Andrew West

A litmus test for anyone seeking office as a Democrat in the US is unqualified support for abortion. At the moment, it’s popular. Even in Republican states have passed ballot measures to over-ride abortion bans. But can the Democrats forge a long-term coalition to win the congress and the presidency without some pro-life voters, especially Catholics? A growing number of progressive Democrats say the party needs to be a bigger tent.

After 180 years in Australia, the Catholic order of Christian Brothers is closing down – bankrupt and shamed by the child sexual abuse scandal. The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million. The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers.

If the geopolitics of Israel and Palestine isn’t hot enough, there’s now a controversy over control of the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem. For decades, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the official custodian, allowing non-Muslims to visit, but not to pray. But Israeli hardliners -- backed reputedly by the Trump administration and some Gulf Arab states -- want to transfer control to a so-called multi-faith council.