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A town “pulled by trains”

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© Provided by Xinhua

HARBIN, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) — In a snow-covered small town, tourists swarmed into a century-old Russian-style house, sipping steaming fruit tea and enjoying the icy landscape through the window.

Dubbed “a town pulled by trains,” Hengdaohezi, located in the city of Hailin in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, was originally established in the late 19th century when Russians built train maintenance workshops and other facilities there following the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway.

Thanks to the 256 well-preserved Russian-style buildings built since then, including six under state-level protection, the exotic town has become a hot tourist destination, especially in winter, featuring captivating ice and snow resources.

Wang Xue, hailing from north China’s Tianjin Municipality, dropped by the town for a brief tour after skiing in the provincial capital of Harbin.

“The snow scenes in Hengdaohezi are beautiful and full of exotic charm. It is an ideal place for photoshoots with its magnificent view,” Wang said.

© Provided by Xinhua

Song Xingwen, who is enthusiastic about Russian culture, first visited Hengdaohezi in 2018 and instantly fell in love with the town. He then bought a century-old Russian-style house there and transformed it into a homestay.

“I retained the original style of the house during the decoration, and moved my collections of Russian antiques here,” said Song. “My homestay has become a ‘Russian-style household museum’ popular among tourists.”

In addition to Russian-style houses, the town has also developed a series of tourist attractions such as a Siberian tiger forest park and a movie and TV play shooting resort.

According to Ma Lina, a keeper at the town’s Siberian tiger forest park, winter is the best time for tourists to visit the park. “Tigers are more active in freezing weather and their skins in the snow appear brighter.”

Since the opening of a high-speed railway traversing through Hengdaohezi in 2018, the town has seen a surge in visitors.

It has received about 1 million tourists so far this year compared to approximately 800,000 in 2018, according to the local tourism bureau.

Wei Hongmei, Party chief of Hailin City, said that with Hengdaohezi becoming a tourism hotspot, the city has been continuing to foster its tourism industry in recent years and regularly holds tourist activities, including an ice and snow festival and a winter fishing event.

“We are striving to turn our ice and snow resources into a booming economy,” Wei said.

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Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

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The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

  • Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
  • Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
  • Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
  • Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
  • Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
  • Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

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UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

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Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.

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