Russia tests nuclear-capable missile that Putin calls best in world
London, UKReuters In a show of strength two months into its assault on Ukraine, Russia test-launched a new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile which President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday would make Moscow’s enemies stop and think. Putin was shown on TV being told by the military that the long-awaited Sarmat missile had been test-launched for […]
Head of Ukraine’s Orthodox church asks faithful to forgo night Easter services
Reuters The head of Ukraine’s Orthodox church asked clergy and the faithful on Wednesday to forgo night Easter services in areas of the country affected by fighting, fearing Russian bombardments will continue during the Orthodox Easter period. Metropolitan Epifaniy, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, takes part in a memorial service for Ukrainian servicemen […]
Ukraine seeks Mariupol evacuation talks after surrender-or-die ultimatum expires
Reuters Ukraine proposed talks with Moscow over evacuating troops and civilians from Mariupol after a Russian surrender-or-die ultimatum expired on Wednesday, leaving many trapped at a steel plant, the last main stronghold of resistance. A few dozen civilians managed to leave the strategically important south-eastern port in a small bus convoy, according to Reuters witnesses, […]
Fires then floods: Argentina province under water months after blazes
Corrientes, Argentina Reuters Argentina’s north-eastern province of Corrientes has been hit by widespread floods, leaving cattle fields under water and inundating roadways, just months after widespread wildfires ripped through the region and burned important wetlands. The floods began in the last week after torrential rains for about seven days, mainly in the towns of San […]
Lithuania bans using letter ‘Z’ in protest over Russia’s war in Ukraine
Vilnius, Lithuania Reuters Lithuania’s parliament on Tuesday voted to ban public displays of the letter “Z”, the black and orange ribbon of St George, and other symbols seen as expressing support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russian military vehicles in Ukraine are prominently marked with the letter “Z”, and it has started appearing on social […]
More than 500 Rohingya flee Malaysian detention, six die on highway
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia AP More than 500 Rohingya refugees escaped from detention in Malaysia early Wednesday following a protest but most have been rearrested, immigration officials said. The Immigration Department said 528 Rohingya fled after breaking a block door and barrier grill at a temporary detention centre in northern Penang state. Police and other agencies […]
StrangeSights: The first kebab in space?; woodpecker attacks world’s largest hockey stick; and honouring Waldi…
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
In northern Mexico, authorities search for missing women amid spate of disappearances
Monterrey, MexicoReuters More than two dozen women and girls have disappeared so far this year in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, sparking frantic searches among residents who hope their loved ones have not become the latest victims of endemic gender violence. On Tuesday, Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel Garcia said that 26 women and […]
Egypt refers man accused of killing Coptic priest to trial
Cairo, Egypt AP Egyptian prosecutors Tuesday referred a man to trial for allegedly stabbing to death a Coptic Christian priest in an attack that shocked the Arab World’s most populous country. The public prosecution said in a statement the suspect was accused of killing the priest earlier this month at the popular seaside promenade in the […]
Dede Robertson, wife of US religious broadcaster, dies at 94
Norfolk, Virginia, USAP Dede Robertson, the wife of religious broadcaster Pat Robertson and a founding board member of the Christian Broadcasting Network, died Tuesday at her home in Virginia Beach, the network said in a statement. Robertson was 94. The statement did not provide her cause of death. Former Republican presidential hopeful Pat Robertson gives […]