South Asia

The decision by the Rajapaksa administration to opt for organic farming without proper planning is one of the causes of Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis. India is providing a US$ 40 million loan to develop a port in northern Sri Lanka by the end of the year.

On the first anniversary of the death of the Jesuit prostrated by almost nine months of unjust imprisonment for his commitment in defence of the tribals of Jharkhand, the memory of Sr Beena who assisted him in hospital in the last weeks of his life: "There was a sense of joy in his struggle. He encouraged me to renew my daily commitment as a doctor for the people of the suburbs and the marginalised".

Coming into effect on 1 July, the new measure imposes a 10 per cent tax on freebies and perks given to social media glitterati. The Indian government wants to broaden its tax base in a fast-growing industry. About 71 per cent of young people say they bought at least one product on the suggestion of an influencer on social media.

Today's headlines: Israel wants to take part in the US study of the bullet that killed the Christian journalist; in India, the death toll in a landslide in Manipur State rises to 37; the Iraqi premier inaugurates a 750 megawatts power plant; Tibetan monk Jigme Gyatso, who was arrested several times by Beijing, dies; Russian raid against illegal Chinese workers.

On 3 July, feast day of Saint Thomas, Indian Christians of all denominations celebrate a day to remember that Christianity is not a foreign religion in their country. This year takes on a special significance since it is the 1,950th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Apostle in Chennai. “May Saint Thomas the Apostle help us to be strong in our faith,” said Archbishop Poola, chosen by Pope Francis to be a new cardinal.

Archbishop Moolachira makes an appeal. So far, some 31,000 people have been affected by the floods in 25 districts with 159 reported deaths. Displaced people have found shelter in Catholic parishes, schools and other facilities. The aid has gone especially where government assistance has not yet arrived.

Mohammad Zubair is co-founder of AltNews, a fact-checking website created in 2017. Multiple criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes back to the pogrom of 2002. Twitter is struggling with India’s requests to block tweets and accounts.

Ejaz Masih, a father of three, found himself in debt and forced to close his business. Thanks to the charity he was able to reopen a shop and supply it with goods. The charity is “converting jobless people into business people and borrowers into givers,” says the charity’s president, Rehan Farooq. Help goes to the marginalised with skills “without distinctions of faith, caste or social origin”.

In recent days a teacher was bludgeoned to death, while the principal of a school was evacuated by police and forced to resign for his own safety. A dozen pupils have begun a hunger strike in solidarity. Catholic teacher: "We demand exemplary punishment."

Due to the situation, many Sri Lankans can no longer afford even one meal a day. Between 600 and 700 people show up at the community kitchen run by Rev Geeth Chamara De Silva. Talks for a credit line continue between Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund.

A week after the earthquake, hundreds of people are still in need of assistance. Aftershocks continue and residents who still have a house are leaving. Taliban reject accusations that they killed civilians in the north of the country during a recent crackdown.

The victim was attacked in his shop for defending on social media a BJP politician who sparked a row after making negative comments about the prophet Mohammed on TV. For Bishop Ganawa, Christians “stand for religious tolerance, dialogue and peaceful co-existence among all communities. I pray that good sense will prevail among us all.”