Across the United Arab Emirates, a growing number of residents are transforming the lives of abandoned animals by providing them with care, shelter, and a place to call home. From pigeons to kittens, these once-stray animals are now cherished members of families, thanks to the compassion of their rescuers. One such story is that of Boots, a pigeon rescued by Tiffany Dickinson in Dubai. Found struggling on a pavement, Boots was diagnosed with a neurological virus that left her unable to survive in the wild. Today, she thrives in Tiffany’s apartment, enjoying showers, short flights, and even her own Instagram page. Boots’ story is just one of many. Shirin Zemmo and her husband rescued two newborn kittens left in a crate near their Arjan building. Initially planning to care for them temporarily, the couple soon found themselves inseparable from the affectionate felines. Similarly, Natasha D’Souza, a long-time animal rescuer, has opened her home to multiple cats over the years, including senior cats Boney and Mindy, and more recent additions like Rosie and Ruby. These heartwarming tales highlight a broader trend in the UAE, where residents are stepping up to address the plight of abandoned animals, turning strays into beloved family members.
分类： society
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Abu Dhabi’s Zayed National Museum to open on December 3, ticket sales begin
Abu Dhabi’s much-anticipated Zayed National Museum is set to open its doors on December 3, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s cultural landscape. Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum is a tribute to the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, and his enduring commitment to cultural heritage, education, and national identity. Designed by renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, the museum’s innovative design features five steel structures inspired by the wings of a falcon, symbolizing a key aspect of Emirati culture. The museum offers a journey through the UAE’s history, from ancient artifacts like a 300,000-year-old stone tool discovered in Al Ain to the life and values of Sheikh Zayed. Ticket sales have commenced, with adult tickets priced at Dh70, while minors, senior Emiratis, residents, people of determination, and journalists on assignment can enter free of charge. Students and teachers can avail discounted tickets for Dh35. The museum’s opening reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for culture and learning.
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Saudi to add 900,000 praying spaces near Makkah Grand Mosque under new project
Saudi Arabia has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to enhance the spiritual and infrastructural landscape of Makkah. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman officially launched the ‘King Salman Gate’ project, a massive development adjacent to the Grand Mosque, which will add approximately 900,000 indoor and outdoor praying spaces. Spanning 12 million square meters (4.6 square miles), this mixed-use project aims to improve access to the Grand Mosque while integrating residential, hospitality, commercial, and cultural facilities. The RUA AlHaram AlMakki Company, overseeing the project, highlighted its potential to elevate service quality and preserve Makkah’s cultural heritage by restoring 19,000 square meters of historical sites. Additionally, the initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, contributing to economic transformation by generating over 300,000 jobs by 2036. While the project’s cost and completion timeline remain undisclosed, it represents a significant step in modernizing Makkah and establishing it as a global model for urban planning and spiritual tourism.
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Greece passes labour law allowing 13-hour workdays in some cases
Greece’s parliament has passed a contentious labor reform bill permitting 13-hour workdays, sparking widespread protests and strikes across the nation. The government argues the legislation modernizes labor laws, aligning them with contemporary market demands. However, opposition parties, including the left-wing Syriza, have condemned the bill as a ‘legislative monstrosity’ that undermines workers’ rights. The new law caps annual overtime at 150 hours and maintains the standard 40-hour workweek. It also stipulates that extended workdays are optional, limited to the private sector, and applicable for no more than 37 days annually. The ruling center-right New Democracy party supported the bill, while the center-left Pasok party opposed it, and Syriza abstained. Labor Minister Niki Kerameus defended the reforms, stating they comply with EU working-time rules, which allow flexibility over a 12-month period. The law permits workers to opt for additional hours with a 40% pay increase and protects them from dismissal for refusing overtime. Critics, including public-sector union ADEDY, argue the reforms erode the eight-hour workday, disrupt family life, and legitimize worker exploitation. Greece, still recovering from its decade-long debt crisis, has among the lowest wages and living standards in the EU. The country recently introduced a six-day workweek for certain industries to stimulate economic growth. Despite these measures, Greek employees already work longer hours than most Europeans, earning less and struggling financially. Unemployment remains higher than the EU average, highlighting ongoing economic challenges.
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Violence erupts during anti-pollution protest as anger boils in Tunisia’s phosphate belt
The southern Tunisian city of Gabes witnessed violent clashes on Wednesday as thousands of protesters took to the streets to demand action against worsening air pollution caused by a phosphate-processing plant. Riot police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds, resulting in injuries to both demonstrators and officers. The protest, which escalated into chaos, was sparked by a recent gas leak near the state-owned Chemical Group of Tunisia (GCT) industrial complex, a facility that has long been a source of environmental and health concerns for the city’s 400,000 residents. Gabes, a hub of Tunisia’s phosphate industry, has suffered from decades of industrial activity that residents blame for rising cancer rates, respiratory illnesses, and the destruction of the region’s once-thriving ecosystem. The latest gas leak, which sent dozens of people, including children, to hospitals, reignited public outrage. Protesters blocked major roads, burned tires, and chanted against what they called “environmental crimes,” demanding the closure of the GCT’s phosphate units. The plant, which processes raw phosphate into fertilizer, has been discharging toxic waste directly into the Gulf of Gabes, devastating marine life and forcing generations of fishermen out of work. Despite repeated government promises to modernize or relocate the facility, activists say no meaningful action has been taken. Tunisian President Kais Saied recently announced the formation of a joint commission to address protesters’ demands, but residents remain skeptical, citing years of unfulfilled pledges. The GCT admitted to “major non-conformities” in a 2025 environmental audit, acknowledging excessive ammonia and other emissions that fall short of global standards. However, locals say no visible improvements have been made, leaving the community to endure the ongoing environmental and health crisis.
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UAE weather: Red alert issued for thick fog; temperatures to dip to 18ºC in some areas
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued red and yellow alerts across various regions in the UAE due to thick fog, significantly reducing visibility. Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution, particularly in areas where fog is prevalent. The Abu Dhabi Police has temporarily lowered speed limits on certain roads and urged drivers to adhere to the updated limits displayed on electronic boards. The weather forecast predicts fair to partly cloudy conditions, with convective clouds expected in the east and south by the afternoon. Humidity is likely to increase by night and early Friday morning, particularly in coastal and internal areas, potentially leading to fog or mist formation. Temperatures are set to vary widely, with mountainous regions experiencing lows of 18ºC, while internal areas could see highs of 39ºC. In Dubai, temperatures will range between 28ºC and 35ºC, Sharjah between 25ºC and 37ºC, and Abu Dhabi between 27ºC and 36ºC. Light to moderate winds are expected, occasionally freshening throughout the day.
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Last surviving member of first team to scale Everest dies aged 92
Kanchha Sherpa, the final surviving member of the pioneering 1953 Mount Everest expedition, has passed away at the age of 92 in Kathmandu, Nepal. His family confirmed that he had been unwell in recent times. Sherpa was just 19 years old when he joined the legendary team led by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, which achieved the first successful ascent of the world’s highest peak. Despite having no prior mountaineering experience, Sherpa served as a porter on the 35-member expedition, carrying essential supplies such as food, tents, and equipment to the base camp during the grueling two-week journey. Remarkably, he was one of only three Sherpas to surpass the 8,000-meter mark (26,247 feet) during the climb. Sherpa’s contributions to mountaineering earned him widespread admiration, with fellow Nepali guides hailing him as a legend and a source of inspiration. After the historic expedition, he continued working as a high-altitude porter in the Himalayas for two more decades before retiring at the request of his wife, who urged him to cease the perilous climbs. His legacy remains an enduring testament to the courage and resilience of the Sherpa community in the world of mountaineering.
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Pope Leo urges world leaders ‘not to look the other way’ in fighting global hunger
In a powerful address during the World Food Day global ceremony at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization’s headquarters in Rome, Pope Leo XIV urged world leaders to take responsibility for addressing the escalating crises of hunger, war, and suffering worldwide. The event also commemorated the 80th anniversary of the FAO. The pontiff emphasized the need for the international community to confront global food emergencies head-on, rather than turning a blind eye. He specifically highlighted the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Haiti, Afghanistan, Mali, the Central African Republic, Yemen, and South Sudan, underscoring the dire consequences of inaction. Citing U.N. statistics, Pope Leo revealed that approximately 673 million people globally suffer from insufficient daily food intake. He challenged the global community to reevaluate their lifestyles and priorities, stating, ‘The hungry faces of so many who still suffer challenge us and invite us to reexamine our lifestyles, our priorities, and our overall way of living in today’s world.’ The pope concluded his speech by urging collective empathy, declaring, ‘We must make their suffering our own.’ Pope Leo also condemned the use of hunger as a weapon of war, labeling it a ‘collective failure, an ethical derailment, and a historic offence.’ His warning comes as U.N. food aid agencies face significant funding cuts, particularly from the U.S. and other Western donors, threatening operations in critical regions and potentially pushing millions into emergency hunger levels. The World Food Program reported that 13.7 million recipients of its aid could face severe food insecurity due to these cuts, with Afghanistan, Congo, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan at the greatest risk.
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Kanchha Sherpa, last surviving member of 1953 Mount Everest expedition, dies at 92
Kanchha Sherpa, the sole surviving member of the historic 1953 expedition that first summited Mount Everest, passed away peacefully at his home in Kapan, Kathmandu, on Thursday. He was 92 years old. The Nepal Mountaineering Association confirmed his death, with President Phur Gelje Sherpa describing it as the end of a significant chapter in mountaineering history. Kanchha had been unwell for some time before his passing. His last rites are scheduled for Monday. Born in 1933 in Namche Bazar, the gateway to Everest, Kanchha began his mountaineering career at 19 and remained active in the field until he was 50. He was one of three Sherpas who reached the final camp before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made their historic ascent to the 8,849-meter peak on May 29, 1953. In a March 2024 interview with The Associated Press, Kanchha expressed concerns about overcrowding and environmental degradation on Everest, urging climbers to respect the mountain, which Sherpas revere as Qomolangma, or the goddess mother of the world. He is survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters, and grandchildren.
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Death of kidnapped South Korean student spurs talks with Cambodia to tackle online scams
In a significant move to address the growing issue of online scams, South Korean and Cambodian officials convened in Phnom Penh on Thursday to discuss coordinated measures. This meeting follows the tragic death of Park Min-ho, a 22-year-old South Korean student who was reportedly trafficked and forced to work in a scam center in Cambodia. Park’s body was discovered in August in Cambodia’s Kampot province, with authorities attributing his death to cardiac arrest after enduring torture and beatings.
The South Korean delegation, led by National Security Director Wi Sung-lac, met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to address the repatriation of South Korean nationals involved in online scams and the return of Park’s remains. Wi emphasized the urgency of resolving these issues, noting that disputes over autopsy procedures had delayed the repatriation process. However, an agreement was reached, and the results of the talks were expected to be announced later on Thursday.
Cambodia’s online scam industry has drawn international attention, with an estimated 200,000 people, including around 1,000 South Koreans, working in scam centers across the country. Many victims are lured with promises of high-paying jobs, only to be forced into illegal activities. In the first eight months of 2023 alone, 330 South Koreans were reported detained in Cambodia, with 80% of these cases resolved.
During the talks, both nations pledged to strengthen collaboration in combating transnational crimes, particularly online scams. Hun Manet emphasized that Cambodia and South Korea would work bilaterally to address the issue without third-party involvement. South Korea, meanwhile, is seeking the early repatriation of 60 nationals recently arrested in Cambodia on suspicion of scam involvement. Once repatriated, they will face investigations and potential legal consequences.
In response to the crisis, South Korea has implemented a travel ban for specific areas in Cambodia, including Bokor Mountain in Kampot province, where Park was found dead, as well as border towns Bavet and Poipet. The United Nations has highlighted Southeast Asia, particularly the Mekong Region, as a global hub for scams and illegal online gaming, with criminal gangs earning billions annually through fraudulent schemes.
Jeremy Douglas, Chief of Staff for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, stressed the need for regional cooperation to tackle the issue, stating that the situation cannot be ignored. As both nations work towards a solution, the tragic case of Park Min-ho underscores the urgent need for international collaboration to combat human trafficking and online scams.