Posts by Riah Stelmack
Ally of Pope Francis elected France’s top bishop
An influential French cardinal aligned with Pope Francis’s stances was on Wednesday elected France’s top bishop, as the country’s Catholic Church reels from child sex abuse revelations. The Archbishop of Marseille, Jean-Marc Aveline, 66, was elected head of the Bishops’ Conference of France (CEF), for a term of three years. The smiling, affable Aveline has…
Read MoreHamas health ministry: 73 dead in Gaza after Israeli attacks
At least 73 people were killed during Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip over the course of Wednesday, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. The figures do not distinguish between civilians or combatants and cannot be independently verified. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported deadly attacks in Khan Younis in the south and in Al-Sawaida…
Read MoreQuartet face deportation from Germany after pro-Palestinian violence
Three EU citizens and an American are facing expulsion from Germany after participating in pro-Palestinian protests in Berlin which turned violent. The Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA) issued deportation orders against them in March “in connection with the incidents at the Free University of Berlin (FU) on October 17, 2024,” Berlin’s state government stated…
Read MoreGaza bakeries shut and painkillers on ration after month of Israeli blockade
One month since Israel closed all crossings to Gaza for goods, all UN-supported bakeries have closed, markets are empty of most fresh vegetables and hospitals are rationing painkillers and antibiotics. It is the longest blockade yet of Israel’s nearly 18-month-long war against Hamas. This week, during the normally festive Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, many…
Read MorePolish prime minister says his party was targeted in cyberattack ahead of election
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Wednesday that his centrist political party was the target of a cyberattack, and suggested that it could have been interference from the east — meaning Russia or Belarus — ahead of Poland’s presidential election next month. Tusk announced on the X platform that his Civic…
Read MoreNigerian pastor acquitted of rape after eight years in South African jail
After spending eight years in jail, a Nigerian televangelist accused of raping young women from his South African church has been found not guilty of all charges. Timothy Omotoso had denied the 32 charges in a trial that was broadcast live and gained huge interest across the country. In 2018, one witness told the court…
Read MoreNiger’s military leaders free ministers, but not ousted president
Niger’s military leaders have released more than 50 detainees, including former ministers in the government they toppled in 2023. Among them are the former ministers of defence, oil and finance, as well as several senior army officers, convicted or accused of plotting previous coups. Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been under house arrest since…
Read MoreEx-Shell boss tasked with cleaning up Nigeria’s oil sector
Nigeria’s president has appointed Bayo Ojulari – a former Shell executive – to lead the state-owned oil company, as part of sweeping reforms aimed at cleaning up the sector dogged by allegations of corruption, pollution and decades-long inefficiency. Mr Ojulari was picked in a “crucial” overhaul of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the presidency…
Read MoreRival leaders of split Cyprus make inroads to work together but rift remains
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus made some progress Wednesday on fostering trust between their conflict-riven Greek and Turkish speaking communities, agreeing to delve deeper into the dangers posed by minefields and working together on environmental initiatives. But the two sides still have a long way to go to formally…
Read MoreIsraeli airstrike reportedly hits UN-run Gaza hospital, killing 19
An Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza has reportedly struck a hospital operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. At least 19 people were killed, including nine minors, and others were injured in the strike on Jabalia, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. An Israeli military spokesman said the claim was under investigation. WAFA also…
Read MoreDating in Iran – Cruising for love in the Islamic Republic
Dating is often fraught with its emotional ups and downs, compounded with the difficulty of meeting “the one” and the demands of modern life. But in the religiously conservative country of the Islamic Republic of Iran, finding Mr or Miss Right can be especially tough. Those seeking love often have to break the rules –…
Read MoreMonster 5.5-metre swells batter Sydney’s famous coastline
Massive waves coupled with a powerful spring tide caused damage along Sydney’s iconic coastline forcing some beaches to close and residents to evacuate as water inundated some homes. Australia’s world-famous Bondi Beach was also affected, where the huge swells caused glass doors of a surf club to shatter overnight, broadcaster ABC reported on Wednesday, citing…
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