Japan earthquake deaths top 100, with hundreds missing
Wajima, Japan Reuters Japan’s death toll from the New Year’s Day earthquake reached 110 on Saturday as a search for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings entered a sixth day, with more than 200 still missing after the deadliest quake in nearly eight years. The quake of magnitude 7.6 struck the west coast, destroying […]
Japan faces “battle against time” to rescue New Year’s Day quake survivors
Tokyo, JapanReuters At least eight people have died in an earthquake that struck Japan on New Year’s Day as authorities on Tuesday struggled to assess the full extent of a disaster that wrecked buildings and roads and left thousands without power in freezing temperatures. The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck in the […]
Ukraine weighs heavy on minds in Moscow as New Year holiday nears
Moscow, RussiaReuters The Christmas markets are in full swing and gleaming ice sculptures greet visitors to Gorky Park, but some Muscovites admit they are struggling to feel festive ahead of traditional New Year celebrations. In street interviews in the centre of the capital, some also said they were noticing the scarcity of Western goods this […]
Pope pushes through nerve pain to give New Year’s blessing
Vatican CityAP Pope Francis ushered in the New Year on Friday with a traditional Angelus blessing from the papal library, pushing through nerve pain that forced him to skip New Year’s ceremonies in St Peter’s Basilica. The Pope appeared relaxed as he stood at a lectern in the Apostolic Palace wishing the faithful watching via […]
Pope urges people to avoid being corroded by the “banality of consumerism” in New Year’s address
Pope Francis has urged people to set aside a moment of silence each day “to be with God” and keep from being “corroded” by the “banality of consumerism”. In a New Year’s Day homily delivered at the Vatican, the leader of the world’s Roman Catholics took the silence of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as his […]
Australian prayer leaders issue global call for Christians to join in sunrise prayer relay on New Year’s Day
Prayer leaders in Australia have invited Christians around the globe to join in a “prayer relay” at sunrise on New Year’s Day. People are invited to join in prayer at sunrise in a public location like a hill, lookout or local landmark in their community where they are asked to pray the Lord’s Prayer together […]
Australian Christians invited to join in second annual sunrise prayer relay on New Year’s Day
Organisers of Australia’s National Day of Prayer and Fasting are encouraging Christians across the country to join in a New Year’s Day ‘sunrise prayer relay’. The second time the event has been held, it involves gathering in a public place – whether a hill, lookout or local landmark – and praying as sunrise takes places. The […]