Freed hostages bring signs of life from depths of Gaza tunnels
Jerusalem Reuters Families of some Israeli hostages in Gaza have received signs of life from their loved ones for the first time in more than a year via captives who have been freed over the past weeks in the ceasefire deal with Hamas. The messages, along with reports of their harsh conditions in captivity, have […]
Essay: Why a bishop and a rabbi are taking Homeland Security to court
US Episcopal Presiding Bishop SEAN W ROWE and Rabbi HARA PERSON, chief executive of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, explain why they have sued the US Department of Homeland Security…
Wow!: UK Quakers join with Open University in peace course
ANGELA YOUNGMAN reports on a new initiative between the Quakers in Britain and Open University…
UN seeks $US6 billion to ease hunger catastrophe in Sudan
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters UN officials on Monday asked for $US6 billion for Sudan this year from donors to help ease what they called the world’s worst ever hunger catastrophe and the mass displacement of people brought on by civil war. The UN appeal represents a rise of more than 40 per cent from last year’s […]
Europe talks up more defence spending as Ukraine peacekeeper plan divides
Paris, France/Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters European leaders meeting in Paris on Monday for emergency talks called for higher spending to ramp up the continent’s defence capabilities but remained split on the idea of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine to back up any peace deal. The Paris meeting was called by French President Emmanuel Macron after US […]
Pope Francis remains in hospital as doctors treat “complex” infection
Vatican City Reuters Doctors have changed treatment for Pope Francis’ respiratory tract infection to tackle a “complex clinical situation” and he will remain in hospital for as long as necessary, the Vatican said on Monday. The 88-year-old pontiff has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome’s […]
Israel will leave troops in five locations in Lebanon after Tuesday deadline, military spokesperson says
Beirut, Lebanon/Jerusalem Reuters Israel will keep troops in several posts in southern Lebanon past an 18th February deadline for them to withdraw, a military spokesperson said on Monday, as Israeli leaders sought to reassure northern residents that they can return home safely. Under a truce deal brokered by Washington in November, Israeli troops were granted […]
Congo rebels promise security in Bukavu after looting
Reuters Residents of eastern Congo’s second-largest city on Monday surveyed the aftermath of widespread looting that accompanied the arrival of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels who have pledged to restore order. The M23 fighters moved into the centre of Bukavu on Sunday, marking the Tutsi-led group’s most significant advance since seizing east Congo’s biggest city of Goma […]
Iran officials probe killing of student which sparked protests
Dubai, United Arab Emirates Reuters Iranian authorities have ordered an investigation into the fatal stabbing of a university student during a robbery, state media reported on Saturday, as the incident sparked protests at Tehran University. Facing public anger over high inflation and a tumbling currency, and fearing renewed US “maximum pressure” under Donald Trump, Iranian […]
On the Screen: ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ – an unnecessary imitation game
MARCUS CHEONG takes a look at the return of Captain America to the big screen…