Pope acknowledges his Russia comments were faulty
Aboard the papal plane Reuters Pope Francis acknowledged on Monday that his recent comments on Russia, seen by Ukraine as praise for imperialism, were badly phrased and said his intention was to remind young Russians of a great cultural heritage and not a political one. Speaking to reporters aboard the plane returning from Mongolia, Francis […]
Three dead, three missing after downpours in Spain cause widespread floods
Madrid, SpainReuters At least three people died and three were missing as record rainfall caused heavy flooding in central Spain, shutting roads, subway lines and high-speed train connections, authorities said on Monday. Helicopters were sent to rescue people who had sought refuge on the roofs of their homes in the Toledo area some 50 kilometres […]
Hundreds of millions of dollars pledged for African carbon credits at climate summit
Nairobi, KenyaReuters An initiative to boost Africa’s carbon credit production 19-fold by 2030 drew hundreds of millions of dollars in pledges on Monday, as Kenyan President William Ruto opened the continent’s first climate summit. In one of the most anticipated deals, investors from the United Arab Emirates committed to buying $US450 million of carbon credits […]
Gabon coup leader sworn in as interim President in scene of jubilation
Libreville Reuters The leader of a coup that ousted Gabon’s President Ali Bongo was sworn in as interim president and cheered by jubilant supporters on Monday in a televised ceremony designed to cast the military as liberators of an oppressed society. In West and Central Africa’s eighth coup in three years, army officers led by […]
Pope wraps up Mongolia trip, says church not bent on conversion
Ulaanbaatar, MongoliaReuters Pope Francis on Monday wrapped up a historic trip to Mongolia whose main purpose was to visit the miniscule Catholic community but which took on international connotations because of his overtures to its neighbour China over freedom of religion. Francis ended his five-day visit with a stop to inaugurate the House of Mercy, […]
Soundbite – TCM Update: Jonas Brothers’ release new version of Switchfoot’s ‘The Beautiful Letdown’ and Blessing Offor’s big year
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Thousands without power after Typhoon Haikui batters Taiwan
Taipei, TaiwanReuters Taiwan worked to restore power to more than 40,000 households after Typhoon Haikui barrelled into the east and south of the island, as cities and counties in the affected areas closed schools and businesses and domestic airlines cancelled flights. Haikui made landfall in the mountainous and sparsely populated far south-east of Taiwan on […]
Nobel Foundation cancels Russia, Belarus, Iran invites to annual prize awards
Stockholm, SwedenReuters The Nobel Foundation said on Saturday it would not after all invite the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to attend the Nobel Prize awards ceremony in Stockholm this year, reversing an earlier decision after widespread criticism. Pedestrians and visitors stand in front of the Nobel Prize Museum in Stortorget in the old […]
Vanuatu parliament to elect new prime minister after court appeal dismissed
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Vanuatu’s parliament will elect a new prime minister after the Pacific Island nation’s court on Monday dismissed an appeal against a decision that would remove Ishmael Kalsakau from the role. Vanuatu, at the centre of a strategic rivalry between China and Western countries in the region, was plunged into political uncertainty when Opposition […]
Madrid residents told to stay at home as torrential rain sweeps across Spain
Madrid, SpainReuters Madrid’s mayor on Sunday advised all residents to stay at home as the capital braced itself for torrential rain and storms affecting parts of Spain. National weather agency AEMET issued a maximum red alert, which means possible extreme danger, for Sunday in the Madrid region, Toledo province, and the city of Cadiz. Water […]