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...
07/22/2014UKRAINE - RUSSIA Downed plane: bodies moved in Ukraine, the black boxes delivered to Malaysians Parties continue to trade accusations. Moscow now blames a Ukrainian fighter that flew on the same path as the civilian plane. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that the remains of 282 victims will be processed, whilst another 16 are still officially missing.
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."
07/18/2014MALAYSIA - RUSSIA - UKRAINE Ukraine: Malaysia Airlines flight shot down, 298 deaths. Moscow and Kiev trade blame The tragedy has "deeply shocked" Malaysians still reeling from the disappearance of flight MH370. Prime Minister Najib calls for thorough investigations to clarify the dynamics. Interceptions reveal involvement of Russian separatists; Putin rejects the charges and blames the Ukrainian government which has taken over the military actions in the area. Emergency meeting of the UN.
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.
07/12/2014MALAYSIA For Sepang Muslim MP, Catholic rights violated in Allah controversy Mohamed Hanipa Maidin demands justice for ‘The Herald’ and Malaysia’s Christian community, which has been under attack for some time. The decision to turn down a request for leave to appeal is against the Constitution because the case touches the public interest and raises an important constitutional question. Wondering about the “actual meaning of religious freedom" in Malaysia, he reiterated that Catholics did not violate any rule or principle.
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.
07/09/2014MALAYSIA - ISLAM Kuala Lumpur, moderate Muslims support Christians in the battle for the use of Allah A group of NGOs organized meetings, forums and online discussions to promote a "correct information" on the matter. However, it is an "uphill struggle" because most Malays have a rigid and schematic view of Islam. The challenge is to "educate the masses" and to promote religious freedom.
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."
07/06/2014VATICAN Pope: Jesus gives rest to the "harassed and helpless", those in the poorest countries, but also those on the margins of wealthy nations At the Angelus Pope Francis recalls that Christ’s invitation to give rest to those who are "weary and burdened" is also true in our day. "Human indifference" hurts those in need and "especially the indifference of Christians." A "special and affectionate" greeting to the people of Molise, where the pontiff travelled yesterday on a pastoral visit. Please do not forget to pray for me. I pray for you".
07/05/2014VATICAN - ITALY Pope in Molise: overcome the "culture of the provisional" to be truly free To young people and prisoners Francis repeats that "God never gets tired of forgiving." A statue of St. John the Evangelist that the diocese has gifted for the reopening of the Cathedral of Izmir. At Isernia, birthplace St Celestine V, the Celestine Jubilee Year is launched.
