Following objections from some MPs, the head of the local government has decided to withdraw the controversial bill from the Legislative Assembly’s agenda; like in other Indian states, the bill targeted “unlawful religious conversions”. Catholic leaders and representatives of other minority groups had expressed concern.
The historically disputed Muslim-majority region with Pakistan will go to the polls for the first time since PM Narendra Modi's 2019 coup to cancel its special status. The BJP has redrawn constituencies to gain a majority. But it is an open game with an alliance between the Congress and a local political force that want to restore the autonomy guaranteed by Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
Today's news: eight Taiwanese soldiers jailed for pro-China espionage; Hundreds of migrants from Asia stranded at São Paulo airport in Brazil; At least 15 dead and 4.5 million affected by floods in Bangladesh; It is less dangerous for airlines to fly over Afghanistan than the Middle East, security and screening concerns remain; Delegation from Laos to Moscow for International Buddhist Forum visits Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Ruling on the case of an exasperated family who demanded a stop for a 30-year-old man who had been artificially fed for 11 years as he could no longer afford the costs. Judges: 'It would be death by starvation, not passive euthanasia. But the government should work to provide some form of support for the family." Dr. Carvalho, Indian Catholic bioethics expert: “A compassionate ruling.”
On Feast of the Assumption, a group of Catholics who fled more than a year ago from the ethnic violence that devastated India's northeastern state had the joy of being able to return to celebrate the Eucharist in the new settlement where the Archdiocese of Imphal is building homes for those who have lost everything. Fr. Aimeng's testimony, “A spiritual balm among so much suffering.”
The man had left for Russia in April and told his family he worked as a cook. New Delhi promises action against agencies in the country that recruit people enticed by the promise of Russian citizenship for Moscow's army. Modi expected in Kiev Aug. 23 after a visit to Moscow last month.
Some 90 per cent of the world's rough diamonds are cut and polished in India, but the industry has been in a severe crisis for the past two years due to the drop in Chinese demand and the Gaza and Ukraine wars. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs while another 65 have committed suicide in less than two years. After a local union set up a helpline, it received more than 1,600 distress calls in a month.
Called Haati, it monitors pachyderm movements. Between 2020 and 2024, more than 1,700 people across India were killed by elephants. Due to habitat loss, animals are increasingly invading fields and locals are using electricity to drive them away, sometimes causing their death.
The bishop-elect of Thanjavur, the diocese in Tamil Nadu where the "Lourdes of the East" is located, comments for AsiaNews the letter in which Card Fernández, on behalf of Pope Francis, encourages pilgrimages that welcome the faithful of all confessions. “Christ is the way,” but “not all religions are the same.” Yet Mary “welcomes everyone.”
The ties between former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India go back to the War of independence, becoming even closer economically in the past ten years. In India, some fear that Bangladesh will turn to Pakistan and rival China, but much will depend on who comes to power after the elections.
Arshad Nadeem, gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and silver at the World Championships in Budapest last year, has a good chance of giving Pakistan its first Olympic medal in 32 years. His main rival is a "neighbour", India’s Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist. Unlike the governments of their respective countries, there is no rivalry between the two athletes, only a good sporting relationship.
Today's headlines: The Philippines, the US, Canada, and Australia hold a two-day exercise in the South China Sea. Taiwan’s defence spending is expected to reach a record high next year. Hamas appoints Yahya Sinwar as its new leader. In South Korea, climate change is disrupting agriculture with new banana and papaya farms popping up.
Today's headlines: Iran arrested a street female performer for singing in public without headcover. Purges continue in Vietnam, where a tycoon was sentenced to 21 years for fraud. Tomorrow in Jeddah, the OIC will meet to discuss Haniyeh’s assassination at the request of Pakistan and Iran. Cambodia’s prime minister is set to launch the controversial Funan Techo project. China and Kazakhstan plan to jointly build a lunar station.
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