Lebanon considers it ‘imperative’ that the Syrian refugees in the country, at least 1.5 million, be repatriated. The change of leadership in Damascus also changes their status. At the meeting of donor countries organised by the EU, the Foreign Minister calls for ‘stopping crisis management and starting to resolve the crisis’, starting with the sanctions that must be cancelled.
On the feast day of St Joseph, the episcopal ordination of Mgr Raymond Wai Lin Htun, presided over by Card Charles Maung Bo. The Archbishop of Yangon warns against ethnic divisions: ‘Can we give in to the temptation to treat others on the basis of man-made identities, when instead we are all Children of God created in his image?’
Since 2022, the Russian independent documentary film festival has been forcibly moved to Riga where, once again this year, it is telling the story of ‘The world at war’. Director Vitalij Manskij: ‘The internal war being waged in Moscow against civil society is no less significant’.
The pontiff released his weekly catechesis from the Gemelli Hospital, with a commentary on the Gospel passage about Nicodemus, opening a new chapter in his reflections on Jesus Christ our hope. In his message for World Day of Prayer for Vocation, he urges young people to make their life a “gift of love”.
Police impose restrictions on Turkey’s business capital, including road blocks and slow Internet. Members of the country’s main opposition party take to streets, while CHP party leader confirms that the mayor will be its candidate in the next presidential election. So far, the President’s Office has not released any statement. Human rights groups call the charges politically motivated.
An absolute travel ban has been imposed on citizens from the kingdom nestled between India and China, causing surprise and uproar. In the absence of official explanations, several ideas have been put forward: Bhutan’s migration policy vis-à-vis exiles, a fake refugee scandal, overstaying. Whatever the case, existing data do not justify the measure. Some speculate a possible mix-up with Bangladesh.
