The youth unemployment rate is estimated to be around 30 per cent. Those left without assistance are excluded from a system that primarily rewards inheritance. Debt has become a "structural condition" for access to education, employment, and housing. When banks close their doors, many end up in the hands of loan sharks. The result is a growing human cost in terms of suicides and malaise.
Indian authorities have blocked the “Tales of Kamasutra & Christmas Celebration” event after a wave of criticism from the Catholic Church and women's rights groups. The initiative, accused of offending religious sentiments, was removed by order of the police, who have opened an investigation against the organisers. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao condemned the incident, calling for the protection of interreligious respect and shared community values.
An Israeli air raid struck an apartment on the southern outskirts of Beirut. The target was Haytham Ali Tabataba'i, chief of staff of the pro-Iranian party. Washington and Tel Aviv are against the Lebanese leadership, which has not yet managed to disarm Hezbollah. The Pope's imminent visit rules out any immediate escalation, but fears for the future remain.
Today's headlines: India and France to collaborate on missile production; Trump called the Japanese Prime Minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping but made no reference to Taiwan on social media; The United States wants to remove temporary protection for Burmese nationals, arguing that the country is now safe again following the elections.
The 68-year-old Russian sociologist is one of Putin's most prominent political prisoners, but he was already one in Brezhnev's USSR. From prison, he says he feels freer to express his opinions. He is serving a five-year sentence for ‘justifying terrorism’ in reference to his criticism of the war. His health is deteriorating in prison.
The 35th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was celebrated in Sri Lanka on World Children's Day with immersive films and an exhibition at the Lotus Tower. More than 200 works created by children from across the country were on display. For the authorities, urgent action is needed so that “no one is left behind”.
