The agreement on the repair of Soviet-made weapons came into effect this summer. Kabul is now one of the few opportunities for Russia to expand its influence abroad, with Tatarstan serving as a channel for economic and cultural cooperation.
The controversy over the Islamic veil at St. Rita's Public School in Palluruthy continues: the student has finally left the school. The family: ‘Great psychological distress’. The Catholic newspaper Deepika defended the management's position on the dress code. Minister Sivankutty: ‘Kerala supports secular values. No institution violates constitutional rights’.
The northern Indian state has arbitrarily denied land rights granted under the Forest Rights Act of 2006. The legal process has reached a stalemate, but the case of the village of Kajaria has reignited the debate over the slow implementation of the regulations and the broken promises to indigenous peoples, for whom forests are not only a source of subsistence but also the basis of their identity.
Seven out of every 100 couples on the island are related by blood. The figure drops to 4% among Sinhalese and Muslims, but reaches almost 25% among Tamils. Among the most sensitive diseases is thalassaemia, present in 50% of children born to blood relatives among the Tamils. The defence of the land and ancestral traditions fuel marriages within the family.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire, but tensions remain over the TTP’s presence in Afghanistan, which could soon spark renewed violence. Humanitarian groups have spoken out against yesterday's Pakistani airstrikes, which caused scores of civilian casualties. Pakistan’s decision to keep the border closed and expel Afghan refugees are worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Entitled ‘Reconciliation through understanding the Dharma’, it recounts the life and teachings of the prophet Muhammad. There are no comprehensive books on Islam in Sinhala. Rasmi Abdurrahman, lecturer: ‘It is precisely because of a lack of proper understanding that we are victims of crimes and deprivation.’ Guests of honour included Rev. Pannila Sri Ananda Thero and members of parliament.
The case of a student at St. Rita School in Palluruthy who wants to wear the hijab despite uniform regulations prohibiting it is reigniting interreligious tensions in Kerala. After attempts to resolve the matter peacefully, the local government has asked the school to comply. Criticism from the National People's Party: ‘This is not an isolated attack on Christian institutions; the authorities must not be complicit.’
Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa's visit to New Delhi marks a new impetus in the strategic partnership between India and Mongolia. Indian Prime Minister Modi announced a training programme for Mongolian border forces, free e-visas, and deeper cultural exchanges based on Buddhism. The two countries are united by a shared desire to reduce trade and energy dependence on China and Russia.
In Khushab District, a Christian family reports growing threats and the forced conversion to Islam of their 17-year-old daughter. The girl was taken by the police and then went missing from state custody. The Edge Foundation is assisting the parents, now hiding for fear of retaliation, and is preparing an appeal to the Lahore High Court. This case is emblematic of the persecution affecting religious minorities in Pakistan.
Israel’s prime minister pulls out from the signing of the agreement, ostensibly because of a Jewish holiday, but the most likely reason is the presence of Palestinian Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli media announced a historic visit by Indonesian President Prabowo to Israel tomorrow, which Indonesia’s foreign ministry quickly denied. Modi snubs the summit, sending his Minister of State for External Affairs.
Fierce fighting along the border has reignited tensions between the two countries following a Pakistani raid on Kabul against the leadership of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). Islamabad claims 200 Taliban fighters were killed, while Kabul reports 58 Pakistani soldiers killed. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are trying to broker a truce. In Pakistan, the Islamist Tehrik-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) movement has resumed protests, sparking clashes in Islamabad and Lahore amid growing tensions.
At the celebration for the 375th anniversary of the foundation of the institute, which has been present in this Indian region for more than 150 years, six priests welcomed by children in their schools serving orphans and the poor paid tribute to the service of the religious sisters together with 20,000 other people. ‘A reflection of God's care among us’.
The Archbishop of Colombo made an appeal to this end during celebrations for the anniversary of the founding of the broadcaster TV Derana. Sri Lankans, who today struggle hard to earn a living, must learn to discern which influences are positive or negative, without passively accepting everything that comes from abroad.
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