Shiban Street, a historic stone-slab lane nestled in Duyun, Guizhou province, has become a captivating destination for visitors. This ancient pathway, dating back to the early Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), winds through rows of stilted wooden houses, offering a glimpse into China’s rich cultural heritage. The street’s undulating path follows the natural terrain, flanked by vibrant painted doors and windows. Local shops showcase traditional crafts, including Bouyei homespun cloth, Miao silverwork, and Shui embroidery, adding to the area’s allure. Historically, this mountain road served as the southern gateway to the city and was a vital part of an ancient route connecting Guizhou and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during the Ming and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. Today, Shiban Street stands as a testament to the region’s enduring legacy, attracting tourists eager to explore its timeless charm.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Sheikh Hasina, former Bangladesh prime minister, sentenced to death
A Bangladeshi court has handed down a death sentence to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in absentia, convicting her of crimes against humanity. The verdict stems from her alleged role in ordering a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising in July and August 2024, which resulted in significant casualties and the collapse of her government. The International Crimes Tribunal, comprising three judges, found Hasina guilty of incitement, issuing orders to kill, and failing to prevent atrocities during the protests.
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Less fruits, banned items: Many Dubai school canteens fail on nutrition, audit finds
A recent audit conducted by Dubai Municipality has uncovered significant shortcomings in the nutritional quality of food offered in school canteens across the emirate. The audit, part of the My School Food campaign, examined over 7,000 food items across more than 200 schools, revealing a lack of fruit options and the use of banned ingredients in some cases. Hassa Al Sumaiti, Acting Head of the Applied Nutrition and Awareness Section, highlighted the disparity between schools offering healthy choices and those failing to meet basic nutritional standards. She emphasized the importance of fruits in daily nutrition and the need for stricter oversight to ensure compliance with dietary guidelines. The findings were discussed at the Dubai International Food Safety Conference, where Al Sumaiti stressed the long-term impact of school food on children’s health and academic performance. The audit is the first phase of a broader initiative to improve school food systems in Dubai, with pilot programs already underway in selected schools. The municipality plans to implement these improvements citywide, aiming to foster healthier eating habits and reduce the risk of obesity and chronic diseases among students. Additionally, the event honored students who participated in the school food hero competition, showcasing innovative ideas like AI-powered canteens to promote sustainability and nutrition.
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Life imprisonment for ex-Heilongjiang official in bribery, embezzlement case
Li Xiangang, a former high-ranking official in Heilongjiang Province, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for bribery and embezzlement, as reported by China Central Television. The court also stripped Li of his political rights for life and confiscated all his personal property. The illicit gains from his crimes were forfeited to the state treasury, and the embezzled funds are to be returned to the affected organizations. From 2006 to 2024, Li exploited his various positions, including mayor and Party secretary of Shuangyashan city, secretary-general of the Heilongjiang Provincial Government, and deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Congress, to provide undue advantages to businesses and individuals in exchange for bribes totaling 117 million yuan ($16.46 million). Additionally, in 2009 and 2012, Li embezzled public assets worth over 1.68 million yuan through fraudulent property transactions. The court noted the severity of his crimes and their detrimental impact on public trust. However, due to Li’s confession, remorse, and restitution of illegal gains, he was granted a more lenient sentence. The case was publicly tried on May 22, with prosecutors presenting substantial evidence. Li admitted to his crimes in his final statement.
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Samsung users report ‘unremovable’ Israeli bloatware AppCloud on devices
Samsung, the South Korean tech giant, is embroiled in a global controversy as users and cybersecurity experts raise alarms over pre-installed bloatware on its devices. The software in question, AppCloud, initially reported in Samsung Galaxy A and M series phones in West Asia and North Africa, has now been found in devices across Europe and South Asia. Users claim the app is unremovable without root access, the highest level of system control, raising significant privacy and ethical concerns.
AppCloud, linked to the Israeli firm ironSource, has been accused of secretly harvesting user data and lacking a transparent privacy policy. IronSource, now owned by American company Unity, has a notorious history of creating invasive programs that bypass user permissions and security checks. Despite being disabled, AppCloud persists on devices, reappears after updates, and can covertly install additional software.
Digital rights organization SMEX has highlighted these issues, noting that Samsung’s terms of service fail to address AppCloud or ironSource explicitly. In May, SMEX sent an open letter to Samsung, but the company has yet to respond. The issue has gained traction online, with users sharing screenshots of AppCloud’s extensive permissions, including full network access and the ability to download files without notification.
Cybersecurity experts warn that while AppCloud’s behavior doesn’t confirm it as classic spyware, its aggressive data collection and unremovable nature blur the line between ad-tech and surveillance. As the controversy grows, Samsung faces mounting pressure to address these privacy concerns and provide users with greater control over their devices.
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Cash vouchers for newlyweds as China tries to boost marriages
In a bid to reverse the declining trend of marriages, the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo has launched a new initiative offering cash vouchers to newlyweds. Couples who register their marriage between October 28 and December 31, 2025, will receive eight marriage consumption vouchers, totaling 1,000 yuan ($141). These vouchers can be used for wedding-related expenses such as photography, ceremonies, hotel stays, and retail purchases. The initiative, announced by Ningbo’s civil affairs department on its official WeChat account, is part of broader efforts by Chinese authorities to encourage young people to marry and start families. Similar programs have been introduced in other eastern cities like Hangzhou and Pinghu, with vouchers available until the end of the year. China’s marriage rates have plummeted, with only 6.1 million couples registering for marriage last year, a significant drop from 7.68 million the previous year. The decline is attributed to the high costs of childcare and education, as well as shifting societal attitudes. To address the issue, the government has implemented various measures, including promoting ‘love education’ in universities and urging local governments to allocate resources to support marriage and childbearing. With China’s population aging rapidly, boosting marriage and birth rates has become a critical priority for policymakers.
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Saudi prince, eyeing defence pledge, to meet Trump after long US absence
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington this week, marking his first visit to the US since 2018. The three-day trip, which began on Monday, will focus on strengthening bilateral ties, with the prince prioritizing enhanced US security guarantees for Saudi Arabia. This comes in the wake of recent Israeli strikes on Qatar, a key US ally, which have heightened regional tensions. While Trump is expected to push for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel, Riyadh remains reluctant, citing its longstanding condition for the establishment of a Palestinian state as a prerequisite for such a move. The visit also includes a US-Saudi investment forum, highlighting collaboration in energy and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the crown prince is reportedly seeking advanced defense systems, including F-35 fighter jets, and access to high-tech chips to support Saudi Arabia’s AI ambitions. The meeting underscores the complex dynamics of US-Saudi relations, with both nations navigating regional security challenges and economic diversification efforts.
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Watch: BTS member J-hope touches down in Dubai, sends UAE fans into frenzy
BTS member J-hope, whose real name is Jung Hoseok, has arrived in Dubai, sending fans into a frenzy. The K-pop superstar landed in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025, and shared a photo from his Emirates flight on his Instagram Story. Known for his active social media presence, J-hope frequently updates fans on his activities, making this trip no exception. While the purpose of his visit remains unclear, fans speculate he might be attending Dubai Watch Week, which begins on November 19. The event, held at Dubai Mall, features a special exhibition by Audemars Piguet, celebrating its 150th anniversary. Additionally, the presence of J-hope’s dance team members in Dubai has fueled rumors of a potential performance, though no official confirmation has been made. The Dream Concert UAE, scheduled for November 22 in Abu Dhabi, features several K-pop acts but does not list any BTS members. Fans are eagerly anticipating any surprises J-hope might have in store, making this one of the most talked-about topics in the K-pop community.
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Sinner hails ‘amazing’ ATP Finals triumph over Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner capped off a remarkable season with a thrilling victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals in Turin, securing a straight-sets win of 7-6 (7/4), 7-5. The Italian tennis star, who earlier this year became the first Italian man to win Wimbledon, was cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd as he retained his ATP Finals title. This triumph marked the culmination of a year filled with highs and lows, including a three-month ban due to accidental contamination with a banned substance, which Sinner overcame to reclaim his place at the top of the sport. Reflecting on his season, Sinner expressed pride in his growth as a player, stating, ‘I feel to be a better player than last year… It’s all part of the process.’ The match against Alcaraz was a tightly contested battle, with the Spaniard lamenting missed opportunities, particularly with his backhand volleys. Sinner’s victory not only solidified his status as one of the world’s best but also served as a powerful emotional moment, bringing a challenging yet rewarding season to a close.
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Israel deports Gaza patients from Jerusalem hospitals back to war-torn strip
Israeli authorities have reportedly expelled dozens of Palestinian patients from hospitals in Jerusalem, sending them back to the Gaza Strip on Monday. These patients, along with their families, had initially traveled to Jerusalem for medical treatment before the outbreak of the October 2023 conflict and had remained in the city since. While some had completed their treatment and expressed a desire to return home, concerns have been raised that others were forcibly deported. According to local media, two buses carrying patients and their families arrived at the Kerem Abu Salem crossing between Gaza and Israel on Monday morning. At least 89 individuals, including children born in Jerusalem, were set to be deported. Unnamed sources cited by Arab48 expressed serious concerns about the safety and conditions of the transfer, particularly given the dire state of Gaza’s healthcare system. Many of the patients fear returning to Gaza, where the health infrastructure has been devastated by Israel’s ongoing military campaign. Since the war began, over 94 percent of medical facilities in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, leaving only a handful of health centers partially operational. Hospitals have been bombed, raided, and stripped of essential supplies, while thousands of medical workers have been killed or detained. The relentless bombardment has overwhelmed the remaining healthcare services, resulting in the deaths of over 9,300 wounded and sick Palestinians since October 2023 due to the collapse of medical care and Israel’s ban on medical evacuations. With the Rafah crossing sealed since Israel’s invasion in May 2024, approximately 20,000 injured and ill individuals are now stranded, awaiting an opportunity to seek treatment abroad.