Month: October 2024

On October 12, 2023, the 2024 International Canoe Federation “Hangzhou Super Cup” kicked off in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, featuring four competitive events: flatwater kayaking, slalom kayaking, kayak marathon, and canoe polo. This event is remarkable as it is the first of its kind globally to combine all four disciplines in one premier international competition.

The tournament spans three days and has attracted over 530 elite athletes from 36 countries and regions, including 13 Olympic champions. On the second day of competition, the flatwater kayaking men’s single kayak 500 meters races got underway. The Chinese canoeing team participated in full force, with Olympic champions Xu Shixiao, Sun Mengya, Liu Hao, and Ji Bowen racing in the singles category, alongside other prominent athletes like Xing Song, Shuai Changwen, Wang Congkang, Li Dongyan, Yu Shimeng, and Yin Mengdie.

Amidst the post-Olympic adjustment period, where many mainstay athletes are still on break or just returning to training, younger talents stepped up during this major tournament. In the women’s single kayak 500 meters event, rising star Jiang Xina clinched the gold medal with a time of 2:19.278, while Li Shuqing secured the silver medal.

In the women’s single canoe 500 meters final, Chinese athlete Wang Nan withstood pressure from Denmark’s Joan Jørgensen, the bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, and won gold with a remarkable time of 2:03.549. The Chinese canoeing team ultimately earned two gold medals and one silver in the flatwater single kayak 500 meters events.

Notably, one of the most exciting and competitive events, canoe polo, commenced on the same day. The tournament features 12 teams each for both men and women, showcasing almost all of the world’s top ten teams, including the currently ranked number one German team. After a day of fierce competition, the women’s semifinals saw Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and Spain advance, while the men’s semifinals featured Spain, Germany, New Zealand, and the UK.

Additionally, the “Hangzhou Super Cup” introduced a special exhibition event on the same day — a mixed dragon boat race over 200 meters. This event featured voluntary participation from flatwater kayaking athletes from various countries. The fourth boat, led by Olympic champion Liu Hao, dominated the race, crossing the finish line first. “Winning time isn’t what’s important. What matters is leading our international friends to experience the ‘Chinese Dragon,’ enjoy the beautiful scenery of Fuyang, and have a great time,” Liu Hao remarked after the race.

German canoeing star Max Lemke, who has won three gold medals in canoeing at the Paris and Tokyo Olympics, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This is my first time participating in a dragon boat event, and I found it very exciting, especially being with athletes from different countries. Plus, dragon boats are more stable than our kayaks, so I was happy to finish without getting drenched!”

During a recent media session, Zheng Qinwen reflected on her remarkable achievement of qualifying for the WTA Finals in just her third year on tour. “I truly feel proud to have made it to the WTA Finals. No matter what tournament I participate in, my goal is always to win,” she stated. “Moving forward, I’ll be focusing on a small training block to ensure both my body and mind are in optimal condition because it’s crucial for my competitiveness at the WTA Finals. I’m confident other players are doing the same.”

On October 16, during the Ningbo Open in Zhejiang, China, Zheng addressed her withdrawal from the tournament due to health issues, sharing her thoughts on the upcoming WTA Finals. Reports indicated that American player Coco Vandeweghe withdrew from both the Ningbo and Tokyo events, securing Zheng’s spot in the year-end championship as the final qualifier. This achievement makes her the second Chinese player after Li Na to earn a place in the WTA Finals.

Reflecting on this significant milestone, Zheng expressed her excitement. “I want to enjoy the WTA Finals because all the competitors are top-tier players who have performed incredibly well this year. I’m really looking forward to the matchups and hope everyone will be in their best form against me,” she shared.

Zheng emphasized the importance of continual self-improvement. “I also hope to manage my expectations and not put too much pressure on myself. I’ll take it one match at a time and see how I end up performing.”

Discussing her decision to withdraw from the Ningbo Open, Zheng conveyed her disappointment. “I feel very sorry for having to pull out. This event was part of my planned schedule, but competing at the China Open and Wuhan Open took a toll on me. During the Wuhan final, I already felt a strain in my left adductor muscle and had to rely on painkillers and cold medicine to compete. I was also feeling under the weather at that time, and I haven’t fully recovered. After discussing with my team, they prioritized my health and the risk of worsening my injury, leading to the decision to withdraw,” she explained.

Zheng hopes to participate in next year’s Ningbo Open and encourages fans to enjoy the upcoming matches. Looking back on the 2024 season, she expressed general satisfaction with her performance. “While I always believe I could have done better, it’s important to view my efforts at the China Open and Wuhan Open with the right perspective. Those tournaments ultimately helped me qualify for the WTA Finals. Post-Olympics, I managed to maintain a stable level of performance, which is a goal I’ve achieved,” she remarked.

On the day of the press conference, Zheng interacted with young players from the Ningbo Youth Tennis Team, drawing enthusiastic crowds. When asked about her training regimen, she replied, “The training duration varies based on the time of year. During winter training, it’s about four hours of tennis, two hours of fitness, and including warm-ups and therapy, it’s usually longer. Generally, we start around 9 AM and finish around 6 or 7 PM.”

Through her talent and hard work, Zheng’s inspiring story motivates countless young tennis enthusiasts. With impressive achievements like her runner-up finish at the Australian Open, quarter-finals at the US Open, semi-finals at the China Open, and gold in women’s singles at the Paris Olympics, she consistently breaks new ground for Chinese tennis on the world stage.

Looking ahead, when asked about her next goals, Zheng replied, “I will focus on performing well in my upcoming matches and not think too far ahead. For me, the ‘next goal’ feels distant. I prefer to take things slowly and concentrate on each day as it comes.”

During a press conference held on October 16th in Beijing, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office, issued a stern warning to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan. He stated that no matter how much military strength Taiwan amasses or how many weapons it acquires, and regardless of any external interventions, any reckless endeavors would lead to self-destruction.

The press conference addressed a recent statement made by the DPP’s representative in the U.S., who claimed that to alleviate delays in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, dialogue had begun on joint production and research of weapons. This initiative aims to produce or assemble military equipment in Taiwan, integrating it into the military supply chain.

In response to inquiries, Chen emphasized that the Chinese government firmly opposes any form of military collaboration between the United States and Taiwan, as well as the provision of weapons to the island. He urged the U.S. to adhere to the One China principle and the three joint communiqués between the U.S. and China, calling for an end to arming Taiwan, halting military collaborations, and ceasing to encourage “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.

Chen also addressed a recent controversy involving Raytheon, an American arms manufacturer, which was accused of inflating prices in arms sales to Taiwan. The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense confirmed the allegations, drawing criticism from local media. Chen declared that Raytheon has been sanctioned for its repeated involvement in arms sales to Taiwan, and remarked that this situation reveals the DPP’s selfishness, as they squander the hard-earned money of Taiwanese citizens, becoming a “cash cow” for the U.S. while blaming external factors for their misfortunes. He expressed confidence that more people in Taiwan are recognizing that reliance on the U.S. harms the island, and that pursuing independence through military means is a dead-end.

When questioned about the U.S.’s portrayal of a so-called “Chinese military threat,” which has justified ongoing arms sales and military aid to Taiwan, Chen criticized the U.S. for using these narratives to market arms while masking its true intentions of not genuinely protecting the welfare of the Taiwanese people. He cautioned against underestimating the risks associated with the DPP’s push for independence, emphasizing that China remains resolute in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Chen remarked that since coming to power, the Tsai administration has sought independence while displaying insecurity, thus willingly becoming a pawn of external forces. He criticized efforts to cultivate a so-called “whole-of-society defense” as a ploy to involve the Taiwanese populace in the separatist agenda, making them potential victims of these endeavors. He concluded with a warning to the DPP, asserting that their attempts to seek independence through reliance on the U.S. and military means are a path to self-destruction.

Finally, in response to reports that Tsai Ing-wen might visit the U.S. before the upcoming elections, Chen reiterated the firm opposition to any official exchanges between Taiwan and countries that have diplomatic ties with China, urging the U.S. to stop sending incorrect signals to the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.

ECB cuts key rate by a quarter of a point to 3.25% after annual price growth in the eurozone fell to 1.7%
Business live – latest updatesPhillip InmanThu 17 Oct 2024 13.16 BSTLast modified on Thu 17 Oct 2024 14.15 BSTShareThe European Central Bank has cut its headline interest rate by a quarter of a point to 3.25% after inflation in the eurozone fell below its 2% target.
ECB policymakers were under pressure to reduce the deposit rate after figures out earlier on Thursday showed annual prices growth in the single-currency bloc had eased in September to 1.7%, down from 2.2% the previous month.
The cut is the ECB’s third of the year, putting it two ahead of the Bank of England, which is widely forecast to cut the cost of borrowing in the UK by 0.25 percentage points from the current level of 5% when its monetary policy committee meets again next month.
In the US, the Federal Reserve has indicated it is also minded to trim rates in the coming months, although there have been hints it may skip a cut at next month’s meeting.
Announcing the decision, the ECB said the reduction in interest rates was based on “an updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission”.
It added: “The incoming information on inflation shows that the disinflationary process is well on track. The inflation outlook is also affected by recent downside surprises in indicators of economic activity.”
The deposit rate sets the return paid to eurozone banks when they make overnight deposits with the Eurosystem.
Joe Nellis, an economist at Cranfield University and an adviser to the financial consultancy MHA, said the ECB would be focused on fostering growth after a long period in which the cost of borrowing was kept high to combat inflation.
“Unlike the Bank of England, the ECB has a dual mandate, requiring it to take decisions to foster growth as well as control inflation. ECB policymakers will hope that this cut provides a boost to the German (and wider eurozone) economy, inspiring consumer spending, encouraging investment, and ultimately stimulating the economy,” he said.
skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Business Today
Free daily newsletterGet set for the working day – we’ll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotion
“With the German economy likely to shrink for its second consecutive year, we can expect the ECB to cut rates by another 0.25% in December – this is a decision policymakers will feel they have to make if they are serious about catalysing growth in the eurozone’s largest economy,” he added.
Gold reached a record high just before the announcement, hitting $2,688.82 (£2,065.26) an ounce for the first time, lifted by forecasts of interest rate cuts around the world and uncertainty ahead of next month’s US election.

On November 16, 1934, the 25th Army of the Red Army embarked on the Long March from Hejia in Luoshan County, north of Tiantai Mountain. Among the nearly 3,000 soldiers in this contingent, only seven were women, referred to as the “Seven Fairies” of the Long March. From the very beginning of their journey, these women declared resolutely, “Even if we die on this path, we will never turn back!” and “We will not be deserters!” Despite arriving at their camping site each day completely exhausted, they tirelessly cared for the wounded and performed revolutionary theatrical shows to uplift the spirits of their fellow soldiers and inspire hope.

On October 17, the Yongchuan District Government in Chongqing announced that the 2024 CFA China Team “Tea Mountain and Bamboo Sea Cup” Yongchuan International Women’s Football Championship will be held from October 23 to 29. This tournament will mark the debut of China’s new women’s national team coach, Milicic, leading the team on home soil.

Yongchuan is recognized as a promising city for Asian football and serves as a training base for the Chinese women’s national team. Since 2008, it has successfully hosted eleven international women’s football tournaments. The Yongchuan International Women’s Football Championship has achieved the status of an FIFA A-level event, attracting national teams from more than 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The last tournament took place in 2019.

This championship is co-hosted by the Chinese Football Association, the Chongqing Sports Bureau, and the Yongchuan District People’s Government, with assistance from the Chongqing Football Association, the Yongchuan Cultural and Tourism Committee, and the Chongqing Tea Mountain and Bamboo Sea Tourism Development Company.

As an A-level international tournament, this year’s competition will feature two strong Asian teams, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. All key players from the Chinese team will participate, including Wang Shuang, the team’s standout player currently with the Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur.

The opening match between Vietnam and Uzbekistan will kick off on October 23 in the afternoon, with the official opening ceremony slated for the evening of October 26 at 7:15 PM. The Chinese team will play its first match on the same evening. During the tournament, the organizing committee will also host the inaugural Football Cultural and Tourism Festival, featuring activities such as “Travel with the Games,” “National Team in Schools,” “Stars Teach You to Play Football,” “Remembering History, Chasing Dreams,” and “Yongchuan Football Culture Exhibition,” which will continue into November.

*Ex-Head of State not an enemy, says Omokri
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has responded to the barrage of attacks he received at the weekend for congratulating a former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary, saying Nigeria must move on with love and not in hate or anger.But a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has said the former Nigerian leader was not an enemy to be forgiven.Writing a long response on his X titled: ‘Why I Congratulated Gen. Gowon at 90’, Obi said “My felicitation with Nigeria’s former military Head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary, which was celebrated by a cross-section of Nigerians, has been received with mixed feelings by some Nigerians, and some have expressed their sentiments publicly, and privately to me.”According to statement by Ibrahim Umar, Obi said, “I share in some of them, and I feel that as a leader in the vanguard of providing direction for our country to shift base away from all our shortcomings, including the issues that caused our avoidable cruel civil war, I needed to show to the World that the ultimate heroism is forgiving the enemy and moving forward.“Indisputably, the darkest part of our 64-year journey as a nation is the 30 months of civil war from 1967 to 1970 and God almighty whose way is not our way must have a reason why he kept the Chief Prosecutor of the war who is General Gowon alive to be 90 years today and the man who saw the end of the war, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to be there at 87 years super-heading all the moves to see a reconciled and just Nigeria.“There was also a developing new spirit why the same country, Nigeria, gave the Biafra leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a heroic national burial on 2 March 2012, when he joined his ancestors, coincidentally under my tenure as Governor of Anambra state.“The status of the burial given to Dim Ojukwu remains the boldest indication to the World that Nigeria as a country is disposed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation.“There are various ways human beings can respond to acts of evil, especially one that claimed millions of lives; one is the tragedy of revenge, and another offers the hope of forgiveness in an attempt to forget. The latter conforms neatly with the template I adopted in greeting Gen Gowon at 90 years old.“In all my dealings with human beings, I tried to be guided by my faith as a Christian in a strong message preached by Jesus Christ himself and underscored in reflections in St Paul’s letter to the Colossians 3:13: ‘Bear with each other and forgive one another: if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.’ And to Ephesians 4: 31-32 ‘Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.’“Whatever reason I will give for joining the rest of Nigerians to greet General Gowon, May never truly conform with some persons, especially direct victims of the war, but anger, hurt, and bitterness are the commonest responses to cruelty.“It fuels sectarianism, it leads to resistance and avoidable blood feuds that we are witnessing across the globe, and even in our country and it does not abate.“There is something about forgiveness, it sets the person doing it free. Forgiveness is more a process than an instinct. It’s hate that has put our society, blessed by God to be the greatest land in the black World, down, but this hate has to stop.”But Omokri in his reply said, For years, Peter Obi has been romancing Professor Wole Soyinka and celebrating him on his birthdays. But when Mr Soyinka turned ninety on Saturday, July 13, 2024, Mr. Obi ignored him completely.“Why? Because on Thursday, September 14, 2023, Mr. Soyinka had exposed him as an ethnic bigot who directly controls his Obidient hordes and unleashes them on his political enemies.“Peter Obi is a tribal leader who cannot afford to upset his sectional base. And that is why he had to release a lengthy statement explaining why he congratulated General Gowon on his birthday.“Because a huge chunk of his base, who are sympathetic to the cause of secession from Nigeria being championed by the Indigenous People of Biafra movement, are very diametrically opposed to General Gowon, who they blame for scuttling their 1967-70 dream of seceding from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.“And in his verbose explanation, Peter Obi described General Gowon as an ‘enemy’ to be forgiven. My question to Nigerians is this: is the unity of our country safe in the hands of a man who sees a person who fought a war to preserve Nigeria’s unity as an ‘enemy to be forgiven’?
“Peter Obi also described what General Gowon did as ‘acts of evil’. If a man believes that it is evil to fight to keep Nigeria united, how can you trust that man to be President of a united Nigeria? Would he not have an agenda to undo the ‘evil’ that General Gowon did in keeping Nigeria as one nation under God?”

According to a recent list by Historic Hotels of America, the Bay Area boasts two of the most haunted hotels in the nation. As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the Claremont Club & Spa in Berkeley and the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa have made the cut due to their connections to supernatural phenomena.

Last week, the hotel group announced that both establishments are notable for their hauntings. Guests and staff at the Fairmont Sonoma have reported sightings of the ghost of Victoria, an early settler in Sonoma Valley. Legend has it that she celebrated her wedding and anniversaries at the resort, and now, she is said to wander the hallways on foggy nights.

Additionally, the hotel is rumored to have an old man’s apparition that frequents one of the oldest rooms, which dates back to the 1920s. Guests have claimed to experience supernatural occurrences in this particular room, where it is said that a jealous lover once met a grisly fate in the bathtub.

According to the hotel, since then, visitors have reported strange happenings, including flickering lights, unexplained noises, shadowy figures, and even sounds of running water. They humorously remind guests that “wine isn’t the only spirit in the hotel.”

The Claremont Club & Spa, also under the Fairmont brand, has its own share of ghostly tales. Since opening in 1915, guests have reported encounters with a phantom elevator and eerie sounds, contributing to “generations of countless ghost stories.”

One tale tells of the ghost of a six-year-old girl, described by those who have encountered her as serene. Witnesses claim she has made nighttime visits, gently reaching out as if to say, “Hello.”

Other chilling accounts include reports from a notoriously haunted fourth-floor room, where both guests and staff have experienced drastic temperature fluctuations.

Each October, the hotel sells haunted history tour tickets for $40, inviting thrill-seekers to explore its spooky past.

In the heart of Zhangzhou, Fujian, the story of the Chinese women’s volleyball team is told through a legacy of hard work and triumph. The Zhangzhou Sports Training Base, which has been in operation since 1973, has been a vital partner in their journey, providing an essential setting for their rigorous training and pushing them toward greater achievements.

The city itself is infused with a passion for volleyball. Enhancements in facilities and promoting fitness for all reflect the determined strides toward building a robust sports nation.

One of the standout features in downtown Zhangzhou is the statue of the Chinese women’s volleyball team, proudly holding a trophy in one hand and a bouquet in the other. This monument commemorates their remarkable three consecutive championships at the World Cup in 1981, the World Championship in 1982, and the 1984 Olympic Games.

Today, this site has evolved into an iconic landmark, with the training base located just beside it. Upon entering the training hall, the bright red flag with the five stars hangs overhead, accompanied by motivational slogans like “Country First,” “Unity and Cooperation,” “Strive with Determination,” and “Never Give Up.” The facility is equipped with a variety of training tools, including serving machines, blocking equipment, and fitness gear. Recently, the Chinese national youth women’s volleyball team completed a training camp here.

The transition from a simple bamboo shelter to a modern sports facility is quite a journey. In 1972, driven by the need to grow the sport, the National Sports Commission decided to establish a volleyball training base in southern China, ultimately choosing Zhangzhou after some evaluation. That winter, local military and civilians worked together to construct the “Bamboo Pavilion” within just 23 days, with a foundation made of compacted earth. By 1973, this became China’s very first volleyball training base.

With a motto to “get muddy, toughen up, practice hard, and aim for the summit,” the Chinese women’s volleyball team started their journey, achieving numerous accolades along the way.

Entering the 21st century, the training conditions at the base required significant upgrades. In 2000, during a challenging phase for the team, the Zhangzhou facility began to show its age. “The living conditions were basic, and the old training hall was inadequate for our needs,” recalled former head coach Chen Zhonghe. The facility built in the 1970s had a ceiling height of only seven meters, far below international standards, which hindered the team’s ability to practice advanced techniques. There were even issues with leaking roofs and hollow wooden floors.

To support the athletes’ training and living arrangements, a collaborative effort was launched in November 2000 involving the Fujian provincial government, the National Sports Administration, and the Fujian Sports Bureau to secure funding for new training venues and athlete dormitories. By July 2001, specific funding was released to address the immediate needs of the team. “From then on, our meal standards improved, and living conditions got better,” Chen noted.

Thanks to these collaborative efforts, the Chinese women’s volleyball team found its footing again. In 2003, they claimed the World Cup title with a perfect record of 11 wins. By March 2004, they bid farewell to the old training facility as they transitioned to the new one in preparation for the Olympic Games, ultimately winning the championship in Athens just five months later.

The modern training hall, resembling a soaring swallow, has witnessed the team soar to new heights, with victories in the 2015 World Cup, the 2016 Rio Olympics, and again in the 2019 World Cup.

From high-performance training to fostering community fitness, the training base has become a hub of activity. Former player Xu Yunli shared that her time in Zhangzhou remains a cherished memory. “There’s always a sense of home when we are here,” Xu reflected, recalling the warmth of being well-fed and supported, regardless of how late practices ran. “Preparing in Zhangzhou gave us confidence for major competitions.”

The staff at the Zhangzhou Sports Training Base are committed to providing the best for the athletes. “We listen to their feedback to adjust meal plans and continually improve our services,” they shared. “We want to do our part to support the athletes through their challenging training routines.”

In recent years, the facilities have seen continuous upgrades, including the opening of a new apartment complex in August 2020. The city’s support for the women’s volleyball team is palpable. “Sometimes when I’m out and encounter fans, they won’t intrude but will cheer us on with a simple ‘Go for it,’” Xu noted. Volleyball has become a hot topic in Zhangzhou, with numerous residents becoming dedicated fans. As one local enthusiast, Mr. He, stated, “Whether in peaks or valleys, we stand by the Chinese women’s volleyball team.”

On October 13, Zhangzhou hosted the finals of the first national fitness competition, showcasing the growing interest in sports at the grassroots level. Besides athlete training, the base has opened its facilities for various community fitness events.

“Zhangzhou residents express their love for the Chinese women’s volleyball team through active participation in sports,” explained Yang Suping, director of the Zhangzhou Sports Bureau. “We’ve established volleyball zones in various districts and ensured that every village has facilities and that events are held monthly.”

Statistics reveal a thriving fitness landscape in Zhangzhou, with smart sports parks established county-wide, an average of 2.91 square meters of sports area per person, and a ratio of 23.4 community sports instructors per every 10,000 residents, hosting over 150 sporting events annually.

From nurturing one team to developing a pipeline of talented athletes, the future looks promising. At Xiangfeng Hope Primary School in Huian County, coaches from the Zhangzhou Youth Sports School are teaching young students essential volleyball skills.

Tenth-grader Wen Zhijing shared her determination to excel, having just helped her team to victory at the Fujian Youth Volleyball Championship. “Even though training can be exhausting, I still love volleyball,” she said, adding that the sport has taught her the strength of teamwork.

“Zhangzhou has a vibrant volleyball culture, with many children playing,” said Coach Lin Jing. The city has made strides in integrating volleyball into schools, creating a steady flow of talent. Since 2019, Zhangzhou has produced 18 athletes for provincial teams, with nine making it to national levels.

“We’re actively involved in classroom talks, volleyball lessons, and themed exhibitions to inspire kids’ interest in the sport, hoping to unveil even more volleyball talents,” concluded Li Lingming, director of the Zhangzhou Chinese Women’s Volleyball Spirit Exhibition Hall.

The highly regarded “Outstanding Tutoring Center” at the Bayside branch has begun enrollment for its spring semester. In addition, a special intensive preparation course for the Hunter College High School entrance exam has been introduced to help students perform at their best.

This branch is also offering scholarships for students who excel academically. Students who achieve a score of 95 or higher on the free practice exam will receive full tuition coverage, while those scoring 85 or above will get a 30% discount, and scores of 75 or above will receive a 50% discount. The program is an excellent opportunity for students to assess their skills.

The Hunter College entrance exam practice sessions are scheduled from October 27 to January 12 of next year—less than three months away from the actual exam. The final intensive course before the exam is crucial for success. The school’s preparatory courses are highly regarded and have received strong endorsements from many parents. They focus on teaching students how to prepare effectively and master answering techniques. The course includes 11 sets of practice exams and detailed explanations of the questions, led by expert educators from renowned New York schools.

“Outstanding Tutoring Center” specializes in providing quality examination preparation courses for students in grades 2 through 12. The fall offerings include: elementary and middle school statewide reinforcement classes for English and Math, preparation for the three specialized high schools (SHSAT), high school PSAT and SAT courses, the Hunter College High School prep course, ESL classes for new immigrants, after-school tutoring with school pick-up services and snacks provided, and writing classes.

All courses are meticulously prepared by seasoned educators with decades of teaching experience, ensuring a strong comprehensive curriculum that effectively enhances students’ academic performance. The SAT/New SAT/PSAT reinforcement classes, designed for students in ninth grade and above, boast over a decade of successful outcomes. These classes use the new SAT as a standard, including practice exams and real-world exercises. The English curriculum covers vocabulary, grammar, critical reading, and essay practice, while the math portion focuses on honing problem-solving skills, speed, and accuracy to aim for perfect scores.

Over the past 20 years, many students who have attended the SAT classes have achieved exceptional results in the official examinations, with numerous admissions to prestigious schools such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Cornell. The enrichment courses for grades 2 to 8 cover the entire curriculum relevant to each grade level, including content ranging from writing and vocabulary to reading exercises. Teaching materials are comprehensive and are typically advanced by six months to a year and a half compared to the average public school curriculum.

All instructors at the Outstanding Tutoring Center hold teaching licenses and have experience in both public and private school settings. Their teaching not only fills gaps in school practice but also enhances students’ abilities to analyze and solve problems effectively.

Parents are welcome to visit their nearest branches with their children for more information. The Bayside location is at 214-25 42 Ave, 2FL (near Bell Blvd train station), and can be reached at 646-616-0751 or 646-616-0753. The Flushing branch is located at 37-20 Prince St., #4B, with the phone number 718-961-1816; the Chinatown branch is at 98 Mott St., 4FL, NY, and can be contacted at 212-219-1860.