05/22/2013VATICAN-CHINA Pope: pray for Chinese Catholics that they may "never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world and the world to Jesus" At the General audience, Francis speaks of the "duty" to evangelize that belongs to every Christian: the Spirit urges us to preach the Good News “courageously, loudly" and to all. Also a prayer "for the victims, especially the children of the disaster in Oklahoma. May the Lord himself console everyone, in particular parents who have lost a child in such a tragic way". Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis has invited "all Catholics in
the world" to join Chinese believers in prayer on May 24, to Our Lady of
Sheshan, "I urge all Catholics around the world to join in prayer with...
05/22/2013VATICAN Vatican continues fight against money laundering The Vatican Financial Information Authority (AIF) releases its first annual report, showing that the "system is consistently improving". The AIF received six suspicious activity reports last year, up from one the previous year. International cooperation is improving. This year, Moneyval recommendations are set to be implemented.
05/22/2013IRAN Iran's vote worthless as Rafsanjani and Mashaei are out The two men are excluded from the list of admissible candidates the Guardians Council made public today. Only one reformist candidate, Mohammed Reza Araf, is allowed. He was former President Khatami's vice president. Police are deployed across the country's cities and sensitive sites.
05/22/2013NEPAL Nepali Muslim leader killed, community calls it a political murder by Kalpit Parajuli The assassination of the president of National Islamic Struggle Committee threatens to spark renewed sectarian violence. The country's Muslim minority accuses the government of indifference, of failing to deal with the problem of extremist groups. For Muslim Association of Nepal Vice President Mohammad Najimuddi, the killing was politically motivated, demands more security.
05/22/2013VATICAN Pope says no to intolerance, everyone can and must do good, even atheists As he celebrated Mass this morning, Francis said that the possibility of doing good is part of creation, and that Christ redeemed all of us, not only Catholics. Doing good "is a beautiful path towards peace" whilst "killing in the name of God is blasphemy."
05/22/2013SYRIA Aleppo prays for Orthodox bishops kidnapped a month ago Bishop Audo, Chaldean Archbishop of Aleppo, speaks of the pain of the Syrian Christian community. For a month the population has been waiting for news on the conditions of Msgr. Youhanna Ibrahim and Msgr. Boulos Yaziji kidnapped on 22 April. The appeal of Bartholomew I, for the liberation of the two prelates and peace in Syria. The hopes for an end to the conflict is supported by the hymn "Christ is Risen Alleluia", which is heard every day in all the churches of the city.
05/22/2013SRI LANKA National strike, unions: public sector employees threatened with dismissal by Melani Manel Perera The government told its employees not to participate in yesterday's protest against high prices. For the unions, it was a "success" because it showed the central government's weakness.
05/22/2013CHINA Beijing, 13 arrests for protests relating to case of young "suicide" migrant Security forces have arrested a group of people accused of fomenting protests and of spreading "rumors" on the internet. They include the boyfriend of the 22 year-old Yuan Liya. For many commentators, the girl was thrown from the upper floors of the mall, after a gang rape.
05/22/2013VIETNAM Vietnamese Catholics pray for release of Vinh Christian activists by Paul N. Hung On 23 May, after several postponements, eight of the 14 arrested appear before the judges of the Supreme Court. International organizations, pro human rights movements and the faithful ask for their release. The repression of the authorities also affects bloggers, patriots and "peaceful dissidents."
05/21/2013SRI LANKA Sri Lankans to pray and celebrate during weeklong Vesak festival by Melani Manel Perera Various ceremonies and cultural activities are scheduled for the 21-27 May festival, which marks Buddhism's most important religious event, the commemoration of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.
05/21/2013JAPAN - UNITED STATES Inflationary policies threaten to create another economic bubble by Andy Xie Andy Xie argues asset inflation is being pumped up in order to stimulate a stagnating global economy and help the unemployed, when in fact such policies benefit neither
05/21/2013IRAN Guardians Council might exclude Rafsanjani for not meeting necessary criteria The former president has the support of moderates, but he might be too old, has led a lavish lifestyle and could be unable to perform his tasks. Ahmadinejad's ally Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie might also be excluded because he is disliked by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The official list of presidential candidates will be released on Thursday.
05/21/2013UNITED STATES - MYANMAR As Obama welcomes Myanmar president, praises his reforms, human rights activists criticise him Thein Sein makes an historic visit to the United States, the first Burmese head of state in 50 years to step on the White House lawn. The US president praised his "genuine efforts", but at the same time calls for the protection of minorities, particularly the Rohingya. His Myanmar counterpart says he is committed a "new national identity" that does not distinguish between ethnic and religious groups.
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