The city-state has been penalised by its reliance on exports to China. The government recorded the slowest on-year pace since the third quarter of 2016. Electronics and semiconductors are a source of vulnerability. GDP growth in 2019 is expected to be less than 2.5 per cent.
Cambodian indigenous group files lawsuit against French company over seized land
| CAMBODIA – FRANCEThe Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith co him guilty of "solicitation in the Sacrament of Confession, and sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and with adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power".
Francis celebrated the opening Mass of the ‘Liberi dalla paura’ meeting, which is promoted by Catholic associations dedicated to welcoming and integrating migrants. For the pontiff, “fear is legitimate" vis-à-vis people different from us.” But far too often, we “refuse to encounter the other and raise barriers to defend ourselves.” Instead, we are called to overcome fears to open ourselves to encountering others because “Forsaking encountering [others] is not human.”
Francis spoke today at the opening ceremony of the 42nd session of the Board of Governors of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The eradication of poverty, the fight against hunger and the promotion of food sovereignty will not be possible "without achieving rural development, a development that has been talked about for a long time but that has not come to fruition".
"There is an impressive absence in the text of the 'Our Father'. A word is lacking that in our times - but perhaps always - all hold in high esteem: the word 'I' is missing. " And "the whole second part of the 'Our Father' is declined to the first plural person: us".
Phuc Khanh pagoda was packed two hours before the start of a traditional religious service. Many Vietnamese believe that their fate lies in the star designated for the year in question. In the first days of the lunar New Year, people pray that bad stars do not cause unfortunate events.
Ubolratana Mahidol, the king's sister, was the first choice of the Thai Raksa Chart Party. The party now risks being dissolved: it has dragged the monarchy into politics. The decision is not yet final and discussions will continue today.
The Internet is undermining religious education in families and traditional educational institutions. As many faithful abandon mosques, radical groups use them to spread their ideology. For experts, mosques should be revived to fight absolutism.
Communist authorities demolished at least 112 homes in Lộc Hưng on land owned by the Paris Foreign Missions Society. For the bishop emeritus of Kontum, even if they treat “us with cruelty, we continue to love them as our brothers and sisters."
The local bishop, Mgr Aloysius Murwito, also ordained three deacons. Religious vocations in the diocese are rare because of the lack of a minor seminary and ethnic Asmat’s nomadic lifestyle. Last year, more than 70 children died from measles and malnutrition-related diseases in the area.
The name of the monarch’s 67-year-old elder sister does not appear on the official list of candidates. For the Election Commission, members of the royal family must be “above politics". Pro-monarchy activist calls for the dissolution of the Thai Raksa Chart Party for violating the election law.
Manama withdrew Hakeem extradition request for al-Araibi. Australia had previously granted him refugee status. Canberra thanks the Thai authorities, but is waiting for the young man to return home. Bahrain activists in exile: "Great victory for the human rights movement".
During the Angelus, Pope Francis called on governments to tackle the causes of trafficking. Likewise, he called on everyone to "work together by speaking out against cases of exploitation and slavery". Jesus helped Peter and his fellow fishermen by "helping them not to fall victim to disappointment and discouragement in the face of defeat. He opened them up to becoming proclaimers and witnesses to his word and to the kingdom of God.”
The "logic of mercy" should counter that of a "throwaway" culture. Ecological awareness should be raised and the value of life defended at a time of new possibilities offered by the development of biomedical sciences.
Speaking about Duterte's attacks on the Church, the auxiliary bishop of Manila is dismayed by “so much bullying and ‘gutter-talk’,” which have “polluted our public discourse". In his view, “’divide and rule’ leadership tactics have been used. There is a deliberate strategy to antagonize a certain sector of society.”
