Mbarara, Uganda | PPU | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called upon church leaders to encourage their congregations to create wealth. Museveni who was speaking at the consecration ceremony of the 4th West Ankole Diocese Bishop Rev Canon Johnson Twinomujuni at Bweranyangi Girls Secondary School asked the church leaders to …
Read More »Indian state to challenge Modi’s cow slaughter ban
New Delhi, India | AFP | A southern Indian state announced Sunday it would go to the supreme court to challenge a federal ban on the sale of cows for slaughter, stepping up a showdown with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Cows are considered sacred by Hindus and the Hindu nationalist …
Read More »In Burundi, unmarried couples have until December to legalise their relationships
In moral ‘crusade’, Burundi forces unwed couples to marry Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Unmarried couples have until the end of the year to legalise their relationships, the Burundi government said Friday, as part of an effort to reform morals in the country. The order follows the launch of a …
Read More »Ramadan to start Saturday in Saudi, UAE and Uganda
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | The Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan is due to begin Saturday in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, religious authorities in both countries announced. Ugandan religious leaders at the Muslim Supreme Council also announced fasting would start on Saturday. The announcements came …
Read More »All smiles, in public at least, as Trump meets Pope Francis
Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | US President Donald Trump met Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday in a keenly-anticipated face-to-face encounter between two world leaders who have clashed repeatedly. The private audience with the pontiff, which lasted just under half an hour, was preceded by a handshake …
Read More »Gloves off as Trump heads to Vatican
Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Billionaire President Donald Trump heads to the Vatican on Wednesday to meet man-of-the-poor Pope Francis, with all eyes on whether they will end their sparring to find common ground. The two leaders have been at odds over issues from migration to climate change, …
Read More »Trump becomes first sitting US president to visit Western Wall
Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Donald Trump on Monday became the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall in the disputed city of Jerusalem, placing his hand on one of the most sacred sites in Judaism. The Western Wall is the holiest site where Jews can pray. Trump, …
Read More »FATIMA: 500,000 attend pope’s canonisation of child shepherds
Fátima, Portugal | AFP | Some 500,000 worshippers gathered in Fatima Saturday to watch Pope Francis declare two child shepherds who had visions of the Virgin Mary 100 years ago saints, the Vatican said. Altogether, about 500,000 people were present, the Vatican said in a statement, quoting local authorities — …
Read More »Pope declares Fatima child shepherds who ‘saw Virgin Mary’ saints
Fátima, Portugal | AFP | Two young shepherds who had visions of the Virgin Mary 100 years ago in Fatima, a Portuguese site now a global draw for pilgrims, were declared saints Saturday by Pope Francis. “We declare the blissful Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto saints, and we register them …
Read More »Pope greeted by thousands on Fatima pilgrimage
Fátima, Portugal | AFP | Pope Francis called for harmony “among all people” Friday after arriving at Portugal’s holy site of Fatima where he was greeted by thousands of pilgrims gathered to mark 100 years since child shepherds had visions of the Virgin Mary. The Argentine pontiff flew into the …
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