Jailed Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah's family says they've seen proof he's alive
CBSN
The family of jailed Egyptian-British rights activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, who began refusing all food and water at the start of the COP27 climate conference last weekend, said on Monday they received a letter from him proving he was still alive.
"From today I'm drinking water again so you can stop worrying until you see me yourself," said the letter to Abdel-Fattah's mother, dated Saturday. His sister, Sanaa Seif, confirmed the letter was in the activist's handwriting.
"We're relieved to see proof of life. I can sleep today without nightmares. But we want this to be over. Our family deserves a break. We need to be reunited in peace," Seif said.
Errekunda, Gambia — Lawmakers in Gambia will vote Monday on legislation that seeks to repeal a ban on female genital mutilation, or FGM, which would make the West African nation the first country anywhere to make that reversal. The procedure, which also has been called female genital cutting, includes the partial or full removal of external genitalia, often by traditional community practitioners with tools such as razor blades or at times by health workers.
Man falls to his death from hot-air balloon in Australia, leaving pilot and passengers "traumatized"
A man fell to his death from a hot-air balloon Monday as it passed over suburban Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city.
The ruins of Dunamase Castle tower over County Laois in Ireland. It's been centuries since anyone lived here, but an American tour group has come to imagine what life might have been like when their ancestors called this land home. Visitor Reeda Taylor said, "To know that we've had relatives that probably rode horses out here? I mean, that's exciting. Jump those hedgerows, maybe lived in the castle. Who knows?"