标签： Asia

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) commemorated the 20th anniversary of its School of Medicine on Tuesday, reflecting on two decades of transformative growth and innovation. The event celebrated the 2005 merger between SJTU and the former Shanghai Second Medical University, a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for a world-class medical institution with distinct Chinese characteristics.

Yang Zhenbin, Party Secretary of SJTU, emphasized the university’s commitment to becoming a global leader in education and medical research. ‘We will continue to pursue excellence, embrace reform, and foster mutual empowerment between disciplines,’ he stated. The anniversary event highlighted the university’s achievements in interdisciplinary research, clinical innovation, and talent development.

One of the standout success stories shared was that of Xia Qiang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Renji Hospital. Xia recounted his journey of establishing the liver surgery department from scratch in 2004. Over the years, the department has grown into a major unit with seven wards, over 160 medical professionals, and a robust interdisciplinary platform. ‘The collaborative synergy between the university and its medical school has been instrumental in our growth,’ Xia remarked.

Zhou Yongfeng, Director of Research Management at SJTU, underscored the impact of the university’s medical-engineering interdisciplinary research fund. Since its inception, the fund has invested approximately 674 million yuan ($95 million) in over 2,000 projects, providing critical support to nearly 1,900 researchers. This initiative has significantly enhanced SJTU’s capabilities in translational medicine and original innovation.

Looking ahead, Yang outlined a strategic vision that balances structured support with institutional autonomy. He stressed the importance of leveraging SJTU’s multidisciplinary strengths to deepen integration between medicine and other academic fields. ‘Under our ‘big health’ framework, the School of Medicine will play a pivotal role in advancing basic medicine, pharmaceutical research, medical device development, and clinical applications,’ he said.

The anniversary celebration not only honored past achievements but also set the stage for future breakthroughs, positioning SJTU as a beacon of innovation in global medical education and research.

The UAE Lottery has announced its final Lucky Day draw before undergoing a significant revamp, offering residents one last chance to win a life-changing Dh100 million prize. The draw, scheduled for November 29, 2025, marks the end of the current format, with new prize tiers and structures to be introduced thereafter. This announcement follows the recent success of Abu Dhabi resident Anilkumar Bolla, who won the Dh100 million jackpot last month. The UAE Lottery, the country’s first and only regulated lottery operation, provides multiple opportunities for residents aged 18 and above to win substantial prizes through various games and scratch cards. Participants can purchase tickets online or use the ‘Easy Pick’ feature for random number selection. Additionally, other raffles like Dream Dubai at Global Village, Millennium Millionaire at Dubai Duty Free, and Big Ticket Abu Dhabi continue to offer lucrative prizes, ranging from Dh3.67 million to Dh30 million, making the UAE a hotspot for aspiring millionaires.

A catastrophic fire engulfed multiple high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and injuring 15 others. The blaze, which erupted at Wang Fuk Court, a housing complex comprising eight 31-storey towers, began at 14:51 local time on Wednesday. The buildings, constructed in 1983 and currently undergoing renovations, were shrouded in bamboo scaffolding, which appears to have facilitated the rapid spread of the flames. Thick smoke filled the skyline as 767 firefighters battled the inferno, which was classified as a level five alarm—the highest severity rating—marking the first such incident in Hong Kong in 17 years. The death toll, initially reported as four, surged to 13, with fears it could rise further as several individuals remain unaccounted for. Among the victims was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who lost his life while responding to the emergency. The Hong Kong government has established emergency shelters and a hotline for public inquiries, while an emergency monitoring center has been activated to manage the crisis. The incident has reignited debates over the safety of bamboo scaffolding, a traditional construction material in Hong Kong, following recent government efforts to phase it out in favor of metal alternatives due to safety risks.

In a recent public awareness campaign, Sharjah Police conducted an eye-opening experiment to highlight the dangers of scanning unverified QR codes. The police printed a QR code labeled ‘Free WiFi’ and placed it in a public area. The code, lacking any official branding or clear destination, was designed to test how many individuals would scan it without hesitation. Instead of accessing free WiFi, those who scanned the code were met with a warning about the potential risks of such actions. The experiment aimed to educate the public on the ease with which QR codes can be exploited for fraudulent purposes. QR codes, while convenient, can be manipulated by malicious actors to redirect users to harmful websites or install malware on their devices. To combat this, Dubai Municipality has previously shared safety tips, including avoiding the input of sensitive information on QR-linked sites, verifying URLs before proceeding, and refraining from scanning codes in public places without knowing their origin. This initiative underscores the importance of vigilance in an increasingly digital world.

Southern Thailand is reeling from catastrophic flooding that has claimed at least 33 lives and impacted over 2.7 million people across 12 provinces, according to officials. The disaster, triggered by relentless heavy rains, has left homes submerged, streets impassable, and thousands stranded on rooftops awaiting rescue. Dramatic footage captured by Thai PBS showed a family of five being rescued from their nearly submerged home in Hat Yai, the region’s largest city, highlighting the dire situation. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared a state of emergency in Songkhla province, citing the “unprecedented severity” of the floods. While rainfall has begun to decrease, the Meteorological Department warned of continued heavy rains and flash flooding. Emergency response efforts are in full swing, with the Thai navy deploying its sole aircraft carrier, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, as an offshore command center. The air force base at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport has been designated as a staging area for relief operations. Hat Yai Hospital faces critical challenges, with 50 intubated patients airlifted to safety and plans underway to evacuate 600 others. The Public Health Ministry is also mobilizing mental health teams to support affected individuals and medical personnel.

A catastrophic fire erupted in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, engulfing multiple high-rise buildings in the Wang Fuk Court housing complex. The blaze, which began at 14:51 local time, quickly escalated to a level four alarm within 40 minutes and was later upgraded to the highest level five by 18:22. Tragically, at least four people have lost their lives, including one firefighter, while three others are critically injured. Local media, citing former district councillor Herman Yiu Kwan-ho, reported that 13 individuals, including eight elderly residents and two infants, remain trapped in the inferno. Additionally, 14 pet cats are also believed to be stranded. The fire’s rapid spread is attributed to bamboo scaffolding surrounding the buildings, a common but increasingly scrutinized construction practice in Hong Kong. Authorities have established temporary shelters and assistance hotlines to support affected residents. The incident has left the community in shock, with the full extent of the damage yet to be determined.

A catastrophic fire tore through the densely populated Korail slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh, reducing 1,500 shanties to ashes and displacing thousands of residents. The blaze, which erupted on Tuesday evening, raged for 16 hours before being extinguished on Wednesday, according to Rashed Bin Khalid, a duty officer at the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, the fire service director, confirmed the extensive damage, emphasizing the plight of the now-homeless families. The Korail slum, home to approximately 60,000 families—many of whom are climate refugees—spans over 160 acres and is nestled between Dhaka’s affluent Gulshan and Banani neighborhoods. The fire, which produced thick smoke and engulfed the area overnight, left residents scrambling to salvage their belongings from the debris. Firefighters faced significant challenges in accessing the site due to the slum’s narrow alleys. Dhaka, a city of 10.2 million people, is riddled with slums where rural migrants, driven by poverty and climate disasters, seek refuge, often working in low-paying jobs such as rickshaw driving, housekeeping, and cleaning.