More Than 40 Dogs Killed in Fire at US Rescue Group's Kennels

This picture made available by Canton Fire Department FaceBook, shows a building on fire in Canton, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Canton Fire Department via AP)
This picture made available by Canton Fire Department FaceBook, shows a building on fire in Canton, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Canton Fire Department via AP)
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More Than 40 Dogs Killed in Fire at US Rescue Group's Kennels

This picture made available by Canton Fire Department FaceBook, shows a building on fire in Canton, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Canton Fire Department via AP)
This picture made available by Canton Fire Department FaceBook, shows a building on fire in Canton, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Canton Fire Department via AP)

More than 40 dogs were killed Thursday when a fire swept through a rescue organization's kennels in northern New York, authorities said.
The fire at the No Dogs Left Behind building at the Maple Ridge Kennels in Canton was reported at about 1 a.m. by a person who saw the flames while passing by the property, fire officials said. Flames overran the structure and killed the animals before firefighters could save them, the Canton Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
According to The Associated Press, No Dogs Left Behind said its members were heartbroken.
“Each dog was a member of our family,” the group said in a social media post. “Tragically, they are victims once again. We have no words to express our grief.”
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear and was under investigation by St. Lawrence County officials. No firefighters or other people were injured, authorities said.
The house-like building included kennels inside with a play area outside. No Dogs Left Behind has video on its website showing dogs also running around grassy fields with paths on the large property.



Madinah Wins the 2025 Shanghai Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities

The recognition coincided with the Global Observance of World Cities Day 2025 in Bogotá - SPA 
The recognition coincided with the Global Observance of World Cities Day 2025 in Bogotá - SPA 
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Madinah Wins the 2025 Shanghai Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities

The recognition coincided with the Global Observance of World Cities Day 2025 in Bogotá - SPA 
The recognition coincided with the Global Observance of World Cities Day 2025 in Bogotá - SPA 

Madinah won the 2025 Shanghai Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities in its third cycle, recognizing progress in urban innovation, sustainability, and quality of life in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The recognition coincided with the Global Observance of World Cities Day 2025 in Bogotá, SPA reported.

The award highlights Madinah’s people-centered urban development model, built on digital transformation, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

Madinah Mayor and CEO of Al Madinah Region Development Authority Fahad Albulihshi said the achievement crowns efforts to build an integrated, data-driven urban ecosystem grounded in smart planning, environmental sustainability, and quality of life.

Flagship projects include the “Manarah” Urban Data Platform, the “Madinah Buses” public-transport system, the environmental rehabilitation of Wadi Al-Aqiq, and the smart-city strategy.

The Shanghai Award is organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in partnership with the Shanghai Municipality.

The results of the third cycle were announced during World Cities Day in Bogotá, recognizing cities that are advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the city level.


Original Birkin Bag Unveiled in Japan After Record $10 Million Purchase 

The original Birkin, the first ever made by Hermes for Jane Birkin crafted in 1984 is displayed during the press preview of Sotheby’s Luxury Week Sale at Sotheby’s Auctions in New York City, US, June 6, 2025. (Reuters) 
The original Birkin, the first ever made by Hermes for Jane Birkin crafted in 1984 is displayed during the press preview of Sotheby’s Luxury Week Sale at Sotheby’s Auctions in New York City, US, June 6, 2025. (Reuters) 
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Original Birkin Bag Unveiled in Japan After Record $10 Million Purchase 

The original Birkin, the first ever made by Hermes for Jane Birkin crafted in 1984 is displayed during the press preview of Sotheby’s Luxury Week Sale at Sotheby’s Auctions in New York City, US, June 6, 2025. (Reuters) 
The original Birkin, the first ever made by Hermes for Jane Birkin crafted in 1984 is displayed during the press preview of Sotheby’s Luxury Week Sale at Sotheby’s Auctions in New York City, US, June 6, 2025. (Reuters) 

The original bag custom-made for late actress Jane Birkin which became a design icon was revealed to media in Tokyo on Wednesday by the Japanese company that purchased it for a record 8.6 million euros ($10 million) at Sotheby’s in Paris earlier this year.

According to fashion lore, the first Birkin bag was conceived when the Franco-British actress and singer sat next to Hermes executive Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight in 1984 and told him she needed a stylish-yet-functional bag as a young mother.

Dumas immediately sketched out the rectangular handbag, with a dedicated space for baby bottles.

After Birkin got her custom-made bag, the company went on to manufacture smaller versions for the mass-market, turning it into an instant hit and helping fuel the fashion brand's expansion.

Shinsuke Sakimoto, co-founder and CEO of second-hand luxury goods reseller Valuence Japan, which purchased the Birkin, said the story of the handbag's inception represented the company's philosophy.

"We believe that products should not be spoken about in terms of price, but rather through the stories that include the brand’s philosophy and values; in other words, they should be spoken about in terms of their significance.”

Valuence plans to display its prized purchase in museums and similar venues rather than resell it, he said.

Birkin herself auctioned the bag in 1994 to support Sidaction, a French charity that raises funds to fight AIDS.


More Sleep, Less Screen Time as China Aims to Reduce Student Stress 

A woman takes a selfie during a pro-Beijing flash mob rally in Hong Kong on Oct. 1, 2019, to mark the 70th anniversary of communist China’s founding. (AFP via Getty Images)
A woman takes a selfie during a pro-Beijing flash mob rally in Hong Kong on Oct. 1, 2019, to mark the 70th anniversary of communist China’s founding. (AFP via Getty Images)
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More Sleep, Less Screen Time as China Aims to Reduce Student Stress 

A woman takes a selfie during a pro-Beijing flash mob rally in Hong Kong on Oct. 1, 2019, to mark the 70th anniversary of communist China’s founding. (AFP via Getty Images)
A woman takes a selfie during a pro-Beijing flash mob rally in Hong Kong on Oct. 1, 2019, to mark the 70th anniversary of communist China’s founding. (AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese authorities have announced measures to improve the mental health of primary and secondary school students by reducing academic pressure, cutting screen time and mandating two hours of physical exercise daily.

The initiatives announced last month by the Ministry of Education include a classroom ban on mobile phones and a period of "screen-free" time to reduce excessive reliance on the internet.

Schools must "strictly control" the total amount of homework and offer "at least" two hours of physical activity for primary and secondary students every school day.

Schools are also encouraged to "ensure students get enough sleep" by arranging arrival and dismissal times in a "reasonable" manner and allowing for adequate lunch breaks.

"Strictly enforce sleep management regulations, resolutely curb violations such as excessive studying and prevent excessive academic burdens," the ministry said in a statement announcing the measures.

The measures were intended to help students cope with stress and anxiety, particularly around exams.

Heavy homework loads are common in schools across China, leading to a lack of sleep and increased anxiety and depression, experts said.

In a separate notice also released in October, the Education Ministry said it was reducing workloads for teachers by limiting their out-of-school duties and preventing them from working on holidays and weekends.

China in 2021 passed an education law that sought to cut back on homework and banned after-school tutoring in core school subjects. However, many parents have continued to seek tutoring services to give their children a leg-up in China's highly competitive education system.