Cambodia has dropped all testing for Covid-19 and reintroduced its pre-pandemic visa-on-arrival system in a bid to resuscitate its economy, especially sectors like tourism. Prime Minister Hun Sen said easing the entry requirements for international travellers would attract investment, business and tourism to the kingdom. “It will also reduce nose pain from taking the Covid-19 Read more
Tarsh Dixon’s clients are some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people, and right now she says she’s paying to care for them. The Auckland-based community support worker looks after people in their own homes using her own car to get there, but her rising fuel costs aren’t matched by the mileage rates set by the Read more
A group of Catholics in the southern Indian state of Kerala burned effigies of Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Oriental Churches, and Cardinal George Alencherry, head of the Eastern-rite Syro-Malabar Church, to protest their stand on the five-decade-old liturgy dispute. The protesters also called for a total boycott of Cardinal Read more
Whanganui District Council’s approach to climate change has helped the city win international recognition as a leading model for economic and social development – for the seventh time. Whanganui has again been named a Smart21 City by US-based think tank, the Intelligent Community Forum, and is the only New Zealand town or city to make Read more
Although Russia’s Catholics hold different views about the conflict in Ukraine, a spokesman for the country’s bishops said all are united in welcoming Pope Francis’ plan to consecrate their country to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25 in a service at the Vatican. However, a Catholic professor in the country said the pope’s Read more
A Russian Orthodox priest has been fined for condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and stressing the importance of the commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” The Rev. Ioann Burdin, of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Kostroma Diocese north-east of Moscow, made his remarks both online and in his sermon to parishioners on Sunday March 6. Police then called Read more
According to the Vatican’s top diplomat, Russia has “taken note” of the Holy See’s willingness to mediate between the Kremlin and Ukraine to end the war, but has made no sign of wanting to take up the offer. The Holy See is “ready” to help mediate, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Read more
Eco-church NZ received $20,000 from the Wellington City Council to support grassroots efforts by churches in Wellington to understand their carbon footprint and develop climate action plans. Eco-church NZ is one of five recipients in the Council’s first round of the new Climate and Sustainability Fund today. “By funding them, we as a Council demonstrate Read more
Nearly 30 million people were under lockdown across China today as surging coronavirus cases prompted the return of mass tests and hazmat-suited health officials to city streets on a scale not seen since the pandemic’s start. China reported 5,280 new Covid-19 cases, more than double the previous day’s tally, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant Read more
Dilworth School has released details of its proposed investigation and redress scheme for survivors of sexual abuse. More than 130 survivors have joined a Human Rights Commission class action which alleges Dilworth School failed to protect students from systemic sexual abuse between 1970 and 2006. It comes after 12 people were arrested and charged over Read more