Oct 14 - Every week, Reuters journalists produce scores of multimedia features and human-interest stories from around the world.
Below are some stories from this week selected by our editors, as well as explanatory context and background to help you understand world headlines. For a full schedule of news and events, please go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect https://www.reutersconnect.com/planning.
Netflix hit show 'Squid Game' spurs interest in learning Korean
SEOUL - Interest in learning Korean has spiked since the launch of hit Netflix show "Squid Game," tutoring services reported, underscoring a growing global obsession with South Korean culture from entertainment to beauty products. (TELEVISION-SQUID GAME/KOREAN (TV, PIX), 550 words)
In a rocky Israeli crater, scientists simulate life on Mars
RAMON CRATER, Israel - From the door of the expedition base, a few small steps to the left an autonomous rover passes by. A few giant leaps to the right is an array of solar panels. The landscape is rocky, hilly, tinged with red. Purposefully it resembles Mars. (SPACE-ISRAEL/MARS (TV, PIX), 428 words)
Crypto trading thrives in Nigeria despite official disapproval
LAGOS - Nigerian art dealer Ebuka Joseph started using cryptocurrencies last year when business ground to a halt due to COVID-19. Now he is hooked even though the financial authorities disapprove. (CRYPTO-CURRENCY/NIGERIA (TV, PIX), 510 words)
Superman comes out as bisexual; 'not a gimmick,' writer says
LOS ANGELES - Out, out and away! - for Superman on National Coming Out Day. Jon Kent, the son of original Superman Clark Kent and journalist Lois Lane, turns out to be bisexual in DC Comics' latest iteration of the superhero's adventures. (ENTERTAINMENT-SUPERMAN/COMIC (TV, PIX), 328 words)
Thai monks' livestream mixes Buddhism and jokes but not all are laughing
BANGKOK - Two Buddhist monks in Thailand have become social media stars with Facebook livestreams that combine traditional teachings with non-traditional jokes and giggles. Some of the country's religious conservatives, however, are not so amused. (THAILAND-BUDDHISM/ (TV, PIX), 646 words)
Ancient factory exposes secrets of winemaking in the Holy Land
JERUSALEM - A 1,500-year-old wine factory the size of a modern-day football field has been unearthed in Israel, showing how vintners met demand for high quality white wine popular throughout the ancient world. (ARCHAEOLOGY-ISRAEL/WINE (TV, PIX), 312 words)
Bali surf school owner eagerly awaiting imminent return of foreign tourists
BALI, Indonesia - Surf school owner Halfia Londa is pinning all her hopes on Indonesia's plan to reopen the island of Bali to some foreign tourists from mid-October. (HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/INDONESIA-BALI (TV, PIX), 472 words)
Afghan refugee children in S.Korea welcome new life away from war, restrictions
SEOUL - For one young Afghan refugee girl, her new home in South Korea has already brought simple freedoms she would otherwise be denied. "In Afghanistan, you can't do activities as freely as men do, and it's satisfying to do Taekwondo without a hijab in Korea right now," the girl told reporters after a Taekwondo class on Wednesday. (AFGHANISTAN-CONFLICT/SOUTHKOREA (TV, PIX), 216 words)
Paul McCartney blames John Lennon for breakup of the Beatles
LONDON - Paul McCartney has said he wanted to continue performing with the Beatles when the band famously split in 1970 and that John Lennon instigated the breakup. (MUSIC-BEATLES/ (TV, PIX), 300 words)
Wake up and smell 'sustainable' coffee produced in Finnish lab
HELSINKI - With climate change threatening traditional coffee farming, Finnish scientists say they have produced coffee from cell cultures with an aroma and taste resembling the real thing. (CLIMATE-FINLAND/COFFEE (TV), 279 words)
EXPLANATORY CONTENT
FACTBOX-How is the EU responding to record-high energy prices?
EXPLAINER-Why are the EU and UK arguing over Northern Ireland?
FACTBOX-Hiring for holiday season in tightening U.S. labor market
TIMELINE-How Libya's shaky peace push has unfolded
Global vaccination tracker https://tmsnrt.rs/39xWS94
Global COVID-19 cases and deaths https://tmsnrt.rs/32CyMHu
U.S. COVID-19 cases and deaths https://tmsnrt.rs/2WTOZDR (Compiled by Patrick Enright)
