Ukrainian villagers watch peace talks uneasily as front line nears
Novopavlivka, Ukraine Reuters Standing beside a bombed-out milling plant in his village, Mykola Havrylov said he felt powerless watching US and Russian officials discussing an end to a three-year-old war that is creeping ever closer to his home in south-eastern Ukraine. Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops is now just 13 kilometres from Novopavlivka, a […]
Essay: Three things Pope Francis should do before he dies
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE says the Pope needs to prepare for his inevitable decline and death…
The Leader: Rev Dr Michael Jensen, minister, teacher, podcast host and author
JO KADLECEK speaks with Rev Dr Michael Jensen about the mission of his church and public ministry, the challenges facing Christians in Australia today and his latest book, ‘Subjects and Citizens’…
Red Cross calls for private, dignified handover of hostages’ bodies
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters The Red Cross on Wednesday called for privacy and dignity ahead of the expected release of hostages’ bodies from Gaza under the terms of a ceasefire. Logo of the ICRC is seen during the press conference of Robert Mardini, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, […]
US aid freeze “decimates” life-saving work globally, survey finds
Bangkok, Thailand/Nairobi, Kenya Reuters Aid groups across the world have closed operations, laid off staff and halted life-saving work, including with malnourished children, because of US President Donald Trump’s freeze on foreign assistance, according to a survey of 246 humanitarian organisations. The US is by far the biggest contributor to global humanitarian aid, giving about […]
Pope Francis, battling pneumonia, shows “slight improvement”, Vatican says
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia in hospital, is in a stable condition and has shown “slight improvement” in results from recent blood tests, the Vatican said on Wednesday. The 88-year-old pontiff is undergoing treatment at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was admitted on 14th February after struggling with breathing difficulties for several […]
Anxiety rises in DR Congo capital as M23 rebels advance in east
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters As Rwanda-backed rebels strolled through the streets of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s second-largest city, President Felix Tshisekedi’s office claimed it was actually still controlled by his army and “valiant” allied forces. It was the latest jarring move from the 61-year-old leader that has fuelled a sense of worry […]
Dismay and defiance in Kyiv, as Trump takes “our enemy’s side”
Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Ukrainians rejected an extraordinary broadside by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, saying they had no choice but to fight on against Russia as their key backer engages in talks with their enemy without Kyiv’s participation. Trump on Tuesday made a verbal attack on Volodymyr Zelenskiy, accusing him of starting the war […]
Trump tells ‘dictator’ Zelenskiy to move fast for peace or lose Ukraine
Washington DC, US/Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters US President Donald Trump on Wednesday denounced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as “a dictator without elections” and said he had better move fast to secure a peace or he would have no country left. Trump spoke hours after Zelenskiy hit back at his suggestion that Ukraine was responsible for Russia’s […]
Breaking: Brazil’s former President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot
Updated: 7:20am, 20th February, 2025 (AEDT) Sao Paulo, Brazil Reuters Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro was charged on Tuesday with leading a plot to overthrow the government and undermine the country’s 40-year-old democracy after his 2022 election loss, complicating his narrow chances of a political comeback. The charges come after a two-year police investigation into […]