At Kenya’s ‘Maasai Olympics’, women run to bridge the gender gap

UnsplashJingle bells, initially meant for Thanksgiving, was composed by James Lord Pierpont and originally titled "One Horse Open Sleigh" before becoming known as "Jingle Bells." Despite its Christmas association, the song's lyrics have a rebellious nature with themes of drag-racing and picking up girls. Pierpont, a Confederate supporter during the Civil War, had a controversial background, making the song's sentimentality questionable. Full Article

An alleged Chinese spy, known only as H6, who had established himself as a confidant of Prince Andrew and had met with former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, was barred from the UK in 2023 due to concerns about national security. Expelled by then-home secretary Suella Braverman for engaging in covert activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, the businessman's case was dismissed by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, affirming that he...

China conducted coercive military drills around Taiwan from December 9-11, the largest since the 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, in protest against Taiwanese President Lai Cheng-te's transit through Hawaii and Guam. The drills involved 90 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels and dozens of aircraft, aiming to prevent foreign interference in China's coercion of Taiwan. The exercise was described as "total military intimidation" by a Taiwanese official, and China's Ministry of National Defense stated that it...

Drug lords like Sean McGovern and Faissal Taghi used to operate with impunity in Dubai, a hub for European drug traffickers thanks to limited judicial cooperation and a lack of extradition fears. Major figures like Daniel Kinahan and Abdelkader "Bibi" Bouguettaia lived openly in luxury, conducting deals and laundering money through the city's amenities. Recent arrests may have challenged Dubai's reputation, but its appeal remains strong for crime syndicates due to its strategic location and...

South Korean investigators have requested the impeached president to appear for questioning regarding the declaration of martial law. The request comes as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of abuse of power during her time in office. The former president is being asked to provide information related to the imposition of martial law in response to protests and civil unrest. Full Article

China's retail sales rose by 3% in November, falling short of the forecasted 4.6%, with a significant drop from the previous month's 4.8% growth. Real estate investment continued to decline, shrinking by 10.4% year-on-year, while industrial production in November exceeded expectations at 5.4% growth. The economy faces challenges from a property downturn, local government debt risks, and high unemployment rates, with the urban unemployment rate holding steady at 5% in November. Full Article