Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over Easter Mass and appeal for peace in Gaza and Ukraine
Updated: 8am, 1st April, 2024 (AEDT) Rome. Italy AP Pope Francis rallied from a winter-long bout of respiratory problems to lead some 60,000 people in Easter celebrations Sunday, making a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St […]
Young and old participate in Holy Week religious processions on Italy’s Procida island
Procida, Italy AP Italy is known for the religious processions that take over towns big and small throughout the year when Catholic feast days are celebrated. But even in a country where public displays of popular piety are a centuries-old tradition, Procida’s Holy Week commemorations stand out. The picturesque island in the Bay of Naples, […]
At least 7 killed and 30 injured in car blast in Syrian town near Turkish border, residents say
Amman, Jordan Reuters At least seven people were killed and thirty injured on Saturday in a car blast in a busy market place in the rebel held Syrian town Azaz near the Turkish border, residents and rescuers told Reuters. They said the blast occurred during peak late night shopping after breaking of the fast during […]
Canada’s Niagara region declares state of emergency out of caution ahead of rare eclipse
Toronto, Canada Reuters Canada’s Niagara region has proactively declared a state of emergency ahead of a rare total solar eclipse on 8th April that is expected to gather massive crowds to areas in and around the region’s popular waterfalls. The Niagara region said in a statement on Thursday that Regional Chair Jim Bradley had declared […]
Pope soldiers through Easter Vigil after missing procession
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis on Saturday soldiered through a more than two-hour Easter Vigil Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, one of the longest services in Catholic liturgy, amid renewed concerns about the 87-year-old’s frail condition. His voice at times sounded raspy and out of breath, but he read out all of his prepared texts, […]
Foreign diplomats lay flowers in memory of Russia’s concert hall attack victims; Tajikistan says migrants fleeing Russia
Moscow, Russia Reuters Ambassadors from a number of foreign countries took part in a ceremony on Saturday in memory of the victims of this month’s concert hall attack near Moscow which left dozens dead, the Russian foreign ministry’s protocol department said. Gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons at concertgoers on 22nd March in the worst […]
Ukraine power firm hit by Russian attacks warns repairs could take 18 months
Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters The head of Ukraine’s largest private energy firm, DTEK, said on Saturday that five of its six plants had been damaged or destroyed with 80 per cent of its generating capacity lost after two weeks of Russian attacks and that repairs could take up to 18 months. Russian missile and drone attacks […]
Second shipment with more than 300 tons of food for Gaza leaves Cyprus port
Larnaca, Cyprus Reuters Ships carrying 332 tons of food for Gaza left Cyprus’s Larnaca port on Saturday in a convoy which will reach the besieged enclave early next week, authorities said. It is the second shipment this month after Israel eased a 17-year naval blockade on the Gaza Strip to allow aid in from Cyprus, […]
Easter Sunday: Celebrating the risen Christ!
Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ…