In order to reduce foreign borrowing, Kyrgyzstan plans to collect more than USD 1.1 billion from the population. While its budget is periodically refinanced with huge sums, raised as a result of anti-corruption campaigns.
Todayfrom St Peter's Basilica, marking the Solemnity of the Epiphany, Francis spoke of the star. The three kings follow ‘another kind of light’: that of love, not of power. Let the journey to Bethlehem be an example to be ‘light for others’. At the Angelus the Christmas greeting to the Churches of the East.
Today's news: Skirmishes over the list of hostages to be freed, while deaths continue in Gaza and the West Bank; North Korea's missile test during Blinken's trip (and political crisis) to Seoul; Indian journalist exposing corruption found dead in Chhattisgarh; Japanese chain Lawson hires workers in Europe to manage night shifts in its convenience stores in Japan through an avatar.
During the Angelus, Francis appealed once again to the international community to uphold humanitarian law in the bloody conflicts that still rage in the world. “No more striking schools, hospitals; no more hitting workplaces! Let us not forget that war is always a defeat, always!”
Two signs marked Christmas and Jubilee celebrations in Seoul’s Catholic community. Seoul Ajit’s new facility aims to boost an initiative that has helped more than 6,000 troubled youth in five years. For Archbishop Chung, the cross made with iron wires from the DMZ is a “powerful testament to our collective yearning for peace”.
A protest staged by ethnic Kuki-Zo against police reinforcements sent by New Delhi for taking sides and fomenting tensions in clashes with the Meitei was harshly repressed. Christian women were reportedly attacked with sticks and tear gas. The Archdiocese of Imphal goes against the current by opening the Jubilee of Hope, including among tribal groups.
