Global Pulse

分类： society

  • Independent committee starts work as HK moves to liquefy owners’ group

    Independent committee starts work as HK moves to liquefy owners’ group

    Hong Kong has initiated a comprehensive response to the catastrophic Wang Fuk Court fire that claimed 161 lives, with an independent investigation committee formally commencing its work on Friday. The nine-month probe will examine the causes and circumstances surrounding the December tragedy in Tai Po.

    Chairman David Lok presided over the inaugural meeting of the Independent Committee, established by the Chief Executive on December 12. Joined by members Chan Kin-por and Rex Auyeung, the panel outlined work priorities and preparation strategies for their complex mandate. The committee’s extensive terms of reference include investigating the fire’s origin and rapid propagation, construction safety protocols, building maintenance standards, renovation works oversight, and systemic issues in large-scale maintenance tendering processes.

    Concurrently, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government filed legal proceedings to dissolve the housing estate’s owners’ corporation management committee. The administration seeks to appoint Hop On Management Company, a Chinachem Group subsidiary, as interim administrator to handle daily operations during the transition.

    Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen emphasized that the government’s intervention aims to assist residents through complex legal and accounting procedures with professional support. ‘Our action is to help the owners of Wang Fuk Court navigate these challenging circumstances with expert assistance,’ Mak stated during a media briefing attended by senior officials including Permanent Secretary Shirley Lam Shuet-lai and Under Secretary Clarence Leung Wang-ching.

    The management company will provide services pro bono, supported by a HK$5 million contribution from the Nina Wang Charity trustees for professional costs associated with estate management. Chairman Lok confirmed the committee’s final report and recommendations will be publicly disclosed, excluding information related to ongoing judicial proceedings.

  • Tai Po fire death toll climbs to 161

    Tai Po fire death toll climbs to 161

    The catastrophic fifth-alarm fire that engulfed Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last month has now claimed 161 lives, according to the latest official update from Hong Kong police. The grim milestone was confirmed on Saturday, December 20, 2025, following comprehensive DNA analysis that identified previously discovered remains as belonging to two separate victims.

    Police Commissioner Joe Chow Yat-ming addressed the media after inspecting a passing-out parade, revealing that advanced forensic testing had determined one set of remains actually belonged to a couple rather than a single individual. The identification process has now confirmed the identities of all six individuals previously reported missing—five fire victims and one person who had died in 2023.

    The devastating blaze, which broke out on November 26, 2025, raged for over 43 hours and caused extensive damage to seven of the eight residential blocks within the housing estate. The inferno represents one of Hong Kong’s deadliest building fires in recent history.

    Commissioner Chow cautioned that the death toll might still rise as DNA testing continues on additional remains recovered from the scene. The painstaking identification process involves matching genetic material from victims with samples provided by anxious family members awaiting news of their missing relatives.

    The tragedy has prompted widespread scrutiny of building safety standards and emergency response protocols in Hong Kong’s densely populated residential areas. The community of Tai Po continues to mourn the devastating loss while supporting those injured and displaced by the catastrophic fire.

  • Philippines: Nearly 1 million passengers expected at airports during Christmas rush

    Philippines: Nearly 1 million passengers expected at airports during Christmas rush

    The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) has declared a state of heightened alert across all national airports in anticipation of approximately 960,000 passengers expected to travel during the Christmas holiday period. This operational status will remain in effect from December 20, 2025, through January 4, 2026, representing a proactive response to a projected 7% increase in air traffic compared to the previous year’s figures.

    According to aviation officials, the enhanced security and operational measures include the establishment of dedicated passenger assistance help desks, deployment of additional security personnel, and placement of medical teams on standby at key transportation hubs. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, which processed 4.62 million passengers in December 2024 alone, serves as the primary gateway for both international and domestic travel during this peak season.

    Director General Raul Del Rosario emphasized that ensuring passenger safety and operational efficiency remains the paramount priority for aviation authorities. ‘We are implementing comprehensive measures to guarantee that all travelers experience safe, orderly, and efficient airport operations throughout the holiday period,’ stated Rosario in an official communication released Friday.

    The annual travel surge is deeply rooted in Filipino cultural traditions, where Christmas represents a profoundly significant occasion for family reunions. Overseas Filipino workers particularly prioritize returning home during this season, often undertaking considerable financial and logistical efforts to participate in family celebrations. This cultural phenomenon consistently generates one of the most substantial annual passenger volume increases within the Southeast Asian aviation sector.

  • UAE: Garages packed after residents face minor car issues in December rains

    UAE: Garages packed after residents face minor car issues in December rains

    Automotive repair facilities across Sharjah and Dubai are experiencing unprecedented demand following recent rainfall, creating significant backlogs for vehicle inspections and minor repairs. While the December precipitation caused substantially less damage than April 2024’s historic flooding, it nonetheless resulted in numerous vehicles experiencing water-related mechanical issues.

    Residents throughout the northern emirates returned to their vehicles to discover various rain-induced problems. Masood Ali, an Al Nahda resident, found his car completely unresponsive after overnight parking in a water-affected area. “When I attempted to start the vehicle in the morning, it refused to turn over,” Ali reported. “Mechanics subsequently indicated water infiltration in the air filtration system.”

    Automotive technicians note that the most prevalent issues include moisture-compromised spark plugs, water-infiltrated air filters, temporary ignition failures, and battery complications caused by excessive dampness. Unlike the catastrophic flood damage witnessed previously, these current cases primarily affect vehicles parked for extended periods in waterlogged areas or directly exposed to heavy rainfall.

    Repair shops are managing both pre-scheduled maintenance and rain-related cases, creating waiting periods of up to one week for vehicle assessments. Ahmed Najjar, another affected motorist, stated: “My vehicle started but operated erratically. I immediately sought professional evaluation but discovered garages are completely booked throughout the week.”

    Mechanics emphasize the importance of proper post-exposure procedures. Shameer Mohammed, an Al Quoz-based technician, advised: “Motorists should allow vehicles to dry thoroughly before attempting ignition. Forcing a start could exacerbate existing water damage. Disconnecting battery terminals prevents potential electrical short circuits in water-affected vehicles.”

    Industry professionals observe that residents have become more cautious following previous flood experiences. Garage owner Ayyub noted: “Customers demonstrate improved awareness by avoiding forced ignition attempts and seeking professional assessment. However, the volume of cases requires patience as repair facilities work through substantial backlogs.”

  • UAE: How hundreds of volunteers work to ensure ‘no one is alone’ during emergencies

    UAE: How hundreds of volunteers work to ensure ‘no one is alone’ during emergencies

    Across the United Arab Emirates, a robust network of volunteer organizations operates as a first line of defense when extreme weather disrupts daily life. These dedicated groups mobilize swiftly during emergencies, providing critical assistance that ranges from guiding stranded motorists through flooded roads to rescuing vehicles trapped in waterlogged areas.

    The recent heavy rainfall that affected various UAE regions in April 2024 demonstrated the crucial role these volunteers play. As commuters struggled and vehicles stalled across inundated roadways, teams worked tirelessly through the downpour, assisting motorists, helping workers reach safety, and ensuring no one remained stranded for extended periods.

    At the forefront stands the Model Service Society (MSS) Dubai, an organization with over three decades of community service experience. Operating across multiple fronts including emergency relief, job placement support, and welfare initiatives, MSS embodies a philosophy of consistent, organized, and compassionate service. According to Chairman Faiyaz Ahmed, their strength lies in their people: “Our volunteers do not wait for recognition. They step forward because they believe helping others is a responsibility.”

    The significance of their work has received official recognition. MSS was recently honored with the prestigious Ethraa Gold Award by Dubai’s Community Development Authority, placing it among the top-performing social service organizations in the emirate. This acknowledgment reflects the society’s transparency, accountability, and substantial community impact.

    Complementing these efforts, other organizations like the Iman Cultural Center have demonstrated similar commitment. During recent flooding in Sharjah and Dubai, approximately 50 of their volunteers mobilized to assist the public. Beyond traffic management and vehicle recovery, they distributed essential supplies including drinking water and fruits to affected workers and motorists.

    As Hameed Yasin of the Iman Cultural Center emphasized: “When people are in distress, the least we can do is stand beside them, offer help, and ensure no one feels alone during an emergency.” This sentiment captures the essence of a volunteer network that has become integral to the UAE’s emergency response infrastructure, providing both practical assistance and psychological reassurance during times of crisis.

  • Chair of leading Turkish sports club Fenerbahce questioned in a drugs probe

    Chair of leading Turkish sports club Fenerbahce questioned in a drugs probe

    ISTANBUL — Sadettin Saran, the high-profile chairman of Turkish sports giant Fenerbahce, underwent police interrogation Saturday as part of a sweeping narcotics investigation that has ensnared numerous celebrities and media personalities. The state-operated Anadolu Agency confirmed that Saran, who possesses dual Turkish-American citizenship, provided an official statement to authorities upon returning from international travel. Following his deposition, he was escorted to a medical facility for compulsory blood and hair sample collection to screen for illicit substances.

    This development represents the latest escalation in an extensive probe initiated by the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office earlier this December. The investigation has already resulted in the detention of over a dozen prominent figures from television journalism, music, acting, and social media influencing circles. Charges range from narcotics production and distribution to involvement in organized prostitution activities.

    According to judicial sources, Saran faced specific allegations related to enabling and supplying controlled substances. After completing forensic testing at the Caglayan Courthouse complex, the sports executive was released subject to ongoing judicial supervision requirements. The case continues to develop as prosecutors examine potential connections between entertainment industry elites and underground narcotics networks.

    Fenerbahce’s institutional history adds contextual significance to these developments. The club previously endured governance challenges when former president Aziz Yildirim served prison time between 2012-2013 regarding match-fixing allegations. Those convictions were ultimately overturned due to judicial corruption affecting the original proceedings. Separately, the organization remains connected to an ongoing inquiry into systemic match-fixing within Turkish professional football.

  • Rajab 1447 AH crescent on December 20: Will it be visible in UAE, other Islamic countries?

    Rajab 1447 AH crescent on December 20: Will it be visible in UAE, other Islamic countries?

    Astronomical authorities have indicated that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Islamic month Rajab 1447 AH presents significant viewing challenges across most Islamic nations on December 20, 2025. According to detailed analysis from the Astronomy Centre, visibility conditions vary dramatically across different geographical regions, creating substantial disparities in observational possibilities.

    The celestial mechanics indicate that while telescopic sightings might be feasible in certain African and South American territories, naked-eye visibility remains restricted to western South America and Pacific regions post-sunset. The Astronomy Centre’s comprehensive social media communications emphasized that despite potential visibility in some Islamic countries, official month commencement determinations rest exclusively with local authorities following careful review of crescent sighting reports.

    Technical analysis reveals particularly unfavorable conditions in major Islamic centers including Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Cairo, and Jakarta. These cities experience moonset occurring merely 8-18 minutes after sunset, with lunar age ranging between 11-16 hours—significantly below the established thresholds for reliable naked-eye observation. The minimum requirements for unaided visual confirmation require the crescent to remain above the horizon for at least 29 minutes with a minimum age of 15 hours 33 minutes, though these conditions alone don’t guarantee successful sighting due to complicating factors including angular distance from the sun and altitude during observation.

    The astronomical event coincides with the central lunar conjunction occurring at 01:43 GMT (05:43 UAE time), representing the precise moment when Earth, Moon, and Sun achieve near-perfect alignment with the moon positioned centrally—a phase commonly recognized as the New Moon. This scientific precision underscores the complex interplay between astronomical phenomena and religious calendar determinations that characterize Islamic month commencements worldwide.

  • UAE weather: Orange alert issued for ‘thunder rain’; dusty conditions expected

    UAE weather: Orange alert issued for ‘thunder rain’; dusty conditions expected

    The United Arab Emirates’ meteorological authority has elevated weather warnings to an orange alert level as the nation braces for a period of severe atmospheric conditions. Forecasters predict the development of convective cloud formations that will likely generate thunderous precipitation and powerful winds capable of stirring significant dust and sand particles across affected regions.

    Meteorological projections indicate partly to fully overcast skies throughout Friday and Saturday, with precipitation expected particularly across northern and eastern territories. Accompanying these conditions will be moderate to fresh northwesterly and southwesterly winds maintaining velocities between 15-30 km/h, with potential gusts reaching intense speeds of 45 km/h.

    The combination of precipitation and strong winds will create challenging environmental conditions, including reduced visibility due to blowing dust and sand. Maritime advisories have been issued warning of turbulent seas in both the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea, posing potential hazards to marine operations.

    Temperature readings are forecast to show notable variations, with minimums dropping to 13°C in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and 14°C in Dubai. Maximum temperatures will reach more moderate levels of 21°C in Abu Dhabi, 22°C in Sharjah, and 23°C in Dubai.

    This weather event follows two consecutive days of substantial rainfall that resulted in temporary closures of public parks, tourist attractions, and the implementation of remote work protocols. Emergency services and municipal authorities have been operating continuously to mitigate disruptions and restore normalcy as conditions gradually improve.

    Residents are advised to monitor official weather channels for updates and exercise caution during travel, particularly in areas experiencing reduced visibility due to dust conditions.

  • Everything you need to know about Christmas, and how it has evolved into a global holiday

    Everything you need to know about Christmas, and how it has evolved into a global holiday

    While Christmas stands as the Christian commemoration of Jesus Christ’s nativity, its historical journey reveals a complex tapestry of cultural adaptation and transformation. Contrary to modern assumptions, the earliest Christian communities did not annually observe Jesus’ birth, focusing instead on Easter resurrection celebrations, according to Dr. Christine Shepardson, University of Tennessee professor specializing in early Christianity.

    The selection of December 25th as the official celebration date emerged only in the fourth century during Emperor Constantine’s reign, coinciding with existing pagan winter solstice festivals like the Roman Sol Invictus observance. This period marked Christianity’s institutionalization through church gatherings rather than private home meetings.

    Medieval Christmas celebrations bore little resemblance to modern observances, characterized instead by raucous street festivities featuring excessive feasting and drinking. Professor Thomas Ruys Smith of the University of East Anglia notes that Christmas gained respectability only in the 19th century, transforming into the domestic, family-oriented celebration recognized today.

    The modern Christmas tradition owes much to German customs, with Christmas trees and gift-giving practices spreading to Britain and America in the late 19th century. Literary works like Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (1843) and Washington Irving’s writings further popularized the holiday’s contemporary form.

    Santa Claus’ origins trace back to fourth-century Christian bishop St. Nicholas of Myra (modern-day Turkey), whose legendary generosity inspired the secular figure. After the Protestant Reformation diminished St. Nicholas devotion, Dutch settlers in New York preserved the tradition as Sinterklaas, which eventually evolved into America’s Santa Claus.

    Global variations abound: Italy celebrates with St. Lucy or Befana the witch, Iceland enjoys mischievous Yule Lads, while Japan has developed the unique tradition of Kentucky Fried Chicken Christmas dinners since 1974. This practice originated when a foreign customer in Tokyo remarked about substituting turkey with KFC, leading to an annual phenomenon requiring months-ahead orders.

    Christmas greenery traditions—holly, ivy, and evergreen trees—carry mixed heritage, with Professor Maria Kennedy of Rutgers University noting connections to both Christian symbolism (eternal life) and ancient Druid practices. Similarly, mistletoe represented immortality in pre-Christian traditions.

    Contemporary Christmas continues evolving, with public Nativity scenes sparking legal debates about church-state separation in the U.S., while caroling traditions maintain their community-building origins from European winter customs.

  • UAE records lowest temperature of 3.5°C in RAK’s Jebel Jais

    UAE records lowest temperature of 3.5°C in RAK’s Jebel Jais

    The United Arab Emirates experienced its coldest temperature of the winter season early Saturday, with the mercury dropping to 3.5°C (38.3°F) at Jebel Jais Mountain in Ras Al Khaimah. According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), this record low was recorded precisely at midnight local time on December 20, 2025.

    Jebel Jais, standing as the UAE’s highest peak, consistently maintains cooler temperatures compared to the nation’s coastal and desert regions, particularly during winter months. This meteorological phenomenon occurs due to its elevated altitude, which creates distinctly different climate conditions from the urban heat typically associated with Emirates cities.

    The recent temperature drop follows a period of unstable weather patterns across the country, including rainfall that resulted in localized flooding and waterlogged roads in several areas. These conditions have presented transportation challenges and highlighted the region’s vulnerability to weather extremes.

    As winter firmly establishes itself across the UAE, meteorologists note that inland and mountainous regions continue to experience significantly cooler conditions, especially during early morning hours. The temperature variation between coastal cities and elevated terrain becomes particularly pronounced during this season, with differences often exceeding 10-15 degrees Celsius.

    The NCM continues to monitor weather patterns closely, providing updates to residents and authorities. While daytime conditions remain generally pleasant across most of the country, the substantial nighttime and early morning temperature drops in elevated areas serve as a reminder of the UAE’s diverse climatic geography beyond its famous desert landscapes.