South Asia

Today's headlines: Delhi unveils first batch of locally made assault helicopters; Japan aims to become the world's third military power; Saudi Arabia will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Neom; the Islamabad High Court accepted former Prime Minister Khan's apology; Yerevan revives call for international investigation against Baku for war crimes.

Archbishop Card Anthony Poola of Hyderabad led celebrations at the Shrine of Periyanayagi Madha in Konankuppam, marking the bicentennial of its great belfry. He called on the faithful to pray “for peace in the world,” but also “in our families, in our villages,” and learn to be united.

Today's headlines: at least 13 Uyghurs have died, and thousands intoxicated, from disinfectants sprayed by Chinese authorities to combat Covid; Cambodia's first native bishop has been installed in Kampong Cham; the death toll in the attack in Afghanistan rises to 43; Colombo has cut taxes on women's hygiene products; In Russia sanatoriums and old people's homes reorganise, moving from pandemic to war veterans.

In addition to more than 1,500 deaths, floods have left $30 billion in damage. Foreign loans are needed to meet energy needs and import food. The problem of $30 billion in debts owed to China. Imran Khan's shadow over Shehbaz Sharif's government.

Dozens of young Islamist militants in different parts of the country have left their homes in recent weeks. Police fear a large-scale attack is being prepared. Security measures have been boosted around places of worship.

Yesterday, fearing clashes, Tamil Nadu banned a rally by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The Indian government recently banned the Popular Front of India for five years and arrested about a hundred of its members. Constant use of anti-terrorism legislation could fuel extremism.

Tajik resistance in Panjshir reveals alleged been meetings with al-Qaeda, Tajik, Uzbek and Uyghur formations. The fears of neighbouring Tajikistan. The Taliban had pledged not to host terrorist centres before the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants hi-tech companies to include NavIC in their smartphones, but the latter are reluctant because of costs. Meanwhile, the government is offering financial incentives to enable India to replace China as a manufacturing hub.

The Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace held their National Convention in Hyderabad. They bemoan the fact that “The poor in India become poorer every day”, while “the rich and powerful continue to profiteer at their expense and amass scandalous amounts of wealth.” The Church and her own congregations are also urged to show greater courage.

Cindy McCain visited the island nation for four days, meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and inspecting agricultural development projects. Washington also donated a ship to the Sri Lankan Navy. Tamil MPs call for justice in connection with the atrocities perpetrated during the civil war.

India’s National Investigation Agency carried out two operations in a few days against the group which is accused of "terrorism” and radicalisation in connection with violence in Muslim neighbourhoods of the capital in 2019 and 2020 sparked by protests against changes to the country’s citizenship legislation. Its leader Oma Abdul Salam is among those detained. The Popular Front of India counters that its protests are legitimate and that no evidence exists against them.

Found in the Spin Boldak district on the border with Pakistan. Human Rights Watch had previously documented the discovery of more than 100 bodies in a canal. Last month, Taliban interference in aid distribution increased. Humanitarian agencies are appealing for more funds: part of the population is in danger of not making it through the winter.