Nirmala Carvalho

World Youth Day is used to provide a group of Indians an entry visa into New Zealand. The spokesperson for the local Church calls the incident “most extraordinary and most disappointing,” stressing that it is not in anyway related to WYD.

India and Afghanistan hold Pakistan’s secret services responsible for the bombing against the Indian embassy in Kabul. Pakistan denies the charges. Both sides confirm a meeting this Friday for talks to improve trade and visits between the two sides of the disputed Kashmir territory.

The reaction by the Sangh Parivar Hindu fundamentalist group is caused by the butchery of a cow. Last Christmas the same area saw the destruction of 13 churches and the killing of three people. Local bishop accuses the government of collusion with the attackers.

Pro-Tibet groups launch a campaign for Olympic athletes to remember the persecution in Tibet. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 monks are in prison, and will be freed only after the Games.

In an interview with AsiaNews, Lenin Raghuvashi considers the G8, the global food crisis and inflation, the emergence of India and China, the prophetic words of the pope. And the problems of India, which spends more on its public debt than on health and education.

Archbishop Cornelio points out for the young people models of life that go beyond "wealth and personal success". To respond to the challenges of the time, it is necessary to promote a "true faith" that is a sign of "solidarity, peace, and love".

Commenting data from a report released this year on violence in his country, Lenin Raghuvanshi slams the arbitrary use of force by law enforcement to extract confessions. In the five years covered by the report, from 2002 to 2007, almost 7,500 died in custody.

Organisers decided not to cross the border, partly because of opposition from India. But new protests during the Olympics have been announced. Meanwhile, Beijing announces that talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama will resume soon.

Alarm bells are sounded as the number of female feticides and newborn girls left to die grows because they are seen as a useless burden. The authorities’ attempt to counter the problem has failed so far. Cardinal Gracias discusses the role of the Church and his hopes for a better future.

Tibetan dissidents denounce to AsiaNews: serious and baseless accusations against those marching toward Tibet. Release of 31 activists awaited, while another ten risk stiff sentences.

Muslim groups and some secular parties in Kerala call on the authorities to withdraw a book from high school that promotes atheism. The local education ministry denies the accusation and rejects the demand. A priest says the book is full of distortions and talks about its real message.

During the international Tunza 2008 congress, which gathers students and teachers from 105 countries, the spokesman of the Indian "Tarumitra" delegation stresses the close connection between "people and environment". CO2 emissions must be reduced, and alternative sources of energy sought.