THIS LIFE: UNEXPECTED CHANGE – WILL WE EVER BE THE SAME?
US columnist CAROL ROUND, in an article first published on ASSIST News Service, looks at the assurance Scripture provides at times like this…
Did an Italian priest really give up his respirator for a younger patient?
Vatican CityRNS An elderly Italian priest who contracted the coronavirus reportedly offered his respirator to a younger patient and died due to the illness late on Sunday. It’s a story that’s made headlines around the world and been shared on social media as an example of living out the teachings of Jesus. But so far, no one can confirm that […]
In calls with faith leaders, White House focuses on virus as well as election; Southern Baptists cancel meeting
RNS The White House held calls with religious leaders last week to encourage their support of its guidelines for addressing the coronavirus, gathering more than a thousand people on three phone calls. President Donald Trump took part in at least one of the calls. “On Friday, President Trump joined Vice President [Mike] Pence for a […]
World Council of Churches joins in Pope’s call for Wednesday prayer over coronavirus outbreak
The World Council of Churches has called for Christians across the world to join in praying the Lord’s Prayer at noon, Rome time, on Wednesday, 25th March, as the world continues to grapple with the expanding coronavirus pandemic. The call for prayer was first issued by Pope Francis who extended an invitation to all Christians […]
Tokyo Games moved to 2021 as “light at end of pandemic tunnel”
Tokyo, Japan/Athens, GreeceReuters The Tokyo Olympics were postponed on Tuesday to 2021, the first such delay in the Games’ 124-year modern history, as the coronavirus crisis wrecked the world’s last sporting showpiece still standing this year. Though a huge blow to Japan, which has invested $US12 billion in the run-up, the decision was a relief […]
Christmas in March? Some people are turning on their lights to brighten a dark time
RNS Bekah Stoneking doesn’t always get her Christmas tree taken down right away after the December holiday. Sometimes Stoneking, who edits the Explore the Bible Sunday school materials for LifeWay Kids, will keep the fake tree up through the Christian celebration of Epiphany in January, glittering with warm, white lights, sparkling ornaments and a rose […]
Pioneering Christian journalist Dan Wooding dies at age 79
Missionary journalist Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST News Service, died last Wednesday morning in the UK at the age of 79. In a Facebook post last week Wooding’s sons Peter and Andrew said their father “peacefully passed away at 9am UK time” on 18th March. Norma and Dan Wooding in an undated image posted on […]
Thai coronavirus lockdown leaves migrant workers exposed
Bangkok, ThailandThomson Reuters Foundation A partial lockdown in Thailand to limit the spread of coronavirus exempts construction, exposing thousands of migrant workers to the deadly disease, human rights groups warned on Monday. Thailand has more than 700 coronavirus cases, a health ministry spokesman said on Monday, the majority in Bangkok. A labourer works on a […]
Elite hackers target WHO as coronavirus cyberattacks spike
Washington, DC/London, UKReuters Elite hackers tried to break into the World Health Organization earlier this month, sources told Reuters, part of what a senior agency official said was a more than two-fold increase in cyberattacks. WHO Chief Information Security Officer Flavio Aggio said the identity of the hackers was unclear, but the effort was unsuccessful. […]
MILITANT TRIBALISM
What we are witnessing across the world today is tribalism! Militant tribalism. Reaching across the divide. PICTURE: Toa Heftiba/Unsplash Tribalism is a view that says “only our tribe matters”. It doesn’t matter if we murder or maim people from other tribes, only our tribe matters. Tribalism is actually the default position for humanity. It’s how we’ve […]