More than 31,000 children have been affected by shootings on K-12 campuses during school hours this year in the United States, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing its School Shooting tracker.
The Post report added that while school shootings remain relatively rare, guns are brought to school nearly every day.
A total of 13 people were killed in school shootings since the start of the year, including the teenage student and teacher who were killed at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday. Almost 50 others who were shot this year survived.
Altogether 21 states experienced school shootings this year.
There have been 426 school shootings since the Columbine High massacre of April 20, 1999, in which 12 students and one teacher were killed. Some 215 people, including children and educators, have been killed in school shootings since Columbine, and almost 500 others have been wounded.
Around 86 percent of the weapons used in school shootings originated from the homes of friends, relatives or parents in cases where the source of the gun could be determined. "More than half of school shootings in the United States were carried out by children, none of which would be possible if those children didn't have access to firearms," noted the report.
31,000 children affected by U.S. school shootings in 2024: report
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
