The nomination period for the 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election in Hong Kong concluded on Thursday, with a total of 161 nomination forms submitted across various constituencies. The Registration and Electoral Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government confirmed the figures, marking a significant step in the electoral process. The submissions included 51 nominations for geographical constituencies, 60 for functional constituencies, and 50 for the Election Committee constituency. The nomination period ended at 5 pm local time on November 6, 2025. Returning officers will now determine the order of candidates’ names on ballot papers and allocate designated spots for election advertisements through a lottery system on November 7. The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee is expected to publish a notice of validly nominated candidates in the gazette within 14 days. The election, scheduled for December 7, 2025, will determine the composition of the eighth LegCo, playing a pivotal role in Hong Kong’s governance and legislative framework.
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Hurricane Melissa causes damage in Jamaica equivalent to 30% of GDP: UN official
Jamaica is reeling from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, with damages estimated to be equivalent to 30% of the nation’s GDP, according to a UN Development Programme (UNDP) official. Kishan Khoday, UNDP resident representative for the region, revealed during a video conference that initial assessments indicate the financial toll is expected to rise. The Category 5 storm, which struck last week, has left western Jamaica in ruins, generating nearly 5 million metric tonnes of debris. The human cost is equally staggering, with 32 confirmed fatalities and approximately 1.5 million people affected. In response, the UNDP has allocated $400,000 for immediate assessment and recovery efforts, while the UN World Food Programme is airlifting food supplies from Barbados to support over 6,000 households for a week. The scale of the disaster underscores the urgent need for international aid and long-term recovery strategies.
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Multiple explosions shake a mosque in an Indonesian high school and injure 54
JAKARTA, Indonesia — A series of explosions rocked a mosque during Friday prayers at a state high school in Jakarta, leaving at least 54 people injured, predominantly students, according to police reports. The incident occurred at SMA 27, a school located within a navy compound in the Kelapa Gading neighborhood of northern Jakarta. Witnesses recounted hearing at least two loud blasts around midday, coinciding with the start of the sermon. Chaos ensued as students and worshippers fled the mosque, which was quickly engulfed in gray smoke. The majority of the victims sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe, primarily caused by shattered glass. Jakarta Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri indicated that the explosions originated near the mosque’s loudspeaker, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Emergency services transported the injured to nearby hospitals, with 20 students still receiving medical attention, three of whom are in serious condition. Authorities discovered toy rifles and a toy gun near the mosque, prompting further scrutiny. Suheri urged the public to refrain from speculation, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing and that the findings will be disclosed in due course.
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Kazakhstan sends 1st wheat shipment to Armenia via Azerbaijan in 30 years
In a landmark development, Kazakhstan has successfully dispatched its first wheat shipment to Armenia via Azerbaijan in over 30 years. This historic move was facilitated by recent agreements between the leaders of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, which reopened transit routes through Azerbaijani territory. The shipment, consisting of 15 rail wagons, crossed the Azerbaijani border on Thursday and is en route to Dalarik railway station in Armenia, where it is expected to arrive within days. The initiative marks a significant step in enhancing regional trade and logistics connectivity in the South Caucasus. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, this new transit route not only expands the export potential of Kazakh grain but also strengthens economic and trade cooperation among neighboring countries. The resumption of this trade corridor underscores the growing diplomatic and economic ties in the region, paving the way for future collaborative ventures.
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Gaza peace force needs ‘legitimacy’: UN
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that any stabilization force deployed in Gaza must derive its legitimacy from a mandate by the UN Security Council. Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Guterres underscored the necessity of a ceasefire that paves the way for a two-state solution and the recognition of an independent Palestinian state. His comments come amid ongoing discussions among Arab and Muslim-majority countries, who recently convened in Istanbul to deliberate on the establishment of an international peace force for Gaza. While some nations expressed reluctance to contribute troops, there was consensus that such a force would require UN Security Council authorization to be effective. Guterres lamented the Security Council’s diminished capacity to address crises, citing the veto power of superpowers often directly involved in conflicts. Since October 2023, the US has vetoed five ceasefire resolutions, the latest in June 2024. Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk criticized the proposal for an international force, arguing that it would serve as a substitute for the Israeli army and fail to address Palestinian rights. Meanwhile, eight Palestinian factions, led by Hamas, are set to meet in Cairo to discuss forming a transitional administration for Gaza. Belal Alakhras, a research fellow at the University of Malaya, warned that legitimizing a framework bypassing Palestinian rights through the Security Council sets a dangerous precedent. He urged the international community to focus on recovery and reconstruction rather than imposing interventions that could exacerbate suffering.
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Fifty-four people injured in mosque blast at Jakarta high school
A devastating explosion occurred during Friday prayers at a mosque located within a high school complex in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Indonesia. The incident resulted in injuries to dozens of worshippers, with 54 individuals rushed to hospitals for treatment. Jakarta Metropolitan Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed the casualties during a televised press briefing, noting that the injuries ranged from minor to severe, including burns. Authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion, with a bomb disposal team from the Mobile Brigade Corps deployed to conduct a detailed search of the area. The incident has raised concerns about safety and security in public spaces, particularly in places of worship. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains on edge, awaiting further updates from law enforcement officials.
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Changping builds core of science power
Beijing’s Changping district is poised to become a global leader in science and technology as several national-level laboratories from top institutions like Tsinghua University and Peking University relocate to the area. This strategic move aligns with Beijing’s broader ambition to establish itself as a hub for innovation and technological advancement. Liu Xiaodong, deputy Party chief and head of Changping district, emphasized that the relocation is a significant step in implementing both the city’s development strategy and the nation’s innovation goals. ‘Changping is set to become a new high-tech engine for China and the world,’ Liu stated. Situated adjacent to Haidian, Beijing’s high-tech center, Changping already hosts one-third of the city’s national-level laboratories and boasts the largest concentration of universities and working-age talent in the capital. The district has drawn inspiration from globally renowned university towns like Stanford in the U.S. and Cambridge in the U.K. to develop its own ‘scientist towns’ in Nankou and Machikou. In Nankou, Tsinghua University has collaborated with the district to establish a major national research base, with the first phase already operational and the second phase nearing completion. Meanwhile, Machikou is being developed in partnership with Peking University’s ‘New Campus + New Engineering’ initiative, with the first nine facilities expected to be completed by year-end. The district has also focused on urban renewal and industrial heritage preservation, repurposing old factory buildings to reduce carbon emissions and meet green development goals. The International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation recently held its annual meeting in Changping, further highlighting the district’s growing prominence on the global stage. Ebba Lund, the organization’s CEO, praised Changping as a catalyst for international exchanges and a model for science park development worldwide. Local high-tech companies, such as MicroCyto, have also benefited from the district’s innovation network, which includes expert teams from Peking University and numerous startups. With its ambitious plans and strategic partnerships, Changping is well on its way to becoming a world-class innovation engine, driving regional and national development.
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Two hospital deaths raise the toll from a retirement home fire in Bosnia to 13 dead
A devastating fire at a retirement facility in Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina, has resulted in the deaths of 13 elderly residents, with two more succumbing to their injuries in the hospital on Friday. The blaze erupted on Tuesday evening on the seventh floor of the boarding house, causing panic as residents scrambled to escape. Initial reports indicate that 11 individuals died from smoke inhalation on the day of the incident. Thirteen others remain hospitalized, according to medical authorities in Tuzla. An official investigation is currently in progress to ascertain the cause of the fire. Local media highlighted that the upper floors of the facility housed elderly residents with limited mobility or chronic illnesses, raising concerns about safety protocols. In the wake of the tragedy, the facility’s manager has resigned. The incident has sparked widespread grief and calls for improved safety measures in care facilities across the region.
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Ex-NFL star extradited to US to face shooting charge
Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown has been extradited from Dubai to the United States to face a second-degree attempted murder charge linked to a shooting incident in May. The Miami Police Department confirmed that Brown, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was located in Dubai, apprehended, and subsequently extradited to Essex County, New Jersey, by U.S. Marshals. He is currently held in Miami-Dade County Jail awaiting further legal proceedings. The charges stem from an incident in which Brown allegedly seized a gun from a security guard and fired two shots at a man he had previously been in a physical altercation with. No injuries were reported, and no arrests were made at the time. Brown, 37, was briefly detained but later released after providing his account of the events. In a social media post, Brown claimed he was attacked by multiple individuals attempting to steal his jewelry and harm him, contradicting circulating video evidence. Brown, who played a pivotal role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2021 Super Bowl victory, now faces serious legal consequences as the case unfolds.
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Xi’an City Wall gets health checkup after heavy rains
The historic Xi’an City Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is undergoing a thorough health assessment following months of heavy rainfall linked to climate change. Since September, Shaanxi province has experienced three prolonged rainy periods, with 87 monitoring stations recording over 20 days of rainfall. The average precipitation reached 314 millimeters, 1.6 times higher than the normal level, marking the second-highest rainfall since 1961. This has raised concerns about the structural integrity of the ancient wall, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Gao Heng, head of the cultural heritage protection department of the Xi’an City Wall Management Committee, highlighted the risks posed by water infiltration. Increased moisture has led to surface deterioration, such as moss and lichen growth, and structural issues, including water seeping into the wall’s rammed-earth core. This can reduce the soil’s bearing capacity, potentially causing localized settlement or collapse.
To mitigate these risks, the committee has implemented a differentiated maintenance approach. Routine measures include sealing cracks and re-leveling surface bricks, while engineering solutions involve re-compacting loose soil and enhancing drainage systems. A key drainage project, approved by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, is underway to divert rainwater from the wall’s foundation.
Technology plays a crucial role in preservation efforts. Since 2018, a ‘digital cabin’ system with over 3,000 sensors has monitored settlement and crack displacement. Drones conduct aerial inspections quarterly, and a four-color warning system assesses risks based on damage severity. In 2023, a comprehensive ‘CT health scan’ using ground-penetrating radar revealed over 1,300 historical cavities and 800 areas of less compact soil within the wall.
Collaboration with local meteorological bureaus and academic institutions ensures specialized weather forecasts and technical support. The committee has also introduced a ‘wall chief’ system, assigning individuals to oversee specific sections for routine monitoring and early issue reporting.
Despite these challenges, Gao emphasized that the wall’s original structure remains intact, with only restored outer layers affected by recent damage. The ongoing efforts aim to safeguard this cultural treasure for future generations.