OPINION IN A recent opinion piece on news.com.au Jane Gilmore argued that the Sydney Anglican booklet What has God Joined Together? is a “logic fail”. Further, she accused the church of trying to take ownership of the… Opinion: Why I… Read More »
Deia Schlosberg and Lindsey Grayzel face felony charges that first amendment advocates say are part of a growing number of attacks on freedom of the press Sam Levin in San Francisco Two documentary film-makers are facing decades in prison for recording US oil pipeline protests, with serious felony charges that… Documentary film-makers… Read More »
The interrogation of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on a Swedish rape accusation has been postponed by a month at his request, Ecuadoran prosecutors said Oct. 12. QUITO – Agence France-Presse The questioning, initially scheduled for Oct. 17, will now take place on Nov. 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Ecuador’s embassy in London, where… Assange interrogation postponed… Read More »
The EU said Oct. 10 it is “very concerned” after Hungary’s main opposition newspaper halted publication, sparking fears of a clampdown on press freedom by the right-wing government. BRUSSELS – Agence France-Presse Left-leaning Nepszabadsag newspaper is to be sold, its editor said on Oct. 9, and while the… EU ‘very concerned’ over… Read More »
China’s governing Communist Party is set to launch a nationwide crackdown on Christianity. Chinese Communist Party readies crackdown on Christianity – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Correspondents Report By China correspondent Matthew Carney Correspondent Matthew Carney travels through the country and speaks to churchgoers who are worried they could soon be arrested. The Communist Party has just enacted much tougher… Chinese Communist Party readies… Read More »
Diverse local comedians are making institutional racism and sexism laughable, writes Liam McLoughlin. By Liam McLoughlin A thin layer of sludge has settled over the stagnant cesspool of Australian public discourse. This frothing film of conservative white men is granted unfettered access Not Just For Laughs: How Australian… Read More »
Following protests by tens of thousands of women, Polish lawmakers on Oct. 6 rejected plans for a near-total ban on abortion, in a hastily arranged vote that marks the first major domestic setback for the conservative government. WARSAW – Reuters The ruling Law and Justice party (PIS) unexpectedly withdrew its support for draft… Polish parliament rejects near-total… Read More »
Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have spent my time working for dignity for the living. By Desmond Tutu I have campaigned passionately for people in my country and the world over to have their… Archbishop Desmond Tutu: When my time comes, I want… Read More »
The great French scholar of secularism Jean Baubérot said that a secular state does not discriminate against people on the grounds of their religion or non-religious worldview.. Andrew Copson Independent Today judges in France will rule on the legality of the burkini ban which has been enforced across 26 towns on the grounds that the… I’ve fought my… Read More »
Under the law, the garment will be banned in public institutions, schools, areas of administrative and public services. Bulgaria’s parliament has approved a nationwide law banning the wearing of face-covering veils from most public places. Source: Bulgaria parliament bans full-face veils in public – News from Al Jazeera Read More »
Bad things happen when good people stay silent, and when politicians and public servants put process before outcome, writes Rajan Venkataraman. By Rajan Venkataraman In November 2014, the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Bronwyn Bishop, chartered a helicopter at public expense to take her to a… The Dying Art Of Judgement: How To Follow The Rules Without Even Really Trying… Read More »
As Spaniards migrate from villages to cities for work, education and access to health care, rural hamlets are ending up on the auction block. SONARI GLINTON Foreigners are in the market for these properties… Source: A Wide Gulf Persists Between Black And White Perceptions Of Policing : The Two-Way : NPR Read More »
Native title rights are being undermined in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, a global Oxfam report says. Rebecca Gredley, Australian Associated Press The report refers to state government policies and actions including the controversial proposed closure of remote WA indigenous communities, the… Source: Oxfam report notes WA native title woes | The Mercury Read More »
Saudi Arabia has deported 27 Christians for having a service in their home to mark the festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, according to news reports. Ruth Gledhill The deportation was carried out because the Christians’ prayers were “unIslamic”, according to EWTN. The women, some of whom had children with them, argued… Source: Two Dozen Christians Deported From Saudi Arabia For Praying | Christian News on Christian Today Read More »
A Christian convert from Islam in Iran has been sent back to prison in spite of suffering long-term health issues. Ruth Gledhill Maryam Naghash Zargaran, who has gone on hunger strike twice while in prison, had been released last month to get medical treatement after serving three years of a… Source: Christian convert from Islam sent back to prison in Iran | Christian News on Christian Today Read More »
Bernie Sanders, Daniel Ellsberg, former members of the NSA and more weigh in on whether Obama should grant clemency to the divisive whistleblower Ed Pilkington Bernie Sanders leads a chorus of prominent public figures calling for clemency, a plea agreement or, in several cases, a full pardon for the National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden… Source: ‘Edward Snowden did this country a great service. Let him come home’ | US news | The Guardian Read More »
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