Europe agrees emergency gas curbs, Kyiv says Russia supply curbs are “price terror”
Brussels, BelgiumReuters European Union countries bracing for further cuts in Russian gas supply on Tuesday approved a weakened emergency plan to curb demand, after striking compromise deals to limit reductions for some countries. Europe faces a tighter gas squeeze from Wednesday, when Russia’s Gazprom has said it would cut flows through the Nord Stream 1 […]
At Mass in Canada, Pope praises Indigenous reverence for elders
Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaReuters Pope Francis on Tuesday praised the Indigenous tradition of showing great respect for elders and learning from them, saying their memory must not be lost in modern society’s “fog of forgetfulness”. Francis is on a week-long tour of Canada to apologise for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in running residential schools that […]
Myanmar defends executions as “justice for the people” as condemnation grows
Reuters Myanmar’s ruling military on Tuesday defended its execution of four democracy activists as “justice for the people”, brushing off a deluge of international condemnation including from its closest neighbours. The military, which seized power in a coup last year, announced on Monday it had executed the activists for aiding “terror acts” by a civilian […]
In Australia, rugby league players refuse to play NRL game in pride jersey
Sydney, AustraliaAP Seven Manly Sea Eagles players have withdrawn from a National Rugby League match in Australia because they’re unwilling to wear their club’s inclusion jersey. The jersey has rainbow stripes and a rainbow collar – in place of the regular white sections – to support LGBTQ inclusion in sports, and the club plans to […]
Pope has fun, security frets, as pontiff takes wheelchair detour
Edmonton, Alberta Reuters Pope Francis had some fun on Monday and made Canadian security sweat when he asked a Vatican aide to push his wheelchair close to people waiting outside a church instead of going to his car as planned. Francis had just finished a visit to the Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples […]
Books: A simple explanation of the Gospel
DAVID ADAMS looks at a new resource to introduce people to the Gospel…
Senegalese island keeps coastal erosion at bay with stakes in the sand
Diogue Island, Senegal Reuters Simple wooden structures padded with coconut tree fronds are helping residents of Diogue island in southern Senegal to win back stretches of sandy beach from the Atlantic swells that threaten much of the West African coast. In some areas, half-submerged tree stumps and crumbling abandoned buildings show the impact of the […]
Clear and present danger: Jellyfish swarm Israel’s coast
Haifa, IsraelReuters Ghostly swarms of jellyfish along Israel’s coast have banished summer bathers from the Mediterranean waters and raised warnings about the dangers of ecological imbalance due to climate change. Beyond stinging swimmers and costing the country some $US10 million a year in lost tourism, the translucent invertebrates have also been clogging desalination plants and […]
Russian gas cut to Europe hits economic hopes after Ukraine grain deal
Kyiv, UkraineReuters Russia will cut gas supplies to Europe once again in a blow to countries that have supported Ukraine, just as there was hope that economic pressures could ease this week with the resumption of Black Sea grain exports. The first ships from Ukraine may set sail in days under a deal agreed on […]
Cutting across everything
I was watching a TV series set in the 1900s. Having enjoyed unanticipated success, season four had to suddenly deal with the reality of a World War. PICTURE: Alin Luna/Unsplash The main storyline had to give way to bigger global events, and you could tell the writers were struggling to make the impact of the […]