Catholic church in Australia rejects mandatory reporting of child abuse discussed in confessional
The Catholic church in Australia on Friday rejected laws forcing priests to report child abuse when they learn about it in the confessional, setting the stage for a showdown between the country’s biggest religion and the government.
Australian police charge Sri Lankan with terror plotting
Australia has arrested and charged a Sri Lankan man with planning a terror attack after finding “symbolic locations within Sydney” listed as possible targets in his notebook, police said on Friday.
Brazil centrist Alckmin attacks far-right election rival in anti-gun ad
Brazil’s business-friendly presidential candidate Geraldo Alckmin unveiled a campaign ad against gun violence on Thursday that targeted his far-right pro-gun adversary Jair Bolsonaro.
Dam nation: Big state projects spared in China’s hydro crackdown
In a mountain village in southwest China’s Sichuan province, authorities have demolished seven small dam projects this year along a river to clear illegal developments in a new nature reserve.
Thrill-seeking runners take sport – and spending – to rural China
At dawn, high on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, a Buddhist monk in saffron robes chants blessings over limber athletes preparing to run 100 kilometers across sand dunes, rivers and ravines.
Mexico union boss brushes off past woes in political comeback
A long-exiled Mexican union leader stormed back onto the political stage on Thursday as a newly-minted senator, saying his legal troubles were behind him and pledging to help President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador defeat poverty.
Despite debt woes, Africa still sees China as best bet for financing
A wave of African nations looking to restructure debt with China on the eve of a major Beijing summit provides a reality check for the continent, where most countries still view Chinese lending as the best bet to develop their economies.
Merkel backs Bavarian ally as center-right’s EU Commission candidate: media
Angela Merkel has given her backing to fellow German conservative Manfred Weber’s bid to front the center-right’s campaign in next year’s European Parliament elections, several German newspapers reported on Thursday.
Uganda police arrest lawmakers trying to leave country after torture allegations
Ugandan police detained two lawmakers, one of whom is also a pop star, at the country’s sole international airport, where supporters say they were trying to seek treatment abroad for injuries suffered while being tortured by the security forces.
Spain’s Sanchez offers Colombia help to reach peace with ELN rebels
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, on his first tour of Latin America since taking office in June, on Thursday offered any necessary support to push forward a peace deal between Colombia and ELN rebels.
