Fire engulfs residential buildings in Northeast China's Shenyang

23:01, December 02, 2019

• 

  International friendship gala held in Shenyang

  "This is my home and I want to introduce Shenyang to the world, and bring more friends to visit, to live and start businesses here," said Roksana Saitbatalova, an international student from Russia, who participated in the 2019 Shenyang International Friendship Gala was hosted by the local information office last Saturday.The 2019 Shenyang International Friendship Gala Evening was held at a local TV station on Nov 30, 2019. (China Daily)Over 100 expats from more than 30 countries participated in the event. Expats and locals presented performances of opera, acrobatics, singing and dancing.The organizer wanted to showcase the history, culture and development of this city in Northeast Chinas Liaoning province to the foreigners."This is not only an evening show, but also a family gathering, and an international party," said Asams Austin Bradlee, a student from the United States.

• 

  #SEAGamesfail: Philippines in firing line over chaotic Games build-up

  Images of two toilets in the same stall at one Manila venue have been widely shared on social media. (Photo: AFP)Transport delays, footballers training in the streets and two toilets in one stall: a chaotic final build-up has put the Philippines under pressure before the Southeast Asian Games open on Saturday.The worst incidents have spilled forth under the hashtag #SEAGamesfail, including scaffolding clinging to an incomplete stadium renovation and a temporary press room built from unpainted cinder blocks.In one tweet, the Games slogan of "We Win as One", was twisted into "Wiwi as One" to accompany a photo of one venues ladies room, where contractors had put two toilets in a single stall -- an image that has gone viral.This came on top of the Philippines apologising Sunday for leaving incoming football squads stranded at the airport or stuck waiting hours to check in to their rooms.As part of that episode, one hotel issued this clarification: "We asked them (the players) if they needed chairs but they declined, preferring the floors so they could lie down to rest."Thailands mens footballers trained in the streets near their hotel after their coach complained that the facilities provided were too far away, their coach told the Bangkok Post.Monico Puentevella, who was an organising committee chair in Manilas 2005 hosting of the Games, was one prominent critic of the preparations."You know Ive been in all SEA Games, Asian Games, Olympics. We never had this treatment before in other countries," he told a Filipino TV station.The Games in Clark, Manila and Subic, which run through December 11, are particularly complex with a record 56 sports across dozens of venues that are in some cases hours drive apart, even before Manilas notorious gridlock traffic is factored in.- Could not be avoided -Rizal Memorial sports complex in central Manila, the home of both the sparse press room ...

• 

  Fire damages buildings in Austria's UNESCO heritage site, one injured

  Photo: TwitterVIENNA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- A fire that broke out on Saturday morning damaged several buildings in Austrias UNESCO heritage site Hallstatt, and injured one firefighter.The fire is said to have spread from a wooden hut on the lake shore to other huts and finally to two buildings across the street from Seestraße. Since the town center consists mostly of old wooden houses, the danger of fire spreading is especially great.Eight fire brigades with 109 men were deployed to handle the fire, which is now under control, according to local media.The residents of the houses are unhurt, reported Austrian broadcaster ORF. However, a firefighter who might have fallen from the roof of a house was seriously injured. The only street in the village is still closed following the fire, said local police.A salt-mining town dating back to the late Bronze Age, and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, Hallstatt has become especially popular among travellers from Asia because of a 2006 South Korean TV series, Spring Waltz, that was partially shot in the idyllic village.