South Asia

The People's Alliance for Land Rights has delivered a report to the new government highlighting the injustices faced by farmers: families have lost ownership over land, which is dedicated to this monoculture even when it is unsuitable.

Led by the Substitute for the Secretariat of State, Archbishop Peña Parra, the delegation joined the millions of pilgrims who will pay homage to the relics of Saint Francis Xavier until 5 January. Also present was the organiser of papal journeys, Cardinal-designate Koovakad. The pope has India and Asia “in his heart,” he said. Goa Governor Pillai pays tribute to Christian schools.

The Major Archbishop visiting communities in the region. After a first stop in the northern vicariate, the second in the south between Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Apostolic vicar Msgr. Martinelli: ‘Collaboration “virtue” of the Gulf Church’. Among the unresolved knots mentioned by the prelate is ‘jurisdiction in the Middle East, even if the modalities have not yet been defined’.

After bloody clashes between students in the capital, with at least 100 injured, St. Gregory's High School & College was forced to interrupt classes due to damage to its facilities. Its principal, Br Ribeiro, calls it a “premeditated assault". The army has restored order. Meanwhile, Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu community leader, was arrested for "sedition" at Dhaka airport. The NGO representing religious minorities laments “unprecedented violence”.

Over the past few days, the government arrested thousands of people and shut down the Internet. Members of the former prime minister’s party, led by his wife and the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reached the capital’s government district, clashing with law enforcement. Six people have already died.

Ramisha Dinithi Thamel had returned late to class and, according to her teachers, had given inconsistent explanations. The teachers beat her and called for help only after an hour, even though she was unconscious. Even though the Ministry of Education condemns the practice, corporal punishment in schools is still widespread in Sri Lanka.

Violence between protesters and police during a survey of the Shahi Jama mosque, which some extremists claim was built in the 16th century on the ruins of a Hindu temple. The protests began with stone-throwing while residents claim that police shot and killed four men, all Muslims.

In the last ten years, the ice in the Himalayan region has shrunk by 65% compared to the previous decade. South Asia could lose up to 75% of its glacier volume by the end of the century. The call for climate finance to mitigate the effects and the compromise solution adopted in Baku, deemed insufficient by developing countries.

The BJP alliance will continue to lead the former, while a local party will lead the latter, attentive to tribal issues. In both states, local politics again trumped over the largest national parties, including the Indian National Congress. Turnout falls short of 70 per cent and many pre-election polls were off the mark.

According to the US Attorney for New York’s eastern district, the businessman close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi lied about investigations into his activities and the transparency of his companies in order to secure US investments. The case highlights the shortcomings of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the country’s regulatory body for securities and commodity markets.

The official death toll speaks of more than 40 dead, but according to other information disseminated online, the number of victims is more than 100. The convoy that was targeted was travelling along a recently reopened road with an escort of agents. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been unstable for some time and residents accuse the government of failing to guarantee the safety of residents.

The solemn event is repeated every ten years, attracting thousands of pilgrims who pray before the remains of the great evangeliser of Asia. "We are Messengers of the Good News" is the theme of this year’s exhibition, which will continue until 5 January. Accompanied by a human chain of a thousand young people, the urn with the relics travelled from the Basilica of Bom Jesus to the cathedral.