Muslim schools caught up in France, ’s fight against Islamism

Sihame Denguir enrolled her teenage son and daughter in France’s largest Muslim private school, Averroes, in Lille, which lost government funding due to not complying with secular principles.

Cypriot and Greek ministers discuss migration

Cypriot and Greek ministers discuss migration

Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou and Greek Cypriot Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Christos Stylianides discussed migration and the Greece-Cyprus INTERREG Cross-Border Cooperation Programme. They emphasized the importance of supporting countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly Lebanon, in strengthening their migrant reception and hosting systems. The successful implementation of the cooperation programme led to institutionalized collaboration between the two countries to address challenges in managing migratory flows. A new strategic project involving the procurement of surveillance vehicles was submitted for the new programming period 2021-2027. Both ministers reaffirmed their high level of cooperation and agreed to explore additional synergies to increase readiness and response to operational challenges.

Iranian President Raisi, ’s memorial muted amid public discontent

Iranian President Raisi, ’s memorial muted amid public discontent

Fact: President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran was killed in a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border along with his foreign minister and seven others.

Celebrating Buddha’s birthday, a South Korean DJ is in spotlight

Celebrating Buddha’s birthday, a South Korean DJ is in spotlight

A South Korean DJ named Youn Sung-ho, also known as DJ NewJeansNim, is blending electronic dance music with Buddhist teachings to attract younger audiences. At a recent festival celebrating Buddha’s birthday, he performed to a large crowd and was praised for promoting “young Buddhism.” Venerable Jinwoo, the head of the largest sect of Korean Buddhism, gifted him with prayer beads and encouraged him to continue spreading hope and happiness to young people.

Faithful descend on Portugal’s Fatima to pray for peace as wars rage

Faithful descend on Portugal’s Fatima to pray for peace as wars rage

Tens of thousands of faithful prayed for peace at Portugal’s Fatima shrine amid wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and other places. The shrine marks the site of reported visions of the Virgin Mary over 100 years ago. The Roman Catholic Church believes she gave three messages to three Portuguese children in 1917. Pope Francis made two of the children saints in 2017. Some pilgrims brought Ukrainian flags in support following Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

More than 1.5 million flock Brazil’s Copacabana for free Madonna concert [PHOTOS]

More than 1.5 million flock Brazil’s Copacabana for free Madonna concert [PHOTOS]

More than a million people attended a free Madonna concert on Copacabana beach in Brazil, with the city estimating a crowd of 1.6 million. The concert took place in hot temperatures, with firefighters spraying water to cool fans. Madonna performed for over two hours, including hits like “Like a Prayer” and “Vogue”. The event also featured Brazilian pop artists and samba musicians. Authorities deployed 3,000 police officers to ensure safety, and the concert was expected to boost Rio’s economy by about 300 million reais.

On Orthodox Easter, Zelenskiy calls on Ukrainians to unite in prayer

On Orthodox Easter, Zelenskiy calls on Ukrainians to unite in prayer

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Ukrainians to unite in prayer on Orthodox Easter, asking for prayers for soldiers on the frontline. Zelenskiy believes that God, who he says has a “Ukrainian flag on his shoulder,” will ensure that life triumphs over death.