Germany faces calls for mobile phone disaster alerts after floods
Berlin, GermanyReuters German authorities faced pressure on Tuesday to set aside longstanding privacy concerns and send mobile phone alerts directly to people in potential disaster zones following the devastation wrought by last week’s catastrophic floods. Unlike many other countries, including Japan, Israel and New Zealand, Germany has no way of sending text messages en masse […]
India’s excess deaths during pandemic up to 4.9 million, study shows
Reuters India’s excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic could be as high as 4.9 million, a new study shows, providing further evidence that millions more may have died from coronavirus than the official tally. The report by the Washington-based Center for Global Development, co-authored by India’s former chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian, included deaths from […]
Australia’s COVID-19 lockdowns cover more than half the 25 million population
Sydney, AustraliaReuters More than half of Australia’s 25 million population is under lockdown after a third state imposed movement restrictions on Tuesday to contain the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant. Australia’s coronavirus case numbers and deaths are well below other developed nations, but the country’s use of lockdowns due to a sluggish […]
US expected to take initial steps soon in aftermath of Cuba protests – officials
Washington DC, USReuters The United States is expected to soon announce initial steps as part of the Biden administration’s review of Cuba policy and in response to Havana’s crackdown on the biggest street protests in decades, State Department officials said on Monday. The senior officials’ comments further signaled that President Joe Biden was not ready […]
Nicaragua marks 1979 revolution date with opponents jailed
Managua, NicaraguaAP The Nicaraguan Government organised rallies and festivities Monday to mark the anniversary of the 19th July, 1979, revolution that overthrew dictator Anastasio Somoza. But with most opposition leaders jailed, many Nicaraguans say President Daniel Ortega is acting much like Somoza did 42 years ago. Several of the leading Sandinista revolutionaries who fought alongside […]
Israel says spyware exports are for lawful use only
Jerusalem, IsraelReuters Israel’s Defence Ministry said on Monday that the export of cyber products, like spyware sold by NSO Group, was for lawful use and with the sole purpose of fighting crime and countering terrorism. An investigation by 17 media organisations published on Sunday said NSO’s spyware was used in attempted and successful hacks of […]
Jewish group condemns United Church of Christ resolution on Israel, Palestinians
RNS A Jewish advocacy group has condemned a resolution adopted at a meeting of the United Church of Christ on Sunday that calls the continued oppression of the Palestinian people a “sin”. The American Jewish Committee denounced the UCC resolution, a “Declaration for a Just Peace Between Palestine and Israel”, saying the measure “demonizes Israel, fails to offer […]
Monster within
Some people want to live in a world where we deny evil, or we see evil as something that affects other people – not good people like us. PICTURE: Martin Adams/Unsplash We are reticent to see children as containing any evil – suggesting they are just sweetness and light. Anyone who has had a child […]
Conflict in Burkina Faso: Islamist extremist groups expand control to new fronts
SAM MEDNICK, of Associated Press, reports on the expanding conflict in the West African nation…
UK diocese donates food to hungry Anglican clergy in Uganda
Kampala, Uganda Hundreds of the Anglican Church clergy in Uganda who are facing food shortages as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown in the country have a cause to smile. The Diocese of Bristol in England has donated cash worth more than $US45,000 (163 million Ugandan shillings) to the Anglican Church of Uganda to […]