Postcards: “Music is their language” – school gives autistic Chinese youth a voice
TINGSHU WANG and JOSH ARSLAN, of Reuters, reports on how Beijing-based Chen’s Studio is helping young adults with autism…
Sudan generals and parties sign outline deal, protesters cry foul
Khartoum, SudanReuters Sudanese political parties and the military signed a framework deal on Monday that they said would pave the way for two-year civilian-led transition towards elections and end a sometimes violent standoff triggered by a coup in October, 2021. The deal could mark a new phase for Sudan, but has already faced resistance from […]
Pope unveils Vatican Christmas tree, urging Christians to ‘stay rooted’ in Jesus
Vatican CityRNS As this year’s Vatican Christmas tree and nativity scene were unveiled on Saturday, Pope Francis reminded the faithful to “stay rooted in Jesus Christ” during the holidays. “The tree teaches us about our roots, the nativity scene invites us to contemplation. Don’t forget these two human and Christian attitudes,” he said. A view […]
Iranian city shops shut after strike call, judiciary blames “rioters”
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters Iranian shops shut their doors in several cities on Monday, following calls for a three-day nationwide strike from protesters seeking the fall of clerical rulers, while the head of the judiciary blamed what he called “rioters” for threatening shopkeepers. Iran has been rocked by nationwide unrest following the death of Iranian […]
Congolese government ups toll in massacre to 272 civilians
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Democratic Republic of Congo’s government on Monday said 272 civilians were killed in a massacre in the eastern town of Kishishe last week, raising the death toll from a previous estimate of 50. The government blamed the killings on the M23 rebel group, which has denied responsibility. It also […]
Russia unleashes missiles across Ukraine, drones hit bases deep inside Russian territory
Kyiv, UkraineReuters Ukraine said Russia destroyed homes in the southeast and knocked out power in many areas with a new volley of missiles on Monday, while Moscow said Ukrainian drones had attacked two air bases deep inside Russia hundreds of miles from frontlines. A new missile barrage had been anticipated in Ukraine for days and […]
Ethiopia’s Tigray forces say they have withdrawn 65 per cent of fighters from frontlines
Nairobi, Kenya Reuters More than half of Tigrayan forces have withdrawn from the frontlines, the forces’ top commander said, a month after a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the two-year conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region. “We have accomplished 65 [per cent] disengagement of our army,” Tadesse Wereda, commander-in-chief of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front […]
Health Insight: How small acts of kindness can make you happier and healthier
Social scientist MEENA ANDIAPAN reports on what research shows about the impact of acts of kindness on one’s health…
West African leaders plan peace-keeping force to counter ‘coup belt’ reputation
Abuja, Nigeria Reuters West African leaders said on Sunday they would establish a regional peacekeeping force to intervene in member states to help restore security and constitutional order in a region that has witnessed several coups in the past two years. West and Central Africa has made strides in the past decade to shed its reputation […]
Chinese astronauts return to earth after “successful” six-month mission
Updated: 5pm (AEST)Beijing, ChinaReuters Three Chinese astronauts landed back on earth on Sunday on board the re-entry capsule of the Shenzhou-14 spacecraft, state broadcaster CCTV reported, bringing to an end a six-month mission on China’s space station. The three astronauts – commander Chen Dong and teammates Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe – who had been […]