A university student was reportedly arrested earlier this month for teaching Tibetians in Chamdo and is reported to have not been seen afterwards, according to Tibet Watch.

Notably, Chinese authorities have banned 'informal' Tibetan language classes in many areas of Tibet that children attend outside their schools.

The authorities have also warned that anyone caught violating the government's order will face 'serious legal consequences and punishment', Radio Free Asia reported citing a source.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-us-warship-sailing-in-taiwan-strait-provocative-456800">China says US warship sailing in Taiwan Strait 'provocative'</a>

"No individual or organization is allowed to hold informal classes or workshops to teach the Tibetan language during the winter holidays when the schools are closed.This is an attempt to wipe out the Tibetan language," the source added.

Choedon, who hailed from the Yamda village in Riwoche country, was detained on February 13. According to her family, the language lessons during the winter vacation in the village might have resulted in her detention, Phayul reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tibetan-filmmaker-who-took-on-chinese-repression-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize-2022-450541">Tibetan filmmaker who took on Chinese repression nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 2022</a>

Citing sources by Tibet Watch, Phayul reported that the young student has no criminal record. "Choedon was arrested by the Chinese authorities but she has not committed any wrongdoing nor does she have any criminal record. Her family is concerned about her safety as it has been more than five days since her arrest and disappearance but there is no clue about where she is being held or her conditions," added Phayul.

She is currently enrolled at the Southwest Minzu University in Chengdu, it said.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: China starts demolishing Tibetan structures

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-starts-demolishing-tibetan-structures-444870/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Choedon's sudden arrest comes amidst the ongoing imposition of restrictive language policies by the Chinese government. Last year in September, the Chinese government intensified an already biased policy, which replaced all school textbooks in Tibetan with Chinese language materials, and instructed all schools to make Chinese the official medium of instruction.

Authorities have cracked down on monastic schools that teach the Tibetan language to children, like the Sengdruk Taktse middle school in Darlak County which was forced to shut down last year in June.

A university student was reportedly arrested earlier this month for teaching Tibetians in Chamdo and is reported to have not been seen afterwards, according to Tibet Watch.

A university student was reportedly arrested earlier this month for teaching Tibetians in Chamdo and is reported to have not been seen afterwards, according to Tibet Watch. Notably, Chinese authorities have banned 'informal' Tibetan language classes in many areas of Tibet that children attend outside their schools. The authorities have also warned that anyone caught violating the government's order will face 'serious legal consequences and punishment', Radio Free Asia reported citing a source. Also read | China says US warship sailing in Taiwan Strait 'provocative' "No individual or organization is allowed to hold informal classes or workshops to teach the Tibetan language during the winter holidays when the schools are closed.This is an attempt to wipe out the Tibetan language," the source added. Choedon, who hailed from the Yamda village in Riwoche country, was detained on February 13. According to her family, the language lessons during the winter vacation in the village might have resulted in her detention, Phayul reported. Also read | Tibetan filmmaker who took on Chinese repression nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 2022 Citing sources by Tibet Watch, Phayul reported that the young student has no criminal record. "Choedon was arrested by the Chinese authorities but she has not committed any wrongdoing nor does she have any criminal record. Her family is concerned about her safety as it has been more than five days since her arrest and disappearance but there is no clue about where she is being held or her conditions," added Phayul. She is currently enrolled at the Southwest Minzu University in Chengdu, it said. Watch | Gravitas: China starts demolishing Tibetan structures Choedon's sudden arrest comes amidst the ongoing imposition of restrictive language policies by the Chinese government. Last year in September, the Chinese government intensified an already biased policy, which replaced all school textbooks in Tibetan with Chinese language materials, and instructed all schools to make Chinese the official medium of instruction. Authorities have cracked down on monastic schools that teach the Tibetan language to children, like the Sengdruk Taktse middle school in Darlak County which was forced to shut down last year in June.

University student detained for teaching Tibetan amid Chinese restrictions

Thousands of young Arabs who took up studies in&nbsp;Ukraine, often fleeing violence back&nbsp;home, are appealing to be rescued from a new nightmare -- Russia's full scale invasion of the country.

More than 10,000&nbsp;Arab&nbsp;students&nbsp;attend university in&nbsp;Ukraine, drawn to the former Soviet republic by a low cost of living and, for many, the lure of relative safety compared with their own troubled homelands.

Many have criticised their governments for failing to take concrete measures to repatriate them, and sought refuge in basements or the metro system. Few dared to cross the border into neighbouring Poland or Romania in search of sanctuary.

"We left Iraq to escape war... but it's the same thing in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;(now)," Ali Mohammed, an Iraqi&nbsp;student&nbsp;told AFP by telephone from the western city of Chernivtsi.

Mohammed said he has been calling the Iraqi embassy in Kyiv around a dozen times a day since Russia launched the invasion but no one has picked up.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nick-of-time-india-embarks-on-mammoth-task-of-evacuating-citizens-from-war-hit-ukraine-456782">Nick of time: India embarks on mammoth task of evacuating citizens from war-hit Ukraine</a>

"We are demanding to&nbsp;go&nbsp;home. We are waiting to be rescued," he said. According to an Iraqi government official, there are 5,500 Iraqis in&nbsp;Ukraine, 450 of them&nbsp;students.

Syrian Raed Al-Moudaress, 24, echoed him.

"I arrived in Odessa only six months ago, hoping to open a new page far away from war," he told AFP by telephone.

"I am lost. I don't know what to do," he said, adding he is spending most of his time hiding in a basement.

Among&nbsp;Arab&nbsp;countries, Morocco has the largest number of&nbsp;students&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine, with around 8,000 enrolled in universities, followed by Egypt with more than 3,000.

"We demand solutions. The authorities must find us a solution," to get back&nbsp;home&nbsp;to Morocco, Majda tweeted when the invasion began on Thursday.

"What are you waiting for? This is World War III," she said, addressing authorities in her country, who announced measures the following day.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-ukraine-conflict-us-uk-eu-to-put-crippling-sanctions-on-russian-central-bank-block-swift-456943">Over Ukraine conflict, US, UK, EU to put crippling sanctions on Russian central bank, block SWIFT</a>

Stay Safe

Hundreds of&nbsp;students&nbsp;from Lebanon, gripped by a financial crisis the World Bank says is one of the world's worst in modern times, are also trapped in the country.

"The (Beirut) authorities have not issued guidelines" for our evacuation, said Samir, 25.

"I left Lebanon because of the financial crisis, sold my car and took my small savings to study in&nbsp;Ukraine," he told AFP from&nbsp;Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv, near the Russian border.

Ali Chreim, a restaurant owner from Kyiv who heads the Lebanese expat community in&nbsp;Ukraine, said he has been helping a group of young Lebanese women, who have sought shelter in the capital's metro, by sending them food.

Before the invasion, 1,300 Lebanese&nbsp;students&nbsp;were studying in the country. Half managed to flee by their own means, but the rest are stuck, Chreim said.

Beirut set up a hotline but it only functions "intermittently", he added.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said the government was drawing up plans to help nationals trapped in&nbsp;Ukraine.

Planes will be sent to neighbouring Poland and Romania at a "date to be announced later", he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-remember-this-day-during-difficulty-envoys-heartwarming-words-to-indians-evacuated-from-ukraine-456840">Watch: 'Remember this day during difficulty', envoy's heartwarming words to Indians evacuated from Ukraine</a>

Help us

Other countries like Egypt have also pledged to organise repatriation flights from neighbouring countries.

But for Tunisia which does not have an embassy in&nbsp;Ukraine, getting in touch with its 1,700 citizens there is complicated.

Authorities said they had been in contact with international organisations such as the Red Cross to organise departures.

"We will begin the operation as soon as we have a full list of how many Tunisians wish to return&nbsp;home," foreign ministry official Mohammed Trabelsi told AFP.

Despairing&nbsp;students&nbsp;have posted video footage online pleading for help.

"The supermarket shelves are empty, the streets have become dangerous. The embassy must help us get out of here," said two pharmacy&nbsp;students&nbsp;from Egypt stuck in the Black Sea port of Odessa.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: The plight of Indian Students stuck in Ukraine

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-plight-of-indian-students-stuck-in-ukraine-456601/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Other Egyptian&nbsp;students&nbsp;took matters into their own hands and crossed the border into Poland, hoping to make it back&nbsp;home.

Oil-rich Algeria, which has strong military links with Russia, did not ask its 1,000 nationals in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;to leave.

Algerian authorities have, however, urged them to stay indoors and only venture out "in case of an emergency".

&nbsp;

Thousands of young Arabs who took up studies in Ukraine, often fleeing violence back home, are appealing to be rescued from a new nightmare -- Russia's full scale invasion of the country.

Thousands of young Arabs who took up studies in Ukraine, often fleeing violence back home, are appealing to be rescued from a new nightmare -- Russia's full scale invasion of the country. More than 10,000 Arab students attend university in Ukraine, drawn to the former Soviet republic by a low cost of living and, for many, the lure of relative safety compared with their own troubled homelands. Many have criticised their governments for failing to take concrete measures to repatriate them, and sought refuge in basements or the metro system. Few dared to cross the border into neighbouring Poland or Romania in search of sanctuary. "We left Iraq to escape war... but it's the same thing in Ukraine (now)," Ali Mohammed, an Iraqi student told AFP by telephone from the western city of Chernivtsi. Mohammed said he has been calling the Iraqi embassy in Kyiv around a dozen times a day since Russia launched the invasion but no one has picked up. Also read | Nick of time: India embarks on mammoth task of evacuating citizens from war-hit Ukraine "We are demanding to go home. We are waiting to be rescued," he said. According to an Iraqi government official, there are 5,500 Iraqis in Ukraine, 450 of them students. Syrian Raed Al-Moudaress, 24, echoed him. "I arrived in Odessa only six months ago, hoping to open a new page far away from war," he told AFP by telephone. "I am lost. I don't know what to do," he said, adding he is spending most of his time hiding in a basement. Among Arab countries, Morocco has the largest number of students in Ukraine, with around 8,000 enrolled in universities, followed by Egypt with more than 3,000. "We demand solutions. The authorities must find us a solution," to get back home to Morocco, Majda tweeted when the invasion began on Thursday. "What are you waiting for? This is World War III," she said, addressing authorities in her country, who announced measures the following day. Also read | Over Ukraine conflict, US, UK, EU to put crippling sanctions on Russian central bank, block SWIFT Stay Safe Hundreds of students from Lebanon, gripped by a financial crisis the World Bank says is one of the world's worst in modern times, are also trapped in the country. "The (Beirut) authorities have not issued guidelines" for our evacuation, said Samir, 25. "I left Lebanon because of the financial crisis, sold my car and took my small savings to study in Ukraine," he told AFP from Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv, near the Russian border. Ali Chreim, a restaurant owner from Kyiv who heads the Lebanese expat community in Ukraine, said he has been helping a group of young Lebanese women, who have sought shelter in the capital's metro, by sending them food. Before the invasion, 1,300 Lebanese students were studying in the country. Half managed to flee by their own means, but the rest are stuck, Chreim said. Beirut set up a hotline but it only functions "intermittently", he added. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said the government was drawing up plans to help nationals trapped in Ukraine. Planes will be sent to neighbouring Poland and Romania at a "date to be announced later", he said. Also read | Watch: 'Remember this day during difficulty', envoy's heartwarming words to Indians evacuated from Ukraine Help us Other countries like Egypt have also pledged to organise repatriation flights from neighbouring countries. But for Tunisia which does not have an embassy in Ukraine, getting in touch with its 1,700 citizens there is complicated. Authorities said they had been in contact with international organisations such as the Red Cross to organise departures. "We will begin the operation as soon as we have a full list of how many Tunisians wish to return home," foreign ministry official Mohammed Trabelsi told AFP. Despairing students have posted video footage online pleading for help. "The supermarket shelves are empty, the streets have become dangerous. The embassy must help us get out of here," said two pharmacy students from Egypt stuck in the Black Sea port of Odessa. Watch | Gravitas: The plight of Indian Students stuck in Ukraine Other Egyptian students took matters into their own hands and crossed the border into Poland, hoping to make it back home. Oil-rich Algeria, which has strong military links with Russia, did not ask its 1,000 nationals in Ukraine to leave. Algerian authorities have, however, urged them to stay indoors and only venture out "in case of an emergency".

Russia Ukraine Crisis: Thousands of Arab students stranded, desperate to go home

Romania's envoy to Delhi Daniela-Mariana Sezonov Ţane has said that her country will be providing food and accommodation to students who are being evacuated from war-torn Ukraine. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, envoy Daniela said, "Romanian govt offered support for a couple of days with food and accommodation to students and not only students but also Indian citizens coming from Ukraine". &nbsp;

Earlier today, the first batch of Indian students crossed the Indian evacuees from Ukraine and reached Romania via the Suceava border crossing. The Ministry of external affairs' teams at Suceava will now facilitate travel to Bucharest for their onward journey to India.&nbsp;

Indian government-chartered flights are expected to reach the country to ferry them back home.

She also expressed her worry over the refugee influx saying, "There is a crisis cell in Romania preparing for refugees. We don't know how many they will be."&nbsp;

The Indian external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday had spoken to several eastern European foreign ministers including Romanian FM about the unfolding crisis in Ukraine and the evacuation of Indian nationals. 
&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: How worried is Romania when it comes to the ongoing Russian invasion of Poland?

Daniela-Mariana Sezonov Ţane: I think everybody is worried, not only my government but also the Indian govt, EU countries all worried. Frontline countries, neighbouring countries, like Romania, Poland, also Hungary which may have to face a big influx of refugees, we are worried, we have to prepare for that.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-it-happened-eu-freezes-vladimir-putins-assets-in-response-to-ukraine-invasion-455211">Also read |&nbsp;As it happened: EU freezes Vladimir Putin's assets in response to Ukraine invasion</a>

There is a crisis cell in Romania preparing for refugees. We don't know, how many they will be. It is very difficult to predict, it is impossible for the time being to know what will unfold. What we hope is that in the 12th hour, diplomacy will prevail and Putin will stop his attacks. As you may know, the EU stands together, we have a common position, a very strong common position of the 27 EU member countries against the Russian aggression calling to halt for the cessation of hostilities and announcing very strong sanction measures against Russia if this situation continues.

Sidhant Sibal: In India, both foreign ministers have spoken to each other, there are plans to bring Indian students to your country, if you can give us the details?

Daniela-Mariana Sezonov Ţane: Yes it is right, yesterday evening minister Jaishankar spoke to minister Bogdan Aurescu and Romania will give its full support to the Indian students crossing the border into our country. There are consular teams from India, which probably have reached the border with Ukraine in the north of the country and they will help the students reach Bucharest.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-might-be-the-last-time-you-see-me-alive-ukraine-president-zelensky-to-european-union-leaders-456568">Also read |&nbsp;'This might be the last time you see me alive': Ukraine President Zelensky to European Union leaders</a>

From Bucharest, there will be flights to India organised by the Indian govt. Romanian govt offered support for a couple of days with food and accommodation to students and not only students but also Indian citizens coming from Ukraine but we also have to prepare for a longer stay of refugees from Ukraine. Indian citizens will be taken care of by the Indian government, we are in full support of them and as I have said, we will help them for a couple of days but in the long term, we will have to prepare for support and humanitarian assistance for the Ukrainian refugees. If the crisis will continue, they might have to stay longer in our countries.&nbsp;

Romania's envoy to Delhi Daniela-Mariana Sezonov Ţane has said that her country will be providing food and accommodation to students who are being evacuated from war-torn Ukraine.

Romania's envoy to Delhi Daniela-Mariana Sezonov Ţane has said that her country will be providing food and accommodation to students who are being evacuated from war-torn Ukraine. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, envoy Daniela said, "Romanian govt offered support for a couple of days with food and accommodation to students and not only students but also Indian citizens coming from Ukraine". Earlier today, the first batch of Indian students crossed the Indian evacuees from Ukraine and reached Romania via the Suceava border crossing. The Ministry of external affairs' teams at Suceava will now facilitate travel to Bucharest for their onward journey to India. Indian government-chartered flights are expected to reach the country to ferry them back home. She also expressed her worry over the refugee influx saying, "There is a crisis cell in Romania preparing for refugees. We don't know how many they will be." The Indian external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday had spoken to several eastern European foreign ministers including Romanian FM about the unfolding crisis in Ukraine and the evacuation of Indian nationals. Sidhant Sibal: How worried is Romania when it comes to the ongoing Russian invasion of Poland? Daniela-Mariana Sezonov Ţane: I think everybody is worried, not only my government but also the Indian govt, EU countries all worried. Frontline countries, neighbouring countries, like Romania, Poland, also Hungary which may have to face a big influx of refugees, we are worried, we have to prepare for that. Also read | As it happened: EU freezes Vladimir Putin's assets in response to Ukraine invasion There is a crisis cell in Romania preparing for refugees. We don't know, how many they will be. It is very difficult to predict, it is impossible for the time being to know what will unfold. What we hope is that in the 12th hour, diplomacy will prevail and Putin will stop his attacks. As you may know, the EU stands together, we have a common position, a very strong common position of the 27 EU member countries against the Russian aggression calling to halt for the cessation of hostilities and announcing very strong sanction measures against Russia if this situation continues. Sidhant Sibal: In India, both foreign ministers have spoken to each other, there are plans to bring Indian students to your country, if you can give us the details? Daniela-Mariana Sezonov Ţane: Yes it is right, yesterday evening minister Jaishankar spoke to minister Bogdan Aurescu and Romania will give its full support to the Indian students crossing the border into our country. There are consular teams from India, which probably have reached the border with Ukraine in the north of the country and they will help the students reach Bucharest. Also read | 'This might be the last time you see me alive': Ukraine President Zelensky to European Union leaders From Bucharest, there will be flights to India organised by the Indian govt. Romanian govt offered support for a couple of days with food and accommodation to students and not only students but also Indian citizens coming from Ukraine but we also have to prepare for a longer stay of refugees from Ukraine. Indian citizens will be taken care of by the Indian government, we are in full support of them and as I have said, we will help them for a couple of days but in the long term, we will have to prepare for support and humanitarian assistance for the Ukrainian refugees. If the crisis will continue, they might have to stay longer in our countries.

Ukraine crisis: Romania's govt to provide evacuated Indian students with food, accommodation, says envoy

Classrooms abuzz with students wearing masks, queues at canteens and roadside eateries, and bustling crowds at nearby metro stations --&nbsp;the Delhi University campus in India's capital New Delhi, came alive on Thursday as students returned to colleges after a gap of almost two years.

The varsity was shut closed in March 2020 owing to the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station, the nearest such, swarmed with students as they headed to their colleges located in the north campus, where they were greeted by guards bearing thermal scanners in their hands.

The canteens and roadside eateries were abuzz with activity, bringing cheer to the owners as well as the students many of whom could bond with their friends over a cuppa for the very first time.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/poland-minister-przydacz-sees-indias-positive-role-amid-ukraine-russia-crisis-454011">Also read |&nbsp;Poland Minister Przydacz sees India's "positive" role amid Ukraine-Russia crisis</a>

As students queued up outside stalls to savour momos, tea, sweet corn and other snacks, business returned to these eateries that had been left cash-strapped owing to the closure of the university. When PTI probed inside the classrooms, most students were seen wearing masks.

Manish Kansal, a teacher at Hindu College, said the students' excitement was quite apparent despite their masked faces.

"We were meeting our students for the first time. They were wearing masks but we could see the excitement in their eyes. Some of the students were even clicking pictures of the college, and the roads and traffic outside," he told PTI.

Gajendra Mohan Thakur, a 26-year-old Campus Law Centre student, said, "I was excited to go back to the campus. The university was shut for around two years and the online mode of study was not efficient enough to substitute the offline mode of education. It is a time to reclaim our lost years."

Kalyanai Harbola, a first-year student, made no attempt to hide her excitement and said the reopening of campus brought her life back on track. We are super excited to join offline classes as it provides a whole new bunch of opportunities and exposure to shape our future, she said.

Earlier this month, several student bodies had held protests demanding the reopening of the campus. The authorities decided to resume the classes after a decline in number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-makes-helmets-and-safety-harnesses-a-must-for-kids-riding-pillion-454019">Also read |&nbsp;India makes helmets and safety harnesses a must for kids riding pillion</a>

While there was a good turnout of students from the national capital, attendance from other states was low, with their numbers only expected to pick up from the next week. Principals, however, said the turnout was better than what they had expected. According to teachers, attendance was higher among second-year students as compared to those from first-year.

However, not everyone was happy with the resumption of offline classes as outstation students complained of a spike in rent at paying guest accommodations. Gauri, a third-year student of English (Honours) from Kerala, said the PG rates have tripled. PG owners are taking advantage of the situation and asking students triple the amount of the actual rent. They are asking for Rs 16,000 for a triple-seater room. This is too much," she said.

Several outstation students PTI spoke to complained they were given too few days to plan their return. I am anxious since we have exams in the next 20 days. We have to sort many things out and also study for exams. This is an additional pressure. Students were asking for hybrid classes but our demand was refused. They said it is not possible, said 24-year-old Aditi Jain, a student of Masters in English.

Watch |&nbsp;&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Is Delhi University being unfair to students?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-is-delhi-university-being-unfair-to-students-421609/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Another student, 18-year-old Mamatha Rose from Kerala, who looked visibly tired after standing in a long queue at the Vishwavidyalaya Metro station, too shared her grouse. "They earlier informed us that you have to come to Delhi. But two days back they told us you can take online classes. I mean, there is so much mismanagement. We had already booked the tickets and my friend and her father helped us in booking a PG, she said.

"They did not give us enough time to shift. Today, I am unable to attend classes because I need to shift. They should have provided us with accommodation facilities," Rose added.

Even those who managed to find a stay in university hostels are no better off. With many of the hostels under renovation, students are forced to find accommodation elsewhere.

"The hostel allotment is underway but, anyway, seats are limited and students are given hostel rooms on the basis of a merit list so very few students get them," said a student of Kirori Mal College.&nbsp;

Classrooms abuzz with students wearing masks, queues at canteens and roadside eateries, and bustling crowds at nearby metro stations -- the Delhi University campus in India's capital New Delhi, came alive on Thursday as students returned to colleges after a gap of almost two years.

Classrooms abuzz with students wearing masks, queues at canteens and roadside eateries, and bustling crowds at nearby metro stations -- the Delhi University campus in India's capital New Delhi, came alive on Thursday as students returned to colleges after a gap of almost two years. The varsity was shut closed in March 2020 owing to the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station, the nearest such, swarmed with students as they headed to their colleges located in the north campus, where they were greeted by guards bearing thermal scanners in their hands. The canteens and roadside eateries were abuzz with activity, bringing cheer to the owners as well as the students many of whom could bond with their friends over a cuppa for the very first time. Also read | Poland Minister Przydacz sees India's "positive" role amid Ukraine-Russia crisis As students queued up outside stalls to savour momos, tea, sweet corn and other snacks, business returned to these eateries that had been left cash-strapped owing to the closure of the university. When PTI probed inside the classrooms, most students were seen wearing masks. Manish Kansal, a teacher at Hindu College, said the students' excitement was quite apparent despite their masked faces. "We were meeting our students for the first time. They were wearing masks but we could see the excitement in their eyes. Some of the students were even clicking pictures of the college, and the roads and traffic outside," he told PTI. Gajendra Mohan Thakur, a 26-year-old Campus Law Centre student, said, "I was excited to go back to the campus. The university was shut for around two years and the online mode of study was not efficient enough to substitute the offline mode of education. It is a time to reclaim our lost years." Kalyanai Harbola, a first-year student, made no attempt to hide her excitement and said the reopening of campus brought her life back on track. We are super excited to join offline classes as it provides a whole new bunch of opportunities and exposure to shape our future, she said. Earlier this month, several student bodies had held protests demanding the reopening of the campus. The authorities decided to resume the classes after a decline in number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital. Also read | India makes helmets and safety harnesses a must for kids riding pillion While there was a good turnout of students from the national capital, attendance from other states was low, with their numbers only expected to pick up from the next week. Principals, however, said the turnout was better than what they had expected. According to teachers, attendance was higher among second-year students as compared to those from first-year. However, not everyone was happy with the resumption of offline classes as outstation students complained of a spike in rent at paying guest accommodations. Gauri, a third-year student of English (Honours) from Kerala, said the PG rates have tripled. PG owners are taking advantage of the situation and asking students triple the amount of the actual rent. They are asking for Rs 16,000 for a triple-seater room. This is too much," she said. Several outstation students PTI spoke to complained they were given too few days to plan their return. I am anxious since we have exams in the next 20 days. We have to sort many things out and also study for exams. This is an additional pressure. Students were asking for hybrid classes but our demand was refused. They said it is not possible, said 24-year-old Aditi Jain, a student of Masters in English. Watch | Gravitas Plus: Is Delhi University being unfair to students? Another student, 18-year-old Mamatha Rose from Kerala, who looked visibly tired after standing in a long queue at the Vishwavidyalaya Metro station, too shared her grouse. "They earlier informed us that you have to come to Delhi. But two days back they told us you can take online classes. I mean, there is so much mismanagement. We had already booked the tickets and my friend and her father helped us in booking a PG, she said. "They did not give us enough time to shift. Today, I am unable to attend classes because I need to shift. They should have provided us with accommodation facilities," Rose added. Even those who managed to find a stay in university hostels are no better off. With many of the hostels under renovation, students are forced to find accommodation elsewhere. "The hostel allotment is underway but, anyway, seats are limited and students are given hostel rooms on the basis of a merit list so very few students get them," said a student of Kirori Mal College.

Delhi University colleges reopen, students back on campus after two years

A students' organisation has urged the youths from Jammu and Kashmir, who are studying in other parts of the country, to focus on their education and career, control their emotions and not to write provocative things on social media.

The appeal came days after a case of sedition was registered against a minor college student from Jammu and Kashmir studying in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly posting an objectionable video about the Pulwama terror attack.

"We urge all Kashmiris studying outside Kashmir to desist from any activity that could disrupt peace," national spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association, Nasir Khuehami, said in a press statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/now-dominos-kia-apologise-for-kashmir-post-amid-social-media-storm-451601">Now, Dominos, KIA apologise for Kashmir post amid social media storm</a>

He said the minor Kashmiri student studying in Swami Vivekanand PG College Neemuch in MP had posted the objectionable video on social media regarding the Pulwama attack.The student studying under the Prime Minister's Special Scholarship Scheme had posted the video in which he termed the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed on February 14, 2019, as an act of revenge for the Babri masjid demolition, he added.

A complaint has been filed on behalf of the college against the student and the accused is presently in police custody (since Tuesday), Khuehami said, quoting college Principal Vijay Jain.

He has been arrested and booked for sedition under section Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 505 (whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report). The mobile phone and laptop of the student have been seized and are being checked, he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-jammu-and-kashmir-with-positive-approach-on-path-of-progress-450708">Opinion-Jammu and Kashmir: With positive approach on path of progress</a>

"We urge all Kashmiri students to focus on their education and not to write provocative things on social media to add fuel to the fire. We request students to avoid debates and don't get provoked on sentiments and not involve themselves in the mess," he added.

All Kashmiri students pursuing studies outside (J&amp;K) in Indian states should be patient, keep calm and control their emotions. They should save their careers instead of getting provoked. Their life, career and well-being are more important than social media posts and they should not give anybody a chance to ruin their career, he said.

"We must respect everyone's sentiment and avoid outburst of emotions as it may hurt the sentiments of others. The objectionable post has hurt the sentiments of people that is wrong and unjustified," he said, adding that sedition is a very harsh punishment and the action will ruin the career of the minor student.

Reconciliation is the only way to further the cause of engaging with the students of Jammu and Kashmir, Khuehami said.

A students' organisation has urged the youths from Jammu and Kashmir, who are studying in other parts of the country, to focus on their education and career, control their emotions and not to write provocative things on social media.

A students' organisation has urged the youths from Jammu and Kashmir, who are studying in other parts of the country, to focus on their education and career, control their emotions and not to write provocative things on social media. The appeal came days after a case of sedition was registered against a minor college student from Jammu and Kashmir studying in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly posting an objectionable video about the Pulwama terror attack. "We urge all Kashmiris studying outside Kashmir to desist from any activity that could disrupt peace," national spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association, Nasir Khuehami, said in a press statement. Also read | Now, Dominos, KIA apologise for Kashmir post amid social media storm He said the minor Kashmiri student studying in Swami Vivekanand PG College Neemuch in MP had posted the objectionable video on social media regarding the Pulwama attack.The student studying under the Prime Minister's Special Scholarship Scheme had posted the video in which he termed the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed on February 14, 2019, as an act of revenge for the Babri masjid demolition, he added. A complaint has been filed on behalf of the college against the student and the accused is presently in police custody (since Tuesday), Khuehami said, quoting college Principal Vijay Jain. He has been arrested and booked for sedition under section Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 505 (whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report). The mobile phone and laptop of the student have been seized and are being checked, he said. Also read | Opinion-Jammu and Kashmir: With positive approach on path of progress "We urge all Kashmiri students to focus on their education and not to write provocative things on social media to add fuel to the fire. We request students to avoid debates and don't get provoked on sentiments and not involve themselves in the mess," he added. All Kashmiri students pursuing studies outside (J&K) in Indian states should be patient, keep calm and control their emotions. They should save their careers instead of getting provoked. Their life, career and well-being are more important than social media posts and they should not give anybody a chance to ruin their career, he said. "We must respect everyone's sentiment and avoid outburst of emotions as it may hurt the sentiments of others. The objectionable post has hurt the sentiments of people that is wrong and unjustified," he said, adding that sedition is a very harsh punishment and the action will ruin the career of the minor student. Reconciliation is the only way to further the cause of engaging with the students of Jammu and Kashmir, Khuehami said.

Focus on your education and career, avoid getting provoked: Students from J&K urged

Student workers at Columbia University in New York gave their tentative blessing Friday to a new contract that raises their wages and improves their health benefits, ending a 10-week strike that disrupted some classes and strained relations with administrators.

Those on both sides of the bargaining said they were pleased that the standoff had ended.

“It has been a really, really long road,” said Lilian Coie, 27, a doctoral student in neurobiology and a member of the bargaining committee for Student Workers of Columbia, which represents about 3,000 graduate and undergraduate students. “Even though the agreement isn’t perfect, we’re very happy with it.”

With the tentative contract agreement in hand, union representatives said that about one-third of their members had voted on whether to end the strike and that more than 90% of those who voted supported doing so. A formal vote to ratify the contract, which runs for four years, is set for later this month.

In a statement, Mary C. Boyce, Columbia’s provost, said “there is no doubt that this has been a challenging period for the university.”

Still, she added, “all who were involved in collective bargaining shared the common goal of creating a stronger Columbia for those who teach and learn, conduct research, discover and innovate, work and study here.”

“I am optimistic that when the new academic term begins on Jan. 18, Columbia will fully return to the normal rhythm of academic life,” she said.

The Columbia strike was the latest such action at a prominent U.S. university. Student workers at New York University agreed to a contract after striking in spring 2021. At Harvard University, a three-day strike ended in late October and a second strike was narrowly avoided the following month after a tentative agreement was reached.

Tensions at Columbia ran high at times during the negotiations. In early December, university officials sent an email to student workers saying that those who did not return to work within a few days would not be guaranteed jobs for the spring semester. The workers responded by blocking campus entrances for a day.

Among other things, the tentative contract includes a 6% raise for workers with annual contracts and an increase in hourly wages to $21 from $15. Columbia has also agreed to cover 75% of the cost of student workers’ dental insurance and to create a $300,000 emergency fund that workers can tap for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The fund is scheduled to grow in future years.

The agreement also allows student workers, after the university investigates, to seek third-party arbitration in cases involving allegations of discrimination, harassment or both. That would give workers the opportunity to hire investigators or lawyers not affiliated with Columbia to evaluate complaints.

The recent strike was the second such action by student workers at Columbia. The first, this past spring, ended without a contract and with all of the union’s bargaining committee members stepping down.

“I think there were a lot of people who felt that when we were campaigning for the no vote last spring, we were leading people off a cliff,” Coie said. “But we actually made some really, really big improvements on the last tentative agreement.”

Several city officials applauded the agreement.

“Student workers are the backbone of Columbia University,” Mark Levine, Manhattan borough president, said in a statement. “And I’m relieved the union and the university have finally reached a tentative agreement that fairly compensates students for their teaching, research and operational expertise.”

Over the next three weeks, union leaders will contact as many union members as possible to make sure they understand the agreement’s terms before the ratification vote is held.

“What our members achieved is impressive,” said Nadeem Mansour, 32, a humanities doctoral student and bargaining committee member, “but this is only the start.”

Student workers at Columbia University in New York gave their tentative blessing Friday to a new contract that raises their wages and improves their health benefits, ending a 10-week strike that disrupted some classes and strained relations with administrators.

Student workers at Columbia University in New York gave their tentative blessing Friday to a new contract that raises their wages and improves their health benefits, ending a 10-week strike that disrupted some classes and strained relations with administrators. Those on both sides of the bargaining said they were pleased that the standoff had ended. “It has been a really, really long road,” said Lilian Coie, 27, a doctoral student in neurobiology and a member of the bargaining committee for Student Workers of Columbia, which represents about 3,000 graduate and undergraduate students. “Even though the agreement isn’t perfect, we’re very happy with it.” With the tentative contract agreement in hand, union representatives said that about one-third of their members had voted on whether to end the strike and that more than 90% of those who voted supported doing so. A formal vote to ratify the contract, which runs for four years, is set for later this month. In a statement, Mary C. Boyce, Columbia’s provost, said “there is no doubt that this has been a challenging period for the university.” Still, she added, “all who were involved in collective bargaining shared the common goal of creating a stronger Columbia for those who teach and learn, conduct research, discover and innovate, work and study here.” “I am optimistic that when the new academic term begins on Jan. 18, Columbia will fully return to the normal rhythm of academic life,” she said. The Columbia strike was the latest such action at a prominent U.S. university. Student workers at New York University agreed to a contract after striking in spring 2021. At Harvard University, a three-day strike ended in late October and a second strike was narrowly avoided the following month after a tentative agreement was reached. Tensions at Columbia ran high at times during the negotiations. In early December, university officials sent an email to student workers saying that those who did not return to work within a few days would not be guaranteed jobs for the spring semester. The workers responded by blocking campus entrances for a day. Among other things, the tentative contract includes a 6% raise for workers with annual contracts and an increase in hourly wages to $21 from $15. Columbia has also agreed to cover 75% of the cost of student workers’ dental insurance and to create a $300,000 emergency fund that workers can tap for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The fund is scheduled to grow in future years. The agreement also allows student workers, after the university investigates, to seek third-party arbitration in cases involving allegations of discrimination, harassment or both. That would give workers the opportunity to hire investigators or lawyers not affiliated with Columbia to evaluate complaints. The recent strike was the second such action by student workers at Columbia. The first, this past spring, ended without a contract and with all of the union’s bargaining committee members stepping down. “I think there were a lot of people who felt that when we were campaigning for the no vote last spring, we were leading people off a cliff,” Coie said. “But we actually made some really, really big improvements on the last tentative agreement.” Several city officials applauded the agreement. “Student workers are the backbone of Columbia University,” Mark Levine, Manhattan borough president, said in a statement. “And I’m relieved the union and the university have finally reached a tentative agreement that fairly compensates students for their teaching, research and operational expertise.” Over the next three weeks, union leaders will contact as many union members as possible to make sure they understand the agreement’s terms before the ratification vote is held. “What our members achieved is impressive,” said Nadeem Mansour, 32, a humanities doctoral student and bargaining committee member, “but this is only the start.”

Student workers at Columbia end 10-week strike after reaching a deal

China is trying to build, what is being dubbed as one of the world's most sophisticated surveillance technology. Security officials in the Henan province of China have authorised a surveillance system through which they aim at tracking journalists and international students and various other "suspicious people," reveals a report by Reuters. A near-200 page tender document on Henan's provincial government website highlights plans for a system that can compile individual files on people of interest.&nbsp;

This will be done using 3,000 facial recognition cameras that connect to various national and regional databases.

A contract worth $782,000 was awarded to Chinese tech company Neusoft.&nbsp;

The company was asked to complete creating this system within two months of signing the contract, says a report by Reuters citing separate documents published on Henan's government procurement website showed.&nbsp;

US-based surveillance research firm IPVM had closely tracked the network's expansion and was the first to identify the Henan document. It revealed that the tender specified journalists as "surveillance targets" and provided a blueprint to quickly locate them and hamper their working.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/journalists-to-freely-depart-and-return-washington-hails-progress-for-us-media-working-in-china-429911">Also read |&nbsp;Journalists to freely depart and return; Washington hails 'progress' for US media working in China</a>

The tender document specifies that the cameras should be created in a way that they are able to build create an accurate file for individuals who have their faces covered by masks or glasses. Also, those who are targeted must be easily searchable&nbsp;on the database by uploading a picture.

"Suspicious persons must be tailed and controlled, dynamic research analyses and risk assessments made, and the journalists dealt with according to their category," the tender states.

The document from the Henan Public Security department does not provide any reason as to why it wants to track journalists or international students. Another category of people it said it wants to track "women from neighbouring countries that are illegal residents."

Public access to the tender document has been disabled.&nbsp;

"While the PRC has a documented history of detaining and punishing journalists for doing their jobs, this document illustrates the first known instance of the PRC building custom security technology to streamline state suppression of journalists," said IPVM'S Head of Operations Donald Maye.

As of now, the Henan provincial government and police have not responded to the request for comments.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

China is trying to build, what is being dubbed as one of the world's most sophisticated surveillance technology. Security officials in the Henan province of China have authorised a surveillance system through which they aim at tracking journalists and international students and various other "suspicious people," reveals a report by Reuters.

China is trying to build, what is being dubbed as one of the world's most sophisticated surveillance technology. Security officials in the Henan province of China have authorised a surveillance system through which they aim at tracking journalists and international students and various other "suspicious people," reveals a report by Reuters. A near-200 page tender document on Henan's provincial government website highlights plans for a system that can compile individual files on people of interest. This will be done using 3,000 facial recognition cameras that connect to various national and regional databases. A contract worth $782,000 was awarded to Chinese tech company Neusoft. The company was asked to complete creating this system within two months of signing the contract, says a report by Reuters citing separate documents published on Henan's government procurement website showed. US-based surveillance research firm IPVM had closely tracked the network's expansion and was the first to identify the Henan document. It revealed that the tender specified journalists as "surveillance targets" and provided a blueprint to quickly locate them and hamper their working. Also read | Journalists to freely depart and return; Washington hails 'progress' for US media working in China The tender document specifies that the cameras should be created in a way that they are able to build create an accurate file for individuals who have their faces covered by masks or glasses. Also, those who are targeted must be easily searchable on the database by uploading a picture. "Suspicious persons must be tailed and controlled, dynamic research analyses and risk assessments made, and the journalists dealt with according to their category," the tender states. The document from the Henan Public Security department does not provide any reason as to why it wants to track journalists or international students. Another category of people it said it wants to track "women from neighbouring countries that are illegal residents." Public access to the tender document has been disabled. "While the PRC has a documented history of detaining and punishing journalists for doing their jobs, this document illustrates the first known instance of the PRC building custom security technology to streamline state suppression of journalists," said IPVM'S Head of Operations Donald Maye. As of now, the Henan provincial government and police have not responded to the request for comments. (With inputs from agencies)

'Sophisticated surveillance technology': Chinese province targets 'suspicious people'

Security officials in one of China's largest provinces have commissioned a surveillance system they say they want to use to track journalists and international students.

Chinese province targets journalists, foreign students with new surveillance system

A teacher in California told students belonging to a conservative club to "jump off a bridge" after they waved an&nbsp;anti-Biden&nbsp;flag at a Veterans Day event. &nbsp;

According to the Paso Robles Press, Kristin Usilton, teacher, Bauer Speck Elementary School, had posted a video on her Instagram account, which has been deleted. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Teacher in Paso Robles, California says conservative kids can “jump off a bridge” <a href="https://t.co/GVHh7Uh7fm">pic.twitter.com/GVHh7Uh7fm</a>
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In the video, the teacher criticised a Paso Robles High School Conservative Club demonstration at a Veterans Day event. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-fine-idea-alcohol-detection-systems-now-mandatory-for-all-vehicles-in-us-430317" hreflang="en">'A fine idea': Alcohol detection systems now mandatory for all vehicles in US</a>

Usilton said, "The Paso Robles Conservative Club for the high school, you can go jump off a bridge. I'm going to post what they thought was a great show of support for the veterans, who I'm pretty sure would be absolutely offended by what they did on school campus." &nbsp;

At an event on November 10 meant to celebrate US veterans, students from the high school's conservative club waved a variety of flags, such as American flag, "Trump 2020" flag, Gadsden flag, "F*** Biden" flag, etc, according to the Tribune. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Usilton said, "Had the LGBTQ population done that or the black or Hispanic community members, we would have had our ass chewed out. Look at what they did today." Usilton also showed footage of the students waving the flags.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/real-threat-us-investigates-instagrams-impact-on-childrens-mental-health-430383" hreflang="en">'Real threat': US investigates Instagram's impact on children's mental health</a>

In another video, Usilton clarified, "When I said, 'Go jump off a bridge,' I just meant go away, and I will not use that term again because of the incredible influx of messages I got about that. But if that's what you focused on in that message, you're kind of part of the problem." &nbsp;

On November 17, Curt Dubost, superintendent, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, released a statement addressing both Usilton and the students, who waved the flags. &nbsp;

Dubost said, "Last Wednesday, a student effort to honour Veterans Day was disrupted by a very poor choice to include a profane flag." He also criticised Usilton and labelled her actions as "inappropriate." &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A teacher in California told students belonging to a conservative club to "jump off a bridge" after they waved an anti-Biden flag at a Veterans Day event. According to the Paso Robles Press, Kristin Usilton, teacher, Bauer Speck Elementary School, had posted a video on her Instagram account, which has been deleted.

A teacher in California told students belonging to a conservative club to "jump off a bridge" after they waved an anti-Biden flag at a Veterans Day event. According to the Paso Robles Press, Kristin Usilton, teacher, Bauer Speck Elementary School, had posted a video on her Instagram account, which has been deleted. Teacher in Paso Robles, California says conservative kids can “jump off a bridge” pic.twitter.com/GVHh7Uh7fm — Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) November 18, 2021 × In the video, the teacher criticised a Paso Robles High School Conservative Club demonstration at a Veterans Day event. Also Read: 'A fine idea': Alcohol detection systems now mandatory for all vehicles in US Usilton said, "The Paso Robles Conservative Club for the high school, you can go jump off a bridge. I'm going to post what they thought was a great show of support for the veterans, who I'm pretty sure would be absolutely offended by what they did on school campus." At an event on November 10 meant to celebrate US veterans, students from the high school's conservative club waved a variety of flags, such as American flag, "Trump 2020" flag, Gadsden flag, "F*** Biden" flag, etc, according to the Tribune. Usilton said, "Had the LGBTQ population done that or the black or Hispanic community members, we would have had our ass chewed out. Look at what they did today." Usilton also showed footage of the students waving the flags. Also Read: 'Real threat': US investigates Instagram's impact on children's mental health In another video, Usilton clarified, "When I said, 'Go jump off a bridge,' I just meant go away, and I will not use that term again because of the incredible influx of messages I got about that. But if that's what you focused on in that message, you're kind of part of the problem." On November 17, Curt Dubost, superintendent, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, released a statement addressing both Usilton and the students, who waved the flags. Dubost said, "Last Wednesday, a student effort to honour Veterans Day was disrupted by a very poor choice to include a profane flag." He also criticised Usilton and labelled her actions as "inappropriate." (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Upset teacher tells students to 'jump off a bridge' for waving anti-Biden flag in US

As the Taliban closed in on the Afghan capital, Kabul, in August, what had been a privileged education at the American University of Afghanistan suddenly became a dangerous liability.

Students and staff frantically searched for an escape route from a country that, with the withdrawal of U.S. forces, would fall to the Taliban — a group that has described the U.S.-funded university as a den of infidels and has shut schools and universities for girls and women.

Iraq, though, was not the first destination that came to the students’ minds as a refuge.

“OK, now I’m leaving the Taliban behind,” said Mashall, 24, a master’s student in information technology. “And now I’m going to face ISIS,” she said, describing her concern and using an alternate name for the Islamic State when told her evacuation flight would end up in Iraq.

Those fears have proved unfounded for Mashall and her classmates, who are among the first Afghan students to arrive at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. It is located in the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah, a liberal metropolis dotted with parks, filled with cafes and restaurants, and considered the safest major city in Iraq.

The students said they realized as much when they arrived, welcomed in the middle of the night by the university’s president and professors with bouquets of flowers to a campus with no high walls or security patrols.

So far, 109 young Afghans are studying in Sulaimaniyah, a portion of the 300 American University students that are ultimately expected to relocate there.

Many of the relocated students, traumatized by the loss of their homeland and haunted by worry over the families they left behind, are still in a state of shock and uncertain how to navigate life in a strange land.

On the university campus, a group of relocated students told their stories to The New York Times, speaking publicly for the first time since they were evacuated from Kabul. The Times is using only their first names and is not showing their faces in photographs to protect their families still in Afghanistan.

As the Taliban neared Kabul in August, Neda, a business student who worked part time at the university, frantically fed student documents into a fire on the nearly empty campus. “We tried to burn all the contracts or documents so they couldn’t find the students’ names and addresses,” she said.

The students and staff feared the Taliban would hunt them down along with their families and kill them.

“The Taliban came to an office I was working at,” recalled Murtaza, a law student who was later evacuated. “They wanted to beat us. They called us infidels and American spies.”

That night in August, as Neda burned papers, the foreign staff at the university had already been evacuated to a British-run security compound near the airport. For almost four hours Neda and a handful of other Afghans threw student records into the fire.

And then it was time to leave for the British compound, in what would become a harrowing journey ending in what many of the students initially considered to be the dangerous destination of Iraq.

But the Afghan university’s academic administrator knew better.

Vice President Victoria Fontan had worked in Iraq and during the pandemic had collaborated with her counterpart in Sulaimaniyah on an online curriculum. When the Kabul university started searching for a place to relocate students, she thought of Iraq, and a network of powerful friends kicked into action.

President Barham Salih of Iraq, the founder of the university in Sulaimaniyah and himself a former refugee, pledged to take in up to 300 students and arranged for them to enter without visas or in some cases even passports.

“The Iraqis really took an enormous leap of faith in this,” said Jared Cohen, CEO of Jigsaw, a technology incubator formerly known as Google Ideas. He became involved in a personal capacity after being asked by a friend, an Afghan-born BBC journalist, to help evacuate students.

Cohen said he obtained in a single afternoon from American philanthropists pledges of $3 million to evacuate and fund the studies of the 109 Afghan students in Sulaimaniyah and relocate another group of civil society professionals and journalists to another country. The Qatari government provided planes to evacuate the students.

The president of the Afghan university, Ian Bickford, said 106 other students had been sent to the American University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan, and about 200 to other countries, including Pakistan and the United States.

Another 375 American University students are still in Afghanistan, along with many more staff and hundreds of alumni, Bickford said. Many are in hiding.

Students in Afghanistan still have access to online courses led by teachers now living outside the country. But many of those students no longer have reliable access to the internet or feel safe to connect, their former classmates said.

Some students, like Neda, are still traumatized by their escape. The British security compound where she was sheltering with the university’s foreign staff was taken over by the Taliban, who demanded money and vehicles before they let the occupants leave. Neda was terrified that the Taliban, who later took photos and videos of everyone on the buses to the airport, would recognize they were not foreigners but Afghans.

When they finally arrived at the Kabul airport gate with the foreign staff, she said, British soldiers barred them from entering.

“They said, ‘No, you guys are Afghans; you cannot go,’ ” Neda said. She said they were kicked out of the airport and into an area controlled by the Taliban. “I was in a very bad situation because I had never seen the Taliban face to face.”

Eventually, she made it onto a Qatari evacuation flight Aug. 21, leaving in a sandstorm amid the chaos of foreign soldiers including Turks trying to control an airport overrun with people desperate to escape.

“The Turkish Army and American Army treated us in a very bad way,” she said, wiping away tears. “I mean, it was my own country; it was my own land. But still they shouted at us.”

Neda did not tell her family she was going to Iraq because she knew they would worry. “All you hear about Iraq is the Islamic State and explosions,” she said.

One of the other students, a political science major named Fatima who plans to be a diplomat, had lived in Kabul for just four years. For years, she and her family were refugees in neighboring Pakistan, but she had persuaded them to return to Afghanistan so she could pursue her education.

“When I came to Kabul I was thinking that I belong to this land and it belongs to me,” she said. “It was such a beautiful feeling.”

Now, Fatima finds herself in yet another country — and wondering what the future holds.

Murtza, 22, a law student who was among those relocated, said he missed Kabul, even with its frequent electricity cuts. “I didn’t feel safe around Kabul,” he said. “But it was my hometown. It was my country. It was my soul, and it was my heart.”

Mujtaba, a law student, was among a group of students who relocated to Sulaimaniyah in October. Before he left, he would lie awake at night, listening to the constant roar of planes leaving Kabul.

“We couldn’t sleep because of the sound. And not just the sound, the thought that so many great people are just leaving the country. It was just devastating,” he said. Now he has become one of them. But he says he is determined to return to Afghanistan when he can to help rebuild it.

Mujtaba taught English and ran a book club in Kabul, while also teaching his mother to read.

He showed videos of his brother and sister reading by flashlight during a power cut in Kabul. While his brother still goes to school, Mujtaba said, his sister, a ninth grader, was forced to stop after the Taliban shut down high schools for girls.

In the small room he shares with another Afghan student in Sulaimaniyah, Mujtaba writes inspirational notes to himself on sticky notes placed above his desk.

“Be strong,” said that day’s note, with a smiley face drawn underneath.

As the Taliban closed in on the Afghan capital, Kabul, in August, what had been a privileged education at the American University of Afghanistan suddenly became a dangerous liability.

As the Taliban closed in on the Afghan capital, Kabul, in August, what had been a privileged education at the American University of Afghanistan suddenly became a dangerous liability. Students and staff frantically searched for an escape route from a country that, with the withdrawal of U.S. forces, would fall to the Taliban — a group that has described the U.S.-funded university as a den of infidels and has shut schools and universities for girls and women. Iraq, though, was not the first destination that came to the students’ minds as a refuge. “OK, now I’m leaving the Taliban behind,” said Mashall, 24, a master’s student in information technology. “And now I’m going to face ISIS,” she said, describing her concern and using an alternate name for the Islamic State when told her evacuation flight would end up in Iraq. Those fears have proved unfounded for Mashall and her classmates, who are among the first Afghan students to arrive at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. It is located in the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah, a liberal metropolis dotted with parks, filled with cafes and restaurants, and considered the safest major city in Iraq. The students said they realized as much when they arrived, welcomed in the middle of the night by the university’s president and professors with bouquets of flowers to a campus with no high walls or security patrols. So far, 109 young Afghans are studying in Sulaimaniyah, a portion of the 300 American University students that are ultimately expected to relocate there. Many of the relocated students, traumatized by the loss of their homeland and haunted by worry over the families they left behind, are still in a state of shock and uncertain how to navigate life in a strange land. On the university campus, a group of relocated students told their stories to The New York Times, speaking publicly for the first time since they were evacuated from Kabul. The Times is using only their first names and is not showing their faces in photographs to protect their families still in Afghanistan. As the Taliban neared Kabul in August, Neda, a business student who worked part time at the university, frantically fed student documents into a fire on the nearly empty campus. “We tried to burn all the contracts or documents so they couldn’t find the students’ names and addresses,” she said. The students and staff feared the Taliban would hunt them down along with their families and kill them. “The Taliban came to an office I was working at,” recalled Murtaza, a law student who was later evacuated. “They wanted to beat us. They called us infidels and American spies.” That night in August, as Neda burned papers, the foreign staff at the university had already been evacuated to a British-run security compound near the airport. For almost four hours Neda and a handful of other Afghans threw student records into the fire. And then it was time to leave for the British compound, in what would become a harrowing journey ending in what many of the students initially considered to be the dangerous destination of Iraq. But the Afghan university’s academic administrator knew better. Vice President Victoria Fontan had worked in Iraq and during the pandemic had collaborated with her counterpart in Sulaimaniyah on an online curriculum. When the Kabul university started searching for a place to relocate students, she thought of Iraq, and a network of powerful friends kicked into action. President Barham Salih of Iraq, the founder of the university in Sulaimaniyah and himself a former refugee, pledged to take in up to 300 students and arranged for them to enter without visas or in some cases even passports. “The Iraqis really took an enormous leap of faith in this,” said Jared Cohen, CEO of Jigsaw, a technology incubator formerly known as Google Ideas. He became involved in a personal capacity after being asked by a friend, an Afghan-born BBC journalist, to help evacuate students. Cohen said he obtained in a single afternoon from American philanthropists pledges of $3 million to evacuate and fund the studies of the 109 Afghan students in Sulaimaniyah and relocate another group of civil society professionals and journalists to another country. The Qatari government provided planes to evacuate the students. The president of the Afghan university, Ian Bickford, said 106 other students had been sent to the American University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan, and about 200 to other countries, including Pakistan and the United States. Another 375 American University students are still in Afghanistan, along with many more staff and hundreds of alumni, Bickford said. Many are in hiding. Students in Afghanistan still have access to online courses led by teachers now living outside the country. But many of those students no longer have reliable access to the internet or feel safe to connect, their former classmates said. Some students, like Neda, are still traumatized by their escape. The British security compound where she was sheltering with the university’s foreign staff was taken over by the Taliban, who demanded money and vehicles before they let the occupants leave. Neda was terrified that the Taliban, who later took photos and videos of everyone on the buses to the airport, would recognize they were not foreigners but Afghans. When they finally arrived at the Kabul airport gate with the foreign staff, she said, British soldiers barred them from entering. “They said, ‘No, you guys are Afghans; you cannot go,’ ” Neda said. She said they were kicked out of the airport and into an area controlled by the Taliban. “I was in a very bad situation because I had never seen the Taliban face to face.” Eventually, she made it onto a Qatari evacuation flight Aug. 21, leaving in a sandstorm amid the chaos of foreign soldiers including Turks trying to control an airport overrun with people desperate to escape. “The Turkish Army and American Army treated us in a very bad way,” she said, wiping away tears. “I mean, it was my own country; it was my own land. But still they shouted at us.” Neda did not tell her family she was going to Iraq because she knew they would worry. “All you hear about Iraq is the Islamic State and explosions,” she said. One of the other students, a political science major named Fatima who plans to be a diplomat, had lived in Kabul for just four years. For years, she and her family were refugees in neighboring Pakistan, but she had persuaded them to return to Afghanistan so she could pursue her education. “When I came to Kabul I was thinking that I belong to this land and it belongs to me,” she said. “It was such a beautiful feeling.” Now, Fatima finds herself in yet another country — and wondering what the future holds. Murtza, 22, a law student who was among those relocated, said he missed Kabul, even with its frequent electricity cuts. “I didn’t feel safe around Kabul,” he said. “But it was my hometown. It was my country. It was my soul, and it was my heart.” Mujtaba, a law student, was among a group of students who relocated to Sulaimaniyah in October. Before he left, he would lie awake at night, listening to the constant roar of planes leaving Kabul. “We couldn’t sleep because of the sound. And not just the sound, the thought that so many great people are just leaving the country. It was just devastating,” he said. Now he has become one of them. But he says he is determined to return to Afghanistan when he can to help rebuild it. Mujtaba taught English and ran a book club in Kabul, while also teaching his mother to read. He showed videos of his brother and sister reading by flashlight during a power cut in Kabul. While his brother still goes to school, Mujtaba said, his sister, a ninth grader, was forced to stop after the Taliban shut down high schools for girls. In the small room he shares with another Afghan student in Sulaimaniyah, Mujtaba writes inspirational notes to himself on sticky notes placed above his desk. “Be strong,” said that day’s note, with a smiley face drawn underneath.

Afghan college students find a new life, and safety, in Iraq

With an aim to cut the 'twin pressures' of homework and offsite tutoring in core subjects, China has passed an education law, said the Xinhua news agency on Saturday. &nbsp;

In the new law, local governments are responsible for ensuring that these two pressures are reduced. It also asked the parents to arrange their children's routine in such a manner that they get reasonable rest and exercise, which will help in reducing pressure, said the agency. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeks-to-contain-beijing-anger-after-biden-vows-taiwan-defense-423109" hreflang="en">US seeks to contain Beijing anger after Biden vows Taiwan defense</a>

It also looks to curb overuse of the internet. The law has not been published in full. &nbsp; &nbsp;

China seems to be making concerted efforts to exercise a more assertive paternal control this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Being concerned with heavy academic burden on children, it has also cut back on homework and banned after-school tutoring for subjects during the weekend and holidays. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-slovakia-czech-republic-over-taiwan-minister-visit-423090" hreflang="en">China warns Slovakia, Czech Republic over Taiwan minister visit</a>

Earlier, China's parliament was considering a legislation to punish parents if their young children exhibit "very bad behaviour" or commit crimes. &nbsp;

In the draft of the family education promotion law, guardians will be reprimanded and ordered to go through family education guidance programmes if prosecutors find very bad or criminal behaviour in children under their care. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With an aim to cut the 'twin pressures' of homework and offsite tutoring in core subjects, China has passed an education law, said the Xinhua news agency on Saturday.

With an aim to cut the 'twin pressures' of homework and offsite tutoring in core subjects, China has passed an education law, said the Xinhua news agency on Saturday. In the new law, local governments are responsible for ensuring that these two pressures are reduced. It also asked the parents to arrange their children's routine in such a manner that they get reasonable rest and exercise, which will help in reducing pressure, said the agency. Also Read: US seeks to contain Beijing anger after Biden vows Taiwan defense It also looks to curb overuse of the internet. The law has not been published in full. China seems to be making concerted efforts to exercise a more assertive paternal control this year. Being concerned with heavy academic burden on children, it has also cut back on homework and banned after-school tutoring for subjects during the weekend and holidays. Also Read: China warns Slovakia, Czech Republic over Taiwan minister visit Earlier, China's parliament was considering a legislation to punish parents if their young children exhibit "very bad behaviour" or commit crimes. In the draft of the family education promotion law, guardians will be reprimanded and ordered to go through family education guidance programmes if prosecutors find very bad or criminal behaviour in children under their care. (With inputs from agencies)

Parental control? China passes law to check students’ 'twin pressures'

Eleven students drowned and another ten were rescued during a school outing for a river cleanup in Indonesia’s West Java province.

As per the local officials, 150 students from an Islamic high school were participating in the cleanup along the banks of the Cileueur river. Out of 150, 21 of them slipped into the water.

Deden Ridwansyah, the chief of the Bandung search and rescue office, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying, "The weather was good and there was no flash flood."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/international-space-station-mistakenly-rotates-by-57-degrees-as-film-shooting-continues-421283">Also read |&nbsp;International Space Station mistakenly rotates by 57 degrees as film shooting continues</a>

"Those children who drowned were holding each others’ hands. One of them slipped and the others followed.”

The rescue team somehow managed to save 10 of the students. They were then sent to a nearby hospital. Rescuers used big orange inflatable rafts to search for victims.&nbsp;

Once after the rescue mission was done, all the students were counted.&nbsp;

As per media reports, the students were not wearing flotation devices. Some reports also said that they were trying to cross the river, which is popular for rafting and inner-tubing. This is how they fell in.&nbsp;

Eleven students drowned and another ten were rescued during a school outing for a river cleanup in Indonesia’s West Java province. As per the local officials, 150 students from an Islamic high school were participating in the cleanup along the banks of the Cileueur river.

Eleven students drowned and another ten were rescued during a school outing for a river cleanup in Indonesia’s West Java province. As per the local officials, 150 students from an Islamic high school were participating in the cleanup along the banks of the Cileueur river. Out of 150, 21 of them slipped into the water. Deden Ridwansyah, the chief of the Bandung search and rescue office, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying, "The weather was good and there was no flash flood." Also read | International Space Station mistakenly rotates by 57 degrees as film shooting continues "Those children who drowned were holding each others’ hands. One of them slipped and the others followed.” The rescue team somehow managed to save 10 of the students. They were then sent to a nearby hospital. Rescuers used big orange inflatable rafts to search for victims. Once after the rescue mission was done, all the students were counted. As per media reports, the students were not wearing flotation devices. Some reports also said that they were trying to cross the river, which is popular for rafting and inner-tubing. This is how they fell in.

Indonesia: 11 students drown, 10 rescued, during a river clean up

A secondary school in London, Ark All Saints academy is trying to stop its students from using “basically” at the beginning of sentences and it is also trying to get rid of phrases such as “oh my days” in a crackdown on “fillers” and “slang” in the classroom.&nbsp;

The school has come up with a list of “banned” language which includes “he cut his eyes at me”. Also, the students should not be able to use “that’s long”, which can mean something that is tedious, or “that’s a neck” which indicates a comment or action is stupid. “Bare”, “wow”, “cuss” and “oh my God” are also out.

Expressions that must not be used at the beginning of sentences include, “ermmm”, “because”, “no”, “like”, “say”, “you see”, “you know”, and “basically”.

The list has drawn criticism from linguists. They have described it as “crude and shortsighted … a disservice and discredit to young people”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobel-prize-season-returns-under-pandemic-spotlight-417257">Also read |&nbsp;Nobel prize season returns under pandemic spotlight</a>

However, the teachers argue that this guides the students to use language that fits more formal situations.

The school said the specific words and phrases on the list were selected because they were “showing up a lot in pupils’ work” and it stressed the importance of pupils expressing themselves “clearly and accurately”.

Lucy Frame, the principal at the school in Camberwell, south-east London, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "The development of reading and speaking skills is a central part of what drives our school to help our students learn effectively and fulfil their potential in academic and non-academic ways."

“None of the words or phrases listed are banned from general use in our school or when our students are interacting socially.

But this list is used in some formal learning settings to help students understand the importance of expressing themselves clearly and accurately, not least through written language in examinations.”

A secondary school in London, Ark All Saints academy is trying to stop its students from using “basically” at the beginning of sentences and it is also trying to get rid of phrases such as “oh my days” in a crackdown on “fillers” and “slang” in the classroom.

A secondary school in London, Ark All Saints academy is trying to stop its students from using “basically” at the beginning of sentences and it is also trying to get rid of phrases such as “oh my days” in a crackdown on “fillers” and “slang” in the classroom. The school has come up with a list of “banned” language which includes “he cut his eyes at me”. Also, the students should not be able to use “that’s long”, which can mean something that is tedious, or “that’s a neck” which indicates a comment or action is stupid. “Bare”, “wow”, “cuss” and “oh my God” are also out. Expressions that must not be used at the beginning of sentences include, “ermmm”, “because”, “no”, “like”, “say”, “you see”, “you know”, and “basically”. The list has drawn criticism from linguists. They have described it as “crude and shortsighted … a disservice and discredit to young people”. Also read | Nobel prize season returns under pandemic spotlight However, the teachers argue that this guides the students to use language that fits more formal situations. The school said the specific words and phrases on the list were selected because they were “showing up a lot in pupils’ work” and it stressed the importance of pupils expressing themselves “clearly and accurately”. Lucy Frame, the principal at the school in Camberwell, south-east London, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "The development of reading and speaking skills is a central part of what drives our school to help our students learn effectively and fulfil their potential in academic and non-academic ways." “None of the words or phrases listed are banned from general use in our school or when our students are interacting socially. But this list is used in some formal learning settings to help students understand the importance of expressing themselves clearly and accurately, not least through written language in examinations.”

London school bans slang terms to 'guide' the students

Opening a window could reduce the amount of coronavirus in a room by half, according to a new observational study of infected college students in an isolation dormitory at the University of Oregon.

<article>
The study, which was posted online, is small and has not yet been published in a scientific journal. But it provides real-world evidence for several important principles, demonstrating that the virus spreads from infected people into the air in a room; that the more virus they are carrying, the more virus builds up indoors; and that both natural and mechanical ventilation appear to reduce this environmental viral load.

“Ventilation is one of the most important mitigation strategies that we have at our disposal,” said Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, who led the research and directs the Institute for Health in the Built Environment.

The researchers studied 35 University of Oregon students who tested positive for the coronavirus between January and May. All students subsequently moved into single rooms in a COVID isolation dormitory for a 10-day isolation period.

The scientists placed petri dishes in each room and used an active air sampler to trap aerosols floating around the air. Several times a day, they also swabbed various surfaces in the room as well as students’ noses and mouths.

Then they used PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, testing to determine whether the virus was present in each sample and, if so, at what levels.

The data confirmed that there was a clear link between the amount of virus that students were carrying and the environmental viral load. As the amount of virus in students’ noses and mouths decreased over their isolation period, so did the amount of airborne virus.

“There was a significant correlation between the nasal samples and the air samples in the room,” Van Den Wymelenberg said.

The researchers also calculated the mechanical ventilation rate for each room and asked students to report how often the windows were open. They found that viral loads were about twice as high, on average, in rooms that had the window closed more than half the time.

The study had several limitations, including the fact that it included only young adults and that symptoms and window data were self-reported.
</article>

Opening a window could reduce the amount of coronavirus in a room by half, according to a new observational study of infected college students in an isolation dormitory at the University of Oregon.

Opening a window could reduce the amount of coronavirus in a room by half, according to a new observational study of infected college students in an isolation dormitory at the University of Oregon. The study, which was posted online, is small and has not yet been published in a scientific journal. But it provides real-world evidence for several important principles, demonstrating that the virus spreads from infected people into the air in a room; that the more virus they are carrying, the more virus builds up indoors; and that both natural and mechanical ventilation appear to reduce this environmental viral load. “Ventilation is one of the most important mitigation strategies that we have at our disposal,” said Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, who led the research and directs the Institute for Health in the Built Environment. The researchers studied 35 University of Oregon students who tested positive for the coronavirus between January and May. All students subsequently moved into single rooms in a COVID isolation dormitory for a 10-day isolation period. The scientists placed petri dishes in each room and used an active air sampler to trap aerosols floating around the air. Several times a day, they also swabbed various surfaces in the room as well as students’ noses and mouths. Then they used PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, testing to determine whether the virus was present in each sample and, if so, at what levels. The data confirmed that there was a clear link between the amount of virus that students were carrying and the environmental viral load. As the amount of virus in students’ noses and mouths decreased over their isolation period, so did the amount of airborne virus. “There was a significant correlation between the nasal samples and the air samples in the room,” Van Den Wymelenberg said. The researchers also calculated the mechanical ventilation rate for each room and asked students to report how often the windows were open. They found that viral loads were about twice as high, on average, in rooms that had the window closed more than half the time. The study had several limitations, including the fact that it included only young adults and that symptoms and window data were self-reported.

Dorm rooms study shows how ventilation curbs virus levels

In China, a well-known university seems to have asked its colleges to prepare lists of LGBTQ+ students and report on their “state of mind”, said an internal directive, which was published online on social media platforms. &nbsp;

Shanghai University has sparked an alarm among young people in the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Citing “relevant requirements”, the “Campus Survey” has asked colleges to “investigate [and] research” students identified as LGBTQ+. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;As clock ticks countries rush to evacuate nationals from Afghanistan

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The information on the students’ state of mind and psychological condition, which includes social contacts, political stance and mental health status, was also requested by the university. &nbsp;

The “relevant requirements” referred in the survey were not explained. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Several students and activists alike have expressed concern and have also anticipated a possibility of a crackdown on these students after the information-gathering exercise. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/now-china-asks-private-firms-to-migrate-data-to-government-run-cloud-services-409161" hreflang="en">Now, China asks private firms to migrate data to government-run cloud services</a>

On Weibo, some legal experts also questioned whether this measure violates China’s new data privacy law. &nbsp;

Shanghai University is yet to give its take on the development, which has raised several eyebrows. &nbsp;

Several people have liked, shared and commented on the original Weibo post, which shared the directive. It also had a screenshot of the document. The original post has been removed.&nbsp;

In China, a well-known university seems to have asked its colleges to prepare lists of LGBTQ+ students and report on their “state of mind”, said an internal directive, which was published online on social media platforms.

In China, a well-known university seems to have asked its colleges to prepare lists of LGBTQ+ students and report on their “state of mind”, said an internal directive, which was published online on social media platforms. Shanghai University has sparked an alarm among young people in the country. Citing “relevant requirements”, the “Campus Survey” has asked colleges to “investigate [and] research” students identified as LGBTQ+. Watch: As clock ticks countries rush to evacuate nationals from Afghanistan × The information on the students’ state of mind and psychological condition, which includes social contacts, political stance and mental health status, was also requested by the university. The “relevant requirements” referred in the survey were not explained. Several students and activists alike have expressed concern and have also anticipated a possibility of a crackdown on these students after the information-gathering exercise. Also Read: Now, China asks private firms to migrate data to government-run cloud services On Weibo, some legal experts also questioned whether this measure violates China’s new data privacy law. Shanghai University is yet to give its take on the development, which has raised several eyebrows. Several people have liked, shared and commented on the original Weibo post, which shared the directive. It also had a screenshot of the document. The original post has been removed.

For ‘investigation’, university asks for LGBTQ+ students’ lists in China

An internal communique issued by China’s Shanghai University has raised eyebrows of many after it ordered its colleges to report students who identify as LGBTQ+ or “non-heterosexual”.

The internal directive, published online on both Chinese and foreign social media platforms, contains a questionnaire purportedly asking the colleges to “investigate and research” students who identified themselves to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, The Guardian reported.

It is also claimed to have requested information on the students’ “state of mind and psychological condition, including political stance, social contacts, and mental health status”.

The matter came to light when a Weibo user posted it on the social media platform on August 26, calling the practice “horrendous”.

“It looks like Shanghai University isn’t the only university to ask for ‘reports’ on LGBT students and keep track of them,” the user wrote. “Whether the school’s intention was good or not, this is horrendous.”

The screenshot of the questionnaire was also shared on Twitter, generating a heated discussion about China’s ongoing ‘crackdowns’ on the country’s sexual minorities.

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"Relevant reqs" part esp concerning. This Jan article is eg of how uni admin look at LGBT students. Calls for student cadres to collect info on LGBT students &amp; for guidance counselors to "help" "non-biologically gay students" "form the correct perspectives on love &amp; marriage." <a href="https://t.co/n09dTuWxBX">https://t.co/n09dTuWxBX</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Gb9125dWo">pic.twitter.com/6Gb9125dWo</a>
— Darius Longarino 龙大瑞 (@DariusLongarino) <a href="https://twitter.com/DariusLongarino/status/1430861604606840832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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“Shanghai University is ordering its colleges to report whether they have any students who identify as #LGBT, according to a university notice that cites “relevant requirements. It’s confirmed by a student and a staff member of the uni. The purpose of such order is unknown,” a reporter based in China tweeted.

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Shanghai University is ordering its colleges to report whether they have any students who identify as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGBT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGBT</a>, according to a university notice that cites “relevant requirements.” It’s confirmed by a student and a staff member of the uni. The purpose of such order is unknown. <a href="https://t.co/33hWvqwEtq">pic.twitter.com/33hWvqwEtq</a>
— Yaling Jiang (@yaling_jiang) <a href="https://twitter.com/yaling_jiang/status/1430843294213279744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The latest incident comes days after it was reported that Chinese social media giant WeChat was allegedly removing dozens of LGBTQ+ accounts, fuelling fears that the move was part of a wider crackdown.

Several LGBTQ+ groups told Reuters in July that their WeChat accounts had been locked, while others had their content deleted from the platform.

Also read <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/china-deletes-lgbtq-university-accounts-from-biggest-social-media-app-wechat-396452">|&nbsp;China deletes LGBTQ university accounts from biggest social media app Wechat</a>

The accounts were a mix of registered student clubs and unofficial grassroots groups, and some had operated for years as safe spaces for China’s LGBTQ+ youth, with tens of thousands of followers. The move sparked outrage among some university students and activists.

Even though China has decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, the country still does not recognise same-sex marriage.

(With inputs from agencies)

An internal communique issued by China’s Shanghai University has raised eyebrows of many after it ordered its colleges to report students who identify as LGBTQ+ or “non-heterosexual”.

An internal communique issued by China’s Shanghai University has raised eyebrows of many after it ordered its colleges to report students who identify as LGBTQ+ or “non-heterosexual”. The internal directive, published online on both Chinese and foreign social media platforms, contains a questionnaire purportedly asking the colleges to “investigate and research” students who identified themselves to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, The Guardian reported. It is also claimed to have requested information on the students’ “state of mind and psychological condition, including political stance, social contacts, and mental health status”. The matter came to light when a Weibo user posted it on the social media platform on August 26, calling the practice “horrendous”. “It looks like Shanghai University isn’t the only university to ask for ‘reports’ on LGBT students and keep track of them,” the user wrote. “Whether the school’s intention was good or not, this is horrendous.” The screenshot of the questionnaire was also shared on Twitter, generating a heated discussion about China’s ongoing ‘crackdowns’ on the country’s sexual minorities. "Relevant reqs" part esp concerning. This Jan article is eg of how uni admin look at LGBT students. Calls for student cadres to collect info on LGBT students & for guidance counselors to "help" "non-biologically gay students" "form the correct perspectives on love & marriage." https://t.co/n09dTuWxBX pic.twitter.com/6Gb9125dWo — Darius Longarino 龙大瑞 (@DariusLongarino) August 26, 2021 × “Shanghai University is ordering its colleges to report whether they have any students who identify as #LGBT, according to a university notice that cites “relevant requirements. It’s confirmed by a student and a staff member of the uni. The purpose of such order is unknown,” a reporter based in China tweeted. Shanghai University is ordering its colleges to report whether they have any students who identify as #LGBT, according to a university notice that cites “relevant requirements.” It’s confirmed by a student and a staff member of the uni. The purpose of such order is unknown. pic.twitter.com/33hWvqwEtq — Yaling Jiang (@yaling_jiang) August 26, 2021 × The latest incident comes days after it was reported that Chinese social media giant WeChat was allegedly removing dozens of LGBTQ+ accounts, fuelling fears that the move was part of a wider crackdown. Several LGBTQ+ groups told Reuters in July that their WeChat accounts had been locked, while others had their content deleted from the platform. Also read | China deletes LGBTQ university accounts from biggest social media app Wechat The accounts were a mix of registered student clubs and unofficial grassroots groups, and some had operated for years as safe spaces for China’s LGBTQ+ youth, with tens of thousands of followers. The move sparked outrage among some university students and activists. Even though China has decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, the country still does not recognise same-sex marriage. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese university asks colleges to compile list of LGTBQ+ students, stokes fears of ‘crackdown’

An unvaccinated elementary school teacher who took off their mask to read to students ended up infecting more than half of the students, last May.

As per California public health officials, the students further went on infecting other students, family members and community members.&nbsp;

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said that it is a prime example of how easy it is to undermine efforts to protect children who are too young to be vaccinated.&nbsp;

A team at Marin County Public Health reported in the CDC's report of death and disease that the teacher came to work even though they had COVID-19 symptoms and then took off their mask to read to the young students. In the classroom of 22 students, 12 became infected.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-virus-origins-us-intelligence-community-says-it-was-not-developed-as-biological-weapon-408909">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19 virus&nbsp;origins:&nbsp;US intelligence community says it was 'not developed' as biological weapon</a>

"The school required teachers and students to mask while indoors; interviews with parents of infected students suggested that students' adherence to masking and distancing guidelines in line with CDC recommendations was high in class. However, the teacher was reportedly unmasked on occasions when reading aloud in class," the report read.

"Throughout this period, all desks were separated by six feet," it added. "All classrooms had portable high-efficiency particulate air filters and doors and windows were left open."

The CDC highlighted this case as an example of how schools need to follow all recommendations if they want to protect students and staff.

During a White House briefing, Walensky said, "The introduction of the virus into the classroom by a teacher who worked in school, while she was both symptomatic and unvaccinated and who was unmasked when reading aloud to a class, resulted in cases within the classroom, across the school and among families of students and staff in the community".&nbsp;

An unvaccinated elementary school teacher who took off their mask to read to students ended up infecting more than half of the students, last May. As per California public health officials, the students further went on infecting other students, family members and community members.

An unvaccinated elementary school teacher who took off their mask to read to students ended up infecting more than half of the students, last May. As per California public health officials, the students further went on infecting other students, family members and community members. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said that it is a prime example of how easy it is to undermine efforts to protect children who are too young to be vaccinated. A team at Marin County Public Health reported in the CDC's report of death and disease that the teacher came to work even though they had COVID-19 symptoms and then took off their mask to read to the young students. In the classroom of 22 students, 12 became infected. Also read | COVID-19 virus origins: US intelligence community says it was 'not developed' as biological weapon "The school required teachers and students to mask while indoors; interviews with parents of infected students suggested that students' adherence to masking and distancing guidelines in line with CDC recommendations was high in class. However, the teacher was reportedly unmasked on occasions when reading aloud in class," the report read. "Throughout this period, all desks were separated by six feet," it added. "All classrooms had portable high-efficiency particulate air filters and doors and windows were left open." The CDC highlighted this case as an example of how schools need to follow all recommendations if they want to protect students and staff. During a White House briefing, Walensky said, "The introduction of the virus into the classroom by a teacher who worked in school, while she was both symptomatic and unvaccinated and who was unmasked when reading aloud to a class, resulted in cases within the classroom, across the school and among families of students and staff in the community".

Unvaccinated, unmasked teacher infected more than half of students in class, reports CDC

In northwest Nigeria, 15 high school students were released by bandits after their parents were forced to pay an undisclosed ransom to free them. The 15 students are among the 100 students who were kidnapped on July 5 from the Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna.

Nigeria: Gunmen free 15 abducted high school students after parents pay ransom

Around 22 Afghan students, who are enrolled in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Indian capital New Delhi, don’t want to go back, and sought extension of visas through academic courses.&nbsp;

These students from Afghanistan are worried as the Taliban has taken control of the country and their visa tenure in India is about to expire within months. The limit for visa of most of these foreign students is getting over by December this year. &nbsp;

With the situation in Afghanistan turning volatile, these students don’t want to go back and want to extend their visa through academic courses, such as a PhD, an ANI report said.&nbsp;

"For a war-torn country like Afghanistan, most of the people are extensively unemployed and trying to escape from either death or captivity. Arranging a 'hefty fee' seems impossible," said some Afghan students in JNU.&nbsp;

A JNU student, Jalaluddin, said, "Situation is extremely critical there. I am hoping that the administration will understand our situation and extend my visa permit. Also, PhD in JNU is highly expensive for foreign nationals, and for poor families that are certainly not the possible way out. However, at present, I really don't know what to do."&nbsp;

If a student’s visa expires, he or she cannot work or study until a new permit is given. While extending a visa, the person must be sure that his or her passport has not expired at the same time. The study permit cannot be extended beyond the passport's expiry date.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Around 22 Afghan students, who are enrolled in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Indian capital New Delhi, don’t want to go back, and sought extension of visas through academic courses.

Around 22 Afghan students, who are enrolled in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Indian capital New Delhi, don’t want to go back, and sought extension of visas through academic courses. These students from Afghanistan are worried as the Taliban has taken control of the country and their visa tenure in India is about to expire within months. The limit for visa of most of these foreign students is getting over by December this year. With the situation in Afghanistan turning volatile, these students don’t want to go back and want to extend their visa through academic courses, such as a PhD, an ANI report said. "For a war-torn country like Afghanistan, most of the people are extensively unemployed and trying to escape from either death or captivity. Arranging a 'hefty fee' seems impossible," said some Afghan students in JNU. A JNU student, Jalaluddin, said, "Situation is extremely critical there. I am hoping that the administration will understand our situation and extend my visa permit. Also, PhD in JNU is highly expensive for foreign nationals, and for poor families that are certainly not the possible way out. However, at present, I really don't know what to do." If a student’s visa expires, he or she cannot work or study until a new permit is given. While extending a visa, the person must be sure that his or her passport has not expired at the same time. The study permit cannot be extended beyond the passport's expiry date. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan students in Indian varsity fear for safety in home country, want visa extension 

Gunmen who had kidnapped 121 students in northwestern Nigeria have released another 28 teenagers, said AFP citing a school officials. The students were kidnapped in the country's northwestern region

"Twenty-eight have been released and we have reunited them with their parents," Joseph Hayab, one of the senior officials at the Bethel Baptist High School, told AFP. "In all, we have 34 children who have been freed and 87 are still held as hostages by the bandits."

Northwestern Nigeria has long been plagued by heavily armed gangs, known locally as bandits. These bandits have been looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom. Lately, they have targetted schools and colleges.

Heavily-armed gangs, known locally as bandits, have long plagued northwest and central Nigeria by looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom, but they have lately targeted schools and colleges.

Around 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted across Nigeria since December. Most have been released after negotiations with local officials, although some are still being held. 
President Muhammadu Buhari, who is under fire for growing insecurity in the country, has ordered the security forces to ensure safe and early release of all kidnap victims.

(Wth inputs from agencies)

Gunmen who had kidnapped 121 students in northwestern Nigeria have released another 28 teenagers, said AFP citing a school officials. The students were kidnapped in the country's northwestern region "Twenty-eight have been released and we have reunited them with their parents," Joseph Hayab, one of the senior officials at the Bethel Baptist High School, told AFP.

Gunmen who had kidnapped 121 students in northwestern Nigeria have released another 28 teenagers, said AFP citing a school officials. The students were kidnapped in the country's northwestern region "Twenty-eight have been released and we have reunited them with their parents," Joseph Hayab, one of the senior officials at the Bethel Baptist High School, told AFP. "In all, we have 34 children who have been freed and 87 are still held as hostages by the bandits." Northwestern Nigeria has long been plagued by heavily armed gangs, known locally as bandits. These bandits have been looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom. Lately, they have targetted schools and colleges. Heavily-armed gangs, known locally as bandits, have long plagued northwest and central Nigeria by looting, stealing cattle and abducting for ransom, but they have lately targeted schools and colleges. Around 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted across Nigeria since December. Most have been released after negotiations with local officials, although some are still being held. President Muhammadu Buhari, who is under fire for growing insecurity in the country, has ordered the security forces to ensure safe and early release of all kidnap victims. (Wth inputs from agencies)

Nigeria: Gunmen release 28 kidnapped students

The Supreme Court Monday asked CBSE and ICSE to respond by tomorrow to the concerns raised by some students and parents on the schemes of both the boards formulated to evaluate Class XII students, whose examination was cancelled due to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.

A parents' association and students flagged several concerns with regard to the CBSE and ICSE schemes for evaluation for Class 12 results and said that many clauses are arbitrary and would be detrimental to future prospects of the students.

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A special bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari said that it will hear the response of counsels for CBSE and ICSE on Tuesday on the concerns raised by interveners.

The bench also directed the registry to list all pending petitions in the matter on Tuesday, June 22, in which they have challenged the decision of CBSE to cancel the class 12 examination and raised concerns on the evaluation schemes of both the boards.

At the outset, senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for intervener UP Parents Association, Lucknow, said that option to students for external examination as given in the CBSE's scheme will be "a premium" for those students who could not do well in internal assessment.

Singh said, "This option should be given at the very initial stage to both student and school to opt for either external examination or internal assessment. If any school or student does not want to opt for this internal assessment then a date may be fixed for external examination in mid of July or any date found conducive for holding of examination".

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The bench said that there should be some ray of hope for the students and there should not be any confusion. 
"The decision for cancellation of examination has been taken at highest level and we have in-principle accepted it,"&nbsp;the bench said.

Singh said there are several concerns with regard to the evaluation scheme of the students which are increasing uncertainty and no one knows what exactly would happen.

He said that it has been provided in the CBSE scheme that marks obtained by a student in any subject in internal assessment (based upon marks obtained in class X (30 per cent), class XI (30 per cent) and class XII pre-board examination (40 per cent)) shall not exceed the best marks obtained by ex-students in the said schools in the specific reference year (best year subject- wise amongst past three class 12 board exams) by more than 2 marks.

Singh said that there may be a case where due to past poor performance of students in a particular subject, the school hires a good teacher and the students performed well in their internal examination but they are likely to suffer due to poor performance by the ex-students.

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"The present batch of students (or for that reason any student) may suffer because the marks obtained by ex-students in the reference year is lower than what present batch of students have obtained in any subject,"&nbsp;he said, adding that maximum the student would be given is the grace of two marks.

Singh said, "Such irrational policy of linking the present batch of students with that of the past performance of ex-students cannot be legally sustained under any circumstances. The present batch of students cannot be penalised for the past performances of ex-students".

He said that there should be uniformity in the evaluation scheme as English has been made mandatory for calculating average marks in the CISCE scheme, while in CBSE there is no such requirement and the best of three marks are taken.

"The policy of internal assessment should be uniform for both central boards. There is practically no scheme of internal assessment envisaged by ICSE. There are only a few letters to that effect. There are various variables that are not defined namely weightage for board exams is not defined anywhere. There is no clarification and teachers are in utter confusion"&nbsp;he said.

The senior lawyer said that he had a discussion with a maths teacher about the evaluation formula suggested by the board to which he had said that it is very complicated.

The bench said that what kind of maths teacher he is if he doesn't understand the formula and added that the court is not going by the perception of individuals and looking at the institutional response.

Advocate Abhishek Choudhury, appearing for private students and those with a second compartment, said that CBSE has said that they will be facing difficulties in admission to higher institutes as CBSE class exam 12 will be held when the situation is conducive, maybe in July or August.

The bench said it might direct that admissions will be subject to the outcome of the board exam results but asked him to argue the points on Tuesday.

The bench listed the matter for further hearing on Tuesday at 2 PM.

On June 17, the top court had said that there is no question of reversing the earlier decision to cancel class 12 board exams and had approved the assessment schemes of the CISCE and the CBSE, which has adopted 30:30:40 formulas for evaluation of marks for students based on results of class 10, 11 and 12 respectively.

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) said however that it would consider the performance of students for the last six years, unlike CBSE which is taking note of performance in class 10, 11 and 12 exams, in finalising the final board results.

Both the boards had said they would declare the class 12 results on or before July 31.

The Supreme Court Monday asked CBSE and ICSE to respond by tomorrow to the concerns raised by some students and parents on the schemes of both the boards formulated to evaluate Class XII students, whose examination was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Supreme Court Monday asked CBSE and ICSE to respond by tomorrow to the concerns raised by some students and parents on the schemes of both the boards formulated to evaluate Class XII students, whose examination was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A parents' association and students flagged several concerns with regard to the CBSE and ICSE schemes for evaluation for Class 12 results and said that many clauses are arbitrary and would be detrimental to future prospects of the students. A special bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari said that it will hear the response of counsels for CBSE and ICSE on Tuesday on the concerns raised by interveners. The bench also directed the registry to list all pending petitions in the matter on Tuesday, June 22, in which they have challenged the decision of CBSE to cancel the class 12 examination and raised concerns on the evaluation schemes of both the boards. At the outset, senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for intervener UP Parents Association, Lucknow, said that option to students for external examination as given in the CBSE's scheme will be "a premium" for those students who could not do well in internal assessment. Singh said, "This option should be given at the very initial stage to both student and school to opt for either external examination or internal assessment. If any school or student does not want to opt for this internal assessment then a date may be fixed for external examination in mid of July or any date found conducive for holding of examination". Also read | Brain drain: Indian talent moving to Canada due to outdated H1B visa policy, US lawmakers told The bench said that there should be some ray of hope for the students and there should not be any confusion. "The decision for cancellation of examination has been taken at highest level and we have in-principle accepted it," the bench said. Singh said there are several concerns with regard to the evaluation scheme of the students which are increasing uncertainty and no one knows what exactly would happen. He said that it has been provided in the CBSE scheme that marks obtained by a student in any subject in internal assessment (based upon marks obtained in class X (30 per cent), class XI (30 per cent) and class XII pre-board examination (40 per cent)) shall not exceed the best marks obtained by ex-students in the said schools in the specific reference year (best year subject- wise amongst past three class 12 board exams) by more than 2 marks. Singh said that there may be a case where due to past poor performance of students in a particular subject, the school hires a good teacher and the students performed well in their internal examination but they are likely to suffer due to poor performance by the ex-students. Also read | Trolled for her Hindu faith, NASA intern finds strong support online "The present batch of students (or for that reason any student) may suffer because the marks obtained by ex-students in the reference year is lower than what present batch of students have obtained in any subject," he said, adding that maximum the student would be given is the grace of two marks. Singh said, "Such irrational policy of linking the present batch of students with that of the past performance of ex-students cannot be legally sustained under any circumstances. The present batch of students cannot be penalised for the past performances of ex-students". He said that there should be uniformity in the evaluation scheme as English has been made mandatory for calculating average marks in the CISCE scheme, while in CBSE there is no such requirement and the best of three marks are taken. "The policy of internal assessment should be uniform for both central boards. There is practically no scheme of internal assessment envisaged by ICSE. There are only a few letters to that effect. There are various variables that are not defined namely weightage for board exams is not defined anywhere. There is no clarification and teachers are in utter confusion" he said. The senior lawyer said that he had a discussion with a maths teacher about the evaluation formula suggested by the board to which he had said that it is very complicated. The bench said that what kind of maths teacher he is if he doesn't understand the formula and added that the court is not going by the perception of individuals and looking at the institutional response. Advocate Abhishek Choudhury, appearing for private students and those with a second compartment, said that CBSE has said that they will be facing difficulties in admission to higher institutes as CBSE class exam 12 will be held when the situation is conducive, maybe in July or August. The bench said it might direct that admissions will be subject to the outcome of the board exam results but asked him to argue the points on Tuesday. The bench listed the matter for further hearing on Tuesday at 2 PM. On June 17, the top court had said that there is no question of reversing the earlier decision to cancel class 12 board exams and had approved the assessment schemes of the CISCE and the CBSE, which has adopted 30:30:40 formulas for evaluation of marks for students based on results of class 10, 11 and 12 respectively. The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) said however that it would consider the performance of students for the last six years, unlike CBSE which is taking note of performance in class 10, 11 and 12 exams, in finalising the final board results. Both the boards had said they would declare the class 12 results on or before July 31.

CBSE, CISCE evaluation formulas for class 12: Concerns raised by students, parents

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, July 9,&nbsp;updated its guidance to help reopen&nbsp;schools&nbsp;in the fall, including recommending masking indoors for everyone who is not fully vaccinated and three feet of distance within classrooms.

The CDC in its latest guidance said all kindergarten through grade 12&nbsp;schools&nbsp;in the United States should continue to mandate wearing masks indoors by all individuals who are not fully vaccinated.

The agency said that if localities decide to remove prevention strategies in&nbsp;schools&nbsp;based on local conditions, they should remove them one at a time.&nbsp;Schools&nbsp;should monitor closely for increases in COVID-19 cases before removing the next prevention strategy.

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"Because of the importance of in-person learning,&nbsp;schools, where not everyone is fully vaccinated, should implement physical distancing to the extent possible within their structures, but should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement," the new guidance said.

A study by the CDC also released on Friday showed that half of unvaccinated adolescents and parents of unvaccinated adolescents reported being uncertain about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, or did not intend to get one at all.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, July 9, updated its guidance to help reopen schools in the fall, including recommending masking indoors for everyone who is not fully vaccinated and three feet of distance within classrooms.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, July 9, updated its guidance to help reopen schools in the fall, including recommending masking indoors for everyone who is not fully vaccinated and three feet of distance within classrooms. The CDC in its latest guidance said all kindergarten through grade 12 schools in the United States should continue to mandate wearing masks indoors by all individuals who are not fully vaccinated. The agency said that if localities decide to remove prevention strategies in schools based on local conditions, they should remove them one at a time. Schools should monitor closely for increases in COVID-19 cases before removing the next prevention strategy. Also read | School's out for good? Lebanese teachers flee as financial crisis builds "Because of the importance of in-person learning, schools, where not everyone is fully vaccinated, should implement physical distancing to the extent possible within their structures, but should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement," the new guidance said. A study by the CDC also released on Friday showed that half of unvaccinated adolescents and parents of unvaccinated adolescents reported being uncertain about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, or did not intend to get one at all.

CDC recommends masking indoors for unvaccinated students, teachers in US schools

Six&nbsp;students&nbsp;and two officials who were&nbsp;kidnapped&nbsp;last month from a school in Nigeria's Kaduna state were released&nbsp;after&nbsp;relatives&nbsp;paid&nbsp;ransom&nbsp;money, a school official and parent said on Friday.

Kidnappings by armed men, commonly referred to in Nigeria as "bandits", have become endemic in northern Nigeria, disrupting the education of hundreds of thousands of children.

Gunmen attacked the main campus of the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Kaduna on June 10 and took&nbsp;students&nbsp;and staff members, in the process killing one student.

The college's spokesman Abdullahi Shehu, said the&nbsp;students&nbsp;and officials were released late on Thursday at an undisclosed location.

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They "regained their&nbsp;freedom&nbsp;after&nbsp;their parents and relatives negotiated with the bandits", Shehu told Reuters, but declined to say whether negotiations involved paying a&nbsp;ransom.

A parent whose child was&nbsp;kidnapped&nbsp;said parents and relatives of the&nbsp;students&nbsp;negotiated with the gunmen and&nbsp;paid&nbsp;ransom&nbsp;money.

"I am not in position to tell you how much we contributed and&nbsp;paid. That is not necessary. The most important thing is that we have secured their&nbsp;freedom, period," Saminu Bala, one of the parents of the&nbsp;freed&nbsp;students, said.

At least 10 institutions have been hit by kidnappers and around 1,000&nbsp;students&nbsp;and staff abducted since December.

Six students and two officials who were kidnapped last month from a school in Nigeria's Kaduna state were released after relatives paid ransom money, a school official and parent said on Friday.

Six students and two officials who were kidnapped last month from a school in Nigeria's Kaduna state were released after relatives paid ransom money, a school official and parent said on Friday. Kidnappings by armed men, commonly referred to in Nigeria as "bandits", have become endemic in northern Nigeria, disrupting the education of hundreds of thousands of children. Gunmen attacked the main campus of the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Kaduna on June 10 and took students and staff members, in the process killing one student. The college's spokesman Abdullahi Shehu, said the students and officials were released late on Thursday at an undisclosed location. Also read | Nigeria bans Twitter 'indefinitely' after Muhammadu Buhari's account suspension They "regained their freedom after their parents and relatives negotiated with the bandits", Shehu told Reuters, but declined to say whether negotiations involved paying a ransom. A parent whose child was kidnapped said parents and relatives of the students negotiated with the gunmen and paid ransom money. "I am not in position to tell you how much we contributed and paid. That is not necessary. The most important thing is that we have secured their freedom, period," Saminu Bala, one of the parents of the freed students, said. At least 10 institutions have been hit by kidnappers and around 1,000 students and staff abducted since December.

Kidnapped Nigerian students freed after ransom paid

About 150 students are missing after armed men raided a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state, a parent and an administrator said on Monday, and police said they were in hot pursuit alongside military personnel. 
 
The attack on the Bethel Baptist High School is the 10th mass school kidnapping since December in northwest Nigeria, which authorities have attributed to armed bandits seeking ransom payments. 
 
Dozens of distraught parents gathered at the school compound, some weeping and crying out, standing in groups awaiting news. Discarded sandals lay strewn nearby. Dormitories containing metal bunk beds and cupboards were deserted. 
 
"May God take away their tears and the suffering that they will face in the hands of the kidnappers," said a woman pointing at a hole in the school's perimeter from where the attackers entered. 
 
His voice breaking, parent John Evans said he had recently told his daughter that God would protect her while she studied at the school. 
 
"Just this morning at about 6, I received a phone call that they have entered the school...kidnappers, that all our children are packed (taken), including my daughter," he said. "We rushed down here, we confirmed that they are all packed." 
 
Police said gunmen shooting wildly attacked overnight and overpowered the school's security guards, taking an unspecified number of students into a nearby forest. A police statement said 26 people including a female teacher had been rescued. 
 
Reverend John Hayab, a founder of the school, said about 25 students had managed to escape while the school`s other students remained missing. 
 
Roughly 180 students attended the school and were in the process of sitting exams, according to Hayab, whose 17-year-old son escaped, and parent, Hassana Markus, whose daughter was among those missing. 
 
Local residents, who declined to be identified, said that security officials had cordoned off the school after the attack, which took place between 11 pm&nbsp;on Sunday and 4 am&nbsp;on Monday morning. 
 
Kaduna authorities ordered the immediate closure of Bethel Baptist and 12 other schools in the area after Monday's kidnapping, without saying when they may reopen. 
 
Armed men, known locally as bandits, have made an industry of kidnapping students for ransom in northwest Nigeria, with Kaduna state particularly hard hit. They have taken nearly 1,000 people from schools since December last year, more than 150 of whom remain missing. 
 
Kidnappers have also targeted roads, private residents and even hospitals; in the early morning hours of Sunday, gunmen abducted six people including a 1-year-old child from a hospital in Kaduna state. 
 
In February, President Muhammadu Buhari urged state governments "to review their policy of rewarding bandits with money and vehicles," warning that the policy might boomerang disastrously. The unrest has become a political problem for Buhari, a retired general and former military ruler, who has faced mounting criticism over prominent attacks by the gangs. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

About 150 students are missing after armed men raided a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state, a parent and an administrator said on Monday, and police said they were in hot pursuit alongside military personnel.

About 150 students are missing after armed men raided a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state, a parent and an administrator said on Monday, and police said they were in hot pursuit alongside military personnel. The attack on the Bethel Baptist High School is the 10th mass school kidnapping since December in northwest Nigeria, which authorities have attributed to armed bandits seeking ransom payments. Dozens of distraught parents gathered at the school compound, some weeping and crying out, standing in groups awaiting news. Discarded sandals lay strewn nearby. Dormitories containing metal bunk beds and cupboards were deserted. "May God take away their tears and the suffering that they will face in the hands of the kidnappers," said a woman pointing at a hole in the school's perimeter from where the attackers entered. His voice breaking, parent John Evans said he had recently told his daughter that God would protect her while she studied at the school. "Just this morning at about 6, I received a phone call that they have entered the school...kidnappers, that all our children are packed (taken), including my daughter," he said. "We rushed down here, we confirmed that they are all packed." Police said gunmen shooting wildly attacked overnight and overpowered the school's security guards, taking an unspecified number of students into a nearby forest. A police statement said 26 people including a female teacher had been rescued. Reverend John Hayab, a founder of the school, said about 25 students had managed to escape while the school`s other students remained missing. Roughly 180 students attended the school and were in the process of sitting exams, according to Hayab, whose 17-year-old son escaped, and parent, Hassana Markus, whose daughter was among those missing. Local residents, who declined to be identified, said that security officials had cordoned off the school after the attack, which took place between 11 pm on Sunday and 4 am on Monday morning. Kaduna authorities ordered the immediate closure of Bethel Baptist and 12 other schools in the area after Monday's kidnapping, without saying when they may reopen. Armed men, known locally as bandits, have made an industry of kidnapping students for ransom in northwest Nigeria, with Kaduna state particularly hard hit. They have taken nearly 1,000 people from schools since December last year, more than 150 of whom remain missing. Kidnappers have also targeted roads, private residents and even hospitals; in the early morning hours of Sunday, gunmen abducted six people including a 1-year-old child from a hospital in Kaduna state. In February, President Muhammadu Buhari urged state governments "to review their policy of rewarding bandits with money and vehicles," warning that the policy might boomerang disastrously. The unrest has become a political problem for Buhari, a retired general and former military ruler, who has faced mounting criticism over prominent attacks by the gangs. (With inputs from agencies)

Some 150 students missing after gunmen raid Nigerian school: Report

Armed men have kidnapped about 150 students from a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state. This is the tenth mass school kidnapping in the country in the last six months.

Nigeria: 150 students abducted by Gunmen from a boarding school

Schools in Myanmar will open on Tuesday for the first time since the military seized power, but teachers and students are set to defy the junta's calls for full classrooms in a show of resistance.

Four months of national turmoil have followed the February ouster of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with more than 800 people killed by security forces and a nationwide strike crippling the economy.

Public school teachers, dressed in the green and white uniforms mandated by the education ministry, were prominent in the early mass protests, joining railway workers, doctors and civil servants on the streets.

The junta has insisted schools open on Tuesday after a year's absence due to Covid, but many educators had already decided they could not return to a job they love.

"I'm not afraid of their arrest and torture," Shwe Nadi, a teacher from the commercial capital Yangon told AFP. Her name has been changed for her safety.

"I'm afraid of becoming a teacher who teaches the students propaganda."

The 28-year-old was fired for supporting the civil disobedience movement, one of the thousands of teachers and academics the junta has sacked.

"Of course, I feel bad losing my job because I loved being a teacher. Although it is not well paid, we have our pride for being teachers as others respect us," she said.

Nu May, not her real name, in southern Mon state will also stay away, she told AFP.

The primary school teacher lost months of her salary after joining the nationwide boycott, but said "my soul is pure" because she participated in the strike.

"When I see how they have killed a lot of people, I feel I don't want to be their teacher any more," she added.

Some of those killed in the junta's crackdown were of primary school age, and charity group Save the Children said the dead include 15 children under the age of 16.

Junta-run media has in recent days carried pictures of functionaries watching school registrations and promising that parents will be 'satisfied' with the return of classes.

Students at a school near the capital Naypyidaw opened a setpiece ceremony to mark the new term by performing a "National Enrolment Week" song in front of the regime's education minister, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar state newspaper.

But at one high school in central Sagaing region, a slogan daubed in red paint across the front of the building urges staff members to stay away.

"We do not want the military slavery teachers," showed pictures carried by local media. "We do not want the teachers who are traitors."

University students were key drivers of political activism under nearly five decades of earlier military rulers, who violently suppressed any signs of public dissent.

Many students back then were killed, jailed or expelled, and universities were shuttered for several years.

Some university classes are already back in session, but boycotts have seen widespread absences on both sides of the teaching lectern.

"Not one of my friends is going," said an English major at a university in Mawlamyine, a city that saw brutal crackdowns by security forces against protesters.

"So I decided not to go too."

Her class of 100 is now empty, despite students being summoned by the few remaining professors on campus.

Protesters have discouraged parents and teachers from sending children to schools that still have teachers willing to work, saying it amounted to backing the military regime.

"Do not be sad when you cannot enrol your child at school when some parents have no children to enrol," read a banner in Bago region, south of the capital.

Teacher Shwe Nadi said she will remain committed to the civil disobedience movement, despite fears of being detained or worse.

"I won't run because I have not committed any crimes," she said.

"If they want to arrest me, I am prepared."

Schools in Myanmar will open on Tuesday for the first time since the military seized power, but teachers and students are set to defy the junta's calls for full classrooms in a show of resistance.

Schools in Myanmar will open on Tuesday for the first time since the military seized power, but teachers and students are set to defy the junta's calls for full classrooms in a show of resistance. Four months of national turmoil have followed the February ouster of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with more than 800 people killed by security forces and a nationwide strike crippling the economy. Public school teachers, dressed in the green and white uniforms mandated by the education ministry, were prominent in the early mass protests, joining railway workers, doctors and civil servants on the streets. The junta has insisted schools open on Tuesday after a year's absence due to Covid, but many educators had already decided they could not return to a job they love. "I'm not afraid of their arrest and torture," Shwe Nadi, a teacher from the commercial capital Yangon told AFP. Her name has been changed for her safety. "I'm afraid of becoming a teacher who teaches the students propaganda." The 28-year-old was fired for supporting the civil disobedience movement, one of the thousands of teachers and academics the junta has sacked. "Of course, I feel bad losing my job because I loved being a teacher. Although it is not well paid, we have our pride for being teachers as others respect us," she said. Nu May, not her real name, in southern Mon state will also stay away, she told AFP. The primary school teacher lost months of her salary after joining the nationwide boycott, but said "my soul is pure" because she participated in the strike. "When I see how they have killed a lot of people, I feel I don't want to be their teacher any more," she added. Some of those killed in the junta's crackdown were of primary school age, and charity group Save the Children said the dead include 15 children under the age of 16. Junta-run media has in recent days carried pictures of functionaries watching school registrations and promising that parents will be 'satisfied' with the return of classes. Students at a school near the capital Naypyidaw opened a setpiece ceremony to mark the new term by performing a "National Enrolment Week" song in front of the regime's education minister, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar state newspaper. But at one high school in central Sagaing region, a slogan daubed in red paint across the front of the building urges staff members to stay away. "We do not want the military slavery teachers," showed pictures carried by local media. "We do not want the teachers who are traitors." University students were key drivers of political activism under nearly five decades of earlier military rulers, who violently suppressed any signs of public dissent. Many students back then were killed, jailed or expelled, and universities were shuttered for several years. Some university classes are already back in session, but boycotts have seen widespread absences on both sides of the teaching lectern. "Not one of my friends is going," said an English major at a university in Mawlamyine, a city that saw brutal crackdowns by security forces against protesters. "So I decided not to go too." Her class of 100 is now empty, despite students being summoned by the few remaining professors on campus. Protesters have discouraged parents and teachers from sending children to schools that still have teachers willing to work, saying it amounted to backing the military regime. "Do not be sad when you cannot enrol your child at school when some parents have no children to enrol," read a banner in Bago region, south of the capital. Teacher Shwe Nadi said she will remain committed to the civil disobedience movement, despite fears of being detained or worse. "I won't run because I have not committed any crimes," she said. "If they want to arrest me, I am prepared."

School's out for Myanmar students defying junta threats

Students have been the silent sufferers of this pandemic. Graduating students in India are staring at uncertainty. In Mexico, students are protesting in-person learning. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: New York to open schools in full capacity

US educators are doing everything they can to track down high school students who stopped showing up to classes and to help them get the credits needed to graduate, amid an anticipated surge in the country’s dropout rate during the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

There isn’t data available yet on how the pandemic has affected the nation’s overall dropout rate, 2019 is the last year for which it is available, and many school officials say it’s too early to know how many students who stopped logging on for distance learning don’t plan to return. &nbsp;

But soaring numbers of students, who are failing classes or are chronically absent have experts fearing the worst, and schools have been busy tracking down wayward seniors through social media, knocking on their doors, assigning staff to help them make up for lost time and, in some cases, even relaxing graduation requirements.&nbsp;

“When students drop out, they typically look for an out, an opportunity to leave. And this has provided that, unfortunately,” Sandy Addis, chairman of the National Dropout Prevention Center, said recently, referring to the pandemic. His group believes the dropout rate has spiked this year and will remain high for years.&nbsp;

At one high school in Kansas City, Kansas, staff members have made thousands of calls to the families of at-risk students, said Troy Pitsch, who supervises high school principals in the city.&nbsp;

“If we lose a student, it is going to be after kicking and screaming and fighting tooth and nail for them,” Pitsch said.&nbsp;

Many districts were forgiving last spring when schools shut down abruptly, freezing grades unless students wanted to improve them. That made this year the first for which schools would feel the full effects of the pandemic on student performance and engagement.&nbsp;

The early signs aren’t encouraging. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization warned that the pandemic had put 24 million children worldwide at risk of dropping out of school. And the pandemic’s effects could erase gains the US made in reducing its dropout rate, which fell from 9.3% in 2007 to 5.1% in 2019, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Not finishing high school significantly hurts a person’s earning potential, with dropouts bringing home an average of $150 less per week than graduates, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics data.&nbsp;

To keep students on track, some local governments and school systems have waived certain testing requirements for graduation or changed grading policies so that missed assignments aren’t as damaging. But such leniency carries the risk of watering down academic standards, said Russell Rumberger, a professor emeritus of education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has written about dropouts.&nbsp;

“If they let you pass with a D and you don’t have to do very much to do it, maybe technically you are getting a diploma, but you are not getting the same type of diploma you may have gotten prior to the pandemic, when the standards were higher,” he said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

US educators are doing everything they can to track down high school students who stopped showing up to classes and to help them get the credits needed to graduate, amid an anticipated surge in the country’s dropout rate during the coronavirus pandemic.

US educators are doing everything they can to track down high school students who stopped showing up to classes and to help them get the credits needed to graduate, amid an anticipated surge in the country’s dropout rate during the coronavirus pandemic. There isn’t data available yet on how the pandemic has affected the nation’s overall dropout rate, 2019 is the last year for which it is available, and many school officials say it’s too early to know how many students who stopped logging on for distance learning don’t plan to return. But soaring numbers of students, who are failing classes or are chronically absent have experts fearing the worst, and schools have been busy tracking down wayward seniors through social media, knocking on their doors, assigning staff to help them make up for lost time and, in some cases, even relaxing graduation requirements. “When students drop out, they typically look for an out, an opportunity to leave. And this has provided that, unfortunately,” Sandy Addis, chairman of the National Dropout Prevention Center, said recently, referring to the pandemic. His group believes the dropout rate has spiked this year and will remain high for years. At one high school in Kansas City, Kansas, staff members have made thousands of calls to the families of at-risk students, said Troy Pitsch, who supervises high school principals in the city. “If we lose a student, it is going to be after kicking and screaming and fighting tooth and nail for them,” Pitsch said. Many districts were forgiving last spring when schools shut down abruptly, freezing grades unless students wanted to improve them. That made this year the first for which schools would feel the full effects of the pandemic on student performance and engagement. The early signs aren’t encouraging. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization warned that the pandemic had put 24 million children worldwide at risk of dropping out of school. And the pandemic’s effects could erase gains the US made in reducing its dropout rate, which fell from 9.3% in 2007 to 5.1% in 2019, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Not finishing high school significantly hurts a person’s earning potential, with dropouts bringing home an average of $150 less per week than graduates, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. To keep students on track, some local governments and school systems have waived certain testing requirements for graduation or changed grading policies so that missed assignments aren’t as damaging. But such leniency carries the risk of watering down academic standards, said Russell Rumberger, a professor emeritus of education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has written about dropouts. “If they let you pass with a D and you don’t have to do very much to do it, maybe technically you are getting a diploma, but you are not getting the same type of diploma you may have gotten prior to the pandemic, when the standards were higher,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

US schools fight to keep students amid fear of dropout surge due to Covid

Canada is all set to suspend entry of international students, including from India, to Ontario, the worst-hit province which is battling the third wave of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), an education service provider based in Ottawa, there were 530,540 international students in Canada in 2020, of which the maximum were from India (34 per cent) followed by China (22 per cent).&nbsp;

Ontario has the maximum number of foreign students at 242,825 or 46 per cent, it said.&nbsp;

During a press conference on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government is considering halting the arrival of international students in Ontario, following a request from the province's premier Doug Ford to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the globalnews.ca reported.&nbsp;

“Because currently Ontario is the only province to request it, we are happy to work more closely with them," he said.&nbsp;

Trudeau said they will be reaching out to their officials to formalise the request. However, there is no clarity as yet on when the change will take effect or how long it will last.&nbsp;

International students are currently exempt from Canada's COVID-19 travel rules. All students must be able to provide a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows they were approved for a permit, according to CTV news.&nbsp;

Ford also called on the federal government to ban non-essential travel after 36 cases of the B.1.617 variant, originally found in India, were identified in the province, the report said. &nbsp;

Trudeau reiterated his intentions of working closely with the provinces to quell the spread of the coronavirus and cautioned against any kind of non-essential travel.&nbsp;

"We're engaging with other provinces that are hit hard by this third wave to see how we can help," he said.&nbsp;

Canada has so far reported 1.22 million coronavirus cases, including 463,000 in Ontario. Of the total 24,219 fatalities, 8,050 were reported from Ontario.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Canada is all set to suspend entry of international students, including from India, to Ontario, the worst-hit province which is battling the third wave of the coronavirus.

Canada is all set to suspend entry of international students, including from India, to Ontario, the worst-hit province which is battling the third wave of the coronavirus. According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), an education service provider based in Ottawa, there were 530,540 international students in Canada in 2020, of which the maximum were from India (34 per cent) followed by China (22 per cent). Ontario has the maximum number of foreign students at 242,825 or 46 per cent, it said. During a press conference on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government is considering halting the arrival of international students in Ontario, following a request from the province's premier Doug Ford to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the globalnews.ca reported. “Because currently Ontario is the only province to request it, we are happy to work more closely with them," he said. Trudeau said they will be reaching out to their officials to formalise the request. However, there is no clarity as yet on when the change will take effect or how long it will last. International students are currently exempt from Canada's COVID-19 travel rules. All students must be able to provide a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows they were approved for a permit, according to CTV news. Ford also called on the federal government to ban non-essential travel after 36 cases of the B.1.617 variant, originally found in India, were identified in the province, the report said. Trudeau reiterated his intentions of working closely with the provinces to quell the spread of the coronavirus and cautioned against any kind of non-essential travel. "We're engaging with other provinces that are hit hard by this third wave to see how we can help," he said. Canada has so far reported 1.22 million coronavirus cases, including 463,000 in Ontario. Of the total 24,219 fatalities, 8,050 were reported from Ontario. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada to ban entry of international students to Ontario province to combat COVID-19 surge 

After a year of remote learning and socially distanced classrooms, one school in the Spanish region of Murcia is trying to combine clear air and a new way of teaching. WION brings you a report.

Spanish schools revamp classroom learning by teaching students at beachside

A top Pakistani university has expelled two students for hugging and proposing on campus, after a video of the incident went viral on social media.&nbsp;

A special disciplinary committee of the University of Lahore held a meeting on Friday and summoned the two students but they failed to appear.&nbsp;

The committee then decided to expel the boy and the girl and banned them from entering any of the university's campuses.&nbsp;According to the University of Lahore, the two students were involved in gross misconduct and violation of university rules.&nbsp;The students in question were summoned before the committee but failed to appear. Thus, in pursuance of Section 9 of the General Discipline and Code of Conduct on the Campus, the committee has decided to expel the two students for violating the varsity's rules and regulations and serious infraction of the code of conduct. Furthermore, as per Section 16, they are debarred from entering the premises of University of Lahore and all its sub-campuses," read a statement from the University of Lahore.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
University of Lahore WTF...........🙂 <a href="https://t.co/PiCt5FD78Q">pic.twitter.com/PiCt5FD78Q</a>
— NنDEEM (@Nadeem_M7) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nadeem_M7/status/1370009639660761089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The video of the proposal took Twitter by storm, it was one of the top trends on social media last Thursday when the incident took place.&nbsp;The viral footage shows the girl with her right knee bent on the ground, holding a bouquet of roses, proposing to the boy, who then takes the flowers and pulls the girl for a hug. Nearby students are seen cheering them along.&nbsp;

As the footage went viral, the university took notice of it.&nbsp;

Expulsion of the couple drew mixed reactions on the internet. A social media user posted the picture of Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan from the movie 'Mohabbatein' where he played a college principal, who was against romance in college.&nbsp;

"Presenting to you, the Principal of the University of Lahore," read the caption with a photograph of Bachchan.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
University of Lahore administration purportedly expelled Hadiqa and Shehryar from university for publicly going for marriage proposal &amp; momentary display of affection. University says both students violated code of conduct and committed gross misconduct in the university. <a href="https://t.co/MDIVJ4Mk9U">pic.twitter.com/MDIVJ4Mk9U</a>
— Zahid Gishkori (@ZahidGishkori) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZahidGishkori/status/1370444536099446784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Slain prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto's daughter Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari termed the university action ridiculous.&nbsp;

Former cricketer Wasim Akram's wife Shaniera Akram said in a tweet: Apply all the rules you want but you can't expel love! It's in our hearts, it's the best part about being young and it what makes life worth living! You learn more about love than you can ever learn at an institution.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A top Pakistani university has expelled two students for hugging and proposing on campus, after a video of the incident went viral on social media. A special disciplinary committee of the University of Lahore held a meeting on Friday and summoned the two students but they failed to appear.

A top Pakistani university has expelled two students for hugging and proposing on campus, after a video of the incident went viral on social media. A special disciplinary committee of the University of Lahore held a meeting on Friday and summoned the two students but they failed to appear. The committee then decided to expel the boy and the girl and banned them from entering any of the university's campuses. According to the University of Lahore, the two students were involved in gross misconduct and violation of university rules. The students in question were summoned before the committee but failed to appear. Thus, in pursuance of Section 9 of the General Discipline and Code of Conduct on the Campus, the committee has decided to expel the two students for violating the varsity's rules and regulations and serious infraction of the code of conduct. Furthermore, as per Section 16, they are debarred from entering the premises of University of Lahore and all its sub-campuses," read a statement from the University of Lahore. University of Lahore WTF...........🙂 pic.twitter.com/PiCt5FD78Q — NنDEEM (@Nadeem_M7) March 11, 2021 × The video of the proposal took Twitter by storm, it was one of the top trends on social media last Thursday when the incident took place. The viral footage shows the girl with her right knee bent on the ground, holding a bouquet of roses, proposing to the boy, who then takes the flowers and pulls the girl for a hug. Nearby students are seen cheering them along. As the footage went viral, the university took notice of it. Expulsion of the couple drew mixed reactions on the internet. A social media user posted the picture of Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan from the movie 'Mohabbatein' where he played a college principal, who was against romance in college. "Presenting to you, the Principal of the University of Lahore," read the caption with a photograph of Bachchan. University of Lahore administration purportedly expelled Hadiqa and Shehryar from university for publicly going for marriage proposal & momentary display of affection. University says both students violated code of conduct and committed gross misconduct in the university. pic.twitter.com/MDIVJ4Mk9U — Zahid Gishkori (@ZahidGishkori) March 12, 2021 × Slain prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto's daughter Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari termed the university action ridiculous. Former cricketer Wasim Akram's wife Shaniera Akram said in a tweet: Apply all the rules you want but you can't expel love! It's in our hearts, it's the best part about being young and it what makes life worth living! You learn more about love than you can ever learn at an institution. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Social media erupts as Pak varsity expels students for 'hugging' on campus 

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