(Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani O/Via Reuters)
In Iraq, Pope Francis holds historic talks with Shiite ayatollah, decries religious violence at ancient Ur
“Terrorism abuses religion,” the pontiff said at a site revered in Christianity, Islam and Judaism as the birthplace of Abraham.
Why the pope’s visit matters for Iraq’s Christians
Since the early days of the religion, diverse Christian communities have lived in what is now Iraq.
Pope Francis’s historic visit to Iraq, in images
The pope’s travel plans have been moderated by the pandemic. Nonetheless, thousands of Iraqis lined roads around the airport to catch a glimpse.
A decade after Fukushima nuclear disaster, contaminated water symbolizes Japan’s struggles
Japan says it’s safe to release 1.25 million tons of treated water into the sea. But trust is in short supply.
Why Germany is becoming a go-to destination for trials on the world’s crimes
The Saudi crown prince faces possible crimes against humanity charges as German justice looks beyond its borders.
No jab, no job: As British companies move to mandate coronavirus vaccines for employees, discrimination fears mount
Labor rights groups argue that mandatory vaccines would not stop the spread of the coronvirus but could lead to discrimination on socioeconomic and ethnic grounds.
‘I’m ready to talk’: Meghan’s upcoming interview with Oprah Winfrey is already dividing Britons
The sit-down, which airs Sunday in the U.S. and Monday in Britain, is reported to have the palace in a stir.
Pope Francis to hold historic face-to-face meeting with Iraq’s grand ayatollah
Ali Sistani is Iraq’s leading religious authority and a preeminent figure in Shiite Islam.
WHO head pushes for waiver of some intellectual property rights for coronavirus vaccines, in bid to broaden access
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made his most pointed plea yet for the waiver of some patents.
Pope Francis lands in Baghdad, beginning the first-ever papal trip to Iraq
It is his first international trip since the start of the pandemic.
Has covid killed trade shows? Barcelona bets on a comeback
It was roughly one year ago, on the eve of a giant technology conference that usually brings more than 100,000 visitors to Barcelona, that business conventions began to feel the squeeze from the coronavirus. Now, organizers wonder if the meetings will ever return.
China needs a baby boom to avert a demographic crisis. Small steps won’t be enough.
The one-child policy has left a legacy that will be hard to undo, especially while access to IVF and egg-freezing is restricted to married, straight couples.
China seeks Hong Kong election changes, tech preeminence as U.S. rivalry intensifies
Big increases in research and development spending, and purging opposition voices in Hong Kong are part of the latest plans.
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The incredible courage of Myanmar’s protesters
After a day of hideous bloodshed, demonstrators returned to the streets.
Target, CVS among stores keeping mask mandates as Texas lifts restrictions
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has drawn ire for his decision to lift the statewide mandate for face coverings.
How future generations will judge humanity’s performance against the coronavirus
Archivists are assembling a global time capsule that chronicles what we got right — and what we got wrong.
After third large quake near New Zealand, tsunami concerns rise from South Pacific to Central America
A rise in water levels is possible as far away as Hawaii and South America.
Nedzib Sacirbey, a ‘founding father’ of independent Bosnia, dies at 94 of the coronavirus
A longtime Washington-area psychiatrist, he became a confidant, adviser and right-hand-man to Bosnia’s first president, Alija Izetbegovic.
Toko Shinoda, Japanese artist who merged the age-old and the avant-garde, dies at 107
A painter and lithographer, she worked in the ancient tradition of calligraphy, using ink that was centuries old, to produce gems of modern abstract expressionism.
Italy blocks export of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to Australia, amid E.U. anger over delivery shortfalls
This is the first time an E.U. country has used a new export control power.
Pro-democracy protest in Thailand passes without violence
Demonstrators from Thailand’s student-led pro-democracy movement have held a peaceful protest outside Bangkok’s Criminal Court to bring public attention to the plight of several of their detained leaders
Egypt’s president el-Sissi visits Sudan amid rapprochement
Egypt’s presidency says President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has visited Sudan, a trip to address an array of issues, including economic and military ties and the two nations’ dispute with Ethiopia over a massive dam Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile
Pakistan’s PM wins vote of confidence after Senate setback
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has handily won a vote of confidence from the National Assembly, days after the embarrassing defeat of his ruling party’s key candidate in Senate elections
Vaxi Taxi targets vaccine anxiety as UK minority uptake lags
The Vaxi Taxi was a godsend for Leslie Reid
Europe staggers as infectious variants power virus surge
Fast-spreading mutant versions of the coronavirus are powering another uptick in infections in Europe
