Defying Vatican, Flemish bishops allow blessing same-sex unions
Vatican City Reuters Flemish Roman Catholic bishops on Tuesday issued a document effectively allowing the blessing of same-sex unions, in direct defiance of a ruling against such practices by the Vatican’s doctrinal office. The document published on the website of the Bishops’ Conference of Belgium suggested a ritual that included a prayer and a benediction […]
Ukraine, West denounce Russian referendum plans for occupied regions
Kyiv, UkraineReuters Russian-installed leaders in occupied areas of four Ukrainian regions on Tuesday set out plans for referendums on joining Russia, a challenge to the West that could sharply escalate the war and sparked condemnation from Ukraine and its allies. “The Russians can do whatever they want. It will not change anything,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister […]
Hurricane Fiona slams Turks and Caicos as Category 3 storm
San Juan, Puerto Rico/Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Reuters Hurricane Fiona bore down on Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday as a powerful Category 3 storm, slamming the Caribbean archipelago with heavy rains and life-threatening flooding after cutting a path of destruction through the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. US officials said on Tuesday the storm […]
As national mourning period ends, 250,000 viewed Queen’s lying-in-state
London, UKReuters Some 250,000 mourners filed past Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin at Westminster Hall in London during her lying-in-state, the government said on Tuesday, as the nation’s mourning period ended. On Monday, the world’s gaze had fallen on London as the Queen was laid to rest after her 70-year reign in a dazzling show of […]
Pakistan flood-borne diseases toll rises to 318
Karachi, Pakistan Reuters At least nine people died on Monday of infectious and water-borne diseases that have attacked tens of thousands of people in flood-hit Pakistan, government data showed, taking the toll from such causes to 318. The death toll from the deluge itself has touched 1,559, including 551 children and 318 women, which does […]
Memes flood social media as anxious Mexicans process eerily timed earthquake
Mexico City Reuters It did not take long for the memes to start in Mexico, offering a needed bit of levity on Monday after a powerful quake left buildings and people shaken on the anniversary of two of the country’s most devastating earthquakes. On WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and beyond, anxious Mexicans found humour in the […]
Can Britain’s King Charles fill his treasured mother’s shoes?
London, UKReuters Teenager Olivia Burch waited for hours in a queue with other mourners to pay a final tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as her body lay in state. But despite that devotion, she thought Britain should no longer have a monarchy. “I think it’s gone. It’s too traditional and old-fashioned, and I don’t think […]
Egypt’s ancient ‘Tree of the Virgin Mary’ reopens to visitors
Reuters Visitors to Egypt can once again stop by the historic ‘Tree of the Virgin Mary’ in Cairo’s Matariya district, a place where believers say the Holy Family passed during their journey through Egypt from Judea. The tourist attraction and religious site underwent renovations in 2019, and the tree’s sprawling limbs now have supportive pillars […]
Five killed in Iran during protests over death in custody – rights group
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters Five people were killed in Iran’s Kurdish region on Monday when security forces opened fire during protests over the death of a woman in police custody, a Kurdish rights group said, on a third day of turmoil over an incident that has ignited nationwide anger. Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old from Iran’s […]
Balance
I’m not strongly on any political side. I see good (and evil) on all sides. I’ve voted for most. I think it’s good that we change parties in charge now and then. I think it brings balance and accountability to politics. Inside Australia’s House of Representatives. PICTURE: Aditya Joshi/Unsplash What I am a huge supporter […]