Gerakan Nurani Bangsa, which brings together several prominent figures in Indonesian society, has asked parliament to block the revision of the law on the armed forces, which would bring the military leadership back into government ministries and agencies. ‘There is no urgency; the law undermines the professionalism of the military and democracy,’ warned the opponents. According to experts, President Prabowo aims to recreate a military chain of command.
For Bishop Martinelli, the sudden escalation comes after Trump's decision to declare the Houthis a terrorist group. The conflict is at risk of getting hot with tragic consequences for civilians. Poverty is extreme and humanitarian projects are hard to implement. The work of the Sisters of Mother Teresa is a “point of reference” for the few Christians who remain in the country.
Moscow and Astana have formed a joint working group for the ‘custody of historical memory’. The Russians are pointing the finger at the way the imperial policy of the tsars and the Soviet Union is presented in history books. While the Kazakhs remember well the words of Putin who in 2014 declared that their country ‘never had its own statehood’.
The Israeli academic and scholar of “intractable conflicts” talked to AsiaNews about the way the Gaza war is going and its consequences for Israeli society. Talking about peace today is considered a threat. Seventeen-year-olds “don't know what the Green Line is”. The families of the hostages are “the most important voice”.
Fr Romanelli bears witness to the tragic escalation of Israel's war in Gaza against Hamas. The clergyman reports that more than 300 people were killed and more than a thousand wounded. His parish church was spared so it continues “to provide our service to everyone,” especially children and senior citizens. Gaza Catholics “pray for peace” with Pope Francis.
More than 50 people have been arrested in the wake of communal violence that included several vehicles and houses vandalised. The authorities imposed a curfew imposed in some areas of the city in Maharashtra. Hindu nationalists want to remove the tomb of a Mughal ruler. Rumours that a copy of the Qur'an was burnt sparked a violent a reaction by Muslims. Archbishop Gonsalves urges respect for everyone, and warns against spreading “rumours and false news.”