Myanmar’s newly elected president strikes deals on rare earths and infrastructure. But while the two governments negotiated in New Delhi, their armed forces exchanged artillery fire on the border, where weapons and fighters can easily cross. In Manipur, three Kuki civilians were killed this morning in yet another ambush, while more and more players are taking part in the violence.
After years of growth, the number of 18-year-olds taking next Sunday’s National College Entrance Examination is down by more than 3 per cent this year, a sign that an academic education is no longer seen as key to good employment opportunities, even in China. Meanwhile, enrolment in vocational schools is up, encouraged by the government.
The reopened investigations into the attacks on churches and hotels that killed over 270 people have now directly implicated the former president, who returned to power just a few months after the bombings. The former head of intelligence has been in prison for three months on charges of having ‘used’ Islamists to upset the country’s political balance.
The Holy See created the diocese on 25 March in a remote and impoverished part of northern Bangladesh that is marked by cultural and religious diversity. PIME missionaries were the first to bring the Gospel to the area. Today, its first shepherd was ordained in Naogaon, at a ceremony attended by thousands of faithful. The new bishop told AsiaNews that he wants to promote prosperity and “interreligious harmony”.
Dadan Hindayana, who headed the agency for two years, has been jailed, along with Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung. The prosecution cites “solid” evidence supporting the charges, whilst the investigation continues. The agency’s new head announces a radical change: the target of reaching 83 million people is no longer a priority
Today’s headlines: Hezbollah rejects the terms of the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, calling it a “surrender”; Drought is crippling crops in various parts of Asia, and the effects of El Niño risk exacerbating the crisis; Dhaka denounces attempts at border incursions facilitated by Indian authorities; The Sultan of Brunei announces a government reshuffle, with two ministries going to his sons.
