07/25/2014INDONESIA Jakarta: new president thanks bishops for encouraging Catholics to vote by Mathias Hariyadi Joko Widodo pays a courtesy call to the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, where he met with its president, Archbishop of Jakarta Mgr Suharyo. Padang bishop tells AsiaNews that his election is "a blessing" that brings a "new national spirit", "unity of the people" and "social ethics" to the country. Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Indonesia's president-elect, Joko Widodo, paid a
visit to the headquarters of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI) to thank
the Catholic Church for encouraging its followers to exercise "with conscience
and freedom" their right to vote during the presidential elections last 9 July.
Widodo, also known as "Jokowi", met with Mgr Ignatius...
07/25/2014ASIA Air disasters: 2014 could beat 2005 in terms of fatalities So far this year, 680 people have died, higher than 12-month totals for the past three years. With 916 deaths, 2005 was the worst year. IATA points out that about 100,000 flights take place every day without incident with passenger trips on airlines exceeding three billion last year.
07/25/2014JAPAN Japanese trade deficit hits record levels in first six months of the year Trade deficit tops 7.6 trillion yen (US$ 74.9 billion) as exports fail to keep pace with imports. Higher sales tax and higher fuel and gas imports because of nuclear power plant closures push Japan's trade balance into the red.
07/25/2014INDIA Jharkhand, a journey among children crippled by uranium contamination For years, environmental groups have denounced the living conditions of the inhabitants of the villages around Jaduguda, India’s first uranium mine. The majority of children suffer from severe physical deformities, which often lead to their death. Activisits denounce the dumping of toxic waste products. The president of the company that operates the mine claims the children "were brought here on purpose."
07/25/2014ISRAEL - PALESTINE As efforts to stop the war in Gaza intensify, death toll tops 800 Israel and Hamas are vetting a proposal US Secretary of State John Kerry for a temporary ceasefire, during which the parties meet to seek a wider agreement with Egypt's mediation. Yesterday, Israel hit a UN hospital in Gaza, killing at least 15 civilians.
07/25/2014KYRGYZSTAN Bishkek: Supreme Court outlaws Ahmadis The country's highest judicial authority rejects the appeal filed by the community for state registration and freedom of worship. In practice, it will also be impossible for Ahmadis to pray in private. The ruling "is equal to banning us in Kyrgyzstan," a believer says.
07/25/2014INDONESIA Jakarta, former general Subianto begins "final battle" after election defeat by Mathias Hariyadi The retired army officer is appealing to the Constitutional Court over alleged fraud during the vote against Joko Widodo. Widodo responds by reaching out, "Stop fighting, let us unite to better Indonesia."
07/25/2014CHINA Shandong, flurry of arrests against Church of Almighty God members A group of 5 members, that the state has outlawed as an "evil cult," beat to death a woman who had refused to join them. The murder has sparked public outrage because, during the violence, no one intervened to help the victim. "Hundreds" of other members arrested by the police.
07/25/2014BANGLADESH - HOLY LAND Bishop of Bangladesh: Stop Israeli attacks on Gaza, a humanitarian tragedy by Sumon Corraya Msgr. Gervas Rozario, President of the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace, condemns war on the Gaza Strip. The prelate also criticizes the actions of Hamas: "Terrorism generates terrorism, we need to embark on a path of dialogue and reconciliation”. Every day in Bangladesh, people of all religions and social backgrounds peacefully demonstrate against the Israeli attacks.
07/24/2014VATICAN - SUDAN Pope meets Meriam, thanks her for her courageous witness of faith Today at Domus Sanctae Marthae, Francis received the Sudanese woman, jailed in recent months for her faith, together with her husband and two sons. "Francis wanted to express his closeness, concern and prayers for all those who suffer for their faith," said Father Lombardi.
07/24/2014INDIA Fr Nithya: Hunger and extreme poverty hinder human development in India by Nirmala Carvalho Fr Nithya OFM talks to AsiaNews about the 2014 Human Development Report. Based on the Index of Human Development, the studies ranks India 135th out of 187 countries. For the clergyman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic promises "mock the poor and the marginalised."
07/24/2014SUDAN - ITALY Meriam free at last in Rome where she could meet the Pope Sentenced to death for apostasy, the young Sudanese Christian woman arrived in Italy on an Italian government plane. Her story had sparked protests across the non-Muslim world. "Today is a day of celebration," said Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. "The Pope has been informed," said Father Lombardi.
07/24/2014INDONESIA Purwokerto: Muslims in parish hall to break Ramadan fast by Mathias Hariyadi A priest from Banjarnegara Regency, the "heartland" of Islamic Indonesia, calls on "all people of good will" to eat together after sunset. Gus Khayatul Maki, the local leader of the Islamic Defenders Front, attends the event, speaks in favour of pluralism and religious tolerance. In Java, a priest involves more than 90 young people in a two-day event dedicated to interreligious dialogue.
07/24/2014VATICAN-TAIWAN Pope sends condolences to Archbishop of Taipei for Magong plane crash The Pope sent a telegram through the Secretary of State. The plane was carrying 58 people; 48 have died. 10 others are hospitalized for injuries. The immediate cause is believed to be bad weather conditions, but the government has opened an investigation.
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