The ongoing debate over school timings in the UAE has intensified as Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor, a prominent billionaire and head of Dubai’s Al Habtoor Group, reiterates his call for shorter school days. Speaking on November 14, 2025, Al Habtoor emphasized that the quality of education should not be measured by the number of hours students spend in classrooms. This is not the first time he has raised this issue; a similar appeal in May sparked widespread discussions among parents, many of whom agreed that extended school hours are detrimental to children’s energy, health, and family life. Al Habtoor argued that prolonged school schedules often lead to student fatigue, diminished enthusiasm, and a loss of focus, turning education into a burden rather than a joyful experience. He urged the UAE’s Ministry of Education and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to reconsider school hours, not to reduce learning but to enhance its quality. Citing Switzerland’s successful educational model, Al Habtoor highlighted how Swiss students benefit from shorter, balanced academic blocks with regular breaks, allowing their minds to rest and function effectively. He also pointed out that many of the UAE’s founding leaders were educated in schools with shorter hours, yet they achieved remarkable success through determination, intelligence, and a strong work ethic. The debate has gained traction as Dubai residents grapple with increasing traffic congestion, further fueling calls for reforms in school timings.
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AI that predicts future? UAE’s MBZUAI develops tech that anticipates ‘what’s next’
In a groundbreaking development, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi has introduced PAN, an advanced AI model capable of predicting future events while maintaining human-like consistency in its responses. Unlike existing systems such as OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo, which often produce visually stunning but temporally inconsistent video clips, PAN excels in preserving scene structure and object continuity over extended sequences. This innovation marks a significant leap in AI technology, addressing a critical gap in current video generation models. PAN operates through a two-stage process: first, it creates an internal representation of the environment by recognizing objects, motion, and relationships over time. Second, it translates this understanding into coherent video outputs, updating them dynamically as instructions evolve. This approach ensures stability and realism, making PAN particularly valuable for applications in robotics, autonomous systems, and industrial planning. Developed collaboratively by MBZUAI teams in Abu Dhabi, Paris, and Silicon Valley, PAN is part of a broader initiative to reduce reliance on imported technology. The model and its technical documentation are freely accessible at panworld.ai, positioning the UAE as a leader in open AI research. PAN’s ability to anticipate outcomes and understand the physical world’s dynamics represents a significant step toward AI systems that can reason and predict with genuine accuracy.
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Shenzhou XX mission crew returns after debris delays landing
The Shenzhou XX mission crew successfully returned to Earth on Friday afternoon, marking the end of an extended stay aboard the Tiangong space station. The landing, initially scheduled for November 5, was delayed by nine days due to a suspected space debris impact that caused a cracked window on their spacecraft. The re-entry capsule, carrying mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie, touched down at the Dongfeng Landing Site in Inner Mongolia at 4:40 pm. The astronauts had to use the Shenzhou XXI mission’s re-entry capsule after their own vessel was deemed unsafe. Ground recovery personnel from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center conducted initial safety checks and assessed the crew’s health. The Shenzhou XXI mission crew had already taken over the space station on November 4, ensuring a smooth transition. This incident highlights the challenges of space exploration and the importance of contingency planning.
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Ariana Grande left shaken after fan charges at her; serial invader sparks safety concerns
Pop sensation Ariana Grande experienced a harrowing moment during the yellow carpet premiere of ‘Wicked: For Good’ in Singapore on November 13, 2025. A man, identified as a notorious Instagram creator known as ‘Pyjama Man,’ breached security and lunged towards Grande, leaving the cast and crew visibly stunned. The incident occurred as Grande posed alongside co-stars Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, and director Jon M. Chu. Security responded swiftly, but it was Erivo who acted first, pushing the intruder away and pulling Grande into a protective hug, while Yeoh closed in from the other side. The cast quickly formed a human shield around the shaken singer. Videos of the incident, now widely circulated online, show the man charging at Grande. Hours later, he reposted the footage on social media with a message thanking Grande for the encounter. This incident has sparked global outrage, as it was revealed that ‘Pyjama Man’ is a serial intruder who has previously breached security at events featuring celebrities like Katy Perry, The Weeknd, The Chainsmokers, and even hugged cricketer Virat Kohli during the India–Australia World Cup final. Singapore police have taken him into custody, and the incident has intensified discussions around celebrity safety and event security. The alarming trend of content-driven boundary crossing has raised significant concerns within the entertainment industry.
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GMU’s Thumbay College of Management & AI in Healthcare launches UAE’s first Thumbay AI Clinic
Gulf Medical University (GMU), a leading private medical institution in the region, has unveiled the Thumbay AI Clinic, a pioneering initiative aimed at revolutionizing healthcare education and clinical practice through artificial intelligence (AI). Officially inaugurated by Dr. Thumbay Moideen, founder president of Thumbay Group, the clinic represents a significant milestone in the digital transformation of healthcare. The facility, powered by Zoom’s AI Companion and HP | Poly’s advanced technologies, introduces cutting-edge features such as AI-generated clinical notes, automated meeting summaries, and context-aware collaboration tools. These innovations are designed to enhance precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes while ensuring secure, HIPAA-compliant hybrid care models. The Thumbay AI Clinic serves as a hands-on innovation hub, enabling students, faculty, and healthcare professionals to explore AI’s role in diagnostics, telemedicine, and collaborative care. Dr. Moideen emphasized that the clinic embodies GMU’s mission to prepare future healthcare leaders for an AI-driven world, stating, ‘The future of healthcare lies at the intersection of knowledge, compassion, and technology.’ Professor Manda Venkatramana, vice-chancellor of GMU, highlighted the clinic’s transformative impact on education and research, noting that it creates intelligent ecosystems that mirror real-world healthcare dynamics. This initiative underscores GMU’s commitment to integrating technology into healthcare learning, fostering professionals who excel in both clinical expertise and digital fluency.
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5 Chinese nationals killed, 8 injured in traffic accident in Indonesia’s Bali
A devastating traffic accident in Bali, Indonesia, has resulted in the deaths of five Chinese nationals and left eight others injured. The incident occurred early Friday in Buleleng Regency, located in the northern part of the island. According to the Chinese Consulate General in Denpasar, the accident involved a single vehicle, though specific details regarding the cause remain under investigation. The consulate has promptly initiated emergency response measures, providing necessary assistance to the injured and coordinating with local authorities to ensure the deceased are repatriated with dignity. This tragic event underscores the importance of road safety and the need for heightened awareness among tourists navigating unfamiliar terrains. The Chinese government has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and is closely monitoring the situation to offer further support.
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Switzerland to boost US investment as deal struck to lower US tariffs on Swiss goods to 15%
In a landmark development for international trade, Switzerland has unveiled a strategic plan to invest $200 billion in the United States by 2028. This announcement coincided with the finalization of a significant trade agreement that will substantially reduce U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods. Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin revealed that the Trump administration has agreed to lower tariffs on most Swiss products from 39% to 15%, aligning them with the rates applied to the European Union. This agreement marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Swiss trade relations, which had been strained since August when U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods were unexpectedly raised from 31% to 39%. The Swiss Federal Council, the country’s executive body, expressed gratitude to President Trump for his constructive engagement in resolving the dispute. The tariff reduction follows months of intense negotiations and lobbying efforts by Swiss government officials and business leaders, who had been advocating for more favorable trade terms. This deal is expected to bolster economic ties between the two nations and create new opportunities for Swiss exporters in the U.S. market.
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Several killed after bus crashes into Stockholm bus stop
A tragic bus accident in central Stockholm has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, according to Swedish police. The incident occurred at approximately 15:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Valhallavägen street, a bustling area in the Swedish capital. Authorities have confirmed that the bus driver has been arrested, and a manslaughter investigation has been initiated as part of standard procedure. Police have refrained from disclosing specific details regarding the number, gender, or ages of the victims at this stage. Local media images depict emergency responders working diligently to assist individuals trapped beneath the double-decker bus. Transdev, the company responsible for operating local bus services in northern Stockholm, has acknowledged that the bus involved in the crash was part of their fleet. A shop owner on the street, who witnessed the event, reported that the bus collided with a pole in front of the bus shelter. The witness also mentioned that several distressed individuals sought refuge in their shop, visibly shaken and in tears. This developing story is being closely monitored, and further updates are expected shortly.
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Fact check: Viral video of ‘Tesla Glide’ flying shoes is AI-generated
The digital realm is once again abuzz with a viral video showcasing what appears to be a groundbreaking innovation: ‘Tesla Glide’ flying shoes. The footage, which has captivated social media users, depicts a demonstrator effortlessly lifting off a stage, hovering in mid-air, and gliding across a room to the astonishment of onlookers. However, this seemingly futuristic technology is not what it seems. The video has been confirmed as an AI-generated deepfake, further blurring the lines between reality and artificial intelligence.
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Bus crashes into a bus stop in Stockholm and causes fatalities, police say
A tragic incident unfolded in Stockholm on Friday afternoon when a double-decker bus collided with a bus stop, resulting in fatalities and injuries, according to local police. The crash occurred at 3:23 p.m. on Valhallavägen, a prominent street in the Östermalm district of the Swedish capital. Authorities were swiftly alerted to the scene, but details regarding the exact number of victims remain undisclosed. Initial reports from Swedish news agency TT indicate that the bus was not in service at the time of the accident, and no passengers were on board. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with no immediate clarity on what led to the devastating event. Emergency services responded promptly, but the full extent of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined.