Indonesia’s Laki-laki volcano on Flores Island erupts, killing nine people
Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters At least nine people died after Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in eastern Indonesia erupted on Sunday, spewing explosive plumes of lava and forcing authorities to evacuate several nearby villages, officials said on Monday. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, located on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted on Sunday at 23.57 local time, belching […]
Australia to slash $A16 billion off student debt amid cost of living pressures

Sydney, Australia Reuters Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that his government planned to cut student loans for around three million Australians by 20 per cent, wiping off around $A16 billion in debts. The move builds on May’s budget, which attacked cost of living pressures in Australia and gave debt relief for students, […]
In east Lebanon, looming winter hints at stretched aid response
Deir al-Ahmar, Lebanon Reuters Nerjes Hassan was so worried her children would fall ill from bathing in the frigid water of a displacement shelter in north-east Lebanon that she drove back into her hometown to give them a hot bath and pick up food preserves. While at home on Wednesday morning in the town of […]
North Korean white paper says South’s President has raised risk of nuclear war

Seoul, South Korea Reuters North Korean state media released a white paper on Sunday accusing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol of exposing his country to the danger of nuclear war through his policies toward the North. A policeman stands near tractors of farmers who live in villages near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), inside […]
India criticises Canada for linking minister to Sikh plots

New Delhi, India Reuters India’s foreign ministry said on Saturday it had lodged a protest with Canada for linking its home minister to alleged plots against Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. The ministry also accused Ottawa of surveillance of some Indian consular staff. India’s Home Minister Amit Shah attends an inauguration ceremony of Gopalanand Swami […]
Public funding for nature conservation stalls at COP16, eyes on private investment

Cali, Colombia Reuters Wealthy nations appeared to hit a limit with how much they are willing to pay to conserve nature around the world, instead shifting their focus at the two-week UN biodiversity summit toward discussions of private money filling the funding gap. At the COP16 negotiations in Cali, Colombia, countries failed to figure out […]
Ukraine ‘holding back’ powerful Russian offensive, Kyiv top commander says

Reuters Ukrainian forces are restraining one of Russia’s most powerful offensives since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion on its smaller neighbour, the top commander of Kyiv’s forces said on Saturday. Russian troops advanced in September at their fastest rate since March, 2022, the month after President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion, according to open-source […]
US election: In swing states, officials brace for conspiracy theories and violence

NATHAN LAYNE, JOSEPH TANFANI and NED PARKER, of Reuters, report on preparations being made ahead of polling day on 5th November…
As Election Day looms, Wisconsin clergy pray and stress that every vote is sacred

Madison, Wisconsin RNS As two dozen pastors, poll chaplains and other leaders gathered for a pre-election press conference outside of First United Methodist Church in Wisconsin’s capital last Wednesday, they got a taste of what life is like in a battleground state. As Paul Raushenbush, president of the Interfaith Alliance, a national non-profit whose leaders […]
Essay: St Augustine was no stranger to culture wars – and has something to say about today’s

In an article first published on The Conversation, MICHAEL LAMB, executive director of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, reflects on lessons from St Augustine…