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Hong Kong faces a talent concentration in medicine amid record exam scores, while students increasingly pursue majors with better job prospects. US universities are scrutinized over international student policies, with some institutions adjusting admissions and visa practices amid geopolitical tensions. The evolving landscape impacts local and global education flows.
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Wildfires in Canada continue to produce smoke that degrades air quality across the US Midwest and Northeast, with Minneapolis experiencing some of the worst pollution levels since Friday. Air quality alerts are in effect, especially for vulnerable groups, and conditions are expected to persist into Sunday. Authorities advise precautions to limit health risks.
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Recent economic data revisions and the president's response highlight a pattern of discrediting unfavorable figures. Trump dismissed a July jobs report and fired an official, reflecting a strategy to undermine data that contradicts his narrative of economic strength amid global uncertainties.
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Federal agencies have paused over $240 million in grants to UCLA amid allegations of civil rights violations, including fostering a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli students. The move follows a recent settlement with Jewish students and a professor over campus protests. UCLA disputes the claims, citing efforts to ensure campus safety.
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Recent studies reveal advances in understanding brain aging, dementia risk, and cognitive health. Innovations include a brain MRI tool predicting biological aging, lifestyle interventions slowing cognitive decline, and tailored genetic risk assessments for hereditary diseases in specific populations. Promising Alzheimer's drugs show sustained benefits, while challenges remain in dementia care access and diagnosis delays.
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The family of Khamis Ayyad, a US citizen killed in Silwad, West Bank, calls for US investigation amid settler violence. US officials acknowledge his death but have not called for an inquiry, citing Israel's investigations. The incident highlights ongoing settler attacks and US concerns over accountability.
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As of early September 2025, Norway's $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund has divested from Caterpillar and five major Israeli banks over ethical concerns tied to Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The fund cited violations of international humanitarian law linked to Caterpillar's bulldozers and the banks' financing of Israeli settlements. It is ending contracts with external Israeli asset managers and intensifying ethical reviews, while rejecting full divestment from all Israeli companies.
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Stricter US immigration policies under Trump have caused a sharp decline in international student visas, especially from India, impacting US universities financially. Meanwhile, countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and the UAE are seeing increased interest as alternatives, with some institutions already adjusting recruitment strategies.
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As of late August 2025, Microsoft has fired four employees involved in protests against its ties to Israel amid allegations that its Azure cloud platform is used by Israeli military intelligence to surveil Palestinians. The protests, led by the group No Azure for Apartheid, included sit-ins at Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters and escalated arrests. Microsoft maintains it is investigating the claims and denies complicity in targeting civilians.
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Residents of upstate New York observed a mysterious glowing light in the sky on Tuesday night, prompting UFO speculation. The light was identified as the plume of a Vulcan Centaur rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, carrying a US Space Force satellite. The launch was part of a complex, seven-hour mission.
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The Trump administration is demanding a $1 billion settlement from UCLA over alleged civil rights violations linked to campus protests and antisemitism. The university is reviewing the offer amid frozen federal research funds and ongoing investigations, raising concerns about the impact on public higher education and free speech.
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The US Department of Justice has accused George Washington University of creating a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli students, citing deliberate indifference to complaints of antisemitic discrimination. The DOJ demands immediate action, highlighting ongoing tensions over campus anti-Semitism amid broader political debates.
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Pope Leo XVI celebrated a Mass in Rome with LGBTQ+ groups participating, emphasizing dignity and inclusion. He met with Jesuit advocate James Martin, reaffirming support for LGBTQ+ acceptance. The pope is also expected to visit Lebanon by December, continuing his focus on peace and dialogue in the Middle East.
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Recent studies show the longstanding 'unhappiness hump' around midlife has vanished in the US and UK, driven by worsening mental health among young people. Data from 2020-2025 indicates mental ill-being now peaks among youth, reversing previous patterns. Experts link this to pandemic impacts and social factors.
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A recent Israeli poll shows mixed public opinion on a potential Gaza hostage deal and military expansion. While many support negotiations to free hostages and end hostilities, significant opposition remains, especially among right-wing voters and in the context of ongoing military operations.
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On September 3, 2025, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that the Trump administration's suspension and termination of Harvard's federal research grants violated the First Amendment and constituted illegal retaliation. The judge vacated all funding freezes and cuts imposed since April 14, 2025, citing misuse of antisemitism claims as a pretext for ideological attacks. The administration plans to appeal.
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Federal courts have ordered the US government to restore over $2.6 billion in research funding to Harvard and UCLA, reversing previous freezes amid allegations of civil rights violations and antisemitism. The rulings highlight ongoing legal battles over federal funding and university policies, with implications for academic independence and civil rights enforcement.
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A federal judge has ordered the US government to restore over $500 million in federal research grants frozen at UCLA. The ruling finds the administration violated procedural laws in suspending funding over allegations related to antisemitism and protests. The case highlights ongoing legal battles over federal support for universities amid political interference.
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Recent articles highlight a shift in US education, with some schools adopting personalized, project-based models that emphasize skills like critical thinking and practical experience. Meanwhile, debates around AI's role in classrooms and safety incidents continue to shape the landscape. The focus is on preparing students for a changing workforce.
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Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faces charges linked to a deadly crackdown on student protests in 2024, with allegations of ordering or failing to prevent violence that resulted in approximately 1,400 deaths. She remains in exile in India, defying court orders to return for trial. The case highlights ongoing political tensions and questions about judicial independence.
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Kelly is reducing its workforce by 2%, affecting about 100 employees, amid a slowing US labor market. Meanwhile, remote work remains highly attractive, with increased applications and hiring at remote-first companies, highlighting a shift in workforce preferences despite ongoing layoffs.