Trump imposes rule allowing US to detain migrant families indefinitely
Washington, DCReuters The Trump administration on Wednesday unveiled a rule that allows officials to detain migrant families indefinitely while judges consider whether to grant them asylum in the United States, abolishing a previous 20-day limit. The rule, which is certain to draw a legal challenge, would replace a 1997 court settlement that limits the amount […]
Updated: Ex-Vatican treasurer George Pell loses appeal against sex abuse convictions, to stay in jail
Last updated: 4.45pmMelbourne, AustraliaReuters Former Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell will remain in prison for at least another three years after losing an appeal against his conviction for sexually abusing two 13-year-old choir boys, an Australian court ruled on Wednesday. Pell, the highest ranking Catholic worldwide to be convicted of child sex offences, was sentenced […]
STRANGESIGHTS: TRUMP’S GREENLAND REBUFF; HAND SCULPTURE SPOOKS SOME IN NZ; AND, TIME CAPSULE PROVES A DISAPPOINTMENT…
DAVID ADAMS writes about the odder side of life…
In a first for Africa, Kenya census to count intersex people
Nairobi, KenyaThomson Reuters Foundation Kenya will become the first African country to recognise its intersex population in a census on Saturday that counts people born with a sexual anatomy that does not fit typical definitions for male or female bodies, according to a top official. The census will help end stigma and recognise the rights […]
Park life boosts morale as much as Christmas, survey shows
Tbilisi, GeorgiaThomson Reuters Foundation Sad city dwellers should seek solace in a local park, according to a survey tracking tweets that showed a leafy walk lifts morale as much as Christmas among Twitter users. Trees in cities are already credited with cooling and cleaning the air, along with absorbing planet-warming gases – but a team […]
Quick facts – How mosquitoes pose a threat to half the world
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation A warmer climate, travel and trade are helping to spread mosquito-borne diseases as a deadly beast smaller than a paper clip poses a threat to more than half the world’s population. World Mosquito Day on Tuesday commemorated the discovery in 1897 by British doctor Ronald Ross that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between […]
A RUBBISH CAMPAIGN: TEAR AUSTRALIA CALLS FOR ACTION ON PLASTIC POLLUTION
DAVID ADAMS reports on a new Australian campaign aimed at engaging churches in the fight against plastic waste…
Young activists push interfaith gathering to act on climate change, justice
RNSLindau, Germany On the eve of the 10th – and the largest and most cosmopolitan yet – Religions for Peace World Assembly, young participants in the forum said they are pushing more senior representatives to be more active in addressing issues such as global warming and terrorism. The young activists are among the 1,000 attendees, […]
ESSAY: LIBYA – ONGOING ATROCITIES REVEAL THE TROUBLE WITH INTERNATIONAL MILITARY INTERVENTION
Authors of a new book on the concept of “just war”, MICHAEL NEU and ROBIN DUNFORD, in an article first published on The Conversation, argue that the situation in Libya shows the need for “new thinking” on the protection of civilians…
CONVERSATIONS: CAROLYN RUSSELL, PASTORAL CARE EXPERT
DAVID ADAMS speaks with Australian GP and pastoral care expert, Dr Carolyn Russell…