In a significant shift, schools across the UAE have announced a new policy that will count student absences as double during the period from November 10 to 19, 2025. This measure, introduced in alignment with the Ministry of Education’s procedural guidelines, aims to ensure academic discipline and readiness as students prepare for their end-of-first-term exams. Previously, the double-absence rule was only enforced on Fridays for unexcused absences. However, this term, the policy will apply to all days leading up to the examinations, which are scheduled from November 20 to December 4, 2025. The policy stipulates that one unexcused day of absence will be recorded as two, potentially impacting a student’s eligibility to meet passing requirements. School administrations have emphasized the importance of daily attendance during this critical period, which also features several academic and enrichment initiatives designed to enhance student performance. These include the ‘Together with the Structure’ Initiative, the ‘Success Initiative,’ and the ‘Digital Empowerment Initiative,’ all aimed at fostering independent learning, creativity, and innovation. Additionally, schools have urged students and parents to ensure the readiness of electronic devices used for online assessments, with repair costs for damaged devices being the responsibility of parents. Secure browsers can be downloaded through official links to ensure a safe testing environment. The policy underscores the Ministry’s vision to build a disciplined, future-ready generation while maintaining academic excellence.
分类： society
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Vatican investigates Swiss Guard after allegations of an antisemitic incident in St. Peter’s Square
The Vatican has launched an investigation into a reported antisemitic incident involving a member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. The alleged event occurred on October 29 during a papal audience at the entrance to St. Peter’s Square, which was dedicated to commemorating the anniversary of a 1965 declaration on the church’s relations with Jews and other non-Christians. According to accounts, the guard reportedly made a spitting gesture and hissed “the Jews” at two Jewish women who were part of an international delegation attending the event. Israeli writer and theatre director Michal Govrin, one of the individuals involved, confirmed the incident in an interview with Austrian news agency Kathpress. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that the incident is under review, emphasizing the Guard’s commitment to dignity, equality, and non-discrimination. Pope Leo XIV, addressing the audience that day, reiterated the Church’s stance against antisemitism, receiving widespread applause. The Pontifical Swiss Guard, established in 1506, is the world’s oldest standing military corps tasked with protecting the Pope.
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Scholars call for ecological protection of Tunbu culture
Academics are urging the preservation of the ecological and cultural integrity of Guizhou’s Tunbu culture as the province seeks to leverage it as a tourism attraction. These concerns were highlighted during the 2025 Tunbu Cultural Conference held recently. Professor Qian Liqun from Peking University emphasized that any development of Tunbu culture, rooted in the history of military immigrants centuries ago, must prioritize the well-being of local communities. He cautioned against transforming the culture into a profit-driven spectacle disconnected from its origins. Tunbu culture, which emerged during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), represents a unique blend of Han traditions and local ethnic customs, evident in its clothing, fortress-style settlements, and dialect. Scholars regard it as a living testament to the cultural exchange between Han settlers and ethnic groups in Southwest China. Ming history expert Mao Peiqi underscored that the core values of Tunbu culture—loyalty, bravery, harmony, and integration—embody ethnic unity and sustainable development. In 2023, Tunbu culture was recognized as one of Guizhou’s four major cultural initiatives, encompassing archaeological research, heritage preservation, and cultural-tourism integration. Xie Nian, deputy head of the provincial publicity department, reaffirmed the commitment to a protection-first approach, emphasizing rational use and minimal intervention.
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Cross-Strait exhibition highlights Chinese crested tern conservation
A groundbreaking exhibition showcasing the joint conservation efforts of Mainland China and Taiwan to protect the critically endangered Chinese crested tern has opened at the Taiwan Guide Hall in Fuzhou, Fujian province. The event, which commenced last weekend, highlights the remarkable collaboration across the Taiwan Strait in safeguarding this rare species. The Chinese crested tern, once thought to be extinct from 1937 to 2000, is now recognized as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List, with an estimated global population of merely 200 individuals. Known for its elusive nature, the bird has earned the moniker ‘mythical bird’. The exhibition underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in biodiversity conservation and raises awareness about the urgent need to protect this fragile species. By bringing together experts, conservationists, and the public, the event serves as a testament to the shared commitment to environmental preservation across the Strait.
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Supreme Court rejects challenge to legalisation of same-sex marriage
The US Supreme Court has declined to revisit its historic 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The decision came as the justices rejected an appeal from Kim Davis, a former Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her religious beliefs. Davis was ordered by a lower court to pay $360,000 in damages to a same-sex couple, David Ermold and David Moore, after they sued her for violating their constitutional rights. Davis argued that her religious freedom protected her from liability, but federal Judge David Bunning ruled that her constitutional rights could not be used to infringe on the rights of others. The 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals also upheld the ruling against Davis. Her legal team, represented by the conservative group Liberty Counsel, claimed that the right to same-sex marriage was based on a ‘legal fiction.’ The Supreme Court’s refusal to take up the case leaves the 2015 ruling intact, reaffirming the rights of same-sex couples. The decision comes amid ongoing debates over religious liberty and LGBTQ+ rights, particularly after the Court’s 2023 ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. While some conservatives had hoped the Court would reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges, the justices opted not to revisit the issue, preserving a landmark victory for LGBTQ+ equality.
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Poetry Recitation Competition bridges Kenyan and Chinese cultures
The inaugural Poetry Recitation Competition in Kenya, hosted at the Confucius Institute of Kenyatta University in Nairobi, served as a vibrant platform for cultural exchange between Kenya and China. The event, held on November 10, 2025, showcased the richness of Chinese literary heritage to Kenyan educators and students. Thirteen finalists, selected from 27 participants across institutions such as the United States International University, Discovery Chinese Cultural Training Center, and Kenyatta University, competed in the final round. The contestants recited a diverse array of Chinese poems, spanning classical masterpieces to contemporary works, highlighting the depth and evolution of Chinese poetry. This competition not only celebrated linguistic artistry but also strengthened cultural ties between the two nations, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.
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Court rules that suspect in Madeleine McCann disappearance can leave Germany
A German court has lifted the residency requirement for Christian Brückner, a man under investigation in the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann. Brückner, who was released in mid-September after serving a sentence for the 2019 rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal, had been subject to strict conditions, including wearing an electronic ankle monitor and reporting regularly to probation services. The Hildesheim court initially mandated that he remain resident in Germany for five years. However, the higher state court in Celle overturned this stipulation on Monday, citing interference with EU citizens’ freedom of movement within the 27-nation bloc. The court emphasized that while temporary travel bans or restrictions to specific regions could still be imposed, such decisions would need to be made by the lower court in Hildesheim. German prosecutors had previously identified Brückner as a suspect in McCann’s disappearance in June 2020, alleging they believed the girl was dead. Despite extensive searches in Portugal, where Brückner spent many years, no charges have been filed in the case. His lawyer, Friedrich Fülscher, argued that sufficient evidence for charges has been lacking.
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Car explodes near historic fort in India’s capital, killing at least 8 people, police say
A devastating car explosion occurred near the iconic Red Fort in New Delhi on Monday, resulting in the tragic loss of at least eight lives and leaving several others injured. The blast, which took place close to one of the gates of the Red Fort metro station, also ignited a fire that caused significant damage to nearby parked vehicles. Emergency services, including multiple fire engines, swiftly responded to the scene to contain the blaze and assist the victims. The exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation, according to Sanjay Tyagi, a spokesperson for the New Delhi police. The Red Fort, a historic imperial palace and a prominent tourist destination, was the backdrop of the incident. Eyewitness accounts described a deafening noise followed by flames engulfing vehicles, as reported by local media. Authorities have cordoned off the area as investigations continue to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
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Train collision in Slovakia leaves 13 hospitalized as prime minister says human error likely cause
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovak authorities confirmed on Monday that thirteen individuals injured in a train collision near Pezinok, north of Bratislava, remain hospitalized. The incident occurred on Sunday evening when an express train collided with the rear of a passenger train. Out of approximately 800 passengers, 79 were transported to hospitals, primarily with minor injuries. Health Minister Kamil Sasko assured that none of the hospitalized individuals are in life-threatening condition. Prime Minister Robert Fico attributed the collision to human error and declined to accept the resignation of Transport Minister Jozef Raz. This marks the second such incident within a month, following a collision on October 13 in eastern Slovakia that left dozens injured, including two in critical condition.
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Dozens of inmates found hanged in Ecuador prison
A tragic incident at El Oro prison in Machala, southern Ecuador, has left at least 31 inmates dead, with 27 found hanged and four killed in violent clashes between rival gangs. The violence erupted in the early hours of Sunday, injuring more than 30 others. Security guards, alerted to renewed gang activity, discovered the hanged victims on the prison’s third floor. This marks yet another deadly episode in Ecuador’s overcrowded prison system, which has seen hundreds of fatalities in recent years due to riots and gang conflicts. The latest violence was reportedly sparked by plans to transfer inmates to a newly constructed facility. El Oro prison has a grim history, including a September incident that claimed 13 inmates and a guard. Relatives of the prisoners have urged authorities to enhance security measures, including separating rival gangs, while local residents have long advocated for relocating the prison from its central city location. In response to the crisis, President Daniel Noboa’s government announced the construction of El Encuentro, a maximum-security prison in Santa Elena province, set to open in late November with advanced security features. Prison gangs, such as Los Lobos and Los Choneros, have significantly contributed to Ecuador’s escalating violent crime, leading to their designation as Foreign Terrorist Organisations by the US Department of State in September.