In late October, the Shui ethnic communities in Rongjiang county, Guizhou province, came alive with vibrant celebrations as they observed the annual Gua Festival. This traditional event, which signifies the conclusion of the autumn harvest, saw locals adorned in colorful festive attire, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere. The festival is deeply rooted in the Shui culture and serves as a time for gratitude and communal bonding. In Yayong village, the celebrations were particularly spirited, with residents extending invitations to their Miao ethnic neighbors to partake in the festivities. The event featured traditional music played on lusheng pipes and a unique pumpkin-eating contest, adding a playful touch to the cultural proceedings. Gua Festival holds immense significance for the Shui people, as it is their largest traditional celebration. Each year, after the harvest, communities select an auspicious day to express gratitude for the season’s bounty and to offer prayers for favorable weather, good health, and prosperity in the coming year. The festival not only strengthens cultural identity but also fosters unity and harmony among diverse ethnic groups in the region.
分类： society
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Dubai’s ‘Outstanding’ schools: Here are total fees for all 23 institutions
Dubai’s educational landscape is renowned for its diversity and excellence, with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) playing a pivotal role in guiding parents through their school selection process. The 2023-24 KHDA report highlights 23 schools in the emirate that have achieved the prestigious ‘outstanding’ rating, alongside 48 rated as ‘very good’. These evaluations extend beyond academic performance, encompassing student wellbeing, inclusivity, and alignment with international benchmarks. External assessments in key subjects further enhance the comprehensive evaluation of each institution.
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Beijing completes over 60 Great Wall emergency reinforcement projects in five years
Over the course of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), Beijing has successfully completed more than 60 emergency reinforcement projects on the Great Wall, restoring over 20 kilometers of its historic structure. This significant achievement was announced by municipal authorities on Wednesday, highlighting the city’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. Huo Zhijing, deputy director of the publicity department of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, emphasized the integration of the Great Wall’s protection with the conservation of the Central Axis and ancient capital structures, forming a comprehensive cultural heritage conservation system. Chu Jianhao, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, noted that Beijing has pioneered a unique approach by embedding archaeological research throughout the restoration process. This method ensures that every phase of repair is informed by detailed research, enhancing the authenticity and historical accuracy of the restoration efforts. Additionally, adjustments to protection zones and improved monitoring mechanisms have been implemented to better manage both the Great Wall and its surrounding environment. To further enhance conservation efforts, an early warning platform is being developed for Great Wall resources management and real-time surveillance. This platform will utilize advanced technologies such as drones and quadruped robots for regular inspections, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy in monitoring the condition of the Great Wall.
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International youth talent alliance launches in Beijing’s Chaoyang district
In a significant move to foster global collaboration in vocational training, the International Youth Talent Development Alliance was officially launched in Beijing’s Chaoyang district. The initiative was unveiled during the Fourth Chaoyang District Vocational Training Development Conference, which commenced on October 25. This groundbreaking alliance aims to unite domestic and international vocational training institutions and universities, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and skill development. The conference, held in Beijing, highlighted the district’s commitment to nurturing young talent and addressing the evolving demands of the global workforce. The alliance is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of vocational education, offering innovative solutions and fostering international partnerships. This initiative underscores Beijing’s strategic vision to position itself as a hub for talent development and innovation on the global stage.
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William and Kate win privacy case against French magazine over family holiday photos
The Prince and Princess of Wales have successfully won a legal battle against the French magazine Paris Match, which published intrusive photographs of the royal family during a private skiing holiday. The images, captured in April, depicted William, Kate, and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—enjoying a break in the French Alps. The photos showed the family on the slopes and relaxing on a chalet balcony, prompting the royals to take legal action. The Nanterre Judicial Court ruled that the publication of these images and an accompanying article violated the family’s right to privacy and their control over their personal images. Kensington Palace, the couple’s office, condemned the magazine’s actions, describing the article and long-lens paparazzi photos as a gross intrusion into their private family time. In a statement, the palace emphasized the couple’s commitment to safeguarding their children’s upbringing from undue public scrutiny and interference, vowing to take necessary steps to enforce these boundaries. This case echoes a previous legal victory in 2012, when William and Kate sued the French magazine Closer for publishing topless photos of Kate during a private holiday. The British media has largely respected an informal agreement to protect the privacy of the royal children, but international outlets have occasionally disregarded such norms.
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‘The bodies just kept coming’ – photographer at deadly Rio police raid
In the aftermath of what is now being called the deadliest police raid in Rio de Janeiro’s history, the Penha neighborhood has become a grim scene of devastation. Over 120 people, including both suspected gang members and police officers, lost their lives during the operation targeting the notorious Red Command gang. The raid, which involved approximately 2,500 security personnel, aimed to curb the gang’s territorial expansion but has since drawn widespread condemnation for its high death toll. Photographer Bruno Itan, who witnessed the aftermath, described the harrowing scene where bodies, some mutilated and decapitated, were laid out in a public square. Residents of the Alemão and Penha neighborhoods searched tirelessly for missing relatives, many of whom were found lifeless on a nearby hillside. The governor of Rio state, Cláudio Castro, defended the operation, stating that the police intended to arrest suspects alive but were met with violent retaliation. However, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed horror at the scale of the violence, and Brazil’s Supreme Court has summoned Governor Castro to explain the actions in detail. The incident has reignited debates about police brutality and the effectiveness of such operations in combating organized crime.
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Shanxi farmers harvest bountiful persimmon crop
In the heart of Shanxi province, farmers in Hanxue township, Wanrong county, are basking in the success of a record-breaking persimmon harvest this golden autumn. The picturesque village of Xuecungou is abuzz with activity as locals meticulously sort and dry the vibrant orange fruit, a process that enhances its sweetness over two to three weeks of sun exposure. The village is adorned with persimmons, creating a charming and festive atmosphere that reflects the season’s abundance. Nestled on the Loess Plateau, Hanxue township boasts ideal conditions for persimmon cultivation, contributing to an annual yield of approximately 25,000 metric tons. Additionally, the township processes 18,000 tons of persimmon-based snacks, a thriving industry that has significantly boosted local incomes. This year’s harvest not only underscores the region’s agricultural prowess but also highlights the resilience and dedication of its farming community.
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‘I thought I was dying’ – teacher shot by 6-year-old student testifies against school administrator
In a highly emotional courtroom scene, Abigail Zwerner, a former Virginia schoolteacher, testified in a $40 million civil lawsuit against Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal of Richneck Elementary School. Zwerner was shot by a 6-year-old student in January 2023 while teaching her first-grade class in Newport News, Virginia. The bullet passed through her hand and into her chest, leaving her with severe injuries that required multiple surgeries. Zwerner recounted the harrowing experience, stating, ‘I thought I was dying, I thought I had died. I thought I was on my way to heaven or in heaven, but then it all got black.’
Zwerner’s lawsuit alleges that Parker failed to act despite being warned about the child potentially bringing a gun to school. According to the lawsuit, Parker was informed of the gun approximately 45 minutes before the shooting but took no action. Zwerner’s testimony highlighted the lasting physical and emotional trauma she has endured, including difficulties with simple tasks like opening a bag of potato crisps or a water bottle. She described a sense of emotional detachment, stating, ‘I still feel connected and close, but it’s also that feeling of distance, a little numbness.’
Parker’s defense attorney, Daniel Hogan, argued that the case is one of ‘hindsight bias,’ emphasizing that no one could have reasonably foreseen a 6-year-old bringing a firearm to school. Hogan posed challenging questions to the jury, including whether Parker was indifferent or failed to exercise care, and whether Zwerner took steps for her own safety. The civil trial precedes a criminal case in which Parker faces eight counts of felony child neglect, each punishable by up to five years in prison. The student’s mother has already been sentenced to nearly four years for child neglect and federal weapons charges. The student, who was not charged, is reportedly under the care of a relative and attending a different school.
The case has reignited discussions about gun violence in the United States, particularly in educational settings, and raises critical questions about school safety and administrative accountability.
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Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia becomes the world’s tallest church
Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the world’s tallest church. On Thursday, a section of its central tower was successfully installed, elevating the structure to a height of 162.91 meters (534 feet). This surpasses Germany’s Ulmer Münster, a Gothic Lutheran church that previously held the title at 161.53 meters (530 feet). The Sagrada Familia, designed by the visionary architect Antoni Gaudí, is now just over a meter taller than its German counterpart. The central “Tower of Jesus Christ” is still under construction and is expected to reach its final height of 172 meters (564 feet) in the coming months. Construction of the basilica began in 1882, and Gaudí, who passed away in 1926, never anticipated its completion within his lifetime. Over the decades, the project has gained momentum, fueled by its status as a global tourist attraction. Last year alone, 4.9 million visitors, including 15% from the United States, contributed to its funding through entrance fees. The church’s intricate facades and interior decorations will continue to be developed over the next decade, with full completion anticipated around 2035. Next year marks the centenary of Gaudí’s death, and the basilica plans to host events honoring his architectural legacy, which includes other remarkable structures in Barcelona and across Spain.
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Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed announces launch of Dh4.7 billion endowment project
In a landmark announcement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has revealed the launch of a Dh4.7 billion endowment project under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. This ambitious endeavor, described as a ‘permanent humanitarian charitable endowment,’ aims to channel its proceeds into global health and education initiatives. The project will feature a state-of-the-art hospital capable of serving 90,000 patients annually, a medical university, schools accommodating over 5,000 students, and residential buildings with 2,000 housing units. Additionally, the endowment district will include a boulevard, charitable commercial shops, and other community-focused facilities. Sheikh Mohammed expressed his gratitude to key contributors, including Azizi Developments, and emphasized the importance of sustaining goodness in the nation of generosity and giving. This announcement follows the recent launch of the ‘Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem,’ which seeks to bolster the impact of volunteering and support nonprofit organizations in their contributions to sustainable development. The ecosystem includes a Dh100 million fund and a strategy to expand the country’s volunteer base to 600,000.