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Pope Francis calls for a ceasefire in the Holy Land
Pope Francis has called for a ceasefire in the Holy Land. Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square for his Sunday Angelus, the Holy Father invited everyone to “continue to pray for the serious situation in Palestine and Israel”. In particular, he asked that humanitarian aid be allowed to enter Gaza and that all hostages be freed.
The situation in Gaza has intensified over the last few days. Over 7,200 people are confirmed dead since 7 October, after Hamas carried out a deadly attack on Israel, which responded with bombardments and a ground invasion.
The Holy Father quoted Father Ibrahim Faltas, the Egyptian Franciscan vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, who recently spoke on the Italian television programme A Sua Immagine (In his image). I listened to him and he said “cease fire, cease fire”, explained the Pontiff.
“We too, like Father Ibrahim, say cease fire”, said the Pope, adding “stop, brothers and sisters: war is always a defeat—always, always!”
(Vatican News)
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Mayotte as the French Indian Ocean territory continues to reel from the devastation of Cyclone Chido.
Macron landed in Mayotte on Thursday morning and said he brought four tonnes of food and health cargo with him.
At least 31 people are reported by French officials to have died, while thousands are still missing after the cyclone tore through the small islands on Saturday.
A state of exceptional natural disaster has been declared in Mayotte.
Earlier, French senator for Mayotte, Salama Ramia told the BBC that emergency food was the top priority. “One or two shops have opened but not everybody has money to buy food, and even the shops are beginning to be empty, and so, the food for me is really urgent.”
Designed specially for France’s overseas territories, the emergency allows administrative barriers to be overcome in order to deal with the crisis more quickly and effectively.
It has been activated for one month, but can be extended by periods of two months if required.
“Faced with this exceptional situation, exceptional resources must be deployed to quickly restore vital services and implement a sustainable reconstruction plan for Mayotte,” said the minister responsible for overseas territories, François-Noël Buffet.
Emergency services have been delivering food and water and clearing roads, while also racing to find the missing.
Health workers are concerned infectious diseases could spread, as residents have reported clean drinking water shortages and shops are rationing supplies.
The authorities have said their priority is to get damaged water plants back up and running.
Half the territory remains without power. A newly imposed curfew requires people to stay in their homes for six hours overnight to prevent looting.
Mayotte is one of the poorest parts of France, with many of its residents living in shanty towns.
Macron’s administration has been criticised for underinvesting in Mayotte over a number of years.
It has been home to 100,000 migrants seeking asylum to France and living in informal settlements. They’re believed to have been amongst those worst affected by the cyclone.
Chido – the worst storm to hit the archipelago in 90 years – brought wind speeds of more than 225km/h (140mph) on Saturday, flattening areas where people live in shacks with sheet metal roofs and leaving fields of dirt and debris.
After Mayotte the storm hit the African mainland, killing at least 45 people in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi.
[BBC]
Latest News
President expresses gratitude to China for debt restructuring support and economic assistance
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for its support during debt restructuring as well as in the face of the economic crisis. He stated that his appreciation extends to China’s assistance in the debt restructuring program and its provision of loans to Sri Lanka during the economic challenges.
President Dissanayake made these remarks during a meeting with Ms. Qin Boyong, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), held on Wednesday (18) at the Parliamentary Complex.
Ms. Qin Boyong noted that China looks forward to continuing its work with the new government of Sri Lanka, further strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
The President also expressed his gratitude for China’s assistance during Sri Lanka’s disaster situations and the provision of school uniforms for children. He emphasized the continued need for China’s support in the future.
President Dissanayake highlighted the importance of completing the unfinished sections of the Central Expressway under Chinese management and expressed hopes to expedite the commencement of supply hubs and institutional projects cantered around the Colombo Port City and Hambantota District.
Ms. Qin Boyong stated that there are plans to restart maritime research activities, which were temporarily halted for various reasons, along with initiating relevant projects.
Furthermore, she mentioned that Chinese companies intend to establish themselves in the Hambantota investment zone, aiming to provide Sri Lanka with better global access. She also revealed that preparations are underway to warmly welcome President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his future visit to China.
Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih and committee member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Ma Youxiang, among others, were present at this event.
The ICC has finally reached a breakthrough in the 2025 Champions Trophy impasse, with a hybrid model agreed upon that will see India’s matches in the eight-team event taking place at a neutral venue. In return, Pakistan’s matches in ICC events hosted by India will also take place at a neutral venue.
ESPNcricinfo has seen a resolution with details of the agreement, which went through an ICC board vote. In the agreement, during the 2024-2027 event cycle, all matches involving India in an event hosted in Pakistan will be played at a neutral venue, and in return all matches involving Pakistan in an event hosted by India will be played at a neutral venue. In both instances, all matches are taken to include knockout games such as the semis and the final.
The agreement begins with the 2025 men’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan, and will apply to the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup which is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The last event offers an easy solution with Sri Lanka as co-host but it would mean that any game India and Pakistan are drawn to play – a group game or a knockout – will take place in Sri Lanka. It could also apply to the 2028 women’s T20 World Cup, the first tournament of the next events cycle and which has now been awarded to Pakistan.
The choice of neutral venue will be made by the tournament host and will need to be approved by the ICC. In the case of the Champions Trophy, the PCB has to propose a neutral venue within 24 hours of the resolution being passed. The UAE has been the frontrunner, though Sri Lanka has also been mentioned. The PCB will retain full hosting rights for the event.
The resolution also refers to the possibility of a triangular or quadrangular T20I tournament, involving India, Pakistan and another Full Member from Asia (and an Associate Asian nation if it is a quadrangular). This is thought to have been one of the points pushed for by the PCB in its negotiations during the impasse, although the ICC has only said that it will not object to such an event being staged and that similar neutral venue arrangements will apply as those in the ICC event model. The resolution also says that no ICC director will make a public announcement on the tri-series, which will be a matter solely between the BCCI and PCB.
The resolution will allow all parties to breathe a considerable sigh of relief, given how close it is to the start date of the Champions Trophy. The uncertainty has plagued the event from the moment the BCCI notified the ICC that it would not travel to Pakistan for the event more than a month ago.
That sparked off a period of intense negotiations between the PCB, BCCI and the ICC, and was complicated by the poor political relations between the two countries. The governments of both countries were involved in final approvals on the agreement but were also present through the process; Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chair, is the interior minister in Pakistan’s government. Jay Shah, who was the BCCI secretary until December 1 when he took over as ICC chairman, is the son of India’s home minister, Amit Shah. The PCB had begun by insisting they would not adopt a hybrid model for the event but subsequently began to push for any solution to be more equitable and just in the longer term. In that sense, they will be happy to have secured an agreement on not playing matches in India in the next two ICC events in the country.
Macron lands in cyclone-hit Mayotte bringing food and health aid
President expresses gratitude to China for debt restructuring support and economic assistance
Hybrid model agreed for Champions Trophy and ICC events from 2024-27
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