Wildfires burn coastal homes, forests in Greece as Europe’s heatwave spreads east
Athens, Greece Reuters Greek firefighters battled wildfires on the island of Lesbos for a second day on Sunday as well as new fires in the western Peloponnese and in northern Greece, evacuating nearby settlements as a heatwave set in. A wildfire that started in mountainous forests on Lesbos in the Aegean Sea near Turkey on […]
Ukraine works to resume grain exports, flags Russian strikes as risk
Kyiv, UkraineReuters Ukraine pressed ahead on Sunday with efforts to restart grain exports from its Black Sea ports under a deal aimed at easing global food shortages but warned deliveries would suffer if a Russian missile strike on Odesa was a sign of more to come. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy denounced Saturday’s attack as “barbarism” that […]
At least 17 dead after boat carrying Haitian migrants capsizes in The Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas Reuters Seventeen people died after a boat carrying dozens of Haitian migrants capsized off the coast of The Bahamas, authorities said on Sunday, as more Haitians attempt to reach the United States to flee gang violence and poverty at home. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of 17 people, including an infant, and 25 […]
Pope arrives in Canada on tour of “penance” for Indigenous abuse
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Reuters Pope Francis landed in Canada on Sunday to kick off a week-long trip that will centre around his apology on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church for the abuse that Indigenous children endured at mostly church-run residential schools. “This is a trip of penance. Let’s say that is its spirit,” the […]
Pope, starting Canada trip, says he has “great desire” to visit Kyiv
Aboard the papal planeReuters Pope Francis said on Sunday he yearned to visit Ukraine, in his efforts to try and bring an end to a five-month-old war that he has repeatedly decried. “I have a great desire to go to Kyiv,” the Pope said when asked about a possible future trip to Ukraine. He was […]
USAID pledges Kenya $US255 million to fight drought, appeals to rich countries to help
Nairobi, KenyaReuters The US development agency USAID on Friday said it would give Kenya $US255 million in emergency assistance to tackle severe drought. Some 4.1 million people in the East African nation are facing acute food shortages, the government says, while the number of cases of child malnutrition has surged by half in parts of […]
Near free public transport eases congestion on Germany’s roads
Berlin, GermanyReuters Urban traffic congestion eased in the weeks after Germany made public transport almost free, data show, suggesting an experiment by Europe’s largest economy to combat its addiction to cars may be having some success. Since the beginning of June, Germany has sold a monthly ticket for €9 ($US9.21) that is valid for unlimited […]
Hundreds protest Tunisian referendum
Tunis, TunisiaReuters Hundreds of protesters gathered in central Tunis on Saturday to demonstrate against a referendum to be held on Monday on a new constitution that they reject as illegal. President Kais Saied published the draft constitution, giving himself far more powers, reducing the role of the parliament and judiciary, and removing most checks on […]
Papal trip: Indigenous Canadians wary, hopeful as Pope prepares apology
PETER SMITH, of Associated Press, on how, ahead of the papal trip this week, Indigenous Canadians are voicing a range of scepticism, wariness and hope…