During Prime Minister Rahman’s visit to Bangladesh, the aim is to become a “long-term economic partner”. The focus is on several strategic sectors, including energy, information technology, railways, infrastructure and deep-sea ports.
The historically disputed Muslim-majority region with Pakistan will go to the polls for the first time since PM Narendra Modi's 2019 coup to cancel its special status. The BJP has redrawn constituencies to gain a majority. But it is an open game with an alliance between the Congress and a local political force that want to restore the autonomy guaranteed by Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
The number of container ships calling in July dropped by 17.8% compared to 2023. The lower costs of India's competitor and the critical situation in the Red Sea, the scene of Houthi attacks on cargo ships with repercussions on routes and costs, weighed heavily. On the contrary, container volumes between the main global hubs are growing.
The victims identified and killed on ethnic grounds in the clash with the government in Islamabad. Prime Minister Sharif promises a resolute response to terrorism. Fr. Khalid Rashid Asi: ‘Indiscriminate targeting of innocent people’. Journalist Arif Khattak: action that ‘has nothing to do with the rights of the Baluch people’.
The celebration presided over by Card. Ranjith together with the Archbishop of Goa, Card. Filipe Neri Ferrao. From Pope Francis a message of closeness to the sick and pilgrims: I invoke upon you the gift of courage and perseverance. Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus also recount the graces received from the Virgin.
Seven years after the great flight of hundreds of thousands of members of the Muslim minority from Myanmar, the situation in Bangladesh's reception centres is still an emergency. The account of a Jesuit, who has been involved in aid and shelter work for years. Dhaka has limited resources, but we need stability and peace in former Burma before repatriating them.
Enforcement is overseen by the Ministry of Morality. Over the past year more than 13,000 people detained, half of them held for 24 hours. Specific rules are also provided for the media, such as a ban on showing images of living beings. Sanctions include counseling, warnings of divine punishment, verbal threats, confiscation of property, and detention.
Today's news: eight Taiwanese soldiers jailed for pro-China espionage; Hundreds of migrants from Asia stranded at São Paulo airport in Brazil; At least 15 dead and 4.5 million affected by floods in Bangladesh; It is less dangerous for airlines to fly over Afghanistan than the Middle East, security and screening concerns remain; Delegation from Laos to Moscow for International Buddhist Forum visits Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Ruling on the case of an exasperated family who demanded a stop for a 30-year-old man who had been artificially fed for 11 years as he could no longer afford the costs. Judges: 'It would be death by starvation, not passive euthanasia. But the government should work to provide some form of support for the family." Dr. Carvalho, Indian Catholic bioethics expert: “A compassionate ruling.”
To date there are 2.59 million people without employment in the country, with a particular incidence in the younger segments of the population. The figure of those who expatriate to complete their studies or better professional opportunities continues to grow. The local church's commitment to education, starting with technical institutes.
On Feast of the Assumption, a group of Catholics who fled more than a year ago from the ethnic violence that devastated India's northeastern state had the joy of being able to return to celebrate the Eucharist in the new settlement where the Archdiocese of Imphal is building homes for those who have lost everything. Fr. Aimeng's testimony, “A spiritual balm among so much suffering.”
The number of women seeking work abroad continues to rise: from 40 percent in the pre-pandemic period to 46 percent in 2023. The main destination remains the Middle East, where they find employment mainly as domestic workers. The government is trying to reverse this trend, but still more than a thousand choose to expatriate every month.
The man had left for Russia in April and told his family he worked as a cook. New Delhi promises action against agencies in the country that recruit people enticed by the promise of Russian citizenship for Moscow's army. Modi expected in Kiev Aug. 23 after a visit to Moscow last month.
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