At least 55 killed in eastern Congo massacres, UN says
Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters At least 55 people were killed in two attacks on villages in eastern Congo, the United Nations said on Monday, in potentially the worst night of violence the area has seen in at least four years. The army and a local civil rights group blamed the Allied Democratic Forces, […]
“Time has come” for pandemic treaty, says WHO’s Tedros; Peru’s death toll worst in the world per capita
Geneva, SwitzerlandReuters The head of the World Health Organization called on Monday for launching negotiations this year on an international treaty to boost pandemic preparedness, as part of sweeping reforms envisioned by member states. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, told its annual ministerial assembly that the UN agency faced a “serious challenge” to maintain its […]
Australia and New Zealand unite over China human rights issues
Wellington, New ZealandReuters Australia and New Zealand on Monday expressed grave concerns over developments in Hong Kong and the human rights situation in the Xinjiang region of China, as the two nations sought get in lockstep over their biggest trading partner. In the first face-to-face meeting between heads of both countries in over 15 months, […]
Thousands march in Colombia’s Bogota to demand end to protests, roadblocks
Bogota, ColombiaReuters Waving flags and dressed in white, thousands marched in Colombia’s capital Bogota on Sunday to demand an end to protests and roadblocks, as well as to express support for security forces, following a month of demonstrations. “They [the roadblocks] are taking the cities hostage. They are stopping the economy,” Patricia Gonzalez, 45, said. […]
Australian blogger on trial in China worried political tensions may impact outcome
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australian blogger Yang Hengjun, facing trial in Beijing on espionage charges that he denies, asked the judge to exclude evidence obtained in interrogations where he says he was tortured, according to a message conveyed to family and friends. In his first comments since Thursday’s court hearing, which was closed to family and Australian […]
In US city of Houston, religious leaders, artists honour George Floyd in concert
AP Religious leaders, musical guests, spoken word artists and politicians gathered for a concert in Houston, the home town of George Floyd, to commemorate the anniversary of his death. Pastors Remus E Wright and Mia K Wright welcomed the Floyd family on Sunday at The Fountain of Praise, a church that held one of his funeral services, […]
With bells and flowers, Hungary marks anniversary of Danube boat disaster
Budapest, HungaryReuters With the tolling of a bell and a wreath lowered into the water, Hungary marked the second anniversary on Saturday of a Budapest boat accident which killed 27 people, mostly South Korean tourists, in the worst river accident on the Danube in decades. The 135 metre Swiss river cruiser Viking Sigyn hit a […]
COVID-19 impacts: Pandemic hits India’s drive to tackle an ancient disease
ROLI SRIVASTAVA and SAURABH SHARMA, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, report on how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted efforts to prevent parasitic disease, lymphatic filariasis…
In the US, Tulsa pastors honour “holy ground” 100 years after massacre
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USAP When white attackers destroyed the prosperous Black neighbourhood of Greenwood 100 years ago this week, they bypassed the original sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of North Tulsa. By the church’s own account, the attackers thought the brick veneer structure was too fine for a Black-owned church. The mob destroyed at least […]
Essay: The meaning of Tulsa
CHERYL TOWNSEND GILKES, John D and Catherine T MacArthur Professor of African American Studies and Sociology at Colby College, writes about why the US must remember and address unresolved injustices like the race massacre which destroyed the Greenwood community in 1921…