“It’s terrifying”: Merkel shaken as flood deaths rise to 188 in Europe
Berchtesgaden/Biscofswiesen, Germany Reuters German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the flooding that has devastated parts of Europe as “terrifying” on Sunday after the death toll across the region rose to 188 and a district of Bavaria was battered by the extreme weather. Merkel promised swift financial aid after visiting one of the areas worst affected by […]
Two weeks post-surgery, Pope Francis appears at Vatican window
Vatican City AP Two weeks after surgery that removed a portion of his colon, Pope Francis on Sunday resumed his weekly appearances from a Vatican window to bless the faithful in St Peter’s Square. Francis, 84, sounded cheerful but somewhat winded at one point while speaking for 14 minutes. Pope Francis waves to the crowd […]
Gunmen kidnap dozens of villagers in north-western Nigeria
Maiduguri, Nigeria Reuters Gunmen abducted at least 60 people and killed one person in north-western Nigeria after riding motorbikes into five villages and firing sporadically into the air, a police official and several residents said on Saturday. Nigeria is battling an increase in armed robberies and kidnappings for ransom, mainly in northwestern areas, where thinly […]
Death toll rises to 170 in Germany and Belgium floods
Erftstadt/Wassenberg, Germany Reuters The death toll in devastating flooding in western Germany and Belgium rose to at least 170 on Saturday after burst rivers and flash floods this week collapsed houses and ripped up roads and power lines. Some 143 people died in the flooding in Germany’s worst natural disaster in more than half a […]
Miami building collapse puts spotlight on climate change risks
New York, US Thomson Reuters Foundation Concerns that rising sea levels and extreme weather may have played a role in the collapse of a 12-story apartment tower near Miami Beach last month could have far-reaching consequences for other coastal cities and buildings around the world. With investigations ongoing, it is too early to say what […]
Delta COVID variant now dominant strain worldwide, US deaths surge – officials
Reuters The Delta variant of COVID-19 is now the dominant strain worldwide, accompanied by a surge of deaths around the United States almost entirely among unvaccinated people, US officials said on Friday. US cases of COVID-19 are up 70 per cent over the previous week and deaths are up 26 per cent, with outbreaks occurring […]
“Dangerous work”: Sharp-eyed grandmothers combat looting and crime in South Africa
KIM HARRISBERG, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on the role grandmothers are playing in the fight against crime in South Africa…