Updated: Blasts near Pakistan candidates’ offices kill 26 on eve of election
Last updated: 10:50am, 8th February, 2024 (AEST) Islamabad, Pakistan Reuters Two explosions near electoral candidates’ offices in Pakistan’s south-western province of Balochistan killed 26 people and wounded dozens on Wednesday, officials said, raising concerns over security on the eve of a general election. Pakistan goes to the polls on Thursday amid rising militant attacks and […]
Israeli military opens probe into reports of 7th October friendly fire deaths
Jerusalem Reuters Israel has begun investigating possible breaches of the law by its forces during the Hamas attack on 7th October, the military said on Tuesday, following reports some Israeli civilians may have been killed by friendly fire in the fighting. The left-wing daily Haaretz said the investigation centred on an incident in Kibbutz Be’eri, […]
Jesuits in US bolster outreach initiative aimed at encouraging LGBTQ+ Catholics
New York, US AP Even as Catholic dogma continues to repudiate same-sex marriage and gender transition, one of the most prominent religious orders in the United States – the Jesuits – is strengthening a unique outreach program for LGBTQ+ Catholics. The initiative – fittingly called Outreach – was founded two years ago by Rev James […]
StrangeSights: Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast; “Ultimate” cruise passengers find minor stardom; and, Estonia’s “sweat marathon”…
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
King Charles III seen in public and Harry flies in to see him after cancer diagnosis
London, UK Reuters King Charles III smiled and waved to passers-by on Tuesday as he was seen in public for the first time since it was revealed he was suffering from a form of cancer and as his estranged younger son Prince Harry flew to Britain to see him. Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that […]
Colombia and ELN rebels extend ceasefire by six months, agree to set up fund
Bogota, Colombia/Havana, Cuba Reuters Colombia’s government and National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels have extended their bilateral ceasefire for another six months starting Tuesday, the same day they announced the creation of a fund backed by multiple donors to finance the process. An initial six-month ceasefire expired last week and was then extended by five days. […]
Three Senegal opposition lawmakers arrested after disputed vote delay
Dakar, Senegal Reuters Three Senegalese opposition lawmakers were arrested on Tuesday amid the fallout from parliament’s move to delay a presidential vote by 10 months that prompted West Africa’s economic and political bloc to call for the re-establishment of the electoral calendar. Lawmakers late on Monday approved a last-minute amendment to hold the vote on […]
Ukraine’s Donetsk region pounded by up to 2,500 Russian strikes daily – Governor
Donetsk region, Ukraine Reuters Russia is firing between 1,500 and 2,500 shells and rockets at Ukraine’s war-ravaged Donetsk region every day and is targeting critical infrastructure to make it harder for people to remain there in winter, its Governor told Reuters. The eastern province, 57 per cent of which is occupied by Russia, has been […]
Teach your children
There are some in our society who believe you shouldn’t teach religion to children – “let them learn it later when they can make up their own mind”. PICTURE: gpointstudio/iStockphoto Most people in history would think such a view is crazy. Isn’t your faith integral to who you are? Your identity? Your culture? Of course, it is! […]
Blasts in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu kill at least 10 – residents
Mogadishu, Somalia Reuters Several blasts at a popular open-air market in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu killed at least 10 people and left many others injured on Tuesday, local residents told Reuters. “I have counted 10 dead people and 15 others injured. My shop is completely destroyed. The blasts took place in four places in the centre […]