分类： society

A devastating fire broke out in a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in four fatalities and multiple injuries. The blaze, which erupted at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, quickly escalated to a No. 4 alarm, the second-highest emergency level, by 3:34 p.m. local time. According to the Hong Kong government, four individuals were confirmed dead, two are in critical condition, and one is stable as of 5:00 p.m. Public broadcaster RTHK reported that several people remain trapped inside the burning buildings, with two individuals suffering severe burns. Firefighters, some of whom were injured while battling the flames, faced significant challenges due to the scale of the fire and the presence of bamboo scaffolding on several adjacent towers. The incident has also disrupted local transportation, with the Tai Po highway closed and bus routes diverted. Wang Fuk Court, a housing complex comprising eight blocks and nearly 2,000 residential units, is now the site of a tragic disaster that has left the community in shock.

Iranian citizens have expressed outrage after X’s newly introduced location feature exposed government officials and pro-regime figures using Iran-based SIM cards to access the platform, despite its official ban in the country. The revelation has sparked accusations of hypocrisy, as ordinary Iranians require VPNs to bypass the government’s strict internet censorship. Among those identified was Information and Communication Technology Minister Sattar Hashemi, whose account appeared to be based in Iran, suggesting he bypassed the VPN requirement. Social media users criticized the government for allegedly distributing ‘white SIM cards’ to officials, granting them unrestricted access to blocked sites. The terms ‘White SIM Card’ and ‘Class-based Internet’ trended on X as Iranians voiced their frustration. Mani Ghasemi, chair of tech site Digiato, condemned Hashemi and other reformist politicians for their use of these SIMs, calling their opposition to internet censorship insincere. The Iranian government has long restricted access to platforms like X, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, while attempting to curb VPN usage. Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has pledged to review the stringent internet controls, which aim to steer users toward domestic websites. Critics argue that certain institutions, including news agencies linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, enjoy special privileges with unfiltered internet access. Following the controversy, several officials and journalists altered their X account locations from Iran to ‘West Asia.’ Journalist Vahid Khatami defended unrestricted internet as a professional necessity, while Ali Ahmadinia, head of public relations, promised a review of ‘white SIM card’ distribution.

The National Museum of the US Air Force in Ohio now houses a poignant tribute to the 80 pilots of the Doolittle Raid—a collection of silver cups arranged in a solemn ‘W’ formation. Each cup, engraved with a pilot’s name, stands upright for the living and inverted for the departed. This tradition began as a heartfelt gesture by the survivors to honor their fallen comrades and the Chinese villagers who risked their lives to save them during World War II. In 1942, after a daring air raid on Japan, the pilots were forced to bail out over China. Local villagers, displaying immense courage, sheltered them, despite facing brutal Japanese retaliation that claimed an estimated 250,000 Chinese lives. Richard Cole, the last surviving pilot, expressed his enduring gratitude before passing away in 2019 at the age of 103. His cup, the final one, was turned over, marking the end of an era. This story transcends war, embodying humanity, courage, and a promise remembered.

The recent plunge in temperatures around Ziyun Mountain, nestled within the Shunhuang Mountain National Nature Reserve in Xinning, Hunan province, has transformed the landscape into a breathtaking winter wonderland. The forest canopy, now adorned with delicate rime formations, has become a magnet for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. This natural phenomenon, coupled with the vibrant hues of autumn foliage, creates a surreal visual spectacle that captivates all who visit. The Shunhuang Mountain area, renowned for its rich biodiversity and unspoiled subtropical forest ecosystem, forms a vital part of the Nanling Mountain Range. It serves as a critical water-conservation forest for the Yangtze River basin, underscoring its ecological significance. Visitors to this pristine sanctuary are treated to a living canvas of nature’s artistry, where the interplay of frost and foliage paints a dynamic and ever-changing masterpiece.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) commemorated the 20th anniversary of its School of Medicine on Tuesday, reflecting on two decades of transformative growth and innovation. The event celebrated the 2005 merger between SJTU and the former Shanghai Second Medical University, a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for a world-class medical institution with distinct Chinese characteristics.

Yang Zhenbin, Party Secretary of SJTU, emphasized the university’s commitment to becoming a global leader in education and medical research. ‘We will continue to pursue excellence, embrace reform, and foster mutual empowerment between disciplines,’ he stated. The anniversary event highlighted the university’s achievements in interdisciplinary research, clinical innovation, and talent development.

One of the standout success stories shared was that of Xia Qiang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Renji Hospital. Xia recounted his journey of establishing the liver surgery department from scratch in 2004. Over the years, the department has grown into a major unit with seven wards, over 160 medical professionals, and a robust interdisciplinary platform. ‘The collaborative synergy between the university and its medical school has been instrumental in our growth,’ Xia remarked.

Zhou Yongfeng, Director of Research Management at SJTU, underscored the impact of the university’s medical-engineering interdisciplinary research fund. Since its inception, the fund has invested approximately 674 million yuan ($95 million) in over 2,000 projects, providing critical support to nearly 1,900 researchers. This initiative has significantly enhanced SJTU’s capabilities in translational medicine and original innovation.

Looking ahead, Yang outlined a strategic vision that balances structured support with institutional autonomy. He stressed the importance of leveraging SJTU’s multidisciplinary strengths to deepen integration between medicine and other academic fields. ‘Under our ‘big health’ framework, the School of Medicine will play a pivotal role in advancing basic medicine, pharmaceutical research, medical device development, and clinical applications,’ he said.

The anniversary celebration not only honored past achievements but also set the stage for future breakthroughs, positioning SJTU as a beacon of innovation in global medical education and research.

The UAE Lottery has announced its final Lucky Day draw before undergoing a significant revamp, offering residents one last chance to win a life-changing Dh100 million prize. The draw, scheduled for November 29, 2025, marks the end of the current format, with new prize tiers and structures to be introduced thereafter. This announcement follows the recent success of Abu Dhabi resident Anilkumar Bolla, who won the Dh100 million jackpot last month. The UAE Lottery, the country’s first and only regulated lottery operation, provides multiple opportunities for residents aged 18 and above to win substantial prizes through various games and scratch cards. Participants can purchase tickets online or use the ‘Easy Pick’ feature for random number selection. Additionally, other raffles like Dream Dubai at Global Village, Millennium Millionaire at Dubai Duty Free, and Big Ticket Abu Dhabi continue to offer lucrative prizes, ranging from Dh3.67 million to Dh30 million, making the UAE a hotspot for aspiring millionaires.

A catastrophic fire engulfed multiple high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and injuring 15 others. The blaze, which erupted at Wang Fuk Court, a housing complex comprising eight 31-storey towers, began at 14:51 local time on Wednesday. The buildings, constructed in 1983 and currently undergoing renovations, were shrouded in bamboo scaffolding, which appears to have facilitated the rapid spread of the flames. Thick smoke filled the skyline as 767 firefighters battled the inferno, which was classified as a level five alarm—the highest severity rating—marking the first such incident in Hong Kong in 17 years. The death toll, initially reported as four, surged to 13, with fears it could rise further as several individuals remain unaccounted for. Among the victims was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who lost his life while responding to the emergency. The Hong Kong government has established emergency shelters and a hotline for public inquiries, while an emergency monitoring center has been activated to manage the crisis. The incident has reignited debates over the safety of bamboo scaffolding, a traditional construction material in Hong Kong, following recent government efforts to phase it out in favor of metal alternatives due to safety risks.