For over 400 years, Catholic and Orthodox churches have celebrated Easter on different dates due to calendar differences. This year, both celebrate on the same day, sparking hope for unity. Pope Francis and other leaders express a desire to maintain this alignment, despite underlying mistrust. The date discrepancy arises from differing calendars and ecclesiastical calculations. Pope Francis, referencing the Council of Nicaea, calls for a unified Easter date, emphasizing unity among Christians. His appeal, reiterated since 2014, highlights the need for a common celebration date. Noah Prescott 19/04/2025 8:30 pm
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney expressed concern that the Supreme Court ruling, which defines a woman by biological sex under the Equality Act, will cause anxiety among the trans community. Protests erupted in London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh against the decision, which impacts single-sex spaces. Swinney accepted the court’s judgment but did not clarify his stance on whether a trans woman is a woman. The ruling allows exclusion of transgender women from single-sex spaces if deemed “proportionate.” The Scottish government plans to outline compliance steps. Protests demanded trans rights, with some incidents of vandalism reported. Noah Prescott 19/04/2025 8:30 pm
A Tunisian court sentenced opposition leaders, businessmen, and lawyers to 13-66 years in prison on conspiracy charges, which the opposition claims are fabricated to suppress dissent under President Kais Saied’s authoritarian rule. Rights groups criticize Saied’s control over the judiciary since dissolving parliament in 2021. Notable sentences include 66 years for businessman Kamel Ltaif and 48 years for politician Khyam Turki. Opposition figures like Ghazi Chaouachi received 18-year sentences. Critics argue the trial is a farce aimed at silencing opposition voices. Saied labels the politicians as “traitors and terrorists.” Noah Prescott 19/04/2025 5:00 pm
Hamas’s armed wing reported uncertainty about the fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander after losing contact with his captors, allegedly due to an Israeli strike. Previously, Hamas released a video of Alexander blaming Israeli and American authorities for his situation. Hamas rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal, while both sides accuse each other of endangering hostages. Alexander, a 21-year-old IDF soldier from New Jersey, remains missing, with no immediate IDF response to Hamas’s claims. Penelope Kingsley 19/04/2025 5:00 pm
As Iran and the U.S. engage in nuclear talks, Israel closely monitors the outcome. Previously, Trump took a hard stance against Iran, imposing sanctions and exiting a nuclear accord. Now, he seeks a more measured approach, avoiding new Middle East conflicts while still considering military action. Trump has urged Israel to refrain from attacking Iran’s nuclear sites. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, has sent mixed messages about Iran’s nuclear program, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio insists any deal must prevent Iran from ever acquiring nuclear weapons. Noah Prescott 19/04/2025 5:00 pm
Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed over 90 people in 48 hours, including women and children in designated humanitarian zones, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. In Khan Younis, 11 people died, many in a tent for displaced individuals. Four others were killed in Rafah, including a mother and daughter. Israel aims to pressure Hamas by intensifying attacks and occupying “security zones.” A six-week blockade has led to severe food shortages, with aid groups warning of malnutrition, especially among children. The WHO has called for urgent international intervention. Ava Sinclair 19/04/2025 5:00 pm
Alla Shyrshonkova took a packed 62 bus to her cottage near Sumy on a warm spring day. Passengers included families and churchgoers for Palm Sunday. As the bus reached the city center, she heard two loud explosions, the second occurring on Petropavlivska street. She didn’t see the blast but heard it clearly. Penelope Kingsley 19/04/2025 5:00 pm
Iran and the U.S. will hold indirect nuclear talks in Rome, mediated by Oman, amid tensions over Iran’s atomic ambitions and Trump’s military threats. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff aim to resolve the standoff, with Iran seeking sanctions relief and guarantees against U.S. withdrawal. Despite diplomatic efforts, significant gaps remain, as Iran refuses to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure or discuss defense capabilities. The U.S. demands Iran halt uranium enrichment, suspecting bomb intentions, while Iran insists its program is peaceful. Ava Sinclair 19/04/2025 1:30 pm
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar near Mandalay revealed ruins of a royal palace from the Konbaung Dynasty beneath Inwa. Archaeologists uncovered staircases, platforms, and foundations believed to be part of a royal water residence, possibly used for ceremonies. The discovery has renewed interest in ancient manuscripts describing a lavish water pavilion. The site’s design resembles notable monastic structures, sparking speculation about its historical significance. The Konbaung Dynasty, which ruled from 1752 to 1885, was eventually overthrown by British forces. Penelope Kingsley 19/04/2025 1:30 pm
Manchester, England, commemorates the 1819 Peterloo Massacre, where British cavalry killed 18 workers demanding political representation. The city’s monument links global workers’ struggles, including the Lattimer mine and Sharpeville incidents. Manchester, the first modern industrial city, inspired Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx’s theories on the working class. Engels’ 1845 book highlighted the dire conditions of Manchester’s laborers. The city’s rapid industrialization, fueled by the cotton trade and trans-Atlantic slave trade, made it a symbol of workers’ movements, influencing global political discourse. Penelope Kingsley 19/04/2025 1:30 pm
