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Ultime notizie dall'Asia



INDONESIA - Sumatra: Western tourists in sights of Islamic terrorists (Jul 3)
Police sources reveal this following the capture of a fundamentalist group linked to Jemaah Islamiyah, an Indonesian cell close to al-Qaeda. 22 high-power bombs discovered, intended to strike sensitive spots on the island.


ISRAEL - SYRIA - "Constructive" peace talks between Jerusalem and Damascus (Jul 3)
In the talks, mediated by Turkey, the next meeting was set for the end of July: at that session, they will decide whether to open direct negotiations. But the U.S. ambassador to Israel says that his country does not want to take part in the negotiations, as Syria would like.


PHILIPPINES - Cardinal Vidal: End controversy and accusations over Typhoon Fengshen (Jul 3)
It is still unknown what the causes were that led to the sinking of the ship Princess of the Stars: the company that owned it is accusing the weather bureau, while fishermen are asking for compensation for the polluting of the ocean. Only the Catholic Church is calling for "serious reflection to prevent similar disasters".


INDIA - Dead and wounded in Hindu "extreme protest" over Kashmir temple (Jul 3)
The government granted a wide area for the use of an important Hindu temple, but then reversed the decision over protests from many Muslims in the state. Extremist Hindu groups are now taking to the streets all over central India.


TURKEY - Erdoğan and Kemalist establishment trade blows at each other (Jul 3)
On the one hand, there is a demand before the Constitutional Court to disband the AKP; on the other, former generals have been arrested in the Ergenekon Network affair. Should the Court dissolve the AKP, current prime minister has a new party waiting in the wings, but he could no longer officially take part in politics.


TAIWAN – CHINA - First ‘historic’ flight from China lands in Taiwan (Jul 3)
The agreement between Beijing and Taipei on regular week-end flights breaks an isolation that lasted almost 60 years. The first Chinese tourists are warmly welcomed.


PAKISTAN - Pakistan bans the death penalty (Jul 3)
The bill launched by the premier to commemorate Benazir Bhutto was ratified by the government and now awaits President Musharraf’s signature. Welcomed by human rights groups, who are demanding improved rehabilitation programmes for prisoners.


PHILIPPINES - Protestant pastor killed as Maoist violence escalates in Mindanao (Jul 2)
The wave of violence unleashed by the NPA is not stopping: in Mindanao, a bomb kills three people in a bakery and wounds another 12. On Tuesday, the body was found of a Protestant pastor accused of collaborating with the military.


MONGOLIA - Tense calm in Ulaan Baatar as people wait for official election results (Jul 2)
Police return to their stations; streets are calm with everyone waiting for poll results. The bishop of Ulaan Baatar urges Catholics to stay home for security reasons.


INDIA - WYD - WYD: Indian young people travelling to Sydney, to overcome ills of globalisation (Jul 2)
Archbishop Cornelio points out for the young people models of life that go beyond "wealth and personal success". To respond to the challenges of the time, it is necessary to promote a "true faith" that is a sign of "solidarity, peace, and love".