Society News

Ash Wednesday in Mexico City

Catholics in Mexico flock to churches across the country Wednesday to mark the first day of Lent. Many of the faithful gather at Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral to mark a 40-day period of prayer

Feb 19, 2015

"All I saw was smoke and people running" -Exxon Mobil refinery worker

An explosion and fire ripped through a gasoline processing unit at an Exxon Mobil refinery near Los Angeles Wednesday. Four workers sustained minor injuries. A small ground fire following the

Feb 19, 2015

EU says no visa free regime for Kosovo until migrant influx stops

They have been risking it all to get out of Kosovo. Since September, more than 30 thousand illegal migrants have been caught in Hungary alone, that compares with 6 thousand for the whole of 2013.

Feb 19, 2015

Obama: 'Terrorists' do not speak for one billion Muslims

US President Barack Obama urged Western and Muslim leaders to unite to defeat the "false promises of extremism", saying they must jointly reject the premise that jihadist groups represent Islam.

Feb 19, 2015

Rebel fighters claim advancement in Aleppo - amvid

The battle is on for control in Syria's Aleppo province. New amateur video appears to show ongoing battles in the war-torn area. Rebels claim they've taken regime-held farmland known as al-Malah. A

Feb 19, 2015

Yangon celebrates Chinese New Year with dragon dance parade

The famous dragon dance weaves through the streets in Myanmar, as a gesture to pay respect to Chinese temples in the area. The celebrations come on the eve of the Lunar New Year which falls on

Feb 19, 2015

Obama urges acceptance of Muslims, vigilance against radicals

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) Speaking at a White House summit on countering violent extremism, President Barack Obama says the U.S. is not at war with Islam, but against terrorists who pervert

Feb 19, 2015

Yangon celebrates Chinese New Year with dragon dance parade

The famous dragon dance weaves through the streets in Myanmar, as a gesture to pay respect to Chinese temples in the area. The celebrations come on the eve of the Lunar New Year which falls on

Feb 19, 2015

Oscars roll out red carpet, Minaj's tour member killed

It's almost Oscar time, and in Hollywood the official red carpet was rolled out at the Dolby Theatre, where the world's A-list stars will converge on Sunday (February 22) at the 87th Annual Academy

Feb 19, 2015

Art exhibition for blind people opens in Madrid

Jose Pedro Gonzalez lost his vision when he was 14-years old. Forty-two years later, he is viewing a painting by touch for the first time. SOUNDBITE: Jose Pedro Gonzalez, spokesman for Spain's

Feb 19, 2015

Pope Francis leads Ash Wednesday service in Rome

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) STORY: Pope Francis gave a homily encouraging tears and humility among Roman Catholic clergy during an Ash Wednesday mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome.

Feb 19, 2015

Golden treasure found off Israel's coast

A thousand-year-old treasure trove on the seabed in Caesarea, Israel - the largest gold coin stash ever found in the area. Some 2,000 coins from the Fatimid period of the 11th Century were raised

Feb 19, 2015

Pro-Russian rebels use multiple rocket launchers near Debaltseve

Pro-Russian rebels near the flashpoint town of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine were seen firing grad multiple rocket launchers, as Ukrainian soldiers retreated on foot and by truck from the battleground.

Feb 19, 2015

Venezuela opposition demands leader Leopoldo Lopez be freed

Some 300 opposition protesters gathered Wednesday in Caracas, Venezuela, to demand the liberation of jailed political leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has been behind bars for a year.

Feb 19, 2015

Tiny Italian island struggles to cope with tide of migrants

Authorities on the Italian island of Lampedusa struggle to cope with a huge influx of newly-arrived migrants as aid organisations warned the Libya crisis means thousands more could be on their way.

Feb 19, 2015