Today, on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Leo XIV baptised 20 children in the Sistine Chapel. “Remember the gift you have received”. At the Angelus, he blessed “children born in difficult conditions, both in terms of health and external dangers”. In the Middle East, pursue ‘the common good of the whole society’. Appeal to end violence in Ukraine.
In a new episode of AsiaNews' reportage, the personal story of faith of the communications officer of the Vicariate of Northern Arabia: from Goa to Bahrain, a journey that has not been without challenges and difficulties, but which has also been a ‘grace’ and a “gift” to ‘bear witness to others’. And the hope of ‘remaining rooted in my Christian identity in this land of Arabia’.
Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and an associate are under investigation for the management of additional quotas granted to Indonesia for the 2024 Hajj. They allegedly favoured special pilgrims at the expense of regular ones, causing estimated state losses of million. Assets have been seized and potential illicit flows are under investigation.
The South Korean president's trip to China marked a significant diplomatic rapprochement between Seoul and Beijing after years of frostiness, but leaves fundamental strategic issues unresolved. Despite attempts to engage on the Pyongyang dossier, the Chinese government avoids any reference to denuclearisation. Economic agreements signed by Korean conglomerates on rare earths and strategic minerals
India has criticised a message of solidarity sent by the mayor of New York (of Indian origin) to the former researcher detained since 2020 for the Delhi riots. Respect for the independence of the judiciary emphasised. International organisations and legislators denounce the prolonged detention and call for a fair trial. Amnesty International: ‘Derailment of justice’.
Today's headlines: Indonesia blocks Grok chatbox due to risks of AI-generated pornographic content; Report says Jeju Air fatal plane crash in South Korea could have been avoided without concrete barriers near the runway; Malaysia's unemployment rate lowest in 11 years; Israel carries out 20 raids in Lebanon.
