South Carolina carries out first firing squad execution in US in 15 years
Columbia, South Carolina, US Reuters South Carolina executed a convicted murderer by firing squad on Friday, the first use of the method in the United States in 15 years. Brad Sigmon, 67, chose to be killed by a firing squad, saying he feared the alternatives of the electric chair or lethal injection would risk a […]
Trump weighs revoking legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians
Washington DC, US Reuters US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would soon decide whether to revoke temporary legal status for some 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict with Russia, following a Reuters report that his administration planned to take that step. Such a move would be a stunning reversal of the welcome […]
South Sudan situation deteriorating at alarming pace – UN rights body
Nairobi,. Kenya Reuters Increased violence and political friction in South Sudan threaten its fragile peace process, a United Nations rights body said on Saturday, days after the arrests of several officials allied to the country’s vice president. Earlier this month, security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir arrested two ministers and several senior military officials […]
Argentina floods kill at least 10 in Bahia Blanca port city
Buenos Aires, Argentina Reuters Heavy rains in the Argentine port city of Bahia Blanca, south-west of the capital Buenos Aires, left at least 10 dead and caused substantial flooding on Friday. More than 260 millimetre of rain fell within a few hours, destroying bridges and causing asphalt roads to collapse, the city said, adding that […]
“Keeping in the struggle”: These nuns advocated for immigrant rights for 40 years – now in their 90s, they’re not slowing down
JESSIE WARDARSKI, of Associated Press, reports from Chicago on the decades-long work of nonagenarian Catholic nuns, Sister Pat Murphy and Sister JoAnn Persch…
This Lent, US Lutherans are learning a new Palestinian practice: Sumud
United States RNS Lent is a time of reflection for many Christians, and each year a host of devotionals are published to bring insight and inspiration to the 40 days of contemplation leading to Easter. For the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a liberal denomination of close to three million members, the Lenten offerings this […]
Pope Francis, starting fourth week in hospital, showing improvement, Vatican says
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis is showing a “good response” to his treatment in hospital for double pneumonia and his overall condition is gradually improving, the Vatican said on Saturday. Francis, 88, has been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for more than three weeks with a severe respiratory infection that has required continuously evolving treatment. People […]
South Korea’s President Yoon free, trials continue after court quashes detention
Seoul, South Korea Reuters South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol walked out of a detention centre on Saturday after prosecutors decided not to appeal a court decision to cancel the impeached leader’s arrest warrant on insurrection charges. Yoon, 64, remains suspended from his duties, and his criminal and impeachment trials continue over his short-lived imposition […]
France, Germany, Italy and UK back Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction
Rome, Italy Reuters The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and Britain said on Saturday they supported an Arab-backed plan for the reconstruction of Gaza that would cost $US53 billion and avoid displacing Palestinians from the enclave. “The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – swift […]
Two days of clashes and revenge killings in Syria leave more than 600 people dead, monitor says
Reuters The death toll from two days of clashes between security forces and loyalists of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and revenge killings that followed has risen to more than 600, a war monitoring group said Saturday, making it one of the deadliest acts of violence since Syria’s conflict began 14 years ago. The clashes, which erupted Thursday, marked […]