The United Nations has expressed relief as a fragile ceasefire in Gaza was reinstated following a weekend of renewed violence, allowing humanitarian aid to flow once more. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, representing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasized the importance of upholding the truce and protecting civilians. ‘We commend the mediators’ efforts and urge all parties to avoid actions that could reignite hostilities,’ Dujarric stated. He also reiterated calls for the release of deceased hostages’ remains. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported the successful distribution of food parcels to thousands of families in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, marking a significant step in addressing Gaza’s dire needs. Additionally, Israeli authorities permitted UN monitors at the Kissufim crossing, enhancing oversight of aid delivery. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher concluded his Gaza visit, witnessing UNICEF nutrition centers and UNDP road clearance projects. Fletcher later met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah to discuss Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, the 60-day aid scale-up plan, and the broader peace process. In Jerusalem, Fletcher convened with the UN humanitarian country team, including representatives from 200 NGOs. A $6.5 million contribution from Australia’s Minderoo Foundation was announced to support Gaza’s relief efforts. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, OCHA documented 71 settler attacks during the olive harvest season, highlighting ongoing tensions and violence.
作者： admin
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UAE: Jaw ache, fatigue? Doctors flag unusual symptoms of women’s heart attacks
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of death among women worldwide, responsible for nearly 30% of female fatalities—twice the number caused by cancer. Despite this, heart disease in women is often under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated, largely due to the misconception that it predominantly affects men. In the UAE, medical experts are highlighting the atypical symptoms women may experience during a heart attack, urging greater awareness and timely intervention.
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Three days to go: Charming Beijing, Shared with the World
With just three days remaining until a highly anticipated global event, Beijing is poised to captivate the world with its unique charm and cultural richness. The city, renowned for its blend of ancient heritage and modern innovation, is set to welcome visitors from across the globe. This event promises to highlight Beijing’s role as a cultural and economic hub, fostering international collaboration and mutual understanding. The countdown has sparked widespread excitement, with preparations in full swing to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for all participants. From showcasing its historical landmarks to highlighting contemporary achievements, Beijing aims to share its story with the world, reinforcing its position as a key player on the global stage.
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Japanese PM Ishiba’s cabinet resigns
In a significant political development, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his cabinet officially resigned on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, bringing an end to an administration that had been in power for just over a year. The resignation took place during an extraordinary cabinet meeting held in Tokyo, where ministers submitted their formal letters of resignation. This move paves the way for the election of Japan’s next prime minister, with both chambers of the Diet set to convene later in the day. Sanae Takaichi, the president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is widely anticipated to secure the position. Her candidacy is bolstered by the support of the Japan Innovation Party, which recently formed a coalition with the LDP following the withdrawal of Komeito from the alliance. Once elected, Takaichi is expected to finalize her cabinet appointments, with the chief cabinet secretary scheduled to announce the new lineup. Additionally, Takaichi plans to hold a press conference to outline her policy priorities and the rationale behind her key cabinet selections. This transition marks a pivotal moment in Japan’s political landscape, as the nation prepares for a new leadership era under Takaichi’s stewardship.
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Malawian president abolishes school fees, pledges to end hunger
In a landmark announcement, Malawi’s newly inaugurated President Peter Mutharika has unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the nation’s education and food security landscape. Speaking at an annual cultural festival in Thyolo District, Mutharika declared that primary and secondary education will be free for all Malawian students starting January 2026. The president emphasized the critical role of education in national development, urging parents and guardians to ensure every child attends school. ‘Parents will now have no excuse for failing to send their children to school. Education is the foundation of progress,’ Mutharika stated. Additionally, the president addressed the pressing issue of hunger, revealing that his government is securing 200,000 metric tons of maize from Zambia to assist over four million food-insecure citizens. Mutharika, who assumed office on October 4, 2025, following his victory in the September 16 presidential election, has prioritized these initiatives as part of his broader vision for a prosperous Malawi. The agriculture minister has been dispatched to Zambia to finalize the maize procurement deal, underscoring the administration’s commitment to alleviating hunger and fostering sustainable development.
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CityFly takes off as China’s newest travel trend in low-altitude tourism
China’s tourism landscape is soaring to new heights with the rise of ‘CityFly,’ a trend that is transforming how travelers experience the country. Moving beyond traditional sightseeing, this innovative approach embraces low-altitude activities such as paragliding, skydiving, and scenic helicopter rides, offering thrill-seekers a vertical perspective of urban and natural landscapes. Emerging as a successor to the popular ‘Citywalk’ trend, CityFly is rapidly gaining traction among young Chinese travelers, driven by the nation’s booming low-altitude economy. In Zhejiang province, for instance, paragliding has evolved from a niche adventure to a mainstream attraction. Li Duo, a Shanghai resident in her early 20s, described her first paragliding experience as ‘breathtaking,’ gliding over bamboo forests and tea gardens on Mogan Mountain. Yang Aiping, manager of the paragliding base, reported a tenfold increase in visitors since 2019, with over 100,000 participants this year. The trend is not limited to Zhejiang. In Sanya, Hainan province, skydiving has become a major draw, with a 20% year-on-year increase in customers during the first quarter of 2025. Official data reveals that Sanya’s low-altitude tourism sector served 287,000 tourists in the first half of 2024, generating 730 million yuan in revenue and creating 2,300 jobs. Zhao Yuehua, an aviation industry expert, attributes this surge to China’s rapidly developing low-altitude economy, which has reduced flight costs from 3,000 yuan per person a decade ago to around 1,000 yuan today. The sector’s growth has been further bolstered by its inclusion in the 2024 government work report, positioning it as a key economic driver. Projections indicate that the low-altitude economy will reach a market size of 1.5 trillion yuan by 2025 and expand to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035. With 89,000 active enterprises in the sector, including 11,700 new registrations in the first five months of 2025, CityFly is reshaping China’s tourism industry, offering travelers a three-dimensional experience and injecting new vitality into the market.
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Top court cracks down on firearms
China’s Supreme People’s Court has reinforced its commitment to stringent firearm and explosive control, highlighting the judiciary’s dedication to eradicating gun-related threats and ensuring public safety. In a recent announcement, the court unveiled six pivotal cases to underscore the necessity of combating gun-related crimes, particularly those involving modified weapons. The court has urged judges across the nation to prioritize the protection of citizens’ lives and property. The court emphasized that firearms, ammunition, and explosives can exacerbate criminal activities, potentially leading to severe violent incidents and widespread public fear. It stressed the importance of rigorous control over such items and a firm judicial stance against related offenses. The disclosed cases primarily involved nail guns, which have increasingly been modified into firearms in certain regions, resulting in serious injuries. Nail guns, commonly used in construction and renovation, are designed to drive fasteners into materials using compressed air, gas, or electricity. However, their ease of modification has led to their misuse as firearms, posing significant public safety risks. In one notable case, two hardware store operators in Qidong, Jiangsu province, knowingly modified and sold nail guns equipped with metal plates, enabling them to fire metal projectiles. The pair sold 36 such devices, earning a profit of 16,324 yuan ($2,290). The local court classified the modified nail guns as firearms under the Criminal Law, sentencing one defendant to 11 years and the other to 12 years in prison. The Supreme People’s Court affirmed that the ruling reflects the judiciary’s unwavering stance against firearm-related crimes, aiming to prevent gun violence, enhance public safety, and maintain social stability. While the court advocates severe penalties for such offenses, it also noted that individuals who collect firearms as a hobby and voluntarily surrender them may receive leniency if they have not engaged in illegal activities or caused harm. The court further encouraged public awareness and reporting of gun-related information to law enforcement.
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Economic shockwaves
A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlights the severe economic repercussions of recent US tariff policies on Southeast Asian nations, particularly Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. These export-driven economies are projected to face significant declines in their US-bound exports, with Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand expected to see contractions of 23.9 percent, 19.2 percent, and 12.7 percent, respectively.
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Dive into the old world of Chinese martial arts
Jacob Brinnand’s journey into the world of Chinese martial arts is a tale of transformation, dedication, and cultural exchange. Growing up in the Bay Area, Brinnand was immersed in the Asian and Pacific Islander community, where martial arts played a significant role in shaping the local culture. Inspired by kung fu movies like *Drunken Master II*, he developed a deep fascination for the art form. However, his search for authenticity in martial arts remained unfulfilled until a pivotal encounter in 2005.
While attending college, Brinnand met Y.C. Wong, a fourth-generation disciple of the legendary Wong Fei-hung. Wong Fei-hung, a revered figure in Chinese martial arts, was renowned for his mastery of *hung gar* and *drunk boxing*, as well as his expertise in *dit da*, a traditional Chinese medicine practice for trauma and bone setting. Under Wong’s mentorship, Brinnand found not only a teacher but also a guiding light that steered him away from a self-destructive path.
Wong, who had dedicated his life to kung fu since the 1960s, took Brinnand under his wing, offering him lessons in both martial arts and life. ‘He showed me incredible kindness and strength without asking for anything in return,’ Brinnand recalled. Wong’s teachings extended beyond physical combat, emphasizing the holistic benefits of kung fu, including health, longevity, and community service.
In 2007, Brinnand traveled to China to participate in the 160th anniversary of Wong Fei-hung’s birth, an experience that deepened his connection to the lineage. He later relocated to Houston, Texas, where he now teaches kung fu full-time, passing on the wisdom and techniques he learned from Wong to a new generation of students. Brinnand’s story is a testament to the transformative power of martial arts and the enduring legacy of cultural exchange between China and the United States.
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Clean river: It takes a family
For over four decades, Song Hengchun and his family have dedicated their lives to maintaining the cleanliness of the Zhaozhuang reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village, Yiyuan county, Shandong province. The reservoir, constructed in the 1960s, plays a vital role in irrigating local farms and sustaining surrounding communities. In the 1980s, Song, then 30 years old, left his urban job to return to his hometown and take on the responsibility of safeguarding the reservoir. His commitment soon became a family affair, with his wife and later his son joining him in this noble endeavor. Together, they conduct regular inspections of the water quality and, during flood seasons, navigate the reservoir by boat to remove debris and trash. In 2014, Song was officially appointed as the river chief, a role that further solidified his dedication to the reservoir. This past June, his son succeeded him as river chief, ensuring the family’s legacy of environmental stewardship continues for generations.