
Jan 8 - 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.
Putin meets talking cat and dog in popular Russian cartoon
MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin has made a cameo appearance in a popular Russian children's cartoon, delivering a New Year message to the nation alongside a talking cat and dog. (RUSSIA-PUTIN/CARTOON (TV, PIX), 209 words) nL1N3Y8096
Elvis Presley-themed train departs for Australian tribute festival
SYDNEY - Elvis Presley fans and tribute artists kicked off their annual journey to the Elvis Festival in the Australian regional town of Parkes on Wednesday. (AUSTRALIA-ELVIS/FESTIVAL (TV, PIX), 154 words) nL4N3Y8051
Birth of rare mountain gorilla twins recorded in Congo park
A mountain gorilla has given birth to twins in war-ravaged eastern Congo, a national park said on Wednesday, in what it described as "a major event" for the endangered subspecies. (CONGO-GORILLA/TWINS (PIX, TV), 278 words) nL8N3Y80QA
EXPLANATORY CONTENT
FACTBOX-Who is Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's president? nL1N3Y402F
EXPLAINER-Greenland's history as a Danish territory and why Trump wants it nL6N3Y80I3
FACTBOX-What's the status of international oil companies in Venezuela after Maduro's capture? nL6N3Y70U9
EXPLAINER-Why Saudi-UAE trade ties remain resilient despite Yemen tensions nL6N3Y80KI
EXPLAINER-What is known so far about the Swiss bar fire that killed 40 nL8N3Y70VX
EXPLAINER-Why is Somaliland strategically important? nL1N3Y70G5
FACTBOX-Top cases on the US Supreme Court's docket nL1N3WW0UT