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. London (AsiaNews/Agencies)
- With three fatal airline crashes in a week 2014 is shaping up
to be the worst year in almost a decade for passenger fatalities.
Yesterday a plane crashed - apparently
because of bad...
07/24/2014LEBANON - IRAQ For Syriac Orthodox patriarch, "Mosul must be retaken" by Fady Noun "The planned expulsion of Christians is a barbaric act," said Ignatius Ephrem, "unprecedented in the history of relations between Christians and Muslims." There are states that support those groups, but "these acts will inevitably rebound sooner or later on those who support them."
07/21/2014LEBANON - IRAQ Patriarch Rahi: "What do moderate Muslims say" about what is happening to Christians in Mosul? by Fady Noun "We hear no one cry out" against the brutal behavior that contradicts 1,400 years of history of the Islamic world. The Syriac-Catholic patriarch calls on the Vatican to organise a meeting to deal with the situation with the apostolic nuncios from the countries involved, and consider joining forces with the diplomatic efforts of the Patriarch of Moscow.
07/20/2014VATICAN Pope: I am with the persecuted Christians of Mosul and the Middle East "May the God of peace inspire in all a genuine desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence is never defeated with violence. Violence is defeated with peace." At the Sunday Angelus Francis comments on the parable of the wheat and the weeds. God is "patient" He knows "the same weeds in the end, may become good wheat". But "at the time of the harvest, that is, of judgment, the reapers will execute the order of the master separating the weeds to be burned".
07/18/2014VATICAN - ISLAM Christians and Muslims should work fraternally for "justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person" The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issues a message for the Muslims of the world to mark the end of Ramadan. "Despite being aware of our differences, [. . .] We perceive the importance of promoting a fruitful dialogue built upon mutual respect and friendship. Inspired by our shared values and strengthened by our sentiments of genuine fraternity, we are called to work together for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person."
07/18/2014INDIA For Catholic doctor, violence against women can destroy India A member of the Pontifical Academy for Life talks to AsiaNews about the gang rape of a novice in Bangalore. "The fight against this culture of violence must start with respect for life, especially for the girls for whom violence begins in the womb with female feticide and infanticide," he said.
07/13/2014VATICAN As pope makes "heartfelt appeal" for peace in the Holy Land, he notes that prayer is not "in vain" After the Angelus, Pope Francis called on those present to pray during a minute of silence. He made the same plea to local and international policy makers. Prayer helps us "not allow ourselves be overcome by evil, nor accept that violence and hatred take over from dialogue and reconciliation." The parable of the sower asks, 'How is our heart? To what ground does it look like: a road, rocky ground, or a bush? We must remember that with our words "we too are sowers". Indeed, "Our words can do so much good and so much evil; they can hurt and heal, encourage and depress." And "please, do not forget to pray for me."
07/12/2014ASIA - UNITED NATIONS More than half the world's population lives in cities India will lead the way, as the country's urban population is expected to swell by 404 million people between now and 2050. Tokyo will continue to top the mega-city list followed by Delhi, Shanghai, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Beijing, Osaka, and Cairo. This trend will be challenge for health care, schools, food, and housing.
07/11/2014ASIA WHO: Coronavirus alert remains high in Asia but its spread is "unlikely" Experts downplay alaram, Philippine government warns to citizens to postpone their pilgrimage to Mecca. However, those who must travel to Saudi Arabia invited to pay particular attention to personal hygiene and avoid contact with likely carriers.
07/09/2014ISLAM The desperate dream of the Islamic Caliphate by Samir Khalil Samir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s rhetoric is bankrupt. No Muslim wants to live in a caliphate. Moreover, no-one accepts him as "caliph". But he is correct in pointing out that the Islamic world is in decline, and Muslims themselves are responsible for this. Israel and "conspiracy” theories. The rebirth of Islam through open dialogue in society, based on universal and shared values. Otherwise the demise of Islam is likely.
07/08/2014LEBANON - IRAQ The Middle East's changing face emerges out of Iraq's battles by Fady Noun The current crisis could have three outcomes: the emergence of a Kurdish entity, the creation of a Sunni region in Iraq and the weakening of ties with Tehran. Israel backs an independent Kurdish, something to which Washington is not opposed. Iraqi leaders are faced with the dilemma of bringing Sunnis into a coalition government to foster reconciliation.
07/07/2014VATICAN Pope: "no place" in the Church for those who commit sexual abuse To a group of abuse victims, Francis insists on "zero tolerance" against those who commit what is "something more than despicable actions". "It's like sacrilegious worship, because these children were entrusted to the priestly charism, to lead them to God." "God grant me the courage to follow this path for the sake of the children."
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