Deepika and Ranveer prepare to welcome second child

Saudi Arabia has approved the executive regulations for its new General Education Law, introducing wide ranging reforms that will reshape the country’s education system from nursery through Grade 12. The new legislation creates a comprehensive legal framework for public and private education and is designed to support the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by improving educational quality, expanding opportunities and strengthening oversight across the sector. One of the most notable changes allows private schools to decide whether boys and girls can study together, while public schools will continue to separate male and female students after the early childhood stage. The move marks a significant shift in education policy for the Kingdom and gives private institutions greater flexibility in organizing their academic programmes. The law also establishes a new General Education Affairs Council that will oversee key education policies. The council will be chaired by the Minister of Education and include representatives from several government ministries, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission and the private sector. Officials say the body will help coordinate education reforms and ensure that policies are aligned with national development goals. Compulsory education will continue for children between the ages of six and 15. The Ministry of Education will have the authority to take legal action against parents or guardians who prevent children from attending school or who contribute to students leaving education before completing the compulsory stage. Officials say the measure is intended to improve school attendance and reduce dropout rates. Arabic will remain the main language of instruction throughout the general education system. However, schools will be allowed to teach in another language when appropriate, giving educational institutions greater flexibility while preserving the country’s cultural and linguistic identity. The legislation also confirms that classroom teaching will remain the primary method of education across all grade levels. At the same time, the Ministry of Education plans to expand digital learning by developing programmes that include live online classes, self paced learning and other flexible educational options. Regulations will also be introduced for lifelong learning certificates to encourage continuous education beyond traditional schooling. Students will have access to more diverse educational pathways under the new framework. The ministry will be able to introduce specialized academic and vocational tracks designed to better prepare students for future careers and meet the changing demands of the labor market. The law places greater emphasis on supporting students with disabilities by requiring schools to provide suitable educational services, assistive technology and assessment methods that match individual learning needs. It also strengthens programmes for gifted students through specialized schools, enrichment centers, improved identification systems, teacher training and partnerships with universities and research institutions. Private schools will face stricter quality standards under the reforms. Educational institutions must obtain accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission or another internationally recognized accreditation body approved by Saudi authorities. The Ministry of Education will oversee licensing procedures, ownership transfers, school operations and the introduction of international curricula while ensuring that subjects related to national identity remain part of every approved curriculum. The new rules also introduce a clearer process for education licences. Applications must receive a written decision within 30 days, and institutions whose applications are rejected will have the right to appeal. The government says these measures are intended to improve transparency and encourage investment in the education sector. Private and nonprofit education providers will also benefit from a more defined regulatory framework. Under certain conditions, the ministry may provide financial assistance, staffing support or other resources to eligible institutions as part of efforts to expand educational services under Vision 2030. Teachers will have broader professional responsibilities under the new law. They will be expected to follow approved curricula, meet the learning needs of individual students, encourage creativity and innovation, identify gifted learners, uphold national values and participate in continuous professional development programmes. The legislation also introduces stricter disciplinary procedures for teachers, administrators and private schools that violate regulations. Authorities will have the power to temporarily remove staff from duty while investigations are carried out. Serious violations could result in dismissal and permanent disqualification from working in the education sector. Private schools that fail to comply with the law may receive warnings, face financial penalties, lose the right to admit new students or have their operating licences revoked. If a licence is cancelled, the school must ensure that enrolled students are able to complete the academic year without disruption at the owner’s expense.

South Korea has recorded its highest temperature since weather records began more than 100 years ago, as an intense heatwave continues to grip the country and authorities urge people to avoid outdoor activities. The Korea Meteorological Administration said the southeastern city of Yangsan reached 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday afternoon, setting a new national temperature record. Yangsan has remained at the centre of the prolonged heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days. Other major cities, including Daegu and Busan, have also experienced temperatures climbing into the upper 30s. The extreme weather has forced many people to seek shelter in air conditioned shopping centres, cafes and other indoor spaces. In Seoul, residents gathered in public places with cooling facilities to escape the dangerous heat. Office worker Ju Dong Yeol said staying outdoors had become almost impossible and that spending time in air conditioned buildings was the only practical way to cope with the soaring temperatures. Authorities have issued emergency heatwave alerts in more than 20 areas across the country. The warning system, introduced this year, is activated when the expected heat index reaches 38 degrees Celsius or when actual temperatures are forecast to climb to at least 39 degrees Celsius. Weather officials advised residents to stop all outdoor activities immediately, remain in cool locations and drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of heat related illnesses. The Korea Meteorological Administration also warned that indoor spaces without air conditioning could become dangerous during the ongoing heatwave. Officials encouraged people, particularly children, older adults and those with health conditions, to use designated cooling centres whenever possible. Weather data show that South Korea has experienced a sharp increase in the number of extremely hot days over recent decades. During the past five years, the country has recorded an average of 19 heatwave days each year, compared with only eight days annually during the 1970s. A heatwave day is officially defined as one in which temperatures reach at least 33 degrees Celsius. The severe weather has also disrupted sporting events. South Korea’s professional baseball league cancelled a second consecutive game in the city of Changwon after temperatures climbed to 39.5 degrees Celsius. The Korea Baseball Organisation said the decision was made to protect the health and safety of players, officials and spectators while the heatwave warning remained in effect. Scientists have repeatedly warned that human induced climate change is making extreme weather events such as heatwaves more frequent and more intense around the world. Experts also point to the return of the El Nino climate pattern this year, which increases sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and can contribute to unusually hot weather in many regions. South Korea is not alone in facing extreme heat. Several European countries have also experienced prolonged heatwaves this summer, with temperatures rising above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of southern and central Europe. Governments across the region have issued health warnings, battled wildfires and advised residents to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day. Italy has also placed many of its major cities under the highest level of heat alert as temperatures continue to rise.

The US state of Washington is facing one of its most severe wildfire emergencies of the year as rapidly spreading fires continue to burn across vast areas, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and leaving tens of thousands without electricity. State authorities have declared a state of emergency after wildfires scorched more than 250,000 acres of land. Officials said the total area burned since the beginning of the current wildfire season has now exceeded 450,000 acres, highlighting the scale of the crisis. Governor Bob Ferguson announced emergency measures and imposed a statewide burn ban. He said extremely high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds have created dangerous conditions that are allowing the fires to spread quickly. Firefighters are battling more than a dozen active wildfires across the state. More than 4,000 emergency personnel have been deployed to contain the blazes and protect communities under threat. The Old Trails Fire has become one of the most destructive wildfires in eastern Washington. The fire is threatening thousands of homes and buildings, particularly around the city of Spokane. Authorities have ordered mandatory evacuations in several areas as flames continue to move toward residential communities. Emergency officials have also evacuated important public facilities as a precaution. These include a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, a waste-to-energy plant and water treatment facilities. Authorities said the measures were taken to protect patients, staff and essential infrastructure. The wildfire emergency has also disrupted electricity services across eastern Washington. Utility provider Avista reported that around 60,000 customers remain without power because of fire damage and precautionary shutdowns designed to reduce additional risks. One of the largest active blazes is the Kaiser Canyon Fire in northeastern Washington. The wildfire has expanded to nearly 134,000 acres and continues to challenge firefighters because of difficult terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions. Fire crews from more than a dozen US states have joined local emergency responders to strengthen firefighting operations. National Guard personnel have also been mobilised to assist with evacuation efforts, logistics and emergency response. Authorities are using helicopters, aircraft, bulldozers and other heavy equipment to slow the spread of the fires and establish containment lines. Emergency teams are working around the clock to protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. Residents in affected communities have been urged to follow evacuation orders without delay and remain informed through official emergency updates. Officials warned that weather conditions could continue to fuel the fires in the coming days. Despite the widespread destruction and the large-scale emergency response, authorities have confirmed that no deaths or injuries have been reported so far. Firefighters continue working to bring the blazes under control while monitoring the risk of new fires across the state.