OPEN BOOK – THE PRISONER’S LETTER: WALKING IN THE LIGHT
BRUCE C WEARNE looks at what Paul writes about the call for Christians to walk a different path in Ephesians, chapter four…
Australian tourism industry seeks urgent help as cost of bushfires grows
Melbourne, AustraliaReuters Australia’s peak tourism body estimated the country’s bushfire crisis has so far cost the industry almost $A1 billion and called for urgent help from the government to lure back visitors. Industry bosses were due to meet with Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham later on Thursday as storms and heavy rain brought some respite from […]
Russian parliament backs Putin’s pick for PM after “January Revolution”
Moscow, RussiaReuters The Russian parliament overwhelmingly backed President Vladimir Putin’s surprise choice for prime minister on Thursday after what one daily called a “January revolution”, a major political overhaul that some say could set Putin up as leader for life. The State Duma, the lower house of parliament, gave its backing to Mikhail Mishustin, a […]
Trafficking risk high for hundreds of migrants sent back to Libya
Dakar, SenegalThomson Reuters Foundation Hundreds of migrants returned to Libya this month are at high risk of human trafficking as worsening violence is allowing criminal gangs to thrive, according to the United Nations. At least 953 migrants headed for Europe were picked up in the Mediterranean and sent back to Libya in the first two […]
A SUSTAINABLE LIFE: EXPERIENCES AREN’T ALWAYS BETTER FOR THE PLANET THAN PRODUCTS – HERE’S HOW TO MAKE MEMORIES SUSTAINABLY
In an article first published on The Conversation, BRENDAN CANAVAN, of the University of Huddersfield, looks at why experiences aren’t always more sustainable than things…
Updated: Leaders fear for planet as they pack for “green” Davos
Last updated 3.45pmLondon, UKReuters Climate change and environmental destruction top the risks highlighted by world decision-makers in a survey ahead of the 2020 gathering of the global elite in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. For the first time the annual risk report, compiled by the World Economic Forum, found the top five concerns were […]
Saudi Arabia leads in women’s legal gains at work, World Bank says
New York City, USThomson Reuters Foundation Women’s rights at work have improved globally since 2017, the World Bank said this week, with 40 countries introducing rules such as longer paid maternity leave and protection from violence on the job. Saudi Arabia made the biggest improvement globally, enacting reforms that affected women’s mobility, sexual harassment and […]
2019 was second-hottest year ever, more extreme weather coming – WMO
Geneva, SwitzerlandReuters Last year was the second-hottest year since records began, the World Meteorological Organization said on Wednesday, adding that heat was likely to lead to more extreme weather events like the Australian bushfires in 2020 and beyond. The figures from the Geneva-based WMO crunches several datasets including from NASA and the UK Met Office. […]
US federal judge blocks executive order on refugees in lawsuit by three faith-based organisations
RNS A federal judge in Maryland has blocked US President Donald Trump’s recent executive order allowing state and local officials to refuse refugee resettlement. The preliminary injunction is part of HIAS v Trump, a lawsuit by three faith-based organisations against the US Government over the order. Residents in support of continued refugee resettlement hold signs […]
ESSAY: EVEN FOR AN AIR POLLUTION HISTORIAN LIKE ME, THESE PAST WEEKS HAVE BEEN A SHOCK
In an article first published on The Conversation, NANCY CUSHING, an associate professor at the University of Newcastle, looks at why a new approach to bushfire smoke is needed in Australia…