Twenty years after he became president, Vladimir Putin is proposing changes to the constitution and the power structure. Patriarch Kirill gives the move his seal of approval. Dmitri Medvedev remains Putin’s deputy, but trades in his cap as prime minister for that of deputy chair of the Security Council. An unknown bureaucrat, Mikhail Mishustin, is appointed prime minister.

Atiqul Islam is running in North Dhaka. About 300 Protestants and Catholics, clerics as well as lay people, throw their support behind the party of the country’s prime minister. Caritas Asia president backs fast-paced economic development.

The Education Ministry wants the ‘Come on Children Mosque Project’’ added as an extra-curricular activity.

According to Verisk Maplecroft, unrest in places like Chile and Hong Kong will continue this year. Taken by surprise, the governments of the world are ill-prepared to deal with social grievances. Repression ends up radicalising protesters and provoking more violent actions.

At least five parishes have been closed, with electricity and water supplies cut off. These include Fuan, Saiqi and Suanfeng. "Fire safety" measures given as a justification, an excuse for persecution. Some priests have been kicked out. A home for the elderly kept by the nuns is also closed. Of the thirty guests, some are hosted by relatives, others are homeless. Official bishop Zhan Silu bypassed by the United Front. Some priests speak of Holy See’s having “too lightly” signed to the agreement.

Some 51 people took part in the pilgrimage, which followed a course in English dedicated to the path of faith held at St Joseph parish. The Garden of Gethsemane in Bunan Gega covers almost five hectares of forest. It was inaugurated on 26 May of last year by Archbishop Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng. “God really opened our eyes to appreciate everyone and everything around us,” said one participant.