A wide range of thoughtful services, from recreational physical exercise to timely and free rides, have been offered to students across China just one day before 13.35 million of them will participate in this year's national college entrance examination, one of the most important exams for them and their parents. Known as "Gaokao" in Chinese, the annual fiercely competitive exam is considered crucial for Chinese youngsters, with results that will determine their university admissions and even shape their career prospects.
The two-day examination is scheduled to start on Saturday. This year's number of 13.35 million students to attend the exam is a slight drop from last year's record number of 13.42 million, according to China's Ministry of Education.
As students typically experience nervousness before the crucial exam, their schools are kind enough to provide psychological guidance to them, as in a school in Qingzhou City, east China's Shandong Province.
The released video showed a group of students relaxing and cheering themselves up as they laughed and enjoyed funny physical exercises on the playground.
"The funny games we played today made me feel relaxed, and I think they can help us be free of the mental burdens and participate in the exam with a clear mind," said Chen Xinyi, one of the school students who participated in the physical activities.
Other preparations, such as transportation services, are also offered to students as the annual college entrance exam typically triggers heightened traffic rush hour that may cause lateness to students.
In Zhengzhou, the provincial capital of central China's Henan Province, over 530,000 special parking spaces have been provided to related vehicles during the examination period.
Besides, special areas for dropping off examinees were also designated around schools to make travel more convenient for them.
Some warm-hearted urban residents in northwest China's Gansu Province also lend a helping hand. Volunteers have recently put noticeable labels on their vehicles in cities like Tianshui, Jinchang, and Dunhuang so that examinees in need can identify them more easily and ask for a free ride. In particular, 200 taxis and 100 buses in Jinchang are poised to serve the students.
There are similar efforts in Longyan City, east China's Fujian Province, for examinees who have no one to send them to the examination venues or have to carry out a long journey. Special vehicles will be dispatched to help those with difficulties once they make an appointment.
Thoughtful services offered for students to sit for college entrance exam across China
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
