Ukraine wages counter-offensive against Russian forces in east
Kyiv/Bezruky, Ukraine Reuters Ukrainian forces have launched a counter-offensive near the Russian-held town of Izium in eastern Ukraine, a regional governor said on Saturday, in what could prove a serious setback for Moscow’s plans to capture the entire Donbas region. Russian forces have focused much of their firepower on the Donbas in a “second phase” […]
North Korea’s Kim says COVID “great turmoil”, 21 new deaths reported
Seoul, South KoreaReuters North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Saturday that the spread of COVID-19 had thrust his country into “great turmoil” and called for an all-out battle to overcome the outbreak, while 21 new daily deaths were reported among people with fever. North Korea made an unprecedented admission of its first COVID […]
In the US, Louisiana justices toss COVID-related charges against pastor
New Orleans, USAP The Louisiana Supreme Court threw out charges Friday against a pastor who flouted restrictions on gatherings early in the coronavirus pandemic, ruling five-to-two that the governor’s executive orders violated freedom of religion. “This is a tremendous win for religious civil liberties and it has vindicated us in our…battle with the Governor trying to close […]
Ukraine begins first war crimes trial of Russian soldier
Kyiv, UkraineReuters A Ukrainian court held a preliminary hearing on Friday in the first war crimes trial arising from Russia’s 24th February invasion, after charging a captured Russian soldier with the murder of a 62-year-old civilian. The case is of huge symbolic importance for Ukraine. The Kyiv government has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality […]
Japan’s Okinawa may be on the front lines again as it marks anniversary of US handover
Miyako Island, JapanReuters Seihan Nakazato wants the missile trucks on the base next to his melon farm to leave, but few others on Okinawa’s Miyako island, he complains, are demanding that Japan’s army remove such weapons, which he says would make them a target for China. “We are a small community and there are lots […]
Behind blast walls, Somali parliament to choose new president
Mogadishu, SomaliaReuters Two former presidents will face off against the incumbent in Somalia’s long-delayed presidential vote on Sunday behind blast walls to protect lawmakers from Islamist attacks and meddling by factions within the security services. President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed is among 39 candidates seeking the top post, to be chosen by parliamentarians in an airport […]
Pope to visit Canada to apologise for Indigenous abuses
Vatican CityAP Pope Francis, who has been using a wheelchair because of a bad knee, is going ahead with plans to visit Canada this summer so he can apologize in person for abuse suffered by Indigenous people at the hands of the Catholic church. The Vatican on Friday announced that Francis will head to Canada on 24th […]
US Supreme Court leak: Some Catholic abortion foes are uneasy about overturning Roe
DAVID CRARY, of Associated Press, reports on Catholic responses to the leaked US Supreme Court draft opening which suggests a majority of the nine justices are poised to reverse the 1973 Roe v Wade decision…
Tuvalu, sinking in the Pacific, fears becoming a superpower “pawn”
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Tuvalu fears that climate change, an existential threat to the Pacific nation, is being forgotten and it worries that fellow island nations could become “pawns” in a global competition between China and the United States, its foreign minister said. Simon Kofe told Reuters the superpower competition was a concern, distracting attention from climate […]