parenting

Russia's Ministry of Science and Higher Education has set the minimum Unified State Exam (EGE) scores required for admission to universities for the 2027/2028 academic year. Reports indicate the thresholds will remain unchanged from previous years, and the ministry clarified what counts as a failing 'two' grade. Separately, the Federation Council proposed raising the minimum scores, and rules for score calculation are set to change, prompting debate over access to higher education.

A story circulating under the headline 'JJ Found his Real Parents!' is drawing major attention, with over half a million likes recorded. The headline claims that JJ has been reunited with or discovered his biological parents, but no further details are available about who JJ is, where the reunion took place, or how it happened.

Several European royal families are in the news in Germany. Dutch Crown Princess Amalia accompanied her parents to a glamorous gala dinner, while Norway's royal family is drawing attention over money: millions are reportedly going to Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit, with Queen Sonja and Princess Ingrid Alexandra receiving nothing. Meanwhile, Sweden's Queen Silvia has returned to her former homeland, drawing interest from royal watchers.

Basic education students in several Mexican states, including Coahuila, will get an extended weekend after the SEP scheduled a school suspension linked to the monthly Consejo Técnico Escolar meeting. Classes for preschool, primary and secondary students are paused tomorrow while teachers attend administrative sessions. Parents are checking the official school calendar to confirm whether their state is affected and planning childcare for the day off.

Two Portland Public Schools board members are pushing alternatives to a proposal that would close 14 schools across Portland, Oregon. The proposal has drawn attention from local parents and residents concerned about its impact on neighborhoods and students. The board members' counter-proposals suggest the district's consolidation plan is not settled and will face continued debate.

AbemaTV is drawing attention in Japan with a program featuring a single father raising four children alone after divorcing over his wife's infidelity. He answered candidly when asked whether he would meet his ex-wife if she said she wanted to see him, sharing his honest feelings about the breakup and solo parenting.

Russia's Labour Ministry has proposed taking into account account turnover when deciding who qualifies for the unified child benefit. The idea is being debated as a way to verify applicants' real income, but critics worry it could tighten access to support for families who need it. The proposal comes as the unified benefit remains one of the country's main social support measures for parents.

Schools in several Tamil Nadu districts, including Chennai and Tiruvallur, have been declared closed today following warnings of heavy rainfall. Authorities in Thiruvarur district have also announced a local holiday on October 22 as continuous rain continues across the state. Families and students are tracking announcements as officials respond to the ongoing wet weather.

A widely shared commentary piece about strict parenting is drawing large audiences, exploring why children raised under tight rules still manage to keep parts of their lives hidden from their parents. Viewers are engaging heavily with the theme, with many relating it to their own upbringings and debating whether strict control actually keeps kids safe or simply pushes secrecy further.

Japanese baseball circles are debating the future of amateur pitcher Shoki Oda, who faces a choice between joining the Yomiuri Giants in the draft or skipping NPB entirely to pursue a major league career straight out of high school. Former player Takagi Yutaka weighed in on what advice he would give as a parent, suggesting Oda's absence from a customary post-draft greeting could signal hesitation, and questioned when Giants management will step in.

UK gambling operator William Hill is in the news as its parent company Evoke used its Q3 results to urge the government against raising betting taxes, warning of the impact on the industry. Related coverage includes a dispute between bookmaker-linked firms after SIS's deal with black-market operator Santeda angered shareholder Entain, keeping betting regulation and industry finances in focus.

New commentary on the Japanese drama Hiyokko is attracting readers in Japan. Writer Fuyu Kimata's series of columns examines how the drama addressed issues such as 'parent gacha' — the lottery of being born into unequal family circumstances — and young carers, while another instalment looks at storylines involving husbands leaving and their effect on the show's rising television ratings.