South Asia

Founded in 1951 to help recently independent India’s social and economic development, the Indian Social Institute has long been in the government's crosshairs. The think tank, with which Fr Stan Swamy collaborated, has never been involved in evangelisation activities, its current executive director told AsiaNews, but it has openly criticised the Hindutva ideology.

The archbishop of Goa was elected today in Bangkok by the heads of the continent's Bishops' Conferences. Next January he will become the third Indian to head the collegial body, taking over from Card Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, who led the organisation since 2018. Created in 1970, the latter serves as a point of reference today for the synodal journey.

Seven years after the beginning of the struggle to get the truth from the government about the fate of 200,000 people forcibly disappeared during the war in the north and east of Sri Lanka, a procession brought family members and activists to the streets. "Rajapaksa will answer before an international court for these people who disappeared".

The court’s ruling states that adoption is not a fundamental right under Article 21 of the constitution nor do prospective parents have a right to choose the child. Parents with two biological children cannot apply for “normal” children. About 98 per cent of children at home run by the Sisters of Charity have special needs, nun says.

Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) reported the case of Younas Masih, a Christian from Khurrianwala, who was the victim of unfounded accusations. A Christian couple who converted to Islam over a year ago accused the 68-year-old man. After an investigation, police released the Christian man but he and his family are still afraid.

The initiative was promoted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Office to attract visitors from Buddhist communities. The President and Foreign Minister also announced a twinning programme between the country's temples and those in the South East Asian region.

From five different places on a penitential walk through the night in the footsteps of St Joseph Vaz. Card. Felipe Neri Ferrao: "A gesture to put in first place God, who gave us life, and to live selflessly for the good of others".

Today's news: In Russia more than 400 protesters arrested for taking to the streets in the wake of Naval'nyj's death; A survey reveals that nearly 70 per cent of Japan's 108 tsunami-prone coastal municipalities would be unprepared for the disaster; The police forcibly keep protesting farmers out of New Delhi; Thaksin Shinawatra returned to freedom; After Cop28 the United Arab Emirates set a record for non-oil exports.

Hundreds of Nepali doctors saw their US medical licensing scores invalidated on suspicion of cheating. They slam examination administrators for linking national origin to possible cheating, saying it discriminates against them and unfairly casts doubt on their training. This also casts a shadow over 1,500 Nepali doctors already working in the United States.

The Assam Christian Forum issued a statement, saying that the bill violates religious freedom. It is based on "misconceptions” about healing practices, the role of "faith and prayer" in illness, and fails to respect religious "diversity". Christian leaders also express concerns about "threats" to educational establishments and calls for the "removal of Christian symbols”.

Today's headlines: Thousands of young men try to leave Myanmar after conscription is introduced. A few weeks before India’s elections, the opposition Congress party has its bank accounts frozen. Satellite photos show Egypt is building a wall next to the Rafah crossing. Japan successfully launched the new H3 space rocket. US and China agree to hold follow-up talks on North Korea and the Middle East.

Three years after massive protests to halt Modi's market liberalisations, Indian farmers are back in the capital to protest at the government's “broken promises”, demanding once again guaranteed minimum prices and loan waivers for small farmers who risk going out of business.