Local authorities in Maharashtra razed the “Jesus Is Lord Church” to the ground shortly before a court was due to hear the case. Congregation members denounce a “vindictive policy” designed to appease right-wing voters, following the criminalisation of conversions. Bulldozers and 700 officers were deployed during the night.
Workers accuse the government of ignoring the severe crisis situation. The price of paraffin has jumped from 25 cents to almost one euro per litre. The loss of income is reflected in the inability to feed families. Fishing and related sectors employ more than 10% of the 22 million inhabitants.
According to a local newspaper, the federal government has asked the Punjab authorities to take action against the Centre for Social Justice, 'guilty' of denouncing abuses of the blasphemy law and forced conversions. In January, the Human Rights Council will have to pronounce on the situation in the country. The solidarity of Pakistan's civil society: "The government should respond to the issues raised instead of denying them".
According to official data from the Ministry of Finance, China is followed by Japan at 32% and India at 10%. The International Monetary Fund wants an agreement with the creditors to grant the short-term aid needed to tackle the crisis that has brought the country to its knees. Beijing would like to provide new loans rather than waive debt, for fear that other borrowers of Belt and Road Initiative loans will demand the same treatment.
Ashok Kumar accused of desecrating the Koran to mask personal issues with the person who denounced him. When word spread, a mob tried to kill the man, who was picked up by the police and then arrested. New call by activists against norm-related abuses.
Today's headlines: at least four victims in the collapse of a Shia shrine in Kerbala; heavy rains and floods claim dozens of lives in India and Afghanistan; Tokyo is ready to deploy a thousand missiles as a deterrent to Beijing and Pyongyang; Singapore has cancelled a rule criminalising homosexuality; allegations over responsibility for Daria Dugina's death.
Some were later released on bail but the organization's leader and two well-known Buddhist monks will be questioned. The demonstration was peaceful but police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. United Nations critical of government.
A 59-year-old native of Rajshahi, he was called by Pope Francis to lead the youngest of Bangladesh's dioceses. His words to the faithful, "I come to a new reality for me: I will listen to you and care for you."
On the very day marking 14 years since the pogroms in Orissa, the Ministry of Home Affairs submitted a memorandum to the Supreme Court calling complaints about persecution at the hands of Hindu fundamentalists "falsehoods to meddle in nation's internal affairs." The testimony of Sr. Meena who was personally victimized in Kandhamal district: "God allowed me to see death and live again. I am close to those who are still suffering today."
Today's headlines: Thousands of members of Unification Church protest in Seoul against "discrimination" in the Japanese media after the murder of former Premier Abe; Floods submerge Pakistan's Balochistan province, the death toll rises to 205; In China, the practice of sending critical voices to psychiatric clinics continues; Over 20 thousand Russian Jews have moved to Israel since the beginning of Moscow's war against Kiev.
Zarvia Pervaiz, 13, was taken from her family in late April. Under duress, she was forced to claim that she had converted and moved in with a Muslim man consensually, but the Pakistani justice system ignored all laws against child marriage.
Today's headlines: Four Vietnamese activists, one a Christian, appeal sentence; Pyongyang sends 450 officials to political prisoner camps for spreading Covid; Putin bestows the title "heroic mother" on women who bear-or adopt-many children.
A delegation of Koranic students visiting the Turkish capital in the coming days. Ankara has deported at least 40,000 refugees in the past seven months. For Kabul, there are unresolved issues regarding statistics, deportation procedures and assistance provided to Afghans.
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