分类： society

CHAOZHOU, GUANGDONG – The historic city of Chaozhou, widely recognized as the cultural heartland of the Teochew people, hosted the inauguration of the 23rd Teochew International Convention on Saturday, November 29, 2025. This significant gathering attracted representatives from 165 global organizations comprising individuals of Teochew ancestry, all converging to foster enhanced dialogue and collaborative initiatives.

The convention’s opening ceremony featured an address by Siddharth Chatterjee, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, who drew parallels between the UN’s 80-year legacy of global cooperation and the dedicated efforts of Teochew international associations. He emphasized the critical role of civil society in building bridges across nations, stating, ‘The United Nations in China looks forward to working with you to build a more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable future.’

A key development emerging from the convention was the official launch of a specialized program designed to strengthen supply chain cooperation. This initiative aims to significantly boost both export and import activities centered around Chaozhou, potentially creating new economic pathways for the region.

Adding a cultural dimension to the event, a new exhibition center dedicated to preserving and showcasing Teochew history and culture was inaugurated in the city. This institution will serve as a permanent repository for the rich heritage of a diaspora community numbering approximately 15 million people across more than 60 countries worldwide.

Dubai authorities have uncovered and thwarted an elaborate narcotics smuggling operation utilizing A4 printing paper as a concealment method, resulting in the imprisonment of a Gulf national. The Dubai Criminal Court delivered a mixed verdict, sentencing the individual to three months incarceration for drug consumption while exonerating him from importation charges due to insufficient evidence linking him directly to the shipment arrangement.

The case originated in April 2025 when a vigilant Dubai Customs inspector detected anomalies in a small parcel declared as standard office supplies. The shipment contained 22 sheets of paper that exhibited unusual characteristics, prompting immediate notification to Dubai Police. Law enforcement officials orchestrated a controlled operation instructing customs to summon the recipient for collection.

Upon arrival at the customs facility, the Gulf national was apprehended. Concurrently, a second suspect—an African national—arrived to retrieve the parcel using his Emirates ID. During interrogation, the African individual claimed he had been offered AED 5,000 to collect what he believed were legitimate work documents, asserting he had only received instructions on the delivery day.

Subsequent investigations by Dubai Police’s Anti-Narcotics Department revealed more sinister connections. The African suspect was identified as an established drug dealer with prior history of supplying prohibited substances to the Gulf national. Forensic laboratory analysis confirmed the paper sheets were impregnated with a synthetic controlled substance, highlighting an increasingly prevalent global smuggling technique designed to evade detection.

While the primary defendant denied any knowledge of or connection to the international shipment, forensic evidence conclusively established recent narcotics consumption through biological testing. The court determined that although drug use was substantiated, prosecution failed to prove the defendant’s involvement in orchestrating the importation beyond reasonable doubt. The African suspect remains under active investigation for narcotics trafficking offenses.

Authorities have issued renewed warnings about sophisticated drug concealment methods utilizing commonplace items including textiles, food packaging, and stationery products. Dubai officials emphasize the critical importance of public vigilance and strongly advise against accepting parcels for unknown individuals.

Shanghai History Museum has launched a groundbreaking exhibition showcasing the profound legacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the metropolitan region. Titled ‘Heritage, Harmony, Health: The Wisdom of Shanghai TCM for Modern Well-Being,’ the comprehensive display features over 300 meticulously curated artifacts that trace the evolution of medicinal practices throughout Shanghai’s history.

The crown jewel of the exhibition is an exceptionally rare first print copy of Li Shizhen’s Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), on special loan from Shanghai Library for a limited one-week viewing period. This monumental 16th-century encyclopedia represents one of Chinese medicine’s most significant contributions to global pharmacology. Li Shizhen dedicated three decades to compiling this masterwork, which systematically categorizes medicinal substances into plant, animal, and mineral classifications across 52 detailed volumes.

Historical scholars recognize the Jinling edition as the original version of this seminal text, with approximately 160 different editions identified to date. The exhibition contextualizes this pharmaceutical masterpiece within Shanghai’s broader medical heritage, demonstrating how traditional healing practices have continuously evolved while maintaining their philosophical foundations.

Beyond the literary treasure, the museum presents diverse artifacts including ancient diagnostic tools, prescription manuals, herbal specimens, and surgical instruments that illustrate the sophisticated practices of TCM practitioners through centuries of medical development. The exhibition particularly emphasizes how Shanghai emerged as a crucial hub for integrating traditional medical knowledge with modern healthcare approaches.

Running through March 1, the immersive experience offers visitors unique insights into how historical medical wisdom continues to inform contemporary wellness practices. The exhibition strategically bridges historical medical traditions with current health concepts, demonstrating TCM’s enduring relevance in modern preventive medicine and holistic treatment methodologies.

Hong Kong has commenced an official three-day mourning period following a catastrophic fire that claimed at least 128 lives, marking the city’s most devastating residential blaze in over four decades. The tragedy has plunged the territory into profound grief, with solemn ceremonies and public expressions of sorrow unfolding across the region.

At 8:00 AM local time, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee led senior government officials in a three-minute silence outside government headquarters, where both Chinese and Hong Kong flags flew at half-mast. Simultaneously, residents gathered near the scorched remains of Wang Fuk Court residential complex, leaving floral tributes and handwritten notes expressing sympathy for the victims.

The fire, which erupted Wednesday afternoon in the Tai Po district, rapidly engulfed seven of eight high-rise towers within the densely populated housing estate. Preliminary investigations indicate the blaze originated on protective netting covering lower floors, with highly flammable foam boards and bamboo scaffolding contributing to its rapid spread. Fire Services Director Andy Yeung confirmed that alarm systems in all eight buildings were malfunctioning during the incident, prompting vows of accountability for responsible contractors.

Rescue operations continue amid heartbreaking scenes, with approximately 200 individuals still reported missing and 89 bodies awaiting identification. Families desperately search hospitals and victim identification centers hoping to locate loved ones, while forensic teams work to recover additional remains from the devastated structure.

Law enforcement authorities have made significant progress in their investigation, with Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption arresting eight individuals—including consultants, scaffolding subcontractors, and project intermediaries—on suspicion of corruption-related offenses. Three additional men were detained Thursday for allegedly leaving flammable foam packaging at the site.

The government has established emergency shelters accommodating approximately 720 displaced residents, while temporary housing has been arranged for around 800 affected individuals. A remarkable community response has emerged, with organized donation centers providing clothing, food, medical care, and psychological support—though organizers have now requested暂停 further donations due to overwhelming public generosity.

Security Secretary Chris Tang indicated the comprehensive investigation into the fire’s causes may require up to four weeks to complete, as authorities work to determine full accountability for this unprecedented tragedy.

In response to the devastating Tai Po residential fire incident, the People’s Bank of China has implemented emergency financial measures to facilitate rapid cross-border humanitarian assistance. The central bank’s Macroprudential Policy Bureau issued directives on Thursday creating specialized banking protocols for mainland-based donations supporting relief operations in Hong Kong.

The newly established financial channel enables commercial banks to process renminbi denominated contributions without standard documentation requirements. Banking institutions may now directly execute transfers based solely on payment instructions from mainland entities or individual donors, provided they complete necessary data reporting procedures. Funds are being directed to a designated account (01287521901607) specifically created for coordinating disaster response efforts.

This regulatory flexibility aims to accelerate critical funding for search-and-rescue missions, emergency medical services, and subsequent victim support initiatives. The streamlined process represents an unusual departure from standard cross-border transfer protocols, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Financial authorities emphasized that while standard controls are temporarily eased, all transactions remain subject to appropriate data submission and monitoring requirements to maintain financial system integrity.

The Tai Po fire, which occurred in a residential district, has prompted significant cross-border solidarity with mainland organizations and citizens seeking to contribute to relief operations. The PBOC’s intervention demonstrates how financial regulatory systems can adapt to facilitate humanitarian crises response while maintaining necessary oversight mechanisms.

The United Arab Emirates anticipates agreeable weather conditions throughout the National Day holiday period, offering residents and visitors comfortable climatic conditions for celebrations. Meteorological projections indicate partly cloudy to occasionally overcast skies across specific coastal, northern, and eastern regions on Saturday, November 29th, with intermittent rainfall possibilities.

Weather authorities note increasing humidity levels anticipated during Saturday night through Sunday morning across interior zones, potentially resulting in mist formation. Winds are forecast to transition from light to moderate southeasterly patterns to northwesterly directions, occasionally intensifying with velocities ranging between 10-25 km/h, potentially reaching 40 km/h gusts. These conditions may generate blowing dust particles amid cloud activity.

Maritime conditions are projected to remain slight to moderate throughout the Arabian Gulf, while the Oman Sea will experience generally calm waters. Temperature distributions will showcase peak readings of 29°C in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with Sharjah reaching 30°C. Minimum temperatures will descend to 18°C in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, while Dubai maintains a slightly warmer low of 21°C. The day’s maximum temperature of 30.8°C was documented in Tawiyen (Fujairah) at 14:15 local time.

The National Center of Meteorology confirms the weather pattern from Saturday through December 3rd will feature moderately warm daytime conditions transitioning to pleasant evenings and cool early mornings. Partly cloudy coverage will extend across most territories, with increased cloud accumulation periodically, particularly affecting northern, coastal, and island areas, maintaining potential for scattered rainfall occurrences.

Hong Kong has commenced an official three-day mourning period following one of the most devastating fires in its history, which claimed 128 lives in the Tai Po district’s Wang Fuk Court residential complex. The solemn ceremonies began Saturday morning with a government-organized memorial service featuring flags flown at half-mast and a three-minute silence observed across the special administrative region.

The emotionally charged ceremony at government headquarters saw the simultaneous lowering of both national and regional flags, attended by senior HKSAR officials and central government representatives. Dozens of residents gathered outside the East Wing Forecourt since early morning to participate in the tribute, demonstrating community solidarity in the face of tragedy.

Official mourning protocols have been implemented throughout Hong Kong, with all government buildings—including overseas offices—displaying flags at half-mast until Monday. All government-organized entertainment and celebration events have been canceled or postponed, with officials attending only essential public activities during this period.

The catastrophic fire, which raged for 43 hours from Wednesday afternoon until Friday morning, represents one of Hong Kong’s deadliest building fires on record. Beyond the confirmed fatalities—which include one firefighter—approximately 200 individuals remain missing, with 89 bodies yet to be formally identified. The incident also left 79 people injured, including 12 firefighters who responded to the emergency.

Authorities have established condolence books available across all 18 districts of Hong Kong, allowing citizens to express their sympathies collectively. Rescue operations, investigation procedures, and relief efforts continue as the city unites in grief and support for affected families.

BANGKOK — The Thai government has announced a substantial recovery initiative addressing catastrophic flooding that has devastated the country’s southern region, resulting in significant casualties and widespread damage. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul formally acknowledged governmental shortcomings in disaster response during a Saturday press briefing, while outlining compensation measures for affected citizens.

Official statistics from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reveal the staggering scale of impact: approximately 1.4 million households encompassing 3.8 million individuals across twelve southern provinces have been affected by torrential rains. The confirmed death toll stands at 162 fatalities across eight provinces, with Songkhla province bearing the heaviest burden at 126 recorded deaths.

In a notable display of royal solidarity, King Maha Vajiralongkorn has pledged 100 million baht (approximately $3.11 million) to Hat Yai Hospital, which sustained severe flood damage, alongside committing royal support for funeral arrangements of all flood victims. This royal intervention complements government efforts as water levels finally began receding Saturday morning, allowing residents to return to their devastated properties.

Prime Minister Anutin confirmed that financial compensation distributions would commence next week, accompanied by additional relief measures including debt suspension programs and interest-free loans for business recovery and home repairs. The comprehensive response package comes amid growing public criticism regarding the government’s flood management capabilities, which the Prime Minister directly addressed during his field visits to affected communities.

In a landmark event for Australian political history, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese exchanged vows with partner Jodie Haydon in a discreet ceremony held Saturday at The Lodge, his official Canberra residence. The wedding marks the first instance of a sitting Australian prime minister marrying during their term in the nation’s 124-year federal history.

The intimate afternoon ceremony, conducted by a civil celebrant, was attended by approximately 60 guests including several cabinet ministers. Notably absent was media coverage, with details emerging only after the event concluded. The couple released a statement expressing their delight at sharing “our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends.”

The personalized ceremony featured custom-written vows and included their dog Toto as ring bearer and Haydon’s 5-year-old niece Ella as flower girl. The wedding followed careful political consideration, as initial plans for a larger 2024 celebration were postponed due to concerns that an elaborate ceremony during a cost-of-living crisis might impact the ruling Labor Party’s reelection prospects.

The Prime Minister, 62 and divorced with an adult son, proposed to Haydon, 46, on Valentine’s Day 2023 at The Lodge. The couple met at a Melbourne business dinner in 2020, where Haydon works in the finance sector. The wedding occurred just two days after Parliament concluded its annual session, providing a discreet window for the private celebration.