Israel uncovers “biggest Hamas tunnel” near Gaza border
Gaza-Israel border Reuters Israeli forces battling Hamas said they had uncovered an unusually large concrete and iron-girded tunnel, designed to carry carloads of militant fighters from Gaza right up to the border. Razing or disabling hundreds of kilometres of underground passages and bunkers is among the aims of the offensive Israel launched after Hamas gunmen […]
Floods cut off cyclone-hit Australia tourist towns along Great Barrier Reef
Sydney, Australia Reuters Heavy rain from a coastal trough linked to ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper on Monday cut off several tourist towns in Australia’s north-east along the Great Barrier Reef, forcing evacuations as some residents fled to rooftops to escape fast-rising rivers. Jasper lashed the far north regions of Queensland state last week leaving a trail […]
Storm claims 16 lives in Argentina and Uruguay
Reuters The death toll from a severe electrical storm that struck Argentina over the weekend has risen to 16 people in Argentina and the neighboring country of Uruguay. Uruguay’s meteorological agency said two people were killed as strong wind gusts swept in from the south-east early Sunday morning, according to a statement posted on the […]
Christmas food: Convent-made delicacies help monks and nuns win fans and pay the bills
GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO and MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ, of Associated Press, report…
Pope Francis’ 87th birthday closes out a big year of efforts to reform the church, cement his legacy
Rome, Italy AP Pope Francis turned 87 on Sunday, closing out a year that saw big milestones in his efforts to reform the Catholic Church as well as health scares that raise questions about his future as Pope. Francis celebrated his birthday with cake during a festive audience with children Sunday morning, and there were […]
Essay: Inconvenient truths at Christmastime
PHYLLIS ZAGANO, in an article first published on Religion News Service, says it seems civility has left the planet…