05/21/2013VATICAN Pope: there should be no power struggle within the Church, because real power, according to Jesus, is service In this morning's Mass at Domus Sanctae Marthae, Francis stressed how the Gospel shows that the disciples were already arguing over who was greatest among them. In the Church however, "the greatest is the one who serves the most, the one who is in the service of others the most." This "is the rule." And yet, from the start until now, there have been "power struggles within the church." Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Power struggles within the
Church began during Jesus' lifetime, but they "should not exist" precisely
because Jesus' example teaches us that "the power is service" and
that "the greatest is the one who serves the...
05/21/2013SRI LANKA Sri Lankans to pray and celebrate during weeklong Vesak festival by Melani Manel Perera Various ceremonies and cultural activities are scheduled for the 21-27 May festival, which marks Buddhism's most important religious event, the commemoration of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.
05/21/2013JAPAN - UNITED STATES Inflationary policies threaten to create another economic bubble by Andy Xie Andy Xie argues asset inflation is being pumped up in order to stimulate a stagnating global economy and help the unemployed, when in fact such policies benefit neither
05/21/2013IRAN Guardians Council might exclude Rafsanjani for not meeting necessary criteria The former president has the support of moderates, but he might be too old, has led a lavish lifestyle and could be unable to perform his tasks. Ahmadinejad's ally Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie might also be excluded because he is disliked by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The official list of presidential candidates will be released on Thursday.
05/21/2013UNITED STATES - MYANMAR As Obama welcomes Myanmar president, praises his reforms, human rights activists criticise him Thein Sein makes an historic visit to the United States, the first Burmese head of state in 50 years to step on the White House lawn. The US president praised his "genuine efforts", but at the same time calls for the protection of minorities, particularly the Rohingya. His Myanmar counterpart says he is committed a "new national identity" that does not distinguish between ethnic and religious groups.
05/21/2013CHINA Chinese youth educated in Party schools to violence and disregard for life In one month, dozens of cases of assaults, stabbings and even beheadings for petty reasons. University of Hong Kong Researcher points to school system imprinted on directives of the Communist Party and moral education of young people. Mao’s society has taught young people that human life is worthless.
05/21/2013BANGLADESH Dhaka, 50 injured in clashes between textile workers and police by Sumon Corraya At least 7 thousand workers of 20 companies in the sector took to the streets to demand the minimum wage increase (to 103 dollars a month). The highway linking the capital to Tangail blocked in protest. The intervention of the police to disperse the demonstration. Accusations traded over responsibility for the violence.
05/21/2013NEPAL Kathmandu, the Apostolic Nuncio celebrates confirmations on Pentecost Sunday by Kalpit Parajuli On the occasion of the feast of Pentecost eight Catholics receive the sacrament of Confirmation. The Vatican representative in India and Nepal celebrates together with the faithful in the Cathedral of the Assumption. "Discover and share the faith among the people."
05/21/2013CHINA - NORTH KOREA 16 Chinese fishermen held hostage by the North Korean regime freed The boat seized on May 5; negotiations with Pyongyang for the release launched on the 10th. According to the shipowner no ransom paid; formerly the North Korean side had asked for 100 thousand dollars for their release. Chinese public opinion and columnists enraged against the Kim regime.
05/21/2013IRAQ Patriarch Sako: unity, a fundamental good for "wounded" Chaldean Church, to continue by Joseph Mahmoud In a letter to the clergy the affirmation of the "ecumenical nature" of a Church which "has been and will always be open to all nations and languages, because Christ has sent it forth to proclaim the Gospel to all nations" and therefore cannot and will not get involved in nationalist campaigns. "It 's time to understand that our Church is invited to transform her reality in light of the resurrection."
05/20/2013CHINA Chinese scholar calls for CP reform, warns the PRC will go the Soviet way
For Zhang Xien, a professor at Shandong University, 20 per cent of the CP's 83 million members are old, sick and "unable to toe the party line". At least 32 million should be encouraged to leave. The scholar addresses the dangerous issue in an article published by a biweekly magazine published by the People's Daily, the party's mouthpiece. He wants better entry requirements to weed out potentially bad officials.
05/20/2013PAKISTAN Amid violence and demonstrations, Imran Khan wins a seat in Karachi Feud breaks out between the PTI, the party of Pakistan's former cricket star, and MQM, Sindh's dominant party. Both sides announce protests as they fire off accusations at each other. For the murder of PTI's deputy president in Sindh, Khan blames the MQM, which rejects the charge as slanderous.
05/20/2013LEBANON Maronite patriarch slams Lebanese politicians who "don't deserve to rule" Bisharah Al-Rahi attacks the government's action during a trip to South America. The electoral law and poverty top the list of problems. However, Syria's civil war continues to be the main concern. Lebanon should not "interfere in the conflict in Syria".
05/20/2013CHINA Poultry sales plunge in China following bird flu outbreak, US$ 65 billion in losses Since March, 130 people have been infected with the H7N9 flu, with 35 deaths, sending shockwaves throughout the poultry industry. Government officials blames poor sanitation in farms. In Shandong, the authorities organise an all-chicken lunch to boost consumer confidence.
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