Harbin Has the World's Biggest Snowman

The world’s biggest snowman standing 62 feet (19 meters) tall dwarfs a city in northeastern China after an 11-day construction effort by 164 workers. 

The smiling icy giant in Harbin required 124,000 cubic feet (3,500 cubic meters) of snow and took 64 sculptors plus 100 construction workers to build, with help from snow-making machines. It was completed on December 16th.

The entire build was livestreamed for global audiences. The six-story snowman has become a star attraction each winter since making its debut in 2019. 

Last winter, nearly 100 million tourists visited Harbin during the holidays, generating more than $19 billion. 

The city is also home to the world’s largest seasonal Ice and Snow World theme park, which opened December 17.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, lashed out at the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, calling Francesca Albanese a "witch" after she presented her latest report “Gaza Genocide: A Collective Crime”, before the UN General Assembly on October 28, 2025.

Albanese responded: “If I had the power to make spells, I would use it not for vengeance. I would use it to stop your crimes once and for all”!

The 24-page report exposed the complicity of states in enabling Israel’s livestreamed genocide against Palestinians. It asserted that countries facilitating Israel and shielding it from accountability have enabled Tel Aviv to “embed its regime of settler-colonial apartheid in the occupied Palestinian territory”. It added that the Gaza genocide needs to be understood as an “internationally enabled crime”.

Sixty-three countries were complicit in enabling Israel's actions through various forms of support, including military, diplomatic, and economic ties. 

The United States was cast in the lead role. Other countries include: United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Czechia, Romania, Slovenia, Austria, Greece, Poland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland and others.

Jolly Campus and More Photos from Mongolia

Still on Mongolia! We had spent 3 days at the AOE's Jolly Campus in Erdene in Töv Province, which is 88km from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: 

This is an impressive English language education center that offers a broad portfolio of programs, including for younger learners (Jolly Kids) and older students (Jolly Tweens, Jolly Teens, IELTS7UP).

And their November program is interesting:

I didn't realize until now that there are still many more pics lodged in my Oppo photo gallery. Especially snapshots taken during our visits to the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, Turtle Rock, or Melkhii Khad in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, and other places. 

So, here's the very last installment of pics that I'm sharing:

China Warns Citizens Against Japan Travel

China on Friday warned its citizens against traveling to Japan as it escalates a backlash over comments by the country’s prime minister about the island of Taiwan.  

Following the announcement, a number of Chinese airlines including Air China, China Eastern and China Southern published notices on their websites the following day, offering customers refunds or free changes on certain tickets to Japan, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported. 

On Sunday, China’s Ministry of Education also advised citizens to exercise caution when making plans to study in Japan, citing a “worsening public security situation” in the country and claiming there had been a “surge in crimes targeting Chinese nationals”.

The moves by Beijing represent its latest flaunting of anger after Sanae Takaichi, in response to a question in Japan’s parliament on November 07, said if a Taiwan emergency entailed "battleships and the use of force, then that could constitute a situation threatening the survival (of Japan)". Meaning, it could trigger a military response from Tokyo. [Refer my post "Japan's Sanae Takaichi Hints War with China Over Taiwan" published November 16].

Beijing views the rebellious province of Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to take control of the island, by force if necessary. For Beijing, Taiwan’s sovereignty is the most sensitive issue in its relations with other nations – a “red line” not to be crossed. 

China’s Ministry of Defense on Friday separately warned that Japan would “suffer a crushing defeat” if it dared to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing’s travel warning was mirrored on Saturday by authorities in the financial hub Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, with residents there urged to exercise caution in visiting Japan. 

Nearly 7.5 million travelers from China visited Japan between January and September this year, by far the highest count of any country or region, according to official data cited by Japanese public broadcaster NHK. 

And according to South China Morning Post yesterday, Chinese airlines have recorded about 491,000 cancellations of tickets to Japan since Saturday – roughly 32 percent of their total bookings to the typically popular destination. 

Malaysian women's doubles Pearly Tan–Thinaah Murlitharan have withdrawn from the Australia Open which begins today. The national women's doubles head coach Rosman Razak (centre) had revealed that they were physically not at their best. 

During the Kumamoto final on Sunday, Pearly had clutched her back in pain after diving to retrieve a shot while trailing 9-8 in the second game. Pearly was also seen holding her back after a similar incident during the semi-final victory over Japan's world No. 6 Yuki Fukushima–Mayu Matsumoto the day before. 

The withdrawal is apparently a precautionary measure as Pearly, who suffered a serious back injury in 2022, has been getting chiropractor treatment on a regular basis since then to avoid a recurrence.

Би Монголдоо хайртай (Bi Mongoldoo khairtai)

I have a confession to make. I'm in love with Mongolia! Truth be told, I'm already missing this beautiful country! 

There, for eight-and-a-half-days, we were on an adventure, learning the country and its people, and experienced the vast, untouched landscapes that were gently caressed by wind and tenderly kissed by snow and in between, the sun mustered sufficient courage to peer through on occasion. And the crisp air was neatly tucked into the firmament, beneath thin streaks of wispy clouds as they trailed across azure skies. All of which left me with a delightful sense of wonderment.

But what most touched us was the kindness, the generosity, and the warmth of our hosts and new-found friends. The hospitality they showered on us was affecting, beautiful and heart-warming.  Very special thanks to Dr Ganchimeg Zagdaa, her hubby and her amazing AOE team as well as to Undarmaa Gansukh and her bubbly Darkhan Toastmasters.

"Би Монгол улсыг хайрладаг" (Bi Mongol ulsig khairladag). 

A collection of random photos of Mongolia, as seen through my eyes: