On Saturday, November 8, 2025, residents of Taiwan gathered at the Taipei Machangding Memorial Park to honor the victims of the White Terror period, a dark chapter in the island’s history marked by political repression during the 1950s. The annual remembrance ceremony, attended by survivors, families of the victims, and representatives from various sectors of Taiwanese society, served as a poignant reminder of the era’s injustices and a call for peace and unity across the Taiwan Strait. The White Terror era saw the arrest and execution of numerous individuals perceived as threats to the ruling Kuomintang regime, many of whom were buried in unmarked graves. It wasn’t until 1993 that four such burial sites were discovered in Taipei, leading to the establishment of the annual autumn commemoration. This year’s ceremony featured a heartfelt eulogy by Taiwan youth representative Chen Chu-yin, who expressed hope that the martyrs’ ideals of national reunification would be realized through the efforts of the younger generation. The event underscored the enduring impact of the White Terror period on Taiwan’s collective memory and its ongoing relevance in contemporary discussions about cross-Strait relations.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Gold’s next leap? Analysts see $5,000 horizon, explain current calm market
The gold market, currently hovering around the $4,000-per-ounce mark, is experiencing a period of apparent calm. However, analysts suggest this tranquility may be deceptive, with the precious metal potentially poised for a historic surge to $5,000 per ounce by 2026. Despite its recent inability to sustain gains above the symbolic $4,000 threshold, the underlying sentiment remains strikingly optimistic. Ewa Manthey, a commodities strategist at ING, views the current pause as a healthy reset rather than a sign of exhaustion. She predicts gold prices will average $4,000 in Q4 2025 and rise to $4,100 in Q1 2026, supported by central bank purchases, physical demand, and expectations of lower interest rates. Central banks bought an estimated 220 tonnes of gold in Q3 2025, a 28% increase from the previous quarter. Investment flows have also turned favorable, with global gold-backed ETFs seeing holdings increase by 222 tonnes between July and September. Major financial institutions, including HSBC, Bank of America, and Société Générale, forecast gold could reach $5,000 in 2026, driven by geopolitical tensions, rising government debt, and strong demand from central banks and private investors. However, some analysts, like Alex Kuptsikevich of FxPro, caution that gold’s uptrend has technically broken down, citing strong Treasury yields and a hesitant Federal Reserve. Despite short-term uncertainties, the structural appeal of gold remains intact, with lower real interest rates and fiscal pressures likely to fuel renewed safe-haven demand. Analysts believe the groundwork for a fresh surge is firmly in place, positioning gold as a hedge against modern economic uncertainties.
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What does UAE law say about car insurance costs, conditions?
In the United Arab Emirates, car insurance premiums and policy conditions are strictly regulated under national law to ensure fairness and transparency for vehicle owners. According to the Unified Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy Against Loss and Damage, insurers are permitted to charge a maximum premium of five percent for saloon vehicles and seven percent for four-wheel drive vehicles for a 13-month policy. These regulations are established under Insurance Authority Board of Directors’ Decision No. 25 of 2016 and Decision No. 30 of 2016, which govern motor vehicle insurance tariffs and policy frameworks. The law mandates specific clauses in every insurance policy, including the obligations of both the insurance company and the insured. Insurers are required to compensate for damages, repair or replace vehicles, and cover other stipulated losses. Meanwhile, policyholders must pay premiums, adhere to safety precautions, and ensure compliance with ownership and licensing requirements. Exclusions such as indirect losses, damages from overloading, or accidents occurring outside the policy’s geographical territory are also clearly defined. Additionally, the law allows for optional riders, enabling insurers and policyholders to agree on additional coverage for specific risks, such as damages to personal property or incidents occurring off-road. These provisions ensure that motor vehicle insurance in the UAE is comprehensive, standardized, and aligned with legal requirements. Ashish Mehta, founder of Ashish Mehta & Associates, emphasizes the importance of understanding these regulations to make informed decisions when renewing or purchasing car insurance.
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China launches Lijian 1 Y9 carrier rocket
On November 9, 2025, China achieved another milestone in its space exploration endeavors with the successful launch of the Lijian 1 Y9 carrier rocket. The rocket, which carried two technical experiment satellites, took off at 11:32 am Beijing Time from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone, located near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China. The mission was executed flawlessly, with the satellites being deployed into their designated orbits as planned. This launch underscores China’s growing capabilities in space technology and its commitment to advancing scientific research and innovation. The Lijian 1 Y9 rocket is part of China’s broader strategy to enhance its presence in the global space industry, leveraging cutting-edge technology and fostering international collaboration. The successful mission also highlights the country’s ability to conduct complex space operations with precision and efficiency, further solidifying its position as a key player in the global space race.
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Dozens missing after migrant boat sinks near Malaysia-Thailand border
A tragic maritime incident has unfolded near the border between Thailand and Malaysia, leaving dozens of migrants missing and one confirmed dead. The Malaysian Coast Guard reported that a boat carrying migrants capsized on Thursday near Ko Tarutao, a southern Thai island. So far, ten individuals have been rescued, and the body of a Rohingya woman was discovered floating in the waters. Authorities suspect the victims were part of a larger group of approximately 300 migrants who had traveled on a bigger vessel before transferring to smaller boats as they neared Malaysia. Among those rescued near Langkawi, a Malaysian resort, were three Myanmar nationals, two Rohingya men, and one Bangladeshi man, according to Malaysia’s state-run agency Bernama, citing a police chief. The search for additional survivors continues as maritime officials work tirelessly in the area. The Rohingya community, predominantly Muslim, has been fleeing Myanmar in large numbers in recent years to escape persecution. Additionally, the dire conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh have forced many to embark on perilous journeys aboard overcrowded vessels, hoping for a better life in Malaysia. Reports indicate that many of these migrants paid upwards of $3,000 for their passage, highlighting the desperation and risks involved in their quest for safety and stability.
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UAE weather: 9.8°C lowest temperature recorded in Al Ain on Nov 9, says NCM
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially entered its winter season, marked by a significant drop in temperatures. On November 9, 2025, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) reported that the mercury plummeted to 9.8°C in Al Ain’s Raknah area at 6:30 AM, marking the lowest temperature recorded in the country so far this year. This reading underscores the transition from the scorching summer months to the cooler winter period, which typically spans from November to March. During this season, daytime temperatures in most regions range between 15°C and 25°C, offering a refreshing change from the intense heat. Historically, the UAE has experienced even colder conditions, with the lowest temperature ever recorded being -5.7°C on February 3, 2017, at Jebel Jais, the nation’s highest peak in Ras Al Khaimah. Earlier this year, on January 4, 2025, Jebel Jais recorded a low of 1.9°C, just a day after hitting 2.2°C. As winter progresses, residents and visitors alike can expect milder weather, providing a welcome respite and opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities.
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One photo that captures tenderness amid chaos in the Philippines as Typhoon Fung-wong hits
In the midst of the chaos brought by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, Judy Bertuso, 63, sits inside a bright orange tent on the floor of a basketball court in Quezon City, Philippines. With deliberate tenderness, she feeds porridge to her 65-year-old husband, Apollo, who is recovering from a stroke. The translucent plastic walls of the tent frame his frail figure as he sits in a wheelchair. Judy, dressed in a wrinkled T-shirt and shorts, moves with a quiet exhaustion, her actions reflecting a lifetime of mutual care and devotion. The couple had evacuated their creekside home the day before, fearing a repeat of the flooding they experienced during heavy rains in October. When warnings urged residents to seek higher ground ahead of the storm, they heeded the call without hesitation. Fung-wong, the most powerful typhoon to threaten the Philippines this year, unleashed winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour (115 mph) and gusts reaching 230 kph (143 mph), battering the northeastern coast and displacing over a million people. Inside the shelter, rows of bright tents house dozens of families. The wind howls outside, but within the walls, the hum of quiet conversations and the laughter of children create a semblance of normalcy. Amid the uncertainty, Judy’s steady hand trembles slightly as she feeds Apollo, a silent testament to the enduring power of care and resilience in the face of nature’s fury.
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AI trust issues: Why ChatGPT’s confidence can mislead users
As ChatGPT continues to revolutionize the way we work, learn, and create, a growing concern has emerged: users are placing too much trust in this AI-powered tool. While its ability to generate text with remarkable speed and confidence has made it a global favorite, experts warn that this very confidence can be misleading. From factual inaccuracies to privacy risks, the pitfalls of over-reliance on ChatGPT are becoming increasingly apparent across various sectors. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has openly acknowledged that the AI ‘hallucinates,’ producing information that sounds credible but may be entirely fabricated. This poses a significant challenge, particularly in education and research, where the chatbot has been known to cite non-existent sources or generate false data. The Times of India has reported that educators are concerned about the erosion of critical thinking skills and the spread of misinformation due to unchecked AI use. Beyond accuracy, privacy is another critical issue. Users often share sensitive information with ChatGPT, unaware that their data could be stored or used to train future models. In one notable incident, developers inadvertently leaked internal company data while using the chatbot to debug code. As businesses increasingly integrate AI tools, many are now implementing strict policies to prevent the unintentional sharing of confidential information. Analysts also emphasize that certain tasks, such as medical or legal advice, financial forecasting, and ethical decision-making, should never be entrusted to ChatGPT without human oversight. While some schools have banned the tool outright, many educators advocate for a more balanced approach, focusing on AI literacy and responsible use. The key, experts agree, is to treat ChatGPT as a starting point rather than a definitive source. As the technology evolves, the human touch remains indispensable in distinguishing fact from fiction and ensuring that AI serves as a tool for enhancement, not replacement.
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Philippines: Fun-wong becomes super typhoon ahead of late-night landfall
Super Typhoon Fung-wong, a formidable storm with a radius nearly encompassing the entire Philippines, intensified to super typhoon status on Sunday, poised for a late-night landfall. The storm, packing sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 230 kph, is expected to unleash over 200 millimeters of rainfall, triggering widespread flooding and potential river basin overflows, according to government meteorologist Benison Estareja. Catanduanes, a small island likely to bear the brunt of the typhoon, has already experienced fierce winds and storm surges, with waves crashing over coastal streets. Residents, bracing for the storm’s impact, have resorted to traditional methods of securing their homes, such as strapping down roofs with ropes. In Sorsogon, southern Luzon, some sought refuge in churches, while rescuers in Aurora province urged coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground. The arrival of Fung-wong comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaked havoc across the Philippines, claiming 204 lives and leaving 109 missing. Search and rescue operations for Kalmaegi’s victims were suspended due to the impending threat of Fung-wong. Scientists attribute the increasing intensity of such storms to human-driven climate change, which warms oceans and amplifies rainfall potential. The back-to-back typhoons underscore the growing vulnerability of the Philippines to extreme weather events.
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A boat from Myanmar with hundreds of migrants capsizes off Malaysia, 1 body found and 10 rescued
A devastating maritime incident unfolded last week in the Indian Ocean near the border between Thailand and Malaysia, as a boat carrying approximately 300 migrants from Myanmar capsized. According to officials, at least one body has been recovered, 10 individuals have been rescued, and dozens remain missing. The exact timing and location of the tragedy remain unclear, though preliminary investigations suggest the vessel sank three days ago after departing from Buthidaung in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Malaysian authorities have launched a search and rescue operation after survivors were discovered drifting near Langkawi, a northern resort island in Malaysia. Among the rescued were Rohingya Muslims, a persecuted minority group from Myanmar, as well as a man from Bangladesh. Malaysian officials have raised concerns about the increasing activity of cross-border syndicates exploiting migrants through dangerous sea routes. This incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by Rohingya refugees, many of whom seek refuge in Malaysia due to its predominantly Muslim population. However, Malaysia has recently tightened its stance on accepting refugees, fearing a mass influx. Currently, around 117,670 Rohingya refugees are registered with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Malaysia, representing 59% of the country’s total refugee population.