Latest news

The suspected methanol cases in Laos
Government of Laos regrets deaths: "Condolences"

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos expresses "its sincere sympathy and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased" after the methanol poisonings in the country. This is reported by TT.

The government also announces that an inquiry will be appointed.

Six people, including two Danish women, have died as a result of poisoning after drinking alcoholic beverages in Vang Vieng.

The violence in Pakistan
New massacre in Pakistan – over 30 dead in retaliation

At least 32 people have been killed and 47 injured in sectarian clashes in northwest Pakistan. This is reported by AFP.

On Friday night, Shia Muslim men attacked an area dominated by Sunni Muslims. They first fired with automatic weapons and then set fire to residential buildings and shops. According to the police, at least 300 shops and over 100 homes have been ravaged by fire.

The attacks were in retaliation for an attack on a convoy two days ago. Around 40 men, women and children were then killed when armed men opened fire on Shia Muslims.

In recent months, around 150 people have been killed in violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims in the Kurram district.

The problems in the clothing industry
Ghana recycles 'dead white men's clothes' in fight against textile waste

Fashion designers in Ghana have turned to recycling to make a small effort to deal with the country's huge problem with discarded clothes from wealthier countries, the AP reports.

- Instead of letting the textile waste choke our gutters, beaches and landfills, I decided to use it to create something we can use, says Richard Asante Palmer. He is one of the creators involved in the festival "Dead White Men's Clothes", where clothes that would otherwise have become garbage are used to sew new creations.

Millions of used garments are sent from Europe and the United States to Ghana every year, and 40 percent of them are in such poor condition that they end up as garbage without ever being used. Several countries in Africa have complained that they are being used as dumping grounds by the fast fashion industry.

East Asia's aging population
Young Chinese would rather buy dogs than have children

Despite the diligent efforts of the authorities, nothing is stopping the lack of children in China. Instead, young Chinese increasingly choose to get pets, DN reports.

- You can have an emotional bond with a dog as well, then you avoid the high costs and all the time that a child requires, says 25-year-old Xiao Bai in Chengdu.

High living costs, property crisis and lack of time due to long working days are central reasons why young Chinese choose not to have children.

By the end of the year, there are expected to be more pets than four-year-old children in China's cities, according to a report by Goldman Sachs.