Vatican spokesman and his deputy resign, capping difficult year for Pope Francis

The Vatican spokesman and his deputy resigned on Monday over disagreements on strategy, ending a year of upheaval in the Holy See’s communications structure. A brief Vatican statement gave no reason for the resignations. Spokesman Greg Burke, an American, tweeted that he and his Spanish deputy, Paloma Garcia Ovejero, had quit to let Pope Francis appoint a new team…

Inside the Dutch province where gas extraction tremors left houses crumbling

The village of Doodstil – which translates as ‘dead quiet’ in Dutch – feels like it could have been named as part of an elaborate joke. Despite its name and appearance, this cluster of homes surrounded by flat, green fields and picturesque dykes actually sits in an unlikely earthquake zone. Fifty-five years of conventional gas…

Islamist terrorists suspected in murder of Scandinavian tourists in Morocco

Two Scandinavian tourists killed in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains were the victims of a terrorist attack, prosecutors believe. One man has been arrested following the discovery on Monday of the bodies of 24-year-old Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, from Denmark, and Maren Ueland, 28, from Norway. One of the women had been beheaded, a source told AFP. A…

Ex-China spymaster Ma Jian jailed for life over corruption

Ex-China spymaster Ma Jian was jailed for life over corruption, a court in northeastern China announced Thursday. "Ma Jian’s behaviour constituted the crime of accepting bribes, forcing others to trade and insider trading," the Dalian Intermediate People’s Court in Liaoning province announced in a statement. Ma pleaded guilty and has decided not to appeal, the court said, adding…

Here are the stars of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing jumping on the Fortnite bandwagon

Fancy a steaming side order of cringe with your Sunday dinner? Of course you do. So here are the stars of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing trying out some of Fortnite’s most iconic moves, including Groove Jam, Hype, Fresh, and Floss. ??#Strictly does Fortnite! Press play tonight 6.40pm @BBCOne pic.twitter.com/zyXrScuXum — BBC Strictly ? (@bbcstrictly) October…

Watch Ukrainian MPs punch one another in the face as a fight breaks out in Parliament

Punches were thrown in the Ukrainian parliament yesterday after a bill was passed that would require the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to change its name to indicate its ties to Russia. Fighting broke out after Nestor Shufrych, a member of the Opposition Bloc, removed a poster from the podium which accused pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk…

Beyond Meat Vegetarian Burgers Arrive At A&W Across Canada

VANCOUVER — Canadians can sample the Beyond Meat veggie burger made to look and taste like beef at A&W restaurants starting today. The burger chain partnered with California-based Beyond Meat to create a plant-based burger that it is now serving at its more than 925 restaurants across Canada. The company, whose investors include Bill Gates…

Rubbish piles up at US national parks due to government shutdown

Some of America’s iconic national parks are in danger of being overwhelmed by rubbish and could suffer significant damage due to the partial shutdown of the US government, conservationists have warned. Donald Trump said he had "no choice" but to continue the shutdown, blaming Democrats as litter and human waste piled up at tourist areas…

Tariffs, Sunset Clause Are Both NAFTA Dealbreakers, Canada Tells U.S.

QUEBEC — The Trudeau government has told President Donald Trump he needs to get rid of the punishing U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum if there is any hope of successfully renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement. Finance Minister Bill Morneau said that message was communicated clearly to Trump during his meetings at…