Floods in Spain kill at least 51 people in Valencia region
Updated: 10:15pm (AEST) Madrid, Spain Reuters At least 51 people have been killed in flash floods sweeping the eastern Spanish region of Valencia following torrential rain on Tuesday that left roads and towns under water, local authorities said on Wednesday. Rescuers using dinghies worked in the dark to scour the floodwaters, rescuing several people, television […]
Pacific delegation says collaboration needed in troubled New Caledonia
Reuters Three Pacific Islands leaders on a fact-finding visit to New Caledonia heard divided views on the cause of deadly riots that erupted in May, as the region’s diplomatic group seeks to support efforts to de-escalate tensions in the French Pacific territory. The Pacific Islands Forum said on Facebook on Wednesday that the delegation, including […]
Fewer Australians will accept lockdowns in future pandemics, report says
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australians have lost trust in government and many are likely to resist drastic health measures in a future pandemic, the first review of the country’s COVID-19 response showed, while the cost of vaccine delays ran into $A31 billion. Rebuilding and maintaining trust was key to fighting future pandemics, the 877-page report released […]
StrangeSights: Belgium’s pumpkin paddlers; mannequins find home in Japanese village; and, a Bat Beauty Contest
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
Analysis – As US election nears, Europe worries over impact on Ukraine war and NATO
Brussels, Belgium Reuters As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump enter the final days of their close-fought White House contest, Europe is jittery about the potential impact of the US presidential election on the war in Ukraine and the continent’s security. “A half-sentence uttered in a farm in southern Idaho brings everybody from Porto to Helsinki […]
UN envoy says she met Myanmar army chief, calls for end to violence
Reuters United Nations Special Envoy Julie Bishop visited Myanmar’s capital and met with the head of the country’s military junta, she told a UN meeting on Tuesday, adding that actors in Myanmar had to move past what she called a “zero-sum mentality” to move toward a resolution of the South-East Asian country’s grinding conflict. Myanmar […]
Georgia conducts partial vote recount after reports of polling irregularities
Tbilisi, Georgia Reuters Georgia’s central electoral commission said it would recount ballots at some 14 per cent of polling stations on Tuesday after a disputed parliamentary election in the South Caucasus country. Official results said the governing Georgian Dream party won nearly 54 per cent of Saturday’s vote, but pro-Western opposition parties and Georgia’s president […]
Tuberculosis returns as top infectious disease killer, WHO says
Reuters Tuberculosis replaced COVID-19 to become the top cause for infectious disease-related deaths in 2023, according to a World Health Organization report published on Tuesday, highlighting the challenges in the global effort in eradicating the disease. A sample that tested positive for tuberculosis is seen from a microscope in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 29th March, […]
“Father of liberation theology”: Gutiérrez still inspires young Latin American theologians
While liberation theology has been criticised for a view of oppression that is too simplistic, young Latin American theologians say Rev Gustavo Gutiérrez opened the doors for new movements in Catholic thought, even as the Vatican warmed to his legacy. EDUARDO CAMPOS LIMA, of Religion News Service, reports…
North Korea and Russia send political shockwaves with Ukraine war moves
Moscow, Russia/Seoul, South Korea Reuters North Korea’s foreign minister arrived in Russia on Tuesday for talks as the Russia-Ukraine war appeared to take a dangerous new turn, with NATO and South Korea expressing alarm that North Korean troops could soon be joining in on Moscow’s side. US President Joe Biden said Ukraine should strike back […]