In Uganda, clergy commend government, health workers for ending Ebola
Kampala, Uganda Catholic and Anglican bishops in Uganda have hailed government, health care providers and the public for their role in fighting and ending the Ebola outbreak in the country. The bishops made the remarks in their Christmas message to Christians. “We need to thank the government and health workers for working tirelessly to control […]
Tears, prayers and hopes as flights to Ethiopia’s war-torn Tigray resume
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Reuters Kahssay Hailu sobbed, smiled and said prayers as she stood outside Addis Ababa airport, preparing to board a plane home to Ethiopia’s war-torn region of Tigray. She travelled to Addis Ababa in 2020 from the Tigray capital Mekelle to help her daughter prepare for a school exam. Weeks after her arrival, […]
Philippines hunts for 26 still missing after weekend weather disaster
Manila, PhilippinesReuters Rescue teams across nine provinces in the Philippines raced on Wednesday to try to locate 26 people missing after weekend rains, floods and landslides that have killed at least 25 people, in one of its deadliest weather events this year. The national disaster agency on Wednesday said casualties reported so far had increased […]
Former Pope Benedict “very sick”, Pope Francis calls for prayers
Vatican City Reuters Former Pope Benedict, a hero to conservative Catholics and who in 2013 became the first pontiff in 600 years to step down, is “very sick”, his successor Pope Francis said on Wednesday, asking church members to pray for him. Bishops from Europe, the United States and beyond, urged the faithful to keep […]
Russia steps up artillery attacks on liberated Kherson and eastern Ukraine
Kyiv/Bakhmut, UkraineReuters Russian forces stepped up mortar and artillery attacks on the recently liberated city of Kherson in southern Ukraine on Wednesday, Ukraine’s military said, while also exerting pressure along frontlines in the east. Russia fired 33 missiles from multiple rocket launchers at civilian targets in Kherson in the 24 hours to early Wednesday, the […]
Nigeria dance carnival helps residents reclaim the streets
Lagos, Nigeria Reuters In a street in a poor neighbourhood of Lagos, a bare-chested young man, Gift Eze, holds his screaming partner, helping calm the rage within and stop him fighting. Residents of Oworonshoki have seen their share of violence, with robberies and tit-for-tat gang murders once commonplace in this part of Nigeria’s vast, boisterous […]
Ukraine weighs heavy on minds in Moscow as New Year holiday nears
Moscow, RussiaReuters The Christmas markets are in full swing and gleaming ice sculptures greet visitors to Gorky Park, but some Muscovites admit they are struggling to feel festive ahead of traditional New Year celebrations. In street interviews in the centre of the capital, some also said they were noticing the scarcity of Western goods this […]
No immediate surge of Chinese tourists expected after re-opening
Shanghai, ChinaReuters China’s relaxation of COVID-19 rules for international arrivals has raised hopes that its multi-billion dollar travel business will soon flourish again but countries longing for the return of Chinese tourists will likely face more of a wait. China’s National Health Commission announced on Monday that inbound travellers would no longer have to go […]
Rohingya recount stories of hunger and desperation in escape to Indonesia
Pidie, Indonesia Reuters Rohingya Muslims who survived a harrowing 40 days on a boat across the Indian Ocean to end up in Indonesia have recounted stories of hunger and desperation, saying more than 20 of those on board died on the way. A boat that washed ashore in Indonesia’s Aceh province on the island of […]
Iranian woman competes at chess tournament without hijab – media reports
Dubai, United Arab Emirates Reuters An Iranian chess player has taken part in an international tournament without a hijab, according to media reports, the latest of several Iranian sportswomen to appear at competitions without one since anti-government protests began. Iran has been swept by demonstrations against the country’s clerical leadership since mid-September, when 22-year-old Iranian […]