South Asia

The attacks were confirmed by the military spokesman. The targets were all linked to the ministry for defence and police forces. Human rights activists: extremists destabilise the nation, government intervention is needed.

Sr Raphael, who accompanied the Blessed to Baghdad in 1991, speaks to AsiaNews about Mother Teresa’s witness of faith and charity, “an inexhaustible source of comfort and love, the greatest blessing of a lifetime”.

Ten years on from her death, a pilgrimage to the Home of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, where people of all religions, rich and poor, sick and healthy, gather to pray. The Archbishop of the city: Benedict XVI made her a symbol of universal Christian love.

The alarm sounded by the Ministry for Social Services, cites “reliable sources”. In Vanni in the North, many students refuse to leave their homes or present themselves at exams, for fear of ending up in rebel clutches. Since 2002, more than 5,600 small children have become soldiers, but actual figure could be much higher.

In an interview with AsiaNews, the superior of the Missionaries of Charity takes stock of what her congregation has done in the ten years since the Blessed’s death. She discusses the rejection of God in today’s world and thirst for God in Mother Teresa’s dark nights. Even the many anti-conversion laws in India cannot stop the sisters’ peaceful and loving mission.

Interim government arrests former premier Zia on corruption charges. First such charge laid against Zia’s rival Sheik Hasina yesterday. Backed by the military, the authorities are trying to remove the two women from the scene and clean up politics. Observers warn though that their moves might trigger unrest among circles and sectors of the country close to the two former prime ministers.

Following an incident in which two priests were nearly lynched by a mob and the latest car bomb, Fr Tom Mangattuthazhe talks to AsiaNews about the situation in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam. He lays blame on both the army and guerrillas, whose actions run the risk of turning the area into a ghost land.

Defence expert Iqbal Athas, denounces the military’s shadowy purchase of fighter planes. Police withdraw security guard and a colleague is threatened by army officer.

Each year, over 5 million faithful visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Vailankanni. Over 3 million of these undertake the journey between August 29th and September 8th to celebrate the Blessed Virgin, despite the searing heat and distance.

From September 4th the first book from the Mother Teresa Centre “Come Be My Light” will be available. The text refers to the years of incessant “darkness” of the Blessed, when she felt rejected by God but determined to “love him as he had never been loved before", as proof of her identification with the sufferance of Christ on the cross.

The remaining 7 hostages, kidnapped in Afghanistan in July, where freed yesterday evening. The government asks families to contribute to the payment of the ransom, while the general public attacks the Presbyterian Church responsible for having organised the mission.

Pakistani Information Minister Mohammed Ali Durrani confirms that only the president will decide whether to remain in the military or not. A Bhutto-Musharraf deal appears closer than ever.