World Briefs

In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a bold and controversial decision to move Thanksgiving up by a week, from the last Thursday in November to the second-to-last.

A long standing tradition in Spain is the celebration of New Year's with grapes.  We're not talking about grapes that have been stomped and processed into a delicious libation.  We're referring to grapes pulled directly off the vine.

On August 20, 1940, Russian revolutionary and Marxist theorist Leon Trotsky was assassinated in Mexico City. A key leader of the October Revolution and second only to Lenin in the early Soviet Union, Trotsky played a pivotal role in shaping the Communist Party.

In 1864, the Swiss government, driven by a humanitarian vision, extended an invitation to the governments of Europe and the United States to participate in a diplomatic conference in Geneva. This historic gathering was convened against the backdrop of increasing concern over the horrors and brutalities of war, particularly the suffering of wounded soldiers who were often left unattended on battlefields. On August 22, 1864, this assembly of nations reached a groundbreaking agreement that would forever change the conduct of warfare: the adoption of the first Geneva Convention, officially titled "Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field."

Mozambique, known for its stunning coastline and growing tourism industry, has seen a steady flow of visitors from South Africa and beyond in recent years. In 2012, tourism contributed 6% of the country’s economy, with just over two million travelers enjoying its pristine beaches and vibrant culture. However, recent attacks by Renamo, an opposition group with roots in the country’s Civil War, have sparked concerns over safety, causing some tourists to reconsider their plans.