Indonesia’s Christian governor Ahok fails in re-election bid, as ‘blasphemy’ trial continues
World Watch Monitor Preliminary results suggest that Jakarta’s Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as “Ahok”), has failed in his re-election bid, as his trial for “blasphemy” goes on. Ahok is accused of insulting a Qur’anic verse during a campaign speech. Hard-line Islamist groups have rallied large crowds against him in recent months, yet he was […]
STRANGESIGHTS: WORLD COAL CARRYING CHAMPIONSHIPS; PRINCE CHARLES OF TRANSYLVANIA?; AND, THERE’S A COW IN MY SWIMMING POOL…
DAVID ADAMS reports on the odder side of life…
US university’s Catholic founders apologise for role in slave trade
RNS The leader of the Catholic religious order that helped found Georgetown University in the US addressed more than 100 descendants of slaves and sought their forgiveness. “Today the Society of Jesus, which helped to establish Georgetown University and whose leaders enslaved and mercilessly sold your ancestors, stands before you to say: We have greatly […]
POSTCARDS: A NEW ANGLICAN CHURCH IN ABU DHABI WILL BE A SYMBOL OF TOLERANCE
CLAUDE HAMMOND, in an article published by Religion News Service, reports from Abu Dhabi on the building of the largest Anglican church in the Middle East…
ESSAY: ELECTION OVERLOAD – POLITICS VERSUS STATESMANSHIP
MAL FLETCHER, writing from London, says British PM Theresa May’s decision to hold a snap general election is either “very brave” or “remarkably reckless”…