A report by the Environmental Investigation Agency exposes the still flourishing trade. Teak is supplied to the rest of Europe, mainly in boatbuilding, such as luxury yachts. In Chin State, the military set fire to houses in a city abandoned by its residents because of the violence.
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Cardinal Yeom donated relics from the first Korean martyr to the Diocese of Koupéla. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the saint’s birth. The relics will be kept at a parish church, renovated thanks to the offerings collected by Korean Catholics.
Acting as a tourist, Guanguan travelled to various locations to check on detention camps’ existence. He found 18 different locations in operation and one abandoned. Ethnic Han Chinese have confirmed the existence of forced labour. The EU renews its sanctions against China’s repression of its Turkic speaking population.
Rioters continue to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Sogavare, also for being pro-Beijing. Casualties have been reported in the capital's Chinatown. Both public and private buildings, shops, and police stations have been set on fire. The prime minister refuses to give in to rioters.
By 2030 there will be over 900,000 in the city-state. Currently the main challenges for the local government concern the organization of space and the cost of care. In some facilities, fees can be as high as 3,200 euros per month.
Yesterday's meeting in the Vatican between Pope Francis and Nagib Mikati lasted 30 minutes. Concern for the situation in the country and prayers for "God to save it from all crises". Renewed invitation for an apostolic journey to the Land of the Cedars. Rejection of "hatred, intolerance, oppression in all its forms and in all places".
At the request of the Jesuits, the High Court of Bombay agreed to open new proceedings in connection with terrorism charges levelled at the clergyman who died at 84 years after a long imprisonment. The stigma associated with Fr Stan’s memory must be erased.
For the patriarch of anti-Soviet dissent, the Orthodox Church is built on Bolshevik principles. Under Kirill there is an army of voiceless priests. Orthodoxy used for political reasons. What is needed instead is "sobornost", the real communion of man with God.
Today's headlines: Fukushima on alert for partial melting of protectivebarrier; new South African variant causes stock market to plummet; Pyongyang bans leather clothes, imitation of Kim deemed "disrespectful"; in Istanbul, police attack women demonstrating against violence.
In his message for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Pope Francis writes that the “the Church loves you and needs each of you for the fulfilment of her mission at the service of the Gospel.” He adds that “the Directory for Catechesis stated explicitly that ‘no one can deny the sacraments to persons with disabilities’.” He also writes: “Dear brothers and sisters, today your prayers are more urgently needed than ever before. Saint Teresa of Avila wrote that ‘at times of difficulty, God’s friends need to be strong in order to support those who are weak’.”
Violence against Christian gatherings are becoming routine in a Madhya Pradesh district. Hindutva-inspired militants held a rally calling for a ban on Christian meetings. “At the start of the Advent season, we are concerned for the Christian community in Jhabua,” said Sayan K. George.
China Harbour Engineering will build the Eastern Container Terminal in the Port of Colombo. Indians will still build the Western Container Terminal. The Sri Lankan president says he has to balance relations between Beijing and New Delhi. In the background loom fears over Beijing's “debt trap".
Following attack on Parliament, the Chinatown of the capital Honiara was targeted. Australian peacekeeping force sent. Demands for ouster of Prime Minister Sogavare: in 2109 he broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognized China. The rioters come for the most part from the island of Malaita, which has close ties with Taipei.
The country’s constitutional court calls for amendments to the omnibus law adopted during the pandemic to promote investments by cutting read tape. Trade unions joined in protest against the law. Some 2.92 million people enter the workforce every year in Indonesia.
Having been convicted, the journalist needs a permit from the Court of Appeals to leave the Philippines. The State Attorney General's Office, has filed an appeal against and defined her as "a flight risk" for the country. Only twice has a Nobel Prize winner been prevented from attending the ceremony: in 2010 to Chinese dissident Liu Xiabo and in 1935 to anti-Nazi journalist Carl von Ossietzky.
