With its 200,000 workers it is an important component of the local industry, but it can no longer compete on international markets. The collapse of the rouble is weighing on it, but also the higher labour costs compared to Bangladesh or Vietnam, which requires a qualitative leap in the promotion of its products.
The organisation founded by Fr Sebastiano D'Ambra, a PIME missionary, celebrates its foundation in May 1984 in Zamboanga, a province where Christians are a minority. Its focus is young people, trained to become worthy leaders, dedicated to building peace. “We are gathering stories of individuals who have experienced the spirituality of life,” said Fr D’Ambra.
The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue releases a message for the feast marking the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. Venerable Maha Ghosanda, a witness to the horrors of the Cambodian genocide, called for the removal of “the landmines of hatred from our hearts.”
A group of university students had gathered to pray in the home of a Catholic family but were forced to stop by armed men. The man at the head of an Islamic extremist group said Christians should gather in church. The police have opened an investigation.
Nepal has decided to print on its 100 rupee banknotes a map of the country that includes disputed territories with India. The Indian Foreign Minister immediately expressed his disapproval. A working group had been set up in 2024 to resolve the border dispute, but the meetings were suspended from 2019.
Manahel al-Qatabi's conviction for seeking an end to male guardianship is just the latest of a long list. A man who denounced corruption and human rights violations on social media was given a death sentence. Scores of people are serving “lengthy” prison terms.
