© Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York Times
很难说，最近舆论场上“悼明”和“反清复明”如何成为了趋势词。
悼明，指的是哀悼、怀念明朝；反清复明，指的是明朝覆灭后，清朝统治期间，汉人及其它反满人士为推翻满清政权、恢复明朝统治而进行的一系列抗争。
看上去，这股风潮由解读《红楼梦》而起，有网友认为《红楼梦》是反对清朝，怀念明朝之作，进而演化为，清朝的一切都应当被否定，明朝的所有都指向先进，如果不是清朝出现，国家会更加繁荣昌盛。
面对种种议题的演变，是时候从历史的角度回看清朝与明朝之间的关系——究竟什么是“反清复明”？清朝应当被“取消”吗？明朝是很多人想象中完美的政治体吗？
“任何存在的历史叙述都是选择过后的结果，因而也绝对不可能是定论。当你听到了一种历史叙述，都应该要意识警觉到，还有其他叙述的可能性。”
如果我们不能够摆脱原来汉人民族主义史学所给予我们的、对于清朝的负面印象，我们就没办法好好地去体认，当时在明朝灭亡的时候，中国是一种什么样的情境。
清朝要建立，这些满洲人他们如何来？他们必须要面对什么样的考验与挑战？他们对这些考验与挑战提出了什么样的方案？如果这些方案没有成功的话，世上就不会有清朝。
历史没有那么简单。我们不可能呈现历史的全貌，然而不可否认的事实是，真实的、本体的历史大于任何一种历史的叙述。
任何存在的历史叙述都是选择过后的结果，因而也绝对不可能是定论。当你听到了一种历史叙述，都应该要意识警觉到，还有其他叙述的可能性。
例如我们现在对于明朝、清朝这两段历史的认识，非常可能是受到清末到民国建立这段时期有着强烈偏见所影响。
那是一个排满革命、风起云涌的时代，一个用革命推翻了满清政权的时代。革命的成功证明了满清政府的脆弱无能。然而革命之后，中国并没有立刻变得富强壮大，又进一步坐实了满清政府所带来的严重祸害。
所以，从这样的眼光看去，在历史上就必定一方面格外强调、凸显满洲异族和汉人之间的冲突，另外一方面又着重于刻画清朝的种种失败。
清末的革命推翻了满清，造就了民国，然而取满清而代之的中华民国，只不过是革命运动诸多动态变化当中一项偶然的共同公约数。
如果当时革命的胜利不是来得如此突然，如果让各方势力有更多一点的时间彼此合纵连横，很明显的，中华民国不会叫中华民国，中华民国的第一任临时大总统，也不会是孙中山。
“中华民国”的命名是孙中山力排众议所坚持的。当时主流的话语说的是“共和国”，而不是“民国”。然而在孙中山自己所创的政治学历当中，“共和国”指称的是行代议制的政体，不是民主的极致。民主的极致应该要超越代议制，走向直接民主。
所以孙中山在后来他形成的理论当中，明确提出了创制权、复决权这种直接民权的办法。而在千年帝制刚被推翻的时候，孙中山也就将中国民主的理想设定在建立“民国”，那是一个直接民权的新国家，比当时存在的西方“共和国”更先进、更美好。
孙中山是个偶然。在时人的眼中，他是个放肆说大话的“孙大炮”。他提出的许多理念，包括民国所代表的直接民权理想，大部分人听不懂，当然也就不可能在意。
真正刺激并主导革命的，不会是对于民主共和的热情向往，而是反对满清的集体仇恨。从1895年左右开始的，十几年间，从原本的秘密会党行动扩大为全民情绪动员，民国肇建的过程当中，种族主义绝对扮演了比共和理念更重要、更关键的角色。
《人生若如初见》
如此强烈的汉人中心情绪，就影响到对于历史叙述的选择。从现实投射，整个满清王朝特别被选择出来叙述的，是能够证明这个王朝应该被推翻、被消灭，也就是这个王朝最坏、最黑暗的部分。
那时候流行的一个历史观点是，清朝是一个历史的错误，不应该存在。所以在讲述清朝建立的过程中，会反复地强调清兵入关时种种残暴的做法，像是“扬州十日”；也会反复强调他们对于汉人文化的高压破坏，例如“留发不留头”的剃法令，还有文字狱等。
相对地，也就必然产生对于明朝的美化。依照这种史观，既然不应该有清朝，那么明朝就应该继续存在，它是被错误地取代了。
于是“反清复明”的种种主张和行动就不止在历史上被凸显，而且被视为是正确的，甚至是正统的。
以前在讲明清之际的历史，例如说，“南明”有独特的地位，是指将那些维护残存明朝政权的人——从史可法一直到郑成功——将他们描述成为悲剧英雄，凸显他们的忠君精神、他们愿意为了正统而牺牲生命的选择。
但如果不将“南明”独立来看，而是用一个连贯的观点，从正德、嘉靖、万历年间一路下来，看明朝士人和皇帝皇权之间的关系，尤其是以更广大的历史的眼光来对照宋朝的忠君思想，还有这些明朝士人他们所读的儒家经典当中承传的政治信念，我们就不得不调整叙述与评断的方式。
以士人和皇帝的关系来说，明朝从朱元璋建国开始，就走上了一条歧路。和过去中国历史中的基本模式很不一样，在统治上，皇帝与士人官员不再是合作的关系，而是皇帝高高在上，行使直接的指挥权，士人官员只是奉命行事、听话执行。
很明显地，从正德、嘉靖年间之后，明朝失去了有效的皇权领袖，也没有了有效的朝廷统治，环绕着皇帝的权力运作，因为皇帝的无能废为而高度失常。有皇帝匡淫享乐，有皇帝赌气罢工，有皇帝任性使气、滥杀大臣。那么，为什么明朝还能够在这种情况下支撑那么久？
因为明朝有一个可以自动运作、却又自我压抑、不会抗议、不会挑战皇帝权威的官僚体系。
当权力中心的皇帝失能的时候，这套系统仍然能够维持运作，但它只会循着既有的管道对皇帝提出种种的劝诫，却不可能动摇、改变皇权的风格，也更不可能威胁、威逼皇权必须做出调整。
《大明王朝1566》
从这样的角度，我们会在明朝的历史当中看出很不一样的意义。我们看到一套非常古怪的士大夫系统，那是一个被高度洗脑、忠君信念压过了所有其他原则的价值系统。
以忠君的标准来衡量，从晚明到南明，这些士大夫很了不起，愿意为了皇帝与皇朝做出那么多、那么大的牺牲。但如果以读书人的知识和思考，或者是以对于原则、道理的认识与坚持作为标准的话，明朝的这些士大夫都不及格。
面对皇权他们提不出任何抗衡的原则，当然也就无法保有独立思考的价值意识。
回到士大夫在思想上被高度同化的环境当中，我们更能够体会王阳明及其开启的“阳明学”的重要。在“阳明学”当中艰难地保留了一颗真正的读书种子：在读书当中思考，在读书当中质疑并且寻找答案，而不是盲目地接受既有的解释、既有的答案。
从另外一面来看，如果依循“阳明学”方式读书思考的士人更多一点，如果“阳明学”不只是少数人所接受的理学当中的一支，而能够更扩大它的影响范围，那么明朝的绝对皇权不可能如此维系下去。
“阳明学”传到了日本，在江户时代成为武士阶级的价值共识，进而成为武士道的哲学基础，后来提供了日本从“倒幕”到“维新”最主要的社会动能，这就可以让我们窥见“阳明学”这一套思想所具备的行动潜力。
因而，明朝灭亡之后，仍然有那么多的士人，他们忠于朱家政权，还有不同阶层的人参与“复明”，想要恢复明朝。
但是，这真的是一件值得正面肯定的事吗？为什么过去长期理所当然、予以肯定和赞扬来叙述这个现象？只不过因为一边是汉人政权，一边是满洲人政权，从民族立场来说，不可以投降外族。
但这样的论理真的那么坚实吗？
金庸开始写武侠小说后，他所写的第一部是《书剑恩仇录》。故事的主轴设定，原来乾隆皇帝不是满洲人，而是汉人，所以他的汉人兄弟陈家洛带领的“红花会”要想办法让他反转立场，从鞑子皇帝变回汉人皇帝，那么“反清复明”的梦想就能够实现了。
《卧虎藏龙》
十几年之后，金庸写最后一部武侠小说《鹿鼎记》的时候，他就彻底改变了这种种族立场。汉人的“天地会”内在纷争不断，满人的皇帝反而以“永不加赋”照顾人民的政策来巩固政权。怎么能说由汉人建立的王朝就必然比满洲人建立的王朝要来得好呢？
金庸还写过《碧血剑》，这是处理明末大乱的历史背景，一定要面对流寇也是汉人，而李自成建立的政权却如此残暴不堪的事实。在《碧血剑》这部小说里，金庸以李自成进入北京之后的堕落腐败来解释流寇的失败，但他自己显然都没有被这个说法说服。
他从袁崇焕之死写起，就必须写崇祯皇帝，也写了这位皇帝自杀之前还要砍杀女儿的狂乱行为。很显然，金庸不得不动摇他原本所信守的种族主义立场。
历史的事实是，明朝政权没有那么多抽象的、高贵的价值建树值得士大夫效忠。那么他们效忠什么？他们效忠于朝廷，效忠于君主，即使这个朝代将近百年没有出现过像样的君主，君主没有成就过几件像样的事，士大夫还是保持效忠的态度。
而且，为了保有皇权在这个政权当中的地位，理所当然地和宫中的宦官结合在一起，从而让国家官僚体制可以维持正常运作。一边所有人都为了皇帝家里的事，分别派系、彼此倾轧；另外一边士大夫联合看顾农民与赋税基础，让国家体制可以继续存在。
在这种状况下，坚持忠于这个王朝、这个政权真的那么有道理吗？
过去的历史对这部分叙述过于凸显，是出于厌恶满洲人而做的选择。我们今天不需要再跟随这样的原则，可以换不一样的原则、不一样的角度、不一样的观点，看到历史不一样的面向。
西方的汉学家们没有汉人与满人的民族冲突包袱，他们会看到不一样的历史。在欧立德（Mark C. Elliott）掀起“新清史”的争议之前，西方汉学家对于明清史的研究大致有两个清楚的脉络：
第一，他们对明朝的普遍看法是民间活力旺盛，城市和商业发展到达惊人的高峰。然而相对地，朝廷不再是真正的国家中心，因为朝廷无法领导社会，甚至正因为“官退”，所以会有“民进”的热闹现象。这是“官退民进”，在朝廷管不到的地方，爆发了最值得重视、最值得研究的变化。
第二，对于满清统治的描述，应该要建立在他们入关的时候所要面对的中国政治和社会实况的基础上。当满洲人入关、进入到中国，那并不是一个多么诱人的中国，可以作为轻松且容易享受的战利品；那不是一笔现成的财富，可以让满洲人简单地以武力来占夺。
那是流寇肆虐之后的中国，是农业残破的大地，是政府机构不只是短时间失能，而是长时间荒败后的一种瓦解状态。
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史学家魏斐德（Frederic Wakeman, Jr），将他聚焦写清初历史的专书命名为《伟业》（也译作《洪业》）
清人要留在关内，就必须要决心来处理这个巨大的难题：如何恢复中国的政治与社会秩序，在残破的条件下重建一个能够有效统治的政权。
从大一点的角度来看，这是汉人中心本位立场，也是“驱除鞑虏”革命情绪当中绝对不愿意看到、不愿意承认的成就。从小一点的角度和细节处来看，魏斐德提醒我们：这是远超过一般想象的大工程。
满洲人当然有野心，但他们原本的野心绝对不可能是预期以这种方式进入中国，在这么短的时间之内统治整个中国。中国的江山是在他们没有准备好的情况底下，突然落在他们头上的。
关键年份是一六四四年，两件历史大事同时发生。一件是李自成率领的流寇部队攻进到了北京，崇祯皇帝上吊自杀；另外一件是满洲领袖皇太极在前一年去世，由当时才六岁的第九子福临接了位子，隔年改为顺治元年。
崇祯十七年农历三月十九日，崇祯一朝结束了，大明朝失去了首都。明朝的大变乱，同时也就冲击到了才刚刚失去了领导人的满清。
这一年，诸多的历史因素全部聚拢在一起，造成了一个划时代的巨变。
前几天，B站那边搞了一场赛博招魂。
还没等大家缓过神来，抖音这边的“吃瓜蒙主”又给大伙上了一课。
如果说B站是在怀念过去，那“吃瓜蒙主”就是在发明过去。
就在上周，拥有500多万粉丝的超级大V“吃瓜蒙主”终于消停了。
这不仅仅是一个网红被封的故事，这是一场关于“常识”的保卫战。目前看来，常识输得挺惨。
哪怕你不关注历史圈，大概率也被算法强行喂过她的视频。这位博主的走红路径非常野，甚至可以说是一场精准的流量收割实验。
在她口中，清朝不是中国历史，甚至连华伦天奴的祖上都是满清贵族。最离谱的是，她把“满汉全席”硬生生解读成了“吃汉人”。这种放在地摊文学里都嫌味儿冲的阴谋论，却在短视频里振振有词。
有网友统计的数据，她的《明清史解密系列》全网播放量超过3亿。这是什么概念？相当于半个中国互联网的人都被她抓着领子科普了一遍“伪史”。
更让人心惊肉跳的不是她说什么，而是评论区。那里聚集了数以百万计的信徒，他们整齐划一地刷着仇恨言论，任何一句理性的质疑都会瞬间被淹没。
这让我想到昨天晚上看过的一句话：
古代的文盲是没有知识的，
现代文盲只有局部知识，
未来文盲是污染过的错误知识。
现在的算法，正在批量生产这种“未来文盲”。
面对这头被流量喂养长大的巨兽，甚至连平台都坐不住了、震不住了。
最开始，抖音只是给她的账号降权，限制直播，属于“软刀子割肉”。但粉丝们不干了，他们觉得这是“资本的打压”，是“真相被掩盖”。
于是，抖音集团副总裁李亮不得不亲自下场。
李亮这次是很狼狈的。作为平台高管，平时都是在科技峰会上谈笑风生，现在却要被迫在微博上科普“红楼梦不是悼明之作”、“满汉全席不是吃人”。
他列出了10个核心谣言，一一驳斥。为了对抗算法带来的流量惯性，抖音甚至专门开发了“辟谣卡”。搜“吃瓜蒙主”，跳出来的不是她的视频，而是一张AI辟谣页。
这事儿本身就挺魔幻。算法把蒙主推向了神坛，把粉丝推向了极端，然后平台又得花大力气把人拉回来。
为什么“吃瓜蒙主”能火成这样？
归根结底，是因为她卖的不是历史，而是优越感和宣泄口。
在她的叙事里，你生活的不如意不是因为能力不行，也不是因为经济周期，而是因为几百年前满清“偷”了你的气运。她把复杂的历史简化成“好人vs坏人”的二元对立，这种叙事效率极高，传播极快。
无论是怀念激情的红色年代，还是痛恨三百年前的“异族”，本质上都是在逃避现实的无力感。人们迫切需要一个简单的答案，一个可以肆无忌惮攻击的靶子。
看看这暴涨的曲线，每一条上升的线段背后，都是一个个圈粉的大脑。
我们该怎么办？
首先，保持警惕。面对任何一边倒的狂热，都先问自己三个问题：这是事实，还是情绪？有可靠来源，还是只剩“懂的都懂”？我为什么这么愤怒或这么爽？
其次，多读权威，多跨平台。历史不是爽文，不是宫斗剧。想了解清史，去读《清史稿》《中国通史》，去听高校公开课；想讨论红楼，去找红学专家的论文，而不是短视频里的“惊人发现”。
最后，学会理性表达。爱国不是比谁声音大，思考不是比谁更极端。真正的自信，是能在多元声音中，依然坚守底线：历史可以争论，但不能虚无；民族可以自豪，但不能对立；真相可以追寻，但不能杜撰。
要做到这三点，说实话，很难。
在这个“后真相时代”，真相往往跑不过谣言，因为真相通常是枯燥的、复杂的、有门槛的。而谣言是刺激的、简单的、迎合情绪的。
李亮的辟谣虽然有力，但对于那500万狂热粉丝来说，可能只是另一种“迫害”的证据。他们已经把自己关进了一个厚厚的信息茧房，任何不同的声音都被视为噪音。
作为一个普通人，我们能做的或许只有多保持一点警惕之心。
当你看到某个视频让你热血沸腾，让你恨不得立刻去网上骂两句的时候，不妨先停下来想一想：你是不是正在吃一顿别人精心烹制的“预制知识餐”？
毕竟，脑子是个好东西，别轻易拱手让人，让算法把它变成了垃圾桶。
如果连“满汉全席吃人”这种鬼话都能成为信仰，那我们离把“狂人日记”当成菜谱的日子，恐怕也不远了。
幸存的人悼念死去的人，然后活下去。
隔着铁栏杆和两棵稀疏的树，能看到远处几栋被熏黑的大楼，颜色深浅不一，残余的绿色棚网搭在墙面，还有未燃尽的竹棚悬吊着。路边有五六个人，沉默地看着被烧毁的楼房，偶尔拿起手机拍照。为了看得清楚些，一个三十多岁的女人，爬到更高处。
11月26日，香港大埔宏福苑发生火灾。火情在3小时20分钟内从三级升至五级，侵袭了8栋楼宇中的7栋。橙黄色的大火从白天烧到黑夜，燃烧超43小时。截至目前，160人遇难。这是自1948年永安公司仓库大火以来，香港伤亡最严重的火灾。
火灾第4天，我到达香港。从大埔墟地铁站出来，是王肇枝中学邓若璠运动场，一群穿着校服的学生在打篮球。马路对面就是烧毁后的宏福苑。
大埔的路牌
跟着导航，右转穿过地下通道，走大约700米，就到了宏福苑前的广福休息处。这里类似街心公园。左侧是凉亭，火灾后用作悼念区，来吊唁的人可以向义工领取白纸，写上想对宏福苑居民说的话，贴到石柱上。
再向前走，有一片空地，是专门的献花区。11月29日下午，近百人聚集在这里，排成一条蜿蜒的队伍，人们手里拿着黄白的菊花。天气晴朗，阳光照得人睁不开眼睛，现场却几乎没有交谈声，只听见手臂摩擦外套的声音。
一个坐轮椅的女生被两个中年女人轮流推着。献完花，有人用手或纸巾捂着口鼻，快步离开。有人抬头，看着被烧毁的楼房默哀。一个戴眼镜的中年男人闭眼祈祷，十指交叉，放在胸前。
火灾发生后的前几天，宏福苑前的广福邨平台成为物资集中点，一度聚集近千人。29号那天，一位中年女人提着一个红色格子编织袋赶来，袋子里是保暖衣服和洗护用品。她想捐给灾民，但现场的工作人员说已经够了。
一位义工告诉我，前一晚，警察已经说不再接收个人捐赠物资。她猜想，或许是之前太多人来，吵到附近的居民，被投诉了。物资被分散到大埔火车站等其它援助点。
12月2日，是遇难者的“头七”。献花区的人较之前翻了数倍，身着橙色制服的民安队，时不时将鲜花移放到封锁线内。南京人李娜也来献花、折千纸鹤。她原本是来香港旅游，刚订完机票就刷到火灾的新闻。她捐了一万港元。
头七，献花人数翻倍，民安队时不时用塑料箱运走一些鲜花
千纸鹤后来被用作布置“宠物吊唁区”，上百只千纸鹤连成网，下方放着猫条、罐头和玩偶。路灯杆上贴了很多寻猫海报，有义工负责将这些信息整合到共享表格里，如果有人发现猫咪，就在表格里更新状态。12月初，经香港爱护动物协会确认，大火中约150只动物遇难。
网上还能查到宏福苑被烧毁前的样子，浅米黄色外墙，利落高耸，被绿植包围。这处位于新界大埔市中心的高层住宅小区，于1983年落成，依山傍海，东侧紧邻元洲仔公园——公园里的自然保护研究中心曾吸引许多游客来欣赏自然风光、学习保育知识。
宏福苑有8栋楼宇，均以宏*阁的格式命名，每栋31层，共计1984个单位。香港本地的置业网站上，记录着小区原本便利的生活设施：步行十分钟即可达到港铁、广福商场和广福公园，附近有广福邨室外停车场，小区内有电动汽车充电站和动物诊所。
事发前，宏福苑正在进行维修工程，初步调查显示，棚网未达阻燃标准，用于封闭窗户的发泡胶高度易燃，两者叠加，导致火势迅速蔓延。火灾后，宏福苑已经被蓝白相间的封锁线围起来，无法进入。
广福休息处前来献花的人（11月29日拍摄）
一位居民告诉我，宏福苑起火那天，他们就在楼下，抬头看大火一点点烧掉自己的房子。在风势的推动下，大火迅速从宏昌阁1楼，蔓延至其他居民楼。他们从下午看到深夜，一边看一边流泪，不管旁人如何劝说都不肯走。
距离宏福苑150米的社区会堂，如今已经变成遗体认领处。不过，会堂并没有安置遗体，只提供遗体的相簿，给家属辨认。有些逝者被烧毁了面容，很难辨认。会堂的窗户拉上红色的窗帘，门口有警察看守，只有家属能进去。
幸存者许太听说，有位女性的妈妈当时在家里跟人打麻将，四个人全都丧生。这位女士去认领遗体的时候，妈妈已经面目全非。许生伸出手掌平放在我的膝盖旁，说大概是（烧到）这个位置。
许生给我看手机里火灾救援的照片
那怎么认出来是妈妈呢？
“佢話我阿媽係着呢條褲、呢對鞋（她说我妈妈是穿这条裤子、这对鞋）。”许太说。
遇难者的遗体实际安置在距离宏福苑17公里的富山公众殓房。
车子从热闹的街区，驶到寂静的山脚下。岩石上长着高耸的树木。三两个警察站在门口，到了五点，他们离开了。走上阶梯，玻璃门上贴着指引：辨认遗体，请往地下大堂。
正好遇到关爱队的一个男性工作人员，我上前问路，他或许以为我是独自来认领遗体的家属，便带着我，推开防火门，往下走一层楼梯，到了地下大堂。
这是一个纵向的空间，首先到的是等待区，家属取号后，就坐在长椅上等待。隔开等待区和认领区的是一道半开的玻璃门。等待区坐着一位穿着灰黑色罩袍、看起来三十多岁的女性。她听到推门声后，抬头看了我一眼，很快收回视线，侧身，重新看向玻璃门里面。
这天，香港特区政府已经公布的遇难者人数是156人，仍有30人失联。认领区里，有三个穿西装的工作人员，在桌边接待十几位家属，有人带着口罩，手里拿着纸质资料。目之所及，我并没看到遗体或冰柜。
最新消息是，截至12月9日，遇难者人数更新至160人——其中120具遗体身份已得到确认，仍有40具遗体身份有待确认。另外，香港警方表示，早前接报31宗失联个案，仍有6人处于失联状态。
大火被扑灭后，家属都在尽力找寻失联的亲人。
面向被征用被遗体认领处的广福邨社区中心，有一处树下的献花点。花束中间放着一张寻人启事，写着：寻宏福苑宏泰阁小朋友及工人。两张照片占据了主要篇幅，一张是5岁小朋友穿着泡泡袖裙子；一张是香港居民身份证，隐私信息被涂黑了。末尾附上了郑生的电话号码。
还有一位蹲下身、靠着石柱的女生，大约20多岁，时不时用手机拍摄人们献花的画面。十来分钟后，她起身。她从广州过来，远房亲戚原先就住在宏福苑，其中一位不幸逝世。另外两位老人恰巧当时在户外，侥幸逃生，暂时住在政府安排的酒店。树干上贴着一张白纸，用粤语质问道：128+无辜生命，他们做错了什么？那是11月29日的遇难人数。互联网上，曾被视为香港代表歌曲的《狮子山下》在音乐软件的搜索频次上升；新闻里对事故原因的追问也在持续进行。
我见到了一位前来献花的香港人，这是他第二次来宏福苑了。第一次来是11月27日，火灾发生的第二天，楼房还在烧，消防员还在救援。他在长椅从下午坐到晚上。那时披露出来的死亡人数还是三十多人，他忍不住想，也许受困的人还能被救出来。
宏福苑附近的消防救护车，有伤者被推入车内
听一位义工讲，先前有个女人在献花区旁的草坪哭，也是宏福苑居民。11月26日当天，她出门和朋友们庆祝生日，之后却收到家人都在火灾中丧生的消息。生日变成了家人的忌日，“佢話好想死”。
距离宏福苑最近的居民楼叫广礼楼，属于公屋。彭婆婆住在这里，她的孙子子朗，读初中一年级。11月26日下午两点多，子朗在广礼楼楼梯间窗户发现宏福苑起火了。
而他的同学家乐，就住在宏福苑里。不用上学的日子，两个小孩喜欢一起骑单车去公园玩。火灾后，家乐一家人一直处于失联状态。前一天，家乐才刚庆祝完14岁生日。
“细路仔（孩子）安息”，彭婆婆在献花处的白纸写下这句话。忍不住流泪道，“咁細（这么小）就……”
宏福苑居住人口为4643人，大火之后，截至12月16日上午，特区政府协调了周边的酒店和青年旅舍，供1236名居民居住，另有3354名居民被安置在过渡性房屋。
火灾第二天，11月27日，政府成立了大埔宏福苑援助基金，启动资金为3亿港元，同时开放捐款渠道。
截至12月16日，大埔宏福苑援助基金已收到外界捐款34亿港元。除了应急补助金，每户受影响家庭还能收到一笔生活津贴，金额从5万港元已增至10万港元。遇难者的家属，还会收到20万港元慰问金及5万元殓葬金。
大埔民政事务处内，屏幕上写有查询死伤者的警方热线
12月1号，我见到许太时，她已经收到了1万港元应急补助金。她告诉我，在沙田的人工窗口，可以免费加快补办遗失的各类证件。她还决定暂缓申请住宿援助，先借住在女儿家。她想把房子让给更需要的人。
博爱江夏围村是其中一处过渡性房屋，距离宏福苑车程二十多分钟。12月2日，我来到这里。过渡性房屋只有4层楼，在寸土寸金的香港并不多见。晚上七点，站在楼下，能闻到炒菜的香味。村口有个食品超市，商品种类很多，有贡丸、鱼蛋、牛肉等。再往里走，是开放式公园，孩子们在那里踢球。
巴基斯坦籍的士司机Ali已经在博爱江夏围村住了一年多。这里的房租很便宜，一个月只要2500港元。
Ali在香港出生、读书、工作，认为自己就是香港人。他说，大埔发生火灾，就相当于自己家里发生火灾，肯定会心痛。“香港咁大嘅城市，唔應該發生呢種事嘅（香港这么大的城市，不应该发生这种事的）。”Ali看新闻才知道，宏福苑的管理存在这么多问题，不符合他对香港国际大都市的印象。
地铁电视上播放着火灾消息
火灾后，Ali主动接送义工，帮助搬运物资。此前他在Facebook发帖说，如果有灾民需要出行，愿意免费提供的士服务。最近，Ali接送了一位义工，对方负责帮家属寻找失联的居民，他告诉Ali，自己找了很多人，只有一个人还活着。
截至12月9日，据香港特区政府新闻公报，火灾已经造成160人死亡。印尼驻香港总领事馆及菲律宾驻香港总领事馆披露，有10名外佣逝世。
在香港，几乎每十个家庭中就有一个家庭请外佣。宏福苑大约有两千户，据香港劳工及福利局统计，这里一共有235名外籍佣工，其中印尼籍141人、菲律宾籍94人。
11月26日下午，住在宏道阁的菲律宾籍外佣Gemma，带着煲好的汤和蔬菜水果，正准备离开宏福苑，去照顾雇主家的孩子。Gemma是少见的、不与雇主同住的外佣。她已经在雇主家工作20年了。
下楼时，保安告诉她宏昌阁着火了。宏福苑的楼栋，大致呈U型分布，宏昌阁与宏道阁中间隔着三座楼房。Gemma前去查看，发现火势越来越大，赶紧跑回家拿证件。再出门时，她挨个敲门告诉邻居着火了，朋友也在其中一户人家里做外佣，于是她们带着雇主家的孩子一起下楼。
接着，Gemma打车去匡智会的住宿大楼，她照顾的孩子患有智力障碍，因此住在这家非营利机构。她们一起为宏福苑祈祷后，Gemma给孩子喂了汤。离开时，因交通拥堵，Gemma步行回到宏福苑，发现火势越来越大。后来她只能搬去跟孩子一起住。
外佣是香港社会的运转上的重要齿轮。她们分担家务，让家庭主妇得以重新回到劳动市场；还协助照顾长者，缓解人口老龄化带来的照护压力。据香港立法会统计，2024年香港受聘的外佣人数为36.8万人，约占本地劳动人口的9.6%。其中约有20万人是菲佣，15万是印佣。
火灾之后，政府为受灾者提供援助金，但在社工Johannie接触到的外佣里，很多人还没拿到。有些人不知道怎么申请，或还没有获知消息。甚至有人连银行账户都没有。Johannie是注册社工，就职于Mission for Migrant Workers（外劳事工中心，以下简称：MFMW），是一家专门关注移工群体的非营利机构。
Johannie告诉我们，对于外佣来说，办理银行账户是个难题。移工们去银行，都会被反复问，为什么非要一个银行账户？菲律宾籍职员Lalang，是Johannie的同事。两人一起去银行时，工作人员默认她们是雇主和外佣的关系。住址也是问题之一，Johannie分析，“她们不会被视为会在香港稳定生活的人”。很多外佣与雇主住在一起，但雇主担心她们会在银行借贷之类的，不愿意提供自己家的住址。
因此，火灾后，Johannie所在的机构MFMW会给外佣提供应急现金。此外，机构将收到的捐赠物资，提供给外佣们，包括牙膏、内衣、卫生巾、食物、日常药品等生活物品。职员们会按照物品种类，放入不同的编织袋，贴上标签。他们还把一个人所需要的基本生活用品打包做成care packs，图方便的话，可以直接拿走一袋，如果还有额外的需求，再从编织袋里挑选。
外佣在MFMW试穿捐赠的鞋子
大火之后，很多移工还失去了自己的身份证、护照等证件，这是她们留在香港的合法性证明。有些外佣跟雇主关系比较好，就可以一起去补办证件。但这段时间，一些雇主失去了自己的房子，也有许多善后事务需要处理，往往没有多余的心力去顾及外佣的需求。
“你会看到任何crisis的情况，在她们身上，就会变成加倍的灾难。”Johannie总结道。
社工Johannie接触了很多宏福苑的外佣。一些人告诉Johannie，当时没有听到火灾警报声，也没有人通知她们要走。只是她们自己看到宏昌阁着火，决定要撤离。在外上班的雇主听说消息后，认为火势不会蔓延，叫她们不要走。现在回头看，跟危险擦肩而过的工人们都为自己的决定庆幸，“如果没有走，我就走不了”。
有些外佣会想，“为什么雇主叫我不要走？如果我没有走，我就死了，但是他叫我不要走，为什么不相信我的判断？是不是不在意我的安全？”但她们没法直接跟雇主说，只能向Johannie倾诉。Johannie帮助她们和雇主沟通。有些雇主向她们道歉了。
MFMW在广福邨平台为外佣提供物资的服务站（11月29日拍摄）
火灾发生时，大多雇主都在外上班，留在宏福苑的主要是长者、小朋友和外佣。
Johannie理解外佣们的处境，“她们也有一些struggle，犹豫应该走还是不走？应该选择我自己还是他？如果我自己走了，我怎么跟雇主交代？”经历内心斗争后，外佣们还是努力尝试把长者和小朋友也带出来。
目前，Johannie接触到的案例，要么是外佣成功带出雇主的家人，要么是她们一起遭遇伤亡，没有碰到外佣独自逃生的情况，“我没有看到只有工人一个人走出来的。”
在宏福苑周围，经常能见到社工、义工的身影，他们最重要的工作之一，是提供情绪支持——社工通常在政府机构注册，拥有社工专业教育背景和专业证书；义工则相当于志愿者，有意愿都可以参与。
义工不难辨认，通常胸前挂着工牌，有些还是学生模样。大学生Coman便是其中一位，他的挂带为绿色。手里总是拿着两包纸巾，看见面色凝重或流泪的人，就上前递出纸巾，闲聊几句。提供情绪支援，需要他先跟着社工实习，了解如何安抚陷入创伤的人，才能由他自己独立完成。
12月6日的凉亭
一天下来，Coman能接触上百人，聊天超过半小时的，大约十几位。除非碰到情绪波动过大、哭到停不下来的人，他才会转给社工处理。
Coman的朋友也住在宏福苑。大火之后，他没法若无其事地继续上学，就请了假，每天来宏福苑，常常工作超过24小时才休息。我问他上次睡觉是什么时候，他回答说前天，具体几点想不起来了。
创伤不是短时间能治愈的，Coman告诉我，自己能做的就是倾听、安慰，让对方的情绪暂时平复下来。有人失去了4个朋友，他只能告诉对方，还有很多人在陪着他，再提供一些疏解情绪的办法。
义工、社工们每天都会接收到许多负面情绪，内部也会互相提供支持。“就是接收情绪垃圾，满了之后，再倒给另一个垃圾桶，互相倒垃圾。”Coman说。
12月3日，在广福邨平台，几位年轻人背对被烧毁的宏福苑楼房，唱诗歌。据说是牧师联合多个地区的教会，轮流来这里唱歌，为人们舒缓情绪。
在广福邨平台唱诗歌的人
一个男人在弹吉他，两个二三十岁的女人唱歌，“了解我嘅軟弱，我嘅主，我嘅拯救者。”她们由《我的拯救者》唱到《细水长流》，吸引了一二十人在面前的凉亭驻足。
大火后，宏福苑社区中心被征用，祥满药行无意间成了新的社区中心。药行位于广福商场二楼，但由于楼宇遮挡，无法直接看到宏福苑。
起火那天，老板在电视上看新闻，才知道着火了。“喺呢度，一點聲音都冇聽到啊（在这里，一点声音都没听到啊）！”他无奈地摊手。阿Ben赶紧打电话给住在宏福苑的同学和熟人，还在屋子里的，就叫他们赶紧跑出来；在外面的，就不要回来了。
幸存的宏福苑居民、曾在宏福苑居住的人，陆续来药行，交换彼此近况。12月1日，穿着黑色毛衣的许太也来跟阿Ben报平安。
“人生幾咁脆弱啊（人生多么脆弱啊）！”许太感叹。
“人冇事就好啦。”阿Ben安慰道。
许太是宏福苑第一批入住的居民，至今已经42年。那时，房价只需要十几万港元，靠着先生做汽车维修工作，花了快20年才还清全部款项。本以为可以安度晚年了，结果一场大火烧掉了所有。
以前住在宏福苑的两位女性也回来探望，听说她们早前就搬走后，阿Ben忍不住感叹，“好彩啊（幸好）！”
“唔好話好彩啦（不要说幸好啦）！”
一位穿梅粉色外套的街坊看见许太的身影，迈着迟疑的步伐走过来，确认之后，立马抱住许太，打听她的状况。
穿梅粉色外套的街坊，给我看火灾当天的场景
没过多久，在广福商场一楼鱼汤店工作的小晴跑过来，一看到许太，就痛哭不已，“終於見到你喇（终于见到你啦）！”两人又紧紧抱住。
过去三四年，许太和先生几乎每天都去鱼汤店吃早餐。小晴说，他们算不上朋友，彼此的互动也仅限于在店里碰面问好，没有联系方式。但每天碰面的人突然消失，小晴还是觉得心里空落落的。
火灾后，小晴一直在确认熟客的下落，每天刷新闻，看到熟悉的面孔，才放下心来。上班时，也会时不时透过玻璃窗向外张望。这天是她要去帮朋友领物资，准备上扶梯时，惊喜般碰见许太。
几乎每个宏福苑居民在谈起这场火灾时，都会感叹“點會諗到咁大火（怎么会想到这么大火）”。最初大家都以为这只是一阵短暂的涟漪，生活很快会重归平静，然而事态的发展超乎所有人的想象。
火灾第二天，11月27日，为了避免火星被吹到附近的广礼楼，造成更多人员伤亡，警察挨家挨户敲门，要求居民在十分钟内收好行李，撤离到其它地方。
彭婆婆回忆当时的场景，“好驚（害怕）啊！” 她第一次亲眼见到这么大的火，慌乱地往行李箱塞满衣服和日用品。
“定啲，唔好驚（冷静点，不要害怕）。”警察安慰她，还帮忙压住满当当的行李箱，拉上拉链。因为电梯停运，彭婆婆只能从14楼爬楼梯下来，她原本就膝盖疼，幸好警察帮她提行李箱。后来她想起来不知道水龙头有没有关，也是警察帮忙去确认。
“阿Sir好好啊！”跟街坊碰面时，她感叹道。
“唔好要食投訴嘅啊，呢度係香港（不好要被投诉的，这里是香港）。”
夜晚的广福休息处
距离火灾发生，已经过去了一周多，祥满药行冷清了不少。药行老板阿Ben从5岁就生活在大埔，到现在已经二、三十年了。店里做的是熟人生意，“遊客都係去旺角、銅鑼灣，唔會嚟呢度（游客都是去旺角、铜锣湾，不会来这里）”。大量居民搬走后，店里的生意少了一半，入不敷出。老板阿Ben正和周边的商铺联合起来，跟房东谈减租，“至少要減到一半”。
“如果减租不成功，怎么办？”我问道。
“……噉就只可以抵押樓，喺銀行攞錢喇（那就只能抵押房子，从银行拿钱了）。”他似乎没想过，或者不愿意去想这种可能性，愣了一会儿，说出一个没有办法的办法。
12月6日，我准备离开香港。临走前去了一趟宏福苑，一位中年女人在贴着悼念纸条的凉亭，为遇难者诵经祈福。献花区，除了花束外，还多了玩偶、食物，和印有要求彻查真相的白纸。旁边的铁柱贴着一块棕色纸板，上面写着悼念活动将会在7日晚23：59：59结束。
12月6日的献花区
穿过地下菜市场，路过“两送饭”档口。我想起访谈结束后，彭婆婆听说我下午两点还没吃饭，就带着我来到这里。她说冰室吃饭贵，在档口挑两样菜只要28港元。那天我和彭婆婆就坐在广礼楼的树荫下，她告诉我，她已经在这里住了42年。房子有320多英尺，一个月租金只要2100港元。
她一脸满足地问我，“呢度係咪好好啊？（这里是不是很好啊？）”
”你好鍾意呢度嗎？點解？（你很喜欢这里吗？为什么？）”在灾区采访，很难遇到这样的神情，我忍不住问。
“透過屋企嘅窗戶，可以睇到海邊，好靚啊！嗰邊有個海濱公園，你一定要去睇下（透过房子里的窗户，可以看到海边，风景好漂亮！那边有个海滨公园，你一定要去看下）。”
“有缘再见！”彭婆婆跟我挥手告别。
*依照受访者意愿，文中除Johannie、Gemma、Lalang、Ali外，均为化名。
*图片均由作者拍摄。
© Jaimi Joy/Reuters
© Elio Della Ferrara/Arch. PaleoStelvio (PNS, MSNM, SABAP CO-LC)
© Cindy Schultz for The New York Times
© Mubi; Searchlight Pictures
© Vincent Alban/Reuters
BBCA 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe.
Aria was found dead at a house in Lime Close, Weston-super-Mare, shortly after 18:00 GMT on Monday.
A post-mortem examination found the preliminary cause of her death was a single stab wound, Avon and Somerset Police said.
The teenage suspect, who cannot be named due to his age, remains in custody and is due to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court later.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
Graham HuntleyScientists have shed light on the true origins of the so-called "first Black Briton".
The skeletal remains - dating from Roman times - were previously thought to belong to a woman from the sub-Saharan region.
This had led her to be dubbed "one of the earliest Africans in Britain".
But scientists have now said they cannot find any signs she was from Africa or had ancestry in that part of the world.
They detailed in a paper published on Wednesday she actually had a strong genetic similarity to individuals from rural Britain.
She likely had blue eyes, between pale and dark skin and light hair, scientists added.
A craniofacial reconstruction of the ancient skeleton had previously depicted her as having curly black hair, brown eyes and dark skin.
The skeleton was first uncovered in 2012 in a box in the basement of Eastbourne Town Hall in East Sussex.
The only information on the remains was a label saying 'Beachy Head (1959)' - gaining her the moniker the "Beachy Head Lady" after the beauty spot.
Multiple attempts to establish her geographical origins and ancestry were made afterwards.
The initial assessment that she was of recent sub-Saharan origin was originally based on analysis of her skull in 2013, scientists said.
"The discovery of the 'first black Briton known to us' gained traction across several media outlets, non-fiction books, educational resources and academic publications," they wrote in the paper.
However, scientists added, this interpretation began to shift.
Graham HuntleyOther scientists later suggested the Beachy Head Lady may have grown up around Eastbourne, but been born in Cyprus.
"Whilst these preliminary results were not published in a scientific journal, they were subsequently reported in the media," the paper's authors said.
Scientists' latest discovery is based on DNA analysis of the skeleton, which has been radiocarbon dated to between 129 and 311 AD.
The Beachy Head Lady is believed to have been aged between 18 and 25 when she died and was an estimated 5ft (1.52m) tall.
Scientists have said they cannot determine her cause of death.
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Getty ImagesThe UK is set to rejoin the Erasmus scheme, the BBC understands, five years after announcing that it would end its participation as part of the Brexit deal with the European Union.
The EU provides funding through the scheme for people to study, train or volunteer in other European countries for up to a year.
The UK replaced it with its own Turing scheme in 2021, which funds similar placements worldwide.
The government said it would not comment on ongoing talks.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had suggested in May that a youth mobility scheme could be part of a new deal with the EU.
The Erasmus scheme was scrapped in the UK in December 2020, when the government announced its post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.
Boris Johnson, prime minister at the time, said it was a "tough decision", but the scheme had become "extremely expensive".
He said it would be replaced by the Turing scheme, which has operated since then.
Both schemes are open not just to university students, but also to people doing vocational courses, as well as apprentices and people training at college or school.
In 2020, the last year in which the UK participated in Erasmus, the scheme received 144m euros (£126m) of EU funding for 55,700 people to take part in Erasmus projects overall.
The UK sent out 9,900 students and trainees to other countries as part of the scheme that year, while 16,100 came the other way.
Glasgow, Bristol and Edinburgh were the three universities to send the most students, and Spain, France and Germany were the most popular countries which UK students went to.
In the 2024/25 academic year, the Turing scheme had £105m of funding, which paid for 43,200 placements, with 24,000 of those being in higher education, 12,100 in further education and 7,000 in schools.
The majority (38,000) were from England, with 2,900 from Scotland, 1,000 from Wales and 1,200 from Northern Ireland.
Ministers who introduced the Turing scheme in 2021 said it was designed to benefit more people from disadvantaged backgrounds and provide greater support for travel costs than the Erasmus scheme did.
It is not yet clear what will happen to the Turing scheme once Erasmus is reintroduced for UK students.
Claire ThomsonLiving abroad while at university allowed me to become almost fluent in two other languages and have experiences that would never have been possible in Scotland.
While studying at the University of Glasgow in 2021, I moved to Germany aged 19 to work as an English language assistant for nine months - partly funded by the Erasmus scheme.
But just months earlier, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had pulled the UK out of the scheme as part of a deal to leave the European Union.
The funding lasted until 2021-22, which meant I was in the last cohort of students to receive Erasmus.
Edinburgh and Glasgow were two of the top three universities to send the most students on the scheme.
A year after I came back to Scotland, I moved to Nice in France to work as an intern for three months.
But this time I received funding from the replacement Turing scheme - which is similar to Erasmus but has a wider reach.
Now several years after it was scrapped, students will have more opportunities to study abroad as the UK is set to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange programme from 2027.
The Erasmus scheme allows students to study, train or volunteer in other European countries for up to a year, without paying any extra fees.
It is also open to those in vocational training, apprentices or people who are retraining through a college or school.
The scheme can cover travel, living and visa costs and course fees, with additional funding available for people with disabilities, additional learning needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Students pay fees to their home institutions, with additional costs covered by the European Union, funded by taxpayers' money.
The Turing scheme acts as a current replacement for Erasmus.
It has a more global reach than Erasmus, sending students to countries outside of Europe, including Canada, Japan and the US.
It funded nearly 3,000 placements in Scotland in 2024-25, according to data from the UK government.
The Turing scheme targets all students but focuses on the most disadvantaged.
Claire ThomsonThe money I received from both the Erasmus and Turing schemes meant most of my expenses were covered and I was able to travel around Germany and France in my free time.
In Germany, I attended local cultural festivals, explored beautiful towns and villages I would never know existed if I had not lived nearby.
I also spent time with colleagues, even helping one of them with the animals in her outhouses.
The accommodation and living costs in France were higher than in Germany which meant I had less freedom.
But I still had the chance to go on boat trips, try local cuisine and go on hikes along the coastline.
Claire ThomsonEach university has its own eligibility requirements and funding can be limited.
I received funding from both Erasmus and Turing as I studied French and German, and it was compulsory for me to complete three terms abroad.
For Erasmus, the money was split into two payments.
I received 80% of the grant at the start of the placement to help with initial costs, such as accommodation deposits, travel from the UK and visa documents.
The remainder was paid once the placement was complete.
To receive both Erasmus and Turing, I had to set and meet targets, outline responsibilities and provide feedback from my supervisor to show I was making progress and my language skills were improving.
Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency shows between 2013 and 2023, a total of 2,667 staff and 18,124 students from Scottish institutions took part in the Erasmus scheme.
All 27 EU member states are part of the programme, along with six non-members: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey.
Spain, France and Germany were the most popular Erasmus destinations for British students and trainees.
The scheme also allows students at European universities to study at a university in the UK.
Almost 1.5 million people and 85,600 organisations took part in the Erasmus scheme in 2024.
The government confirmed the UK will contribute approximately £570m to the scheme to cover the 2027-28 academic year.
It said it had secured a 30% discount on what it would have paid under its current trade agreement with the EU, which encompasses many other industries.
The EU Relations Minister said it was a "huge win" for young people and will ensure everyone has the opportunity to study and train abroad.
"This is about more than just travel," said Nick Thomas-Symonds.
"It's about future skills, academic success, and giving the next generation access to the best possible opportunities."
Royal Society of Edinburgh's president and former principal of Glasgow University Sir Anton Muscatelli said he welcomed the UK government's decision.
"Anyone who has ever studied abroad will attest that the connections and collaborations fostered through international study reap benefits for many years," he said.
"Erasmus also opens up Scotland to students for all over Europe to come to here and experience the world-class higher education and excellence in research that our nation has to offer."
Amit RathaurOn a recent winter morning in Panna, a diamond mining region in central India, two childhood friends made a discovery that they think could change their lives forever.
Satish Khatik and Sajid Mohammed stumbled upon a large, glistening rock on a plot of land they had leased just weeks earlier.
When they took the stone to the city's official diamond evaluator, they learnt they had found a 15.34-carat gem-quality diamond - one of the finest varieties of natural diamonds that exist.
"The estimated market price of the stone is around five to six million rupees [$55,000 - $66,000; £41,000 - £49,000] and it will be auctioned soon," Anupam Singh, the diamond evaluator, told BBC Hindi.
The government holds quarterly auctions, drawing buyers from across India and abroad to bid for the diamonds.
"Estimated prices depend on the dollar rate and benchmarks set by the Rapaport report," Mr Singh said. Rapaport is widely regarded as a leading authority on independent diamond and jewellery market analysis.
Mr Khatik and Mr Mohammed say they are over the moon. "We can now get our sisters married," they said.
Mr Khatik, 24, who runs a meat shop and Mr Mohammed, 23 who sells fruits, come from poor backgrounds and are the youngest sons in their families.
For generations, their families have been trying their luck at finding diamonds, which is a common quest among the district's residents.
Panna, which is in Madhya Pradesh state, is among India's least developed districts - its residents face poverty, water scarcity and unemployment.
But it's also home to most of India's diamond reserves and remains a prime destination for diamond hunters.
India's diamond reserves are relatively limited compared with the world's major producers, but they are historically significant.
While most mines are run by the federal government, state authorities lease small plots to locals each year at nominal rates. With few job opportunities in the city, residents hope for a prized find to improve their fortunes - but most come up empty-handed.
Mr Mohammed says that his father and grandfather had dug through these plots for decades but discovered nothing more that "dust and slivers of quartz".
His father Nafees says that the "gods have finally rewarded their hard work and patience".
Amit RathaurThey leased a plot in search of diamonds partly out of desperation, as their meagre incomes could not keep pace with rising household costs - let alone pay for a wedding, Mr Mohammed told the BBC.
Searching for diamonds is no easy task but the two friends would sift through mounds of dirt after work in the evenings, or whenever they got time off from their day jobs.
Like most locals, they searched for diamonds by hand - digging pits, hauling out soil and rock, washing it through sieves and carefully sifting through thousands of tiny stones once dried.
Ravi Patel, Panna's district mining officer, said the two friends were incredibly lucky.
"They had leased out a plot on 19 November. It's their luck that they found a diamond of gem quality within a few weeks," he said.
Though they have yet to collect the money, Mr Khatik and Mr Mohammed say they are hopeful.
"We are not thinking of buying land, expanding our businesses or moving to a bigger city; not yet. For now, we are focused on getting our sisters married," they said.
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Archer strikes to take three Australian wickets on day one
In some ways we have been here before.
The common view was England had to win in Perth.
Having failed to do so, they had to win in Brisbane, given they have never won an Ashes series from 2-0 down.
Defeat at the Gabba left only the keenest optimists holding on to the faintest hope. Most of that is only for the series to remain alive for another week.
But this, a Thursday in Adelaide, really is it.
Play well - and by well we mean take the final two Australian wickets quickly before batting all day - and Ben Stokes' side have the chance to control the rest of this match.
You can forget about your cricketing Christmas if England are not still batting when the UK wakes up for breakfast on Thursday but that's not the only failing they must correct to prevent 18 December 2025 being the day Bazball finally died...
England's first task on day two is to quickly end the Australian innings - a task rarely their specialty.
In the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle, England's bowlers were the sixth-worst team at removing the tail and that trend continued in the second Test in Brisbane where Mitchell Starc's 77 helped Australia extend their innings from 383-7 to 511 all out.
From there, defeat was inevitable.
Starc remains again in Adelaide, unbeaten on 33, and Thursday's forecast - which predicts Adelaide to be hotter than Western Sahara - only reinforces the importance in a swift England exit from the field.
Every minute saved will be respite for England's bowlers, inflicting Australia to the worst of the searing South Australian heat.
There is no better time for Josh Tongue, recalled for his first match of the series, to remind just why he gained the nickname The Mop.
They will also be helped by a ball still just three overs old. Time, too, for Jofra Archer to take the two wickets needed to claim his first five-wicket haul in Tests for six years.
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'Terrific' Carey makes first Test century against England
England have pointed to the 2023 Ashes series, where they fell 2-0 down before fighting back to draw 2-2, as evidence for why fans should still have faith.
In the third Test of that contest, at Headingley, England conceded a first-innings deficit but roared back to win in a run chase.
Attempting a repeat in Adelaide, where there has been one successful chase over 200 in 43 years, would surely have a different outcome.
With the pitch set to take spin later but good for now, first-innings runs are critical. Australia were generous in gifting some of their dismissals on day one and England cannot fail to take advantage.
"I firmly believe on that pitch, which is a very good batting pitch, 450-500 is going to win you the Test match," said former England spinner Graeme Swann on TNT Sports.
"England have bowled themselves into a position where they will bat on days two and three, which are the best batting days on this pitch."
Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, former England captain Michael Vaughan added: "Bat the whole day tomorrow. Roast Australia in the heat of the Adelaide Oval.
"They are going to need a first-innings lead. Batting last on that wicket is not going to be easy."
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Archer dismisses Labuschagne and Green in first over after lunch interval
However, batting long was England's biggest problem in the first two Tests of this series.
They managed only 67.3 overs across both innings of the first Test combined and did not survive long enough for Australia to require a second new ball in either innings of the second.
Harry Brook has admitted playing "shocking" shots. Now is the chance to show he really has learned.
Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope are on their last drink in last chance saloon.
England must first repeat what they achieved for the first time this series in the second innings in Brisbane, surviving the opening over from left-armer Starc, before an entirely different prospect follows.
Having been a second-string in the first two Tests, Australia's bowling attack is back to near full strength with captain Pat Cummins fit again and spinner Nathan Lyon recalled.
No bowler has taken more than Lyon's 63 wickets at the Adelaide Oval - a ground he knows from his 15 Tests but also his time working on the groundstaff.
Lyon's old boss is still the curator in Adelaide. Even more reason to score your runs before the ball turns big.
"England are going to have to go big because the main difference is Nathan Lyon," said former Australia opener Justin Langer on TNT Sports.
"Even [England spinner] Will Jacks got a few to spin but it's going to be 40 degrees tomorrow and will start spinning so England have to capitalise on this very flat wicket.
"England have to be thinking they'll only bat once, it's that flat a wicket. I didn't see a ball swing or seam all day. This is a batting paradise."
Is that hope? Ask again on Thursday morning...
© Philip Cheung for The New York Times
© Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York Times
© Kenny Holston/The New York Times
© Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Ohio gubernatorial hopeful and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy urged conservatives to reject "Groyper transgressions," becoming the latest Republican to weigh in on the ongoing debate in the party over antisemitism.
“If, like Mr. Fuentes, you believe that Hitler was “really f-ing cool,” or if you publicly call Usha Vance a “jeet,” then you have no place in the conservative movement, period,” Ramaswamy wrote in a New York Times op-ed published Wednesday, referring to a derogatory ethnic slur against South Asians.
In the quote, Ramaswamy was referencing Nick Fuentes and Vice President JD Vance’s wife Usha Vance, the daughter of Indian immigrant parents.
Ramaswamy shared that he has been the target of racial slurs and attacks on social media, despite “older Republicans” doubting the rising prevalence white supremacy in right-leaning online circles.
As the number of “Groypers,” or followers and fans of Fuentes, appears to grow, Ramaswmy said, there is a “real reluctance” from his fellow Republicans to condemn the “new identity politics on the right.”
“It should be acceptable on the right to criticize U.S. aid to Israel or immigrant visas, but it is downright unacceptable to spew poison toward Jews, Indians or any other ethnic group,” said Ramaswamy, the son of Indian immigrants.
The Republican Party has been embroiled in an intra-party struggle over whether the party should welcome groups associated with Fuentes, a debate that burst into the open after Tucker Carlson interviewed Fuentes on his podcast. Carlson, during his friendly October interview with Fuentes, said GOP backers of Israel have been “seized by this brain virus.” Fuentes said that “organized Jewry” is a major barrier to unifying America.
While President Donald Trump defended Carlson’s decision to interview Fuentes, House Speaker Mike Johnson called it a “big mistake.” The president of the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, Kevin Roberts, also initially defended Carlson’s interview, arguing the real enemy was “the vile ideas of the left.” But after immense backlash — including from Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and multiple employees quitting — Roberts walked back his comments and condemned Fuentes’ rhetoric.
In his op-ed, Ramaswamy said that condemning the antisemitism brewing within a faction of the GOP does not need to equate to censorship but “moral clarity instead of indulgence.”
“The point isn’t to clutch pearls, but to prevent the gradual legitimization of this un-American animus,” he said. “This online edgelording reminds me of toddlers testing their parents’ limits: The job of a real Republican leader is to set firm boundaries for young followers, as a good father does for a transgressive son.”
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Dave Sandford / Discover ChurchillResearchers tracking wild polar bears in northern Canada witnessed something exceedingly rare this fall: a mother bear adopting a cub that was not biologically her own.
The five-year-old mother bear and her 10- to 11-month-old cubs were observed and captured on camera during the annual polar bear migration along the Western Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, a town known for its polar bear population.
"It's unusual," Alyssa McCall, a scientist at Polar Bears International, said in a video. "We don't really know why it happens...but we know it doesn't happen often at all."
It's only the 13th known case of adoption out of the 4,600 bears studied for nearly five decades in the area.
Dave Sandford / Discover ChurchillThe mother bear was first captured as she emerged from her maternity den this spring. At the time, she had one cub, which scientists tagged for study.
In the fall, she was seen again, but this time with two cubs - the original cub that had been tagged and another without a tag. Researchers aren't sure what happened to the new cub's biological mother, but they are trying to identify her with genetic samples.
"The bears need all the help they can get these days with climate change," Evan Richardson, a polar bear scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said in a video statement. "If females have the opportunity to pick up another cub and care for it and successfully wean it, it's a good thing for bears in Churchill."
Polar bears in the wild only have a 50% chance of surviving into adulthood, but having a mother caring for them improves their odds.
The cubs appear to be healthy, researchers said, and they will likely stay with their mother until they are about two-and-a-half years old.
Next, the family is expected to head out to sea ice, where the cubs will learn from their mother how to hunt seals and survive on their own.
"It's just nice to know that the bears are looking out for each other," Richardson said.
Getty ImagesWarner Bros Discovery will urge its shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance's $108.4bn (£80.75bn) takeover bid as soon as Wednesday, according to reports.
Paramount has said its offer is "superior" to a $72bn deal that Warner Bros struck with Netflix for its film and streaming businesses.
At the same time, a key backer of Paramount's attempt to buy Warner Bros, Affinity Partners, has reportedly pulled out of the bid, citing the involvement of "two strong competitors". Affinity was founded by US businessman and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Warner Bros declined to comment when contacted by the BBC. Paramount and Affinity have also been asked for a response to the reports.
Warner Bros will advise its shareholders to reject Paramount's offer for a number of reasons including concerns over how the deal would be financed, according to the Financial Times.
The media giant put itself up for sale in October after receiving "multiple" expressions of interest from potential buyers, including approaches from Paramount Skydance.
On 5 December, Warner Bros Discovery said it had agreed to sell its film and streaming businesses to Netflix.
The following week, Paramount Skydance launched a new offer for the whole company, including its television networks.
Paramount is backed by the billionaire Ellison family, which has close ties to the president.
A takeover of Warner Bros is expected to face scrutiny from competition regulators in the US and Europe.
A new owner of Warner Bros would gain a significant edge in the highly competitive streaming market. It would get a huge library of films and TV shows, including Harry Potter, Friends and the HBO Max streaming service.
Some in the film industry have criticised the deal. The Writers Guild of America's East and West branches called for the merger to be blocked, arguing that it would result in lower wages and job cuts.
The volume of content for viewers would also be reduced, it said.
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