Ed Stoddard
No image available
/ 24 September 2007

Anglican gay showdown looms in New Orleans

The United States Episcopal Church is in the middle of a debate that could end with its departure from the Worldwide Anglican Communion over disagreements about gay clergy and same-sex unions. The conflict was prompted when the US church consecrated Gene Robinson as the first bishop in an openly gay relationship.

No image available
/ 16 June 2007

Computer concerns on space station fade

Nasa reported major progress on glitches in a critical computer system on the International Space Station on Friday as astronauts repaired insulation damage to the space shuttle Atlantis during a spacewalk. Four of the six boxes or ”lanes” that comprise the computer were up and running.

No image available
/ 17 January 2007

US backyard weather network set to expand

Satellites have not yet replaced the humble rain gauge when it comes to collecting weather data in the United States, and scientists on Monday said they intend to expand the network over the next few years. Volunteers measure the amount of rain in their backyard gauges on a daily basis and add the information to an online database.

No image available
/ 4 September 2006

SA debates atonement after Vlok apology

The thorny issue of white atonement for apartheid has been thrown under the South African spotlight after a former white hard-line minister washed the feet of a black preacher his forces once tried to kill. The furore erupted last month when it emerged that Adriaan Vlok, a minister of law and order under apartheid, had apologised to Reverend Frank Chikane, a prominent anti-apartheid activist.

No image available
/ 4 September 2006

Africa’s great croc hunter salutes Steve Irwin

Africa’s great crocodile hunter saluted his Australian counterpart on Monday, saying the death of Steve Irwin by a stingray barb was an ”unfitting” end for the fearless showman. ”I’m very upset to hear about it. I know that he led a dangerous life but it just doesn’t seem right that a fish should kill him… It is an unfitting death for him,” said Khalid Hassen.

No image available
/ 29 August 2006

Pilger lashes ‘whiter than white’ ANC

Journalist John Pilger is scathing in his criticism of the ”whiter than white” economic policies of the South African government, which he says have enriched a few blacks at the expense of millions of others. In his new book Freedom Next Time, the combative Australian-born writer says the African National Congress (ANC) sold its soul to corporate bosses over glasses of single-malt whisky.