Villagers uncovered 18 charred bodies after junta forces burned homes in a village in central Myanmar, residents and defence forces told Radio Free Asia. Junta soldiers and the military-backed Pyu Saw Htee militia attacked a village in Monywa township on Saturday morning. Roughly 80 soldiers stationed nearby stormed Kya Paing village and began torching houses, Read more
World
Using lead to restore Notre-Dame de Paris roof a big mistake, says professor
Thursday, December 7th, 2023Judith Rainhorn, a historian specialising in the history of lead pollution, has criticised officials in charge of renovating the fire-damaged Notre-Dame de Paris for using lead, a highly toxic metal, for the world-famous cathedral’s new roof. “In this day and age, there are so many possible techniques and materials that we could obviously have found Read more
Mexican presidential hopeful pledges to eliminate gender ideology from schools
Thursday, December 7th, 2023Eduardo Verástegui, filmmaker and aspiring presidential candidate in Mexico published a “manifesto” against gender ideology, pledging to eliminate gender ideology indoctrination from schools if he is elected president of the nation. Verástegui, producer of the box office hit “Sound of Freedom,” which exposes child sex trafficking, must gather almost 1 million signatures by early January Read more
Henry Kissinger: advisor to presidents and popes
Monday, December 4th, 2023
Henry Kissinger, the renowned American diplomat who passed away on November 29 at the age of 100, proved to be a counsellor to presidents and a confidant to popes. Spanning multiple decades and contentious geopolitical eras, Kissinger’s interactions with the Vatican reveal a tapestry of discussions and alliances. In a notable instance in 1975, Kissinger Read more
Bishops’ climate advocacy clashes with fossil fuel investments
Monday, December 4th, 2023
The United States Catholic bishops’ (USCCB) investment strategies are at odds with its passionate climate advocacy. In a statement at COP28, the USCCB committee called decarbonisation of the economy the “preeminent environmental challenge faced by all nations” that must be addressed without burdening middle-and low-income citizens with increased costs. However, according to Reuters, the US Read more
Suicides surge as societal pressures increase
Monday, December 4th, 2023
Newly released CDC data for 2022 unveils a concerning surge in the US suicide rate. The 49,449 deaths by suicide mark the highest number recorded in the country’s history. Of notable concern is the diverse impact across demographics. Adults aged 35 and above witnessed sharp increases, signifying deeper societal challenges. Women, specifically white females, also Read more
Pope: COP28 – scrap fossil fuels, protect poor
Monday, December 4th, 2023
In a wide-ranging message to COP28 delegates, Pope Francis added his voice to calls for an end to fossil fuels and for “debt forgiveness” for poorer countries hit by climate change. As illness prevented Francis from attending COP28, he deputed Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (pictured) to deliver his speech. Francis, who has made Read more
Synod felt ‘sorrow’ over church’s treatment of women
Monday, December 4th, 2023
US bishops at October’s synod on synodality wanted to express “a certain amount of sorrow” over how the Church treats women, says Bishop Daniel Flores. Flores, who led the US bishops’ national consultation process for the synod, says the bishop delegates spoke out when they were in Rome. They wanted to show the synod that Read more
Next gen young Catholics in sacred song
Monday, December 4th, 2023
Filling Sydney with sacred song is a vision that’s caught hundreds of young Catholics’ imaginations. They want to make that vision real. They’ve begun well. A 1,100-strong student choir assembled at St Mary’s Cathedral for Mass on 23 November to prove a sacred music renaissance is underway. Jubilate Deo! Bishop Richard Umbers celebrated the Mass Read more
ISIS claims deadly blast at Catholic Mass
Monday, December 4th, 2023ISIS has claimed responsibility for a deadly explosion that ripped through a Catholic Mass service at a university gym in the southern Philippines on Sunday. At least four people were killed and dozens of others were injured in the blast at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, according to authorities. In a communique, ISIS Read more