Measures will focus on schools and Armed Forces. Last year, the total fertility rate reached a record low of 0.98. For the Economy Minister, demographic challenges are a serious threat to growth. The government plans fewer soldiers in service, relying on drones and satellites. Fewer children in schools mean cuts in teacher education.
The authorities announced their choice today. The animal symbolising the Games will be dressed in ice to honour the Winter Games. A red lantern will represent the Paralympics. Things will start in Beijing.
With 92 per cent votes counted, Likud and the Blue and White party have 32 seats each, down over April vote. Lieberman will play a key role in forming the new government. For the outgoing PM, a fifth mandate appears a very distant possibility. Sobhy Makhoul calls for an end to Israel’s nation-state law and guarantees for equal rights for all citizens.
At the general audience, Francis said that those who are "Strengthened by this covenant” with the Holy Spirit are not afraid of proclaiming the Gospel. “Think also today of today's empires,” the pontiff noted, “they will collapse, if God is not with them, because the strength that men have in themselves is not enduring.” The pope also made an appeal for World Alzheimer’s Day.
According to the Prime Minister of Thailand, the information is needed to create a national database. About 90 per cent of Thais are Buddhists, although Muslims are the majority in three southern provinces bordering Malaysia. The request for information follows a series of explosions in Bangkok in August.
Fr Binoy John was released for health reasons, but catechist Munna Hasda, who was arrested with him, remains in prison. About 3,000 tribal people demonstrate against the wreckage of a Jesuit college by radical Hindu nationalists.
