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'This is not merely an act of aggression!' - Iranian Ambassador to Kenya vows response to Washington, Tel Aviv following Khamenei’s death

'This is not merely an act of aggression!' - Iranian Ambassador to Kenya vows response to Washington, Tel Aviv following Khamenei’s death

"Iranian Ambassador to Kenya Ali Gholampour vowed that Tehran is preparing to take measures in response to recent US and Israeli attacks, stressing that they will defend the nation with determination and all their might. “The United States of America and the Zionist regime of Israel launched a cowardly and coordinated military aggression against our homeland,” Gholampour told reporters at a press briefing in Nairobi on Monday. “Their warplanes and missiles violated the territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, striking defensive infrastructure and non-military facilities in several of our cities,” he added. “This is not merely an act of aggression; it is a flagrant violation of Article 2.4 of the Charter of the United Nations and a grave threat to international peace and security,” the Ambassador continued. Gholampour also confirmed that Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, was ‘martyred’ in the attacks. “The world will witness once again what the Iranian nation is capable of when its dignity, its sovereignty, and its leaders are attacked,” he stated. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes carried out against Iran on Saturday. The Supreme Leader, who had ruled since 1989, held ultimate authority over Iran's political, military and religious institutions. Iranian officials warned that Khamenei's killing would mark a turning point, with the Revolutionary Guard vowing retaliation and declaring that "this great crime will not go unpunished." "

Firecrackers and dragons - Binyang New Year parade brings 1,000-year-old Han-Zhuang tradition to the streets

Firecrackers and dragons - Binyang New Year parade brings 1,000-year-old Han-Zhuang tradition to the streets

"More than 100 dragon teams took to the streets on Friday as the Binyang Firecracker Dragon Festival kicked off in the city, with firecrackers exploding over the heads of stunned crowds. Footage shows dancers carrying colourful dragon costumes through the streets after a traditional 'awakening' ceremony, as smoke and sparks filled the air. "I had some amazing new experiences at this festival. I enjoyed the long-table feast and tasted sour rice noodles," said one of the tourists. As night fell, the firecracker dragon carnival reached its climax. The colourful dragons floated through the streets, bustled with flying sparks, smoke and cheers of a stunned crowd. "I feel the atmosphere here is so lively, it feels like celebrating the Lunar New Year all over again. I think this festival is really exciting and a lot of fun," said another event participant. The festival, which blends Han and Zhuang cultural traditions, is held each year on the 11th day of the first lunar month and is listed as part of China's national intangible cultural heritage."

Stardew Valley at 10: the anticapitalist game that cures burnout and inspires queer art

Stardew Valley at 10: the anticapitalist game that cures burnout and inspires queer art

Since 2016, the cosy, inclusive, non-heteronormative escapism of the beloved farming sim has inspired a community of devoted fans, and helped it shift 50m units When farming sim Stardew Valley first came out back in 2016, most of us saw it as a modest indie hit, offering charm, wit and a beautiful little world. Ten years later, this tiny indie has sold nearly 50m copies. If you haven’t played it yourself, you’ve probably seen someone playing it on the train (or, in the case of one of my musical theatre castmates, in the dressing room between scenes). As we discussed on the Tech Weekly podcast shortly after its launch, this calming game about tending crops and animals and relationships with neighbours rejuvenated the entire farming/life sim genre. To this day, I still get press releases promising that some upcoming cosy game or another is the next Stardew Valley. While developer Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone now has a small team to help with periodic updates, the original game – his first – was all his own work, from the distinctive pixel art and animations to the soundtrack that has since toured the world in concert . Unable to get a job after university, he’d started his own project inspired by the Harvest Moon series (now called Story of Seasons). One notable addition was the inclusion of queer romance options. The ability to pursue a romantic relationship with other townsfolk is a key part of the game’s popularity – as demonstrated by the thousands who tuned in to a video from Barone revealing the identities of two new marriage candidates – and the fact that all potential spouses are available to the player character regardless of gender has helped the game garner a dedicated queer fanbase. Continue reading...

From trafficking to recovery - Rescued wild animals get 'second chance at life' in Colombia's wildlife centre

From trafficking to recovery - Rescued wild animals get 'second chance at life' in Colombia's wildlife centre

"The Wildlife Attention and Assessment Centre (CAV) of the Regional Autonomous Corporation (CAR) of Cundinamarca receives animals that are victims of illegal trafficking, mistreatment and accidents. From apes to felines and reptiles, the facility serves as the first point of care for species rescued by the environmental authority. Footage filmed on Saturday in the Salto del Tequendama sector shows the diversity of species receiving attention from a specialised team responsible for assessing the animals to determine whether they can return to the wild. "We are a zoo, but it is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the protection of animals rescued from wildlife, animals that have been mistreated by humans that have been trafficked," explained Vivian Bernal, Member of Fundacion Zoologico Santa Cruz. Upon arriving at these types of centres, the animals are treated and can join conservation and environmental research programs. "Later, they arrive at foundations like ours to have a second chance at life," she added. The centre has a procedures area where complex clinical assessments, anaesthesia and specialised examinations are carried out. Veterinarians treat birds, injured opossums and caimans that are wounded or rescued in irregular conditions. "There are many reasons for admission, from seizures due to illegal trafficking to rescues for abnormal behaviour," explained veterinarian David Rodriguez. When physical or behavioural conditions prevent release, transfer to zoos or bioparks for conservation and environmental education purposes is recommended. "The idea is for people to become aware of the possession of wild animals," said veterinarian Sebastian Ballesteros. In Colombia, more than 40,000 wild animals were treated during 2025, of which 21,200 managed to return to their ecosystems, a figure that reflects both the scale of illegal trafficking and the efforts of rescue and rehabilitation. "