Asylum seeker wins right to leave German centre over coronavirus rules
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsThomson Reuters Foundation A German court has ruled that an asylum seeker should be allowed to leave the holding centre where he was staying after he argued it was too crowded to respect coronavirus distancing rules, a decision refugee campaigners called “ground-breaking”. The man, who was not named by the court, said he […]
Pompeo says US may never restore WHO funds as Democrats insist it must; Coronavirus latest
Updated: 2pmWashington DC, USReuters US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the COVID-19 pandemic shows the need to overhaul the World Health Organization, warning that Washington may never restore WHO funding and could even work to set up an alternative to the UN body instead. As Pompeo launched fresh attacks on the WHO, Democrats in […]
China detains church leaders for online service
BosNewsLife Chinese security forces have detained six leading members of China’s heavily persecuted Early Rain Covenant Church for participating in an online Easter service, rights activists confirmed. The Christians were reportedly arrested in Sichuan Province during a worship session broadcast live Sunday, 12th April, through the video conferencing application Zoom. Advocacy group International Christian Concern […]
UN chief warns against repressive measures amid coronavirus crisis
Reuters UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday the coronavirus could give some countries an excuse to adopt repressive measures for reasons unrelated to the pandemic as he warned that the outbreak risks becoming a human rights crisis. Guterres released a UN report highlighting how human rights should guide the response and recovery to the […]
Americans, Russians growing less satisfied with environmental efforts
New York City, USThomson Reuters Foundation Americans and Russians have grown more dissatisfied with the way their governments address environmental issues in recent years, according to research released on Wednesday of the world’s biggest carbon dioxide emitters. Residents of China and Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, have become more proud of their countries’ environmental efforts, said the […]
Migrant wages sent home set to drop $US142 billion in 2020 – World Bank
London, UK/Washington DC, USReuters Global remittances are set to tumble by $US142 billion in 2020, the sharpest fall in recent history, the World Bank estimates, as the coronavirus crisis chokes off a cash lifeline for hard-pressed households in poorer countries. The World Bank on Wednesday said that drop of almost 20 per cent in money […]
Australia calls on G20 nations to end wet wildlife markets over coronavirus concerns
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australia has called on G20 nations to end wet wildlife markets over concerns they pose a threat to human health and agricultural markets, a move which could further strain ties with China after Canberra called for an international inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic which originated in China was thought to have […]
“Schools are survival”: US coronavirus closures put homeless students at risk
Reporting from the US, CAREY L BIRON, of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how homeless students – and the services that help them – are being affected by the coronavirus pandemic…
This LA megachurch has served 350,000 free meals during pandemic
Los Angeles, USRNS Just over a month after the Dream Center began offering free meals to Los Angeles residents in the midst of the pandemic, the faith-based nonprofit reached a major milestone. On Tuesday, the centre passed the 350,000 mark of free meals it has provided since mid-March. People carry free meals away from the […]
Essay: How social distancing may change the way we do church
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE, in an article first published on Religion News Service, looks at how churches might be able to resume services at some point in the future – but only if they can put in place and enforce rigorous physical distancing regimes…