Political pressure builds on Biden to strike Iran after US deaths
Washington DC, US Reuters The killing of three US troops and wounding of dozens more on Sunday by Iran-backed militants is piling political pressure on President Joe Biden to deal a blow directly against Iran, a move he’s been reluctant to do out of fear of igniting a broader war. Biden’s response options could range […]
About 30 killed in Mali in weekend village attacks
Bamako, Mali Reuters About 30 people were killed in attacks on two villages in central Mali over the weekend, the rural commune’s mayor said on Monday. He did not say who was responsible. The West African country is home to militant groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State that wage frequent attacks on the […]
Peru protests block access to Machu Picchu, stranding tourists
Reuters Protests in Peru are blocking access to Machu Picchu, one of South America’s most popular heritage sites, with local anger over a new ticketing system halting rail transport to the iconic Incan site and leaving some tourists stranded. Train services to the ancient ruins high up in the Andes have been suspended since Saturday […]
High-ranking Orthodox prelate warns against spread of anti-Semitism by religious officials
Thessaloniki, Greece AP Speaking on the day for commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, a high-ranking official of the Orthodox Church warned Sunday against the spread of anti-Semitism by religious and church officials. “I am worried by the spread of anti-Semitism internationally,” Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, spiritual leader of Greek Orthodox faithful in North and […]
Outsourcing care
We’ve in danger of outsourcing care in Australia. PICTURE: shironosov/iStockphoto Once in Australia there were few community services, charities and caring concerns. Families looked after their own. Neighbours called on each other. Communities rallied around a cause, and churches did the heavy lifting of charity. As we’ve got richer, we’re become specialised. We’ve developed nursing homes, […]
Nearly 100 dead or missing migrants in Mediterranean so far in 2024 – IOM
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters Nearly 100 migrants have died or disappeared in the central and eastern Mediterranean since the beginning of 2024, more than double the toll recorded last year during the same period, the UN migration agency said on Monday. Handout image obtained by Reuters, on 12th October, 2023 shows a Medecins Sans Frontieres rescue […]
“United in sorrow”: Terror attack strikes Istanbul Catholic church known for its welcome
DAVID I KLEIN, of Religion News Service, reports from Turkey…
Global watchdog proposes new ethics code to combat greenwashing
London, UK Reuters Firms that check environmental, social and governance claims made by companies will be asked to follow a proposed new ethics code to help combat greenwashing, the chief of a global standards body told Reuters. Trillions of dollars have flowed into investment funds touting green credentials, but these can be misleading, a practice […]
Essay: We can have secure borders without denying those fleeing persecution
JAMIE IVEY and BRI STENSRUD say, in an article first published on Religion News Service, that restricting access to asylum shouldn’t be part of serious immigration reform…
Pope says Africans are “special case” when it comes to LGBT blessings
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis said in an interview published on Monday that Africans were a “special case” in the opposition of bishops and many other people in the continent to homosexuality. But he said he was confident that, except for Africans, critics of his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples would eventually understand […]