Dozens of Congo’s rebels lay down weapons in the east
Kitshanga, Democratic Republic of CongoReuters Dozens of militia fighters in the Democratic Republic of Congo have laid down their weapons and surrendered, the first to do so since President Felix Tshisekedi announced martial law to tackle worsening security in two eastern provinces. Around 140 men from various local armed groups sang and clapped as they […]
UN agency says 41 million on verge of famine
London, UKReuters Some 41 million people worldwide are at at imminent risk of famine, the United Nations World Food Programme warned on Tuesday, saying soaring prices for basic foods were compounding existing pressures on food security. Another half a million are already experiencing famine-like conditions, said the WFP’s Executive Director David Beasley. Workers prepare foodstuff […]
Rights group urges UN pressure campaign against Nicaragua’s President
Mexico City, MexicoReuters Human Rights Watch urged the United Nations and member countries on Tuesday to pressure Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to stop alleged human rights abuses, including a crackdown on opposition figures ahead of a November presidential election. In recent weeks, police have detained at least 14 political opponents, including five presidential candidates, drawing […]
Judge tosses most claims over clearing protesters in DC park
Washington DC, US AP A US federal judge has dismissed a majority of the claims filed by activists and civil liberties groups who accused the Trump administration of violating the civil rights of protesters who were forcefully removed by police using chemical agents from a park near the White House before then-President Donald Trump walked […]
Books: A family guide to making the world a better place
MEREDITH WRIGHT reads Australian Susy Lee’s guide to bringing children into the conversation about the state of the world – and how they can be part of the solution…
India’s vaccinations hit record with free COVID shots
New Delhi, IndiaReuters India gave out a record 8.3 million vaccine doses on Monday under a federal campaign to inoculate all adults for free after weeks of criticism that a chaotic rollout had worsened a second wave that killed hundreds of thousands. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government would buy 75 […]
Migrant children report overcrowding, spoiled food, depression in US shelters
Updated: 2.50pm (AEST)Washington DC, USReuters Migrant children sent to emergency shelters within the United States reported crowded living conditions, spoiled food, lack of clean clothes and struggles with depression, according to 17 testimonials filed in a court case on Monday. The children, aged nine to 17 and largely from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, in […]
Colombia’s COVID-19 deaths pass 100,000 in unrelenting third wave
Bogota, ColombiaReuters Reported deaths from COVID-19 in Colombia passed 100,000 on Monday, the country’s health ministry said, amid warnings of potential scarcity of treatment drugs and oxygen in hospitals during a long and brutal third peak of infections and deaths. The country of 50 million people has reported more than 3.9 million cases of coronavirus […]
Disabilities
I have a friend from overseas. She’s amazed and humbled by the way Australia treats people with mental and physical disabilities. We value them. We seek to integrate them into our society. PICTURE: AbsolutVision/Unsplash In her home country having a child with a disability is seen as a curse from the gods. Many such children […]
Driven by their faith: How Pope Francis and Vatican activists helped rein in Big Oil on climate change
CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, of Religion News Service, reports…