分类： society

A dramatic confrontation at a Miss Universe pre-pageant ceremony in Thailand has sparked widespread outrage and solidarity among contestants. Nawat Itsaragrisil, the director of Miss Universe Thailand, publicly reprimanded Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, for allegedly failing to post promotional content. When Ms. Bosch objected, Mr. Nawat escalated the situation by calling security and threatening to disqualify those who supported her. This led to Ms. Bosch leaving the room, followed by several other contestants, including reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark. The incident, which was live-streamed, quickly went viral, prompting condemnation from the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO). MUO President Raul Rocha described Mr. Nawat’s behavior as ‘malicious’ and ‘disrespectful,’ stating that it contradicted the pageant’s mission of empowering women. Mr. Nawat has since apologized, claiming his words were misunderstood, but the MUO has limited his involvement in the competition and is considering legal action. Despite the controversy, the pageant continues, with the winner set to be crowned on November 21 in Bangkok. Ms. Bosch, in a post-event interview, emphasized her commitment to being a voice for women and girls worldwide, stating, ‘I’m not a doll to be made up and styled. I came here to make a difference.’

China has recorded its lowest number of first marriages in a decade, with only 9.1723 million couples tying the knot in 2024, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Bureau. This marks the first time the figure has fallen below 10 million in the past ten years. The decline is part of a broader trend, with the number of first marriages decreasing annually from 2014 to 2024, except for a slight uptick in 2023. In 2024 alone, the number dropped by 2.77 million, or 23.18 percent, compared to the previous year, representing the steepest decline in a decade. Compared to 2013, the number of first marriages in 2024 plummeted by 14.69 million, a staggering 61.57 percent reduction. Marriage registrations also saw a significant drop, falling from 13.469 million in 2013 to 6.106 million in 2024, a decline of 54.7 percent. Demographics scholar He Yafu attributes this trend to two primary factors: a shrinking young population and a rising unmarried rate. Data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs reveals that the 25-34 age group, which accounts for the majority of marriages, has seen a decline in population. The seventh national population census in 2020 showed that the population aged 21-30 (born between 1990 and 1999) was only 178 million, compared to 215 million in the 31-40 age group (born between 1980 and 1989). Additionally, the unmarried rate among 30-year-olds has surged from 14.56 percent in 2013 to 29.97 percent in 2023, reflecting a significant societal shift. This trend underscores the challenges China faces in addressing demographic changes and their implications for social and economic stability.

In a groundbreaking verdict, the Malaysian High Court has ruled that the government and police are responsible for the abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh, who has been missing for eight years. The court also awarded his family a record-breaking compensation of over 31 million ringgit (£5.7 million; $7.4 million), marking the largest damages payout in Malaysian legal history. The case has drawn national attention and raised significant questions about enforced disappearances in the country. Raymond Koh was forcibly taken from his car by masked men in a Kuala Lumpur suburb in 2017, an incident captured on CCTV and witnessed by passers-by. His family has long maintained that he was abducted by the police, a claim the authorities consistently denied. The court’s ruling on Wednesday declared that Koh had been forcibly disappeared, holding the government and police accountable. The judge also ordered the state to reopen the investigation to determine Koh’s whereabouts and imposed a daily compensation of 10,000 ringgit (£1,830; $2,385) from the day of his abduction until his location is disclosed. In an emotional statement, Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, expressed gratitude for the verdict but emphasized that it does not bring her husband back. She dedicated the legal victory to Koh and all victims of enforced disappearances. The case is closely linked to the abduction of activist Amri Che Mat, whose wife, Norhayati, was awarded three million ringgit in a separate lawsuit. Both men’s disappearances occurred within months of each other in 2016 and 2017, sparking widespread public speculation. Investigations by Malaysia’s human rights commission and the government concluded that the abductions were likely carried out by the police’s elite Special Branch, targeting the men for their perceived threats to mainstream Islam. The government report, previously classified as secret, revealed that “rogue cops” with extreme views against Christians and Shia Muslims were responsible. Koh, a Christian pastor, was suspected of proselytizing to Muslims, while Che Mat, a Shia Muslim, was targeted for his religious affiliation. The court’s ruling has been hailed as a significant step toward accountability, though the families of the missing men continue to seek answers about their loved ones’ fates.

China has officially launched its National Fire Safety Month 2025, a nationwide initiative designed to elevate public awareness about fire safety and enhance risk prevention measures. The campaign, inaugurated on November 4, 2025, is spearheaded by the Office of the State Council Work Safety Committee, the Ministry of Emergency Management, and the National Fire and Rescue Administration.

A seven-year-old boy from Dubai has etched his name in the annals of mountaineering history by becoming the youngest person to trek both Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit’s Thorong La Pass within a single year. Ivan Krasiukov, a student at Bloom World Academy, accomplished this remarkable feat before his seventh birthday, earning recognition from Official World Record Europe. In April 2024, at just six years old, Ivan completed the 130-kilometre Everest Base Camp trail. A year later, in April 2025, he crossed Nepal’s Thorong La Pass, one of the world’s highest walkable mountain passes at 5,416 metres. Ivan’s journey was supported by his parents, Alla and Dmitrii, along with a Nepalese guide and two porters. His father recounted how Ivan, upon reaching Everest Base Camp after 12 days, expressed disappointment that the trek wasn’t longer, a sentiment that underscored his passion and determination. Ivan’s preparation included rigorous training in athletics, swimming, parkour, and acrobatics, which equipped him for the high-altitude challenges. John Bell, founding principal of Bloom World Academy, praised Ivan’s resilience, stating, “We couldn’t be prouder to see a Bloom student making history on a global stage.” This extraordinary achievement highlights the boundless potential of young adventurers and serves as an inspiration to aspiring explorers worldwide.

In a significant move to bolster the development of young university faculty, China has introduced a groundbreaking guideline aimed at enhancing the evaluation of scientific research. Issued jointly by the Ministry of Education and five other government bodies, the document seeks to elevate the ideological and political caliber, teaching quality, scientific research, innovation capability, and international perspective of young teachers. The guideline emphasizes a reformed approach to assessing young academics, focusing on innovation, practical results, and contributions rather than relying solely on quantitative metrics. It also promotes peer review mechanisms and encourages the publication of research in domestic academic journals to foster academic self-reliance. Additionally, the document outlines measures to provide stable, long-term support for young faculty engaged in original and breakthrough technological innovation, promoting interdisciplinary and cross-field studies. Beyond research, the guideline calls for improved ethical conduct mechanisms, partnerships between universities and large enterprises, and enhanced career development support. To boost job satisfaction, it advocates for salary system reforms, including annual salary and project-based pay structures, and efforts to reduce non-academic burdens and assist with housing, health, and well-being.

The Tianzi Mountain, nestled within the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province, has recently become a spectacle of nature’s artistry. As late autumn sets in, the mountain’s dense forests have been painted in a mesmerizing palette of red, orange, and yellow hues. This transformation, akin to a masterful oil painting, has not only enhanced the natural beauty of the region but also attracted a multitude of visitors from across the globe. The scenic vista, offering a visual feast, underscores the unique charm of China’s natural landscapes and continues to be a significant draw for tourism in the area.