分类： society

The UAE Lottery has concluded its 28th Lucky Day draw, marking the continuation of its newly implemented weekly Saturday schedule. Three fortunate participants each secured Dh100,000 prizes through the Lucky Chance segment of the popular lottery program.

The winning numbers for the December 13th draw were officially released as 13, 23, 21, 16, 8, and 5, with the Lucky Month number designated as 5. The three grand prize winners in the Lucky Chance category were identified by their unique identification codes: DE8150622, CC5326319, and BB2657706.

This draw represents a significant transition in the UAE Lottery’s operational framework. The organization recently implemented substantial modifications to its prize structure and scheduling format during its first anniversary celebration. The updated system now features a consolidated weekly draw every Saturday with revised prize allocations, including a Dh30 million grand prize and Dh5 million secondary prize.

The November 29th draw historically concluded the original format after 26 consecutive draws, distributing over Dh147 million in total prizes throughout its initial cycle. The previous system produced more than 100,000 winners and created five millionaires who each claimed Dh1 million prizes during the program’s inaugural year.

Lottery officials confirmed that 180 participants have already successfully claimed prizes through the Lucky Chance identification system to date. The transition to weekly draws aims to create more frequent winning opportunities for participants while maintaining the lottery’s commitment to substantial prize distributions.

In a London apartment filled with the pungent aroma of fermentation, Korean-American chef Judy Joo guides a group of food writers through the ancient art of kimchi-making. The scene represents more than just a cooking class—it symbolizes Korean cuisine’s remarkable journey into the British mainstream.

Participants don plastic gloves to massage vibrant red paste into cabbage wedges, learning techniques passed down through generations like culinary heirlooms. The session, connected to Ocado’s new Korean food aisle, reflects a broader cultural shift occurring across the United Kingdom.

Korean food’s arrival in Britain has been both gradual and deliberate. Unlike other Asian cuisines that initially faced cultural confusion—often mistaken for variations of Chinese food—Korean gastronomy has carved its own distinct identity. The transformation began accelerating after South Korea’s 2009 “Global Hansik” campaign, which invested government resources in international restaurant promotion and chef training.

The current Korean culinary wave rides alongside the broader Hallyu cultural movement. Netflix’s popular competition show “Culinary Class Wars” returns for its second season after dominating global non-English charts, while food-centered dramas showcase innovative fusion dishes to international audiences.

Supermarket metrics confirm the trend: Waitrose reports a 60% year-on-year increase in “Korean BBQ” searches and a 70% sales surge for gochujang paste. Kimchi ranks among the retailer’s fastest-growing international products.

Nutritionist Emer Lowry explains the scientific appeal: “Fermented foods like kimchi have entered mainstream consciousness not just for their complex flavors, but for demonstrated benefits including improved digestion and healthier gut microbiomes.”

Social media analytics reveal deepening engagement. According to food giant CJ’s Bibigo division, UK TikTok posts mentioning Korean food have surged from under 10,000 in 2023 to over 17,000 in 2025, indicating organic, curiosity-driven interest.

In North London’s Cálong restaurant, Chef Joo Won represents the next evolution: adapting traditional Korean techniques to British ingredients. His culinary philosophy embraces thoughtful adaptation rather than rigid authenticity. “If an ingredient doesn’t suit Korean seasoning,” he notes, “there’s no need to force gochujang onto it.”

Beyond restaurants, grassroots movements flourish. Yoonsun Chang’s LoKoLi supper clubs offer intimate experiences centered on jeong (Korean hospitality) and inyeon (meaningful connections formed at the table). Her guests increasingly seek the domestic aspects of Korean culture—table settings, everyday dishes, and their stories—rather than just popular music and dramas.

The cultural impact becomes evident in unexpected places. Chang observes that pubs and restaurants now use authentic kimchi instead of generic pickles in their “kimchi burgers,” indicating genuine integration rather than superficial appropriation.

For British YouTubers Armand and Max, exposure to Korean food through the “Korean Englishman” channel fundamentally changed their eating habits. “The flavor profiles were completely different from anything we’d experienced,” Max recalls. “Fermented cabbage, kimchi—we’d never had anything like it.”

Back in Judy Joo’s kitchen, as cabbages transform into future fermented delicacies, participants leave with more than just jars of kimchi—they carry pieces of a cultural tradition that has found a new home in British culinary landscape. While Korean food hasn’t replaced traditional British takeaways, it has undoubtedly secured its place in the nation’s diverse gastronomic identity.

In the heart of Kochi’s historic Jew Town, where cobbled lanes echo with centuries of multicultural heritage, Thaha Ibrahim maintains an extraordinary cultural legacy. The 55-year-old Muslim embroidery artisan now operates what remains as the final Jewish embroidery shop in this southern Indian city—once known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea for its significance as a spice trade hub.

His establishment still bears the sign ‘Sarah Cohen’s Home,’ honoring the Jewish woman who became his mentor and surrogate mother. Their unconventional friendship defied religious and economic boundaries, spanning nearly four decades until Sarah’s death in 2019 at age 96. Thaha first began assisting in the shop in 2000, eventually taking full ownership according to Sarah’s final wishes.

The shop’s origins trace back to the early 1980s when Thaha, then a teenage school dropout selling postcards to tourists, encountered the Cohens by chance. Initially met with skepticism by Sarah, their relationship transformed when Thaha demonstrated natural talent for embroidery—a skill likely inherited from his tailor father. Under Sarah’s guidance, he mastered creating traditional Jewish items including kippahs (skullcaps), challah covers, and menorahs.

Jew Town itself tells a story of vanishing heritage. Once home to 2,500 Jews in the 18th century, the community has dwindled to a single remaining Jewish resident today. Jewish settlement in Kerala dates back 2,000 years during King Solomon’s reign, with later waves of Sephardic Jews arriving in 1492 fleeing Spanish persecution. These communities collectively became known as Cochin Jews, living under the protection of local rulers in what was historically a multicultural trading center.

The exodus accelerated after Israel’s establishment in 1948, with most families seeking better economic opportunities or marriage prospects abroad. Scholar Anna Zacharias notes that religious persecution was never a factor in multicultural Kochi, where Jews maintained their identity while integrating through speaking Malayalam and participating in local culture.

Thaha honors his promise to preserve Sarah’s legacy with profound respect for Jewish traditions. He closes the shop on Shabbat, lights the traditional Friday evening lamp despite being a practicing Muslim, and regularly visits Sarah’s grave at the Jewish cemetery. ‘To me, it’s not about religion but about humanity,’ he reflects—a testament to intercultural bonds that endure beyond religious divisions.

The city of Nanjing observed a profound moment of remembrance on December 13, 2025, as citizens from diverse backgrounds convened at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre. This solemn gathering marked the 88th anniversary of the tragic historical event that occurred following the capture of Nanjing by Japanese military forces on December 13, 1937.

Under the evening sky, participants held a moving ‘Candlelight Memorial’ ceremony, creating a sea of flickering lights in honor of the approximately 300,000 victims. The visual tribute served as both an expression of collective grief and a powerful testament to the enduring call for peace and reconciliation.

The memorial ceremony represented more than historical remembrance—it stood as an educational imperative for future generations about the consequences of conflict and the essential value of humanitarian principles. Attendees included survivors’ descendants, students, local officials, and international visitors, all united in their commitment to ensuring that such tragedies are neither forgotten nor repeated.

This annual observance has evolved into a significant cultural and historical tradition, emphasizing the importance of learning from past atrocities while fostering dialogue and understanding between nations. The ceremony’s peaceful nature underscores Nanjing’s transformation from a site of suffering to a symbol of resilience and hope for peaceful coexistence in the modern era.

Indian authorities have escalated warnings to victims of the massive BlueChip investment scam after uncovering a sophisticated secondary fraud scheme targeting desperate investors. According to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Anjali Vishwakarma, who leads the Special Investigation Team (SIT), individuals with dubious credentials are approaching victims with promises of accelerated fund recovery in exchange for upfront payments.

The elaborate deception involves perpetrators posing as legal representatives and recovery agents who falsely claim authority to fast-track refunds or secure court-ordered recoveries. Some have even staged photographs with senior police officials to enhance their credibility. Vishwakarma emphasized that these individuals possess no legitimate authority to represent law enforcement or judicial bodies.

This development represents a disturbing echo of previous fraudulent activities documented in December 2024, when impostors posing as Interpol, CID, and Dubai Courts officials extracted over Dh3 million from BlueChip victims through fabricated legal documents and staged meetings.

The recent warning follows the November 30 arrest of BlueChip founder Ravindra Nath Soni, who was apprehended at his Dehradun hideout after police traced a food delivery order to his location. During custodial interrogation, Soni allegedly attempted to minimize his involvement by claiming to operate a simple snack shop, a statement investigators and victims have vehemently dismissed.

Kanpur Police confirm the SIT has identified multiple assets in India and the UAE connected to the original scam. As part of the expanding investigation, notices have been served to several individuals associated with BlueChip’s promotional activities, including Bollywood actor Sonu Sood and wrestler The Great Khali. Authorities stress these notices represent standard investigative procedure and do not imply wrongdoing.

Vishwakarma reiterated her urgent advisory to victims across both nations: “Exercise extreme vigilance against anyone offering rapid recovery solutions. Refrain from transferring funds, signing documents, or sharing personal information without direct verification through official channels. We continue to receive reports of these predatory approaches and implore victims to remain cautious.”

NANJING — Amidst the winter chill, thousands gathered solemnly in Nanjing on Saturday to commemorate the 12th National Memorial Day for victims of the Nanjing Massacre. The ceremony, held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, brought together survivors, local students, and international dignitaries in a powerful demonstration of historical remembrance.

Participants, dressed in dark attire with white flowers pinned to their chests, stood in respectful silence as China’s national flag flew at half-mast. At precisely 10:01 am, air-raid sirens pierced the morning air, triggering a citywide moment of reflection. Drivers throughout downtown Nanjing stopped their vehicles and sounded their horns in unison, while pedestrians paused to honor the approximately 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during one of World War II’s most brutal chapters.

The memorial gains particular significance this year as it coincides with the 80th anniversary of WWII’s conclusion. The Nanjing Massacre occurred after Japanese forces captured the then-Chinese capital on December 13, 1937, unleashing six weeks of systematic violence that claimed the lives of Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in an episode that remains emblematic of wartime atrocities.

The annual observance serves not only as a tribute to those who perished but also as a national call for historical awareness and peace preservation. Through this solemn ceremony, China reinforces its commitment to ensuring that future generations remember the lessons of history while promoting reconciliation and international understanding.