Henry Blackaby, US author of ‘Experiencing God’, has died at age 88
United States RNS Henry Blackaby, a pastor and author whose Experiencing God Bible study sold more than eight million copies, has died at age 88. “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Henry Blackaby,” Ben Mandrell, president of Lifeway Christian Resources, Blackaby’s longtime publisher, said in announcing the author’s death on Saturday. Henry Blackaby. […]
Syria allows UN to keep delivering aid from Turkey
Washington DC, US Reuters Syria has extended permission for the United Nations to deliver aid to opposition-held areas in the north-west of the country via two Turkish border crossings for another three months, said Syria’s UN envoy. Humanitarian aid is prepared to be delivered to Syria, in the town of Ramtha, Jordan, on 2nd July, […]
Myanmar junta enforces mandatory military service for young people
Reuters Myanmar’s junta made military service mandatory for all young men and women, state media said, as it struggles to contain armed rebel forces fighting for greater autonomy in various parts of the country. All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 must serve for up to two years, while specialists […]
Three dead in Senegal protests over delayed presidential election
Dakar, Senegal Reuters The death toll amid protests in Senegal over the postponement of the presidential election until December has climbed to three, as concerns grow that one of the remaining democracies in coup-hit West Africa is under threat. The announcement of the delay just three weeks ahead of the planned on 25th February vote […]
Centre-right’s Stubb wins close-fought Finnish presidential election
Helsinki, Finland Reuters Alexander Stubb of the centre-right National Coalition Party narrowly won Finland’s presidential election on Sunday, defeating liberal Green Party member Pekka Haavisto, who conceded defeat. Stubb is pro-European and a strong supporter of Ukraine who has taken a tough stance towards Russia. National Coalition Party presidential candidate Alexander Stubb reacts to the […]
Woman firing long gun in Joel Osteen’s church killed by two off-duty officers; young boy with her hurt
Houston, US AP A woman in a trenchcoat opened fire with a long gun inside celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Texas before being gunned down by two off-duty officers who confronted her, sending worshippers rushing from the building between busy Sunday services, authorities said. The woman entered the Houston church with a five-year-old boy […]
Nicaragua: Crackdown on Catholic Church spreads fear among the faithful, there and in exile
GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO, of Associated Press, reports on the ongoing impact of President Daniel Ortega’s crackdown on churches in Nicaragua…
Celebration of lay Catholics of Sant’Egidio highlights group’s growing influence
Vatican City RNS A crowd that included both Vatican dignitaries and the disabled and vulnerable gathered in Rome’s Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls on Thursday to celebrate the 56th anniversary of the lay Catholic movement of Sant’Egidio, considered Pope Francis’ favorite movement and a key player in the pontiff’s foreign diplomacy efforts. Beneath the massive […]
Essay: From church to the mosque, faith and friends help Iowa’s African immigrants and refugees build a sense of home
Social scientists OSAMAMEN OBA EDUVIERE and BRADY G’SELL, of the University of Iowa, explain – in an article first published on The Conversation – detail the findings of the Homebuilding in the Heartland research project…
Western officials criticise Trump’s NATO comments
Paris, France Reuters Top western officials criticised former president Donald Trump on Sunday after he suggested the US might not protect NATO allies who aren’t spending enough on defence from a potential Russian invasion. “Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts […]