Receiving in audience a delegation led by the new Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil, the pontiff publicly expressed his assent to a request made for years by the Churches of the East, especially for their faithful in the Persian Gulf. A new harsh warning on the divisions around the liturgy in Kerala: "Discussing celebratory details while disrespecting unity is incompatible with the Christian faith.
Five Indian nationals, a Filipino and an Estonian are free to go home. The Portuguese-flagged container ship was seized near the Strait of Hormuz on 13 April. Diplomats are working to free the remaining 17 crew members.
The Reserve Bank of India has changed its rules allowing Russia to use the rupees it earns from crude oil sales in India to invest in local government bonds, stocks, equities, and loans. India's imports from Russia are up by 32.95 per cent to US$ 61.44 billion.
The document released by the International Truth and Justice Project reports the testimonies of 123 victims of detention, abuse and torture. During the conflict that ended in 2009 - between 80 and 100 thousand people died - both separatists and government officials were accused of violence. But the persecution of Tamils by the security forces continued unpunished even after the war was over.
The government’s latest education figures highlight the problem. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif yesterday opened a conference to address the nation-wide problem. According to UNICEF, 70 per cent of 10-year-olds are unable to read or understand texts. Teachers note that children are forced to work to help their families.
In his message, the prelate urges voters to go to the polls because “This is a very important moment" for the country, choosing a "clean" candidate who knows how to make India "one large family”. He also asks parishes to take part in a "special novena" and recite the rosary during the Marian month.
