On Sunday, 11 December the world’s best known protest singer, Bob Dylan graciously accepted the Nobel Prize. Bob Dylan said it was “truly beyond words” to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. In a speech read on his behalf at the ceremony in Sweden, he said he thought his odds of winning were as likely […]
London: What did ze say? Oxford University wants students to use the gender neutral “ze” instead of “he” or “she” when addressing fellow students. One of the world’s leading educational institutions has outlined the new guidelines in a students’ union leaflet as part of a move to prevent transgender students being offended, The Sunday Times […]
Radiohead’s bassist has said vinyl is “a much more pleasurable way of having your music come out”. Colin Greenwood told Radio 4’s The World at One the format gives you the chance to “express how you feel about the music in a physical, tangible form.” More money was spent on vinyl than downloaded albums last […]
Does Paris require the services of a Pied piper? Rats! They’re overrunning parks and disturbing the peace of lovers’ lanes! Paris city hall is temporarily closing the French capital’s parks as part of a drive to reduce the rat population. Five parks have already been closed and the public will also be barred from the […]
What’s Australia to be afraid of? Red Ants, according to a new report. Red fire ants could wreak more damage in Australia than feral rabbits, cane toads and foxes combined, experts have warned in a new report. Originally from South America, the red imported fire ant is feared for its burning and potentially lethal sting. […]
After India, now Iran! A tragic collision between two passenger trains in Iran’s Semnan province killed over 31 people dead and left 70 others injured, including four railway employees. According to the provincial governor in the region, an intercity express was struck by another train while it was stationary at the Haft-Khan station in Shahroud […]
China’s first public suspension railway officially began operation in the south-western city of Chengdu on Monday (Nov 21), as part of a trial run. If successful, the new mode of transport will be rolled out to other parts of the country. Dubbed the “sky train” by Chinese media, the trains are powered by lithium batteries […]
This week, Pope Francis has named 17 new cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church from around the world, many of whom will help choose his successor. The new cardinals come from five continents, and include the Vatican’s envoy to Syria. Though some observers expected to see a new cardinal from India, the Pope chose to […]
The sanctification of the newly restored Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal begins today (18 November). And it didn’t take one penny of government funds! With gold, cash and labour contributed by locals and Buddhist organisations, Kathmandu’s famed Boudhanath stupa has been fully restored, making it the first of the country’s more than 700 quake-damaged heritage structures […]
Rock group Green Day say they “fully support” the protests against US president elect Donald Trump. “I don’t think any of us were prepared for Donald Trump to be president,” singer Billie Joe Armstrong told the BBC. “I think there’s going to come a time when the protests get larger and larger – and that […]
It was with stunned silence that many music lovers across the world received the news that Leonard Cohen, that great singer-songwriter who gave us the iconic “Hallelujah” and “Suzanne” and countless other reasons to believe was no more. (November 11) Musicians, authors and politicians have paid tribute to singer Leonard Cohen following his death at […]
A suicide bomber has rammed a truck into the German consulate in the Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif, killing at least two people, officials say. Reports described a huge blast at the diplomatic mission followed by gunfire. A hospital official said more than 80 people were hurt in the attack, which happened around 18:30 GMT( midnight […]
