The corpse flower, or titan arum, is blooming at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, captivating thousands online. Named Putricia, it emits a smell likened to “wet socks” or “rotting possum flesh.” The plant blooms for just 24 hours every few years. A livestream attracted over 15,000 viewers, with many using the phrase “WWTF” (We Watch the Flower). The event is compared to Sydney’s 2000 Olympics in popularity. The plant, acquired from LA Botanic Garden, is blooming for the first time in 15 years. Viewers eagerly await its full bloom. Noah Prescott 23/01/2025 8:00 am
A 2,000-year-old headless statue from the Hellenistic period was found in a black plastic bag near trash cans in Thessaloniki, Greece, prompting a police investigation. Discovered by a local, the statue was handed to authorities and examined by an archaeologist. A crime team specializing in trafficking is involved, and the statue will undergo forensic testing. Antiquities trafficking is common in Greece, with recent finds including a Roman-era statue and numerous artifacts during metro construction in Thessaloniki. Penelope Kingsley 23/01/2025 8:00 am
Tawach Chaweewong and Thanakorn Srikornthai are excited about their upcoming wedding, marking a historic moment for Thailand’s LGBTQ+ community. On Thursday, 878 district offices will allow same-sex marriage registration, making Thailand the first in Southeast Asia and third in Asia to recognize equal marriage. This legal change grants rights related to finances, adoption, and medical care, symbolizing acceptance. Nationwide celebrations include a mass wedding in Bangkok with 300 couples, a prime minister’s address, and drag performances. Activists like Ann Waaddao Chumaporn have long campaigned for this cultural shift. Ava Sinclair 23/01/2025 4:30 am
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s response to a fatal knife attack by an Afghan asylum seeker marks a shift in his migration rhetoric ahead of Germany’s national election. The attack, which killed two children, has intensified the migration debate. Scholz criticized “misguided tolerance” and demanded an investigation into why the suspect, who had mental health issues, remained in Germany. His strong stance comes amid criticism from election opponents, including Alice Weidel of the far-right AfD, who called for mass deportations. Noah Prescott 23/01/2025 4:30 am
Over 32,000 people have fled to northeast Colombia due to escalating violence between militant factions in the Catatumbo region. The clashes have killed 80 people and left hundreds confined to their homes. Nearly half of the displaced have moved to Cúcuta, where a major relief effort is underway, including converting the city’s football stadium into a welcome center. The violence stems from conflicts between the ELN and FARC spin-off groups, primarily over drug trafficking. President Gustavo Petro has suspended peace talks with the ELN, citing their criminal activities. Ava Sinclair 23/01/2025 4:30 am
Prince Harry secured a “monumental victory” by settling his case against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers over unlawful information gathering. The publisher apologized and agreed to pay substantial damages for phone hacking and surveillance by The Sun and News of the World. The settlement, reportedly an eight-figure sum, also acknowledged the distress caused to Harry and his late mother, Diana. This resolution comes as part of broader settlements related to voicemail interception, costing Murdoch’s business over £1 billion. Harry calls for a fresh police investigation into the matter. Penelope Kingsley 23/01/2025 4:30 am
Israeli forces have besieged a hospital and refugee camp in Jenin, marking a shift in West Bank security strategy. The IDF conducted airstrikes and detonated explosives, resulting in at least 10 Palestinian deaths and over 40 injuries. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported restricted ambulance access and treated several casualties. Despite a recent Gaza ceasefire, Israeli operations in the West Bank have intensified. The hospital in Jenin is surrounded, with 600 people inside facing dwindling supplies. Medical staff have been targeted, and roads are blocked, preventing aid access. Ava Sinclair 23/01/2025 4:30 am
Turkish authorities are under scrutiny after a fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya ski resort killed 79 and injured over 50. Survivors reported no alarms or fire escapes, navigating smoke-filled corridors in darkness. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya vowed justice, with 11 people, including a deputy mayor and hotel management, detained. The hotel pledged full cooperation with the investigation. The fire was reported at 3:27 am, but witnesses noticed smoke earlier. A national day of mourning was declared, with flags at half-mast. Noah Prescott 23/01/2025 1:00 am
A rare corpse flower at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is expected to bloom this week, emitting a foul odor resembling rotting flesh to attract pollinators. Native to Indonesia, the Amorphophallus gigas blooms every two to ten years, drawing significant public interest. The event, lasting only a few days, has prompted many to plan visits. Biology professor Eric Schaller, who studies these flowers, notes their unique scent and warmth during blooming. The flower is located in the garden’s aquatic house, open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday. Ava Sinclair 22/01/2025 9:30 pm
Yemen’s Houthi rebels released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a ship seized in November 2023 amid Red Sea attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The release follows mediation by Oman and aligns with a Gaza ceasefire. The crew, including mariners from several countries, was freed after a year of detention. The move is seen as a de-escalation effort by the Houthis, who initially targeted the ship due to its Israeli connections. UN envoy Hans Grundberg praised the release, urging further positive actions. Penelope Kingsley 22/01/2025 9:30 pm
