For the first time, Islamic law is being used in this Malaysian state to initiate criminal proceedings. The “offence” is punishable by a fine of hundreds of euros and up to two years in prison. Under Islamic law, gender is determined at birth. A similar case involved transgender Nur Sajat, who fled to Australia in 2021.
About 300 faithful attended the event at the Church of the Rosary in Tejgaon. Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze: divisions are ‘a great scandal’. Methodist Bishop Simon Biswas: ‘When we are united, Christ becomes visible’. An invitation to pray for national harmony in the pre-election context.
The three variants that had passed the national competition were rejected by the Žogorku Keneš, the Kyrgyz parliament, which nevertheless undertook to continue the search. The new anthem, following the new flag, reflects President Žaparov's desire to affirm Kyrgyzstan's historical and current identity and its aspiration to play a leading role in the world.
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.
