After taking office on 30 May, Modi’s foreign visits will be in June and October. Pakistan is not among the countries invited at the swearing-in ceremony. Maldives is seeking an alternative to China with whom it has a US$ 3 billion debt.
On 23 July 2018, five billion cubic metres of water flooded 12 villages in the south of the country. The disaster left at least 40 people dead with scores of missing. According to international experts, construction defects were fatal. The South Korean company that owns the plant has rejected the findings.
Francis issued a video-message to the people of Romania on the eve of his visit to the country (31 May- 2 June). On Sunday, seven bishops martyred by the former communist regime will be beatified.
Martial law in Mindanao has been in force since the start of the Marawi siege. On 12 December 2018, the Filipino Congress extended it for another 12 months. According to Karapatan, since it was imposed, there have been six forced disappearances, 35 cases of torture, 28,813 cases of intimidation and more than 1,450 illegal arrests. Yet, most people remain in favour of President Duterte’s decision.
At least 3.7 million school-age children do not attend classes. In 2018, over a thousand schools were closed. A whole generation is at risk and girls are the most disadvantaged. For Italian priest, if children are prevented from going to school, culture will be nipped in the bud.
The group of four hit men and two organisers sought to undermine President Widodo’s leadership ahead of the riots of 21 and 22 May. Two ministers, the intelligence chief, a presidential advisor and an important pollster were the targets.
