Poor nations warn of visa headaches as Glasgow climate talks near
London, UK/Brussels, BelgiumReuters The world’s poorest countries have said they may struggle to meet visa requirements and cover all COVID-19 quarantine costs for the COP26 climate summit, raising concerns that some might not be able to attend in person. The UN conference, which is meant to spur countries to make bigger commitments to slash greenhouse […]
Activists urge UN to investigate alleged Taliban crimes
Geneva, SwitzerlandReuters The ousted Afghan Government and activist groups called on the main UN human rights body on Monday to investigate reports of targeted killings and restrictions on women and free speech by the ruling Taliban. The flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) is raised at the military airfield in Kabul, Afghanistan, on […]
Strong quake hits Greece’s biggest island of Crete, one person killed
Athens, GreeceReuters A strong earthquake measuring 5.8 shook Greece’s largest island Crete on Monday and one person was killed when a church dome collapsed, authorities said. The quake, which sent people out of their homes and public buildings and caused considerable damage, was described by a Greek seismologist, Efthymios Lekkas, as a “thunderbolt” with strong […]
Indian farmers aim for nationwide protests against reforms on Monday
New Delhi, IndiaReuters Indian farmers opposed to reforms they say threaten their livelihoods aim to renew their push against the changes with nationwide protests on Monday, a year after laws on the liberalisation of the sector were introduced. For 10 months, tens of thousands of farmers have camped out on major highways around the capital, […]
Outcome uncertain as Japan’s ruling party heads to vote on next PM
Tokyo, JapanReuters Japan’s ruling party votes on Wednesday for the country’s next prime minister in an election that has turned into the most unpredictable race since Shinzo Abe made a surprise comeback almost a decade ago, defeating a popular rival in a runoff. The winner of the 29th September contest to lead the conservative Liberal […]
Sudan military-civilian tensions reach low point in wake of coup attempt
Cairo, EgyptReuters Tensions between Sudan’s military and civilian politicians reached a low point on Sunday in the wake of an attempted coup last week with senior officials calling on the public to prepare for protests over the withdrawal of official security details. The deteriorating relations have put the fragile transition to democratic civilian rule in […]
La Palma’s airport reopens but no flights as volcano still erupting
La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain Reuters The airport on the Spanish island of La Palma reopened on Sunday although all flights were cancelled as the volcano spewed lava and emitted ash clouds over the surrounding area a week after it began erupting. People used umbrellas to protect themselves from falling volcanic cash, while the airport’s […]
Preparing for a different future: After Ida, US cities eye more equal resilience plans
DAVID SHERFINSKI, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how US cities are scrambling to prepare for the next climate-fueled storm…
Poll numbers down, US Supreme Court justices say they aren’t politicians
Washington DC, USAP Three US Supreme Court justices delivered the same plea in rapid succession in recent days: Don’t view justices as politicians. The justices have reason to be concerned. Recent polls show a sharp drop in approval of a court now dominated by conservatives. US Supreme Court Associate Clarence Thomas speaks at the University […]
Essay: The double-standard we accept
MEREDITH WRIGHT, of Baptist World Aid Australia, reflects on Australia’s “confounding” immigration policies…