Postcards: In south Lebanon town, border conflict brings fear and resignation
RIHAM ALKOUSAA, of Reuters, reports from the town of Qana, also known as Cana…
Mike Johnson, pedigreed evangelical, suggests his election as US House Speaker ordained by God
Washington DC, USRNS After weeks of turmoil, House Republicans elected Representative. Mike Johnson on Wednesday as the new speaker of the House, an act the Louisiana congressman suggested was ordained by God. “I believe that Scripture, the Bible, is very clear: that God is the one who raises up those in authority,” Johnson said in […]
Seoul tests crowd safety plan ahead of anniversary of deadly Halloween crush
Seoul, South KoreaReuters A knot of people jostled and shoved each other on Wednesday in a narrow alleyway in Seoul, before filing patiently past a barricade of police officers in a crowd control drill held ahead of the one-year anniversary of a deadly Halloween crush. The exercise, showcasing an AI-backed network of nearly 1,000 closed-circuit […]
Pope’s big synod on church future produces first document, but differences remain over role of women
Rome, ItalyAP Pope Francis’ big meeting on the future of the Catholic Church headed into its final stretch Wednesday, with differences over the role of women still dividing the assembly even as it produced its first document after a month of debate. The Vatican released a letter from the 364-member synod, or meeting, to rank-and-file faithful, updating […]
Venezuela launches criminal investigation into opposition’s presidential primary
Caracas, VenezuelaReuters Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek Saab said on Wednesday his office has launched a criminal investigation into the opposition’s weekend presidential primary, potentially risking the wrath of the US which has relaxed some sanctions on pledges of a free and fair election. The government has decried alleged fraud since the Sunday vote, organized without […]
Sudan army, paramilitary RSF to return to negotiations
Cairo, Egypt/Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters Sudan’s army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces said they will return to the US and Saudi-convened negotiations in Jeddah on Thursday, as a six-month war has taken its toll on the country and on both forces. The Sudanese army on Wednesday accepted the invitation as “negotiations are one of the […]
Russia passes law pulling ratification of nuclear test ban treaty
Reuters Russia’s parliament completed the passage of a law on Wednesday withdrawing ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests, evidence of the deep chill in relations with the United States as Moscow pursues its war in Ukraine. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia was not prepared to resume discussing nuclear issues with […]
Israel bombards Gaza, prepares invasion as Biden urges “path to peace”
Gaza/JerusalemReuters Israel is preparing a ground invasion of Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday while Israeli shelling killed more Palestinian civilians and international pressure grew to deliver aid and to safeguard hostages held by Hamas. US President Joe Biden, in remarks looking beyond the war that broke out with an 7th October attack […]
Australian court finds Carnival misled about cruise’s COVID risks in landmark ruling
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Carnival Corp’s Australian unit has been ordered to pay the medical expenses of a woman who contracted COVID-19, with a judge ruling that the cruise ship operator misled passengers about safety risks in a landmark class action ruling. The decision from Australia’s Federal Court is the first class action win against a cruise […]
US military steps up Middle East surveillance as threats to troops grow
Washington DC, USReuters The US military is taking new steps to protect its troops in the Middle East as concerns mount about attacks by Iran-backed groups, and it is leaving open the possibility of evacuations of military families if needed, officials tell Reuters. The measures include increasing US military patrols, restricting access to base facilities […]