Kremlin critic jailed in treason case for 25 years in harshest verdict of Putin era
Moscow, Russia Reuters Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza was jailed for 25 years by a Moscow court on Monday, the harshest sentence of its kind since Russia invaded Ukraine, after being convicted of treason and other offences in a trial he said was politically-motivated. Kara-Murza, 41, a father of three and an opposition politician who holds […]
Saudi Arabia unilaterally releases detainees to Yemen amid peace push
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters Saudi Arabia on Monday released 104 detainees to Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross and a Saudi-led coalition said, in a unilateral move that follows simultaneous detainee exchanges between Yemen’s warring parties. The military coalition, which intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Iran-aligned Houthis ousted the government from […]
Sudan rival forces battle in capital as UN sees little prospect for mediation now
Khartoum, Sudan Reuters Sudan’s battling factions both claimed to have made gains on Monday as continued violence cut power and water in the capital, and the UN envoy to Sudan said the two sides showed no signs of being willing to negotiate. The rupture between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed […]
Hong Kong bishop visits Beijing on historic trip
Hong Kong, ChinaAP Hong Kong’s Roman Catholic bishop arrived in Beijing on Monday, marking the first visit to the Chinese capital by the city’s bishop in nearly three decades, despite signs of Sino-Vatican strains. The five-day trip by Bishop Stephen Chow began about two weeks after Vatican News, the news portal of the Holy See, […]
FARC dissident group says to start peace talks with Colombian government in May
Bogota, ColombiaReuters Dissident FARC rebels who rejected a landmark peace agreement in 2016 said on Sunday they are ready to set up a dialogue with the government on 16th May to begin peace talks to bring their group, the Estado Mayor Central, out of the armed conflict. Leftist President Gustavo Petro – a former member […]
Myanmar’s junta pardons over 3,000 prisoners for New Year – statement
Reuters Myanmar’s junta released 3,113 prisoners, including 98 foreigners, to mark the country’s traditional New Year on Monday, according to a statement from the military government published on pro-military Telegram channels. The military-led government has jailed thousands of opponents and pro-democracy activists since it seized power in 2021 and brutally put down protests, drawing global […]
“Era has passed” as Beijing subway drops mandatory COVID mask rule
Beijing, China Reuters Beijing’s subway has dropped mandatory mask requirements for travellers, local media reported on Sunday, days after a Chinese health expert said the threat of COVID-19 to humans is no longer at a serious level. The mask move is in line with broader measures by China, which said last week it was now […]
Forty dead in attack on army and volunteers in north Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Reuters Unidentified assailants killed 40 people and wounded 33 others in an attack on the army and volunteer defence forces in northern Burkina Faso, the government said in a statement on Sunday. The attack took place on Saturday in the village of Aorema near the town of Ouahigouya in the North Region, […]
The Interview: Donald Lawrence on taking the legacy of Gospel music mentor Edwin Hawkins abroad
ADELLE M BANKS, of Religion News Service, speaks to choirmaster, conductor and music producer Donald Lawrence…
G7 ministers set big new targets for solar and wind capacity
Sapporo, JapanReuters The Group of Seven rich nations on Sunday set big new collective targets for solar power and offshore wind capacity, agreeing to speed up renewable energy development and move toward a quicker phase-out of fossil fuels. But they stopped short of endorsing a 2030 deadline for phasing out coal that Canada and other […]