A year has passed since the brutal murder of Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old Indian woman, whose body was discovered in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, on November 14, 2024. The tragedy has left her family in Delhi grappling with grief and frustration over the lack of justice. Harshita’s husband, Pankaj Lamba, is the prime suspect in her murder. He fled to India shortly after the crime and remains at large, despite being charged with murder, rape, sexual assault, and coercive behavior by Northamptonshire Police in March 2025. The couple, both Indian nationals, had relocated from Delhi to Corby, UK, earlier that year. Harshita’s family accuses both UK and Indian authorities of failing to take decisive action. Her mother, Sudesh Kumari, tearfully demands justice, stating, ‘Only then will I find peace.’ Harshita’s sister, Sonia Dabas, criticizes the UK police for their perceived negligence, suggesting that foreign nationals are not prioritized. The case has drawn scrutiny over the handling of Harshita’s domestic abuse complaint, filed two months before her death. A Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) issued against Pankaj expired weeks before the murder, raising questions about police follow-up. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has completed its investigation into the Northamptonshire Police’s conduct, with findings shared for review. Meanwhile, Harshita’s family believes Pankaj is being shielded by Indian police, citing his relatives’ connections in law enforcement. The Delhi Police deny these allegations, stating they have issued public notices and are actively searching for Pankaj. Harshita’s father, Satbir Singh Brella, continues to seek justice through relentless visits to police stations and courts. Her mother, Sudesh, clings to her daughter’s belongings, including a pair of shoes, as a poignant reminder of her loss. The case underscores the challenges faced by victims of domestic violence and the complexities of cross-border criminal investigations.
分类： society
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Ecuador prison riot leaves 4 inmates dead and dozens injured
A violent riot erupted at a prison in Machala, Ecuador, on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of four inmates and injuries to over 30 others, according to the country’s corrections officials. The unrest was triggered by the planned relocation of prisoners to a new maximum-security facility in a different province, as stated by Ecuador’s prison oversight agency. The situation escalated rapidly, with one police officer also sustaining injuries before authorities managed to restore order. The conditions of the injured remain unclear as of Sunday. This incident marks the second deadly outbreak of violence at the same prison in less than two months, following a gang-related dispute in April that claimed 14 lives. Ecuador’s prison system has become one of the most dangerous in Latin America, plagued by severe overcrowding, rampant corruption, and insufficient state control. These conditions have allowed drug-trafficking gangs linked to Colombia and Mexico to thrive, with many inmates heavily armed and continuing to orchestrate criminal activities from within the prisons. Since 2021, more than 500 people have died in prison riots, including a series of coordinated uprisings last year that saw 150 prison guards taken hostage.
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UAE launches hotline for reporting drug crimes with rewards for informants
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ramped up its efforts to combat drug-related crimes through a series of strategic initiatives, including the launch of a confidential hotline for reporting drug offenses. During the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National Anti-Narcotics Authority (Nana), announced the hotline, which offers financial rewards to informants whose tips lead to the apprehension of traffickers and the prevention of smuggling attempts. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to unify national efforts against narcotics and involve all government entities and the community in this critical fight. Additionally, the UAE has identified and blocked 2,297 websites and social media accounts promoting drugs and mind-altering substances, targeting the digital platforms often exploited by traffickers. To further strengthen drug prevention, the UAE plans to introduce a new school subject, ‘Security and Safety,’ into primary and secondary curricula. This subject will educate students on avoiding harmful behaviors, with a particular focus on the dangers of drugs in secondary schools. The country is also enhancing international cooperation, collaborating with 24 nations to seize large quantities of narcotics abroad. These efforts aim to build an integrated ecosystem for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, safeguarding society from the pervasive threat of drugs.
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Protesters storm Nigeria’s new art museum
A highly anticipated preview event at the newly constructed Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) in Benin City, Nigeria, was abruptly halted on Sunday as protesters stormed the premises, directing their anger at foreign visitors. The $25 million museum, designed by British-Ghanaian architect David Adjaye, was envisioned as a cultural hub and a potential home for the Benin Bronzes—priceless artifacts looted by British soldiers in the 19th century. However, the absence of these artifacts, coupled with disputes over the museum’s governance, fueled the demonstrators’ ire. Videos from the scene captured protesters verbally assaulting guests and demanding their departure. The museum’s management swiftly escorted all visitors to safety and issued a public apology for the disruption. According to a local resident, the protest reflects broader dissatisfaction among Edo State’s traditional rulers and government officials, who feel sidelined in the museum’s operations. The museum’s executive director, Phillip Ihenacho, clarified that Mowaa aims to serve a pan-African purpose, explaining the decision to remove ‘Edo’ from its name. The institution emphasized its independence and non-profit status, distancing itself from political affiliations. In response to the unrest, Mowaa has canceled all preview events leading up to its grand opening on Tuesday and advised visitors to avoid the campus until tensions subside. The incident underscores the complex legacy of colonial-era looted art and the challenges of cultural restitution in modern Africa.
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Investing in people: a worthwhile investment
As China’s modernization drive reaches a pivotal stage, Chi Fulin, President of the China Institute for Reform and Development and the Hainan Institute for Free Trade Port Studies, has released a groundbreaking book titled ‘A Great Nation Prioritizing People’s Livelihoods: The Grand Strategy of Chinese Modernization.’ Launched in Beijing on November 9, 2025, the book underscores the necessity of shifting from an investment-led model to a people-centered approach in China’s modernization efforts. Published by CITIC Press, the work draws on over four decades of research and reform experience, emphasizing the importance of improving human capital, ensuring equitable access to education and healthcare, and fostering inclusive urbanization. Chi, a veteran reform advisor since the 1980s, argues that investing in people is not merely a social expenditure but a productive investment that drives innovation, consumption, and job creation. The book aligns with the Communist Party of China’s vision of shared prosperity and offers a practical roadmap for achieving these goals. Chi highlights that redirecting resources from infrastructure to human development can unlock the vast potential of China’s 1.4 billion population, boosting productivity and consumption. He also stresses the unique advantages of China’s socialist system in implementing equitable and sustainable policies. As China progresses toward its 2035 long-term goals, Chi’s insights provide both strategic direction and inspiration for building a modern, inclusive society.
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BBC director resigns after criticism of the broadcaster’s editing of a Trump speech
In a significant development, the BBC’s top executives, Director-General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness, stepped down on Sunday following widespread criticism over the broadcaster’s handling of a speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The controversy stems from the BBC’s editing of Trump’s address on January 6, 2021, which preceded the storming of the U.S. Capitol by protesters. The public broadcaster faced backlash for its editorial decisions, which were perceived as altering the context of the speech. The resignations mark a pivotal moment for the BBC, raising questions about journalistic integrity and accountability in the face of public scrutiny. The organization has yet to announce replacements for the departing leaders, leaving a leadership vacuum at a critical time.
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Mystery ‘fedora man’ at Louvre heist scene revealed as teenage detective fan
In the aftermath of the high-profile Louvre museum heist, which saw the theft of the French crown jewels, a peculiar mystery captivated the public: the identity of the ‘fedora man.’ This sharply dressed individual, photographed outside the museum on the day of the robbery, became an overnight sensation on social media, sparking widespread speculation about his role in the incident. While the identities of the thieves were quickly uncovered due to their careless handling of DNA evidence, and the Louvre’s director acknowledged the museum’s inadequate CCTV security, the fedora man’s identity remained unknown—until now. Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux, a 15-year-old from Rambouillet, southwest of Paris, has come forward as the person behind the viral image. Pedro, a fan of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, explained that he had planned to visit the Louvre with his family but found it closed due to the heist. Unaware of the robbery, he was photographed by an Associated Press (AP) photographer while inquiring about the closure. The photo, which included Pedro in his distinctive fedora and waistcoat, quickly went viral, amassing millions of views on TikTok and even appearing in The New York Times. Pedro, who enjoys dressing in a vintage style inspired by 20th-century statesmen and fictional detectives, expressed his astonishment at the sudden fame. ‘I like to be chic,’ he told the AP. ‘I go to school like this.’ Despite the online frenzy and wild theories—ranging from him being a real detective to an AI-generated image—Pedro chose to remain silent for weeks, allowing the mystery to linger. ‘With this photo, there is a mystery, so you have to make it last,’ he said.
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Three dead and 15 injured in Tenerife tidal surge
Tenerife, a popular holiday destination in Spain’s Canary Islands, has been struck by tragedy as powerful waves claimed three lives and left 15 others injured. Emergency services reported on Sunday that a woman died after being swept into the ocean near the Puerto de la Cruz resort, while a man lost his life in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A third victim was discovered in the waters near a beach in Granadilla. Rescue teams airlifted a man who fell into the sea at La Guancha in the island’s north, but he later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Another man was found floating near El Cabezo beach in the south, where lifeguards and medical personnel were unable to revive him. At Puerto de la Cruz, a woman died of a heart attack, and 10 others were swept out to sea, with three sustaining serious injuries. Pedro, a local waiter, recounted his heroic efforts to save those in distress, managing to rescue three individuals but tragically failing to save a woman who passed away at the scene. Eyewitness Carlos expressed frustration at tourists ignoring warnings to stay away from the dangerous waves. Authorities have issued alerts for coastal hazards across the Canary Islands, predicting worsening sea conditions with swells reaching two-to-four meters. Both tourists and locals are urged to exercise extreme caution.
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Exhibition commemorating the epic relocation of universities opens in Fujian
A landmark exhibition commemorating the monumental relocation of Chinese universities during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945) has opened at Sanming University in Fujian Province. The event, which began over the weekend, is a collaborative effort involving over 40 universities across China and coincides with the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War. The exhibition vividly portrays the challenging journey of more than 150 universities that were forced to move to safer regions in southwestern, northwestern, central-southern, and eastern mountainous areas to safeguard China’s educational and cultural heritage during the war. Tang Tao, an expert from East China Normal University who contributed to the exhibition’s framework, emphasized the historical significance of this relocation, describing it as a pivotal chapter in China’s educational history. He highlighted the unique panoramic approach of the exhibition, which captures the nationwide scope and timeline of the relocations. Over the past eight decades, many universities have established memorials at their relocation sites to honor this legacy, but this exhibition stands out for its comprehensive narrative and collaborative effort.
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Sharjah: New main roads constructed to improve traffic flow, ease congestion
Sharjah has taken a significant step toward improving urban mobility and supporting economic development with the construction of new main roads in the Al Malha Commercial Area. The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority announced on Sunday that the newly built roads span six kilometers and are designed to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance the overall flow of vehicles. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to upgrade the emirate’s infrastructure, ensuring a better quality of life for residents and fostering economic activity. The project also includes the paving of main roads and the optimization of entrances and exits to facilitate smoother traffic movement. Motorists in Sharjah have expressed optimism about the Dh170-billion transport infrastructure plan, which includes a fourth national highway connecting the northern emirates to Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the Industrial Area 6 is set to undergo a major redevelopment project, expected to be completed within two years, further easing the daily commute for thousands of drivers. These efforts underscore Sharjah’s commitment to sustainable urban development and improved connectivity.