In his catechesis dedicated to the perspective on others conveyed by Easter spirituality, Leo said that humanity “is best fulfilled when we are and live together.” Hence, everyone should heed Saint Francis’s greeting: “Tutti Fratelli”. The pontiff also paid tribute to Mother Eliswa Vakayil, the new blessed from Kerala, who inspired people working for the dignity of women. In his address to Polish pilgrims marking the end of the Great War, he stressed that nothing is better than peace.
From a niche hobby introduced by Japan, the trend of dressing up as comic book characters or historical figures from ancient times continues to grow among young people in China, fuelling a market that is now worth over billion. The local variant of “Hanfu” is spreading Chinese national identity among Generation Z.
While Assam, led by the BJP, has passed a bill banning the practice but not applying it in tribal areas, Kerala has taken a different approach. A landmark ruling by the local High Court has ruled that no second marriage can be registered without informing the first wife, reaffirming the primacy of constitutional rights over religious law.
According to data from the Kyrgyz Ministry of Labour, at the end of 2024 women accounted for 55% of the more than half a million Kyrgyz working abroad. But the Organisation for Migration denounces their greater exposure to job insecurity, violence and severe psychological pressure.
Today's headlines: Islamabad accuses Delhi of the attack, tensions skyrocket again; For the first time, a Thai king visits China; A newly built bridge collapses in Sichuan province, China; Philippine mayors under fire for confirming trip to London despite typhoon; Shoigu wants a new big city in Siberia on the border with Mongolia.
A research team from the Sri Lanka Blue Resources Trust found a new ridge linking the Yakampita and Gingiripita reefs. The discovery reveals the surprising richness of the marine ecosystem near the capital, where some areas show over 50 per cent hard coral cover. But researchers warn that the reefs remain outside protected areas and are threatened by pollution and illegal fishing.
