Southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region has unveiled a remarkable discovery of 3,346 new cultural relic sites during the second phase of the fourth national cultural relics census. This significant find brings the region’s total number of documented cultural relics to an impressive 7,623, as announced by the regional cultural relics bureau on Thursday. The comprehensive survey, initiated in April 2024, meticulously covered all county-level units across Xizang, yielding a diverse array of historical treasures. Among the notable discoveries are ancient rock paintings in Sagya County, situated at an extraordinary altitude of 5,303.8 meters, marking the highest-altitude relic site recorded in China to date. The newly documented relics encompass a wide spectrum of historical artifacts, including ancient tombs, architectural structures, cave temples, stone carvings, and modern historical sites. Additionally, special investigations conducted in 21 border counties have added 254 relics linked to territorial defense and border garrisoning. Authorities have also expressed their commitment to intensifying efforts in documenting relics within ancient urban areas, further enriching the historical narrative of Xizang.
作者： admin
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UAE National Day: 40% traffic fine discount announced in Umm Al Quwain
In a gesture marking the UAE’s 54th National Day, Umm Al Quwain has introduced a 40% discount on traffic fines, effective from December 1, 2025, to January 9, 2026. This initiative, announced by the emirate’s police authority, aims to provide financial relief to motorists while encouraging compliance with traffic regulations. However, the discount excludes serious traffic violations, ensuring that severe infractions remain subject to full penalties. The announcement aligns with the broader festive spirit across the UAE, which includes a two-day public holiday for both public and private sector employees on December 2 and 3. Similar measures are anticipated in other emirates as the nation prepares to celebrate its unity and progress. The move underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering goodwill and easing burdens on its citizens during significant national events.
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National Guard shooting suspect served alongside US army in Afghanistan: US media
A shocking incident unfolded near the White House on Wednesday afternoon when Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national and former soldier who served alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan, allegedly opened fire on two National Guard soldiers. The attack, described by former President Donald Trump as an “act of evil, hatred, and terror,” has reignited debates over immigration vetting and the militarization of U.S. cities. Lakanwal, who arrived in the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, was granted asylum in 2025. The suspect was shot and hospitalized after the attack, while the two wounded soldiers remain in critical condition. The incident has prompted immediate suspension of all Afghan immigration applications and increased National Guard deployments in Washington. Critics argue the event should not overshadow the broader Afghan refugee community, which undergoes rigorous vetting processes.
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Putin doubles down on demands for Ukrainian territory ahead of talks with US in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his non-negotiable conditions for ending the Ukraine conflict, declaring that Moscow will only cease hostilities if Ukrainian forces completely withdraw from territories currently claimed by Russia. During his diplomatic visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin emphasized Russia’s perceived battlefield advantage, stating that military force would ultimately achieve this objective if diplomatic efforts fail.
The contested regions include Crimea, illegally annexed in 2014, and the predominantly occupied Donbas territories comprising Luhansk and Donetsk. Putin’s statements come amid intensified diplomatic movements, including the anticipated arrival of U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow next week. President Donald Trump revealed that his son-in-law Jared Kushner might accompany the delegation, while U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is scheduled to visit Kyiv simultaneously.
Putin acknowledged reviewing a revised American-drafted peace proposal from October, which he suggested could serve as a foundational document for future agreements. However, he stressed the necessity of refining “certain specific points that require diplomatic formulation,” particularly regarding the status of occupied territories. When questioned about potential de facto versus legal recognition of Russian control over Crimea and Donbas, Putin identified this as the central focus of discussions with American counterparts.
The Russian leader reiterated his dismissal of Ukraine’s political legitimacy, claiming there was “no use” negotiating with what he considers an illegitimate government. This contradicts the Ukrainian parliament’s unanimous affirmation of President Zelensky’s legitimacy despite martial law preventing scheduled elections.
European leaders expressed skepticism toward Putin’s intentions, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accusing Russia of maintaining a post-World War Two mentality regarding European spheres of influence. Putin dismissed warnings about potential Russian attacks on Europe as “laughable,” while the White House maintained optimism about recent diplomatic progress despite acknowledged remaining disagreements.
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Mohanlal calls ‘Kireedam’ restoration an ‘honour’ at film festival screening
Veteran Indian actor Mohanlal has celebrated the meticulous 4K restoration of his 1989 Malayalam masterpiece ‘Kireedam,’ which premiered globally at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The digitally revitalized version of this cult classic was showcased in the Special Screenings category, receiving overwhelming appreciation from audiences and cinephiles alike.
Through an emotional statement on social media platform X, Mohanlal expressed profound gratitude toward the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and National Film Archive of India (NFAI) for their archival excellence. The restoration project utilized a 35mm release print preserved for decades after the original camera negative deteriorated. Cinematographer S. Kumar personally supervised the final color grading, ensuring artistic integrity throughout the digital transformation.
Mohanlal emphasized the cultural significance of preserving India’s rich cinematic legacy, stating: ‘It is heartening to witness such dedication toward conserving our artistic heritage for future generations through both digital and analog mediums.’
Directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A.K. Lohithadas, ‘Kireedam’ remains an iconic drama in Indian cinema history. The film portrays the tragic downfall of Sethumadhavan, a youth whose aspirations of joining the police force collapse under devastating circumstances. Mohanlal’s powerful performance earned him a National Award Special Jury Mention and cemented the film’s status as an enduring cultural touchstone.
The actor, recently seen in ‘Hridayapoorvam,’ is currently preparing for the Christmas release of ‘Vrusshabhaa,’ a Telugu-Malayalam bilingual period action drama.
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London Business School publishes case study on Floward, unveiled at Riyadh launch event
London Business School has formally unveiled an extensive case study examining the remarkable growth trajectory of Floward, the premier online flowers and gifts delivery enterprise operating across the Middle East, North Africa, and the United Kingdom. The official presentation occurred during a prestigious launch event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, signaling LBS’s formal establishment within the Kingdom.
The ceremony, held under the patronage of Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce, convened an audience of senior public and private sector leaders, distinguished academic faculty, and LBS alumni. This gathering not only celebrated the school’s expanded presence but also emphasized the strengthening relationship between the institution and Saudi Arabia’s dynamic business and innovation environment.
A dedicated panel discussion featured Floward’s Chairman and CEO, Abdulaziz B. Al Loughani, and Impact46 CEO Abdulaziz Al-Omran, a key early investor. The session was expertly moderated by Professor Luisa Alemany, the author of the case study. The analysis delves into Floward’s strategic evolution from a regional startup into a rapidly expanding e-commerce leader, scrutinizing its pivotal business decisions, unique operational framework, ingrained culture of innovation, and its transformative impact on the gifting sector throughout its markets.
In his remarks, Al Loughani, an LBS alumnus, described the recognition as a profoundly proud milestone. He expressed that having the company’s narrative integrated into an academic curriculum by an institution that was instrumental in his own professional development is a testament to Floward’s journey and its unwavering dedication to innovation and growth. He extended gratitude to Professor Alemany and the LBS community, while attributing the success to the entire Floward team.
Abdulaziz Al-Omran of Impact46 echoed these sentiments, highlighting the critical role of sustained investor-founder collaboration in fostering regional innovation. The publication of this case study is a component of LBS’s wider initiative to bolster business leadership and facilitate knowledge exchange in Saudi Arabia, efforts that are closely aligned with the Kingdom’s ambitious national transformation agenda and its flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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Ramaphosa dismisses US move to exclude S. Africa from G20 Summit in Miami
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly criticized the United States’ decision to exclude South Africa from the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami, labeling the move as ‘regrettable’ and based on ‘misinformation and distortions.’ In a statement issued on Thursday, Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa is a full and active member of the G20, participating in its own right and not by invitation from any single nation. He reiterated that South Africa joined the G20 through the consensus of all member countries and remains dedicated to fostering multilateral cooperation. Ramaphosa expressed disappointment over the persistent punitive measures by US President Donald Trump, despite ongoing efforts to reset diplomatic relations. The diplomatic tension escalated after Trump accused South Africa of failing to address alleged human rights abuses and mishandling the G20 presidency transition—claims firmly denied by Pretoria. Ramaphosa urged G20 members to uphold the forum’s consensus-based principles, warning that unilateral actions could undermine its credibility and inclusiveness.
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Abu Dhabi rents surge 14% as demand from expats outpaces housing supply
Abu Dhabi’s residential rental market is experiencing significant upward momentum, with apartment rents surging 14.2% year-on-year in Q3 2025 according to Cavendish Maxwell research. This substantial growth stems from a perfect storm of demographic expansion and supply limitations that continue to reshape the capital’s real estate landscape.
The driving forces behind this rental escalation include robust population growth, particularly among expatriates and the expanding workforce, creating unprecedented demand for housing. Despite new apartment supply entering the market throughout the year, exceptionally high absorption rates have maintained critically low vacancy levels, sustaining upward pressure on rental prices across the emirate.
Market analysis reveals a distinct performance divergence between property types. Apartments significantly outpaced villas in rental growth, recording a 12.8% annual increase compared to villa rents which grew at a more moderate 5.6% pace. According to Haider Tuaima, Managing Director and Head of Real Estate Research at ValuStrat, rental values demonstrated notable strength with the rental index advancing 2.3% quarterly and 9.3% annually.
The supply pipeline presents a complex picture. Developers are projected to deliver approximately 8,000 new residential units by end-2025, with an additional 12,800 anticipated in 2026. However, industry experts caution that actual deliveries frequently fall short of initial projections. Andrew Laver, Associate Director at Cavendish Maxwell Abu Dhabi, notes that ‘based on recent handover trends, we could see fewer-than-planned properties being delivered in the next couple of years.’ This staggered delivery approach, historically typical for Abu Dhabi, allows gradual market absorption and prevents sudden stock increases.
The sales market mirrored rental sector strength, with Q3 2025 recording robust transaction volumes exceeding 6,400 residential unit sales totaling Dh20.5 billion. Off-plan purchases dominated the market, accounting for Dh16.3 billion of total sales value. Market analysts anticipate both sales and rental prices will continue their upward trajectory in the near term, though growth rates will vary across locations as new supply enters specific market segments.
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Brazilian police crack down on $4.8B tax evasion and money laundering scheme
SAO PAULO — Brazilian authorities have initiated a sweeping law enforcement operation targeting a sophisticated financial crime network within the nation’s fuel industry. The operation, launched Thursday, represents one of the most significant actions against organized financial crime in recent years.
Federal police executed 126 search and seizure warrants across five Brazilian states, targeting individuals and corporate entities allegedly involved in a massive tax evasion and money laundering scheme. According to Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service, the organization under investigation constitutes the country’s largest tax debtor, with outstanding liabilities exceeding 26 billion reais (approximately $4.8 billion).
The criminal network employed a complex web of domestic companies, investment vehicles, and offshore entities to conceal illicit profits. While officials have not publicly identified specific targets, local media reports indicate the investigation centers around Grupo Fit, a prominent fuel refinery conglomerate. The company has not responded to media inquiries regarding the operation.
Finance Minister Fernando Haddad characterized Thursday’s actions as a continuation of recent efforts to dismantle criminal elements within Brazil’s fuel supply chain. This latest operation follows August revelations where authorities identified 40 fuel-sector investment funds allegedly used to hide assets for members of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), Brazil’s most powerful organized crime syndicate.
Investigators have uncovered a sophisticated capital flight pattern involving U.S.-based entities. Federal authorities identified more than 15 offshore operations in the United States that funneled approximately 1 billion reais ($186 million) back to Brazil for purchasing equity stakes and real estate assets.
Minister Haddad specifically highlighted Delaware as a jurisdiction exploited for money-laundering operations, describing it as ‘a tax haven in the United States’ facilitating ‘a serious international triangulation scheme.’ One recent transaction involved 1.2 billion reais ($223 million) directed to funds in the American state.
The scheme operated through loans issued to these offshore funds—suspected to be never intended for repayment—with the money subsequently returning to Brazil as ostensibly legitimate investments. Haddad emphasized that ‘the money sent abroad is not legitimate’ and represents illicit funds being laundered through the financial system.
Amid ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States, Minister Haddad has committed to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to pursue enhanced international cooperation with American authorities against organized crime and money laundering networks.
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Over 20,000 from home and abroad take part in first sci-tech intl month
The inaugural International Month of Science and Technology, organized by the China Association for Science and Technology, has successfully concluded, marking a significant milestone in global scientific collaboration. The event, which ran throughout November 2025, brought together over 20,000 experts from more than 110 countries and regions, fostering a platform for cross-border, cross-disciplinary, and cross-cultural exchange. Zhang Bin, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the association, emphasized the event’s alignment with the principles of building a shared future for humanity and advancing global initiatives. Over 60 activities were conducted, focusing on strategic emerging industries, advanced manufacturing, digital and information communication technologies, energy and materials, ecology, and space. The event yielded substantial outcomes, including the establishment of specialized organizations, the development of industry standards, and the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements. This landmark initiative has set a new benchmark for international scientific cooperation, paving the way for future advancements in technology and innovation.