Pope calls for rethink of global economy
Vatican CityAP Pope Francis says all segments of society, especially the poor, have a role to play in making the world a better place after the coronavirus and that drug companies shouldn’t get a bigger say than front line health workers. Francis called Wednesday for an inclusive rethink of the economic, social and political structures […]
“Historic” labour law raises fear Indian workers will pay price
Mumbai, IndiaThomson Reuters Foundation India’s parliament on Wednesday passed “historic” labour laws that the government says help workers and business alike, but activists fear a loss of labour rights in a push for profits. Experts said the laws – aimed at protecting workers and streamlining labyrinthine regulation – exempt tens of thousands of smaller firms, […]
Australia says majority of 470-strong beached whale pod has died
Sydney, AustraliaReuters The majority of a 470-strong pod of pilot whales found stranded off Australia’s remote southern coast has died, officials said on Wednesday, as rescuers struggled in freezing waters and fading light to free those still alive. The group, which is the biggest beaching in the country’s modern history, were first spotted a wide […]
Podcasts: Scholarly discussions of the first Christians
In the first of our podcast reviews, NILS VON KALM listens to NT Wright and Michael Bird’s ‘The New Testament In Its World’…
Ruth Bader Ginsburg first woman and first Jew to lie in state at US Capitol
RNS Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a trailblazer in life — and also in death. The associate justice who died on 18th September will lie in repose at the Supreme Court on Wednesday and Thursday, as have several of her departed colleagues – Justices John Paul Stevens, Antonin Scalia and Chief Justice William H Rehnquist. […]
StrangeSights: A 60th birthday for a special sandwich; a new name for Asbestos?; and, socially distanced soccer…
DAVID ADAMS looks at the odder side of life…
Kenya’s parliament to challenge dissolution bid over lack of women
Nairobi, KenyaThomson Reuters Foundation Kenya’s parliament will launch a legal challenge to a bid by the country’s top judge to dissolve both legislative houses for not having enough women lawmakers, the speaker said on Tuesday, calling the move ill-advised, premature and unlawful. Chief Justice David Maraga on Monday advised President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve the […]
Airlines call for COVID-19 tests before all international flights
Paris, FranceReuters Global airlines on Tuesday called for pre-departure COVID-19 testing for all international passengers to replace the quarantines they blame for exacerbating the travel slump. Rapid and affordable antigen tests that can be administered by non-medical staff are expected to become available in “coming weeks” and should be rolled out under globally agreed standards, […]
Anger as Hong Kong court keeps ‘discriminatory’ live-in rule for migrant maids
Thomson Reuters Foundation A Hong Kong court’s decision to uphold a compulsory rule for migrant domestic workers to live with their employers drew criticism on Tuesday from labour rights advocates, who said it exposed foreign maids to conditions akin to modern slavery. The live-in rule for Hong Kong’s 370,000 domestic workers, mostly women from poor […]
Trolls
It’s obvious in our current social media world that we have a problem with trolls. People showing no restraint, no courtesy, no common decency and saying the most heinous things, because they think they will never be found out. PICTURE: dole777/Unsplash In a twisted way it makes them feel better about themselves to dump on […]