分类： society

The aviation community was left in mourning following the tragic crash of the Indian Air Force’s Tejas aircraft at the Dubai Airshow on November 21, 2025. Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, lost his life when the plane lost altitude and crashed, erupting into flames. The incident brought the airshow to an abrupt halt, leaving fellow aviators and spectators in shock. In a poignant tribute, the Russian Knights aerobatic team performed the solemn ‘Missing Man’ formation on the final day of the event, honoring Syal and other fallen aviators. The US Air Force demonstration team, deeply affected by the tragedy, canceled their performance out of respect for the pilot and his family. The Russian Knights described the crash as ‘impossible to describe’ and dedicated their aerial display to the ‘brothers who did not return from their last flight.’ The ‘Missing Man’ formation, a traditional tribute in aviation, involves four aircraft flying in a ‘V’ formation, with one aircraft breaking away to symbolize the loss of a comrade. The Dubai Airshow, a grand event showcasing aviation excellence, concluded on a somber yet respectful note, highlighting the camaraderie and shared grief within the global aviation community.

North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has officially launched its five-month ice-snow tourism season, marking a significant step in China’s nationwide push to develop the ice-and-snow economy. The season, which runs from December 20, 2025, to May 2026, will feature 159 cultural activities, 48 sporting events, and 45 themed travel routes, according to local authorities. Key highlights include the 21st Ice and Snow Nadam Fair and the 22nd China-Russia-Mongolia International Ice and Snow Festival in Manzhouli, a border city in Inner Mongolia. This initiative aligns with China’s state-level plan to grow the ice-and-snow economy to a 1.2 trillion yuan ($169 billion) industry by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030. Other regions, such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Xinjiang, are also enhancing their winter tourism offerings with expanded attractions, tourism vouchers, and unique incentives like student ‘snow breaks.’ Inner Mongolia cities like Ulanqab and Arxan are promoting local features such as volcanic skiing and snowmobiling, while offering tourism vouchers, ‘ski-hot spring’ combo tickets, and enhanced visitor comfort measures like heated rest areas and extended venue hours.

In a startling incident at Wat Rat Prakhong Tham, a Buddhist temple in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok, a 65-year-old woman shocked temple staff by moving inside her coffin as she was being prepared for cremation. The temple shared a video on its Facebook page, capturing the woman lying in a white coffin in the back of a pick-up truck, slightly moving her arms and head. Pairat Soodthoop, the temple’s general and financial affairs manager, recounted the bizarre event to The Associated Press on Monday. He explained that the woman’s brother had transported her from Phitsanulok province for cremation, believing she had passed away two days prior. The brother claimed his sister had been bedridden for two years and appeared to stop breathing recently. However, during the journey, faint knocking sounds were heard from the coffin. Upon opening it, the staff discovered the woman slightly opening her eyes and tapping on the coffin’s side. The brother had initially intended to donate her organs but was turned away by a Bangkok hospital due to the lack of an official death certificate. The temple, which offers free cremation services, also refused to proceed without the required documentation. After assessing the woman’s condition, the temple arranged for her to be taken to a nearby hospital, with the abbot pledging to cover her medical expenses.

Two Dubai students, Vanya Pahwa and Inaya Danish, have been selected to join the newly formed Dubai Students Council, a prestigious role that comes with significant responsibility. Inspired by the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the students are determined to focus on wellbeing, environmental action, and cultural awareness. Their selection was confirmed through personal letters from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, marking a pivotal moment in their lives. Vanya, from Springdale School Dubai, and Inaya, from Bloom World Academy, both bring a wealth of experience in student leadership. Vanya’s journey began with her active participation in various school roles, which honed her ability to bridge the gap between students and teachers. Inaya, on the other hand, was driven by instinct when she applied for the Council, seeing it as an opportunity to make a difference. The selection process was rigorous, involving interviews and group tasks, but both students emerged as part of the final 40 chosen citywide. Their visions for the Council are deeply personal. Vanya aims to address mental health and real-life skills, while Inaya is passionate about environmental sustainability and cultural understanding. Both students received a copy of ‘Lessons from Life’ by Sheikh Mohammed, which has profoundly influenced their approach to leadership. Vanya was inspired by the message of taking initiative, while Inaya resonated with the idea of compassionate leadership. As they embark on this new chapter, both students see the Council not as a platform for personal gain, but as an opportunity to serve and make a lasting impact on their community.

Malaysia is set to enforce a nationwide ban on social media usage for individuals under the age of 16, effective from 2026. This decision aligns with a global trend of governments addressing the adverse effects of digital platforms on youth mental health and safety. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced on Sunday that the government is studying age restriction mechanisms employed by countries like Australia to safeguard young users from online threats such as cyberbullying, financial scams, and child exploitation. Fadzil emphasized the expectation that social media platforms will comply with the new regulation, preventing minors from creating accounts. The move comes amid escalating international scrutiny of tech giants like TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta Platforms, which face lawsuits in the U.S. for their alleged role in exacerbating mental health crises among young users. Australia is set to deactivate accounts of users under 16 next month, while European nations like France, Spain, and Italy are piloting age verification systems. Indonesia, Malaysia’s neighbor, has also introduced measures to filter harmful content and strengthen age verification. Malaysia has intensified its oversight of social media platforms in recent years, citing a surge in harmful content, including online gambling and sensitive posts about race, religion, and royalty. Under new regulations effective since January, platforms with over 8 million users in Malaysia must obtain a license to operate.