South Asia

Policies allow land seizure, forest destruction, house demolition and threaten animals on land and sea, displacing farmers and fishermen from their villages. Humanitarian groups are calling on people to be united, demanding international support for sustainable development in lieu of the government’s mega tourist projects.

Sources tell AsiaNews that Sharia is the only law in Afghanistan. In ten years, the international community has done nothing to teach the population respect for human rights.

Gilani and Singh meet on the sidelines of the summit of SAARC nations. During the meeting, which lasted an hour, they discussed various issues including the dispute over Kashmir. For both it was a "positive step". A series of talks between the two governments planned for the near future.

Hong Kong loses 4.5 per cent; Tokyo, 2.86; Seoul, 3.79; Shanghai, 1.05. Currencies are also down. Filipino exports decline. China’s exports only grew by 15.9 per cent in October, the lowest rise in two years. Chinese imports climb by 28.7 per cent.

Today is the 24th anniversary of the assassination of Fr Michael Rodrigo, Oblate of Mary Immaculate. In an interview, a young Catholic professor, Anton Meemana, recalls Fr Mike’s life and mission. For many Sri Lankans, he was a “disciple of Christ par excellence”.

The ruling relates to Sardarpura disorders, in which 33 Muslims, including 22 women, were killed. 73 accused stood trail in the case. The incident is among the many episodes of violence which erupted after the Godhra train burning in 2002, in which 50 Hindus were killed.

Praveen Togadia, secretary general of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), has called for a new constitution. “Such attempts fuel social tensions for the sake of political and economic power,” says Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians.

The Grand Mufti has called the Rev. Khanna of the Church of North India to a Sharia court to explain the alleged forced conversions of young Muslims. The protests of Bishop Samantaroy and the President of the Global Council of Indian Christians, Sajan K George, an "inappropriate and unconstitutional demand, a humiliation to the Constitution of our country."

For the Nepalese Islamic leaders the Pope’s call to solidarity and nonviolence pronounced in Assisi is the way forward. In Nepal there is an urgent need for dialogue between different faiths in order to prevent the spread of extremism.

Salma Emmanuel, in the fifth month of pregnancy, has been hospitalized in critical condition. Her husband was accused of a theft committed in the house where the girl worked as a maid. Thieves have stolen as much as 100 grams of gold that was entrusted by Salma to her Muslim employer, for safekeeping until her brother’s wedding.

SCO summit reiterates multi-level cooperation and coordination against global crisis. Participants discuss financing mechanisms for joint projects, including special accounts and development banks, as well as ways to consolidate financial and monetary systems among member states.

More than a million Indians live in the Gulf region. Often, employers take away their papers, including residency permits, forcing them to live as illegal aliens. Each year, thousands of migrants go missing. A Kerala TV station airs their cases and helps families find their loved ones.