A heartbreaking incident unfolded at a hotel in Lardos, Rhodes, where a three-year-old girl from Lancashire tragically lost her life after being found unconscious in a swimming pool. The incident occurred on October 14, when the young girl was reportedly submerged in the pool for approximately 10 minutes before a hotel guest noticed her and initiated CPR. She was immediately rushed to a hospital on the island and later transferred to Crete for further medical attention. Despite being moved to a hospital in the UK, she succumbed to her injuries 12 days later, passing away on Sunday. The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that they are providing support to the grieving family and are in contact with local authorities in Greece. Greek police have been approached for comments, while Lancashire Police stated that the matter is under the jurisdiction of Greek authorities. This tragic event has raised concerns about pool safety and the need for heightened vigilance in such environments.
分类： society
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HKU leads as 5 Hong Kong universities make Asia’s top 10 in QS rankings
In a remarkable testament to the strength of Hong Kong’s higher education system, five universities from the region have secured positions in the top ten of the QS Asia University Rankings 2026. The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has emerged as the top-ranked institution, marking a significant milestone for the city’s academic landscape. The rankings, released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a globally recognized higher education research organization, highlight the exceptional performance of Hong Kong’s universities across key metrics such as academic reputation, employer reputation, and international faculty representation. HKU ascended from second to first place, while the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology climbed from 11th to 6th. City University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong tied at 7th, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University moved up to 10th. Christine Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, praised the achievement, emphasizing the city’s role as an international talent hub and its alignment with national education strategies. HKU President Zhang Xiang underscored the university’s commitment to fostering innovation and technology, aligning with broader national development goals. This recognition not only solidifies Hong Kong’s position as a leading education hub but also reflects the effectiveness of government policies in promoting academic excellence.
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Japan sends troops to northern region to help stop bear attacks after a record number of casualties
In response to a dramatic increase in bear attacks, Japan’s Defense Ministry has dispatched troops to the northern prefecture of Akita. The mountainous region has witnessed a surge in bear encounters near schools, train stations, supermarkets, and even a hot springs resort. Since April, over 100 people have been injured, and at least 12 have lost their lives in bear-related incidents across Japan, according to Environment Ministry statistics from late October. Akita Prefecture, with a population of approximately 880,000, has been particularly hard-hit, reporting more than 50 attacks since May, including four fatalities. The situation has grown so dire that local authorities have described their efforts as “desperate” due to a lack of manpower. The Defense Ministry and Akita Prefecture signed an agreement allowing soldiers to assist in setting traps, transporting hunters, and disposing of dead bears. However, officials clarified that troops will not use firearms to cull the animals. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi emphasized that while the mission aims to protect citizens, the primary role of the Self-Defense Forces remains national defense, and their support for bear response efforts is limited. Experts attribute the rise in bear attacks to Japan’s aging and declining rural population, which has led to abandoned neighborhoods and farmland that attract bears. Additionally, the aging hunter population is ill-equipped to handle the growing threat. In response, the government has established a task force to develop a comprehensive bear response strategy by mid-November, including population surveys, warning systems, and revised hunting regulations.
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Anti-migrant group ordered to stop blocking foreigners from South African healthcare
A South African court has issued a landmark ruling against Operation Dudula, an anti-migrant group, ordering it to cease obstructing foreign nationals from accessing public health facilities and schools. The Johannesburg High Court declared such actions illegal, emphasizing that the group must stop intimidating, harassing, or interfering with individuals seeking these essential services. Operation Dudula, whose name translates to ‘remove by force’ in Zulu, has been actively picketing hospitals, clinics, and schools in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, demanding identity checks and barring non-South Africans from entry. The court also prohibited the group from making hate speech, unlawfully evicting foreign nationals from their homes or trading stalls, and inciting others to do so. South Africa, home to approximately 2.4 million migrants—about 4% of its population—has long grappled with xenophobia, which has occasionally erupted into violent outbreaks. The ruling comes amid rising anti-migrant sentiment, which has become a contentious political issue. Operation Dudula has expressed disappointment with the verdict and plans to appeal. The case highlights the ongoing tension between migrant communities and local populations in a nation historically reliant on migrant labor from neighboring countries like Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
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Malaysian rapper Namewee detained in murder investigation of Taiwanese influencer
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Prominent Malaysian rapper and filmmaker Wee Meng Chee, known professionally as Namewee, was taken into custody on Wednesday to aid police in their investigation into the murder of Taiwanese social media influencer Hsieh Yu-hsin. According to his lawyer, Joshua Tay, Namewee voluntarily surrendered to authorities and will be held under a six-day remand. The case, initially treated as a suspicious death, was reclassified as a murder following the discovery of new evidence. Hsieh, a 31-year-old former nurse with over half a million Instagram followers and an OnlyFans account, was found dead in a Kuala Lumpur hotel bathtub on October 22. Local media reported that Namewee was the last person seen with her before her death. He was briefly detained at the time and separately charged with drug possession, which he denies. Hsieh, affectionately dubbed ‘Nurse Goddess’ by her fans, had arrived in Malaysia on October 20 for a four-day stay. Authorities are awaiting full post-mortem and toxicology reports to determine the official cause of death. Namewee expressed deep sorrow over Hsieh’s passing and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. His lawyer emphasized the need for a thorough and impartial inquiry. Namewee, a controversial figure known for his satirical takes on Malaysian politics, race, and religion, has faced multiple arrests in the past. His provocative works, including a 2007 video mocking Malaysia’s national anthem and a 2014 film banned for allegedly disparaging national agencies, have often sparked controversy. In 2016, he was detained over a music video deemed disrespectful to Islam, though he was not charged. Similarly, in 2018, he faced backlash for a video featuring dancers in dog masks, which authorities claimed insulted Islam. Namewee maintains that his critiques target hypocrisy and abuse of power, not religion or race. His contentious reputation extends beyond Malaysia; in 2021, a song he released with Australian singer Kimberley Chen mocking Chinese nationalists led to both artists being banned from China and their work removed from Chinese platforms.
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Bosnia official puts death toll in retirement home fire at 11, with over 30 injured
A devastating fire erupted on Tuesday evening at a retirement facility in Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals and leaving over 30 injured, according to Bosnian officials. The blaze, which originated on the building’s seventh floor (eighth floor in U.S. terminology), quickly spread, trapping elderly residents who were unable to evacuate due to mobility issues or illness. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Among the injured were firefighters and rescue workers who responded to the emergency. Tuzla’s mayor, Zijad Lugavic, confirmed that authorities convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday to evaluate the situation and coordinate relief efforts. Ruza Kajic, a resident on the third floor, recounted hearing “popping sounds” and witnessing flames descending from the upper floors as she prepared for bed. The incident has cast a somber shadow over the community, highlighting the vulnerabilities of elderly care facilities in emergency situations.
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China launches new giant panda base, expanding conservation network
China has inaugurated a new giant panda base in Mianyang, Sichuan province, marking a significant expansion of its conservation network. The facility, part of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), is the fifth such site nationwide and aims to enhance panda breeding, research, and international collaboration. Spanning 120 hectares, the base began trial operations after relocating 13 pandas on November 4, 2025. It is slated to open to the public in 2026, once the pandas have acclimated to their new environment. Huang Zhi, head of the Mianyang base’s preparatory team, noted that while the pandas are adjusting to their surroundings, they are in good health, with a dedicated team monitoring their transition. Mianyang is home to 418 wild giant pandas, representing 22.4% of China’s total population, the highest among prefecture-level cities. Since the 1980s, the CCRCGP has made remarkable strides in captive breeding, increasing the panda population from just six in 1983 to over 380 today. This initiative underscores China’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection.
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US courts stay deportation of Indian-origin man wrongly jailed for 43 years
Subramanyam ‘Subu’ Vedam, a 64-year-old Indian-origin man who spent over four decades in prison for a murder he did not commit, now faces deportation to India by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Vedam was exonerated in October 2025 after new evidence emerged in his case, but he was immediately detained by ICE upon his release from prison. Born in India, Vedam moved to the U.S. at just nine months old and is a legal permanent resident. His citizenship application was accepted before his arrest in 1983. Currently held at a short-term detention center in Alexandria, Louisiana, Vedam’s deportation has been temporarily halted by two U.S. courts. An immigration judge and a U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania both issued stays pending further review of his case. ICE cited a 1988 deportation order and a separate drug conviction as grounds for his detention. Vedam’s lawyers argue that his wrongful imprisonment for 43 years should outweigh his past drug charges. His family emphasizes his minimal ties to India and his decades of good behavior, academic achievements, and community service while incarcerated. Immigration lawyer Ava Benach described the case as ‘truly extraordinary,’ stating that deportation would compound the injustice Vedam has already endured. The Board of Immigration Appeals is expected to take several months to decide whether to review his case.
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US federal workers turn to food banks to survive
As the US federal government shutdown enters its second month, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are grappling with severe financial strain, forcing many to turn to food banks for survival. The shutdown, which began on October 1 due to a deadlock over healthcare funding and other policy priorities, has left approximately 1.4 million workers without pay, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. Among them, at least 670,000 are on furlough, while 730,000 continue to work without compensation. The crisis has sparked widespread distress, with workers across the nation sharing stories of hardship and uncertainty. In New York, long lines of federal employees, some visibly embarrassed, queued outside churches and food banks to secure basic necessities like vegetables and non-perishable items. Jacquelin, a federal worker, tearfully recounted the emotional toll of being unable to celebrate her daughter’s birthday or afford simple pleasures like a slice of pizza. Similarly, Christina Dechabert, a Transportation Security Administration employee at JFK Airport, described the situation as ‘draining,’ noting that her savings, meant for retirement, are now being depleted to feed her family. The crisis extends beyond New York, with reports of food distribution events in Washington, DC, drawing massive crowds even before they officially began. Many workers, like an anonymous furloughed woman, feel they are being unfairly treated as ‘collateral damage’ in the political impasse. As negotiations remain stalled, the shutdown continues to take a heavy financial and personal toll on federal workers nationwide.
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Investigators board cruise ship that left woman behind on island
In a tragic turn of events, the Coral Adventurer cruise ship has become the center of a harrowing investigation after an elderly passenger was left behind on a remote Australian island and later found dead. Suzanne Rees, an 80-year-old woman from Sydney, was hiking on Lizard Island with fellow passengers when she decided to rest, breaking away from the group. Unbeknownst to her, the ship departed without her, only realizing her absence several hours later. Despite a search and rescue effort, Ms. Rees was discovered deceased the following day. The incident has prompted a joint investigation by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Queensland Police, and the state coroner. The Coral Adventurer, operated by Coral Expeditions, was initially delayed due to mechanical issues and later canceled its 60-day cruise around Australia following the tragedy. The ship, designed to access remote coastal areas, accommodates up to 120 guests and 46 crew members. Ms. Rees’ daughter, Katherine Rees, expressed her family’s shock and sadness, emphasizing the apparent failure of care and common sense. She hopes the coroner’s inquiry will reveal what could have been done to save her mother’s life. The cruise operator has expressed deep regret and is cooperating fully with authorities while offering support to the bereaved family.