🌏 China's A4 Revolution Explained, New Zealand And Finland's Women Leaders Shut Down Sexist Question And More

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Unprecedented mass anti-government protests have erupted in China after a fired killed 10 people who were in COVID lockdown.

The news sparked public sadness and anger, and protests – now known as the A4 Revolution – erupted across China, with people calling for an end to China’s zero COVID-19 policy and demanding president Xi Jinping to step down.

Check out our explainer about how the biggest protests in China since Tiananmen Square started.

Also Happening Around The World

🌏 From Tokyo to Melbourne, London to New York, people around the world are taking to the streets to show their support for the A4 Revolution.

🇷🇺 The Russian upper house of parliament has passed a bill banning “gay propaganda” for all ages, bringing it one step closer to law and expanding a previous law that only banned it for children.

🇨🇦 A Canadian paramedic unknowingly treated her own daughter after a car crash in Alberta, only to find out afterwards it was her child, who later died.

An Italian soccer fan invaded the pitch at the World Cup in support of LGBTQ people, Iranian women and Ukraine.

35-year-old Mario Ferri ran onto the field waving a rainbow pride flag while sporting a custom Superman T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Save Ukraine” on the front and “Respect Iranian Women” on the back during the Portugal vs Uruguay match on Monday Nov. 29.

He was escorted off by security officials and released without further consequence, according to the Italian foreign ministry.

“We want a free world that respects all races and all ideas,” Ferri posted to his Instagram account the day after. “FIFA banned rainbow captain’s armbands and human rights flags in the stands, they blocked everyone, but not me.”

Currently contracted to a team in the Indian second division, Ferri has been living in Poland and helping Ukrainian refugees find asylum since the Russian invasion on Feb. 24.

Known as “The Falcon”, he has a history of invading pitches to raise awareness for various humanitarian causes while wearing his bespoke Superman tee.

He previously ran onto the field during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with the phrase “Save Favelas Children” printed across his chest.

During a press conference, Finland’s prime minister Sanna Marin and New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern shot down a suggestion that they had met due to their similarity in age.

A male reporter from New Zealand radio network Newstalk ZB had raised the question about Marin’s working visit to New Zealand during a joint interview with the women leaders on Wednesday Nov. 30.

“A lot of people will be wondering are you two meeting just because you’re similar in age and got a lot of common stuff there,” he said.

Ardern, 42, quickly shut down the implication with a quick-witted response.

“My first question is whether anyone ever asked Barack Obama or [former New Zealand prime minister] John Key if they met because they’re of a similar age?,” she said. “We have of course a high percentage of men in politics. It’s reality. Because two women meet, it’s not just a matter of their gender.”

“We’re meeting because we are prime ministers,” Marin, 37, added.

The two leaders said that their bilateral meeting included meaningful discussions on several key issues including the global economic downturn, the cost of living crisis, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Our meeting today is a chance... [to] really leverage the economic opportunities between our two countries. It’s our job to further it, regardless of our gender,” Ardern said.

Ardern said the two had also discussed what they could do together to support other women in countries where their rights were being repressed and violated such as Iran.

More Women You Should Know About

🇫🇷🇧🇷🇲🇽 France’s Stéphanie Frappart, Brazil’s Neuza Back and Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina made history as the first all-women referee team to take charge of a men's World Cup match for the first time in 96 years.

Thousands of naked volunteers have posed on Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, for a photo shoot to raise awareness around skin cancer.

Thousands of naked volunteers have posed on Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, for a photo shoot to raise awareness around skin cancer.

2,500 people gathered to take part in the photo shoot on Saturday Nov. 26 by American photographer, Spencer Tunick, with the goal of reminding and encouraging people in Australia to get regular skin checks.

“We have an opportunity to raise awareness about skin checks and I’m honored... to come here, make my art and just celebrate the body and protection,” Tunick, who is known for organizing large-scale nude shoots, said, according to Reuters.

The number 2,500 represents the average number of Australians who die from skin cancer each year.

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer and is the country in the world worst affected by it.

Special legislation was implemented to allow public nudity for the first time for the photo shoot.

One of the naked models said the experience was “freezing” but “empowering”.

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