William Gomes

The project is estimated to cost around US$ 200 million. Homemade, the satellite will be relying also on foreign expertise from China, Japan, United States and Germany. The government plans to strengthen the country’s telecom sector and improve internet access as part of its ‘Digital Bangladesh’ plan.

Muslim groups have shot at the house and have built a wall to expropriate the land, while the police fails to intervene. "Allah Akbar" in place of the cross. Other Christian families have had to leave the area.

Four members of Hizbut Tawhid, an Islamist movement, beat Anup Rodrigues, 25, from Dhaka. They accused him of insulting Muhammad. Now he is afraid for his life and that of his brothers, who are also university students.

Swopon Mondol, a Baptist, died in hospital from serious injuries sustained during the beating. Police officer accuses "groups of students” from University of Dhaka of "committing violence." Blackmail and threats to his wife for reporting episode.

The two women follow the lead set by the family’s eldest son who converted to Christianity before going abroad. The husband reacts by burning a copy of the Bible, promising a “similar treatment” for them. The daughter forgives the father and prays he might find the “love of Christ.”

In Solepur parish violence against the Christian community is up. Muslim gangs persecute Christians in order to force to leave so that they can take their land. Despite reports and complaints, police does nothing.

At the root of the tensions Christian ownership of stalls in the local market. The women are helpless because most of the men of the village have emigrated to Europe or moved to Dhaka to find work.

When a family failed to pay up, the criminals began abducting young Hindu women to get families to pay a ransom for them. Now a Muslim gang member is threatening to marry a young Hindu woman without her consent. Human rights activist calls on the government to intervene.

A year ago, Rashidul Khandaker, who was in Australia for business, converted to Christianity. Since then his family in Bangladesh has been marginalised and now it has received threats from an extremist group. Experts say such dangers should not be underestimated.

The incident took place at night on 25 July. Five people were hospitalised because of their injuries. For Annie Halder, a local Catholic human rights activist, the episode highlights the deep sense of insecurity felt by religious minorities living in the largely Muslim country.

For months, the imam of a village in the district of Faridpur abused the girl, who did not denounce the man for "fear and shame." The young girl is seventh months pregnant, a premature birth is likely. The local council has condemned both to 101lashes with a cane.

Mgr Marino, apostolic nuncio in Dhaka, says that the annunciation of Christ in Bangladesh reaches people through “our witness of unselfish love to others.” Christians represent 3 per cent in a country of 140 million people, 85 per cent Muslim.