Listen to article The world is gearing up to celebrate the Lunar New Year, the most significant event on the Chinese calendar. Falling on Wednesday, January 29, this year marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake, kicking off a 15-day celebration filled with cultural traditions, family reunions, and symbolic rituals. Why the year of the … Read more
Listen to article US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday the military will keep assisting President Donald Trump’s “mass” migrant deportations, as he arrived for his first formal day of work at the Pentagon. Hegseth – confirmed by Republicans despite concerns over his inexperience, and alleged record of heavy drinking and domestic violence – is one of … Read more
Listen to article Monday marked Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration camp where approximately 1.1 million people were murdered from 1940 to 1945. Survivors, world leaders, and dignitaries gathered in Poland to commemorate the event, with the focus firmly on the testimonies of those who lived through the … Read more
Listen to article Saudi Arabia has announced a landmark decision allowing foreign investment in listed companies that own real estate within Islam’s holiest cities, Makkah and Madinah. The move, unveiled by the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA), aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy and attract foreign capital. Effective immediately, foreigners can invest … Read more
Listen to article China has banned the import of livestock products from several countries due to concerns over the spread of animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, sheep pox, and goat pox. The General Administration of Customs announced the ban on January 21, following reports of disease outbreaks from the World Health Organization. The ban affects a wide … Read more
Jason Buchanan, a substitute teacher in Fort Worth, Texas, has sparked significant controversy after making anti-immigrant comments online that led to his personal information being shared publicly. Buchanan, who worked at Northside High School, used his X (formerly Twitter) handle @HookEm232 to urge U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to target the school, claiming that … Read more
Listen to article Health officials in the United Kingdom are closely monitoring the rise in cases of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which has triggered heightened alert levels amid concerns about its spread. The virus, initially identified as a “mystery illness”, has made its way to the UK, prompting calls for preventive measures, including the use of face masks … Read more
Listen to article A group of Afghan women cricketers, now living as refugees in Australia, played their first match in three years at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. The game, a charity T20 match against Cricket Without Borders XI, marked a significant moment for the team, which had been unable to play since leaving Afghanistan after the … Read more
Listen to article Firefighters in Victoria are battling dangerous bushfire conditions as temperatures exceed 40°C in parts of the state, including Melbourne. A total fire ban has been implemented for several regions, including Mallee, Wimmera, South-West, North-Central, and Central, which covers Melbourne. The fire danger rating for these areas is categorized as extreme. On Monday, strong northerly … Read more