Fifteen die in magnitude 6.3 earthquake

Six blasts hit three churches and three grand hotels in Colombo. The churches are Zion Church in Batticaloa, St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade and St Sebastian inNegombo. Card Malcom Ranjith calls for blood donations and doctors to return to work in hospitals.

Fr.  Vineeth George, 38, is from the Claretian Congregation.  With a brilliant career already started, he abandoned everything and chose the priesthood to serve the least.  He was involved in the education of tribal children.

This includes officials born in the 1970s.  One of them will be responsible for taking over the reigns from  Xi Jinping.  The leader can remain party secretary until 2032 and president until 2033. Ten officials seem to have an advantage in running for top party positions.  Xi's first requirement for future leaders is "political morality".

The government pledged to create ten million new jobs and build five million houses. With a 4 per cent growth rate, poverty will not be tackled, nor will per capita income increase by much. The government is negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund. Terrorism is driving investors away.

The North Korean leader, who had not attended a test-firing exercise since November, set the "phased and strategic goals" for maintaining his country's munitions production. According to South Korean experts, the new weapon could be a newly developed short-range guided missile. The first meeting between Kim and the Russian president might take place next week.

The eight most important poling companies attribute a range of votes between 54.32% and 55.77% to Widodo.  His rival, supported by the Islamists: "They are trying to make it look like we lost".  Fear of possible street unrest spreads among the population.  The armed forces promise "zero tolerance".

The figure refers to 2018, which marks a slight decrease compared to the 9.2 billion dollars of the previous year.  Ministry of Defense says the sector is "exceptionally strong" and represents one of the leading industries.  Most important clients are India, Azerbaijan and Vietnam.

Twenty suspects were detained. The tusks were sent by sea from African countries, crossing the Chinese border hidden in a cargo of timber. Since Beijing banned the sale in 2017, demand has fallen by almost half.

Japanese citizenship is a requirement to become an elder in the Japan Sumo Association (JSA). Mönkhbatyn Davaajarga, the son of a top-ranked legend in Mongolian wrestling, has broken many sumo records. His father won Mongolia’s first Olympic medal.

Over the past five days one church was attacked and another re-opened following the order of a High Court. The Indian state is the most dangerous for Christians. For one activist, some “people think that they can do anything in the name of religion and get away with it without consequences."

As in 2014, THE current president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo challenged by Prabowo Subianto. Observers call the election a "critical day" for the future of young democracy. The government has laid out massive security measures.  Widodo has the task of curbing the enormous influence of Islamic fundamentalist groups and movements.

The 17 km walk lasted four hours. Catholic youth organised the event via social media whose aim was individual penance and group prayer for India.

The Iranian Foreign Minister: "Our thoughts are with the French and all the Catholics". The Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, expresses "pain". Japan has indicated its willingness to support France in its restoration work. South Korea announces inspections of national monuments. The South Korean Catholic community offers words of consolation and promises solidarity to the French people.

Persecution and martyrdom are signs of today's Christians. In Holy Week, we should remember our commitment to evangelization. Even as a minority.