Former economy tsar Cardinal Pell warns the Vatican is facing major deficit
Vatican CityRNS Former Vatican economy tsar Cardinal George Pell warns in a new book that the Catholic institution is facing a growing deficit, but he hopes financial reform efforts have put a stop to money laundering in the small city-state. Pell’s newest book, Prison Journal, Volume 3: The High Court Frees an Innocent Man, was […]
Defence in Vatican financial trial demands to see Pope’s testimony
Vatican CityRNS Lawyers defending those accused of defrauding the Vatican in a $US400 million real estate investment asked judges on Wednesday to release written transcripts of Pope Francis’ statements on the deal, alleging that prosecutors’ use of the pontiff’s statements may have influenced another witness in the case. From the start of the trial in […]
Australian koalas line up for chlamydia vaccine in new trial
Melbourne, AustraliaReuters About 400 Australian koalas will be vaccinated against chlamydia as part of a trial that researchers say they hope could play a significant role in the longer-term survival of the animals. Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease also found in humans, has spread widely among Australian koalas, affecting half the animals in some areas. […]
Main suspect tells Paris attacks trial he’s ‘an Islamic State soldier’
Paris, FranceReuters The main suspect in a jihadist rampage that killed 130 people across Paris described himself defiantly as “an Islamic State soldier” and shouted at the top judge on Wednesday at the start of a trial into the 2015 attacks. Salah Abdeslam, 31, is believed to be the only surviving member of the group […]
AME Zion leader Staccato Powell removed as bishop after facing financial accusations
RNS A prominent African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church leader has been removed from the ranks of bishop after being found guilty in a church trial for mishandling millions of dollars in transactions related to congregations. Staccato Powell, who was the bishop of the denomination’s Western Episcopal District, had been suspended until the time of his […]
Vatican real estate deal trial gets underway with defence on the attack
Vatican CityRNS A dull silence filled the room when Cardinal Angelo Becciu, shoulders hunched and eyebrows furrowed, walked in for the first day of a historic Vatican trial, in which he is one of 10 facing a wide range of charges for their part in a real estate deal using Catholic Church funds. Becciu is […]
Historic Vatican trial may change Catholic Church’s finances forever
Vatican CityReuters A landmark fraud trial of 10 people including a cardinal begins in the Vatican on Tuesday in what officials hope will be a turning point in its financial credibility and show that no-one is above the law. The headliner at the trial is Cardinal Angelo Becciu, 73, formerly a senior official in the […]
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi goes on trial
Reuters Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi went on trial on Monday, appearing unwell as the first witnesses took the stand in cases against her of illegally possessing walkie-talkie radios and breaking coronavirus protocols, her lawyer said. Suu Kyi, 75, faces a slew of charges since being overthrown by the army in a 1st […]
Names of victims read aloud at murder trial over doomed flight MH17
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsReuters Relatives sat listening with bowed heads and eyes closed as the names of all 298 victims of a missile strike on a Malaysian airliner were read out in a Dutch court on Monday as the murder trial of four fugitive defendants began. Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 was hit by a surface-to-air missile […]
Democrats use words of Trump allies against him in impeachment trial
Washington, DCReuters Democrats on Thursday pressed their case at US President Donald Trump’s Senate trial for removing him from office by using the words of his own allies against him to make the point that his actions constituted impeachment offences, but his fellow Republicans showed no signs of turning against him. The Democratic House of […]