In the US, Southern Baptist taskforce announces plans to start non-profit to oversee abuse database and reforms
Nashville, Tennessee, US RNS Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention’s abuse reform taskforce announced plans on Monday to launch an independent non-profit to host a database of pastors accused of abuse and to implement other reforms. They still need the money to run it. North Carolina pastor Joshua Wester, chair of the SBC’s Abuse Reform Implementation Task […]
Continued US aid vital for Ukraine refugees returning home: UNHCR
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters The UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Tuesday it was vital for the United States to maintain its funding of humanitarian agencies to ease the refugee crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago. UNHCR requires $US993 million to fund its response to the crisis caused by the invasion, which […]
More than half the world faces high measles risk, WHO says
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters More than half the world’s countries will be at high or very high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of the year unless urgent preventative measures are taken, the World Health Organization warned on Tuesday. Measles cases have been increasing across most regions mainly due to missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 […]
US to impose “major sanctions” on Russia over Navalny death; EU demands independent investigation
Washington DC, US Reuters The US will announce a major package of sanctions against Russia on Friday over the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the two-year Ukraine war, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. Biden, speaking to reporters as he departed on a trip to California, did not give details. A person gestures […]
WHO completes second Gaza hospital evacuation amid fighting
Geneva, Switzerland, Cairo, Egypt Reuters The World Health Organization said on Tuesday it had completed a second evacuation mission from Gaza’s Nasser Hospital but voiced concern for nearly 150 patients and medics who remain at the site amid continuing fighting. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest, stopped working last week after a week-long […]
US blocks ceasefire call with third UN veto in Israel-Hamas war
United Nations Reuters The United States on Tuesday again vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution on the Israel-Hamas war, blocking a demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as it instead pushes the 15-member body to call for a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas. Thirteen council members voted […]
El Salvador confirms Bukele’s supermajority after opposition calls to void election results
San Salvador, El Salvador Reuters El Salvador’s election authority on Monday announced that President Nayib Bukele’s ruling New Ideas party would control a super majority in the next legislature with 54 out of 60 seats, following a hand count of votes. Opposition parties earlier on Monday had asked the body to void the results of […]
Britain’s Rwanda asylum plan raises deep concerns: UN rights chief
Geneva. Switzerland Reuters Britain’s revived plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda would drastically strip back courts’ ability to scrutinise decisions and risks dealing a “serious blow to human rights”, the United Nations rights chief said on Monday. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is pushing legislation through parliament that would declare Rwanda a safe country for […]
At World Court, Palestinians seek end to Israeli occupation
The Hague, The Netherlands Reuters Palestinian representatives on Monday asked judges at the UN’s highest court to declare Israel’s occupation of their territory illegal, saying their advisory opinion could contribute to a two-state solution and a lasting peace. The requests came at the opening of a week of hearings at the International Court of Justice […]
Papua New Guinea leader vows tough response after fighting kills dozens
Sydney, Australia Reuters Papua New Guinea will give arrest powers to its military amid an eruption of tribal violence in remote highlands that saw at least 26 men killed in an ambush, Prime Minister James Marape said late on Monday. Papua New Guinea’s police commissioner David Manning is travelling to the scene of the fighting […]