Paolo Fossati

Three days of hearings in the case brought by the Gambia against Myanmar ended today. The “troubles of Rakhine State and its population, whatever their background, go back into past centuries and have been particularly severe over the last few years,” said Aung San Suu Kyi. For her, “Can there be genocidal intent on the part of a state that actively investigates, prosecutes and punishes?”

The head of the local government: "Harmony is the key to the development and progress of our country". In the easternmost state of Malaysia, Christianity is the second religion in number of faithful (26.6%), after Islam (65.4%).

Officially, the retired teacher died yesterday morning from a stroke at the Friendship General Hospital in Nghệ An. For some time, he had shown signs of illness and had been hospitalised for a week. He was supposed to serve 12 more years of his sentence on “subversion” charges.

A PIME missionary writes an open letter for the Christmas holidays, noting that “in the areas most affected by years of conflict [. . .] some military and rebel leaders are learning to become peacemakers”. Protestants, members of tribal groups and Muslims are set to attend the "Misa del Gallo" novena.

PM 2.5 reached 118 micrograms per cubic meter in Seoul, 106 in Gyeonggi province and 90 in Incheon. Experts, warn their concentration is "very bad" exceeding 76. Particles of fine dust can cause various disorders and undermine the immune system: the government invites the elderly, children and the sick not to go out.

The National Statistics Office released latest economic data. Pork is China’s most widely consumed meat but an African swine fever outbreak cut local supply by 41.4 per cent. The consumer price Index was up 4.5 per cent compared to November 2018, the biggest jump since October 2011.

The aid worker and his staff were travelling in the eastern province of Nangarhar where they were ambushed on 4 December. Seven to eight assailants took part in the attack, three of them armed with automatic guns and other firearms. The attack had been planned for some time.

In the beginning, the demonstrations in the former British colony were against the extradition bill (now withdrawn); now they call for democracy and an independent investigation into police abuses. 4,474 men and 1,548 women were arrested, aged between 11 and 84 years. The Office for Internal Complaints Against the Police has received over 1,300 complaints.

Gambia has filed a lawsuit against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. In Myanmar, rallies have been held in favour of the government. The first court hearings will start tomorrow until Thursday.

The archbishop of Manila is the new prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. “As Filipinos, we are happy to contribute to the glory of the Church through the task given to our beloved cardinal,” said Mgr Mangalinao. For PIME Missionary, “the pontiff’s choice is providential and inspired".

Pyongyang did not provide details on the tests. The regime points out that in the future the results "will have an important effect on the strategic position" of the country. For experts, the North has tested a new type of engine for long-range rockets or intercontinental ballistic missiles. The UN Security Council resolutions prohibit similar experiments.

Archbishop Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng, Archbishop of Kuching, led a group of 89 Bidayuh ethnic pilgrims to the Holy Land. The prelate held a blessing ceremony in front of a mosaic with the "Sama koih" written on it