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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Chinese cobbler with no legs learns English from radio, shares Harvard dream: 'I believe I can...'
A 44-year-old street cobbler in southern China has become an online sensation for his fluent English and his dream of delivering a speech at Harvard University, despite having lost both legs in childhood, reported the South China Morning Post. Huang Huaquan, from a village in Heyuan, Guangdong province, had his legs amputated after he was hit by a truck at a rural market when he was just six years old, according to Beijing News. Following the accident, he had to stop school after completing primary education. Despite his disability, Huang developed a passion for English from a young age. He borrowed old textbooks from friends and taught himself using cassette tapes and radio broadcasts. Over the years, his dedication has paid off. A former gold medallist in a provincial weightlifting competition for disabled athletes, Huang has spent the last nine years repairing shoes and umbrellas on the street to make a living. Through this work, he has managed to buy a car and a flat. 'What does not kill me makes me stronger. This is the perfect illustration of my life,' Huang said. Also read: Trump biographer's bombshell claim on why US President hates Harvard: 'He didn't get…' He shared that tasks which may be simple for others take him far more effort. 'For many things that able-bodied people can do easily, I need to expend a lot of effort. But I believe I can make it, because I still have my hands,' he said. Although his neighbours mocked him for learning English in his free time, Huang continued to pursue his goal undeterred. Last year, he published a book and began offering video lessons on conversational English, drawing from his own journey of self-study. 'If I have the chance to give a speech, I will talk about an ordinary person who uses his hands to climb out of the mire and grabs a chink of light in his life,' Huang said. 'If my humble story can bring power to even only one individual, I will still try my best to tell it,' he added. His story reached the Harvard Alumni Association in Beijing, where Xu Liang, the association's head, is now in contact with the university to explore the possibility of inviting Huang to speak. Xu also connected with Huang online and said his team is organising an event in the capital where Huang will be able to speak to hundreds of alumni. 'I admire Huang Huaquan because he has been persistent in following his dream, along with his noble spirit in facing the adversity in his life,' Xu said in a video message. Huang, who is single, hopes to marry and start a family someday, according to Southern Metropolis News. 'It is perhaps difficult for me to achieve this goal,' he admitted. 'I am a seriously disabled person. If I do not work hard, life will be harder for me. I have to make myself strong and excellent enough, so that I have the ability to support myself and my family.' Also read: Indian YouTuber Malik Swashbuckler sparks fury with vile comments on Turkish women, deletes videos after backlash
Free Malaysia Today
28-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
At least 5 dead, 6 missing after blast at Chinese chemical plant
Drone video showed smoke emerging from the chemical plant and a second unidentified facility nearby. (Xinhua/AP pic) BEIJING : An explosion at a chemical plant in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong killed at least five people, with 19 injured and six missing, the state-run Xinhua agency said late today. The blast occurred a few minutes before noon, shaking part of a chemical plant operated by Shandong Youdao Chemical in the city of Weifang. Videos circulating on Chinese social media and verified by Reuters showed plumes of orange and black smoke billowing into the sky. Windows of nearby buildings were ripped from their hinges by the explosion, one of the videos showed. More than 200 emergency workers responded to the blast, according to a statement issued by China's emergency response authority this afternoon. Drone video posted by The Beijing News, a government-run publication, showed smoke emerging from the chemical plant and from a second, unidentified facility nearby. Baidu Maps, a navigation app, shows other manufacturing companies next to Youdao's plant, including a textile company, a machinery company and a firm that makes industrial coating materials. The Weifang Ecological Environment Bureau dispatched staff to test the site of the blast but said there were no results yet available. The bureau advised nearby residents to wear face masks in the meantime, Beijing News reported. Shandong Youdao Chemical is owned by Himile Group, which also owns listed Himile Mechanical, shares of which closed down nearly 3.6% today. Youdao was established in August 2019 in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in Weifang, according to the company's website. The plant covers more than 47 hectares and has more than 300 employees. The company develops, produces and sells chemical components for use in pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Blasts at chemical plants in China in recent years have included one in the northwest region of Ningxia in 2024 and another in the southeastern province of Jiangxi in 2023. Two massive explosions at warehouses containing hazardous and flammable chemicals in the port city of Tianjin in 2015 killed over 170 people and injured 700. That incident prompted the government to tighten laws covering chemical storage. An explosion in 2015 at another chemical plant in Shandong killed 13 people.
India Today
27-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Black smoke fills sky after blast at China chemical plant, sparks toxic gas fears
A large explosion at a chemical plant in China's eastern province of Shandong sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky on Tuesday, state media reported, without giving details on than 200 emergency workers responded to the blast that shook a workshop of Shandong Youdao Chemical in the city of Weifeng just before noon, sparking discussions on Chinese social media over the dangers of toxic gas exposure. Government officials urged emergency crews to quickly contain a fire at the facility and confirm the number of casualties.A powerful explosion rocked a chemical plant in Gaomi County, ChinaEmergency crews are on site providing rescue and medical aid RT (@RT_com) May 27, 2025advertisementState-backed Beijing News released footage of windows being ripped from their hinges by the explosion, while The Paper, another state-run outlet, reported that some residents' belongings had been blown out onto the street. Fifty-five emergency vehicles and 232 first responders had been dispatched to the scene, the national Ministry of Emergency Management said in a Weifeng Ecological Environment Bureau has dispatched staff to the test the site of the blast and advised nearby residents to wear face masks in the meantime, Beijing News Youdao Chemical is owned by Himile Group, which also owns listed Himile Mechanical shares of which were down nearly 4% on Tuesday was set up in August 2019 in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in Weifang, its website says, and covers more than 47 hectares (116 acres), with more than 300 firm develops, produces and sells technology for pesticides, pharmaceuticals and related chemical at chemical plants in China in recent years have included one in the northwest region of Ningxia in 2024 and another in the southeastern province of Jiangxi in massive explosions at warehouses containing hazardous and flammable chemicals in the Chinese port city of Tianjin in 2015 killed over 170 people and injured 700 more, prompting the government to pass new laws covering chemical storage.
The Star
27-05-2025
- The Star
No casualties reported yet after explosion at East China chemical plant
There were no immediate details of casualties. - Photo: Screengrab from Weibo BEIJING: A large explosion at a chemical plant in China's eastern province of Shandong sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky on Tuesday (May 27), state media reported, without giving details on casualties. More than 200 emergency workers responded to the blast that shook a workshop of Shandong Youdao Chemical in the city of Weifang just before noon, sparking discussions on Chinese social media over the dangers of toxic gas exposure. Government officials urged emergency crews to quickly contain a fire at the facility and confirm the number of casualties. State-backed Beijing News released footage of windows being ripped from their hinges by the explosion, while The Paper, another state-run outlet, reported that some residents' belongings had been blown out onto the street. Fifty-five emergency vehicles and 232 first responders had been dispatched to the scene, the national Ministry of Emergency Management said in a statement. The Weifang Ecological Environment Bureau has dispatched staff to test the site of the blast and advised nearby residents to wear face masks in the meantime, Beijing News reported. Shandong Youdao Chemical is owned by Himile Group, which also owns listed Himile Mechanical, shares of which were down nearly 4% on Tuesday afternoon. Youdao was set up in August 2019 in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in Weifang, its website says, and covers more than 47 hectares (116 acres), with more than 300 employees. The firm develops, produces and sells technology for pesticides, pharmaceuticals and related chemical intermediates. Blasts at chemical plants in China in recent years have included one in the northwest region of Ningxia in 2024 and another in the southeastern province of Jiangxi in 2023. Two massive explosions at warehouses containing hazardous and flammable chemicals in the Chinese port city of Tianjin in 2015 killed over 170 people and injured 700 more, prompting the government to pass new laws covering chemical storage. - Reuters
ABC News
27-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Chemical plant explosion in Weifang city rocks Shandong province in eastern China
A huge explosion has rocked a chemical plant in eastern China, with state media covering the blast that has sent large plumes of black smoke high into the sky. Chinese state TV, CCTV, reported that the incident took place in the city of Weifang at about noon local time. State-backed Beijing News released footage of windows being ripped from their hinges by the explosion, while The Paper, another state-run outlet, reported that some residents's belongings had been blown out onto the street. Rescuers have been dispatched to the scene of the blast, but authorities have not yet confirmed if there are any casualties. Some 230 fire fighters and 55 emergency vehicles were sent to the scene, the national Ministry of Emergency Management said in a statement. Blasts at chemical plants in China in recent years have included one in the north-west region of Ningxia in 2024 and another in the south-eastern province of Jiangxi in 2023. Two massive explosions at warehouses containing hazardous and flammable chemicals in the Chinese port city of Tianjin in 2015 killed over 170 people and injured 700 more, prompting the government to pass new laws covering chemical storage. ABC/wires
