Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • New Year art draws on town’s colorful tradition

    New Year art draws on town’s colorful tradition

    As China enters layue, the twelfth lunar month, the picturesque town of Tantou in Hunan province comes alive with the centuries-old tradition of creating vibrant nianhua (New Year paintings). These elaborate artworks transform ordinary doors into canvases depicting fortune gods, striped tigers, and whimsical scenes like mouse wedding processions, serving as both cultural expressions and talismans believed to ward off misfortune while inviting prosperity.

    Tantou nianhua boasts a remarkable history spanning over three centuries, earning the town the prestigious title “Hometown of Modern Folk New Year Paintings.” The tradition gained national recognition when renowned writer Lu Xun nostalgically described a Tantou “mouse wedding” painting that adorned his childhood bedroom in his essay collection Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk.

    The creation process represents a completely self-contained local production cycle rare in Chinese folk art. Artisans begin by crafting specialized paper from locally sourced bamboo, providing the perfect textured base for printing. The heart of the technique lies in woodblock carving using the distinctive “steep knife upright line” method, which requires exceptional precision and artistic intuition to maintain consistent angles and pressure throughout intricate designs.

    National intangible cultural heritage inheritor Liu Guoli emphasizes the spiritual dimension of the craft: “Your personality and temperament shape the carving, making each block unique.” The vibrant coloration emerges through a multi-step printing process where each hue corresponds to a separate woodblock, culminating in hand-painted facial features that imbue characters with lifelike qualities.

    The artworks’ striking palette features tangerine reds, brilliant yellows, rose pinks contrasted with cool cyan and deep charcoal—a dynamic interplay that gives each piece its characteristic vitality. Professor Wu Yuqing of Hunan Normal University’s Fine Arts Academy notes: “The motifs represent a practical aesthetic shaped over centuries by countless families. The more deeply art is rooted in ordinary people’s lives, the more vibrantly its brilliance unfolds.

    Recent documentation in the series Ancient Crafts of Hunan employed macro lenses and slow-motion cinematography to showcase this intricate process, bringing renewed attention to Tantou’s cultural treasure that was among China’s first entries on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006.

  • Analysis: China’s birth-rate struggles underscore its millennia-long struggle to manage ‘the masses’

    Analysis: China’s birth-rate struggles underscore its millennia-long struggle to manage ‘the masses’

    China confronts an unprecedented demographic challenge as newly released data reveals its population has entered a period of historical decline, dropping by 3 million to 1.404 billion people. This development marks the lowest birth rate recorded since the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949, signaling a critical juncture in the nation’s millennia-long struggle with population management.

    The current situation represents a dramatic reversal from decades of restrictive population control measures. The notorious one-child policy, implemented in 1980 to curb rapid population growth, has yielded unintended consequences that continue to reverberate through Chinese society. This policy not only created a disproportionate aging population but also triggered severe social distortions including gender imbalance, the emergence of single-child ‘little emperors’ in urban households, and widespread loneliness among elderly citizens separated from their geographically dispersed children.

    President Xi Jinping has revitalized ancient cultural precepts that equate population strength with national power, describing China’s people as a ‘great wall of steel.’ This philosophical shift accompanies practical policy changes including tax exemptions for condoms, daycare centers, and matchmaking services. The government’s current five-year development plan explicitly aims to cultivate positive attitudes toward marriage and childbearing while implementing financial incentives to reduce the costs associated with raising children.

    The demographic transition occurs against an increasingly competitive international backdrop, with India having surpassed China as the world’s most populous nation in 2023. This development carries significant implications for China’s geopolitical standing and its aspirations to lead the Global South. As contemporary China grapples with the complex legacy of its population policies, the nation faces fundamental questions about how traditional values can coexist with modern realities in shaping its demographic future.

  • US citizen says ICE removed him from his Minnesota home in his underwear after warrantless search

    US citizen says ICE removed him from his Minnesota home in his underwear after warrantless search

    ST. PAUL, Minn. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a controversial operation in St. Paul, Minnesota, detaining a longtime American citizen at gunpoint without presenting a warrant before forcibly removing him into subfreezing temperatures wearing only underwear. The incident has ignited fierce criticism from local officials and community members amid a broader federal surge in the Twin Cities region.

    ChongLy “Scott” Thao, a decades-long U.S. citizen, was awoken from a nap on Sunday afternoon by family members alerting him to armed, masked agents pounding on his door. Despite instructions not to open it, ICE personnel forced entry into the residence, pointed firearms at the family, and detained Thao without allowing him to present identification. Video evidence and family testimony confirm he was escorted outside in handcuffs, clad only in sandals and underwear with a blanket hastily provided for minimal warmth.

    Neighbors and bystanders documented the scene, capturing audible distress from family members—including Thao’s four-year-old grandson—and loud protests against the heavily armed agents. Thao was later transported to an undisclosed location where he was subjected to fingerprinting and photographic identification in frigid conditions before eventually being released without apology or explanation.

    In response, the Department of Homeland Security characterized the operation as a “targeted” effort aimed at apprehending two convicted sex offenders believed to be residing at the address. DHS claimed Thao “matched the description” of the targets and refused identification—an account the family vehemently denies. Public records show no sex offenders residing at Thao’s address, with the nearest registered individual located over two blocks away.

    St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, herself Hmong American, condemned ICE’s actions as “unacceptable and un-American,” accusing the agency of overreach and failing to focus on genuine threats to public safety.

    The Thao family’s history adds further context to their outrage. ChongLy Thao’s adopted mother, Choua Thao, was a Hmong nurse who provided medical care to CIA-backed soldiers during the U.S. “Secret War” in Laos. Forced to flee to the U.S. after communist takeover, her service to American interests contrasts sharply with her son’s treatment decades later.

    Thao now plans to file a civil rights lawsuit against DHS, citing lasting trauma and an eroded sense of safety in his own home.

  • Researchers find Antarctic penguin breeding is heating up sooner, and that’s a problem

    Researchers find Antarctic penguin breeding is heating up sooner, and that’s a problem

    A groundbreaking ecological study reveals that Antarctic penguins are undergoing the most rapid breeding shift ever documented in vertebrate species, with profound implications for their survival in a warming world. Published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, the research demonstrates that three brush-tailed penguin species have advanced their reproductive cycles by approximately two weeks within a single decade—a pace of adaptation that far exceeds previously observed changes in other bird species.

    The research team from Oxford University, utilizing remote-controlled cameras across multiple colonies from 2011 to 2021, documented how rising temperatures in the western Antarctic—the second fastest-warming region on Earth—are fundamentally altering penguin reproductive behavior. With breeding grounds experiencing a 5.4°F (3°C) temperature increase between 2012 and 2022, the Adelie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins are now breeding significantly earlier than previous decades.

    Lead biologist Ignacio Juarez Martinez emphasized the unprecedented nature of this shift: ‘Penguins are modifying their breeding timing at record velocity, surpassing any other vertebrate species. This synchronization with environmental resources is critical for chick survival, as breeding must coincide with peak food availability.’

    The study reveals a troubling divergence in species adaptation. While gentoo penguins, with their more varied diet and aggressive foraging behavior, have accelerated their breeding cycle most dramatically, the specialist krill-feeders—Adelie and chinstrap penguins—face severe challenges. The overlapping breeding seasons now create intense competition for resources, with gentoos frequently displacing other species from traditional nesting areas.

    Co-author Fiona Suttle reported observable ecosystem changes: ‘I’ve returned to previous Adelie colonies only to find them entirely replaced by gentoos. The data confirms what we’re witnessing visually in these rapidly transforming environments.’

    Climate-induced changes have reduced sea ice, triggering earlier phytoplankton blooms that disrupt the entire Antarctic food web. This ecological transformation, combined with increased commercial fishing activity in the region, creates compounded pressure on krill populations—the primary food source for vulnerable penguin species.

    Martinez projected dire consequences: ‘Chinstrap populations are declining globally, with models suggesting potential extinction before century’s end. Adelies are faring poorly in the Antarctic Peninsula and face similar extinction risks in this region.’

    The research benefited from unprecedented public engagement through the Penguin Watch citizen science platform, where over 9 million images were annotated by volunteers captivated by these charismatic species. This massive dataset provided crucial evidence of behavioral changes occurring at an alarming rate across the Antarctic ecosystem.

  • Surfer bitten in 4th shark attack off Australia’s east coast in 3 days

    Surfer bitten in 4th shark attack off Australia’s east coast in 3 days

    A series of shark encounters along Australia’s New South Wales coastline has resulted in multiple injuries and prompted extensive beach closures. The latest incident occurred Tuesday morning at Point Plomer, approximately 460 kilometers north of Sydney, where a 39-year-old surfer sustained minor injuries after a shark attacked his surfboard.

    According to Matt Worrall, captain of the Kempsey-Crescent Head Surf Life Saving Club, the surfboard absorbed the majority of the impact. ‘He made his own way into shore where he was assisted by locals,’ Worrall reported to Australian Broadcasting Corp. The victim was transported to hospital by bystanders and later discharged.

    This incident marks the fourth shark encounter in the region within a three-day period. The previous attacks included:

    – A 12-year-old boy who suffered severe injuries after jumping from a 6-meter ledge at Shark Beach within Sydney Harbor on Sunday. Reports indicate the boy may have lost both legs in the attack, with friends credited for saving his life by dragging him to safety.
    – An 11-year-old boy whose surfboard was bitten at Dee Why Beach on Monday, though he escaped unharmed.
    – A surfer in his 20s who was critically injured after being bitten on the leg at North Steyne Beach Monday evening.

    Authorities have responded by closing beaches indefinitely along the northern coast of New South Wales and deploying electronic drumlines off the Sydney coast to detect shark activity. Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce warned that recent rainfall has created murky water conditions particularly conducive to bull shark activity, the species responsible for most attacks around Sydney.

    ‘If you’re thinking about going for a swim, just go to a local pool because at this stage, we’re advising that beaches are unsafe,’ Pearce stated. The latest attack occurred in an isolated area without protective shark netting, raising questions about the effectiveness of current safety measures.

  • Shares in Asia track European markets lower on concern over Trump’s push on Greenland

    Shares in Asia track European markets lower on concern over Trump’s push on Greenland

    Financial markets across Asia experienced broad declines on Tuesday as investor sentiment deteriorated following geopolitical tensions and domestic political developments. The downward trend emerged during a quiet session for U.S. markets, which remained closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

    The Japanese market faced particular pressure as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s announcement of a snap February 8th election triggered significant volatility in government bonds. Yields on Japan’s 40-year government bonds surged to a record 4%, while other long-term debt instruments reached multi-decade highs. This selloff reflected market concerns that Takaichi might leverage her strong approval ratings to implement increased government spending measures, potentially straining Japan’s national finances.

    Meanwhile, transatlantic trade relations faced renewed strain after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 10% tariffs on imports from eight European nations—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Finland. The proposed tariffs, reportedly linked to European opposition regarding American control of Greenland, drew immediate criticism from affected countries who condemned the move as damaging to transatlantic relations.

    Regional market performance varied with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 declining 1.1% to 52,988.24, while China’s Shanghai Composite fell 0.3% to 4,101.62. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged down marginally to 26,552.57. South Korea’s Kospi bucked the trend with a 0.3% gain to 4,921.42, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.6% to 8,818.10.

    European markets had set a negative tone on Monday, with Germany’s DAX losing 1.3% and France’s CAC 40 falling 1.9%. U.S. stock futures indicated continued weakness, with S&P 500 futures down 1% and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures declining 0.9% in early Tuesday trading.

    Investors awaited key economic developments including upcoming corporate earnings reports and critical inflation data that could influence Federal Reserve policy decisions. The Fed’s next meeting in two weeks is expected to maintain current interest rates as policymakers balance slowing employment indicators against persistent inflation above their 2% target.

  • North Korea’s Kim dismisses vice premier over factory project

    North Korea’s Kim dismisses vice premier over factory project

    In a significant administrative shakeup, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has removed Vice Premier Yang Sung Ho from his position overseeing the nation’s machine-building sector. The dismissal was announced through state media on Tuesday, signaling intensified efforts to enforce discipline among high-ranking officials preceding an imminent Workers’ Party congress that will establish new economic directives.

    The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) detailed that Kim publicly criticized Yang during a ceremony marking the completion of modernization efforts at the Ryongsong Machine Complex. The leader attributed ‘unnecessary man-made confusion’ and substantial economic losses to Yang’s alleged incompetence and irresponsible leadership. Kim emphasized that these failures resulted in significant wastage of financial resources and workforce, ultimately placing additional strain on the munitions industry.

    According to KCNA’s account, Kim had previously reprimanded Yang during a December party meeting and maintained close observation of his performance. The leader concluded that Yang demonstrated ‘no sense of responsibility whatsoever,’ leading to his formal dismissal. This action continues Kim’s established pattern of publicly rebuking or removing senior officials to address economic challenges and reinforce administrative accountability.

    The timing of this dismissal is particularly noteworthy as North Korea prepares for its first party congress in five years, scheduled for late January or February according to South Korean intelligence sources. This political gathering is expected to set new economic objectives amid ongoing difficulties, including persistent international sanctions and resource allocation priorities that favor weapons development over civilian economic needs.

    Despite South Korea’s central bank reporting 3.7% economic growth for North Korea in 2024, many analysts remain skeptical about the country’s capacity for sustained economic improvement given its highly centralized economic system and continued focus on military programs.

  • ICC investigating Sudan’s RSF for ‘mass criminality’ during el-Fasher takeover

    ICC investigating Sudan’s RSF for ‘mass criminality’ during el-Fasher takeover

    The International Criminal Court has presented damning evidence alleging the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group executed “an organized, calculated campaign” of atrocities during their capture of el-Fasher in October 2025. Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan delivered this assessment to the United Nations Security Council via video link on Monday, revealing the ICC’s intensified efforts to establish individual criminal responsibility for crimes committed in both el-Fasher (North Darfur) and el-Geneina (West Darfur).

    Khan’s presentation detailed a pattern of systematic violence targeting non-Arab communities, including mass executions, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and the creation of mass graves. The prosecutor’s office has collected substantial evidence including video footage, audio recordings, and satellite data showing RSF members celebrating direct executions and desecrating corpses.

    The investigation reveals that the approximately 18-month siege of el-Fasher culminated in widespread criminality during late October 2025. Satellite imagery analysis indicates incidents of mass killing and subsequent attempts to conceal these crimes through mass graves. Khan emphasized that these atrocities appear to have been employed as tactical tools to assert control over the population.

    Significant progress has been made in investigating the 2023 el-Geneina massacres that resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. The ICC is prioritizing gender-based crimes in its investigative strategy, noting the undeniable use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. However, social stigma and fear of reprisals create substantial barriers to documentation efforts.

    The Office of the Prosecutor is currently preparing arrest warrant applications related to the el-Fasher situation while also documenting reports of potential Rome Statute crimes allegedly committed by Sudanese armed forces in Darfur. Khan emphasized that all conflict parties must uphold their obligations under international law and avoid targeting civilian populations and facilities.

    The ongoing Sudan conflict, active since April 2023, has created what the UN describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The fighting has resulted in thousands of deaths, displaced nearly 13 million people, and pushed over 40% of the population into acute food insecurity. UN Sudan chief Denise Brown, who recently visited el-Fasher, described the situation as a “crime scene” and called for international intervention to prevent further atrocities.

  • Trump administration discussed offering sanctuary to Jews in UK: Report

    Trump administration discussed offering sanctuary to Jews in UK: Report

    The United States is evaluating the possibility of extending asylum protections to British Jewish citizens, as revealed in a recent Telegraph report. This potential policy shift emerges amidst growing concerns about antisemitic violence in the United Kingdom.

    Robert Garson, personal attorney to former President Donald Trump and a Manchester-born Jewish individual, disclosed ongoing discussions with State Department officials regarding sanctuary provisions for UK Jews fleeing religious persecution. Garson asserted that Britain has become increasingly unsafe for Jewish communities, stating he sees ‘no future’ for them there following a deadly October 2025 antisemitic attack at Manchester’s Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue that claimed two Jewish lives.

    ‘It is certainly not an unattractive proposition,’ Garson noted regarding the potential asylum program. ‘It is a highly educated community. I have spoken to people in the State Department and I have mentioned it in my role on the Holocaust Museum board.’

    The prominent lawyer, who represented Trump in a $50 million lawsuit against journalist Bob Woodward and serves on the US Holocaust Memorial Council since May 2025, confirmed close consultations on the matter with Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, Trump’s antisemitism envoy. Kaploun, an influential Zionist figure based in Florida, has historically conflated criticism of Israel with antisemitism and advocated for restrictions on free speech regarding Israeli policies.

    This potential policy development occurs against a complex backdrop of rising antisemitism in Britain coinciding with increased Islamophobia. Tensions have escalated particularly following Israel’s Gaza offensive, which has resulted in over 71,500 fatalities and been recognized as genocide by UN experts and genocide scholars.

    The Trump administration’s consideration of special immigration provisions for British Jews presents a notable contrast to its broader restrictive immigration policies. Recently announced visa suspensions affect nationals from 75 countries, including Muslim-majority nations like Tunisia, Pakistan, Kuwait, and Morocco, alongside predominantly Eastern Christian European countries such as North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Moldova.

    This selective approach mirrors previous exceptions made for white South Africans claiming persecution, despite denials from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and affected communities regarding alleged ‘white genocide.’ According to the International Refugee Assistance Project, pre-suspended refugee arrivals with confirmed travel plans previously exceeded the entire current annual refugee program capacity.

  • Sharjah Ruler announces new Al Ashkal neighbourhood in Khorfakkan

    Sharjah Ruler announces new Al Ashkal neighbourhood in Khorfakkan

    In a significant urban development announcement, His Highness Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has revealed plans for a new residential neighborhood in the eastern coastal city of Khorfakkan. The project, named ‘Al Ashkal Neighborhood,’ will be situated within the Jabal Al Ashkal mountainous terrain near the Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled.

    The development represents a strategic expansion of housing options in the region, featuring hundreds of distinctive mountain-oriented residences that will offer architectural and lifestyle features contrasting with traditional sea-view properties. The announcement, made on January 19, 2026, addresses growing concerns about residential land availability in the rapidly developing city.

    Complementing the residential development, infrastructure improvements include the paving of the roadway connecting to Al Rafisa area, enhancing accessibility throughout the region. The Ruler specifically addressed housing security concerns, noting that despite perceptions of exhausted residential capacity in the Al Harrā’ zone, substantial construction continues with 270 homes currently underway across two groupings. This includes 120 units in Al Madhifī, where construction sites have already been transferred to the Housing Department for development.

    The project demonstrates Sharjah’s commitment to diversified urban planning that incorporates varied terrain and caters to different residential preferences while maintaining sustainable expansion practices.