Pope, in interview, skirts issue of return of occupied parts of Ukraine
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis has said an eventual return by Russia of occupied territories in Ukraine is a “political problem” to be resolved by both sides, in his first public comment on Ukraine’s request for him to back its plan demanding a total Russian withdrawal. Pope Francis meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, at the […]
Sudan army calls on ex-soldiers to re-enlist, sporadic fighting persists
Cairo, Egypt/Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters Sudan’s army called on Friday for reservists and retired soldiers to re-enlist amid a deadly conflict with a rival paramilitary and asked the United Nations to change its envoy to the country. The call to former soldiers to present themselves at their nearest military base looked aimed at strengthening the […]
Al-Shabaab attacks African peacekeepers in Somalia, big death toll feared
Mogadishu, SomaliaReuters Islamist al-Shabaab militants attacked a military base housing Ugandan forces with the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia on Friday, and a Somali army captain said both sides suffered heavy casualties. Al-Shabaab has since 2006 has been fighting to topple the Horn of Africa country’s Western-basked government and establish its own rule based […]
Ukraine shoots down 10 missiles in Russian attacks, oil depot hit
Reuters Ukraine shot down 10 missiles and over 20 drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks on the capital Kyiv, the city of Dnipro and eastern regions, Ukrainian officials said on Friday. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office said in a statement that a fire had broken out on the outskirts of the north-eastern city of Kharkiv […]
More Australian sports back Indigenous constitutional recognition
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Twenty Australian sports organisations proclaimed on Friday their backing of a referendum to constitutionally recognise Indigenous people, as the country marked “Sorry Day” when it acknowledges years of injustices to Aboriginal people. Sports including cricket, golf, motorsport, netball and badminton pledged support for a proposed “Voice to Parliament”, a consultative committee that would […]
Snapshot: Beach at Punta Cana, Domenican Republic
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Soundbite – The TCM Update: Planetshakers’ ‘The Rock’ and Svrcina’s ‘Something Beautiful’…
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Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in US state of Illinois raising funds to repair arson damage
United StatesRNS The Roman Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Illinois, regarded as the most visited monument of its kind in the United States, is asking for donations after its outdoor chapel was set on fire early on Tuesday. Several statues, art pieces and the outdoor Chapel of the Resurrected Christ, also known […]
Storm fells Sierra Leone’s historic cotton tree, a symbol of freedom
Freetown, Sierra LeoneReuters A giant tree that towered over Sierra Leone’s capital for centuries and symbolised freedom to its early residents crashed down overnight during a heavy rainstorm. President Julius Maada Bio called the toppling of the famed tree “a great loss to the nation” as crowds gathered to look at the wrecked trunk. An […]
Cuba says no quick fix as economic crisis drags on
Havana, CubaReuters There is no quick fix for Cuba’s sputtering economy, its economy minister said on Thursday, as inflation, fuel shortages, plunging farm production and a cash crunch drag on output and continue to fan discontent in the communist-run island nation. People buy vegetables on the street in downtown Havana, Cuba, on 30th November, 2022. […]