From Beirut, Oumayma Farah describes a country at risk of being overwhelmed by the conflict. The displacement crisis is a priority, with only a small fraction of people being accommodated in shelters. Schools are being used as makeshift shelters, putting the education of thousands of students at risk. The Order’s mission: “To serve all without distinction of race, colour or religion, but focusing on needs and suffering”.
The Russian republic of Tatarstan in the Urals is historically a region with strong autonomist tendencies, boasting its own highly active lobby group in Moscow. Although it must now contend with Putin’s centralism and has had to make some concessions on the language issue, it has nevertheless retained significant economic advantages which it has no intention of relinquishing.
Leo XIV arrived in Algeria, the first time a pontiff has visited the Muslim country, a bridge between Africa and the Mediterranean. In his address, he said that, “peace that is not merely an absence of conflict, but one that is an expression of justice and dignity.” About Algeria he said that, “A nation that loves God possesses true wealth”. For the pontiff, “fundamentalism and secularization” are “absurd polarizations”. Asked about Trump's insults, he said that he would continue “speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel”
Hundreds of men armed with sticks set fire to the victim’s darbar in the Kushtia district. A video of Pir Abdur Rahman, 65, allegedly insulting the Qur‘an from three years ago circulated on social media. Police failed to stop the violence. The authorities and NGOs slammed security failures, calling for investigations, but no arrests have yet been made.
In the South Korea, single-person households now represent 36 per cent of the population. Faced with rising numbers of people hard pressed to cope with loneliness, the city administration is boosting its support services, including moving assistance and emotional support. The programme, already in place for hospital visits with high satisfaction rates, aims to combat loneliness and daily difficulties.
The conflict with Iran, the Gulf crisis and devastating attacks in Lebanon are overshadowing the tragedy in the Strip. Over 21,000 children have been killed, nearly 45,000 injured, and at least 58,000 have lost one or both parents. There is a shortage of drinking water and medicines, and infectious diseases are spreading. The aid system is paralysed. Restrictions imposed by Israel are taking their toll, whilst Hamas is weakened but not disarmed.
