India

People in Asia are four times more likely to be affected by natural disasters than in Africa, and 25 times more likely than in Europe or North America. Unfettered development, urbanisation and climate change are among the main causes. As the rural-to-urban exodus continues, experts warn that conservation and prevention policies are needed.

The traditional festival of lights, which symbolises the victory of good over evil, also marks the start of the Hindu New Year. Lamps, candles and fireworks bright up the Indian sky. Because of high prices, gold jewellery sales have dropped and imports of Made-in-China decorations jumped 45 per cent.

Active discrimination in some communities Kandho in Kandhamal district. The victims are Christians, or intermarried with Christians, or Dalits. Without the document, citizens have no access to social and economic rights. Monfortian Missionary: "Cases on the rise." President of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC): "Persecution of Christians by the official authorities."

Fr. John Ferreira, principal of St. Peter's College, Agra, publishes the book "Health, wealth and happiness through yoga." For Card. Oswald Gracias, President of the Episcopal Conference, this practice "helps to achieve a better communion with God."

A group of unknown persons removed all the crosses and cut down some trees and bushes. According to a Methodist minister in the area, the graves are at risk. In the past, the area was hit by anti-Christian violence.

Friars from the Udhayam Peace Centre in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) combine an outreach approach typical of NGO with Christianity. Their initiatives are directed at women, children, beggars and the needy through free schooling, a night-time shelter, hostel as well as sewing machines and civic education.

Values like marriage, birth and natural death are viewed as "rightwing". On the contrary, for the Church, they are important for the development of nations. Abortion, sterilisation, birth control, euthanasia and gay marriage have nefarious consequences on how social problems can be solved. Italy is now in a deep demographic winter.

Message that the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue on the occasion of the festival of Diwali. Educating for peace concerns political and social leaders, but also especially religious leaders and media. "In any peace education, cultural differences should certainly be considered as an asset, not a threat or a danger."

Mitt Romney concedes defeat. Asian markets are almost immobile. Concern about the "fiscal cliff": the increase in taxes and the U.S. debt ceilings to be decided at the end of 2012. Same-sex marriage legalized at the polls in Maine and Maryland.

As expected, the international community congratulated the Democratic president on his re-election. However, an editorial in the China Daily predicts new "trade problems" with the administration, whilst Iran and Pakistani extremists issue threats. Unlike the Muslim Brotherhood, whose reaction is half-hearted, Europe is very happy about the outcome.

These are the some of the goals 5th Bali Democracy Forum (8-9 November). Some 1,200 delegates are expected, including representatives of civil society groups as well as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. For Indian activist Lenin Raghuvanshi, "castes, patriarchy and communal thinking hinder the advancement of democratic principles" in the world.

Brother Henry Meregalli, who works at St. Xavier's Industrial Training Centre in Eluru, described the gravity of the situation to AsiaNews. At least 10,000 homes destroyed; 200 thousand hectares of land damaged; rice harvest lost; 150 villages still unreachable. State relief is slow. The lay missionary: "more than 1000 families need blankets, remember us in prayer".