US working to keep Israel, Hamas engaged in Gaza truce efforts
Cairo, Egypt Reuters Washington said it was trying to keep Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas engaged “if only virtually” in Gaza truce efforts as a UN agency warned that humanitarian aid stocks in the devastated enclave have hit “the bottom of the barrel”. Hamas said on Friday it would consult with other militant […]
Russian forces attack Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, striking on new front
Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Russian forces launched an armoured ground attack on Friday near Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv in the north-east of the country and made small inroads, opening a new front in a war that has long been waged in the east and south. Ukraine sent reinforcements as fighting raged in the border areas […]
Hong Kong court bans protest anthem, says it can be used as weapon
Hong Kong, China Reuters Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal on Wednesday granted an application by the government to ban a protest anthem called Glory to Hong Kong, overturning a lower court judgment that had rejected such a ban because of its possible “chilling effects” on free speech. The ruling comes amid what critics say is an […]
UK and allies unmask and sanction Russian leader of LockBit cybercrime gang
London, UK Reuters Britain, the US and Australia have sanctioned and unmasked a senior Russian leader of the notorious cybercrime gang LockBit, the British Government said on Tuesday. Dmitry Khoroshev will face asset freezes and travel bans after being identified as one of the leaders of LockBit, the ransomware group which has digitally extorted over […]
Putin sworn in for new term in ceremony boycotted by US
Moscow, Russia Reuters President Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a new six-year term on Tuesday at a Kremlin ceremony that was boycotted by the United States and other Western countries at which he said he was potentially open to nuclear talks with the West. Putin, in power as president or prime minister since 1999, […]
US, most EU nations to boycott Putin’s inauguration over Ukraine war
Paris, France/London, UK Reuters The United States and most European Union nations will boycott a Kremlin ceremony to swear in Vladimir Putin for a new six-year term as president on Tuesday, but France and some other EU states were expected to send an envoy despite a plea by Kyiv. The varying diplomatic response by the […]
Fate of Gaza ceasefire uncertain, Israel vows to continue Rafah operation
Updated: 11:55pm (AEST) Rafah, Gaza Strip/Cairo, Egypt/Jerusalem Reuters Palestinian militant group Hamas on Monday agreed to a Gaza ceasefire proposal from mediators, but Israel said the terms did not meet its demands and pressed ahead with strikes in Rafah while planning to continue negotiations on a deal. The developments in the seven-month-old war came as […]
US churches tied to civil rights awarded National Park Service preservation funds
United States RNS Six churches are among 39 projects being awarded grants from the US National Park Service to preserve historical examples of the civil rights activism of African Americans. The recipients of the $US23.4 million in awards include the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church Selma AL Legacy Foundation. The foundation will receive $US744,545 to help […]
“A step back in time”: America’s Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways
TIM SULLIVAN, of Associated Press, reports on the changes taking place within parts of the Catholic Church in the US…
Amid protests and police raids, US schools try to keep the peace at graduation
Reuters Ahead of the University of Michigan’s commencement on Saturday, the school has trained staff volunteers in how to mitigate disruptions: a change from the usual duties of guiding guests around campus and showing them to their seats. Everyone facilitating the University of Illinois’ commencement the following weekend will have undergone similar special training. At […]