Articles curated and written by students of Sunmarke School and Regent International School | | | | |
Oil Prices Spike as Hopes for US-Iran Deal Fade
Oil prices surged after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest peace proposal, renewing concerns over prolonged disruptions to global energy supplies. Brent crude climbed above $108 a barrel during Monday’s trading, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose above $96, before both benchmarks pared some of their gains. The rejected proposal sought to help resolve the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. Read the full article here
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AI Boom Could Be Making Inflation Harder to Tame
America’s massive AI boom may be creating an unexpected problem: more inflation. Spending on AI infrastructure — including data centres, computer chips and servers — is expected to reach around $1 trillion this year, as tech companies race to expand their AI capabilities. The unprecedented investment is adding demand for technology, energy, construction and labour at a time when the US economy is already running hot, potentially putting further upward pressure on prices. While AI could eventually boost productivity and help lower costs, economists warn that its near-term spending boom could make inflation more difficult for the Federal Reserve to bring under control. Check out the full article here
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Discover Regent at Our Open Day
Choosing the right school is about more than academic success — it is about finding a place where children are encouraged to grow in confidence, curiosity and capability.
Families are invited to join us for Regent International School’s Open Day on Friday, 2 October 2026, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the campus, meet our dedicated team and discover the breadth of learning experiences available from EYFS through to Year 13.
Find out what makes Regent a place where students are supported to shape their own future.
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Bringing the Mid-Autumn Festival to Life at Sunmarke
The spirit of the Mid-Autumn Festival came to life at Sunmarke as the Mandarin Department brought students together for an engaging lantern-making activity.
Students explored their creativity by choosing their favourite colours, designing their own unique lanterns and adding the finishing touch by lighting up their creations. The activity offered a wonderful opportunity for students to experience an important cultural tradition while expressing their creativity in a fun way.
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Jumeirah Nurseries’ Active Explorers One-Week Camp Returns This October
Jumeirah Nurseries is welcoming children to its Active Explorers One-Week Camp from Monday, 12 October to Friday, 16 October.
Designed around learning through play, the camp will feature engaging activities focused on movement, teamwork, exploration, confidence and discovery. Running from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm across all 10 JINS locations, the programme is open to both current nursery families and children joining the community for the first time.
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Bangkok Floods Affect 700,000 as Death Toll Rises
Severe flooding caused by days of relentless rain has affected around 700,000 people across Bangkok, inundating neighborhoods, disrupting transport and forcing thousands into temporary shelters. At least 12 flood-related deaths have been reported nationwide, including two in the capital, while all 50 districts of Bangkok were declared flood disaster areas to support emergency response efforts. The disruption also reached Suvarnabhumi Airport, where staff shortages contributed to baggage backlogs, delayed departures and longer waits for arriving passengers. Read the full article here.
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UK Chancellor Puts Jobs Before Benefits for Young People
UK Chancellor John Healey has put youth employment at the centre of the government’s economic agenda, arguing that jobs, training and wages should provide young people with a pathway away from long-term reliance on benefits. The government is expanding its Local Apprenticeships Service across England, with plans to create thousands more opportunities by connecting young people with employers. The move comes as around one million young people in the UK are currently not in education, employment or training. Check out the full story here.
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Etihad Rail Dubai–Abu Dhabi Tickets Now on Sale Ahead of Launch
Tickets are now on sale for Etihad Rail’s Dubai–Abu Dhabi passenger service, launching on September 30, 2026, with a journey time of approximately 57 minutes. Passengers can choose between Comfort and Premium classes, with introductory fares starting from AED 39 and AED 109 respectively. The launch follows the introduction of passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30. The network will continue to expand in phases, with additional stations and destinations opening across the UAE over the coming months. The phased rollout is designed to ensure that stations, onboard services and operational systems meet Etihad Rail’s standards for safety, reliability and comfort as the network expands. Check out the full details here.
Year 10 Student, Saku
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Dubai Police Bust 22-Member Begging Scam
Dubai Police have arrested 22 men involved in a coordinated begging network after a tip-off was submitted through the force’s Police Eye service. The group allegedly targeted motorists on several major roads, claiming they were stranded and needed money to continue their journeys. Investigators initially tracked one suspect before uncovering the wider operation, which reportedly covered locations including Al Khor Street, Ras Al Khor, Bu Kadra Bridge and the Dubai–Al Ain Road bridge. Under UAE law, organised begging can carry a prison sentence of up to six months and a fine of up to AED 100,000. Check out the full story here.
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Why OpenAI Scrapped Its Newest AI Model
OpenAI has pulled the plug on the release of its latest AI model, GPT-6.1 Astra, after internal testing revealed that it failed to meet the company’s safety and alignment standards. According to OpenAI, concerns centred on whether the model could reliably stay within the scope of a user’s instructions, respect authorisation boundaries and clearly communicate the actions it had taken. The decision comes amid mounting scrutiny of increasingly autonomous AI systems, following several incidents in which AI agents reportedly acted beyond their intended boundaries. Read the full story here.
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Meta’s New VR Glasses Take Aim at Apple Vision Pro
Meta has unveiled its new VR Glasses, taking a dramatically different approach to premium virtual reality with a lighter design and a $1,299 price tag. The glasses weigh approximately 100 grams, with the processor, battery, cooling system and other components moved into an external pocket-sized unit, helping reduce the bulk typically associated with VR headsets. Set to launch in spring 2027, the device offers eye and hand tracking, immersive entertainment, gaming and virtual workspaces while supporting Meta’s existing Quest library. Read on for more
| | | AI Recommendation of the Week | | AI Tools to make life easier | | |
Wispr Flow
Wispr Flow is an AI-powered voice-to-text tool that turns natural speech into polished writing across almost any app. Rather than simply transcribing word for word, it removes filler words, adds punctuation, understands corrections and can adapt the tone depending on where you are writing. It works across tools such as Gmail, Google Docs, WhatsApp and Notion, making it useful for drafting emails, messages, notes and documents without having to type everything out. It can also learn names, specialist terminology and frequently used phrases over time. For anyone who thinks faster than they type, Wispr Flow offers a simple way to turn spoken ideas into clear, organised text.
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Lindy
Lindy is an AI assistant designed to take care of everyday administrative tasks across email, meetings and calendars. It can help organise an inbox, categorise important messages, prepare draft replies, schedule meetings and provide useful context before calls. During meetings, it can capture notes and help organise follow-up actions afterwards, reducing the amount of manual work needed to keep on top of a busy schedule. Lindy can also connect different tasks into automated workflows, making it particularly useful for professionals managing multiple responsibilities at once. Instead of simply answering questions, it is designed to help move routine work forward in the background, freeing up more time for higher-value tasks.
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Angh Shines at the Toronto International Film Festival
Now an international sensation, Angh emerged as an unexpected victor at this month’s Toronto International Film Festival. With his debut feature film, Angh, Theja Rio opens up a brand-new, dreamlike world filled with lamentation and uncertainty for viewers. Set in the remote state of Nagaland, India, Angh is deeply rooted in the real socio-cultural history of its indigenous communities and is performed almost entirely in the Konyak language — check out the article for an exhilarating story!
By Year 11 student, Daria
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Madonna and Taylor Swift Lead the Winners at the 2026 MTV VMAs
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards brought some of the biggest names in music to Los Angeles, with Madonna emerging as the night’s biggest winner after taking home seven awards, including Artist of the Year, Best Dance and Best Collaboration alongside Sabrina Carpenter. Taylor Swift also had a standout evening, winning Video of the Year for The Fate of Ophelia as well as Best Direction for Opalite. Elsewhere, BTS won Song of the Year and Best Group, while Sienna Spiro was named Best New Artist. Pasted text Check out the full list of winners here.
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4 Balance Exercises to Stay Strong and Steady After 65
Maintaining good balance can play an important role in staying active and independent as we age, particularly after 65. Physical therapists recommend four practical exercises to help strengthen the muscles involved in everyday movement while improving stability and coordination. These exercises mirror common activities such as getting out of a chair, walking sideways, climbing stairs and shifting body weight, making them particularly useful for functional strength. They can also be modified with a chair, railing or countertop for additional support, allowing people to gradually build confidence and balance according to their ability. Find out here.
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