Author: Andrew Rogers

Thailand’s annual vegetarian festival brings communities together through food, ritual and acts of religious devotion. Held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, the nine-day celebration is associated with Taoist traditions and the Nine Emperor Gods. Participants often avoid meat and follow practices intended to cleanse the body and mind. The festival is known for its colourful processions and crowded streets. Devotees carry shrines, take part in ceremonies and visit temples to make offerings. In some areas, the celebration includes dramatic rituals that draw both local residents and visitors. The event has become an important part of Thailand’s…

The British government has pledged £17 million to help repair damage at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in northern Ukraine. The site was damaged by a Russian drone strike last year, raising concerns about the protection of a facility linked to one of the world’s most serious nuclear disasters. The new funding is intended to support repair work and help maintain safety at the site. Chornobyl became internationally known after a reactor exploded in 1986, spreading radioactive material across parts of Europe. Although the damaged reactor was later covered by major protective structures, the wider site still requires careful monitoring…

Human rights concerns have grown after reports that an Iranian woman was handed a death sentence over a social media post described by authorities as blasphemous. The case has drawn attention to the risks faced by people who express religious or political views online in countries where speech is tightly controlled. Rights groups have warned that severe punishments can create fear and discourage people from speaking openly. Social media has become an important way for people to share news, discuss public issues and communicate with others. In countries with strict limits on public expression, online posts can also bring legal…

A same-sex couple has taken legal action against Slovakia over its refusal to register a marriage that was recognised in Austria. The case raises questions about how European countries treat marriages formed across national borders. It also highlights the differences that remain between countries on the legal rights of same-sex couples, even within the European Union. The couple’s case centres on whether a marriage recognised by one EU member state should receive legal recognition for certain purposes in another. National laws on marriage remain different across Europe, and some governments do not allow same-sex couples to marry. However, cross-border movement…

The growth of artificial intelligence is raising concerns about the first jobs available to university graduates. Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam warned on Monday that employers in some sectors are showing less demand for new workers as AI tools become more capable. His comments added to a wider debate about how governments and businesses should prepare young people for changes in the workplace. Entry-level jobs often help graduates gain the experience they need to build long-term careers. These roles allow new workers to learn professional skills, understand how organisations operate and develop judgement through daily tasks. If companies use AI to…

Schools across the United Kingdom may need major building improvements and changes to their academic schedules as extreme heat becomes a greater concern. Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, has urged leaders to consider how school buildings and exam arrangements can better protect pupils and teachers. The concern follows periods of severe heat that have made some classrooms uncomfortable and disrupted normal lessons. Education leaders warn that older buildings may not be designed to cope with increasingly hot summers. One proposal is to improve school buildings so they can remain cooler during heatwaves. Better ventilation, shading and…

A developing El Niño pattern is drawing attention from scientists because it can change rainfall, temperature and storm conditions across much of the world. The natural climate pattern warms parts of the tropical Pacific Ocean and affects winds that influence weather far beyond the region. Its effects vary from place to place, but a strong event can increase the risk of drought in some areas and heavy rain in others. El Niño can change how heat and moisture move through the atmosphere. In the Atlantic, it often strengthens winds high above the ocean, making it harder for hurricanes to grow.…

Lily Brant Debut at Paris Fashion Week has placed the daughter of supermodel Stephanie Seymour in the spotlight as the 21 year old model walked her first major runway for French luxury house Alaia. Brant has grown up around the fashion industry and has strong links to famous names in the business. Her first major show has therefore attracted attention from fashion followers around the world. Brant’s connection to fashion began long before her own runway appearance. Her mother Stephanie Seymour became one of the best known models of the late twentieth century and worked with major designers and photographers.…

Paris Fashion Trends for the spring and summer 2027 season showed a strong move toward clothes that are practical, easy to wear and still visually striking. Designers worked with skirts, soft fabrics, bras, simple shapes and lighter materials. The season also showed a strong interest in shoes and accessories. Across Paris Fashion Week, the collections reflected a fashion industry trying to respond to economic pressure, changing weather and new technology. One clear theme was a return to more feminine clothing. Skirts appeared in many collections, while fluid fabrics gave outfits a softer look. Designers also used bras and fitted pieces…

Afghan art and traditional craft have taken center stage at Paris Fashion Week through a new collection by designer Gabriela Hearst. The show used Afghan textiles, artwork and handmade details while also highlighting the work of women artisans. The collection was presented in Paris as part of the Spring Summer 2027 fashion season. Hearst worked with the organization Turquoise Mountain to connect with artisans in Afghanistan. The project helped bring traditional Afghan techniques into a major international fashion event. The designer used ikat patchwork jackets and dresses decorated with shisha mirror embroidery, creating designs that were strongly connected to Afghanistan’s…