Australian leaders celebrate Julian Assange’s freedom but opposition says he is “no martyr”
Canberra, Australia Reuters Julian Assange spent his first night in 14 years as a free man back at home in Australia as the conservative opposition on Thursday cautioned the government against hailing the WikiLeaks founder as a hero. Assange landed in Australia to an ecstatic welcome on Wednesday evening after pleading guilty to violating the […]
A Sustainable Life: How do I keep my fruit, veggies and herbs fresh longer? Are there any ‘hacks’?
SENAKA RANADHEERA, in an article first published on The Conversation, provides some tips on keeping produce fresh for longer…
The Vatican stands trial in London as a British financier seeks to clear his name in a property deal
Rome, Italy AP The Vatican went on trial in a London court on Wednesday, as a British financier sought to recover from the harm he said he suffered to his reputation as a result of a Vatican investigation into its €350 million investment in a London property. It is believed to be the first time […]
Displaced yet again, southern Lebanese decry lack of state support
Baisariyeh, Lebanon Reuters Ahmed Abu Della was born in the Lebanese village of Yarine before the land to the south was known as Israel. He hoped to spend his final days there – but 80 years later, with his hometown pummelled by Israeli shelling, Abu Della’s children gave him an ultimatum: leave Yarine, or we […]
UN warns of overdose deaths after Afghan opium production plummets
Vienna, Austria Reuters The Taliban-ordered crash in opium production in Afghanistan, long the world’s dominant supplier, could drive up overdose deaths as heroin users switch to synthetic opioids already proving deadly in Europe, a UN report said on Wednesday. Raw opium from a poppy head is seen at a poppy farmer’s field on the outskirts […]
Heavy rains in Nepal kill 20 in two days amid landslides, lightning strikes
Kathmandu, Nepal Reuters Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flash floods in Nepal, killing at least 11 people, with another nine killed by lightning strikes over the past two days, officials said on Wednesday. Landslides swept away three houses overnight in Lamjung district, about 125 kilometres west of Kathmandu, killing four people including two children, district […]
US religious freedom report notes violence against Indian minorities
Washington DC, US Reuters The US State Department’s 2023 religious freedom report on India noted violent attacks on minority groups, especially Muslims and Christians, including killings, assaults and vandalism of houses of worship. The State Department report on international religious freedom released on Wednesday said that during the year, senior US officials continued to “raise […]
US calls Julian Assange actions dangerous even as judge notes no victims
Washington DC, US Reuters The US State Department said on Wednesday that Julian Assange’s actions put lives at risk even as the judge who accepted the WikiLeaks founder’s guilty plea to resolve his case noted that no victims had been identified. A State Department spokesperson was repeatedly asked by reporters to give examples of harm […]
Democratic Republic of Congo: How churches are helping displaced people cope with impacts of trauma
TONNY ONYULO reports on the work of churches and Christian organisations aimed at helping displaced people who have suffered trauma…
Updated: Bolivia coup attempt fails after military assault on presidential palace
Updated 11:50am (AEST) La Paz, Bolivia Reuters Bolivian armed forces pulled back from the presidential palace in La Paz on Wednesday evening and a general was arrested after President Luis Arce slammed a “coup” attempt against the government and called for international support. Earlier in the day, military units led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, […]