分类： society

On Saturday, November 8, 2025, residents of Taiwan gathered at the Taipei Machangding Memorial Park to honor the victims of the White Terror period, a dark chapter in the island’s history marked by political repression during the 1950s. The annual remembrance ceremony, attended by survivors, families of the victims, and representatives from various sectors of Taiwanese society, served as a poignant reminder of the era’s injustices and a call for peace and unity across the Taiwan Strait. The White Terror era saw the arrest and execution of numerous individuals perceived as threats to the ruling Kuomintang regime, many of whom were buried in unmarked graves. It wasn’t until 1993 that four such burial sites were discovered in Taipei, leading to the establishment of the annual autumn commemoration. This year’s ceremony featured a heartfelt eulogy by Taiwan youth representative Chen Chu-yin, who expressed hope that the martyrs’ ideals of national reunification would be realized through the efforts of the younger generation. The event underscored the enduring impact of the White Terror period on Taiwan’s collective memory and its ongoing relevance in contemporary discussions about cross-Strait relations.

In the United Arab Emirates, car insurance premiums and policy conditions are strictly regulated under national law to ensure fairness and transparency for vehicle owners. According to the Unified Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy Against Loss and Damage, insurers are permitted to charge a maximum premium of five percent for saloon vehicles and seven percent for four-wheel drive vehicles for a 13-month policy. These regulations are established under Insurance Authority Board of Directors’ Decision No. 25 of 2016 and Decision No. 30 of 2016, which govern motor vehicle insurance tariffs and policy frameworks. The law mandates specific clauses in every insurance policy, including the obligations of both the insurance company and the insured. Insurers are required to compensate for damages, repair or replace vehicles, and cover other stipulated losses. Meanwhile, policyholders must pay premiums, adhere to safety precautions, and ensure compliance with ownership and licensing requirements. Exclusions such as indirect losses, damages from overloading, or accidents occurring outside the policy’s geographical territory are also clearly defined. Additionally, the law allows for optional riders, enabling insurers and policyholders to agree on additional coverage for specific risks, such as damages to personal property or incidents occurring off-road. These provisions ensure that motor vehicle insurance in the UAE is comprehensive, standardized, and aligned with legal requirements. Ashish Mehta, founder of Ashish Mehta & Associates, emphasizes the importance of understanding these regulations to make informed decisions when renewing or purchasing car insurance.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially entered its winter season, marked by a significant drop in temperatures. On November 9, 2025, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) reported that the mercury plummeted to 9.8°C in Al Ain’s Raknah area at 6:30 AM, marking the lowest temperature recorded in the country so far this year. This reading underscores the transition from the scorching summer months to the cooler winter period, which typically spans from November to March. During this season, daytime temperatures in most regions range between 15°C and 25°C, offering a refreshing change from the intense heat. Historically, the UAE has experienced even colder conditions, with the lowest temperature ever recorded being -5.7°C on February 3, 2017, at Jebel Jais, the nation’s highest peak in Ras Al Khaimah. Earlier this year, on January 4, 2025, Jebel Jais recorded a low of 1.9°C, just a day after hitting 2.2°C. As winter progresses, residents and visitors alike can expect milder weather, providing a welcome respite and opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities.

In the midst of the chaos brought by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, Judy Bertuso, 63, sits inside a bright orange tent on the floor of a basketball court in Quezon City, Philippines. With deliberate tenderness, she feeds porridge to her 65-year-old husband, Apollo, who is recovering from a stroke. The translucent plastic walls of the tent frame his frail figure as he sits in a wheelchair. Judy, dressed in a wrinkled T-shirt and shorts, moves with a quiet exhaustion, her actions reflecting a lifetime of mutual care and devotion. The couple had evacuated their creekside home the day before, fearing a repeat of the flooding they experienced during heavy rains in October. When warnings urged residents to seek higher ground ahead of the storm, they heeded the call without hesitation. Fung-wong, the most powerful typhoon to threaten the Philippines this year, unleashed winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour (115 mph) and gusts reaching 230 kph (143 mph), battering the northeastern coast and displacing over a million people. Inside the shelter, rows of bright tents house dozens of families. The wind howls outside, but within the walls, the hum of quiet conversations and the laughter of children create a semblance of normalcy. Amid the uncertainty, Judy’s steady hand trembles slightly as she feeds Apollo, a silent testament to the enduring power of care and resilience in the face of nature’s fury.