A long-time ally of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has been attacked with a hammer outside his home in Lithuania ... Show more

Newsday - Hammer attack on exiled Alexei Navalny associate - BBC Sounds
Key FactsViolent Assault on Nawalny Ally in Lithuania
Mar 14, 2024 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: nzz.ch
  • Leonid Wolkow, a close associate of Alexei Nawalny, was violently assaulted with tear gas and a hammer on Tuesday evening in Vilnius.

  • The attack took place outside his home in an affluent area, and the assailants remain unidentified.

  • Lithuanian intelligence suspects Kremlin involvement, suggesting an attempt to intimidate Russian opposition figures abroad.

  • Wolkow declared in a video that despite the violence, the opposition will continue its work and refuse to surrender.
  • I want to say one thing to Putin: Here, no one is afraid of you.
    — Gitanas Nauseda, President of Lithuania, during a state visit in Paris regarding the Kremlin's persecution of opposition figures.
One of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders - Jimmy Cherizier, known as "Barbecue" - has said there will be "civil war" if Ariel Henry does ... Show more

bbc.in/43lFpM5
Key FactsHaiti in Midst of Rebellion and Violence: Analysis
Mar 6, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: abcnews.go.com
  • Haiti is experiencing a surge of violence in the last week.

  • It is more than just gang violence, but a rebellion against the government.

  • Groups have united to overthrow the government.

  • The population suffers from poverty, hunger, and violence, with an uncertain future ahead.
Before Gabriel García Márquez died, he asked his sons to destroy a book he wrote while struggling with dementia. They have just published it ... Show more

bbc.in/3TsxVmU
Nigeria's president has ordered security forces not to pay ransom for the release of close to 300 students and staff who were kidnapped last week ...

Newsday - Worried parents of Nigeria's abducted children 'cannot sleep' - BBC Sounds
In the 1960s and 70s, the UK took control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean and evicted all its residents, to make way for a joint UK and US military ...

Newsday - Chagos Islanders gain support of British MPs - BBC Sounds
An American company has made history by becoming the first commercial outfit to put a spacecraft on the Moon. Houston-based Intuitive Machines landed its ... Show more

bbc.in/3OOFUrB
Key FactsMoon lander Odysseus tipped sideways on lunar surface
Feb 24, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
  • Intuitive Machines confirms the moon lander Odysseus is 'alive and well' but resting sideways on the lunar surface.

  • Although the landing was successful, engineers discovered the craft had tipped over during its final descent.

  • Communication with the lander is ongoing, with expectations of obtaining the first images from the lunar surface.

  • Most of the scientific payloads are accessible despite the sideways position, with some limitations in communication.
Body found in Venezuela believed to be missing Cedros fisherman - Trinidad ...
Body found in Venezuela believed to be missing Cedros fisherman - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
newsday.co.tt/2024/03/03/body-found-in-venezuela-believed-to-be-missing-cedros-fisherman/
Ghana's parliament has passed a tough new bill that could lead to a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTQ+ ... Show more

bbc.in/4bTePh0
Key FactsGhana: Activists Fight Against LGBTQ+ Criminalization Law
Mar 1, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: rfi.fr
  • Ghana has passed a controversial bill that penalizes not only LGBTQ+ individuals but also those who defend them, with up to 10 years in prison. Activists have pledged to challenge the law, awaiting the president's signature.

  • The law sets prison terms from six months to three years for LGBTQ+ sexual acts, already illegal in Ghana. It also criminalizes those advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, with up to 10 years in prison if targeting minors.

  • A clause in the law requires reporting anyone identifying as LGBTQ+ to the police or community leaders, with up to three years in prison for such identification. The bill was promoted as contributing to UN sustainable development goals.

  • The bill was passed by a coalition of Christian, Muslim, and traditional Ghanaian leaders, arguing it aligns with UN development goals. Activists believe the law misrepresents the country's values and implications.
"These kind of incidences are a clear reminder that the government isn't doing enough" In the second kidnapping in a week ... Show more

bbc.in/3IteZy7
The practice of trapping songbirds for human consumption, such as olden orioles, nightingales and shrikes, has been banned on the island of Cyprus since 1974 ... Show more

Newsday - Mafia endangering songbirds in Cyprus - BBC Sounds
☄️ Scientists believe they've identified the brightest object in the known universe. ☄️ According to Associate Professor of Astrophysics Christian Wolf - who ... Show more

bbc.in/3T5XtpC
🚀 The first private Moon lander has successfully blasted off, in what could be the first US lunar landing in more than 50 years ... Show more

bbc.in/49AiPRx
Skeleton racer Simidele Adeagbo is used to making history. In 2018, she became the first Nigerian to compete at the Winter Olympics and became the first black ... Show more

bbc.in/3SEK4Ug
Scientists are working on a saliva test that could revolutionise breast cancer screening. One of the researchers, Prof Josephine Esquivel-Upshaw ... Show more

bbc.in/4bHUZ8p
Would you eat ‘meaty rice’? We’re not talking about rice mixed with beef or chicken, but a new hybrid food created by South Korean scientists that offers an ... Show more

bbc.in/3HYrstB
Key FactsInnovative Beef-Infused Rice
Feb 16, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: cnn.com
  • South Korean researchers develop sustainable rice with cow cells in lab.

  • The pink rice offers a cheaper, more eco-friendly protein source than beef.

  • Cow cells are inserted into rice grains and cultured in a petri dish.

  • The rice has a unique texture, flavor, and is high in protein and fat.
The 2024 Grammy Awards was "a night for women." Female artists won all the major prizes with Taylor Swift becoming the first performer to win album ... Show more

bbc.in/3HMIx9K
Key FactsGrammys Surprise: Taylor Swift's New Album
Feb 5, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: washingtonpost.com
  • Taylor Swift surprises at the Grammys with the announcement of her new album.

  • "The Tortured Poets Department" is set to release on April 19.

  • Following her 13th Grammy win, Swift announces the new album - this time for best pop vocal album.

  • Taylor Swift makes history, securing her fourth Grammy for album of the year.
Mother, family inconsolable after killing of 11-year-old - Trinidad and ...
Mother, family inconsolable after killing of 11-year-old - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
newsday.co.tt/2024/02/23/mother-family-inconsolable-after-killing-of-11-year-old/
An image of a polar bear sleeping on a melting iceberg has won Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Listen to find out more: 📷 bbc.in/49bCt6D
The Amazon rainforest is home to one in 10 of the planet's known species, but scientists warn it could reach a ‘tipping point’ by 2050 ... Show more

bbc.in/3HWUSrY
The openness surrounding King Charles III's cancer diagnosis can only be a good thing, says the late Queen's former communications secretary Simon Lewis ... Show more

bbc.in/3wf4POD
At least one person has died and 21 have been injured in a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade. Local journalist Max Dutton said many ... Show more

bbc.in/4bAMHiD
Ancient Roman scrolls that were carbonised into coal after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD have been deciphered using AI. “The scroll discusses music ... Show more
Key FactsDecoded Passages from Herculaneum Scrolls Revealed
Feb 7, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: cnn.com
  • Using AI, 15 passages from a 2,000-year-old unrolled Herculaneum scroll have been deciphered, offering insights into an ancient philosopher's thoughts.

  • Researchers decoded the first word from an unopened Herculaneum scroll and revealed nearly complete passages from the ancient text, shedding light on philosophy from almost 2,000 years ago.

  • Advanced computer technology and AI allow researchers to analyze the Herculaneum scrolls without unrolling them, preventing damage to the fragile documents.

  • Over 2,000 characters, including the first full passages, have been deciphered from a scroll, as announced by computer scientists involved in the Vesuvius Challenge to accelerate discoveries on the scrolls.
Emerse Faé stepped in to coach Ivory Coast to victory. ⚽️ After a dismal start, the footballers pulled off a remarkable sporting redemption to win the Africa ... Show more

Newsday - Afcon winning coach: 'a second chance for us' - BBC Sounds
A day after being sentenced to 10 years in prison, Imran Khan has been handed another 14 years in jail. His wife, Bushra Bibi ... Show more

bbc.in/48Tf8X3
Key FactsPakistan: Future of Ex-PM Imran Khan & PTI Party
Feb 1, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dw.com
  • As the country gears up for elections, the focus is on the fate of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his legal battles.

  • Despite the military's attempts to undermine the PTI party, Imran Khan's popularity remains strong, according to Harris Khalique of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

  • A court sentenced Khan and his wife to 14 years in prison for corruption related to the sale of state gifts during his time as prime minister.

  • Even with Khan in jail, opinion polls show the PTI party leading ahead of its main rivals, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan People's Party.
At age two, Carter Dallas from Glasgow in Scotland is thought to be the youngest person ever to reach Mount Everest's base camp some 5,364m above sea level ... Show more

bbc.in/3StnI8b
"We have a young man whose mental health was deteriorating, and parents who seemed to have ignored this." Jennifer Crumbley is the first US parent ... Show more

bbc.in/487kGfp
Eleven-year-old Aissam Dam was born profoundly deaf. But a new gene therapy is helping him hear for the first time. 🎧 bbc.in/3SgLuE8
On 26 January every year - which marks the 1788 landing of Britain's First Fleet in Sydney Cove - two competing stories about Australia are told ... Show more

bbc.in/3UdWmoS
Key FactsAustralian 'Legend' Distributes Flags at Woolies
Jan 26, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: news.com.au
  • A man has been hailed as a 'legend' for distributing Australian flags outside a Melbourne Woolworths following the supermarket's decision to stop selling Australia Day merchandise.

  • The man, dressed in an Australian-themed shirt and Australian flag-printed hat, was seen standing outside the Woolworths store in Officer, 50km from Melbourne's CBD, with a trolley of handheld flags.

  • This comes after Woolworths sparked backlash earlier this month after announcing it would stop selling Australia Day merchandise due to a 'gradual decline.'

  • In a photo shared on social media, the man can be seen smiling next to a large Australian flag, holding up several smaller flags.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the Kenyan capital following gas explosions. Many people are only now emerging ... Show more

bbc.in/49iRza3
A British doctor who recently returned from Gaza has been describing the dangers he experienced. Dr Nick Maynard says there are not enough functioning ... Show more

bbc.in/3HLmsbm
Pakistan launches missile strikes into Iran after Iran carried out strikes in Pakistan earlier this week. What's behind the reciprocal air strikes? Is there a ... Show more

bbc.in/3O7Udas
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have said they are leaving Ecowas. Following the decision, the bloc is trying to curb a ''political impasse” ... Show more

bbc.in/3HATcUH
Key FactsNiger, Mali, Burkina Faso Withdraw from ECOWAS
Jan 28, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: aljazeera.com
  • The three nations announce their withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing the organization as a threat to member states.

  • In a joint statement, they accuse ECOWAS of being influenced by foreign powers and betraying its founding principles.

  • They accuse the regional body of not supporting their fight against terrorism and imposing illegitimate sanctions.

  • ECOWAS states that it was not notified of the countries' decision to leave the bloc.
Can you make water out of thin air? Tech entrepreneur Dr David Stuckenberg thinks he can do just that with his WaterCube. Here's how it works and why its ... Show more

bbc.in/47TOJaC
South Africa is accusing Israel of genocide against Gaza. Israel says the claims are baseless, but Zane Dangor who is the Director-General of South Africa’s ... Show more

bbc.in/42a8RUJ

bbc.in/48s8hny
The US state of Alabama is planning to use a controversial new method to execute convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith. One legal expert tells us how the ... Show more

bbc.in/48KMzLn
Houses have been set on fire in the evacuated Icelandic town of Grindavik after two volcanic fissures opened nearby. A volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula ... Show more

bbc.in/3tYUupi
Oscar Pistorius has been freed on parole after murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013. His friend Mark Williams-Thomas says: “He ... Show more

bbc.in/3vl0Mjv
Key FactsOscar Pistorius’ Struggles After Prison Release
Jan 5, 2024 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: metro.co.uk
  • Oscar Pistorius appears significantly changed and physically deteriorated after being released from prison.

  • Convicted of murdering his girlfriend, he remains deeply anxious about his parole and public reception.

  • South African officials have implemented strict security measures at his uncle’s estate to protect him from potential revenge attacks.

  • Ongoing fears about retaliation and social reintegration continue to affect Pistorius’ mental and emotional state.
  • It’s common knowledge that Oscar was a target big-time for killing Reeva even before he went into prison, and those enemies have not gone away.
    — A close friend of Reeva’s late father Barry Steenkamp, speaking to the Sun.
This is the moment gunmen in Ecuador burst into a TV studio, threatening staff live on air. A journalist from the TV station tells us violence in his ... Show more

bbc.in/3TSL2yi
Key FactsEcuador declares internal armed conflict after TV attack
Jan 10, 2024 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: apnews.com
  • On Monday, Noboa declared a national state of emergency after the apparent prison escape of Adolfo Macías.

  • On Tuesday, armed men invaded TC Televisión’s live broadcast in Guayaquil for 15 minutes; no one was killed.

  • On Wednesday, Noboa declared an internal armed conflict, designated 20 drug gangs terrorist groups, and authorized military action under international law.

  • By Wednesday afternoon, the government reported nearly 330 arrests for alleged terrorism and ordered remote classes through Friday.
  • We are in a state of war and we cannot give in.
    — President Daniel Noboa, during an interview with Radio Canela
China's population has declined for a second year in a row, decreasing by 2.08 million people since 2022. Hear why more Chinese women are opting out of ... Show more

bbc.in/3O9A0RP
"She was a light in our lives." Jazmin Cazares's little sister Jackie was killed in a 2022 mass shooting at a school in Ulvade, Texas ... Show more

bbc.in/42cnTsT
Kenya was one of the nations who stood with Israel after the Hamas attacks, but the country's Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi ... Show more

bbc.in/3SnNoEd
"If you can't supervise the doing-up of the bolts, what can you supervise?" Aviation expert Neil Hansford says Boeing has a "cultural problem on ... Show more

bbc.in/3vtpGxv
🏆 ⚽️ Will you be watching the Africa Cup of Nations? ⚽️ 🏆 Excitement is building in Ivory Coast, where the continent's biggest sporting event kicks off on ... Show more

Newsday - Ivory Coast ‘ready’ for Afcon 2023 - BBC Sounds
Hundreds of men turned up at the Municipal Police Training Academy in Marabella and the Police Academy in St James on Friday morning for a police recruitment ... Show more
Ninety-eight-year-old Holocaust survivor Saul Dreier first started playing the 'drums' in a German concentration camp. "Every night we came from work ... Show more

Newsday - The 98-year-old drumming Holocaust survivor playing for peace - BBC Sounds
This is the world's second-rarest ape, the cao vit gibbon, which was thought to be extinct until 2002. Now, Flora and Fauna scientists are using a new ... Show more

bbc.in/3TVmrJt
Should it take a TV drama series to bring about justice in the UK? Tracey Merritt is one of thousands of Post Office workers who were wrongly accused of ... Show more

bbc.in/3SeFEVe
Could switching our smartphones for old-school "dumbphones" that can only receive calls and texts make us more sociable and less anxious? Arne ... Show more

bbc.in/41EeQk8
A New York court has released hundreds of documents naming people connected to the late, convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein. Khadeeja Safdar ... Show more

bbc.in/3H5ggdV
"There is a national food crisis in Ethiopia that is probably as bad or worse than the situation in 1984." Famine expert Alex de Waal says that ... Show more

bbc.in/3RIGeJo
Kidnapped businesswoman found alive - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Kidnapped businesswoman found alive - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday: KIDNAPPED businesswoman Anesha Narine-Boodhoo has been found alive.
newsday.co.tt/2024/01/02/kidnapped-businesswoman-found-alive/
Key FactsMissing Anesha Found, Suspects Apprehended
Jan 2, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: trinidadexpress.com
  • Five days after the abduction, Anesha Narine-Boodhoo, a businesswoman from El Socorro, has been located.

  • The police have detained several suspects.

  • Narine-Boodhoo was taken on Friday morning in El Socorro.

  • A vehicle like the one used in the kidnapping (a Toyota Rush) was found burned and abandoned in Caroni.
No one has claimed responsibility for blasts which killed 95 people near the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani's tomb. It was the fourth anniversary of his ... Show more

bbc.in/3NNFxNu
Mystery grows around UWI Student’s sudden death - Trinidad and Tobago ...
Mystery grows around UWI Student’s sudden death - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday: A process that was supposed to provide clarity on the death of a Pleasantville ...
newsday.co.tt/2023/12/23/mystery-grows-around-uwi-students-sudden-death/
Chimpanzees and bonobos can recognise old friends and family members even decades later. One bonobo, Louise, hadn't seen her sister Loretta for 26 years - ... Show more

Newsday - Chimpanzees' memory can 'rival humans' - BBC Sounds
“Putin sees the world from the past and drags Russia into the past and we need a future.” This is what Boris Nadezhdin, the man who will run in Russia's 2024 ... Show more

bbc.in/3GKqi4b
Thai farmworker Wichian Temthong was kidnapped by Hamas militants soon after arriving for work in Israel. He spent 51 days held in tunnels deep under Gaza with ... Show more

bbc.in/41KwCm5