Newsbook

The view from Nagapattinam
A slideshow of images from a beleaguered but buoyant fishing community in southern India. Since the war ended across the Palk Strait in Sri Lanka, Indian fishermen have found themselves adjusting to life with the Sri Lankan navy

Putting their best feet forward
Should shoes be worn, removed or even thrown in protest at an unsuspecting foe? As with all the fundamentals of life, religion has things to say about footwear. And from Islam, Judaism and Christianity, the message is mixed

The Detroit of the East
Many Japanese carmakers use Thailand as a manufacturing hub. In 2012 vehicle production reached 2.45m, of which 1m were exported.

FRANCE'S Senate votes on gay marriage, Pope Francis delivers his first Easter address, Myanmar legalises private newspapers and Tinsley Green hosts the World Marbles Championship

THE BRICS summit held in Durban these past two days completes a full cycle. Brazil, Russia, India, China and now South Africa, the Johnny-come-lately of the group, have each taken a turn in hosting the developing-nation pow-wow. The Durban meet was supposed to mark the graduation of the BRICS from a mere acronym—coined by Jim O’Neill of Goldman Sachs to link four populous emerging markets, South Africa not included—to a grown-up force with its own institutions. Did it do so?