17

May

What is an Augustinian?

The newly-appointed pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, was the leader of the Catholic order of St. Augustine. A core value for this order is to "live together in harmony, being of one…

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11

May

From the moment he steps onto the balcony, each pope signals his style of leadership – here’s how Pope Leo XIV’s appearance compares with Pope Francis’ first

By Daniel Speed Thompson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton As crowds celebrated in St. Peter’s Square, a man in white and red stepped onto the balcony of…

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09

May

The symbolic elements of Pope Leo XIV’s election, his vestments, and coat of arms

The election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, marked a significant milestone in the Catholic Church’s modern history, making him the first American-born pontiff and underscoring the…

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08

May

Who is the new pope, Leo XIV

Robert Prevost has become the 267th pope, the first time in 2,000 years that an American has been appointed to lead the Catholic church. Chicago-born Prevost has chosen to be…

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08

May

How does a pope get his name?

In his autobiography "Hope," published in January 2025, Pope Francis, who died on April 21, describes the moment during the 2013 papal election when he found his name. During the…

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07

May

Conclave: the Vatican’s secret process for choosing a new pope

The next pope will be chosen by the College of Cardinals, the Catholic church’s most senior figures appointed by the pontiff, who will make their way to Rome in the…

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29

Apr

What could be behind the Iberian power outage?

The hunt has begun for the cause of a massive blackout across Spain, Portugal and parts of France that halted trains, bank machines and traffic lights, in one of Europe's…

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26

Apr

The official liturgical booklet for Pope Francis’ funeral Mass

The Vatican has released the official liturgical booklet for Pope Francis' funeral Mass, scheduled for April 26, 2025. The document outlines the full ceremony, including prayers, readings, and rituals, reflecting…

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25

Apr

The details of the Russia-Ukraine Deal Framework being proposed by the US, Ukraine and European officials

Reuters has published what it says are details of the Russia-Ukraine Deal Framework being proposed by the US. The news agency says the proposal is described as “the final offer…

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24

Apr

Where Pope Francis stood on Abortion, Islam, Capitalism and other key issues

Pope Francis changed the Catholic Church's teaching in areas such as the death penalty and nuclear weapons, upheld it in others such as abortion, and made inroads with Muslims and…

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23

Apr

Everything you need to know about visiting Rome and the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis

Travellers to Rome should expect closures, visitor restrictions and crowds at some of the city’s main attractions. Tourists who have booked to visit Rome in the coming weeks will experience…

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21

Apr

Who might succeed Pope Francis? 

An old Italian saying warns against putting faith, or money, in any presumed front-runner ahead of the conclave, the closed-door gathering of cardinals that picks the pontiff. It cautions: "He who enters a…

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21

Apr

Pope Francis: Key moments from his life

Here are some facts about Pope Francis, who has died at the age of 88. - Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, of…

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21

Apr

What next after the death of Pope Francis?

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, after 12 years as spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church. His death has set in motion the centuries-old process of…

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19

Apr

The roots of the Easter story: Where did Christian beliefs about Jesus’ resurrection come from?

As Easter approaches, Christians around the world begin to focus on two of the central tenets of their faith: the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Other charismatic Jewish…

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12

Apr

Who is Friedrich Merz, the man set to be the next German chancellor?

Conservative leader Friedrich Merz is on course to become post-World War II Germany’s 10th chancellor after finalizing a deal Wednesday to form a new government. Merz, 69, who will succeed…

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02

Apr

What are the EU’s options in response to Trump tariffs?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that the European Union had a "strong plan" to retaliate against tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, although it…

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21

Mar

How realistic is France’s offer to extend its nuclear umbrella?

President Emmanuel Macron has said he will launch a strategic dialogue on extending the protection offered by France's nuclear arsenal to its European partners. Europe's primary nuclear deterrence comes from…

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17

Mar

What is in the huge German spending plan agreed by parties?

German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz reached an agreement with the Greens on Friday on a massive increase in state borrowing just days ahead of a parliamentary vote next week. This should…

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15

Mar

What’s so special about Ukraine’s minerals? A geologist explains

By Munira Raji, Research Fellow of Geology, University of Plymouth Ukraine’s minerals have become central to global geopolitics, with the US president, Donald Trump, seeking a deal with Ukraine’s president…

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12

Mar

Everything we know about Ukraine accepting 30-day ceasefire deal after US talks in Saudi Arabia

Ukraine has accepted Donald Trump’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia during crunch talks in Saudi Arabia in which the US agreed to lift its pause on intelligence sharing…

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12

Mar

Text of US-Ukraine statement paving way for resumption of aid, intelligence sharing

Here follows the full text of the joint U.S.-Ukrainian statement that was published after bilateral talks in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah on Tuesday: Today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – under the…

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06

Mar

What we know about the US decision to cut intelligence sharing with Ukraine

The CIA says the US has stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine, less than a week after a bust-up between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The announcement came just…

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05

Mar

Airlines cautiously return to Middle East

Some global airlines have started lifting suspensions on flights to and from Middle East after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect in January. Below are some carriers…

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04

Mar

Europe’s options for paying to bolster its defence readiness

European Union leaders will discuss on Thursday how to finance a sharp increase in defence readiness to deter any possible future attack from Russia and become less dependent for security…

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22

Feb

A guide to Germany’s political parties

Here's a look at Germany's political parties — CDU, CSU, SPD, FDP, Left Party, Greens, AfD, BSW — who they are and what they want. Christian Democratic Union (CDU)/Christian Social…

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04

Feb

Seismic Alerts in Santorini: What You Need to Know

Residents and tourists on the Greek island of Santorini have been put on high alert after an increase in seismic activity. Since Friday, the island has been hit by more…

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28

Jan

A look at DeepSeek: China’s open-source AI research lab which rivals OpenAI

Chinese AI research lab DeepSeek grabbed global attention last week with the release of its open-source AI model, DeepSeek-R1. The company says the model rivals industry giants like OpenAI in…

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15

Jan

What Measures Are Being Taken for Non-EU Citizens in Spain’s Housing Crisis?

Spain is planning a raft of measures to address its brewing housing crisis, including an up to 100% tax on properties that non-European Union residents buy. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro…

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15

Jan

A look at the terms — and tensions — in the Israel-Hamas draft ceasefire deal

If the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal goes according to the current draft, then fighting will stop in Gaza for 42 days, and dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners…

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15

Jan

RedNote: What to know about the Chinese app TikTok users are flocking to

Chinese social media app RedNote has been thrust into the limelight after more than half a million TikTok users recently joined the platform in protest against a likely imminent ban…

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08

Jan

Why Greenland?

Here's what to know about Greenland and Trump's interest in the autonomous territory of Denmark. What has Trump said about the U.S. and Greenland? The president-elect talked about buying Greenland…

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08

Jan

Takeaways from Trump’s press conference

President-elect Donald Trump made news with a series of assertions and pronouncements during a press conference on Tuesday, less than two weeks before he returns to the White House. Here…

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07

Jan

Who could replace Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister?

Justin Trudeau's nine years as Canadian prime minister is coming to an end after he announced he will step down as leader of the governing Liberal Party. It means his…

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07

Jan

What to know about the HMPV outbreak in China

Reports of an outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in parts of China are drawing international attention. HMPV was identified by a research group in the Netherlands in 2001, and had likely…

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02

Jan

New Orleans truck attack adds to growing list of similar incidents

A new chapter in mass attacks began in Nice, France, in 2016, when a man drove a heavy truck into crowds of Bastille Day celebrants. Since then vehicle attacks have…

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01

Jan

Which infectious disease is likely to be the biggest emerging problem in 2025?

By Conor Meehan, Associate Professor of Microbial Bioinformatics, Nottingham Trent University COVID emerged suddenly, spread rapidly and killed millions of people around the world. Since then, I think it’s fair…

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01

Jan

5 elections to watch in 2025

By Lisandro Claudio , Associate Professor of Southeast Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley; Garret Martin, Senior Professorial Lecturer, Co-Director Transatlantic Policy Center, American University School of International Service; Jorge…

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29

Dec

Democracy heads into 2025 bloodied but unbowed

Democracy looks bruised but not beaten as it heads into 2025. In a year in which countries representing almost half the world's population called voters to the polls, democracies endured…

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25

Dec

Trump’s inauguration: Key dates and what to expect

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will take office on Jan. 20 after defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in November's presidential election. Here is a timeline of events between now and Inauguration…

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25

Dec

Inflation, elections and war dominated 2024

Inflation dropped in most economies around the world in 2024, but voters didn’t care. Angered by the hefty ramp-up in prices for everything from eggs to energy over the past…

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22

Dec

The Rise of Vehicle as Weapons: A Disturbing Trend

A car-ramming at a Christmas market in Germany, which police are treating as an attack, is the latest in a grim series of events in which vehicles have been used…

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18

Dec

How Nissan and Honda stack up against each other

Japanese carmakers Honda and Nissan are in talks to deepen ties, according to sources, including a possible merger, as challenges from Tesla and Chinese rivals urge a restructuring of Japan's…

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16

Dec

Why does Syria have a ‘new’ flag and what does it mean?

People in Syria and those across the world have taken to the streets to celebrate the end of dictator Bashar Al Assad's brutal regime, raising an alternative version of the…

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11

Dec

Syria’s Population Crisis: Millions Displaced Since 2011

On Sunday morning, millions of Syrians, both within the country and abroad, woke up to a changed nation after opposition forces swept into Damascus, bringing an end to President Bashar…

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10

Dec

Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani: former al Qaeda chief who led overthrow of Syria’s Assad?

As the commander of al Qaeda's franchise in the Syrian civil war, Abu Mohammed al-Golani was a shadowy figure who kept out of the public eye, even when his group…

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07

Dec

Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens on Saturday. Here’s what to know

Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens on Saturday, Dec. 7, five and a half years after fire destroyed its roof and spire and caused major damage throughout. Here is what you need…

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07

Dec

Foreign armies in Syria and how they came to be there

The resurgence of fighting in Syria has brought into focus the role of foreign powers in the country. Turkey, Iran, Russia and the United States have all deployed troops in…

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03

Dec

What’s next in France’s political and budget crises?

France's minority government is in a precarious position, with the far-right National Rally party promising to force the collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier's cabinet unless it yields to its…

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27

Nov

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire: What does the US-brokered truce include?

Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah are set to implement a ceasefire early on Wednesday as part of a U.S.-proposed deal for a 60-day truce to end more than a…

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26

Nov

Costs of Israel-Hezbollah conflict on Lebanon, Israel

Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah could soon cease fire under a deal that aims to end more than a year of hostilities ignited by the Gaza conflict. Here are some of…

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25

Nov

COP29 – How does $300 billion stack up?

Countries agreed at the U.N.'s COP29 climate conference to spend $300 billion on annual climate finance. Here are some ways of understanding what that sum is worth: MILITARY MIGHT In…

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20

Nov

Who are Trump’s cabinet picks so far and who is in the running?

President-elect Donald Trump has made a flurry of picks for his cabinet and other high-ranking administration positions following his election victory. Here are the early picks and top contenders for…

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19

Nov

ATACMS: What to know about US missiles that were given to Ukraine

President Joe Biden's administration has allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-made ATACMS missiles to strike deep into Russia, two U.S. officials and a source familiar with the decision said this weekend,…

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13

Nov

How will the next leader of the Church of England be picked?

The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, resigned over an abuse cover-up scandal on Tuesday, marking an unprecedented moment for the Church of England. He becomes the first leader of the…

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12

Nov

Understanding COP29: Key Climate Terminology Explained

With U.N. climate talks tackling complex topics from energy policy to global financial aid, the annual summit has developed its own ever-growing lexicon. Here's a guide to some of the…

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12

Nov

Understanding the Assisted Dying Bill in England and Wales

Proposals to give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to choose to end their life have been discussed in Parliament for months. Now, the assisted dying bill…

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