A 55-year-old man, Billy Burns, has been convicted of murdering his 75-year-old mother, Miriam Burns, in a tragic case that unfolded in County Kerry. The incident occurred on August 15, 2022, at their home in the Ardshanavooly housing estate in Killarney. Despite pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, a jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously found Burns guilty after six hours of deliberation. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, where victim impact statements are expected to be presented. Miriam Burns died from asphyxia due to manual strangulation and blunt force trauma to her head. The trial revealed that Burns had been living rough in Killarney at the time of the murder. He had returned home on August 12, 2022, leading to a heated argument witnessed by neighbors. Burns later returned to the house, where he stayed overnight. Miriam was last seen alive between 20:00 and 22:30 local time. She stopped responding to calls and texts later that night, and it is believed she was killed after 22:00. Burns was seen leaving the next morning and later returned to remove items from the house in an attempt to destroy evidence. When family members became concerned, they asked neighbors to check on Miriam, who was found dead in her living room on August 15. Burns was arrested the following day and re-arrested in February 2023 after further investigations. The defense called psychiatrist Dr. Eugene Morgan, who argued that Burns met the criteria for a not guilty verdict by reason of insanity. However, Dr. Stephen Monks, a consultant psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital, testified that Burns understood the nature of his actions despite his mental illness. State Pathologist Dr. Margaret Bolster confirmed that Miriam’s injuries were consistent with multiple blows, manual strangulation, and possible suffocation. In closing arguments, prosecuting Counsel Sean Guerin emphasized Burns’s history of aggressive behavior towards his mother, attributing it to his abuse of drugs and alcohol rather than psychiatric illness. Burns’s denial of involvement and false statements to police further demonstrated his understanding of the crime. Judge Karen O’Connor adjourned sentencing until Friday.
分类： society
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3.43m candidates have signed up for 2026 national postgraduate entrance exam
China’s Ministry of Education announced on Monday that a staggering 3.43 million candidates have registered for the 2026 national postgraduate entrance exam, marking a significant milestone in the country’s academic landscape. The exam, scheduled for December 20 and 21, 2026, is a critical gateway for students aspiring to advance their education in various disciplines. This record-breaking number reflects the growing emphasis on higher education and the competitive nature of China’s academic system. The Ministry highlighted the importance of the exam in shaping the future workforce and fostering innovation. The announcement also underscores the government’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities and addressing the increasing demand for advanced degrees. As the exam date approaches, candidates are expected to intensify their preparations, with many seeking additional resources and support to enhance their chances of success.
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Hiker returns phone lost on remote trail for three years
In an extraordinary tale of serendipity, a mobile phone lost three years ago in the remote wilderness of Xinjiang has been returned to its rightful owner in Guangdong. The device, misplaced during a hiking expedition in July 2022, was discovered by a hiker surnamed Guo this July while trekking the same route. Despite the SIM card being deactivated and initial social media searches yielding no results, Guo’s persistence paid off when he traced the owner through a residential access card attached to the phone. The owner, a woman surnamed Qiu from Huizhou, was stunned to receive a message from her property management confirming the discovery. ‘It feels so unreal,’ Qiu remarked, expressing her disbelief and gratitude. The phone, which holds significant sentimental value, had endured the harsh elements of the Xinjiang wilderness before its remarkable journey back to its owner.
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Abducted child’s father tells BBC he felt helpless as he saw mass Nigerian kidnapping
A wave of anger and despair has swept through northern Nigeria following the abduction of over 300 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri village, Niger state. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, has left parents feeling abandoned by the government and desperate for answers. Theo, a father whose son was among those taken, recounted the harrowing scene to the BBC, describing how gunmen on motorcycles stormed the school and herded the children away like livestock. Despite his instinct to intervene, Theo felt powerless, knowing he could do nothing against the armed kidnappers. The Christian Association of Nigeria reported that 303 students and 12 staff were abducted, though 50 children managed to escape and have since been reunited with their families. However, Niger state governor Umar Bago disputed these numbers, claiming the figure was exaggerated and blaming the school for remaining open despite prior threats. Parents like Theo have been camping outside the school, frustrated by the lack of government action and security presence. The northern region of Niger has become a hotspot for kidnappings, with criminal gangs exploiting the area’s vast forests and weak law enforcement. This incident is the third mass abduction in Nigeria within a week, prompting President Bola Tinubu to cancel his G20 summit trip to address the crisis. While Tinubu has vowed to secure the nation, parents remain skeptical, feeling their children’s lives are not a priority. The abductions have forced the closure of many boarding schools across Nigeria, leaving parents in a state of fear and uncertainty.
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‘In memory of brother’: Russia honours fallen Tejas pilot with missing man formation
The aviation community was left in mourning following the tragic crash of the Indian Air Force’s Tejas aircraft at the Dubai Airshow on November 21, 2025. Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, lost his life when the plane lost altitude and crashed, erupting into flames. The incident brought the airshow to an abrupt halt, leaving fellow aviators and spectators in shock. In a poignant tribute, the Russian Knights aerobatic team performed the solemn ‘Missing Man’ formation on the final day of the event, honoring Syal and other fallen aviators. The US Air Force demonstration team, deeply affected by the tragedy, canceled their performance out of respect for the pilot and his family. The Russian Knights described the crash as ‘impossible to describe’ and dedicated their aerial display to the ‘brothers who did not return from their last flight.’ The ‘Missing Man’ formation, a traditional tribute in aviation, involves four aircraft flying in a ‘V’ formation, with one aircraft breaking away to symbolize the loss of a comrade. The Dubai Airshow, a grand event showcasing aviation excellence, concluded on a somber yet respectful note, highlighting the camaraderie and shared grief within the global aviation community.
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Inner Mongolia launches five-month ice-snow season amid China’s winter tourism push
North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has officially launched its five-month ice-snow tourism season, marking a significant step in China’s nationwide push to develop the ice-and-snow economy. The season, which runs from December 20, 2025, to May 2026, will feature 159 cultural activities, 48 sporting events, and 45 themed travel routes, according to local authorities. Key highlights include the 21st Ice and Snow Nadam Fair and the 22nd China-Russia-Mongolia International Ice and Snow Festival in Manzhouli, a border city in Inner Mongolia. This initiative aligns with China’s state-level plan to grow the ice-and-snow economy to a 1.2 trillion yuan ($169 billion) industry by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030. Other regions, such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Xinjiang, are also enhancing their winter tourism offerings with expanded attractions, tourism vouchers, and unique incentives like student ‘snow breaks.’ Inner Mongolia cities like Ulanqab and Arxan are promoting local features such as volcanic skiing and snowmobiling, while offering tourism vouchers, ‘ski-hot spring’ combo tickets, and enhanced visitor comfort measures like heated rest areas and extended venue hours.
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UAE winter officially begins as ‘Darbet Al Ahaymar’ sweeps the region
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially transitioned into its winter season, marked by the arrival of the traditional weather phenomenon known as ‘Darbet Al Ahaymar.’ This seasonal shift, characterized by a significant drop in temperatures and unstable weather conditions, has already brought rainfall and hail to parts of Saudi Arabia, signaling the onset of colder weather across the Arabian Peninsula. In the UAE, temperatures have dipped to as low as 7°C, with rain reported on the western islands. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, confirmed the start of winter during a live podcast on Noor Dubai Radio. He explained that the ‘Duroor’ calendar, which uses stars to predict weather patterns, marks the beginning of winter approximately 100 days after the appearance of the Suhail star. This period, which commenced on November 24, 2025, is expected to last until March 4, 2026. Al Jarwan highlighted that January is anticipated to be the coldest month, with temperatures potentially dropping to 0°C in desert regions. He also projected an average monthly rainfall of about 15 mm during December, January, and February. As cooler weather sets in, residents are expected to flock to the desert for camping and outdoor activities. Al Jarwan emphasized the importance of environmental conservation, urging the public to protect natural habitats, including Ghaf and Samar trees, and the broader desert ecosystem. ‘These natural systems are integral to the UAE’s environment and must be preserved for future generations,’ he stated.
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Thai woman found alive in coffin after being brought in for cremation
In a startling incident at Wat Rat Prakhong Tham, a Buddhist temple in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok, a 65-year-old woman shocked temple staff by moving inside her coffin as she was being prepared for cremation. The temple shared a video on its Facebook page, capturing the woman lying in a white coffin in the back of a pick-up truck, slightly moving her arms and head. Pairat Soodthoop, the temple’s general and financial affairs manager, recounted the bizarre event to The Associated Press on Monday. He explained that the woman’s brother had transported her from Phitsanulok province for cremation, believing she had passed away two days prior. The brother claimed his sister had been bedridden for two years and appeared to stop breathing recently. However, during the journey, faint knocking sounds were heard from the coffin. Upon opening it, the staff discovered the woman slightly opening her eyes and tapping on the coffin’s side. The brother had initially intended to donate her organs but was turned away by a Bangkok hospital due to the lack of an official death certificate. The temple, which offers free cremation services, also refused to proceed without the required documentation. After assessing the woman’s condition, the temple arranged for her to be taken to a nearby hospital, with the abbot pledging to cover her medical expenses.
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Belgian airports warn of ‘major disruption’ amid nationwide strikes
Belgium is in the midst of a three-day wave of strikes, culminating in a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, as workers protest against government-imposed austerity measures. The industrial action, organized by major unions, includes disruptions to public transport on Monday, a public service strike on Tuesday, and a full-scale general strike on Wednesday. Key transportation hubs, including Eurostar and Belgium’s two main airports—Brussels and Charleroi—have warned of significant disruptions, with all departure flights canceled on Wednesday. The strikes follow widespread protests last month, where tens of thousands took to the streets to oppose government reforms and spending cuts. Unions have criticized the government for its lack of response to their demands, which include fair pensions, a wealth tax, a tax on digital activities for tech giants, and transparent scrutiny of corporate subsidies. The strikes coincide with a day of action against violence against women, which unions have linked to the broader protest movement. The industrial action has been a recurring issue since Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever became Prime Minister in February. Despite the unrest, Belgium’s coalition government announced a budget agreement on Monday, with De Wever emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility to sustain the welfare state. The government claims its reforms have already reduced debt accumulation by €32 billion during its term. Meanwhile, public transport services across the country are expected to face severe disruptions throughout the strike period.
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Germany’s Christmas markets open with festive cheer and tight security
As Germany’s cherished Christmas markets opened on Monday, the festive atmosphere was accompanied by heightened security measures, a reminder of the tragic attacks that have marred these annual celebrations in recent years. From Berlin to Cologne, markets welcomed visitors with traditional delights such as mulled wine, grilled sausages, and handmade crafts, while ensuring safety remained a top priority. In Berlin, the iconic market at Gedächtniskirche church commenced with a public service, alongside other prominent markets at Rotes Rathaus, Gendarmenmarkt, and Charlottenburg Palace. Vendors offered a variety of goods, from snacks and drinks to woolen hats and festive decorations, while children enjoyed rides and ice-skating. The markets, a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, have become a global symbol of holiday cheer. However, the shadow of past attacks looms large. In December 2022, a car-ramming attack in Magdeburg claimed six lives, while the 2016 Berlin truck attack at Gedächtniskirche left 13 dead. Authorities have implemented robust security measures, including anti-terrorism barriers and private security, to ensure the safety of visitors. Despite the challenges, organizers like Birgit Grothues in Cologne emphasized the importance of providing a joyful escape during difficult times, noting the smiles and festive spirit among attendees.