---
title: "Pope Francis calls extraordinary synod, and other stories &#8211; our morning round-up"
date: "2013-10-09T09:54:41+01:00"
modified: "2013-10-09T09:54:41+01:00"
url: "https://rationalists.org.uk/2013/10/09/pope-francis-calls-extraordinary-synod-and-other-stories-our-morning-round-up/"
post_id: 5971
categories: ["Uncategorised"]
---

# Pope Francis calls extraordinary synod, and other stories – our morning round-up

[Pope Francis calls extraordinary synod on family and marriage](http://world.time.com/2013/10/08/pope-francis-calls-extraordinary-synod-on-family-and-marriage/)

Pope Francis will host an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to discuss the topic, “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelisation.” There have only been two previous Extraordinary Synods since Pope Paul VI established the Synod of Bishops in 1965. The synod’s role is to examine “the signs of the times.” (Time)

[Chinese police “fired into protesters” in Tibet](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-24442218)

At least 60 Tibetans were injured after Chinese police fired into a crowd of protesters, rights group Free Tibet and US-based Radio Free Asia report. The International Campaign for Tibet said it was not clear if the troops fired live rounds or tear gas. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that she was unaware of the reports, and declined to comment further, Reuters news agency said. (BBC)

[First ever evidence of a comet striking Earth](http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/researchers-discover-first-ever-evidence-of-a-comet-striking-earth/#ixzz2hCwNbbUk)

A team of South African scientists and international collaborators has discovered unprecedented evidence of a comet entering the Earth’s atmosphere and exploding, creating a huge fireball that wiped out every life form in its path. (Science Recorder)

[England’s young adults trail world in literacy and maths](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24433320)

A major study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shows that England’s 16 to 24-year-olds are falling behind their Asian and European counterparts. (BBC)

[Gulf states to have clinical screenings at airports to “detect” homosexuals](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/gulf-states-will-have-clinical-screenings-at-airport-to-detect-homosexuals-and-stop-them-entering-the-country-8867046.html)

Kuwait and other states are to conduct medical tests in an attempt to “detect” homosexuals trying to enter Gulf states, a senior official has announced. Persons who are identified as LGBT through the tests will then be refused entry into the country. (Independent)