South Asia

A price cap on the retail price of rice has triggered economic instability, causing supply shortages. Government moves have failed to solve the crisis. The Consumer Protection Authority has reported difficulties in monitoring and frequent limited results.

An Afghan boy arrived in New Delhi from Kabul hiding in the landing gear of a plane. Indian authorities immediately sent him back. Taliban flatly refuse Trump’s demand for a return of the Bagram Air Base, while ordinary Afghans are still dealing with the effects of a devastating earthquake that struck the country in late August, made worse by cuts to humanitarian aid and new restrictions imposed by the Islamic Emirate.

In an interview with AFP, CEO Shmuel Yoskovitz announced that the Singapore-based company will not pay the first instalment of the $1 billion compensation ordered by the Colombo Supreme Court. "It undermines the principle of limitation of liability on which maritime trade is based. We have already spent $170 million to repair the damage." Sri Lanka had announced criminal proceedings in the event of non-compliance.

A Missionary of the Immaculate Conception originally from Tamil Nadu, aged 46, she assists non-Christians from the Santal indigenous community in northern Bangladesh. Thirty patients a day with skin diseases and pregnancy complications: ‘Serving them is my life's purpose’. Among the difficulties are the relationship with medicines and the use of shamans: ‘They come back to us, thanks to word of mouth.’

The nun was accompanying teenagers to a training seminar organised by the Social Services Centre of the Diocese of Jamshedpur. Accused of ‘trafficking and conversions’, she was detained for hours at a station until late at night. Once the accusation was proven unfounded, the activity went ahead as planned. But the episode confirms a worrying trend that sees fundamentalists targeting educational activities promoted by Christians in the service of all.

The High Court of Anuradhapura has upheld an appeal by an association of disabled women, ordering the Ministry of Transport and the railway company to take measures to ensure accessibility on the high-speed line in the Southern Province. An important precedent for the whole country.

Following the approval of the anti-conversion bill in Rajasthan and the Maharashtra Public Security Bill, protests have broken out in India. In Rajasthan, the law even affects voluntary conversions and interfaith marriages, while in Maharashtra, the executive will be able to declare entire organisations ‘illegal’ without concrete evidence. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked the states for clarification on the constitutionality of these laws.

Sri Lanka's prison population exceeds 35,000 in facilities designed for 12,000. Drug-related offences account for more than half of all inmates. Prisons Commissioner Jagath Weerasinghe calls for urgent reforms. Some lawyers told AsiaNews that pre-trial detention is used far too often and a legal system is slow in adopting non-custodial sentences.

Behind the controversy is a demand from Muslim leaders and movements to revoke the government circular regarding the hiring of music teachers in public primary schools. They call it an "Islamophobic" decision. Civil society groups are up in arms, defending the secular nature of the schools. The clash reflects the deep tensions between those who support Sharia (Islamic law) and those who defend the constitution.

The form for the census, which will begin on 22 September, includes a list of caste names associated with the adjective “Christian”. The BJP opposes the local Congress-led government: ‘This opens the door to the admission of Christians among disadvantaged groups.’ Archbishop Machado: ‘We have told the faithful to choose freely whether to identify with one of these groups or to declare themselves simply as Christians. But it is essential to cooperate with the census.’

The incident took place in the Churachandpur district. The attack occurred just over 24 hours after the Prime Minister's visit to the area, which has been the scene of sectarian violence. The target was the home of Khenthang Calvin, a member of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), which signed a ceasefire agreement with Delhi. A second attack (unsuccessful) targeted the residence of Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson for the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC).

To reduce dependence on China, India has initiated direct contacts with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). The Indian Ministry of Mines has engaged state-owned IREL and Midwest Advanced Materials, a private firm, to explore potential large-scale exports from Myanmar. Meanwhile, India’s government has decided to exempt mining projects from mandatory public consultations, effectively excluding local communities from vetting mining projects.