分类： society

MANILA, Philippines — In response to the devastating impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a state of emergency on Thursday. The typhoon, which has been the deadliest natural disaster in the country this year, has claimed at least 114 lives, with an additional 127 individuals reported missing. The majority of the fatalities were caused by drowning in flash floods, particularly in the central province of Cebu. The tropical cyclone, which affected nearly 2 million people, displaced over 560,000 villagers, including nearly 450,000 who sought refuge in emergency shelters. The typhoon exited the archipelago on Wednesday, moving into the South China Sea. During a meeting with disaster-response officials to evaluate the aftermath, President Marcos emphasized that the emergency declaration would expedite the disbursement of emergency funds and curb food hoarding and overpricing. This measure aims to provide swift relief to the affected communities and ensure the stability of essential supplies in the wake of the disaster.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, a legendary New York-based establishment celebrated for its coal-fired brick-oven pizzas, has officially opened its first Dubai location at Silicon Central Mall. This expansion marks a significant milestone as the pizzeria introduces its century-old Brooklyn pizza-making tradition to the UAE, offering residents and visitors an authentic taste of New York. Founded on the principles of hand-tossed fresh dough and premium ingredients, Grimaldi’s prides itself on its signature coal-fired brick ovens, which deliver unparalleled flavor and crispness. The restaurant features an open kitchen, allowing guests to witness the artistry behind each pizza, and provides a family-friendly, casual yet upscale ambiance suitable for any occasion. In addition to its award-winning pizzas, the Dubai menu includes a variety of appetizers and daily-made desserts. Grimaldi’s has consistently earned the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences 5 Star Diamond Award for eight consecutive years in the U.S. Joseph Ciolli, CEO of Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, expressed excitement about bringing the authentic New York pizza experience to Dubai, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to quality, tradition, and creating a welcoming environment for families and friends. With over 100 years of pizza-making heritage and international acclaim, Grimaldi’s continues to expand its global footprint, sharing its passion for pizza with new communities.

On the evening of November 5, 2025, a breathtaking celestial event unfolded as the full moon reached its peak phase at 9:19 pm Beijing Time. This particular full moon was the closest to Earth in 2025, making it the largest and most visually striking lunar display of the year. Across China, photographers and stargazers alike seized the opportunity to capture the moon’s radiant glow against iconic backdrops. One such image, taken by photographer Zou Hong, showcased the full moon hovering above the White Lotus Tower in Wuzhen’s Xizha scenic area in Zhejiang province. The photograph, shared by chinadaily.com.cn, highlights the moon’s majestic presence as it illuminated the night sky. This astronomical phenomenon not only drew attention from astronomy enthusiasts but also served as a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The event was widely celebrated, with social media platforms flooded with images and videos of the moon from various locations across the country.

Malaysian rapper Namewee, known for his provocative and satirical music, has been remanded in custody following the mysterious death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh. The 31-year-old was found unresponsive in a Kuala Lumpur hotel bathtub two weeks ago. Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, was the last person seen with Hsieh, who was in Malaysia to discuss a commercial video project. Police have reclassified her death as murder, and Namewee is now assisting in the investigation.

Namewee, 42, initially turned himself in after Hsieh’s death and was arrested when police discovered nine blue pills, suspected to be ecstasy, in the hotel room. Despite denying drug use, he tested positive for multiple illicit substances, including amphetamines, methamphetamine, ketamine, and THC. Although he was granted bail on drug-related charges, he has been detained again as the case escalated.

Namewee has maintained his innocence, accusing local media of sensationalism. The rapper, who boasts 3.6 million YouTube subscribers and 856,000 Instagram followers, is renowned for his controversial music, which often critiques societal and political issues. His 2021 song ‘Fragile,’ which mocked Chinese nationalists, was banned in China but gained widespread popularity among Mandarin-speaking audiences.

Hsieh, nicknamed the ‘nurse goddess,’ had a significant social media presence, with over 545,000 Instagram followers. She was known for her revealing photos and had recently started an OnlyFans account. Her family, unable to travel to Malaysia due to severe disabilities, has hired legal representatives to handle the case.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus stated that Namewee had ‘gone into hiding’ after the case was reclassified but later turned himself in, pledging full cooperation. Authorities are awaiting post-mortem and toxicology results to determine the cause of death. The case continues to unfold, drawing significant attention across Asia.

Navigating the notorious rush-hour traffic between Sharjah and Dubai can be a daunting task, but one traveler discovered a refreshing alternative: the ferry. On November 5, 2025, Waad Barakat opted for the Dubai Ferry from Al Ghubaiba station to Sharjah, transforming what would have been a grueling hour-long drive into a serene 32-minute journey across calm waters. As the ferry departed promptly at 4pm, the bustling cityscape of Dubai faded into the background, replaced by the soothing sounds of waves and the sight of seabirds gliding overhead. The ferry offered a unique perspective of Dubai, showcasing both modern waterfront developments and traditional dhows bobbing gently at the docks. Inside, the cabin was comfortably air-conditioned, with a gentle sea breeze flowing through the deck. Around 15 passengers, including tourists and regular commuters, enjoyed the peaceful ride. By 4:32pm, the ferry docked at Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station, and a quick taxi ride brought Barakat to the Expo Centre Sharjah by 4:49pm—matching the time it would have taken by car but without the stress. This experience was part of broader efforts by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) to enhance transportation options for visitors to the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025). New shuttle bus routes and marine transport services, including the FR5 ferry, have been introduced to ease commutes. Badr Mohammed Saab, Director of Government Communications at SBA, emphasized the importance of institutional cooperation in supporting cultural events like SIBF. As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the water, Barakat arrived at the Expo grounds feeling refreshed and triumphant, having outsmarted the rush-hour chaos.

A dramatic confrontation at a Miss Universe pre-pageant ceremony in Thailand has sparked widespread outrage and solidarity among contestants. Nawat Itsaragrisil, the director of Miss Universe Thailand, publicly reprimanded Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, for allegedly failing to post promotional content. When Ms. Bosch objected, Mr. Nawat escalated the situation by calling security and threatening to disqualify those who supported her. This led to Ms. Bosch leaving the room, followed by several other contestants, including reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark. The incident, which was live-streamed, quickly went viral, prompting condemnation from the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO). MUO President Raul Rocha described Mr. Nawat’s behavior as ‘malicious’ and ‘disrespectful,’ stating that it contradicted the pageant’s mission of empowering women. Mr. Nawat has since apologized, claiming his words were misunderstood, but the MUO has limited his involvement in the competition and is considering legal action. Despite the controversy, the pageant continues, with the winner set to be crowned on November 21 in Bangkok. Ms. Bosch, in a post-event interview, emphasized her commitment to being a voice for women and girls worldwide, stating, ‘I’m not a doll to be made up and styled. I came here to make a difference.’