Postcards: Born in a war – Kyiv maternity hospital carries on under siege
MEHMET EMIN CALISKAN, of Reuters, reports on how new life is arriving in the midst of a conflict…
German Catholic archbishop offers resignation on return from timeout
Berlin, GermanyAP A prominent Roman Catholic archbishop who faced strong criticism for his handling of the church’s sexual abuse scandal in Germany said Wednesday that he has offered his resignation to Pope Francis following a “spiritual timeout” granted by the pontiff. Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, the Archbishop of Cologne, marked his return to work with […]
Updated: Ukraine’s second city heavily bombed as UN assembly denounces Russia
Updated: 10.40 (AEDT)Kyiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine Reuters Ukraine’s second biggest city, Kharkiv, suffered heavy bombardment on Wednesday as Russia’s week-long invasion was denounced by the United Nations in a historic vote and dozens of countries referred Moscow to be probed for potential war crimes. The biggest attack on a European state since 1945 has caused over […]
Half a million face flood evacuation as Sydney braces for more heavy rains
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australian authorities on Thursday issued fresh evacuation orders for thousands of Sydney residents after heavy rains triggered flash flooding in Australia’s largest city, with officials warning of worse to come. The country’s east coast has been battered by a severe weather system that has cut off entire towns and submerged hundreds of homes […]
A strike near Babyn Yar; but this time Ukraine’s views on Jews has changed
RNS As soon as a projectile hit Kyiv’s main radio and television tower, a short walk from the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center nearby, on Tuesday, Jews worldwide reflexively shuddered. It’s unclear if the Russians targeted the memorial centre. More likely, they were interested in knocking Kyiv’s television stations off the air. Five people were […]
Remember Ukrainians in shelters, Pope says; thanks Poland for refugee help
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis on Wednesday asked people around the world to remember Ukrainians in underground shelters seeking protection from bombardments and thanked Poland for taking in the bulk of refugees from the war. Francis spoke at his weekly general audience on Ash Wednesday, which he has declared a day of prayer and fasting for […]
UN General Assembly in historic vote denounces Russia over Ukraine invasion
United NationsReuters The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to reprimand Russia for invading Ukraine and demanded that Moscow stop fighting and withdraw its military forces, an action that aims to diplomatically isolate Russia at the world body. The resolution, supported by 141 of the assembly’s 193 members, passed in a rare emergency session […]
Charities call for Australians to donate to flood appeals as furore erupts over Federal Government’s $A4 billion emergency fund
Sydney, Australia The Salvation Army is hoping to raise $A10 million for emergency relief as devastating floods impact south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales that have claimed more than a dozen lives. Flood records have been smashed since the low pressure system hit last week, with some areas receiving 80 per cent of their annual […]
Biden predicts dark endgame for Putin in State of the Union
Washington DC, US Reuters US President Joe Biden assailed Russian President Vladimir Putin, barred Russian flights from American airspace and led Democratic and Republican lawmakers in a rare display of unity on Tuesday in a State of the Union speech dominated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Let each of us if you’re able to stand, […]
Indian student killed in Ukraine shelling, thousands of foreigners trapped
New Delhi, IndiaReuters An Indian student was killed by shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Tuesday, prompting New Delhi to step up demands for safe passage to evacuate thousands of its nationals trapped in the war zone. Invading Russian forces are trying to lay siege to Kharkiv, firing volleys of artillery that […]