Sumon Corraya

The suspect’s families responded right away, proclaiming their innocence. Police say they have “solid” evidence that the people involved were planning acts of terrorism. The authorities also accuse them of links with the Islami Chhatra Shibir, a student organisation connected to the country's largest Islamist party.

Sukhen Dulal Tigga, 32, an ethnic Oraon, is “a gift” who “will represent our diocese in the world," said Bishop Tudu. “We shall offer him our support with prayers and love.” The missionaries’ “selfless life attracted me,” the new priest told AsiaNews. His aunt too “was a source of inspiration”.

The jubilee of the presence of the Omi missionaries was celebrated by the archbishop of the capital in the presence of 80 priests and nuns and 600 faithful, witnesses of the mark left in the country since 1973. Starting with the dozens of schools open to all. Today there are 33 Oblates from 6 Bangladesh, 6 of whom are on mission abroad.

Yesterday, a peak of 8 deaths in one day was reached, with more than 1,500 people hospitalized. Unlike in the past, the spread of the virus has not stopped in the past two years. Two Catholic girls were also among the victims. Experts say the national figures do not reflect the country's reality, especially with regard to infections outside the capital.

Stress and loneliness are the main causes of the increase in cases of young and frail women abusing drugs. The phenomenon has worsened with the pandemic, in a country where social stigma towards those with addiction problems is still very strong. Yaba is the most commonly consumed substance.

Members of the ruling alliance have accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party of planning to sell St Martin’s, a coral island, to Washington to build a US military base in exchange for help to win the upcoming elections. Such allegations are false. The US is pressing for free and fair elections.

UNHCR has chosen "hope even far from the homeland" as its theme this year, but most refugees are worried about their children's future. In Bangladesh they receive only primary education, have no opportunity to work and are treated as a burden. In recent months, food rations have been reduced, dengue has spread and crime has increased.

In Marianpally, Khulna Bishop Msgr. Boiragi presided over the priestly ordination of Fr. Ruben Biswas of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. A mature fruit of the first evangelization brought 70 years ago among the last people of southern Bangladesh by the Xaverian missionaries.

Bangladeshi Catholics paid homage to the saint of Padua, whose feast falls today with a mass celebrated by Msgr. Bejoy N. D'Cruze. The request of an unemployed faithful seeking work. The "negative" impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on industry and textiles in the country. The joy of a woman who, thanks to the intercession of St. Anthony, had a baby girl.

Outages can last eight to 10 hours each day, says one business owner. Higher fuel costs affect the use of generators. Power cuts impact both cities and countryside. The government says that things will get back to normal over the next two weeks, but manufacturers fear the loss of foreign customers.

Cases are five times those of last year, with 13 deaths already reported. The Health Ministry is mobilising with prevention campaigns. Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar are among the hardest hit.

The World Food Programme says it is forced by lack of funds, despite the recent devastation wrought by Cyclone Mocha. According to some observers, many refugees may feel forced to return to Myanmar's Rakhine State, where the situation remains difficult due to the civil war.