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Cathay Passenger Tries to Open Plane Door Mid-Flight from Boston to Hong Kong

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Incident Involves Passenger Attempting to Open Aircraft Door Mid-Flight On December 10, a passenger on Cathay Pacific flight CX811, which was traveling from Boston to Hong Kong, attempted to open an aircraft door while the plane was in mid-flight. The airline confirmed the incident occurred and emphasized that no passengers or crew members were injured during the event. The flight eventually landed safely early on December 11. Following the incident, local authorities have taken over the investigation. However, the Hong Kong police department has not yet provided a statement or responded to requests for comment. Cathay Pacific released a statement regarding the situation, highlighting the actions taken by their cabin crew. "Our cabin crew immediately attended to the situation, inspected the door to ensure it was securely closed, and reported the incident to the relevant authorities and the police," the airline said. The airline also reiterated its commitment to safety. ...

Realistic Abalone Cushion Goes Viral Online

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A Unique Commemorative Gift Captivates Online Communities An abalone cushion, a special gift offered by the "Hometown Love Donation System" in Wando County, South Jeolla Province, has sparked widespread online discussion due to its remarkably realistic design that closely mirrors a real abalone. The item has captured the attention of many, with users expressing both surprise and admiration for its lifelike appearance. A user shared their experience on X (formerly known as Twitter) on the 10th, detailing how they donated to Wando County through the Hometown Love Donation System and received the abalone cushion as a gift. In their post, the user wrote, “It’s more realistic than I expected,” and included photos that showcased the cushion. These images quickly drew attention for their striking resemblance to an actual abalone. The photos reveal a shell-like surface that appears to glisten as if water droplets have formed on it. The abalone's distinct color and texture are...

Southern fisherman reels in massive haul with pit traps

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In the southern regions of Vietnam, local communities have developed a unique and traditional method to catch fish during the cold season. This technique involves digging pits in the ground as an effective way to trap fish when they migrate due to the northerly winds. The practice is rooted in history, having emerged as an improvised fishing method before modern tools became widely available. Fishermen would strategically place jars and pots or dig circular holes approximately 30 centimeters wide and 50 centimeters deep along the pathways where water from rice fields flows into canals. These pits are then covered with a layer of soft mud, making them nearly invisible to the fish. This method relies on the natural behavior of fish during colder weather, when they tend to move towards areas with moisture and warmth. To ensure the stability of the traps, jars and pots must be secured in place using wooden stakes. Once the setup is complete, the area is camouflaged with coconut leaves ...

Which Southeast Asian Country Offers the Best Cuisine?

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Indonesia's Culinary Excellence on the Global Stage Indonesia has made a significant mark in the world of cuisine by securing the 10th position on TasteAtlas's list of the world's 100 best cuisines this year. This achievement places Indonesia at the top among Southeast Asian countries, highlighting its rich and diverse culinary heritage. Vietnamese cuisine follows closely behind Indonesia, claiming the second spot in the region. Thailand is next in line, showcasing the strong culinary presence of Southeast Asia on the global map. In contrast, Singapore and Laos found themselves near the bottom of the ranking, which was determined based on an impressive number of 590,228 valid ratings for 18,912 different foods in TasteAtlas's extensive database. Iconic Dishes to Try TasteAtlas recommends that visitors explore some of Indonesia's most iconic dishes to fully experience its culinary diversity. Among these are: Nasi Padang : A traditional Indonesian meal consisti...

Muscat Drops from Top Airport for Customer Experience

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A New Champion in Airport Excellence Muscat International Airport, which had previously held the prestigious title of "World's Leading Airport for Customer Experience" for three consecutive years, has now lost this honor to Hong Kong International Airport at this year's World Travel Awards. This shift marks a significant moment in the global aviation landscape, as airports continue to compete for recognition in delivering exceptional passenger experiences. Located in Seeb, approximately 32 kilometers from Oman's historic city and capital, Muscat, the airport covers an area of more than 2,000 hectares. It serves as a vital hub for both regional and intercontinental travel, offering flights to various destinations across Asia, Africa, and Europe. The airport's strategic location within the Muscat metropolitan area makes it a key gateway for travelers visiting the Sultanate of Oman. In contrast, Hong Kong International Airport spans 1,900 hectares and has bee...

Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Ship in Black Sea

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Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Tanker in Black Sea Ukraine has reportedly targeted another vessel from Russia’s shadow fleet in the Black Sea, using naval drones to inflict "critical damage" on a Russian oil tanker. According to reports from Ukrainian authorities, the attack took place on Wednesday and involved the Comoros-flagged Dashan tanker. The Dashan was reportedly traveling at maximum speed with its transponder switched off, operating within Ukraine's exclusive economic zone near the coast of Crimea. Its destination was the Novorossiysk port terminal in Russia. The ship had been sanctioned by several countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland, for its role in transporting Russian oil and for disabling its vessel identification systems. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) stated that the Dashan sustained significant damage during the operation. The attack was allegedly carried out by the SBU's 13th Main Dire...

Nigeria Suffers Billions in Lost Intellectual Property - Commission Report

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Nigeria's Struggle with Intellectual Property Theft The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NPC) has raised concerns about the significant loss of intellectual property due to theft, estimating the value in the billions of dollars over recent years. This alarming issue was highlighted by the Director General of the NPC, John Asein, during the opening of a workshop organized by the Art and Culture Writers Association of Nigeria (ACWAN), media practitioners, and copyright sector partners in Abuja. Asein emphasized that the impact of piracy on creative talents is profound, as it discourages innovation and artistic expression. He pointed out that many publishing houses, some of which had been operating for over 50 years, have closed down due to the challenges posed by piracy. The DG noted that the landscape of copyright operations has evolved rapidly, especially in the digital era. From dealing with mass reproduction of CDs and DVDs a decade ago, the current challenge involves cloud-based...

Huawei Unveils Slim Mate X7 in Global Foldable Smartphone Push

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Huawei's Dominance in the Foldable Smartphone Market Huawei has solidified its position as a leader in the foldable smartphone market, holding nearly 70% of China's market share in the first three quarters of the year, according to research firm IDC. The company is further strengthening its presence with the global launch of the Mate X7, a device that marks a significant step forward in both design and functionality. The Huawei Mate X7, which was released in China last month, features a thickness of 4.5mm (0.2 inches) when unfolded. The device, including the battery, weighs up to 236 grams. This slim profile makes it one of the most compact foldable smartphones available on the market. The phone was rolled out globally at an event in Dubai on Thursday, where it was showcased alongside other new products from Huawei. One of the standout features of the Mate X7 is its 5,600mAh battery, which promises "all-day battery life" thanks to a heat-dissipation system. The com...

Taiwan Reduces Debt Amid Semiconductor Boom

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On the 5th, at Hsinchu High-Speed Rail Station in Taiwan. Exiting the station, located northeast of Hsinchu—a city symbolizing Taiwan’s semiconductor industry—construction sites were visible among high-rise buildings and apartments. The Zhubei area north of Hsinchu, especially near the high-speed rail station, is emerging as a new affluent neighborhood. Luxury apartment complexes are springing up like bamboo shoots after rain, and high-income engineers from the Hsinchu Science Park are flocking here due to the 30–40-minute high-speed rail ride to the capital, Taipei. Liu Jianhong, who runs Taiching Real Estate, said, “The area near the high-speed rail station was barren just 10 years ago, but now it’s the most expensive land in Hsinchu. Over the past three years, housing prices have nearly doubled, with the average market price reaching approximately 38 million Korean won per pyeong, and the highest-priced apartments hitting around 4.5 billion Korean won, nearing the levels of Taipei’...

Disney dazzles Hollywood and Wall Street with $1bn deal granting OpenAI access to its vault

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Disney is taking a bold step into the AI era — and letting fans play with some of its most famous characters in a way never seen before. The entertainment giant has struck a landmark deal with OpenAI that will allow its new video tool, Sora, to generate short Disney-themed clips on demand. Fans will be able to type in a prompt and instantly produce videos featuring more than 200 characters from the Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars franchises. Disney is plowing $1 billion into OpenAI, marking the first time a major Hollywood studio has opened its vault to generative video technology. Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Simba, Baymax, Black Panther, Loki, Darth Vader and Stormtroopers are among the figures allowed into the AI playground. Costumes, props, ships, castles and planets are also included. Users will not be able to unlock real actors' faces or voices, as only 'animated, masked and creature characters' are part of the deal. Fans can play with animated versions of characters p...