Jazzy Jan

Dreadful horrifying news. Evil cowards who have no respect for human lives and have caused horror, heart ache with these disgusting attacks. https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/dozens-dead-in-sri-lanka-church-hotel-blasts/news-story/e26f0f017533a6c22dd6706dcb526b3b Explosions thought to be the work of suicide bombers have killed at least 137 people - including nine foreigners - at three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka. The toll in a string of blasts targeting hotels and churches in Sri Lanka today has risen to 137, including nine foreigners, a police official told AFP. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said at least 45 people had been killed in Colombo, where three hotels and a church were hit. Another 67 were killed in an attack on a church in Negombo north of the capital, with another 25 dead at a church in the town of Batticaloa, in the east of the country Daily News says more than 500 others have been taken to hospital with injuries caused by the blasts. The explosions all occurred roughly at the same time, around 8.45am local time (1.15pm AEST), authorities said A security official official said at least the two of the church blasts were carried out by suicide bombers. One of the churches targeted was St Anthony’s in Colombo. The other two were St Sebastian’s in Negombo, a Catholic majority town 30km from the capital, and Zion Church in Batticaloa, 250km east of the capital. St. Sebastian’s posted pictures of destruction inside the church on its Facebook page, showing blood on pews and the floor, and requested help from the public. The blasts were reported from at least two luxury hotels and a church in Colombo, and two other churches in Katana and in Negombo, north of Colombo.

N Ireland police arrest teenagers over killing of reporter McKee Detectives arrest two men, aged 18 and 19, under the Terrorism Act over the killing of Lyra McKee, police says. Northern Ireland police said that two men have been arrested over the killing of journalist Lyra McKee in the city of Londonderry, also known as Derry, on Thursday. "Major Investigation Team detectives have arrested two men, aged 18 and 19 under the Terrorism Act, in connection with the murder of Lyra McKee in the Creggan area of Derry on Thursday, 18th April," the police tweeted on Saturday morning. "They have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite," it added. The 29-year-old was shot dead during an evening riot while standing near a police van as a gunman opened fire. The riot broke out after security forces raided the Creggan area in search of firearms before Easter weekend when republicans opposed to the British presence in Northern Ireland commemorate the 1916 Easter uprising against British rule. A crowd of about 100 people, including journalists, had gathered at the scene, where young people had been throwing petrol bombs at police and where they had set two vehicles on fire. The police opened an investigation into the killing and said dissident republicans calling themselves "the New IRA" were likely responsible. The group rejects the 1998 Good Friday peace deal, which largely brought an end to decades of sectarian bloodshed. Saoradh (or "Liberation" in the Irish Gaelic language), which is an unregistered party formed by Irish republicans seen as the political wing of the so-called "New IRA", said in a statement that McKee was "killed accidentally" by a "Republican volunteer". 'An act of hate' Leo Varadkar, the prime minister of the neighbouring Republic of Ireland, described the killing as "an act of hate". "We cannot allow those who want to propagate violence, fear and hate to drag us back to the past," he said. McKee has been remembered as a talented and accomplished investigative journalist, dedicated to documenting Northern Ireland's recovery from 30 years of sectarian conflict, known as the Troubles. The conflict erupted between largely Catholic republicans, who wanted to reunite Ireland as one country, and mostly Protestant unionists, who wanted Northern Ireland to remain British. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 largely put an end to that conflict, but paramilitary groups have continued to exist on both sides.

Money is raised all the time for these issues - it is sadly a never ending problem and corrupt politicians, scam artists etc make it so difficult. People do give incredibly generously around the world to help other people. It is wrong though that every time people raise money for something, people are complaining about not putting money somewhere else. Nothing would ever get done if everyone has this attitude. Exactly. The Notre Dame Cathedral is a testament to human achievement as well. History and seeing historic beautiful buildings, monuments etc and what it means to millions of people is incredibly powerful.

Sorry, but don't agree at all. The Notre Dame Cathedral is an iconic, beautiful building that means so much to people around the world and especially to the people of Paris. It is part of history. It was built in 1163. Has witnessed and survived the French Revolution, Two world wars and is steeped in world history. Buildings are part of the world's history. There is so much today that people just don't bother about - too interested in their mobile phones, reality tv shows and know nothing of history. We need historic buildings, churches, structures etc with a rich long past to remind us of our history. They are incredibly important and mean so much to people.

So devastating. So much history and such a beautiful cathedral. Just horrible and a sense of hopeless loss.

@VogueMusic @Martin B. @ctg12 Happens so often today. Nothing against Billie who definitely has talent but they are already making her out as some kind of incredible performer and superstar. It really has gotten out of hand. Today's stars are so over-hyped, and raved about that they become annoying without it even being their fault. They need time to grow as performers and earn the raves. Same with Lorde who was so raved about continually even when she did that freestyle dance that was laughable. There is no balance anymore and everything screams payola. We have not seen Lorde jump for a while and I know that @runa and @Aries always get a laugh, so here she is. Seriously, how was this raved about.

I want to see a photo of the Jiffy cornbread Muffin mix thief - Bo the dog !

So sad. Poor man, what an awful way to die.

Wow ! what a crazy day at Walmart ! The dog Bo stealing the Jiffy cornbread Muffin mix

Great points you make Paul. I agree that it is important to know what people are thinking as ways to discuss and debate with them. Unfortunately though, there seems to be a lot of people now somewhat applauding ultra extreme right wings views which includes homophobia, racism, sexism etc and seems to have make it more acceptable for these people. Fraser Anning for example - have read too many articles saying he has the right to free speech and supporting him and he mentioned the Final Solution. It is pretty chilling that they can still support a man that utters those words and see him as being correct. He is also openly anti-gay and wants to overturn the yes to gay marriage vote as well. I have noticed more and more people saying incredibly bigoted things now than say 4 years ago. Not sure exactly but almost as if their extreme and hateful views have become more " acceptable" now. Probably coincides with also how many with those views are in political parties now. A lot of people have changed their views over the years for the better too of course. Agree too on the way children are raised. If they are told and taught from a young age to be be homophobic, racist, have no respect for women etc, they often just carry that through their life as that are the opinions they have heard since childhood. Many do change their views but many don't.

The movie didn't make him look good or kind. It was simply a movie about his early life and his upbringing. Explaining how be become a hacker and his influences. I didn't find him likeable in the movie. Definitely don't find him likeable now.

If anyone is interested, this was a great movie made about Julian Assange's start as a political hacker in Melbourne.

I like the phrase that many have used. Of course we should have freedom of speech, but with that comes freedom of consequence. Others have the freedom to also react to hate speech with the disdain it deserves. If famous people want to post things that discriminates and spreads hate - they have to understand that others are going to react to their bigoted, hateful comments. How would young boys who love rugby feel reading that they will burn in hell if they are homosexual. Inexcusable comments. Tired of people defending bigots who should keep their hateful views to themselves.

Yes, agree with you Horn. However, didn't Sweden drop the charges ? If the charges are still open, he should be forced to go to Sweden, not the USA and fight the charges there.