South Asia

Back in 2015, more than 75 per cent of Asia lacked was water insecure. Water insecurity affects mainly China, South Asia and the urban areas of Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Asia represents about half of the global bottled water market, a factor that discourages investment in public infrastructure.

Members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were taken into custody at a club in the capital where they were set to take part in a “social programme” and have dinner. Local police filed a case against them under the country’s anti-terrorism law. The BNP announced that it will boycott the elections scheduled for January next year.

In the face of plummeting rubber prices, Monsignor Joseph Pamplany, archbishop of Tellicherry, calls on the central government to intervene, promising support for Hindu nationalists in return. Fr Thelakat, former spokesman of the Syro-Malabar Synod: 'A barter for money that does not consider the good of the country'.

The structure, which runs for 132 kilometres, directly supply diesel to northern Bangladesh from the Numaligarh refinery in Assam, bypassing rail transport. This marks further cooperation between the two countries, which already share the Ganges River and resumed rail and road transport links interrupted by war.

The association set up to continue the work of the Christian minister slain in 2011 underwrites an initiative in the village of Khushpur that is backed by the Diocese of Treviso (Italy). For Shahbaz Bhatti’s brother, Paul, in 2022 the effects of COVID-19, floods and Pakistan’s political instability have had a serious impact on the poorest of the poor.

There are 300 manufacturing companies that employ 350 thousand workers and produce garments for dozens of major international brands. Trade unions: the companies 'have also closed entire facilities without even paying the paltry compensation recommended by the government'. The industry accounts for more than 50 per cent of total national export revenue.

Six months after the calamity that sowed death and destruction in large parts of Pakistan, the families helped by AsiaNews were forced to leave Allah Bachao Shoro under threat from some Muslims. They still live under tents, exposed to insect bites and diseases. “These cruel floods have ruined our lives,” said one displaced person who prays to God to “send someone to support us.”

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida will be in New Delhi next Sunday following a path laid down by his predecessor Shinzo Abe. Yet the two Asian giants have cultures that are in some respects almost antithetical. The PIME missionary, originally from Andhra Pradesh but in Japan since 2015, explains how he had to adapt to people who are strongly community-oriented, yet flexible in religious matters.

Today's headlines: Indonesia admits difficulties in Myanmar conflict; Indian students returned to Ukraine to finish their studies; Azerbaijan reassures Germany on gas supply; Meeting between Russia, Iran, Syria and Turkey to normalise relations between Ankara and Damascus.

Local activist Sunil Kumar Aledia turned to the capital's High Court, unsuccessfully, for the shelters were torn down before the court could rule. A letter sent by the Delhi government to the agency tasked with the demolitions states that removing beggars was necessary for the upcoming G20 summit and visiting world leaders.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to send all asylum seekers crossing the English Channel to Rwanda. At least 250 girls from a Kabul school have moved to Kigali via Doha after the Taliban came back to power in August 2021. Rwanda’s government is using the relocations to shield itself from accusations of rights violations inside and outside the country. In the Gulf, thousands of Afghan refugees are being held in inhumane conditions.

IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank are set to help the South Asian country to boost its forex reserves by US$ 8.4 billion. This will reassure its main creditors, including China and India. But it is as a result of Chinese investments that the island nation is in its current predicament.