Giulia Mazza

The famous writer tells AsiaNews about her exile from Bangladesh, the country "nominally democratic country, but which in reality is only a corrupt government." Following the pubblication of her novel Lajja (Shame), Taslima had to flee the state in 1994 because of Islamist death threats. All her books are banned in her homeland.

Dressed in traditional clothing, whole villages in procession carry the statue of baby Jesus to the church where Christmas mass is celebrated. A still immature religion, but one that is growing among younger people. The mission of Fr Massimo Bolgan, PIME, 12 years in Thailand.

Bernard Sabella, a Catholic professor of sociology at Bethlehem University, analyzes the role of women in Middle Eastern countries: background figure, political activist or terrorist. Member States must ensure economic, social, cultural and educational security, not only military. On the Palestinian situation, the teacher says: "Men need women to create an independent state."

Thirty-one people are coming from Phnom Penh, 28 youths and 3 guides. The trip is “God’s precious gift” to live in simplicity. Meeting others will give them new strength to face hardships and help the still “green” Cambodian Church to grow.

Huge numbers of foreigners, more than Italians, descended on Rome today, the day of the beatification of the Polish pope, acclaimed saint since his death. John Paul II was a guide especially important for young people, as many Asians recall.

One of the survivors of the 31 October attack on Our Lady of Salvation church, speaks. The events of that day are still very much alive and impossible to wipe from his memory, and in that of those who lived through that tragic day. The man is one of the 26 injured being treated at Gemelli Hospital in Rome from November 12, along with their families.

According to John Milbank, the trip is "an opportunity" for Benedict XVI to change the wrong impression that the Anglo-Saxon world has of him. Consensus between Catholics and Anglicans is "deeper than their differences". Positive Anglican reaction to beatification of Cardinal Newman, "symbol of unity".