This Life: Finding inexplicable joy
SAMANTHA ELLEY writes about how God can bring joy even in tough times…
Activists urge Tesla to close new Xinjiang showroom
Beijing, ChinaAP American activists are appealing to Tesla Inc to close a new showroom in China’s north-western region of Xinjiang, where officials are accused of abuses against mostly Muslim ethnic minorities. Tesla on Friday announced the opening of its showroom in Urumqi, the Xinjiang capital, and said on its Chinese social media account, “Let’s start […]
Returned North Korea defector struggled to resettle in South, lived meagre life
Seoul, South KoreaReuters A former North Korean defector who made a risky and rare cross-border return home last week had struggled in South Korea, officials and media reports said on Tuesday, sparking fresh debate over how such defectors are treated in their new lives. South Korea’s military identified the man who crossed the heavily armed […]
South Africa parliament blaze contained; National Assembly “completely destroyed”
Cape Town, South AfricaReuters Authorities said on Tuesday they had finally contained a suspected arson fire at South Africa’s parliament building after a second-day flare-up that completely destroyed the lower house National Assembly chamber. A 49-year-old man accused of setting the fire appeared in court to face five charges including arson and possession of an […]
Canada reaches agreement to compensate Indigenous children taken from families
Toronto, CanadaReuters Canada announced on Tuesday two agreements totalling $C40 billion to compensate First Nations children who were taken from their families and put into the child welfare system and to reform the system that removed them and deprived them of services they needed. The agreements include $C20 billion for potentially hundreds of thousands of […]
New blaze at South Africa’s parliament brought under control – officials
Cape Town, South AfricaReuters A new blaze at the complex housing South Africa’s parliament in Cape Town was brought under control overnight, city officials said on Tuesday, as a suspect arrested in connection with the fire was due to appear in court. An initial fire on Sunday caused the roof of the New Wing housing […]
Hong Kong leader says she cannot accept claims press freedom faces “extinction”
Hong Kong, ChinaReuters Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday she could not accept suggestions that press freedom in the city faces “extinction”, just days after police raided an online media outlet and arrested seven people including senior editors. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks at a news conference in Beijing, China, on […]
Afghanistan’s blue mountain lakes deserted as tourists stay away
Bamiyan, AfghanistanReuters The winter landscape around the deep, blue mountain lakes of Band-e-Amir in the central Afghan province of Bamiyan presents an arresting spectacle empty of people – but the absence of visitors is costing locals dearly. General view of Band-e Amir river in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, on 23rd December, 2021. PICTURE: Reuters/Ali Khara After two […]
Russia, China, Britain, US and France say no-one can win nuclear war
Moscow, Russia/Washington DC, USReuters China, Russia, Britain, the United States and France have agreed that a further spread of nuclear arms and a nuclear war should be avoided, according to a joint statement by the five nuclear powers published by the Kremlin on Monday. It said that the five countries – which are the permanent […]
Mexico asylum applications nearly double in 2021, Haitians top list
Mexico City, MexicoReuters The number of asylum applications in Mexico nearly doubled in 2021, the head of the country’s commission for refugee assistance said on Monday, with most applications being from Haitian and Honduran migrants. When compared to the previous year, the 131,448 applications mark an increase of 86.84 per cent, according to the Mexican […]