In a powerful statement supporting press freedom, the European Union has awarded its prestigious Sakharov Prize to two journalists currently imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the decision on Wednesday, highlighting their unwavering commitment to justice and democracy. Andrzej Poczobut, a correspondent for Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza, is serving an eight-year sentence in Belarus for allegedly “harming national security.” Mzia Amaghlobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist and founder of independent media outlets, was sentenced to two years for slapping a police chief during an anti-government protest—a case widely criticized as an attack on media freedom. Both journalists have become symbols of the fight for human rights and democracy in their respective countries. The Sakharov Prize, established in 1988 and named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, honors individuals or groups defending fundamental freedoms. This year’s award sends a strong message of solidarity to political prisoners worldwide, emphasizing that journalism is not a crime. The ceremony will take place in December at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, accompanied by a €50,000 ($58,000) endowment.
分类： society
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Louvre reopens three days after French crown jewels stolen
The Louvre Museum in Paris has resumed operations three days after a daring daylight robbery saw thieves make off with €88 million worth of jewelry. The museum reopened its doors at 09:00 local time on Wednesday, though the Apollo Gallery, the site of the heist, remains closed. The audacious theft, which took place on Sunday morning, involved masked thieves using power tools to break into the museum and escape on scooters within eight minutes. The stolen items include a diamond and emerald necklace gifted by Emperor Napoleon to his wife, a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, and several pieces from Queen Marie-Amelie’s collection. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for accelerated security enhancements at the Louvre, labeling the incident an attack on the nation’s heritage. A preliminary investigation revealed significant lapses in the museum’s security, including the absence of CCTV in one-third of its rooms and a malfunctioning alarm system. The museum’s director, Laurence des Cars, is scheduled to address the French Senate’s culture committee to discuss the incident. Meanwhile, French authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend the perpetrators, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez expressing confidence in their capture. The heist has prompted a nationwide review of security measures at cultural institutions.
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UAE: New assessments for Arabic, English, Math in schools; weightings explained
The United Arab Emirates has introduced a groundbreaking diagnostic assessment system in public and private schools following the Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum. This initiative, aimed at enhancing personalized learning, focuses on identifying individual student strengths and challenges early in the academic year. The system combines classroom-based evaluations with centralized diagnostic exams in core subjects—Arabic, English, and Mathematics—targeting approximately 26,000 students in Grades 4 to 11 during its initial phase. The assessment framework varies by grade level, with weightings adjusted to reflect developmental needs. For instance, Grades 1–2 rely entirely on school-based evaluations, while Cycle 3 students (Grades 9–11) have 60% of their assessments centralized. School leaders emphasize that the system provides teachers with immediate insights into student performance, enabling tailored instruction and targeted interventions. Principals like Shiny Davison of Woodlem Park School Hamidiya highlight the strategic integration of assessments into the academic schedule, supported by teacher training in data analysis. Similarly, Natalia Svetenok of Woodlem British School, Ajman, notes the alignment of diagnostic practices with national standards, ensuring every student is supported from day one. Parents will receive regular updates on their child’s progress, fostering a collaborative approach to education. This initiative underscores the UAE’s commitment to data-driven, responsive teaching and improved student outcomes.
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Farm work helps autistic youths improve life skills
On a sunny autumn day in Tianjin, a group of teenagers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents were actively engaged in harvesting corn and sweet potatoes at Hui’ai Farm. Established by eight families with autistic or intellectually disabled children, the farm, whose name translates to ‘collecting love,’ has become a sanctuary for these youths to develop essential life skills. Yunyao, a 17-year-old autistic youth, shared his joy after tasting the corn he helped grow, saying, ‘It’s very yummy.’ His father, Zhu Xijun, a former lawyer, has dedicated himself to the farm since leasing the land in October 2024, emphasizing that the initiative is not about profit but about providing meaningful activities for the children. Autism spectrum disorder, which affects 13 million people in China, presents challenges in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and emotional regulation. Guan Xiaoyan, another founder, quit her job as a software engineer to care for her autistic son, who had regressed in life skills after leaving school. She noted that farm work has helped him become more cooperative and sociable. The farm has also received support from local enterprises and individuals, including Liu Zhiqiang, a villager with a limb disability, who finds fulfillment in helping the children. China has made strides in early screening, diagnosis, and rehabilitation for ASD, with initiatives like inclusive education and employment programs for disabled individuals. Hui’ai Farm, which yielded over 500 kg of corn and 15,000 kg of sweet potatoes this year, aims to develop high-value agricultural products to enhance the youths’ skills and the farm’s sustainability. Zhu expressed hope that the farm will inspire similar initiatives to support people with mental challenges.
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Rapid advancement in scientific literacy transforms Xizang
The Xizang Autonomous Region has witnessed a remarkable transformation in public scientific literacy over the past six decades, evolving from a largely uninformed population to a society where science drives social stability and high-quality development. This progress was highlighted by Zhang Hongwei, vice-chairman of the regional association for science and technology, during a recent press conference. He emphasized that the region’s efforts to promote science began shortly after Xizang’s peaceful liberation, with the establishment of basic science boards in towns. Today, the proportion of scientifically literate residents has surged from a mere 0.1% in 2010 to 7.6% in 2023, marking a 75-fold increase. This growth is particularly pronounced among young adults aged 18 to 39, as well as farmers and herders. Xizang now boasts a regional natural science museum, 14 mobile science museum exhibits, and over 300 school-based science museums, ensuring county-level coverage. Additionally, 86 science caravans traverse the region, supported by bilingual science materials and multimedia programs. The region has also extended science outreach to monks, nuns, and grassroots officials, achieving full social group coverage. Digital platforms have further bridged geographical barriers, enabling remote communities to explore advanced fields like astronomy and artificial intelligence. Science education in schools has become a cornerstone of curiosity and discovery, with students like Tsering Yudron expressing newfound fascination with scientific principles. This comprehensive approach underscores Xizang’s commitment to fostering a scientifically literate society.
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6 arrested after protesters clash with police outside Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers
In a disturbing turn of events, six individuals were apprehended following a violent confrontation outside the CityWest Hotel in Saggart, near Dublin. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday evening, saw a crowd hurl bricks, bottles, and fireworks at law enforcement officers, culminating in the burning of a police van. The Garda Siochana, Ireland’s national police force, reported that one officer sustained a foot injury during the melee. The unrest was reportedly incited by allegations of a sexual assault in the vicinity, prompting hundreds of demonstrators, many brandishing Irish tricolor flags, to gather outside the hotel. Attempts to breach the police line using horse-drawn carts were met with pepper spray as officers sought to disperse the crowd. Police Commissioner Justin Kelly denounced the actions as “thuggery” by a “mob intent on violence,” while Prime Minister Micheál Martin emphasized that there was “no justification” for the disorder. This incident is part of a broader pattern of protests targeting hotels housing asylum-seekers in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Britain, often fueled by anti-immigration sentiments and far-right rhetoric. In a related development, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirmed that a man had been arrested and appeared in court over the alleged sexual assault in Saggart. He lamented the exploitation of crime to sow societal discord, reiterating that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, violence is inexcusable.
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Professor’s work preserves script created by women
In a remarkable journey spanning over four decades, Professor Zhao Liming of Tsinghua University has dedicated her life to the preservation and study of Nvshu, the world’s only script exclusively created and used by women. Now 78 and retired, Zhao remains as passionate as ever about this unique writing system, which originated in Jiangyong county, Hunan province, during a time when formal education was largely inaccessible to women. Nvshu, characterized by its delicate, slanted strokes of dots and arcs, served as a private medium for women to express their emotions, document their lives, and support one another in a patriarchal society. Zhao first encountered Nvshu in the 1980s while teaching at Tsinghua’s Department of Chinese Language and Literature. Her fascination with the script led her to conduct extensive field research in Jiangyong, often traveling on hard-seat trains and trekking through remote mountainous areas to gather information before the script vanished entirely. Zhao’s work revealed that Nvshu was not related to ethnic scripts like Miao or Yao but was a local variant derived from Mandarin, confined to a small geographical area she termed a ‘script island.’ The urgency of her mission was underscored by the passing of Yi Nianhua, an elder Nvshu inheritor, before Zhao could deliver asthma medication to her. This loss deepened Zhao’s resolve to preserve the script, which was traditionally buried or cremated with its practitioners, leaving little behind for future generations. With support from Tsinghua University and fellow researchers, Zhao published a comprehensive book on Nvshu in 1992 and later developed a digital Nvshu character set, successfully lobbying for its inclusion in the International Unicode Standard in 2015. According to Zhao, Nvshu represents a unique form of ‘Eastern feminism,’ offering women a private outlet for self-expression and emotional support without directly confronting the patriarchal system. Though the era of natural Nvshu transmission ended with the death of its last traditional inheritor in 2004, Zhao believes the script’s legacy endures as a symbol of female resilience and cultural identity. Today, Nvshu has gained global attention and inspired new generations, evolving from a hidden women’s script into a celebrated cultural artifact. ‘Nvshu was like a meteor — it shone brightly and fulfilled its mission,’ Zhao said. ‘Now, women have access to education and can travel freely. Nvshu’s initial purpose may be complete, but its spirit lives on.’ Even in retirement, Zhao continues to study and promote Nvshu, driven by a belief in its beauty and historical significance.
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Shanghai exhibition tells vivid stories of war heroes
A groundbreaking exhibition honoring war heroes has opened at the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai. Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the exhibition features 362 artifacts unearthed from three provinces—Shanxi, Hebei, and Anhui. These relics, combined with advanced technological archaeology, vividly narrate the life trajectories of war heroes, shedding light on their sacrifices and the enduring spirit of resistance. The exhibition employs holographic imaging, 3D printing, and DNA analysis to bring these stories to life, offering visitors a tangible connection to history. Among the highlights is the story of martyr Cui Haizhi, whose remains were identified after decades of anonymity, reuniting him with his family. The exhibition also showcases artifacts from battles in Suning and Quanjiao, including a poignant round mirror clutched by a fallen soldier. Running until December, the exhibition serves as a powerful tribute to the undying spirit of those who fought for freedom and justice.
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Dublin violence orchestrated online, Irish police say
Irish authorities have pledged to pursue those responsible for the violent clashes that erupted during a protest outside a Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening at the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, saw Gardaí (Irish police) attacked with bricks, fireworks, and glass bottles. A female officer sustained a foot injury, while a police helicopter was targeted with lasers and a police vehicle was set ablaze. Garda Ch Supt Michael McNulty, the scene commander, described the violence as orchestrated by “disparate groups on social media, who stir up hatred and violence.” He emphasized that the protest was far from peaceful, labeling the actions as “thuggery” and an attempt to intimidate and injure. Approximately 300 officers, including half from the public order unit, were deployed to manage the situation. While a water cannon was on standby, it was not used. Officers on horseback and a dog unit were also present. Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that around 2,000 people attended the protest, with some attempting to breach the police cordon using horse-drawn carts. Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the attacks, stating there was no justification for such violence. Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary reiterated that the violence was “unacceptable” and vowed to identify and prosecute those responsible, regardless of attempts to conceal their identities. The area remains cordoned off, with debris scattered and a burnt-out police van visible. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly condemned the actions as “thuggery,” while RTÉ’s crime correspondent Paul Reynolds noted that the violence appeared pre-planned but was more contained than previous incidents. Detectives are already gathering high-quality CCTV and bodycam footage to identify further perpetrators.
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The Louvre reopens 3 days after thieves took French crown jewels in daylight heist
The Louvre Museum in Paris resumed operations on Wednesday, three days after a brazen daylight heist saw thieves break into the iconic institution and make off with priceless French crown jewels. The Apollo Room, where the theft occurred, remains cordoned off as investigators continue their work. Hundreds of visitors queued outside the museum’s glass pyramid entrance, eager to explore the reopened galleries. The Louvre, typically closed on Tuesdays, had remained shut since the Sunday incident to facilitate the investigation. Authorities have yet to make any arrests, and the stolen jewels, valued at approximately 88 million euros ($102 million) excluding their immense historical significance, remain missing. Paris prosecutors revealed the staggering worth of the stolen artifacts on Tuesday, emphasizing their cultural importance to France. A task force of around 100 investigators is actively pursuing leads to apprehend the suspects and recover the treasures from the world’s most-visited museum.