The Qilihai Wetland in Tianjin’s Ninghe district has witnessed a remarkable increase in both the diversity and population of migratory birds this year, according to local authorities. Monitoring data reveals that 308 bird species have been recorded so far, marking a significant rise of 50 species compared to 2021. Among the notable observations, over 3,000 Eurasian spoonbills were spotted during their autumn migration, doubling the typical count. Additionally, rare species such as the Oriental white stork and black-winged stilt were seen in unusually large numbers. Experts predict that the total number of migratory birds visiting the wetland this year will surpass 600,000. Situated along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the Qilihai Wetland is a critical stopover for migratory birds, offering a rich ecosystem of 183 wild plant species and 47 wild fish species that provide ample food resources. This surge in bird activity underscores the wetland’s ecological importance and its role in supporting biodiversity.
博客
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Over 50,000 Taiwan compatriots fought against Japanese invaders on mainland
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945), more than 50,000 Taiwanese compatriots made the courageous decision to travel to mainland China to join the fight against Japanese invaders. This significant movement was driven by their realization that the nation’s victory was the only path to liberate Taiwan from Japanese colonial rule and achieve reunification with the motherland. The Taiwanese fighters played a crucial role on the front lines, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the cause of national sovereignty and unity. Their participation not only highlighted the shared struggle between Taiwan and mainland China but also underscored the deep historical ties that bind the two regions. This chapter of history remains a testament to the resilience and solidarity of the Chinese people in the face of foreign aggression.
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Dubai: Rolex sells for record-breaking $4.7 million; 9th most expensive in history
A historic Rolex Reference 4113, one of the rarest timepieces ever produced, has been sold for a staggering $4.7 million at an auction hosted by FutureGrail at the Bvlgari Yacht Club in Dubai. This sale marks the watch as the ninth most expensive Rolex in history, surpassing the previous record for the same model by over $1.2 million. Crafted in the 1940s, only 12 units of the Rolex Reference 4113 were ever made, with just nine known to have survived to this day. It is the only ‘split-seconds’ vintage chronograph ever produced by Rolex, adding to its exclusivity and allure. The watch has a strong connection to motor racing, having been owned by drivers and team owners over the decades. FutureGrail, a Singapore-based luxury auction house, organized the sale and is expanding its operations to the UAE in 2026 to meet growing demand in the Middle East. Ali Nael, CEO of FutureGrail, described the sale as a landmark event in auction history, highlighting the global appetite for rare luxury watches. Arnaud Tellier, Head of Curation at FutureGrail, emphasized the increasing interest from collectors and investors who view such items as valuable additions to their portfolios. This record-breaking sale underscores Dubai’s position as a hub for high-end auctions and luxury markets.
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Airbus to win bulk of major flydubai jet order, sources say
In a significant shift in the aviation industry, Airbus is on track to secure the majority of a major jet order from flydubai at the Dubai Airshow 2025, according to sources familiar with the matter. This development marks a pivotal moment as it breaks Boeing’s longstanding dominance over the fast-growing budget carrier. Airbus is reportedly nearing a deal to sell approximately 100 A321neo jets to flydubai, while Boeing is in discussions for a smaller order of several dozen 737 MAX aircraft. The final allocation of the order, however, remains contingent on ongoing negotiations, which are expected to intensify as the industry gathers for its annual summit from November 17-21. Airbus and Boeing have both declined to comment on the matter, and flydubai has not yet responded to requests for clarification. This potential deal would represent a significant milestone for Airbus, as it seeks to penetrate a market that has historically been dominated by Boeing. Flydubai, which currently operates a fleet of 175 MAX jets and has 30 larger Boeing 787s on order, has previously indicated its intention to place its largest-ever aircraft order. The airline’s move to diversify its fleet with Airbus jets could provide it with access to hundreds of new aircraft, further enhancing its operational capabilities. The Dubai Airshow has historically been a platform for major aviation announcements, and this year’s event is no exception. Airbus has also projected that the Middle East’s aircraft fleet will more than double to 3,700 planes by 2044, underscoring the region’s growing importance in the global aviation market.
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Drone strikes Turkish tanker in Ukraine’s Odesa, where US natural gas will go
A Turkish-flagged tanker, the MT Orinda, was struck by a drone and set ablaze on Monday in Ukraine’s Odesa region, according to officials. The incident occurred during the offloading of liquefied petroleum gas at the Izmail port. All 16 crew members evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported. This attack comes just a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a deal to import U.S. liquefied natural gas through the region, highlighting the strategic importance of Odesa’s ports for Ukraine’s energy and trade infrastructure.
The Odesa region, particularly its Black Sea ports, has been a frequent target of Russian drone, missile, and artillery attacks since the onset of the full-scale invasion nearly four years ago. Ukrainian officials did not directly comment on the tanker incident but confirmed that Russian drones had attacked the region overnight, damaging energy and port infrastructure in multiple cities. Regional military administration head Oleh Kiper reported that the attack sparked multiple fires and damaged several civilian vessels, with one person injured.
Izmail, located on a Black Sea estuary, is a critical hub for Ukrainian imports and exports. With Russia also targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Zelenskyy is working to secure gas and other energy imports to prepare for the upcoming winter. Meanwhile, authorities in Romania ordered the evacuation of people and animals from two villages near Izmail due to the nature of the tanker’s cargo, underscoring the cross-border implications of the conflict.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian attacks continued to inflict casualties. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, missile strikes killed three people and injured 11, including four teenage girls. In the central Dnipropetrovsk region, a daylight drone and artillery attack on Nikopol resulted in two deaths and two injuries, damaging residential buildings, stores, and a hair salon. The United Nations has documented thousands of civilian deaths caused by Russian strikes since the war began.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 128 strike and decoy drones overnight. In response, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 36 Ukrainian drones. A Ukrainian drone attack damaged an electricity substation in Russia’s Ulyanovsk region, though no casualties were reported, and power supplies remained unaffected.
The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with both sides targeting critical infrastructure, underscoring the humanitarian and geopolitical stakes of the war.
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Unwell Asalanka and Fernando ruled out of tri-series in Pakistan, Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka
In a significant development for the upcoming T20 tri-series in Pakistan, Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando have been ruled out due to illness. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Monday that Dasun Shanaka will take over the captaincy for the tournament, which also includes Zimbabwe. The team has called up top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake, who recently made his ODI debut in the third and final match against Pakistan, scoring 32 runs off 37 balls. Pakistan had earlier secured a dominant 3-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka in the ODI series. The tri-series, set to begin on Tuesday with Pakistan facing Zimbabwe, will see all three teams play each other twice, with the top two advancing to the final on November 29. All matches will be hosted in Rawalpindi. SLC confirmed that Asalanka and Fernando will return home to receive proper medical care and recover in time for future assignments. The series serves as crucial preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup, where Zimbabwe has secured a spot after missing the 2024 edition. The tour had initially been in jeopardy following a suicide bombing in Islamabad last week, which killed 12 people. However, SLC decided to proceed after receiving security assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
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New study links water balance, plant growth to desertification control
A groundbreaking study conducted by Chinese and German researchers has unveiled the critical relationship between groundwater balance and plant water-use efficiency in desert ecosystems. Published in the journal *Water Resources Research*, the research provides essential insights for ecological restoration and desertification control. The study, led by Zhang Zhishan from the Northwest Institute of Eco-environment and Resources (NIEER) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasizes that vegetation restoration in arid drylands is a viable strategy to prevent desertification. Drylands, characterized by low rainfall and high evapotranspiration, often face a negative water balance, making water the primary limiting factor for plant survival. Groundwater, a vital resource in desert ecosystems, plays a pivotal role in plant growth and the sustainability of ecological restoration efforts. The research was conducted at the Shapotou desert research station in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, using 12 Lysimeter units to measure evapotranspiration and quantify water balance components from 2019 to 2023. The findings revealed that groundwater recharge transforms soil water storage, increasing actual evapotranspiration and seepage. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems exhibited higher evapotranspiration rates, and semi-shrubs were identified as crucial for plant configuration strategies. Zhang highlighted that vegetation reconstruction, coupled with appropriate plant configuration methods, is key to ensuring long-term ecological sustainability and combating desertification.
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New weasel species discovered in SW China nature reserve
A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the realm of biodiversity as Chinese scientists identified a new weasel species in the Dafengding National Nature Reserve, located in Sichuan province, Southwest China. The species, named Mustela mopbie, was confirmed through a collaborative effort by researchers from the Institute of Zoology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China West Normal University, and Sichuan University. The findings were published in the esteemed international journal, Journal of Systematics and Evolution, this month. The discovery was made during a small mammal biodiversity survey conducted in July and August 2024, where three specimens were collected. By integrating genomic and morphological data, the team confirmed the uniqueness of this species. Mustela mopbie is characterized by its small size and ability to navigate narrow crevices and burrows to hunt insects and small rodents. This discovery sheds light on species differentiation within the Genus Mustela and offers new insights into how small carnivores adapt to diverse environments through genetic variation. The study underscores the ecological significance of the Hengduan Mountains region, particularly the areas surrounding the Sichuan Basin, in global biodiversity conservation efforts.
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UAE: Deepfakes now so real ‘you can’t tell Zoom from fake videos,’ expert warns
The rapid advancement of deepfake technology has reached a point where distinguishing between real and fabricated videos is nearly impossible, according to experts. At the Dubai Business Forum–USA Edition, Ben Colman, CEO and Co-founder of Reality Defender, highlighted the growing dangers of synthetic media. He emphasized that deepfakes, which can now be created in minutes, pose significant risks to individuals, businesses, and governments. Colman noted that even a single image or a few seconds of audio can be used to create convincing fake videos, making it alarmingly easy for malicious actors to spread misinformation or damage reputations. The UAE, with its push to become a global tech hub, is at the forefront of addressing these challenges. UAE Economy Minister Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri recently condemned a series of deepfake videos falsely depicting him promoting investment schemes, urging the public to rely on official channels for accurate information. Colman also warned that AI tools are becoming increasingly accessible, enabling even non-experts to launch sophisticated cyberattacks. To combat this, Reality Defender has developed advanced detection tools capable of identifying AI-generated content in real-time. However, Colman cautioned that as deepfake technology continues to evolve, the line between reality and fabrication will only blur further, making vigilance and verification more critical than ever.
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‘Back to the drawing board’ for Nigeria after World Cup qualifying failure
Nigeria, a three-time African champion and the continent’s fifth-ranked football team, will be conspicuously absent from the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This marks their second consecutive failure to qualify for the global tournament, a bitter pill to swallow for a nation with a rich footballing history. The Super Eagles’ disjointed qualifying campaign, marred by managerial changes, player boycotts, and on-field struggles, culminated in a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the African play-off final. Despite boasting stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi, Nigeria could not secure one of the 48 coveted spots at the expanded finals. The team’s woes were compounded by off-field controversies, including unpaid allowances and accusations of ‘voodoo’ by coach Eric Chelle during the penalty shootout. Nigeria’s inability to perform without Osimhen, who scored eight goals in seven qualifiers, was glaring, as they managed just four points from 15 without him. The campaign’s low points included a home draw against Lesotho and a defeat to Benin under interim manager Finidi George. While Chelle brought some stability, Nigeria’s lack of ambition in key matches, such as a 1-1 draw in South Africa, proved costly. Fans have expressed frustration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), citing poor governance and a lack of investment in local facilities. As Nigeria shifts focus to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the NFF faces tough decisions, including Chelle’s future, to ensure a return to the World Cup stage in 2030.