07/23/2014CHINA - KOREA China arrests 29 North Korean refugees who face death if repatriated by Joseph Yun Li-sun The arrests were made between Qingdao and Kunming and include 5 Chinese and Koreans who were trying to help them get to South-East Asia. The Beijing government set on sending them back home, where they face concentration camps or execution. Seoul "at work" to resolve issue, experts skeptical: "China does not want refugees from the north, it fears the economic impact." Beijing (AsiaNews)
- The Chinese government has arrested
29 refugees from
North Korea and 5 Chinese and South Koreans who were helping them
to escape. The arrests took place
July 15 and 17 in
Qingdao (Shandong Province) and Kunming
(Yunnan): both cities are on the "route" of North Korean refugees who want to seek refuge in South-East Asia. Beijing must now decide whether to deport
them. If they go ahead with this the...
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."
07/16/2014KOREA - UNITED STATES US-South Korean naval war games start Five-day US-South Korean naval exercises being in South Korean territorial waters. Pyongyang reacts by protesting, calling for the drill's cancellation, whilst continuing to fire projectiles into the sea. Meanwhile, the two Koreas are, asks to cancel the event and continues to fire short-range missiles. Meanwhile, the two Koreas organise joint meet to prepare for Asian Games in Incheon.
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.
07/09/2014KOREA Pyongyang fires two short-range missiles into the sea It was the fourth missile test in less than two weeks. Two Scud-type missiles were fired from the western province of Hwanghae into the Sea of Japan. They have a range of about 500 km. One of the architects of North Korea's nuclear programme dies.
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.
07/05/2014VATICAN-ITALY Pope in Molise: Witness to charity, high road of evangelization On a one day pastoral visit to one of the poorest regions in Italy, Pope Francis urges faithful to be like Mary, the "handmaid of the Lord" and in the service of their "brothers who are in need". God frees us from sadness and selfishness. At the University of Campobasso, the call for a "jobs pact" that safeguards the dignity of the unemployed. "Safeguarding" the earth without "exploiting it". We need to "waste time with our children". "Maybe it's time to ask whether it is true freedom to work on Sundays."
