In the US, Salvation Army starts red kettle program early amid “tsunami of human need” caused by pandemic
RNS The Salvation Army is kicking off its annual red kettle campaign more than two months early this year in hopes of meeting an increased need for assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. “The Salvation Army recognises that there is literally a tsunami of human need in our country right now,” Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, national commander […]
WHO calls for “rethink” of elderly care after COVID-19 losses
Geneva/Zurich SwitzerlandReuters The World Health Organization’s emergencies chief said on Monday that we need to fundamentally rethink our relationship with the elderly after huge losses to COVID-19 in nursing homes across the world “robbed us of a generation of wisdom”. In a speech about the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic at the United […]
In depth: Trump’s Mideast deals tout “peace” where there was never war
Jerusalem, IsraelAP For the first time in more than a quarter-century, a US President will host a signing ceremony between Israelis and Arabs at the White House, billing it as an “historic breakthrough” in a region long known for its stubborn conflicts. But while the optics of Tuesday’s event will evoke the groundbreaking agreements that […]
Pope teams up with Slow Food founder for environment appeal
Rome, ItalyAP Pope Francis has formed an unusual partnership with the agnostic Italian founder of the Slow Food movement while doubling down on calls to protect the environment from profit-driven development that he says harms the world’s poorest the most. Francis on Saturday welcomed Carlo Petrini to the Vatican and met with participants of an […]
Pandemic preparedness panel slams collective failure to head warnings
London, UKReuters A collective failure by political leaders to heed warnings and prepare for an infectious disease pandemic has transformed “a world at risk” to a “world in disorder”, according to a report on international epidemic preparedness. “Financial and political investments in preparedness have been insufficient, and we are all paying the price,” said the […]
UK TV soap ‘EastEnders’ could “save lives” with domestic abuse under lockdown plot
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation A harrowing storyline in the popular British soap opera EastEnders could save lives, as a mother is killed by her husband as she tries to flee her toxic marriage following lockdown, domestic abuse charities said. Reports of domestic abuse have soared around the world during the new coronavirus pandemic, with lockdowns […]
World Council of Churches to livestream prayer service for World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel
The World Council of Churches is holding a special online prayer service as the annual World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel kicks off. The week, which started Sunday and runs until 21st September – the International Day of Prayer for Peace, is being run this year under the theme of ‘Creative Solidarity in Common […]
Coronavirus in India: Pandemic pushes world’s biggest jobs program to brink in rural India
ROLI SRIVASTAVA, writing for Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how migrant workers have been among the hardest hit during the coronavirus pandemic in India…
UK citizens’ assembly wants “fair” path to 2050 net-zero emissions goal
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Taxes on frequent fliers, more wind and solar power, and better protection for nature should be key policies in Britain’s push to meet its promise to cut emissions to net zero by 2050, a citizens’ assembly advised the country’s lawmakers last week. But its final recommendations in a report to parliament […]
Essay: Is it time to add ‘caste’ as a category in US anti-discrimination laws?
JOSEPH D’SOUZA, founder of Dignity Freedom Network, on why caste discrimination should be covered under US anti-discrimination policies…