Category: News

Beirut blast highlights a country in turmoil

Chai Brady hears about the tensions and trauma following Lebanon explosion Lebanon continued to lead international headlines this week after an explosion at Beirut’s port claimed the lives of hundreds of people in a country wracked by inflation and accusations of a corrupt, now defunct, government that had “utter disregard for the value of Lebanese…

Pope leads tributes to John Hume

Pope Francis has hailed John Hume’s tireless commitment to the peace process. In a message read at Mr Hume’s funeral in Derry, the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that the Pope was saddened to hear that Mr Hume (83) had died on August 3. “Mindful of the Christian Faith that inspired John…

Beirut’s huge explosion adds to Lebanon’s dire situation

Hospitals in the Lebanese capital are overwhelmed with those suffering injuries from a massive explosion in Beirut’s port, causing widespread damage to the city and rocking the tiny Mediterranean nation already devastated by the coronavirus and its worst financial crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. “People won’t be able to rebuild their homes, businesses, livelihoods.…

GPs paid nearly €3m fees for abortions

General Practitioners providing abortion services received €2.9 million in fees in 2019, according to figures released by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figure was released in response to a query from independent TD Carol Nolan, who described it as “staggering”. Deputy Nolan said the €2.9 million was taken from the National Women and Infants…

Churches flooded in Karachi after heavy rainfall

Masses have been suspended in two Catholic churches in Pakistan’s Karachi Archdiocese after torrential monsoon rain. Thick black sludge covered the compound of St Francis Xavier Catholic church in the Shahjahanabad area following flooding after three days of heavy downpours in the port city. Five feet of water stood in Shahjahanabad, home to 45 Catholic…

Priest highlights Covid-19 Direct Provision failings

Laois-based priest Fr Paddy Byrne has highlighted what he has described as the inadequacy of the State’s accommodation for asylum seekers, claiming that the coronavirus pandemic has shown the “cracks in society where the vulnerable are”. Referring to the controversial Direct Provision system, Fr Byrne said that: “One thing I’ve discovered…is that Covid-19 erupts where…