Yangon, the torture and lies of the junta. EU sanctions

Across China, multiple celebrations mark the anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Catholics and other believers can choose among a panoply of seminars, conferences, trips, visits, and exhibits. For Mgr Ma Yinglin, without the Communist Party there would be no New China, no socialism with Chinese characteristics, and no happy life for people today.

She takes care of migrant workers left penniless by the lockdown, far from home. For her work, the Archdiocese of Bombay acknowledged her defence of life by giving her the Lily and Rose Award. The pandemic has led to “alarming levels of vulnerability, indignity and exclusion.”

The foundation celebrated 33 years of activity with a seminar dedicated to leadership and the COVID-19 pandemic. Moral integrity and inclusion are some of the principles required to join. The NGO is now open to non-Catholics, including Hindu and other Christian students.

Ethnic armed groups are increasingly involved in operations against the junta. Yesterday demonstrations in dozens of cities. The resistance of the Myingan population. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, junta head, will go to Jakarta for an ASEAN rally. A Japanese journalist arrested.

The decision of the Ministry of Education risks implosion of literacy in the country and could result in a generational rift. After the fall of the Soviet empire there was a cultural impoverishment of the Central Asian republics. Latinization could lead to a rapprochement with Turkey and other neighbouring countries, but also create confusion.

The Financial Times reports a first meeting between officials of the Islamic Republic and emissaries from the Wahhabi kingdom in the Iraqi capital on 9 April. Relations broke off in 2016 after the assault on the Saudi consulate in Iran. Issues on the agenda include nuclear power to the war in Yemen.

They were sent to the border to enforce the anti-pandemic blockade. Since April, supplies have decreased in quality and quantity. Locals now fear being robbed and mistreated by starving troops. Kim loosens restrictions: increase in imports from China.

Summer warming usually left moisture in the frozen ground; now droughts and forest fires are more likely. The Arctic Ocean could warm up more easily. Over the past 10 years, local temperatures have risen by 0.51 degree. In Russia, the greenhouse effect could be three times worse than in the rest of the world.

As the country reports another record number of deaths, the prime minister speaks about the pilgrimage to the Ganges. Hindu groups call for a halt, following the death of one of their leaders who died from COVID-19 after taking part in it. The Uttarakhand government wants to still go forward, but shuts down swimming pools as an anti-virus measure.

The extra jail time comes on top of what already handed out yesterday in another case. Along with eight other pro-democracy figures, the two activists were convicted of taking part in anti-government demonstrations in 2019. For China, Lai, Benny Tai, and Joshua Wong are enemies of China.

Worshippers, mostly Israeli Arabs, are back at al-Aqsa mosque on the first Friday prayer of Ramadan after last year's pandemic-related restrictions and lockdowns. Prayers were peaceful with no tense moments with police. Meanwhile, Israel is planning to reopen to vaccinated foreign visitors on 23 May under strict conditions.

The extremist Islamist party has violently attacked France over the Muhammad cartoons. Paris urges its citizens and businesses to leave Pakistan.

POSCO C&C wants to buy 30 per cent of a joint venture with a company linked to Myanmar’s military. South Korean Churches and the South Korean government are highly critical of the junta.