The Saudi crown prince is on the first stop of his Asian tour, Pakistan, where he signed a US$ 20 billion deal. Meanwhile, a violent crackdown continues at home. Reformist religious leaders like Shaykh Salman al-Awdah risk the death penalty for their beliefs. Liberal Muslims must support the oppressed and break down the wall of silence.
The bust of Fr. John Baptist Hoffmann stands outside the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Sarwada. He fought to protect the tribal lands. Hindu radicals, however, associate him with British colonial rule and the martyrdom of a tribal hero.
Fr. Reid Shelton Fernando: "It is useless to reintroduce capital punishment, hate generates hatred". The government has canceled a moratorium in force for 43 years. The provision after a meeting with his Filipino counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte. A nun proposes alternative penalties to hanging.
The number of accidents caused by drivers over the age of 65 increased from 17,590 in 2013 to 26,713 in 2017; the number of victims from 737 to 848. The government introduces measures to encourage older people to stop driving. In several provinces, money and incentives for those who hand in their license.
The Christian cultural center Vishwa Jyoti Communications organizes a pilgrimage from Nepal to Uttar Pradesh. The stages are rich in symbolic meanings, and recall the message of harmony and compassion of the Buddha. Fr. Anand: "Jesus challenges me to love my neighbor and his enemy".
The city-state has been penalised by its reliance on exports to China. The government recorded the slowest on-year pace since the third quarter of 2016. Electronics and semiconductors are a source of vulnerability. GDP growth in 2019 is expected to be less than 2.5 per cent.
With the vote of 485 members in the 596-seat chamber, Parliament begins the process of strengthening the powers of the president. In addition to extending terms limits, changes would enhance the role of the Armed Forces in the country’s political life. For an Egyptian activist, Sisi runs the country like a "military unit”, but for Fr Rafic, power still lies with voters.
After decades of discrimination, racism against the ethnic minority is banned. Tourism will be promoted in Hokkaido, home to the remaining 12,300 Ainu.
The murder took place on January 29, 2017. Ko Ni was killed outside the Yangon airport shot at point-blank range. The Muslim lawyer wanted to change the militarist Constitution. The bishops spokesman: "We reiterate no to capital punishment".
In Kaesong a summit to organize the joint event to commemorate the March 1 Movement. Japan ruled the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945. In 1919, patriots publicly read the Unilateral Declaration of Independence. Tokyo carried out a ferocious repression: over 7 thousand dead, and 10 thousand injured.
Erdogan, Putin and Rouhani in favor of the exit of the United States. Moscow announces unspecified "measures" against the "terrorist outbreak" in the north. But at the moment there are no joint military operations planned. For Erdogan it is essential to limit the Kurds.
The bomber a local fundamentalist of the Pakistani Islamic group Jaish-e-Mohammad. An official note from the Pakistani government rejects all " insinuations" of Islamabad connection with the incident. In Bandra a mass in memory of the dead soldiers.
Ahead of the general elections, the Council of lay people of the Indian Bishops' Conference is organizing meetings throughout the territory. It wants to make local communities more involved in issues of freedom of worship in India. In March it will present a report to the bishops. John Dayal: "A poisonous context of regional nationalism undermines the secular roots of our republic".
A Pakistan-based Islamic extremist group has claimed responsibility. A car full of explosives rammed a bus carrying soldiers. For Mgr Theodore Mascarenhas, "Violence can never solve any issue.”
Gloria Jharna Sarker, a 40-year-old lawyer and a mother of two, has a long history of involvement as a student in Christian associations and in favour of women. She pledged to work for needy children, women and young people.
