分类： society

RAS AL KHAIMAH – The inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Fitness Challenge 2025 concluded with a landmark ceremony at the Ras Al Khaimah Sports Complex on Friday, where Walid Omar Ali Salman Al Nuaimi emerged as the grand prize winner, receiving Dh50,000 for his extraordinary physical transformation. The event, presided over by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, celebrated exceptional achievements across multiple fitness categories while spotlighting the emirate’s growing prominence as a wellness destination.

Al Nuaimi’s journey exemplified the competition’s core mission of promoting sustainable lifestyle changes. Beginning the three-month challenge at 150kg, the Ras Al Khaimah native successfully reduced his weight by 19kg, reaching 131kg through disciplined training and nutritional adjustments. In his victory speech, Al Nuaimi described the experience as ‘life-changing,’ noting complete overhaul of his daily routines, eating habits, and exercise patterns. He credited his coach from A25 Gym and family support as crucial factors in his unexpected success.

The competition also recognized Khalid Mohamed Ali Al Shehhi as second-place finisher, who achieved an impressive 20kg weight reduction from 135kg to 115kg. Al Shehhi attributed his transformation to a rigorously structured diet and exercise regimen guided by his brother and coach at Rashaqa Life Gym, highlighting his mother’s role in preparing nutritious meals that helped him avoid fast food temptations.

Organized under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, this pioneering initiative targeted Emirati youth aged 15-30 with Body Mass Index readings exceeding 40. According to Saeed Jumaa Al Maas, Vice Chairman of the Fitness Challenge Committee, the program implemented stringent medical assessments fully sponsored by the Crown Prince’s office to ensure participant safety and commitment.

The challenge generated remarkable community engagement, with local gyms offering complimentary memberships—some extending for over a year—alongside nutritional guidance and personalized training programs. From 115 initial applicants, 68 athletes passed medical screenings and participated in professionally supervised training regimens testing endurance, strength, agility, and neuromuscular coordination. Through elimination rounds, the field narrowed to 20 finalists who faced a grueling final assessment featuring high-intensity exercises including air bike calories, rowing metrics, and kettlebell carries without rest periods.

With total prize money reaching Dh810,000 distributed across 20 categories, organizers emphasized that all participants achieved victory through improved health outcomes. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud announced during the closing ceremony that the second edition will launch early next year with expanded eligibility starting from age 13, reinforcing Ras Al Khaimah’s commitment to fostering healthier lifestyles among youth.

Renowned American children’s content creator Rachel Griffin Accurso, professionally known as Ms Rachel, has reported escalating security threats against her family following her controversial nomination for ‘Antisemite of the Year’ by pro-Israel organization StopAntisemitism.

In a detailed Instagram statement published Thursday, the early childhood educator revealed she has been compelled to employ security personnel due to persistent harassment campaigns originating from false allegations that she supports Hamas. The educational content creator, celebrated for her ‘Songs for Littles’ YouTube series that delivers developmental content to toddlers, emphasized that the accusations lack any evidentiary foundation.

The situation has profoundly affected her personal life, with Ms Rachel describing emotional distress experienced by her young children. She recounted an incident where her son overheard safety discussions and subsequently spent the night clinging to her hand, fearful for her security. ‘This has taken such a toll on me and my family,’ she expressed, ‘and all I’ve wanted was to help kids.’

The controversy originated in May 2024 when Ms Rachel initiated a humanitarian fundraiser for children in multiple conflict zones, including Gaza. Pro-Israel groups subsequently criticized her for sharing content with her substantial audience of over 20 million followers that documented the plight of Palestinian children affected by food shortages and military operations.

Among the nine public figures nominated for the controversial distinction were media personality Tucker Carlson and actress Marcia Cross, all of whom have publicly criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza and U.S. support for these actions.

Recent months have seen StopAntisemitism escalate their campaign by petitioning U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate potential foreign funding of Ms Rachel’s advocacy—an allegation currently unsupported by publicly available evidence.

Despite the intense pressure, Ms Rachel remains resolute in her advocacy, affirming that the harassment will not deter her from ‘standing with the kids of Gaza, Sudan and the Congo etc.’

The situation has generated significant social media discourse, with historian Assal Rad commenting: ‘We live in a world where Ms Rachel has faced more pressure for defending Palestinian children than Israel has for slaughtering them.’ Numerous supporters have echoed this sentiment, praising her educational contributions while condemning the smear campaign.

In an extraordinary cross-cultural initiative, French and Chinese artists are jointly transforming the industrial legacy of Ningxiang’s former coal mining hub into a vibrant cultural destination. The collaborative effort between Avignon Higher School of Art and Chinese partners focuses on the Wumuchong International Art Zone, located in Meitanba—a town once dominated by coal extraction until the last mine closed in 2014.

The project, launched in 2016, represents a conscious shift from industrial decline to cultural rejuvenation. Since cooperation began earlier this year, teams have been working to restore nine historical structures while maintaining their authentic materials and character. According to Hervé Giocanti, a conservation professor at ESAA, the approach goes beyond physical restoration: “First, we need to understand the history of this mine and its people.”

This philosophical commitment led artists to conduct interviews with retired miners, weaving personal narratives and emotional connections into the restoration process. The French team also introduced innovative ecological solutions, including biochar technology that processes abandoned materials through anaerobic combustion, reducing pollution while creating outputs useful for both agriculture and art.

French artist Sarah Venturi exemplified this sustainable approach by developing a unique pigment called “Meitanba Black” from recycled coal dust found on site. Professor Liu Ke of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, one of the project’s initiators, revealed that restoration will focus on two to three buildings annually. The vision includes integrating new constructions with preserved heritage, all utilizing advanced ecological technologies.

Concurrently, efforts are underway to attract international artists for residencies lasting one to two months, fostering deeper cultural exchanges and collaborative relationships with local artists. This extended engagement aims to create genuine bonds between visiting artists and the Chinese community, transforming Meitanba into an internationally recognized eco-art zone.

In an innovative move for China’s judicial system, the Beijing Chaoyang District People’s Court has established a pioneering mediation unit composed entirely of retired legal professionals. On December 5, 2025, the court formally appointed 21 former judges to spearhead this groundbreaking initiative aimed at leveraging decades of judicial expertise for community dispute resolution.

The newly formed team, drawing retired judges from Beijing and multiple provinces including Shandong, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, and Heilongjiang, represents the nation’s first specialized mediation corps of its kind. These legal veterans bring collective experience spanning hundreds of years in adjudication to their new roles as mediators.

Their primary mission focuses on intercepting disputes before they escalate into formal litigation, addressing conflicts across diverse areas including employment disagreements, family property distribution, child support arrangements, and public utility concerns such as heating disputes. The court recently highlighted the team’s effectiveness by showcasing eight successfully mediated cases that demonstrated their capability in resolving complex community issues.

Among the appointees is Hou Chunying, a retired judge from the very court now launching this initiative, who expressed enthusiasm about continuing her service to the community. ‘I’m delighted to have a new platform to continue my passion for serving the community with my legal expertise,’ Hou stated. ‘As a mediator, I can leverage my over 30 years of adjudication experience to assist the public in resolving disputes from a fresh perspective.’

Complementing the judicial expertise, the team also incorporates two retired community committee leaders, enhancing its ability to connect with citizens and understand grassroots legal needs. This strategic combination of legal acumen and community insight aims to both address immediate disputes and foster broader public legal awareness.

This initiative marks a significant evolution in China’s approach to judicial resource utilization and community governance, representing a novel model for engaging retired professionals in social conflict prevention and the promotion of rule-of-law principles at the grassroots level.

The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has unleashed an unprecedented hospitality crisis, with hotel rates experiencing astronomical increases exceeding 1,600% and severe parking restrictions transforming Yas Island into a logistical challenge for thousands of attendees.

Premium accommodations have reached extraordinary price points. The W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is offering its ‘Spectacular Room’ at Dh90,000 for single occupancy and Dh92,000 for double occupancy during the race weekend. The property’s ‘Fantastic Suite’ commands Dh110,000 and Dh112,000 respectively. These packages include complimentary after-race concert access for up to three guests per room and race viewing privileges that typically eliminate the need for separate race tickets.

Even non-luxury accommodations reflect the severe price inflation. Hilton Yas Island listings start from Dh48,020 plus taxes, while an overnight superyacht experience costs Dh32,464. The Marriott Hotel Al Forsan and Aloft Abu Dhabi are charging Dh18,855 and Dh13,405 respectively for three-night stays, excluding substantial additional fees.

This pricing landscape represents a dramatic departure from normal rates. Comparative analysis reveals that identical three-night stays at the same hotels in February would cost merely Dh3,145 at W Hotel Yas Island, Dh5,267 at Hilton Yas Island, and Dh3,537 at Aloft Abu Dhabi including all taxes.

The parking situation has compounded visitor challenges. Yas Island implemented tiered parking fees reaching Dh3,500 during peak evening hours, with many familiar parking spots restricted even for non-race activities. Residents reported being unable to access regular facilities like gyms due to widespread parking limitations.

Event organizers have directed attendees to utilize Yas Mall parking with complimentary shuttle services. The Integrated Transport Centre has deployed 82 public buses shuttling from Yas Mall and Warner Bros. car parks, supplemented by approximately 3,000 taxis and 15 autonomous vehicles operating on designated island routes.

Despite the logistical and financial hurdles, dedicated fans like petroleum engineer Nasser consider the premium justified. ‘I was keen to be here tonight—it’s the place to be during F1,’ he stated, having secured a discounted room at Dh15,000 for a single night, still dramatically above typical pricing.

Hong Kong authorities have launched a comprehensive safety enforcement initiative across the city’s construction and maintenance sites following the devastating Tai Po fire that resulted in 159 fatalities. Multiple government departments are implementing rigorous inspection protocols and regulatory measures to prevent similar tragedies.

The Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit has conducted targeted inspections at several major residential complexes, including Sui Wo Court in Sha Tin, Ching Lai Court and Yee Kok Court in Sham Shui Po, On Kay Court in Kwun Tong, and Fung Wah Estate in Chai Wan. These inspections specifically focus on contractors’ compliance with the Development Bureau’s directive to remove all exterior protective netting from buildings undergoing major maintenance by Saturday.

Significant progress has already been achieved, with the Housing Department confirming the complete removal of netting across 15 public housing estates as of Thursday. In parallel, the Buildings Department has collected netting samples from 400 private buildings engaged in external wall repairs for comprehensive analysis.

The Architectural Services Department has examined all 18 active public works projects, gathering additional netting samples for laboratory testing. Meanwhile, the Labour Department has conducted extensive fire safety inspections at 239 construction sites, resulting in 130 written warnings, 61 improvement notices, and 17 prosecutions for violations of fire protection standards and emergency preparedness requirements.

This multi-departmental response represents one of Hong Kong’s most comprehensive building safety initiatives in recent years, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing construction safety protocols and preventing future tragedies through strengthened enforcement and regulatory oversight.