Mongolia

The Jesuit Samir Khalil, an expert on Islam and among the participants at the Forum in the Vatican, tells of the paths and hopes created by the meeting. Some difficulties on religious freedom. The common challenge of secularism. Muslims ask for Christians help to counter Islamaphobia.

All stock markets are negative, following Wall Streets closure yesterday at -5%. Oil prices drop. Large companies that trade with America and airlines worst hit by recession.

Benedict XVI stresses the urgency for dialogue to strengthen religions’ credibility. He calls on political and religious leaders to ensure religious freedom for everyone and slams violence perpetrated in “the name of God.” Christians and Muslims must be open to working together on the value of life and help people in need to build peace and destroy “the devastating power of ideologies”.

In the United States the emphasis is on the “change” represented by the election of the first African-American president. But the messages of leaders from Asia and around the world betray a desire for continuity.

An appeal by 144 people calls on experts engaged in talks not to forget the difficult predicament in which Christians live. Often treated as “outsiders and outcastes”, they urgently demand protection for the right to change religion.

The new face of the presidency could help the United States to be better appreciated in the world. And it's redemption for all black people in the world. Religion is still a force of reference.

For two days, from November 4-6, Islamic and Catholic experts are meeting at the Vatican, after years of chilly relations due to the growth of fundamentalism. Everything has now resumed, thanks to the address of Benedict XVI in Regensburg, where he affirmed that religion embraces reason and excludes violence. The most urgent theme: religious freedom, so that every community may be guaranteed the right to proclaim and spread its faith.

Tokyo closes 5 per cent lower even though the central bank cut interest rates. October results are the worst since 1997. Fears of recession are widespread.

Prime Minister Wen, in Astana for the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, proposes more cooperation and the creation of an extensive infrastructure network, including for energy. On the strength of its currency reserves, it wants to expand its connections with neighboring states, and take advantage of their resources.

All stock exchanges gain ground thanks to lower interest rates. Even Tokyo is considering cutting its interest rate.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon insists on this point in Manila where the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development is currently underway. For the Catholic Church migrants’ rights and dignity must be respected; joint plans must be developed to help “migrants and their families.”

A strong yen creates concerns. Tokyo loses 6 per cent, the lowest point in 26 years. Seoul is down as well despite government steps. Manila is the worst performer with 12 per cent loss.