Pakistan

Today's headlines: Saudi GDP set to grow by the highest figure in the last decade; Shanghai launches a 260 billion development plan; Pakistan's high court clears former premier Khan of terrorism charges; a giant statue of Padre Pio is to be erected in Cebu in a pilgrimage site; Moscow patriarchate says the meeting between the pope and Kirill is still possible and desirable.

Today's headlines: aftershocks from yesterday's earthquake in southern Taiwan at least one victim and 150 injured; more clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, a hundred people dead; a mega-church in Zhejiang held prayer services with sacred music linked to traditional Chinese culture; Turkish president and Pakistani premier agree on Russian gas supply.

Today's headlines: Metropolitan Antonij reports Pope Francis has requested a new meeting with Patriarch Kirill; ceasefire holds between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; protests in Iran over the death of a young woman detained for violating headscarf regulations; pork prices in China mount, about 70% year-over-year; Phnom Penh set to issue final verdict on Khieu Samphan.

The victim is 62-year-old Boota Masih, forced to work on a cattle farm to repay his son's debts. The murderer is the owner of the farm, a Muslim who is also a police officer. He used his role as an officer to cover up the investigation. The corpse showed clear signs of abuse and violence.

Anwar Masih, 57, has been in prison for more than two years after he was accused by the police of defaming Muhammad following a family dispute. His family lives in hiding after receiving death threats. Activists and human rights lawyers are calling for fair judicial treatment in blasphemy cases.

The emergency caused by the exceptional rains shows no sign of abating. According to official data, 1.7 million houses have been damaged and over 33 million people have been affected. The AsiaNews fundraising campaign for a village home to a small Christian community.

Local authorities have failed to drain the lake. More than 100,000 people were evacuated over the weekend. The price of staple food rises fivefold. Pakistan’s food security in the coming months is at risk. AsiaNews continues its campaign in favour of flood victims.

The humanitarian emergency has become an opportunity to relaunch partnership. Ankara is ready to build thousands of housing units for affected Pakistani families. Armaments, construction and agriculture are the sectors of greatest interest. In the background a sahred ideology marked by nationalism and a vision of Islam as well as the (possible) tensions with Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Survivors in Sindh province speak about the devastating impact of monsoon rains not seen for decades, and the season is not over yet. Meanwhile, some 30 million Pakistanis have been forced to leave their homes. For Fr Yousaf, “just staying alive is a real miracle.” People urgently need help. Our agency is raising funds to help a village not far from Hyderabad home to 150 families.

Tragic tales emerge from “God Save Us”, a village in Sindh province home to 45 Christian families. Local homes and livestock have been swept away even though it is located a kilometre from the Sindh River. In total, 70 per cent of Pakistan has been affected and more rain is on its way. Like in Noah’s times, “I pray to God to show us a rainbow,” said Fr Khalid Rasheed Asi who is asking for help: “[W]ithout your support these poor people cannot survive.” Through an active campaign for Pakistan, AsiaNews wants to raise funds for flood victims.

Authorities in Sindh, among the provinces hardest hit by the monsoons in recent weeks, expect more flooding from the north. Prime Minister Sharif compared the current situation to the 2010 floods in which about 2,000 people died. The losses could amount to up to 10 billion dollars.

On his pilgrimage to the "capital of forgiveness", struck by a devastating earthquake in 2009, Francis expresses his closeness to the Pakistani population affected by the natural disasters that left over 1,000 dead: "Let international solidarity be ready and generous".