Just four months after taking office, the BJP-run state government announced a plan for a massive expansion of educational facilities linked to the Hindutva movement, in open competition with Christian and Islamic schools. Even the patriotic song "Vande Mataram" is becoming a source of controversy.
The bishops' appeal: “A call to renew respect for the dignity of life”. In the parish of St Francis Xavier in Wewala the crib built together with the little ones who live in difficult situations: ‘Here they have the chance to know the love of Jesus’.
The small Catholic community in Bangladesh celebrates Christmas with a mixture of confidence and concern in the new phase opened by the student movement that swept the Awami League in the summer. Dhaka Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze: ‘We imagine a country at peace where marginalised people are treated with dignity and men and women enjoy the same rights’.
For the first time an Indian premier was the guest speaker at an event at the CBCI headquarters in Delhi. He praised Bishop Thazhath's commitment to the country's unity, but also voiced the concerns of Christians who are victims of violence by extremist fringes. Modi expressed sorrow for those who ‘cause unrest in society’ and recalled his invitation to Pope Francis to visit India. Best wishes to Card. Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, who turns 80 today.
Rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy, the refugees were crammed onto a fishing boat after more than two weeks at sea, probably blown off course by cyclonic weather. The group also includes 27 women and 49 children, who left camps on the border with Bangladesh where thousands of families have been living since 2017 due to persecution by Myanmar’s military.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) made the announcement on Thursday since the two national teams have tended to avoid playing in the other country for years. Cricket matches between the two countries are always full of tensions, reflecting bilateral political relations. Politicians are also present in the two national cricket federations.
In the past few days, two proposals for constitutional amendments to merge elections had been tabled but did not receive parliamentary approval. The plan was to hold the general consultations and those of the individual states at the same time. For the supporters, including the BJP, this system would obscure the role of regional parties.
According to the WHO, around 3,000 people in the country take their own lives every year. A large proportion are young students between the ages of 12 and 25, suffering from stress, anxiety and isolation. The social stigma towards mental health care and the absence of professionals and safe listening spaces in schools take their toll. Psychologists: ‘Awareness programmes involving the entire community are needed’.
The European Union Agency for Asylum released a report documenting the practice, especially through debt bondage. In one year, more than 28,000 Pakistanis have requested international protection upon arrival in the EU and 34,000 cases are pending. The report highlights the deterioration of democracy and an increase in violence, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
This is the first state visit by Sri Lanka’s new president to India since his inauguration. He offered reassurances regarding Delhi's concerns about the presence of Chinese ships. Modi promised collaboration in the country's recovery efforts, but also expressed hope that the new administration would keep its promises vis-à-vis Tamils.
The Bishops' Conference intervenes in the dispute that in Kerala sees the Waqf (the Islamic Property Administration) claiming land where Christian families have lived for decades. The bishops also denounce the spreading of ‘fragmented’ news about a meeting between the president of the CBCI, Msgr Thazhath, and about twenty national parliamentarians, with the risk of ‘creating confusion’.
Msgr. Linus Neli's Christmas message to the faithful in the Indian state rocked by violence. Let us bring flashes of God's peace to the world around us. Yesterday, meanwhile, interreligious prayers were held in Imphal and many other cities in India for the suffrage of the dead and for reconciliation
The decision was approved by the interim government at the end of a meeting chaired by Yunus. Vapes will be added to the list of items whose importation is prohibited. Fears over the possible development of a clandestine market. 67% of deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases, with smoking and tobacco use being the main causes.
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