Postcards: Bethlehem welcomes Christmas tourists after pandemic lull
SAM MCNEIL, of Associated Press, reports from the birthplace of Christ…
Vatican in crowdfunding campaign to send thermal underwear to Ukraine
Vatican CityReuters The Vatican on Thursday launched a crowdfunding campaign on Thursday to send thermal underwear to Ukraine to help residents survive the winter as they face power shortages amid the war with Russia. The Vatican’s charity office said in a statement that it had linked up with the Italian crowdfunding site eppela.com to raise […]
Knitted “toppers” bring Christmas cheer to UK post boxes
Norwich, UK Signs of Christmas are appearing in the most unlikely of places across the UK, raising a smile and often helping charity at the same time. Iconic red post boxes are being adorned by extremely decorative knitted or crocheted “toppers” created by individuals and local groups. These “toppers” first began appearing in small numbers […]
Thousands protest in Turkey over Istanbul mayor’s conviction
Istanbul, Turkey Reuters Thousands of people rallied in Turkey on Thursday to oppose the conviction and political ban of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, chanting slogans criticising President Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling AK Party before elections next year. A Turkish court on Wednesday sentenced Imamoglu, a popular rival to Erdogan, to two years and seven […]
“What a tragic day”: British nurses strike in bitter pay dispute
London/Belfast Reuters National Health Service nurses in Britain staged a strike on Thursday, their first ever national walkout, as a bitter dispute with the government over pay ramps up pressure on already-stretched hospitals at one of the busiest times of year. An estimated 100,000 nurses are striking at 76 hospitals and health centres, cancelling an […]
Ukraine general says Russia digging in for long war; UN rights chief warns of “serious deterioration” if strikes continue
Geneva, SwitzerlandReuters A Ukrainian general said on Thursday that Moscow was digging in for a long war and still wanted to conquer the whole of Ukraine, as Russian forces pounded two strategic cities while Kyiv’s troops shelled Russian-controlled Donetsk in the east. Both sides have ruled out a Christmas truce and there are currently no […]
Fiji’s ruling party leads provisional count after national election
Reuters The ruling Fiji First party led provisional national election results, boosted by a 31.42 per cent vote for Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, with half of polling stations counted in the Pacific island nation after Wednesday’s vote. Bainimarama, who came to power in a coup 16 years ago, is contesting his third democratic election since […]
Afghan Taliban administration, Myanmar junta not allowed into United Nations for now
United NationsReuters A decision on whether the Afghan Taliban administration and the Myanmar junta can send a United Nations ambassador to New York has been postponed for a second time, but could be reconsidered in the next nine months, according to a UN credentials committee report. The 193-member UN General Assembly is on Friday due […]
Deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado savanna hits seven-year high
Sāo Paulo, Brazil/Montreal, Canada Reuters Deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado savanna rose to a seven-year high, government data showed on Wednesday, destroying a vital habitat for threatened species and releasing huge amounts of greenhouse gases that drive climate change. Destruction of native vegetation rose 25 per cent to 10,689 square kilometers – an area larger than […]
Table Talk: A brief history of Yorkshire puddings – and why they technically shouldn’t feature in a traditional Christmas dinner
Nutritionist HAZEL FLIGHT looks, in an article first published on The Conversation, at what’s, for many, a staple on the Christmas dinner table…