Public schools across the UAE have initiated a strategic approach to support students as they prepare for the upcoming Term 1 centralised examinations. Following the conclusion of National Day celebrations last Friday, schools have shifted their focus entirely to academic readiness. A revised schedule has been introduced, featuring shortened school hours from Monday to Wednesday, with classes ending no later than 1.20pm. This adjustment aims to provide students with ample time to rest before engaging in evening review sessions. On Wednesday, schools will transition to remote learning, offering virtual review classes through official online platforms. Attendance will be recorded, and parents have been informed of the updated schedules to ensure students participate actively. The Ministry of Education’s Tamkeen Digital Initiative plays a pivotal role in this preparation phase. This program offers high-quality, intensive review sessions led by teachers from both government and private schools. Virtual sessions, running from 5pm to 8.30pm, have attracted thousands of students nationwide. Students can access these sessions through links shared by their schools and even attend review classes offered by other institutions, allowing them to benefit from a diverse pool of educators and flexible timings. The concerted efforts of schools and teachers underscore their commitment to ensuring students are well-prepared and positioned for strong academic performance in the upcoming exams.
博客
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Off-duty US pilot who tried to crash plane midair will not serve prison time
A former Alaska Airlines pilot, Joseph Emerson, who attempted to shut off a passenger plane’s engines mid-flight, will not serve additional prison time, a federal court has ruled. Judge Amy Baggio sentenced Emerson to credit for time served and three years of supervised release during a hearing in Portland, Oregon. Emerson, who was off-duty during the October 2023 flight, attributed his actions to a mental breakdown induced by hallucinogenic mushrooms. He had previously pleaded guilty to a federal charge of interfering with a flight crew and no contest to state charges of endangering an aircraft and 83 counts of endangering another person. For the state charges, he received five years of probation and 50 days in jail. The federal deal spared him a potential 20-year prison sentence. Emerson expressed remorse for his actions, stating, ‘I’m not a victim. I am here as a direct result of my actions.’ He also mentioned that the incident has prompted personal growth. The flight, which was en route from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California, with 80 passengers aboard, was diverted to Portland, Oregon. The incident lasted about 90 seconds, during which Emerson had to be subdued by the pilot. After being restrained, Emerson warned flight attendants to cuff him immediately and attempted to reach for the emergency exit handle during descent. Emerson, who lost his pilot’s license post-arrest, is now working part-time as a pressure washer and has paid $60,000 in restitution. He is also pursuing a career as a substance abuse counselor and, along with his wife, has founded the group Clear Skies Ahead to address mental health issues among pilots.
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Corbyn and Polanski condemn UK’s plans to seize jewellery from asylum seekers
The UK Labour government’s proposed asylum reforms have sparked widespread condemnation from opposition politicians, who have labeled the measures ‘disgraceful,’ ‘dehumanising,’ and ‘disgusting.’ The reforms, which include seizing valuables from asylum seekers to cover processing costs, have drawn sharp criticism for their perceived harshness and resemblance to policies in Denmark. Home Office minister Alex Norris defended the plan, stating that asylum seekers with assets such as cars or e-bikes should contribute to their accommodation costs, though he clarified that personal heirlooms would not be confiscated. However, critics argue that the policy targets some of the world’s most vulnerable individuals. Green Party leader Zack Polanski, whose Jewish ancestors fled persecution in Latvia, called the proposals ‘chilling’ and reminiscent of darker historical chapters. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, now an independent MP, accused the government of implementing a ‘degrading’ agenda that mirrors far-right rhetoric. The reforms also include diplomatic sanctions on countries refusing to repatriate asylum seekers and periodic reviews of refugee status, even for families with young children. Labour MP Kim Johnson criticized the policy as a ‘misguided attempt to win votes’ by adopting divisive narratives, while independent MP Ayoub Khan urged the government to allow asylum seekers to work and address application backlogs instead. Critics argue that the reforms distract from pressing issues like poverty and inequality, with Johnson calling for accountability from the wealthiest rather than the most vulnerable. The controversy underscores growing tensions within the Labour Party and broader concerns about the treatment of asylum seekers in the UK.
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China strongly condemns US $330 million arms sale to Taiwan
China has issued a stern condemnation of the United States’ recent approval of a $330 million arms sale to Taiwan, labeling it a severe infringement on its sovereignty and a blatant interference in its internal affairs. The Chinese Ministry of National Defense expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the sale, which was confirmed by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Thursday. The sale includes non-standard spare and repair parts along with related equipment. Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the ministry, criticized the US for violating the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques. He emphasized that such actions undermine China’s security interests and send a wrong signal to Taiwan’s independence separatist forces. Zhang urged the US to cease arming Taiwan immediately to prevent further damage to China-US relations and military ties. He also warned Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party that relying on external forces for independence is futile and that China will take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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Transformation of healthcare in China’s Xizang region celebrated
The Xizang Autonomous Region has witnessed a transformative leap in its healthcare system, thanks to a robust medical aid initiative launched by China’s central government. Since 2015, over 2,400 medical professionals have been dispatched in 11 groups to hospitals across the region, marking a significant milestone in improving healthcare delivery in one of the country’s most geographically challenging areas. The program, initially introduced at the sixth central symposium on Xizang-related work in August 2015, initially focused on supporting the Xizang Autonomous Region People’s Hospital and seven municipal-level hospitals. By August 2021, the initiative expanded to include 13 county-level hospitals, further amplifying its impact. Tan Xiangdong, deputy director of Xizang’s health commission, highlighted the program’s focus on cultivating medical disciplines, nurturing local talent, and advancing high-altitude medical research. The results have been profound: the maternal mortality rate dropped from 108.86 per 100,000 in 2014 to 48 per 100,000 by 2020, while the infant mortality rate fell from 16.81 per 1,000 to 7.6 per 1,000 over the same period. Additionally, the average life expectancy in Xizang rose to 72.19 years by the end of 2020, representing the highest growth rate nationwide. This initiative underscores the central government’s commitment to equitable healthcare development and has set a benchmark for medical aid programs in remote regions.
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China’s digital finance pivot: from clearing ground to rebuilding
China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), has unveiled a comprehensive strategy for the future of digital finance, signaling a significant shift away from stablecoins towards a sovereign digital currency. The strategy, articulated by PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng and Vice Governor Lu Lei, emphasizes a structural reset rather than regulatory tightening.
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UAE announces holiday for public, private schools on 54th Eid Al Etihad
The United Arab Emirates has officially declared a holiday for both public and private schools in celebration of the 54th Eid Al Etihad. Students will enjoy a break on December 1 and 2, corresponding to Monday and Tuesday, with official working hours resuming on Wednesday, December 3, as confirmed by the Ministry of Education. This announcement grants most students a four-day holiday when combined with their regular weekend of Saturday and Sunday. In Sharjah, students will benefit from an extended five-day break, as the emirate observes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as its weekend. Earlier in the day, the UAE government also announced a four-day paid holiday for private sector employees to commemorate National Day, now referred to as Eid Al Etihad. December 1 and 2 have been designated as paid holidays for private sector workers, allowing residents to enjoy a long weekend. A Cabinet resolution effective from January 1, 2025, permits the transfer of certain public holidays to the start or end of the week if they fall on a weekday. However, this resolution does not apply to Eid holidays unless specifically activated by a Cabinet decision. The unified holiday policy ensures that both public and private sector employees receive an equal number of breaks throughout the year.
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New video shows stunning Aurora Borealis over South Dakota
A breathtaking display of the Aurora Borealis recently illuminated the night skies over South Dakota, captivating onlookers with its vibrant hues and ethereal beauty. This rare phenomenon, typically confined to polar regions, has ventured further south due to heightened solar activity. According to NASA, the sun is currently at the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, referred to as the “solar maximum.” This phase is characterized by increased sunspots and solar flares, which can trigger more intense geomagnetic storms. These storms, in turn, enhance the visibility of the Northern Lights, allowing them to be observed in regions where they are seldom seen. The recent event in South Dakota serves as a vivid reminder of the sun’s profound influence on Earth’s atmospheric conditions. Scientists anticipate that such occurrences may become more frequent in the coming months as the solar maximum continues to unfold.
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Lost Bach pieces performed for first time in 320 years
Two previously unknown organ compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach have been unveiled and performed in Germany for the first time in over three centuries. The pieces, identified as the Chaconne in D minor BWV 1178 and Chaconne in G minor BWV 1179, were discovered by Peter Wollny, a renowned Bach scholar, while cataloging manuscripts at the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels in 1992. After three decades of meticulous research, Wollny confirmed their authenticity, attributing them to Bach’s early career when he served as an organ teacher in Arnstadt, Thuringia. The compositions were performed at Leipzig’s St. Thomas Church, where Bach is buried and where he worked as a cantor for 27 years. Dutch organist Ton Koopman, who premiered the works, praised their high quality and suitability for smaller organs. Wollny, now director of the Leipzig Bach Archive, highlighted stylistic elements unique to Bach’s early period, further solidifying their attribution. The pieces, believed to have been transcribed by Bach’s pupil Salomon Günther John in 1705, have been added to the official catalogue of Bach’s works. Germany’s Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer hailed the discovery as a monumental moment for the global music community.
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Israel’s genocide in Gaza: Why are ultra-Orthodox Jews against conscription?
Israel’s military, stretched thin by its ongoing conflicts in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, and Syria, faces a deepening internal crisis over the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim. Historically exempt from mandatory military service, the Haredim have become a focal point of societal and political tension following a June 2024 Supreme Court ruling that mandated their enlistment. This decision has sparked mass protests, with hundreds of thousands of Haredi men taking to the streets of Jerusalem in October 2025, marking one of the largest demonstrations in years. The issue has placed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a precarious position, as his governing coalition relies heavily on ultra-Orthodox political parties. The Haredim, numbering around 1.3 million in Israel, represent 13% of the population and are known for their conservative lifestyle, strict adherence to religious laws, and reliance on government subsidies for their yeshivas (religious schools). While some Haredim support Israel’s military actions, others, like the Neturei Karta, oppose secular Zionism on religious grounds. The draft exemption, rooted in a 1948 policy by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, has long been justified by the belief that Torah study contributes to national security. However, with the Israeli military facing troop shortages and public support for the exemption waning, the government has begun criminal proceedings against draft evaders. The crisis has exacerbated divisions within Netanyahu’s coalition, with ultra-Orthodox parties threatening to withdraw their support. As protests continue and political tensions escalate, the issue of Haredi conscription remains a critical challenge for Israel’s leadership and societal cohesion.