分类: society

  • Retired teachers revitalize higher education in Xinjiang

    Retired teachers revitalize higher education in Xinjiang

    In a remarkable effort to address educational disparities, retired teachers from China’s eastern regions have been actively contributing to the revitalization of higher education in the less-developed western areas. Since the late 1990s, these seasoned educators have been making the arduous journey to impart their knowledge and expertise. Among them is Professor Ju Chunhua, a retired faculty member from the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), who has dedicated the past three years to teaching at Kashi University in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Ju, who has over three decades of teaching experience, felt a strong sense of duty to support the educational development in the western regions. Despite the challenging living conditions, including a harsh climate and disrupted routines, Ju remained steadfast in her commitment. She introduced innovative teaching methods, incorporating artificial intelligence to make complex subjects more engaging for students. Ju’s efforts have not only enhanced the academic rigor at Kashi University but also inspired a new generation of educators. Her story is part of a broader initiative by HIT, which has sent numerous retired teachers to support universities in western China, significantly contributing to their academic and professional development.

  • ‘To think we’re going to school today and she won’t be there’

    ‘To think we’re going to school today and she won’t be there’

    A devastating road accident near Dundalk, County Louth, has resulted in the loss of five young lives, leaving communities in shock and mourning. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at approximately 21:00 local time on the Ardee Road at Gibstown. The victims, all in their early 20s, were traveling in a Volkswagen Golf that collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser. The deceased have been identified as Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath, County Meath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee, County Louth; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire, Scotland. Three other individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment. Chloe McGee, a teacher at O’Fiaich College in Dundalk, was remembered by her principal, Padraig McGovern, as a vibrant and dedicated educator. McGovern expressed the profound difficulty of conveying this tragic news to the students, emphasizing the emotional toll on the school community. North Motherwell Football Club also paid tribute to Chloe Hipson, the younger sister of one of their players, describing the Hipson family as an integral part of their football family. The club announced a minute of silence in her memory. Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin both expressed their deep sorrow and extended their condolences to the families of the victims. Gardaí are investigating the circumstances of the crash and have appealed to witnesses to come forward.

  • Mobile judicial teams ensure justice for all

    Mobile judicial teams ensure justice for all

    In a groundbreaking initiative to ensure justice is accessible to all, mobile judicial teams in China are bringing legal services directly to remote areas and tourist hotspots. This innovative approach, part of the broader implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, aims to resolve disputes efficiently and equitably, even in the most challenging environments.

  • Timbuktu’s famed manuscripts escaped al-Qaida but the threat remains

    Timbuktu’s famed manuscripts escaped al-Qaida but the threat remains

    In a daring act of cultural preservation, Abdoulaye Cissé, the general secretary of the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Islamic Studies and Research, risked his life to smuggle 28,000 fragile manuscripts out of Timbuktu thirteen years ago. This heroic effort unfolded as al-Qaida-linked extremists overran the historic desert town. Under the cover of darkness, Cissé and his team transported the manuscripts via donkey carts, wooden boats, and buses on a perilous 1,200-kilometer journey to Mali’s capital, Bamako. The operation, which took a month, was fraught with danger but ultimately successful in safeguarding these irreplaceable artifacts of West African history. In August, the manuscripts were returned to Timbuktu, a move celebrated by local leaders and the Malian government as a triumph of cultural pride and preservation. However, the threat of al-Qaida persists, with recent attacks and a fuel blockade imposed by the JNIM group underscoring the ongoing instability in the region. Timbuktu, once a global center of Islamic learning, houses an estimated 377,000 manuscripts in both public and private collections. These documents, many of which were also smuggled to Bamako, challenge the misconception that African history was primarily oral. They provide a rich archive of West African empires, scholarly debates, and historical events dating back centuries. The manuscripts reveal a tolerant and respectful Islamic tradition, with one decree in a private library explicitly protecting women’s rights. The destruction of over 4,000 manuscripts and UNESCO World Heritage Sites by al-Qaida in 2012 was a devastating blow, prompting renewed efforts to digitize and protect these treasures. Today, nearly all of the institute’s manuscripts are digitized, with backups stored on remote servers. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including the need for modern storage facilities and surveillance systems. Timbuktu’s residents, deeply committed to their cultural heritage, strive to balance preservation with accessibility, ensuring that these manuscripts continue to inspire and educate future generations.

  • Landslide strikes bus on mountain pass in Vietnam, killing 6, as heavy rain persists

    Landslide strikes bus on mountain pass in Vietnam, killing 6, as heavy rain persists

    A devastating landslide struck a passenger bus on the perilous Khanh Le pass in Vietnam’s central highlands, resulting in six fatalities and injuring 19 others. The incident occurred late Sunday as the bus, carrying 32 passengers from Ho Chi Minh City, was en route from Da Lat to the coastal city of Nha Trang. The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, buried the front of the bus, trapping numerous passengers and complicating rescue efforts. Rescuers faced significant challenges due to additional landslides that blocked access to the area, delaying their arrival until after midnight. Two bodies remain trapped under debris as the treacherous terrain continues to hinder recovery operations. The Khanh Le pass, a 33-kilometer stretch known for its scenic beauty and popularity among tourists, is particularly vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season. Meanwhile, central Vietnam braces for more heavy rain, with forecasts predicting up to 85 centimeters in some areas. This region, already battered by Typhoon Kalmaegi, has seen historic floods this year, exacerbating the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Vietnam, one of the world’s most flood-prone nations, faces increasing threats from climate change, which scientists warn is intensifying storms and rainfall across Southeast Asia, leading to more frequent and destructive floods and landslides.

  • Jurors in high-profile Australian trial visit beach where murder victim found

    Jurors in high-profile Australian trial visit beach where murder victim found

    In a significant development in the high-profile murder trial of Toyah Cordingley, jurors were taken to the remote Wangetti Beach in northern Queensland, where the 24-year-old’s body was discovered in 2018. The visit aimed to familiarize the jury with key locations in the case, though no official evidence was presented during the trip. The jury, consisting of ten men and two women, along with three backup jurors, accompanied the judge and barristers to the site, marking the second week of the trial. The tropical conditions prompted an unusual courtroom attire, with Justice Lincoln Crowley opting for a T-shirt, sports shorts, and trainers instead of traditional robes. The prosecution alleges that Rajwinder Singh, a 41-year-old former nurse, repeatedly stabbed Ms. Cordingley with a sharp object and buried her in a shallow grave, leaving her with ‘little or no hope of surviving.’ Singh, who fled to India shortly after the murder, denies the charges. The prosecution has presented circumstantial evidence, including DNA from a stick at the scene, which is 3.8 billion times more likely to belong to Singh than a random individual. Additionally, the movements of Ms. Cordingley’s phone after the killing reportedly matched those of Singh’s blue Alfa Romeo. The defense has yet to present its case but has described Singh as a ‘placid’ and ‘caring’ man who was in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time.’ The trial is set to resume in the conventional courtroom setting on Tuesday.

  • UAE launches mass wedding initiative for Gazans; registrations open

    UAE launches mass wedding initiative for Gazans; registrations open

    In a heartwarming gesture to mark the UAE’s 54th Union Day, the nation has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative titled ‘The Dress of Joy,’ aimed at supporting mass weddings in the Gaza Strip. The project, launched on November 16, 2025, seeks to alleviate the hardships faced by Gazan families following two years of devastating conflict. By facilitating the weddings of 54 grooms, the initiative not only celebrates love but also underscores the UAE’s commitment to humanitarian aid. The project coincides with the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad, symbolizing unity and hope. To participate, eligible grooms must meet specific criteria, including Palestinian nationality, permanent residency in Gaza, and low-income status. Registrations are open from November 16 to November 19, 2025, through the Operation Chivalrous Knight’s website. This initiative reflects the UAE’s ongoing efforts to support vulnerable communities and foster resilience in times of crisis.

  • German auction of Nazi concentration camp items cancelled, Polish minister says

    German auction of Nazi concentration camp items cancelled, Polish minister says

    A controversial auction in Germany, which included artefacts from Nazi concentration camps such as Buchenwald and Auschwitz, has been cancelled following widespread public condemnation. The decision was announced by Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, who expressed gratitude to his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, for ensuring that ‘such a scandal must be prevented.’ The auction, organized by German auction house Felzmann in Neuss, was set to feature over 600 items, including a letter from an Auschwitz prisoner and medical records detailing the forced sterilisation of a Dachau prisoner. The sale faced immediate backlash from Holocaust survivors’ groups and politicians, who argued that such items should not be commodified. Sikorski emphasized on social media that ‘respect for victims requires the dignity of silence, not the din of commerce.’ By Sunday afternoon, the auction listing had been removed from Felzmann’s website. German State Minister for Culture Wolfram Weimer stated that documents and expert reports by Nazi perpetrators should not be part of private collections and called for measures to prevent similar auctions in the future. Christoph Heubner of the International Auschwitz Committee condemned the auction as ‘cynical and shameless,’ urging that these artefacts belong to the families of the victims and should be displayed in museums or memorial exhibitions. Poland’s Culture Minister, Marta Cienkowska, announced an investigation into the provenance of the artefacts to determine if any should be repatriated to Poland. Auschwitz, a central site in the Nazi campaign to exterminate Europe’s Jewish population, saw nearly one million Jewish deaths, alongside Poles, Roma, and Russian prisoners of war.

  • Oman authorities airlift hiker who sustained injury during mountain trek

    Oman authorities airlift hiker who sustained injury during mountain trek

    Omani authorities have recently carried out a series of rescue operations for injured hikers, emphasizing the importance of safety measures during mountain and nature activities. In the latest incident, an Italian woman sustained a head injury while hiking in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, located in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. The Royal Oman Police Air Wing swiftly airlifted her to Khoula Hospital for urgent medical care. This follows another rescue on October 17, where a hiker injured his foot in the IMTI area of Al Dakhiliyah and was transported to Nizwa Hospital. Earlier, on July 25, authorities assisted a hiker injured in the rugged terrain of Salalah in Dhofar Governorate, with the Civil Defence and Ambulance Department responding promptly. These incidents highlight the challenges of remote and difficult terrains and the critical need for rapid emergency response. Authorities have urged outdoor enthusiasts to take necessary precautions and ensure safety measures while engaging in such activities.

  • UAE weather tomorrow: Temperatures to drop; cloudy day expected

    UAE weather tomorrow: Temperatures to drop; cloudy day expected

    The United Arab Emirates is set to experience a noticeable shift in weather conditions as temperatures are expected to drop across the region. According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), Monday, November 17, will bring fair to partly cloudy skies, with low clouds forming over the sea and islands. This change marks the seasonal transition from autumn to winter, particularly affecting coastal areas. Temperatures in Dubai are forecasted to reach a low of 23ºC, while Sharjah will see a cooler 17ºC. Abu Dhabi will also experience a dip, with temperatures dropping to 20ºC. Humidity is expected to increase by night and into Tuesday morning, potentially leading to fog or mist in coastal and internal regions. Winds will be light to moderate, blowing from the northeast to northwest at speeds of 10-20 km/h, occasionally reaching 30 km/h. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea will remain slight. Residents are advised to stay updated on weather developments as the UAE embraces the cooler season.