The Dalit prelate, archbishop of Hyderabad, chosen by Pope Francis in 2022 as cardinal, has been elected to lead the CBCI, the collegial body that brings together the dioceses of the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rites. Monsignor Chandra Nayak tells AsiaNews: ‘Chosen for his merits: a message from the bishops to the whole of Indian society’. During the Assembly, the new translation of the missal into Konkani, the local language of Goa, was also presented.
Amidst general silence, the cradle of Christianity is being emptied of its Christian population. Communities are now ultra-minorities. Vincent Gelot, representative in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan for the NGO, is launching a campaign to root the faithful in the land of their ancestors. Their disappearance is also a loss for the West and for the confessional mosaic of which they are a part.
On 8 February, Japan will see a snap election for the lower house of parliament, called by the prime minister to capitalise on her popularity. The minimum target (well within reach according to the polls) is 261 seats for the coalition, which would allow it to govern with greater ease. However, the Liberal Democratic Party's individual results will also carry a lot of weight. Takaichi is counting on young people returning to the polls. The unknown factor of the far right Sanseito
The People's Party, heir to Move Forward in the progressive camp, leads the polls for tomorrow's vote in Thailand. But it is taking a more moderate line towards the monarchy and the elite to avoid facing dissolution, as happened to its predecessors.
Today's headlines: Trump describes initial indirect talks between the US and Iran in Oman as “excellent”; ISIS claims responsibility for attack on Shia mosque in Pakistan; Economic crisis in Japan impacts Valentine's Day choclate gifts; Discounts and price controls in Malaysia during the Lunar New Year; Manila, ASEAN president, wants to speed up talks to finalise the code of conduct in the South China Sea with Beijing.
Putin's ideologues preach that the original principles of civilisation and traditional values alone can effectively edify the country's future. Meanwhile, Patriarch Kirill argues that it is necessary to strengthen “not only state sovereignty, but also spiritual sovereignty”. To make Russia “a universal ark of salvation” for all.
