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For the first time in the history of Pakistan, Pakistani authorities have recognised two members of religious minorities, a Sikh and a Christian, as tribal leaders in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). This will allow members of the two minority groups, about 30,000 people, to press for their social, educational, and health rights.Wilson Wazir Masih, a Christian and Gormeet Singh, a Sikh, both are now ‘malik, a Pashto term that means ‘tribal elder’. This entitles them to a government salary, but above it allows them to participate in the jirga (local councils) to settle disputes or hear petition brought to the authorities. Local and federal government officials are required to consult them. This is the first time that such a privilege is granted to members of the Christian and Sikh minorities.FATA is located in north-western Pakistan, on the border with Afghanistan. Most of its 10 million residents are ethnic Pashtun. Fo...
(Vatican Radio) International Nelson Mandela Day is celebrated on 18th July, inspired by a call made my Nelson Mandela for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices.Since his death, Mandela Day is an opportunity to recognize the legacy of South Africa’s most prominent leader, and the struggles he endured to ensure social justice for all.Established by the UN and the Republic of South Africa, Mandela Day encourages everyone to dedicate 67 minutes of their life to others, as a way of commemorating the 67 years Mandela spent devoting his life to ensure equality and a better South Africa.Vatican Radio’s Georgia Gogarty spoke to Fr. Patrick Rakeketsi, the Associate Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Southern Africa, to talk about the significance of Mandela Day and what must be done to ensure that his vision is carried out.Listen: Fr. Rakeketsi expressed the importance of Mandela Day, p...
By Junno Arocho EstevesVATICAN CITY (CNS)-- Remembering the victims of the tragic terrorist attack in Nice, France, PopeFrancis prayed that God may give comfort to grieving families and foil the plans ofthose who wish to harm others. "May God, thegood father, receive all the victims in his peace, support the wounded andcomfort the families; may he dispel every plan of terror and death so that noman dares to spill his brother's blood ever again," the pope said July 17 after reciting theAngelus prayer with visitors gathered in St.Peter's Square.Thepope spoke following the July 14 attack during Bastille Day celebrations alongNice's seaside promenade that killed 84 people. The French government declaredthree days of mourning beginning July 16.Ina message following the attack signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vaticansecretary of state, the pope condemned the Bastille Day attack as an "actof blind violence" and expressed his "deep sorrow" and"spiritual closeness" with the French people....
NEW YORK (AP) -- It's Taylor vs. Kanye, part 242, with a dash of Kim Kardashian....
First, you were supposed to die at 85. Then 90. Now 95 and even 100 are common defaults when financial planners tell people how much to save for retirement....
MSAKEN, Tunisia (AP) -- The uncle of the truck driver who killed 84 people on the French Riviera says his nephew was indoctrinated about two weeks ago by an Algerian member of the Islamic State group in Nice, as anti-terrorism authorities question potential accomplices in the devastating attack....
BALTIMORE (AP) -- A judge acquitted a Baltimore police officer of manslaughter and other charges Monday in the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who was critically injured in a police transport van....
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Braced for uncertainty and hoping for unity, Republicans on Monday prepared to kick off their convention to nominate Donald Trump as dissident delegates pursued one last chance to deny the front-runner and a nation reeled from another outburst of violence....
An investigator looking into Russian doping found the country's state-directed cheating program resulted in no fewer than 312 positive results that were withheld, covering 28 sports and lasting from 2011 through at least last year's world swimming championships....
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Turkey's Interior Ministry has fired nearly 9,000 police officers, bureaucrats and others and detained thousands of suspected plotters following a foiled coup against the government, Turkey's state-run news agency reported Monday....
