分类： society

In a remarkable discovery, messages in a bottle written by two Australian soldiers during World War I have been found over a century later on Australia’s coastline. The Brown family stumbled upon the Schweppes-brand bottle on October 9, 2025, during a routine beach cleanup at Wharton Beach near Esperance in Western Australia. Inside the bottle were cheerful letters penned in pencil by Privates Malcolm Neville, 27, and William Harley, 37, dated August 15, 1916. The soldiers were aboard the troop ship HMAT A70 Ballarat, which had departed Adelaide on August 12, 1916, bound for the Western Front in Europe. Neville tragically lost his life in action a year later, while Harley survived the war but succumbed to cancer in 1934, believed to be a result of being gassed in the trenches. Neville’s letter requested the finder deliver it to his mother, Robertina Neville, while Harley was content for his note to be kept by the discoverer. The bottle, found in pristine condition, likely spent decades buried in sand dunes before being dislodged by recent erosion. The legible letters have since connected the soldiers’ descendants, who expressed profound astonishment and emotional resonance with the discovery. Harley’s granddaughter described it as a ‘miracle,’ while Neville’s great nephew reflected on the pride and sorrow tied to his ancestor’s sacrifice.

At an age when most teenagers are still figuring out their life paths, three Dubai-based sisters—Inaya, Simar, and Rania Bhasin—are making a profound impact on communities in Tanzania through their non-profit organization, the Arise Foundation. Founded on the principles of ‘Educate, Empower, and Conserve,’ the foundation aims to uplift underprivileged students and communities, demonstrating how youthful energy and determination can drive global change. The sisters began their journey with small initiatives, such as organizing recycling drives in Dubai and selling artwork to raise funds. Their efforts have since evolved into structured programs addressing critical issues like education, food security, and environmental sustainability. Partnering with Diamond Trust Bank Tanzania Plc (DTB), the foundation has donated 100 desktop computers to Songoro Mnyonge School, revolutionizing teaching methods and enhancing students’ digital skills. Additionally, their women-led school lunch initiative provides daily nutritious meals to 1,300 students, significantly improving attendance and academic performance while empowering local women through employment. The sisters also launched the Adopt a Tree initiative, planting 135 seedlings to foster environmental awareness and climate resilience. Despite its youth, the Arise Foundation has already made a tangible impact, proving that young leaders can address global challenges with innovative solutions and optimism.

The Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) is set to return for its ninth edition on November 1, 2025, promising a month-long extravaganza of free fitness activities designed to inspire and engage residents of all ages and abilities. Running until November 30, this city-wide initiative will feature an array of events, including four flagship mass-participation events, three fitness villages, over 25 community hubs, and thousands of classes across Dubai. Highlights include the Dubai Ride on November 2, where cyclists can choose between a family-friendly 4-km route or a challenging 12-km course along iconic landmarks. The Dubai Stand Up Paddle event on November 8 and 9 at Hatta Dam offers a mix of fitness and adventure, while the Dubai Run on November 23 transforms Sheikh Zayed Road into the world’s largest free community fun run. The Challenge concludes with the inaugural Dubai Yoga event on November 30, a mass yoga session at Zabeel Park. Additionally, three fitness villages at Kite Beach, Zabeel Park, and Al Warqa’a Park will offer a variety of activities, from beach sports to yoga and cycling, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Registration for these events is now open, making it easy for participants to join in and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

Educational exchanges between China and the United States are set to play a crucial role in fostering stronger bilateral ties, according to officials and experts. This sentiment was highlighted during a sub-forum at the 7th China-US Sister Cities Conference held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on October 27, 2025. Natalie Mihalek, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, emphasized the importance of such exchanges in bridging cultural and ideological divides. ‘In a world that feels increasingly divided, a conference like this reminds us that knowledge knows no borders,’ she stated. Mihalek further noted that when students and teachers from different countries share classrooms, ideas, and experiences, they cultivate empathy, communication, and understanding. For decades, educational collaborations have enabled students from both nations to gain new skills and perspectives on each other’s history and culture, enriching local communities. Brigham Young University (BYU) serves as a prime example, having collaborated with China for over 40 years. In 1979, a group of BYU student performers visited China, marking one of the first Western performing arts groups to do so in years and establishing a foundation for regular exchanges. Since then, thousands of BYU students and faculty have studied, lived, and performed in China, according to Jeff Ringer, the university’s associate international vice-president. In 1989, BYU initiated the China Teachers Program, which has seen over 2,000 BYU teachers educate hundreds of thousands of Chinese students, fostering lifelong friendships and deepening cultural understanding. Another notable example is Wenzhou-Kean University, a joint project between Zhejiang province and the state of New Jersey, which offers an immersive Chinese cultural experience for international, particularly American, students. Despite these successes, challenges remain. Susan Thornton, vice-chair of the US Heartland China Association, pointed out that fewer American students are studying in China today, and communities across the US Midwest have limited opportunities to engage with Chinese culture. ‘If we are to sustain the foundation of trust and cooperation between our people, that has to change,’ she asserted. Additionally, Chinese students face obstacles such as visa processing when traveling to study in the US. Mihalek stressed the importance of keeping education at the center of the China-US partnership, stating, ‘The more we learn together, the more we grow together, and the more peaceful and prosperous the shared world will be.’

The 15th China International Potato Expo and the 3rd Weifang International Food and Agricultural Products Expo commenced on Monday in Weifang, Shandong province, spotlighting the potato industry’s critical role in global food security and economic development. The event, which attracted participants from 26 countries and regions, including the Netherlands, Peru, Russia, South Korea, and Brazil, emphasized the crop’s significance beyond its status as a staple food.

In his opening remarks, Tao Huaiying, China’s national chief veterinary officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, highlighted the potato industry’s dual role in ensuring food security and boosting farmers’ incomes. He noted that China, a leading producer of diverse potato varieties such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cassava, is pivotal in addressing global food challenges. Tao called for enhanced international collaboration in key technological areas, including bio-breeding, smart agriculture, and green farming, to optimize resource allocation and extend industrial chains.

Zhang Hongqi, director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, underscored Shandong’s prominence in the potato sector, producing over 7 million metric tons annually and processing approximately 5.5 million tons of potatoes and sweet potatoes. He highlighted the region’s innovative approach, transforming a single sweet potato into more than 40 products, thereby creating added value at multiple stages.

Carlos Aldeco, a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in China, emphasized the expo’s broader significance as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and partnership. He pointed out that the global agri-food system faces urgent challenges from climate change, conflicts, economic shocks, and demographic transitions, making such events crucial for fostering sustainable solutions.

The expo not only showcased potatoes and agricultural products but also served as a hub for global agricultural exchange, reinforcing the potato’s role as a vital contributor to food security, livelihoods, and sustainability worldwide.