Conflict, creditors and a car crash: How Ukraine clinched a wartime debt restructuring
Eclipsed in scale only by Argentina and Greece, the restructuring of more than $20 billion of debt will save Kyiv $11.4 billion over the next three years – crucial for both its ongoing war effort and its International Monetary Fund programme.
Ukrainian women volunteer to shoot down Russian drones at night while their men battle on frontlines
When the air raid siren bellows in the dead of night, the women in arms rush to duty. Barely two months since joining the mobile air-defence unit, 27-year-old Angelina has perfected the drill to a tee: Combat gear fitted, anti-aircraft machine gun in place, she cruised behind the wheel of...
Rising Catholics priest shortage linked to sex abuse scandals and loss of moral commitment in Vatican
There were 2,466 diocesan priests in Indonesia in 2022, up from 2,203 in 2017, according to Vatican statistics as of December 31, 2022, the last year for which data is available. That number is supplemented by even more religious order priests, such as Jesuits or Franciscans, whose numbers reached 3,437 in 2022.
El Must in trouble with Brazilian Supreme Court over non-representation in the Latin American nation
In his decision on Friday, Judge Alexandre de Moraes’ cited Musk’s statements as evidence that X’s conduct “clearly intends to continue to encourage posts with extremism, hate speech and anti-democratic discourse, and to try to withdraw them from jurisdictional control.”
Flowers of Good: Brazilian women spearhead campaign for medical marijuana for sick children
In drugstores, a 30 millilitre bottle (1 fluid ounce) of the CBD that Murillo’s paediatrician prescribed for his condition costs as much as 900 reais ($180) – more than half Silva’s monthly wages as an office assistant. Since June, she has spent zero on Murillo’s CBD medication. Twice a day, she drips the oil into the boy’s mouth and each bottle lasts about 45 days.
French police arrest Telegram CEO Durov for unfiltered content, lack of moderators and cooperation with police
Russian lawmaker Maria Butina, who spent 15 months in US prison for acting as an unregistered Russian agent, said Durov “is a political prisoner – a victim of a witch-hunt by the West.” Durov’s arrest led news bulletins in Russia.
Affective polarisation is fuelled by negative campaigning that’s become a staple of modern electoral messaging
One potential explanation for the intensity of partisan political hatred in the US comes from a 2022 study published in the British Journal of Political Science. Examining data from 20 Western democracies since the mid-1990s, it found that people’s anger over political disagreements on issues like migration, religion and LGBTQ+...
Divided we stand: Why political animosity is fed by ‘affective polarisation’, no longer policy
Congress, mired in perpetual gridlock, struggles to pass even the most essential legislation, undermining the principles of democracy. This legislative stalemate reflects a broader societal trend where Americans increasingly see those with opposing views not merely as adversaries, but as enemies.
Russia rocked by bloody prison mutiny as Islamic State fighters take over jail and slaughter guards
President Vladimir Putin said he has been informed about the “situation,” and will be meeting with his security officials to discuss it.
New study reveals medical benefits of fasting that should thrill Muslims and Christians more besides spiritual revival
Researchers have been investigating the potential health benefits of fasting for decades, and there is evidence that the practice can help to delay certain diseases and lengthen lifespan in rodents. But the underlying biological mechanisms behind these benefits have been a mystery.
