Global Pulse

标签： North America

北美洲

  • Growing youth exchanges bring young Americans closer to China

    Growing youth exchanges bring young Americans closer to China

    CHICAGO—A transformative initiative bridging American youth and Chinese culture is demonstrating remarkable progress, with over 39,000 young Americans having visited China through the Young Envoys Scholarships (YES) program as of October. The program represents a significant component of President Xi Jinping’s 2023 commitment to welcome 50,000 American students for cultural and educational exchanges within a five-year timeframe.

    The Chinese Consulate in Chicago recently celebrated these achievements by hosting young American writers and international educators. The event marked both the publication of “East Meets West: 100 American Secondary School Students’ Tales About China” and the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding between Chinese and American educational institutions.

    Personal testimonies from participants reveal profound impacts. Lily Rabb, an 18-year-old who began studying Chinese at age three, described her experience as transformative. “You really need to witness the spectacular beauty of the country to fully feel immersed,” Rabb shared. “I felt so welcomed by the Chinese people.” Her journey culminated in a newfound aspiration to pursue international relations and potentially reside in Shanghai.

    The program’s philosophical foundation echoes ancient Chinese wisdom. Zoey Cardamone found inspiration in the proverbs “reading 10,000 books is not as useful as traveling 10,000 miles” and “a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.” Her cultural immersion included encountering distinctive culinary traditions, such as whole chicken presentations symbolizing completeness and good fortune—a practice contrasting with American customs.

    Chicago Consul General Wang Baodong emphasized the strategic importance of these exchanges: “The future of China-US relations lies in our young people.” He noted emerging cultural connectors including pickleball, the video game ‘Black Myth: Wukong,’ and Labubu figurines that resonate across both cultures.

    The initiative continues expanding through the newly launched YES Friends Club, which facilitates ongoing connection through essay collections, video projects, and cultural-sporting events. Educational leaders like Roderick Shaw of the Intercultural Montessori Language School see profound implications: “Education builds bridges, and that is the secret of schools collaborating together. That is what’s going to bring better peace in this world.”

  • Costco sues US govt for refund if tariffs ruled illegal

    Costco sues US govt for refund if tariffs ruled illegal

    Retail giant Costco Wholesale Corporation has initiated legal proceedings against the United States government, joining a coalition of major corporations seeking reimbursement for tariffs paid under the Trump administration’s emergency measures. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, contends that these levies were imposed unlawfully and seeks refunds contingent upon a Supreme Court ruling against their legality.

    The legal challenge centers on former President Donald Trump’s utilization of the Emergency Powers Act to implement sweeping tariffs beginning in April. These measures initially imposed minimum 10 percent duties on most nations, with additional tariffs reaching up to 145 percent specifically targeting China, Canada, and Mexico—justified under the declaration of a “fentanyl emergency.”

    During Supreme Court oral arguments last month, justices expressed skepticism regarding the constitutional basis for presidential tariff imposition. Justice Sonia Sotomayor notably questioned the bypassing of Congressional authority, stating: “The Constitution is structured so that if I’m going to be asked to pay for something as a citizen, that it’s through a bill that is generated through Congress.”

    Costco’s filing argues that while the Emergency Powers Act permits the president to regulate foreign transactions during national emergencies, it contains no specific provision for tariff implementation—a power explicitly delegated to Congress by the Constitution. The company joins dozens of retailers including Revlon, Kawasaki Motors, Ray-Ban, Bumble Bee Foods, and Yokohama Tires in similar litigation.

    Although Costco has not specified the exact refund amount sought, customs data estimates approximately $90 billion in tariffs collected under the emergency measures. The company acknowledges the business impact of these tariffs, with CFO Gary Millerchip noting in a September conference call that mitigation strategies included increased reliance on local sourcing and the Kirkland brand, plus production relocation where feasible.

    The Supreme Court is now hearing the case on an accelerated basis following contrary rulings from both the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals. No timeline has been announced for the final decision that will determine the legality of the tariff implementation method.

  • Republicans hold Tennessee seat after closely-watched race

    Republicans hold Tennessee seat after closely-watched race

    In a closely watched special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, Republican candidate Matt Van Epps emerged victorious against Democratic challenger Aftyn Behn, according to projections by major U.S. media outlets. The outcome preserves Republican control of a seat that has remained in conservative hands for over four decades.

    The election, triggered by Republican Congressman Mark Green’s July resignation to enter the private sector, became a national battleground with both parties investing millions of dollars and deploying top leadership to campaign. The district, which spans from Alabama’s border to Kentucky and includes portions of Nashville, has not elected a Democrat in more than 40 years.

    Van Epps, a military veteran with nine combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, secured his victory despite a significantly reduced margin compared to Donald Trump’s 22-point win in the district during the 2024 presidential election. The Republican candidate closely aligned himself with the former president, who provided a crucial endorsement during the primary and hosted a virtual rally to support his campaign.

    The Democratic effort, led by state lawmaker Behn, focused primarily on affordability and quality-of-life issues. Despite a stronger-than-expected performance that narrowed the historical Republican advantage, Behn only carried Davidson County, which contains Nashville.

    Top figures from both parties participated in the intense campaign, with former Democratic Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Al Gore stumping for Behn, while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson rallied support for Van Epps. Trump personally congratulated his ally on social media, claiming Democrats had ‘thrown everything at him, including Millions of Dollars.’

    Political analysts are scrutinizing the reduced victory margin as a potential indicator for the 2026 midterm elections, particularly given the Republican Party’s narrow control of the House of Representatives. Democratic operatives involved in the campaign suggested the outcome signals vulnerability for Republicans despite the victory.

  • US cancels citizenship ceremonies for migrants from travel ban countries

    US cancels citizenship ceremonies for migrants from travel ban countries

    The United States has implemented an immediate suspension of all immigration application processing for individuals from 19 countries previously subject to travel restrictions, according to an internal government memorandum obtained by CBS News. The directive instructs immigration officials to cease final adjudication of all cases and postpone naturalization ceremonies for applicants nearing citizenship approval.

    This administrative freeze emerges amid reports that the Trump administration is contemplating an expansion of existing travel restrictions from the current 19 nations to approximately 30 countries. The policy shift represents the latest escalation in immigration enforcement measures following last week’s fatal shooting in Washington DC that resulted in the death of one National Guard soldier and left another critically wounded. The primary suspect in the shooting is an Afghan national residing in the United States.

    The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued the comprehensive guidance on Tuesday, building upon last week’s suspension of asylum determinations and initiating re-examinations of green card visas previously granted to migrants from the restricted nations. The official memorandum explicitly states that the hold encompasses ‘all form types and making any final decisions (approvals, denials) as well as completing any oath ceremonies.’

    Matthew Tragesser, USCIS spokesperson, confirmed the suspension to The New York Times, emphasizing that ‘The Trump administration is making every effort to ensure individuals becoming citizens are the best of the best. Citizenship is a privilege, not a right.’

    Immigration attorneys report numerous canceled citizenship hearings this week affecting clients from Venezuela, Iran, and Afghanistan, according to ABC News. These naturalization ceremonies typically represent the culmination of a rigorous five-year application process, featuring emotional oath-taking rituals where new citizens pledge allegiance to the United States while waving miniature American flags.

    The policy implementation coincides with President Trump’s increasingly vocal assertions blaming migrants and refugees for contributing to what he characterizes as America’s ‘social dysfunction.’ The administration’s intensified immigration crackdown follows the tragic shooting incident that claimed the life of 20-year-old guardsman Sarah Beckstrom and seriously injured 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe. The Afghan suspect entered the United States through a special protection program designed for individuals who had collaborated with U.S. forces prior to the Taliban’s return to power.

  • Police were doubtful of tip that led to Luigi Mangione’s arrest

    Police were doubtful of tip that led to Luigi Mangione’s arrest

    A Pennsylvania police officer provided detailed testimony in a Manhattan courtroom regarding the unexpected arrest of Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Wilson. Officer Joseph Detwiler revealed that he and his supervisor initially exchanged joking text messages about the tip that ultimately led to Mangione’s capture at an Altoona McDonald’s location.

    The December 2024 shooting of Wilson as he entered a Manhattan investors’ conference triggered an interstate manhunt and sparked national debate about the for-profit health insurance industry. Mangione, 27, now faces both state and federal murder charges while maintaining his not guilty plea.

    During pretrial proceedings that could extend for several days, the courtroom heard how Detwiler responded to what seemed like an improbable tip from a McDonald’s restaurant manager whose customers believed they had spotted the suspected shooter. Despite approaching the situation with what he described as a “semi-sarcastic” attitude, Detwiler quickly realized the tip’s legitimacy when he encountered a man matching the description exactly—wearing a large coat, brown beanie, and medical mask.

    Body camera footage presented in court showed the surreal scene of Mangione eating hash browns and a steak sandwich while Christmas music played in the background. Detwiler testified that he whistled along to the music in an effort to “keep things calm and normal” while secretly waiting for backup and fabricating a story about restaurant loitering policies.

    The defense team, led by attorney Karen Agnifilo, is seeking to exclude key evidence including a 9mm gun and notebook allegedly containing motive details, arguing that Mangione wasn’t immediately informed of his rights. The defense also aims to prevent federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty, emphasizing the “low-priority” nature of the initial dispatch call that didn’t warrant lights or sirens during the officers’ approach.

  • Watch: Driver hoisted to safety from truck dangling over West Virginia bridge

    Watch: Driver hoisted to safety from truck dangling over West Virginia bridge

    A routine commute transformed into a perilous ordeal for a West Virginia driver this week when his truck lost control on an icy bridge, leaving the vehicle teetering over the edge and prompting a complex emergency response.

    The incident occurred during hazardous winter driving conditions, with black ice creating particularly treacherous surfaces on elevated roadways. According to preliminary reports from local authorities, the driver’s pickup truck skidded on the icy surface, crashing through the bridge barrier and coming to rest with its front section suspended precariously in open air.

    Emergency services responded with multiple agencies coordinating the delicate rescue operation. Using specialized heavy rescue equipment and harness systems, first responders carefully accessed the unstable vehicle. In a operation that combined technical rope expertise and emergency medical care, rescue teams secured the driver and hoisted him to safety using a crane apparatus.

    Miraculously, the driver emerged from the harrowing experience without physical injuries and was evaluated at the scene by medical personnel. The successful outcome highlighted both the dangers of winter driving and the advanced training of West Virginia’s emergency response teams in technical rescue scenarios.

    The damaged bridge section was temporarily closed for safety inspections and repairs, with transportation officials reminding motorists to exercise extreme caution during winter weather conditions and to ensure vehicles are properly equipped for cold weather driving.

  • ‘Come and kill me’: Sick ants invite destruction to save colony

    ‘Come and kill me’: Sick ants invite destruction to save colony

    In a remarkable display of social immunity, scientific research reveals that terminally ill ant pupae actively signal worker ants to destroy them to prevent colony-wide infection outbreaks. The study, led by behavioral ecologist Erika Dawson at Austria’s Institute of Science and Technology, demonstrates how ant colonies function as cohesive super-organisms with sophisticated disease containment strategies.

    Unlike many species that conceal illness for social reasons, ant colonies have evolved mechanisms reminiscent of cellular responses in complex organisms. When infected cells in human bodies emit ‘find-me and eat-me’ signals, similarly, young ants trapped in their cocoons—unable to practice social distancing—release specific chemical cues when fatally diseased.

    The research team working with Lasius neglectus, a common black garden ant species, discovered that worker ants respond to these olfactory signals by tearing open the cocoons and administering poison that simultaneously eliminates both the pathogen and the developing pupae. This disinfectant process protects the broader colony from potential epidemics in the densely populated nest environment.

    Crucially, the study established that pupae only produce these chemical signals when workers are present, confirming intentional communication rather than passive chemical leakage. This represents an evolutionary adaptation where individual sacrifice benefits genetic survival through colony preservation.

    Notably, queen pupae exhibit different behavior—they neither send destruction signals nor fall victim to this altruistic protocol. Researchers attribute this exception to queens’ superior immune systems, which typically enable them to overcome infections without requiring intervention. The differential treatment underscores the colony’s prioritization of reproductive success over individual worker lineages.

    The findings, published in Nature Communications, provide new insights into social insect evolution and disease management strategies in highly organized animal societies.

  • Watch: US Capitol Christmas tree is lit up in Washington

    Watch: US Capitol Christmas tree is lit up in Washington

    The annual tradition of lighting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree commenced in a ceremonious event, marking the official start of the holiday season in Washington. This year’s centerpiece, an majestic evergreen dubbed “Silver Belle,” was meticulously selected from the vast wilderness of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada. The lighting ceremony attracted dignitaries, lawmakers, and citizens who gathered to witness the illumination of the 84-foot white fir, adorned with thousands of energy-efficient LED lights and handmade ornaments. The selection process involved months of careful planning by forest service experts who identified Silver Belle for her perfect symmetry and vibrant color. The tree’s journey from Nevada to Washington spanned thousands of miles, involving special transportation arrangements and community celebrations along its route. This tradition, dating back to 1964, symbolizes national unity and holiday spirit, with each year’s tree representing different national forests across America.

  • Croatian teenager Marcinko continues her dream run in UAE

    Croatian teenager Marcinko continues her dream run in UAE

    Dubai’s premier tennis event witnessed the continued ascendancy of Croatian prodigy Petra Marcinko as she delivered a commanding performance against seasoned opponent Viktoria Hruncakova during Tuesday’s opening rounds of the 28th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge.

    The 19-year-old phenom, fresh from her championship victory at last weekend’s Fujairah W75 tournament, demonstrated remarkable composure in her 6-4, 6-1 straight-sets triumph over the 2018 tournament finalist. Marcinko’s clinical disposal of the experienced Slovakian required just 75 minutes on Court No. 1, showcasing the technical precision and mental fortitude that has positioned her as one of the WTA Tour’s most promising emerging talents.

    Meanwhile, the competition experienced a significant upset as top seed Dalma Galfi withdrew due to a right foot injury while trailing qualifier Tereza Martincova 6-3, 1-2. The injury-related departure marks another twist in the tournament’s narrative, following the unexpected elimination of former doubles world No. 1 Kristina Mladenovic, who fell 6-3, 6-2 to Russia’s Alevtina Ibragimova.

    Additional notable performances included British 16-year-old sensation Mika Stojsavljevic, the 2024 US Open girls’ champion, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Valentina Ryser. Stojsavljevic now prepares to face third-seeded Austrian Sinja Kraus in what promises to be a compelling generational clash.

    Marcinko, who will celebrate her 20th birthday on Thursday, emphasized the strategic importance of this tournament as the final cutoff event before Australian Open qualifying. “Every point matters for my long-term planning,” she stated post-match. “The UAE conditions suit my game perfectly, and I intend to maintain this competitive momentum throughout the week.”

    The Croatian junior world No. 1 from 2021 and 2022 Australian Open girls’ champion next faces Britain’s Harriet Dart, who dominated Japan’s Mai Hontama 6-1, 6-1 in her opening match.

  • Host of birthday party in California mistook gunfire for balloons popping

    Host of birthday party in California mistook gunfire for balloons popping

    A joyous second birthday celebration in Stockton, California, descended into unimaginable horror when gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons, killing four attendees and injuring eleven others in what authorities describe as a targeted attack.

    Patrice Williams, the mother hosting the celebration, initially mistook the gunfire for popping balloons from earlier decorations. The reality proved far more tragic: her daughter’s birthday party became the scene of one of California’s deadliest recent shootings. “I don’t know what happened, and I’m just so shocked and lost,” Williams told Associated Press reporters amid the devastation.

    The victims included three children—ages 8, 9, and 14—along with a 21-year-old adult. Among the injured were Williams’ other daughter, a cousin, and three family friends. Witnesses reported that the shooting began inside the banquet hall as approximately 100 guests gathered around the birthday cake, eventually spilling onto the street outside.

    San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow confirmed investigators believe multiple shooters conducted the assault with automatic weapons, stating confidently that “this was not a random act.” The perpetrators remain at large despite an extensive manhunt involving local police, FBI agents, and federal agencies.

    The transformed crime scene—formerly decorated with rainbow-colored balloons and a swan-shaped bounce house—now represents another data point in Stockton’s troubling rise in violent crime. The broader San Joaquin Valley region recorded California’s highest violent crime rate in 2023 according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

    In the aftermath, community members held vigil while officials offered growing rewards for information leading to arrests. Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi issued a stark warning to those responsible: “You will never see the outside of a prison cell again.”

    California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered flags at the state capitol flown at half-staff to honor the victims, including 8-year-old Maya Lupian—a karate purple belt who excelled academically—and 14-year-old Amari Peterson, a promising athlete with college aspirations. Peterson’s father heartbreakingly revealed his 9-year-old daughter survived by fleeing through a back doorway and scaling a fence.

    The tragedy has left families transitioning from planning birthdays to planning funerals, with many survivors too fearful to publicly identify themselves amid concerns about retaliation from the still-unknown assailants.