Beirut — During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Islamic State group is showing two faces to the millions who live under its rule in Iraq and Syria – handing out food and alms to the poor to tout their adherence to the month’s spirit of compassion while metingContinue Reading
La Paz — When leftist Bolivian president Evo Morales on Thursday presented Pope Francis with a “communist crucifix” – a carving of Christ crucified on the hammer of a hammer and sickle – the Pope appeared to say, “This is not ok,” while shaking his head. Shortly after his JulyContinue Reading
Latakia — The organizations of Franciscan missionaries serving in the Holy Land have requested prayers for the safe return of Father Dhiya Aziz, who was abducted by militants in Syria on Saturday. The Custody of the Holy Land have stated that they lost contact with Fr. Aziz on July 4.Continue Reading
Tokyo — Sakari Momoi, who was recognised as the world’s oldest man and credited healthy eating and getting plenty of sleep for his longevity, has died at the age of 112, Japanese media said on Tuesday. Momoi was born in an area of Fukushima hit hard by the tsunami andContinue Reading
Beijing: China has renovated the historic Dungkar Monastery in Tibet, close to Nathu La border in Sikkim where the Dalai Lama first fled in 1951 when the Chinese troops entered Tibet. Built in the 16th century, the monastery was damaged in a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake in 2011, destroying its mainContinue Reading
Quito — Landing in Ecuador on Sunday afternoon, Pope Francis began his tri-nation visit to Latin America by stressing the Gospel’s role in fostering respect, dialogue, and care for the vulnerable, while praising the nation’s centuries-old Catholic heritage. “We can find in the Gospel a key to meeting contemporary challenges,Continue Reading
At least 200 people were killed in the past week in Boko Haram attackContinue Reading
Trani — The life of Father Salvatore Mellone, who died on Monday, was moving to thousands of people. He was to have at least two more years of seminary when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but by special permission and the blessing of Pope Francis, he was ordained nevertheless.Continue Reading
Beijing — Around 30 per cent of China’s Ming-era Great Wall has disappeared over time as adverse natural conditions and reckless human activities – including stealing the bricks to build houses – erode the Unesco World Heritage site, state media reported. The Great Wall is not a single unbroken structureContinue Reading
Jakarta — At least 49 bodies have been recovered after a military transport plane crashed in Medan, Indonesia, the Indonesian air force commander, Air Marshal Agus Supriatna, told reporters Tuesday. Twenty-three of the bodies have been identified, Supriatna said. Supriatna said the C-130 Hercules took off from Jakarta’s Halim PerdanakusumaContinue Reading
