Girl spends allowance on hot dumplings for street workers
Author: Alice Yan
A teenage girl in central China used her pocket money to buy dumplings to serve street workers during the Winter Solstice Festival.
Sun Menglu, a 14-year-old girl from Zhengzhou in Henan province, said she has been serving free dumplings to workers for the last six years.
At the recent Winter Solstice Festival on December 22, she prepared 40kg of dumplings.
"These grandpas and grandmas insist on cleaning the street no matter how bad the weather is. They work so hard! So I want to send them dumplings," she said.
Menglu boiled the dumplings in a large pot on the street outside a noodle restaurant owned by her father. Dozens of street cleaners in bright orange uniforms queued in front of the steaming pot, waiting to receive their free dumplings.
"Happy Winter Solstice!" the teenager said as she served the dumplings to them, adding: "Everyone can eat as many as they want until they are full."
The workers, who were street cleaners and other low-paid labourers, said they were grateful for the free hot meal.
"It's so delicious," said one worker.
Another said: "Thank you, girl!"
The Winter Solstice is an important annual event in many parts of Asia. It usually falls between December 21 and December 23.
It is customary to eat dumplings at family reunion dinners during the festival.
The video of the kind girl serving "love dumplings", a name given by some internet users, was widely shared on social media as viewers praised her generosity.
"She is so kind. Her parents have done a good job raising her," commented one person.
Another said: "It's so amazing that the girl has done this for six years."
Scores are settled with annual fighting contest in Peru
Author: Reuters
On Christmas Day, hundreds of people in Peru gathered to take part in an ancient fighting ritual. It is aimed at solving disputes before the year's end.
Fighters settle disputes with their fists as spectators sing, dance and cheer for their favourites. Fighters are usually men, but more women are also taking part.
The fights end if a competitor bleeds or falls to the ground. This year's event involved more than 40 fights lasting around 2 minutes each.
Before the fights there is eating, drinking and parades. Attendees wear traditional masks and costumes. Finally, with scores settled, the fights end with a hug, smile or handshake.
