and hydrological relationships.

    The study highlights the potential for integrating fiber-optic monitoring with artificial intelligence to enable real-time soil diagnostics across agricultural landscapes. This technological synergy could revolutionize farming practices by promoting water-conserving strategies, enhancing climate change adaptation, and contributing to global food security through scientifically-informed land management approaches.

  • Israel has ‘brought football into disrepute’, says Fifa

    Israel has ‘brought football into disrepute’, says Fifa

    World football’s governing body FIFA has issued a formal condemnation of the Israel Football Association (IFA) for implementing what it describes as a “de facto system of segregation” against Palestinian players within Israeli settlement football infrastructure. The groundbreaking report, released Thursday, represents FIFA’s most direct confrontation with systemic discrimination within Israeli football.

    The investigation determined that the IFA consistently failed to address “persistent and well-documented racist behavior” within Israeli football, particularly regarding the notorious Beitar Jerusalem club. This organization maintains an explicit ban on Palestinian and Arab players among its fanbase and has repeatedly engaged in racist chanting, including phrases such as “Let the IDF win and fuck the Arabs” and “Here comes the most racist team in the country.”

    FIFA’s disciplinary committee stated that the IFA’s “inaction in the face of entrenched discriminatory conduct and its failure to condemn or distance itself from politicized and militaristic messaging have collectively undermined the ethical foundation of the sport of football.” The committee further concluded that these actions had “brought football into disrepute, both domestically and internationally, and has damaged public trust in the sport’s ability to serve as a force for peace and inclusion.”

    Despite the severity of these findings, FIFA imposed relatively modest sanctions: a 150,000 Swiss franc ($190,700) fine and a requirement for the IFA to display anti-discrimination banners during its next three home matches. The governing body declined to implement more severe measures such as suspension or expulsion from international competitions.

    The investigation was triggered by a formal complaint from the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) in March 2024, which alleged systematic discrimination by the IFA, the participation of Israeli teams in illegal settlements, and violations of international law in occupied Palestinian territories. These claims were substantiated by an October 2023 Amnesty International report documenting at least six settlement clubs operating in violation of both international law and FIFA regulations.

    Human rights advocates expressed disappointment with FIFA’s response. Nicholas McGeehan of FairSquare noted the disparity between FIFA’s strong language and minimal action, stating: “Fifa does not want to sanction Israel but is bound by rules that require it to do so.” This decision stands in contrast to FIFA’s immediate suspension of Russian teams following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

    The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of over 800 Palestinian athletes, including footballer Hani al-Masdar, during what international authorities have described as genocide in Gaza. Despite these developments, Israeli teams continue to participate in international competitions while the participation of other nations affected by geopolitical conflicts, particularly Iran, remains uncertain for the upcoming World Cup in North America.

  • Xinjiang’s foreign trade surges 36 percent to 71.2 billion yuan to start the year

    Xinjiang’s foreign trade surges 36 percent to 71.2 billion yuan to start the year

    Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has demonstrated remarkable economic momentum with foreign trade reaching 71.2 billion yuan ($10.3 billion) during the initial two months of 2026, representing a substantial 36% year-on-year increase. This performance significantly exceeds the national growth rate by 17.7 percentage points, according to official data from Urumqi Customs District.

    The regional trade landscape shows concentrated activity in key economic zones, with Urumqi, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Kashgar Prefecture, and Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture collectively accounting for 79.9% of Xinjiang’s total foreign trade value. Particularly impressive growth was recorded in Aksu and Tacheng prefectures, both exceeding 170% expansion rates.

    Special economic zones continue to drive regional development, with the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone generating 21.28 billion yuan in import-export value, an 11.2% increase representing 29.9% of the region’s total trade. The comprehensive bonded zones in Urumqi, Horgos, Alashankou, and Kashgar collectively achieved 17.33 billion yuan in trade volume, growing 28.3% and contributing 24.3% to Xinjiang’s overall foreign trade.

    Export composition has shifted significantly, with electromechanical products emerging as Xinjiang’s largest export category. Import growth was primarily driven by metal ores and agricultural products, which contributed 21.5 percentage points to the overall import expansion.

    Notable growth patterns emerged across various trade modalities: cross-border e-commerce exports surged 142.7%, while border trade imports skyrocketed 225.7%. Exports related to international contracted projects and market procurement trade demonstrated extraordinary growth of 320.9% and 230.5% respectively.

    Private enterprises remain the backbone of Xinjiang’s trade ecosystem, recording 38.1% growth and contributing 97.4% to the region’s total foreign trade. Foreign-invested enterprises showed explosive growth with a 351.4% increase in import-export value.

    Geographically, Xinjiang’s trade with its top three markets displayed varied performance: trade with the five Central Asian countries grew 5.7% (representing 51.7% of total trade), ASEAN countries surged 181.4% (13.4% share), and Russia increased 15.9% (6.1% share).

  • Former Shanxi CPPCC chairman sentenced to life in prison for bribery

    Former Shanxi CPPCC chairman sentenced to life in prison for bribery

    In a significant ruling against corruption, Wu Cunrong, former chairman of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court. The verdict, delivered on Friday, marks the culmination of a high-profile case that has drawn national attention.

    The court determined that Wu abused his official positions across multiple regions—including Chongqing, Anhui, and Shanxi—over an 18-year period from 2006 to 2024. His corrupt activities involved leveraging authority in project approvals, land-use conversions, and business operations to illicitly accumulate more than 127 million yuan (approximately $18.44 million) in bribes.

    In addition to life imprisonment, the court ordered the permanent deprivation of Wu’s political rights and the confiscation of all personal assets. All illicit gains and associated interests will be reclaimed by the state treasury.

    The judicial panel characterized the scale of bribes as “extremely large” and noted the “severely damaging” impact of Wu’s actions on public interests. However, the sentence reflected certain mitigating factors: Wu voluntarily disclosed bribery details previously unknown to investigators, demonstrated cooperation throughout the proceedings, and made active efforts to return illegal proceeds.

    Wu, a 62-year-old native of Anhui Province, began his political career in 1985 after joining the Communist Party of China in 1984. He held several key positions, including Mayor of Hefei and Party Chief of the city, before assuming the role of Deputy Mayor of Chongqing in 2017. His tenure as chairman of Shanxi’s CPPCC began in January 2023 and ended abruptly when he came under investigation in December 2024.

    Following his expulsion from the Party and removal from public office in June 2025, Wu was formally indicted three months later. The public trial took place in Beijing late last year, culminating in this week’s sentencing.

  • Shanghai Disney’s 10th birthday party begins

    Shanghai Disney’s 10th birthday party begins

    Shanghai Disney Resort officially commenced its grand 10th anniversary festivities on March 20, 2026, marking a significant milestone in its operational history. The celebration launch was strategically aligned with the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness, creating a symbolic connection between Disney’s brand philosophy and global happiness advocacy.

    Andrew Bolstein, President and General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, emphasized the intentional selection of this date, stating that the Disney experience fundamentally represents the physical manifestation of joy and contentment. The resort has prepared an extensive array of exclusive experiences and special programming to commemorate this decade of entertainment excellence in China’s premier entertainment destination.

    The anniversary celebration introduces innovative guest experiences across the entire resort, including limited-edition merchandise, distinctive culinary offerings, and reimagined entertainment spectacles. This milestone event not only celebrates past achievements but also showcases Shanghai Disney’s ongoing commitment to delivering world-class entertainment experiences that blend Disney’s legendary storytelling with unique Chinese cultural elements.

    The resort’s decade of operation has established it as a cornerstone of China’s tourism industry, attracting millions of visitors annually and significantly contributing to the local economy. The anniversary celebrations are expected to draw increased visitation from both domestic and international tourists seeking to participate in this historic moment for one of Asia’s most prominent theme parks.

  • Farming in Dunhuang murals

    Farming in Dunhuang murals

    A remarkable mid-Tang Dynasty (618-907) mural from the Dunhuang caves in Northwest China’s Gansu province offers a vivid window into ancient agricultural traditions coinciding with the Spring Equinox. This culturally significant artwork, preserved for over a millennium, depicts farmers and their cattle commencing seasonal fieldwork during this important solar term that began on March 20.

    The meticulously preserved mural showcases the sophisticated farming techniques and rural生活方式 that characterized China’s agricultural civilization during the Tang Dynasty’s golden age. The artwork forms part of the extensive Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes collection, a UNESCO World Heritage site containing some of the world’s most exceptional Buddhist art spanning ten dynasties.

    Archaeological experts note that such murals provide invaluable insights into the daily lives, tools, and seasonal practices of ordinary people during historical periods often documented primarily through official records and elite perspectives. The Spring Equinox depiction particularly highlights how ancient Chinese agricultural societies synchronized their farming activities with the 24 solar terms—an agricultural calendar system still influencing rural practices today.

    The preservation of these murals represents ongoing efforts by Chinese cultural authorities to protect and study the Dunhuang caves, which contain approximately 45,000 square meters of murals and more than 2,400 painted sculptures. Recent conservation technologies have enabled researchers to analyze these artworks in unprecedented detail, revealing information about historical climate patterns, crop varieties, and farming implements used over a thousand years ago.