With roads washed away in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot gorges, the sky is the only viable route for rescue and aid. With more than 4,000 people missing and several communities isolated, 30 military and private aircraft are flying over a rugged valley with no ground control or landmarks to rescue survivors and deliver aid to villages.
The body of Nattapong Pinta, a Thai farm worker who died soon after he was captured, was recovered over the weekend. In Thailand, the authorities expressed their sadness over the death. The sister of another hostage, Bipin Joshi, from Nepal, issued an appeal for his release, but his fate remains uncertain. In Israel, the Israeli parliament (Knesset) is set to vote on Wednesday on a motion to dissolve it over the issue of military service for Haredi Jews.
There are over 300,000 young people from the subcontinent studying in the United States, a number almost double that of ten years ago. What drives them towards the US are the shortcomings of a university system that is still uncompetitive also because it is excessively centralised. Thus in contrast with their government (and to avoid competition from Europe) some US universities are starting new partnerships to open campuses in India.
Founder of Radio Jyoti (Light), the first Catholic radio station in the country, he was 75 years old. The funeral took place in Natore, his hometown. Author also of plays, he was director of the Christian Communication Centre of the Bangladesh Bishops' Conference. Fr Dilip S. Costa: "He used every means to proclaim the Gospel".
The state government wants to arm only indigenous people for self-defence. For BJP Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, such a step is justified on security grounds, while the opposition sees the attempt to provide weapons to some communities as exacerbating tensions with Bengali Muslims.
While the Muslim world celebrates the holiday, thousands of workers in Bangladesh are waiting for back pay from April. After Beijing, Dhaka is the world's second largest producer, employing 4.4 million workers, 60% of whom are women. Management continues to fail to meet its obligations.The frustration of the unions: ‘Every year it's the same scenario. How can we celebrate with our families?’
The discovery was made thanks to the work of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka (RRISL). The global problem affects plants by delaying the production of the nutrients they need, impacting latex output. With the disease, yields drop by up to 40 per cent. The problem could get worse in the future.
A particularly brutal case of rape ending in the death of the victim raises serious questions about the conditions of disadvantaged groups. Ambedkar's grandson: ‘The big parties say nothing because she did not belong to a higher caste.’ Sr. Dorothy Fernandes to AsiaNews: ‘The increase in gang rape is a sign of a sick society.’
Several civil society groups have presented an appeal to the Ministry of Justice after it announced new legislation. They want the government to immediately and unconditionally scrap the existing law. But for Justice Minister Nanayakkara, it is “essential”. Adopted in 1982, the PTA has been used to silence critical voices and oppress minorities, such as Tamils and Muslims. Critics demand that ordinary, not special laws, be used, and that those convicted be provided compensation as well as physical and mental health care.
Police forces are forcing worshippers to sign (illegal) statements pledging not to perform rituals, even in private homes. Local sources report people being detained or abused. Recently, a respected doctor, Sheikh Mahmood, was killed in Sargodha because he was Ahmadi. Activist groups and NGOs appeal to the government to protect religious rights and freedoms.
A celebration presided over by the apostolic nuncio in India has confirmed the supernatural nature of the appearance of the face of Christ on a host 12 years ago. A sign for the Syro-Malabar Church, which has long been wounded by the liturgical dispute. Abp. Girelli: ‘May the Eucharist be a sign of communion with God and of unity among the faithful, not of discord.’
The nun was accompanying some girls to Chhatisgarh for study purposes in preparation for religious life. They were attacked by a group of Bajrang Dal militants despite all being Christians since birth. Stopped by the railway police, they were freed thanks to the intervention of three lawyers. Mgr Sual Singh tells AsiaNews: ‘Freedom of movement guaranteed by the constitution has been violated.’
A student who took her own life at Wayamba National College of Education has sparked student protests and prompted the Ministry of Education to launch an investigation. For Father Gamunu Dias, National Director of Catholic Education, no one can be indifferent. This should never happen again while young people and future teachers must be protected.
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