Declassified documents reveal trafficking of very young girls linked to the US businessman who died in prison in 2019. Prosecutors are examining "millions" of documents, while politicians and lawmakers are calling for the urgent establishment of a parliamentary commission. But the Disinformation Combat Centre (established by the ruling AKP) disputes the figure of over 100,000 missing children.
In Cuttack’s Indoor stadium, a large interfaith gathering brought together representatives of the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, and Christian traditions to join in a call for “universal brotherhood”. For Archbishop John Barwa, “when faith communities stand together for truth, compassion, and the protection of human dignity, they become a transformative force for good.”
During a meeting today with UN officials and foreign representatives, Afghan authorities stated that the decline in opium use is due to the ban on poppy cultivation imposed in 2023. However, a UN report highlights an increase in the use of methamphetamine and sedative drugs, especially among young men facing economic hardship.
The pontiff called on the faithful to pray for "our brothers and sisters in Ukraine,” suffering from the cold and bombings. He expressed gratitude to dioceses in Poland and elsewhere for their assistance to the population. On the soon-to-expire New START treaty between Moscow and Washington, the pontiff urged action to “Ensure its concrete and effective follow-up.” Today’s catechesis was centred on “the Word of God in human words”.
In some counties, local residents are organising campaigns to apply to host new nuclear reactors in an attempt to cope with economic and demographic decline. In return, municipalities receive subsidies and funds for infrastructure development. However, some associations fear that the concentration of power plants will increase the risk of accidents.
A well-known reporter from Chengdu has been deprived of his freedom along with one of his colleagues for reporting on Chinese social media about the abuse of power by a local Communist Party official that led to a professor's suicide. Meanwhile, in Beijing, the secretary of the Chinese Communist Party is touting the ‘fight against corruption’ to justify the purges.
