11/16/2009VATICAN-FAO Pope: the fight against hunger in the end, demands the value of each person be recognised Speaking today at the world summit on food security, Benedict XVI says that we need to abandon the logic of profit as an end in itself, of considering aid of "functional" to the recipients, and instead apply the principle of subsidiarity and justice. Environmental protection requires a change in lifestyle. Rome (AsiaNews) - The Earth is able to feed all its inhabitants, now and in the future, but hunger, "the most cruel and concrete sign of poverty," still exists. Victory over hunger requires that essential international cooperation is based on...
11/16/2009VATICAN-FAO Pope: A new conscience of solidarity to overcome world hunger by Piero Gheddo Speaking at the FAO International Summit, Benedict XVI said that technical solutions (investment, banking, justice, climate, markets ...) is not enough to help the more than one billion hungry. A conversion to solidarity is needed.
11/14/2009ASIA - USA Obama first "president of the Pacific", promises greater commitment in Asia Threats to North Korea; veiled criticism of Myanmar; appreciation for China and its international role. Little room for human rights and democracy. In preparation a free market for the countries of the Pacific.
11/14/2009IRAQ Mosul armed group kills 16 year old Christian on doorstep of home Rami Katchik belongs to the Armenian community. The murder occurred in the neighbourhood of Tahrir. The police say motive is not yet clear. Fr. Hazem Girgis, a local priest: It is one of the many crimes committed to eradicate Christians from the area and force them to leave.
11/13/2009IRAQ Mosul celebrating the appointment of new archbishop after the death of Mgr Rahho Benedict XVI approves the election of Rev Emil Shimoun Nona by the Synod of Bishops of the Chaldean Church. The diocese had no leader since March 2008 when Mgr Rahho was abducted and murdered. Catholics in Mosul are full of “joy and renewed hope.”
11/13/2009ASIA - USA Barack Obama's first time in Asia Eight-day trip from Tokyo to Singapore, from Shanghai to Beijing to Seoul. On the agenda: climate change, North Korea’s nuclear program, Iran, Afghanistan, and especially the economic crisis and the Yuan. Criticized by peace activists in Japan.
11/11/2009IRAQ Kurdish guns threaten to bring a new humanitarian catastrophe to Iraqi minorities by Layla Yousif Rahema Human Rights Watch raises the alarm, confirmed by AsiaNews sources. Plan includes setting up a ghetto in the Nineveh Plains for Christians and guarantee Kurds control over resource-rich Kirkuk. Humanitarian aid is given in exchange for support as dissidents get crushed.
11/09/2009IRAQ Baghdad approves electoral law, the issue of Kirkuk remains The agreement reached yesterday by 141 votes out of 196 deputies present for the vote. The elections will be held in January 2010, but January16, the date originally planned, remains uncertain. A decision on Kirkuk, oil-rich region and the centre of a dispute between Kurds and Arabs, is postponed.
11/04/2009ASIA World economy on the brink of a new crisis by Maurizio d'Orlando Upbeat news about positive markets and GDP trends are the result of government stimuli, especially in the US and China. However, they are only tranquilisers, when their effects end, markets could collapse and societies will be in for a rough ride.
10/31/2009VATICAN - ISRAEL Israel restricts visas for priests and religious in the Holy Land by Arieh Cohen Two African priests denied visas, the priests from Europe reduced to a one year visa. Church authorities are worried (for now) afraid to raise their voice for fear of the consequences. The cause for restrictions: the fundamentalism of the Shas party. The Fundamental Agreement of '93 establishes freedom of the Church in being able to "deploy" its staff in the land of Christ. At risk the universal and international character of the Church. A new "visas crisis”is about to break out.
10/28/2009RUSSIA - IRAQ Iraq, private Russian security guards instead of the foreign armies Former Russian military troops guarantee the investment interests of the former Soviets in Baghdad. They boast of being "very diplomatic", unlike the Americans. But carry more weapons into the country.