South Asia

It is the story of Asif Shafique, a 27 year old civil engineer, who recently participated in a vocational animation day for the Order. His father, a doctor, often visited the institute to check the health of men. In everyday life, the desire was born in the young man to dedicate his life to others, in prayer and spirituality.

The predominantly Christian village of Vanagiri Menvar was assalted; homes and places of worship burnt. The toll is one dead and over 15 injured. Most of the refugee population is still in the woods surrounding the village. This is the fifth attack since 2012.

Zabi Ansari taught the Hindi language to the 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET), the group responsible for the attacks of November 26, 2008. Intelligence agencies were on his trail for three years. 166 people died in the attacks.

Trawling destroys the ecosystem of the Indian ocean in the northern areas. But northern communities suffer from other problems: rudimentary equipment, prohibition of access to some of the bays, damage caused by civil war. The commitment of the Southern communities to help them.

During the Angelus, Benedict XVI said he would travel to the earthquake zone in Emilia Romagna. The pope donated € 100,000 to the affected communities, which come on top of € 2,000,000 allocated by the Italian Bishops' Conference. He gives thanks for the offerings made on Pope's Charity Day. He speaks about John the Baptist, Jesus' forerunner.

The attack occurred late yesterday evening. Among the victims, three security officers, a police officer and three militants. Unknown how many people, including guests and staff, are in the hands of terrorists. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the action: the hotel hosts "wild parties". President Karzai confirmed the increase in violence.

For over 30 years, a group of nuns has been working in the country, in education and health. Studies alternate with moments of prayer, Mass and catechism. Sister Mary: the first challenge, which has been overcome, was to "convince families to send girls to school." Regret for the girls' school in the "wonderful" Swat Valley, destroyed by the Taliban.

Seoul is down 2.2 per cent, Hong Kong, 1.08. For the banks, Moody's ratings are "unwarranted, arbitrary, [. . .] opaque," and "disappointing". US Federal Reserve cuts half a point from its predictions of US growth.

A Tibetan source for AsiaNews said the decision to revoke the honorary citizenship of Milan from the Buddhist leader: "This decision does not surprise anyone, now China can impose its will on virtually anyone." Beijing had threatened to boycott the Expo 2015 and has achieved an about-face from Palazzo Marino. Pressure also from India, which does not want to have problems because of the Tibetan issue.

The incidents are driven by ultra-nationalist Hindus (Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP). In both cases, the police arrested the Christians. Sajan George, the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC): "Disturbing pattern, made of social pressures and violence."

With the Civil War, the community of Mullikulam (Mannar, Northern Province) has lost everything: homes, properties, land. They can't return to their home village because the Navy wants to build a naval base there. Now the government has placed them in a forest: they sleep on the floor, surrounded by elephants and snakes. They need to build new homes, but they have no tools. Catholic priest: "We are witnessing an intolerable and meaningless discrimination."

The director of a Christian organisation organises seminar that brought together some 40 leading Christians, Muslims and Hindus. Grateful for the opportunity to take part in the event, one Muslim scholar acknowledges that Pakistani Christians "love the country" and play an important role in "education and health care." Another Muslim leader says he found inspiration in the teachings and practices of Jesus.