There have already been 24 deaths in the country since the start of the year, with children particularly at risk from the disease. The Colombo district has the highest number of cases. The government has launched a week-long prevention campaign, including initiatives to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

Leo XIV spoke to the participants to the plenary assembly of the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO), lamenting the "exodus" of Eastern Christians caused by instability that always falls “hardest on the poor.”  For the pontiff, God is always “The source of goodness”. The pontiff also slammed those who waste money on killing, and “seek monologues”, while “you create dialogue”. “The Christian East can only be preserved if it is understood”.

Arrivals reach record levels, especially from Russia and China, and tens of billions of dollars are pouring in to build new infrastructure. Vietnam aims to overtake Thailand and Malaysia as Southeast Asia's top destination. While Thailand is struggling to keep up, Vietnam’s rapid growth comes with risks of overtourism.

This is the finding of a study by an Austrian university, which refutes the equation between faith and terrorism within the diaspora. Faith and culture are closely intertwined amongst refugees. Anti-Islamic sentiments also affect Christians. Polak: radicalisation increases outside communities, amongst those who are alone and encounter religion on social media.

The Middle Corridor is reshaping the region’s geopolitical landscape, offering participating countries a historic opportunity to free themselves once and for all from their role as ‘transit appendages’ to Moscow and become independent players.

Today’s headlines: Thailand plans a corridor worth over billion as an alternative to the Strait of Malacca. Hong Kong: black rain warning and schools closed. China’s State Council publishes plan to boost employment, including through AI. High Court in Tamil Nadu: proposal to build a church near a temple does not rule out bad faith.