Sudanese protesters released after weeks-long detention
Khartoum, SudanReuters Sudan has released 115 of some 135 anti-coup protesters who had been held for weeks, a UN official said on Thursday, following pressure from lawyers, families and the international community. The detainees are part of a protest movement against an 25th October coup that has persisted despite security crackdowns killing 82 and wound […]
Sight-Seeing: I forgive Pope Benedict. I hope others can too.
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE writes that he sees Benedict as a holy but flawed individual who did the best he was capable of…
“Pray for Ukraine”: Christian leaders call for peace and God’s protection
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, faith leaders around the world have prayed for peace and asked God to watch over civilians. BOB SMIETANA, of Religion News Service, reports…
Russia cracks down on home front as its troops invade Ukraine
Moscow, RussiaReuters Police on Thursday detained more than 1,600 Russians who protested against Russia’s multi-pronged military operation in Ukraine, while authorities threatened to block media reports that contain what Moscow described as “false information”. In acts of cautious, but unusual dissent, Russian pop stars, journalists, a television comedian and a footballer opposed the war online […]
“I don’t know what to do”: fleeing Ukrainians start arriving in central Europe
Medyka, Poland/Bucharest, RomaniaReuters Thousands of Ukrainians fleeing war with Russia started arriving in neighbouring central European countries on Thursday and the region braced for many more, setting up reception points and sending troops towards the borders to provide assistance. The countries on the European Union’s eastern flank were all once part of the Moscow-led Warsaw […]
“There is still time” – The Vatican assesses its influence as war breaks out in Ukraine.
Vatican CityRNS As the threat of war looms once again over Europe, the Vatican weighs its options to promote dialogue and peace, starting with its ecumenical relations with the split Orthodox Church. Despite the sudden outbreak of violence across Ukraine, the Vatican said in a statement on Thursday that “there is still time” for negotiation […]
Moscow Patriarch Kirill, Ukrainian Orthodox leaders issue calls for peace
Vatican CityRNS Addressing the faithful on Thursday, prelates associated with a Moscow-linked subset of Orthodox Christianity issued statements lamenting the suffering caused by the ongoing attack against Ukraine by Russian forces and calling for peace. Speaking to members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church who answer to the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev called the […]
Ukraine under full-scale attack; West unites to sanction Russia
Kyiv/Mariupol, UkraineReuters Ukrainian forces battled Russian invaders on three sides on Thursday after Moscow mounted an assault by land, sea and air in the biggest attack on a European state since World War II, prompting tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. After Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war in a pre-dawn televised […]
Updated: Russia invades Ukraine in Europe’s ‘darkest hours’ since World War II
Last updated: 10:30pm (AEDT)Kyiv/Outside Maiupol, UkraineReuters Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday, confirming the worst fears of the West with the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War II Russian missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine reported columns of troops pouring across its borders […]
Some Kyiv residents try to flee, others stock up after Russia attacks
Kyiv, UkraineReuters A huge traffic jam blocked a major road out of Kyiv on Thursday as people tried to flee the capital after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, while others stood in long lines hoping to draw money and stock up on supplies. Cars drive towards the exit of the city after Russian President Vladimir Putin […]