South Asia

Fr John Maxwell founded the St. John Education System, a school that provides an education in English to street kids. Five years ago, he met a boy called Daud, who sold newspapers. This is the story of how it all began.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy: "An act cowardly." Barack Obama, U.S. President: "outrageous." The Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confirms official visit to India next week and insists: "the United States and India are united in the fight against terrorism." Peter Wittig, president of the UN Security Council: "criminal and unjustifiable act." Condemnation of John Dayal, secretary of the All India Christian Council, but "now hate must not cloud people's feelings."

The river worshipped by Hindus and vital to India is now an open sewer, full of faecal bacteria, unfit for bathing or farming. Now the World Bank will fund a restoration project, but experts express doubts about its success.

China is afraid of fresh protests by Tibetan activists supported by the West. Total closure of the Tatopani passage the only access to Tibet from Nepal. Entry to foreign tourists denied until July 25.

The bishops appeal to parents of infant who died, for whose alleged murder the Muslim maid is on death row, after a sham trial. Rizana Nafeek has been in prison since 2005. She was only 17 years old.

The statement by the director of the Vatican Press Office on the illicit ordination of Shantou. "An act contrary to the unity of the universal Church." But the Church prays little for China; presidents and secretaries of state are silent on the violations of human rights, the economy trumps everything. But this short-sightedness is preparing the ground for a huge and violent social conflict in China.

In one attack, the bomber, a child and an important religious leader are killed. The blasts follow Tuesday’s murder of President Karzai’s brother. Sources tell AsiaNews that Ahmad Wali Karzai was not very liked because of allegations of opium trafficking and dealings with the Taliban.

It is the fourth case since the beginning of June. The youth wing of the BJP has tried to force the St. Jude school to admit a boy to, even if there are no more places. Bishops' Conference demand the law that guarantees the rights of minorities be applied.

A Kachin expert tells AsiaNews about the uncertainty that grips an entire people, exhausted by a long civil war. Meanwhile, the international community shows little interest in the matter.

Government action to tame inflation might discourage industrial investments. Inflation rises and could top the rate of economic growth in June.

Zaveri Bazaar, the Opera House and Dadar are hit. Terrorism is suspected. Today is the birthday of Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the lone gunman who survived the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Card Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai, grief and sorrow” as well as “strong condemnation of this insensate violence.”

Tokyo drops 1.53, Seoul 2.2 in, Hong Kong 2, Shanghai 1.26. Yesterday, the European stock markets were all negative. The European Ministers of Foreign Affairs draw up a new plan to save Greece. Standoff between Obama and the House of Representatives continues over whether to raise the debt ceiling to more than 14.3 trillion dollars