Thousands of people are unemployed and struggling to survive. A former worker told AsiaNews: “It’s an inhumane way of life.” The government is compiling a list of the closures. The Minister for Trade told Parliament that the causes are global and domestic pressures. Measures have been introduced to support the sector.
Two brothers were sentenced to, respectively, three and three and a half years of prison. Religious freedom exists only theoretically in this small Himalayan kingdom: non-Buddhist worship is highly restricted.
Permission to demolish the place of worship appears to have been obtained by fraudulent means. In its place, a commercial multi-storied complex will be erected. Political circles have joined in protests, fearing repercussions in ties with neighbouring countries.
The young national women's football team in Afghanistan is enthusiastically following the tournament in Germany and hopes for success. But it faces considerable obstacles of social and cultural prejudice.
Maoist rebels have the latest in military hardware which they paid for by trafficking in marijuana and exotic animals as well as extortions.
In a long commentary published today, the cardinal explained the origins of the religious and moral authority of the successor of Peter, mistaken by the Indian government to be a "fisher of fish, not of men".
Thousands of people attended the funeral of an entire family killed near Vankalai. The army and the rebels have exchanged mutual accusations. The parish priest: People are killed indiscriminately here, we are terrified. And the situation does not look hopeful.
The bill had been sent back to Parliament without the governor's signature; she asked that it be submitted to the President's attention, because "it seems to affect people's fundamental right of religious freedom". The bishop of Jaipur told AsiaNews: "We pray that God may enlighten those who must decide about such an act."
Latest victim dies in market bomb attack. For police responsibility lays with secessionist United Liberation Front of Assam.
A notice issued yesterday across North Waziristan by the local Taleban bans wine, drugs, gambling and video and audio tapes with "un-Islamic material". Those found guilty will be punished even if held innocent by the authorities.
Peasant farmers in the state's poorest districts are protesting a government decision to give land they cultivated to big industries. "We will not be deceived: without land, we will end up begging in the big cities."
Opposition parties take to the streets demanding new electoral law and expulsion of Islamic fundamentalists from government, threatening to boycott upcoming elections. Prime Minister orders preventive arrests and deploys 18,000 policemen and paramilitary forces.
A week of inter-faith prayer organized by Batticaloa communities closes tomorrow as talks between the Tigers and government founder in Oslo.
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