Indicators are in the red, entrepreneurs are operating at a loss, and families are resorting to loans even to pay for weddings. High fuel costs are leading to illegal logging, and people are increasingly forced to forgo necessities. Despite warnings from the IMF, the banking lobby holds 90 per cent of account holders in a stranglehold.
The Office for Justice, Peace and Development of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India appeals to India's external affairs minister. In two days time, the UN will vote on recognising Palestine as a non-member state. For Catholic leaders, Israeli settlements in the West Bank "are illegal".
Named after Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the centre is designed to advance understanding between religions through educational reform and funding as well health campaigns in poor countries. Cardinal Tauran stressed the importance of religious freedom for everyone, everywhere. Saudis are criticised for promoting dialogue abroad and banning other religions at home. The ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople calls for a leap from dialogue to loving one another.
Until December 7, about 17,000 delegates, representing 194 nations, will meet for the first time in an Arab country to discuss ecology. Experts call for a new treaty on the environment, to prevent "catastrophic" events. Conflicting results on the actual distribution of the 30 billion in aid to developing nations.
The reality of the Syrian conflict is different from the image offered by the international media. The testimony of Sister Maria Agnese, founder of the "Movement of Reconciliation" (Mussahala), "we know the regime and its dictatorial aspect, its actions do not surprise us. But for an opposition officially presented as a promoter of human rights, democracy and freedom to act with even bloodier violence than that of the regime, is something shocking."
On 29 November, the General Assembly of the United Nations will vote whether to admit or not Palestine as a non-member state. Palestinian diplomats expect a "pleasant surprise", counting on 150 votes out 193. Some doubts persist about some European nations. Israel's diplomatic counteroffensive is aimed at governments and presidents. It fears that Palestine might be admitted to the International Criminal Court to press charges against Israel over war crimes and illegal Jewish settlements. For Avigdor Lieberman, that would be a declaration of war.
Liberal and secular-oriented parties have been clashing with Islamists in the past few days, leaving two people dead and 60 injured. For the first time in the country's history, political groups are facing off in the street. Nagui Damain, a young leader in the Jasmine Revolution, fears a civil war.
During the Mass co-celebrated with the cardinals created yesterday, Benedict XVI clearly made a distinction between the "kingdom of God" and earthly kingdoms. The first one is based on love and bearing witness to the truth, not weapons, violence and power. Being a disciple of Christ in his kingship means converting and giving one's life for loved ones. Cardinal Harvey notes that the pope shows us a theology elaborate on "one's knees"; he also talks about the mission ad gentes and the new evangelisation. During the Angelus, the pontiff stressed the fact that the new prelates express the Church's universality, since they come from Lebanon, India, Nigeria, Colombia and the Philippines.
In ordinary Consistory, Benedict XVI creates six new cardinals, from three continents: Asia, America and Africa. For Asia, there is Bechara Boutros Raï, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch (Lebanon); Baselios Thottunkal Cleemis, Major Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Syro-Malankaran Church (India), and Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila (Philippines). Fidelity and love for the Church; the gift of self to the shedding of blood, and above all witness of the Church's ability to be "the Church of all peoples," which "expresses itself in the various cultures of the different continents."
The president has taken over legislative, executive and judicial powers. Egypt's Attorney General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud is dismissed because too closely associated with the Mubarak regime. The spokesman for the Catholic Church fears the application of Sharia law in a country dominated by an Islamist minority. Young protesters take to Tahrir Square.
Israel's goal in its "Pillar of Defence' operation was to undermine Abbas's UN request. Everyone appears to agree on this: Israel, Hamas, Egypt and the United States. The great former statesman now peace activist suggests steps to take to achieve coexistence: direct dialogue with Hamas and support for a Palestinian seat at the UN. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has other plans: colonising the West Bank and let Gaza be.
The Lebanese leader is in Rome with 500 compatriots for tomorrow's consistory during which Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai will become a cardinal. As a gift, he brought a big photo album, with pictures taken during the pope's pastoral visit in September to Lebanon.
The truce demands an end to violence and attacks by both sides and the re-opening of the border crossings between Gaza and Egypt and Israel. Joyful celebrations in Gaza. Israel happy about the guarantees of peace for the southern populations. Mohamed Morsi applauded for his diplomatic contribution. The importance of the 500 tunnels between Egypt and Gaza for smuggling weapons and goods.
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