The Indian film industry mourns the loss of one of its most iconic figures, Dharmendra, who passed away in Mumbai at the age of 89. Known for his timeless charm and versatile acting, Dharmendra’s career spanned over six decades, leaving an indelible mark on Bollywood. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the actor, stating that his death signifies the end of an era in Indian cinema. Born on December 8, 1935, in Punjab’s Ludhiana district, Dharmendra, originally named Dharam Singh Deol, hailed from a middle-class Jatt-Sikh family. Despite his father’s aspirations for him to pursue education, Dharmendra’s passion for films led him to win the All India Talent Contest by Filmfare magazine, catapulting him into the world of cinema. His debut in 1960 with ‘Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere’ marked the beginning of a stellar career that saw him star in over 300 films, including the cult classic ‘Sholay’ (1975), where he played the unforgettable character Veeru. Dharmendra’s on-screen chemistry with Hema Malini, whom he later married, became legendary, and their romance captivated audiences. Beyond his acting prowess, Dharmendra ventured into politics, serving as a BJP MP from 2005 to 2009, though he admitted that politics was not his true calling. Throughout his life, Dharmendra remained humble, often expressing gratitude for the love he received from fans. His contributions to Hindi cinema were recognized with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012. Dharmendra’s legacy as the ‘original He-Man of Bollywood’ and his ability to connect with audiences through his performances will continue to inspire generations.
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Macao eyes five-year plan for growth
The Macao Special Administrative Region is actively integrating its development strategy with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), as emphasized during the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The session, held from October 20 to 23, outlined national economic and social development goals, urging Macao to align its growth with the broader national agenda. To disseminate the spirit of the plenary session, a central government delegation organized two seminars in Macao on November 23, attended by over 1,200 participants, including government officials, lawmakers, and community leaders. Zheng Xincong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao, emphasized the importance of unity and understanding the opportunities presented by the 15th Five-Year Plan. Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai highlighted the plan’s potential to foster economic diversification, improve livelihoods, and advance public administrative reforms. The delegation, including Hou Jianguo, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zhu Weidong, deputy director of key central offices, discussed Macao’s role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s development as an international science and innovation hub. Hou suggested leveraging Macao’s strengths in traditional Chinese medicine, integrated circuits, and space science, while Zhu stressed aligning Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan with national objectives. The delegation also visited the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin to explore regional development opportunities. Further seminars are planned in Hong Kong to continue promoting the plenary session’s insights.
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Touch base for Hong Kong’s space economy
Hong Kong is emerging as a pivotal hub for the burgeoning space economy, leveraging its unique position as a global superconnector and its robust legal framework. The recent successful yet delayed return of the Shenzhou XX mission crew, due to space debris, has underscored the urgent need for advanced legal and regulatory mechanisms to address the complexities of space commercialization.
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Daughter of South Africa’s ex-president accuses sister of Russia recruitment plot
In a dramatic turn of events, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, daughter of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma, has filed a criminal complaint against her sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, accusing her of recruiting men to fight in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zuma-Mncube alleges that her sister, a sitting Member of Parliament, along with two others, deceived 17 men from South Africa and Botswana into joining Russian mercenary forces under the guise of training as bodyguards for the Mkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, founded by their father. South African authorities have confirmed they are investigating the matter, though Zuma-Sambudla has yet to respond to media inquiries. The government has previously acknowledged receiving distress calls from citizens who were allegedly lured into the conflict with promises of lucrative contracts. South Africa’s high unemployment rate, particularly among youth, has made individuals susceptible to such recruitment schemes. This accusation adds to Zuma-Sambudla’s ongoing legal troubles, as she is currently on trial for terrorism-related charges stemming from her social media activity during the 2021 protests that followed her father’s arrest. Zuma-Mncube claims her decision to report her sister was driven by a ‘moral obligation.’ The case highlights the complex interplay of family, politics, and international conflict in South Africa.
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Guizhou’s new rail line to aid tourism
A groundbreaking high-speed rail line in Guizhou province, Southwest China, is poised to revolutionize the region’s tourism industry. Scheduled to commence operations by the end of November 2025, this 99-kilometer route will link Panzhou and Xingyi, integrating all city-level administrative regions in Guizhou into the national high-speed rail network. Designed to operate at 250 km per hour, the line will intersect with the existing Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway, placing Xingyi—the capital of the Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture—on the high-speed rail map. This development is expected to significantly enhance accessibility to Guizhou’s renowned natural landscapes and rich ethnic cultures, which have long been a draw for tourists. However, the region’s mountainous terrain has historically limited travel options, often necessitating transfers through the provincial capital, Guiyang. The new rail line will reduce travel time between Xingyi and Guiyang to approximately two hours, fostering new growth opportunities for local tourism. Zhou Ying, deputy mayor of Xingyi, emphasized that the rail line’s opening will fully integrate Xingyi into the national high-speed network, injecting robust momentum into the city’s tourism sector. Ma Yucan, general manager of Xingyi Wanfenglin Tourism Industry Operation Co, highlighted the transformative impact on visitor experience, noting that high-speed rail will eliminate the need for lengthy bus journeys to popular destinations like the Wanfenglin Scenic Area. Local businesses, including innkeeper Wang Xiyun, are already preparing for an anticipated surge in visitors, with scenic area statistics projecting a daily increase of around 30,000 tourists. The rail line is also expected to bolster Guiyang’s role as a provincial tourism hub, offering national and international connectivity. According to Liu Weidong, deputy Party secretary of Guizhou Railway Investment Group, the project will create a one-to-two-hour high-speed travel circle connecting Guiyang with eight other prefectural centers, enhancing regional rail networks, promoting economic development, and strengthening interregional connectivity. This initiative is set to support Qianxinan’s integration into Guizhou’s broader socio-economic framework, fostering ecological protection, tourism, and economic growth.
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South Korea’s biggest online sex criminal sentenced to life in prison
In a landmark case, South Korea has sentenced Kim Nok-wan, the 33-year-old leader of a notorious Telegram-based sex crime ring, to life imprisonment. Kim, who operated under the self-proclaimed title of ‘pastor,’ headed the ‘Vigilantes,’ a pyramid-style group that exploited at least 261 individuals between May 2020 and January 2025. This marks the largest number of cybersex exploitation victims in South Korea’s history. The group blackmailed victims into producing explicit content, which was then shared in online chatrooms. Kim’s crimes included the sexual assault of minors, the distribution of child sex abuse images, and the production and dissemination of illegally filmed material. He was also convicted of ‘quasi-rape’ or sexual assault where the victim was unable to resist. Despite expressing remorse in court, the judge emphasized the brutality of his crimes and the lack of restitution for victims, stating that permanent isolation from society was necessary. Kim targeted both male and female victims through social networking platforms, luring them to Telegram before blackmailing them. He coerced victims into submitting ‘hourly daily reports’ and writing letters of remorse, punishing non-compliance with demands for nude photographs or self-harm. The Vigilantes produced over 2,000 pieces of sexually exploitative media. Kim personally participated in at least 453 Telegram channels and chat rooms, 60 of which he operated. This case also marks the first instance of Telegram cooperating with South Korean police, providing crucial data that led to Kim’s arrest. The Korean National Police Agency formalized its investigative cooperation with Telegram in October 2024, enabling the platform to share relevant information with authorities.
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Death toll climbs in Southeast Asia as heavy rains cause floods and landslides
Southeast Asia continues to face the devastating aftermath of relentless heavy rains, with Vietnam and Thailand bearing the brunt of widespread flooding and landslides. As of Monday, the death toll in Vietnam has climbed to 91, with 11 individuals still missing. The torrential rains, which began a week ago, have caused severe flooding and triggered landslides across an 800-kilometer stretch from Quang Tri to Lam Dong provinces, including the highlands. Dak Lak province, the hardest-hit area, recorded 63 fatalities, primarily due to drowning. Other affected provinces include Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Danang, Hue, and Quang Tri. Helicopters have been deployed to deliver food and aid supplies and assist in evacuations, as many roads remain impassable. In Thailand, five fatalities and four injuries have been reported across six southern provinces, with nearly 2 million people affected by flash flooding. The city of Hat Yai in Songkhla province experienced its highest 24-hour rainfall in 300 years, complicating evacuation efforts. Malaysia is also grappling with severe flooding, with over 12,500 people evacuated across nine states, particularly in the northeastern state of Kelantan. The persistent rainfall, exacerbated by climate change, has caused extensive damage, with Vietnam estimating economic losses of around $500 million in this round of floods. The International Organization for Migration announced that South Korea would contribute $1 million to aid Vietnam in assisting displaced communities. Scientists warn that a warming climate is intensifying storms and rainfall across Southeast Asia, making floods and landslides increasingly destructive and frequent.
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Platforms face stringent new privacy rules
China has unveiled a comprehensive set of draft regulations aimed at bolstering personal information protection and ensuring the secure handling of data by large online platforms. Released jointly by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and the Ministry of Public Security, the draft seeks to enhance individual rights and foster the sustainable growth of the platform economy. Key provisions mandate that personal data collected and generated within China must be stored domestically. Any cross-border data transfers must adhere to stringent national security protocols. Platforms are required to implement robust technical and managerial safeguards to mitigate risks associated with unauthorized overseas data transfers. Additionally, the draft emphasizes the need for data centers to meet national security standards and be located within China. Service providers must offer users accessible methods to manage their personal information, including options to access, correct, supplement, delete, or transfer their data. In cases of severe lapses in data protection—such as repeated violations or large-scale breaches affecting over a million individuals—platforms may face compliance audits and risk assessments conducted by third-party experts. The draft also encourages the adoption of advanced technologies like national network identity authentication and data labeling to elevate data security. Public feedback on the draft is being accepted until December 22, with authorities committed to responding to complaints within 15 working days. The CAC and Ministry of Public Security have underscored the importance of maintaining confidentiality for all parties involved in handling sensitive information.
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Driver arrested in Tokyo after car hits about 10 people, seriously injuring 2, local media say
A disturbing incident unfolded in Tokyo on Monday when a vehicle collided with approximately 10 pedestrians, leaving two individuals with serious injuries. The driver, who reportedly fled the scene, was later apprehended by authorities. Japanese media outlets, including The Mainichi, confirmed the arrest and noted that the suspect is currently under investigation for a suspected hit-and-run. Police officials have yet to release a formal statement but assured the public that updates would be provided promptly. The incident occurred on a national holiday in Japan, adding to the shock and concern among residents. Further details regarding the driver’s motives or the circumstances leading to the collision remain undisclosed as investigations continue.
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Innovation raises golden fields from former barren salt flats
In a remarkable transformation, the once barren saline-alkaline lands of Dongying, Shandong province, have been revitalized into productive agricultural fields, thanks to innovative farming techniques and advanced seed varieties. This dramatic change is a testament to China’s commitment to agricultural modernization and food security.