Paolo Fossati

To protect its producers, the EU has imposed tariffs for three years on Cambodian and Myanmar rice. In just six months, exports to Europe have been halved. For Cambodia, the measure penalises producers of “jasmine and fragrant long grain rice” who “do not compete directly with products grown in the EU”. China is ready to support Cambodia’s economy and agriculture.

The two countries had signed the General Security of Military Information Agreement (Gsomia) in February 2016. The exit of Seoul risks hindering US efforts for cooperation with two important allies in the region. South Korea accuses Japan of using trade as a weapon in a dispute related to colonial rule.

The Myanmar government today was supposed to accept a first group of 3,454 displaced people. The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister accuses Rohingya leaders and NGOs of discouraging the return of refugees. In Myanmar, Rohingya procrastination reinforces doubts about their actual desire for repatriation.

They are created when artificial materials break down into particles smaller than about 5 millimeters. People have inadvertently swallowed it for decades without any harm. For the UN agency, the priority is bacteria that cause typhoid and cholera: "they cause disease and can kill".

The Indian-born TV preacher is thought to have inspired the 2016 Dhaka massacre. Malaysian police received more than a hundred complaints about racially motivated statements attributed to him. Naik has questioned the loyalty of Malaysia’s Hindu minority and claimed that ethnic Chinese people are guests in the country.

In the north of the region, violent skirmishes between government troops and militias of the Northern Alliance. The cities of Naung Cho, Kyaukme, Lashio, Kutkai and Theinni are now deserted. Humanitarian organizations fear the rise of displaced people, so far given refuge in Buddhist monasteries. The price of rice skyrockets.

Atambaev surrendered to police on 8 August after a two-day stand-off between his supporters and law enforcement. The former leader refused to respond to three subpoenas for crimes committed during his presidency. He is now also accused of murder and attempted coup.

Abdul Somad’s sermon goes viral online. He later claimed that “The Quran reciting session was held in a closed Mosque”, “for Muslims” only. Christians are urged not let emotions prevail. Extremists are increasingly resorting to hoaxes, fake news and controversy over religion to feed divisions.

Myanmar authorities will accept up to 300 people a day in two camps for displaced people. The first attempt at voluntary refugee repatriation failed in November 2018. For the Bishop of Pyay, some "stress that the humanitarian crisis guarantees generous profits”. Repatriation raises fears of possible ethnic tensions.

The young people come from 15 countries around the world. They are accompanied by eight missionaries, Benedictine and Salesian. The initiative has reached its eighth edition. Card Yeom: "I hope you can understand how important peace is in our lives".

The Archbishop of Yangon released a letter in which he expresses "the deep concerns of the Church about the challenges facing the people of Myanmar”, including military interference in the country’s political life. He calls on the army and the government to respect their respective roles, and warns against the growing religious intolerance in the country and Asia.

Today the president made his State of the Nation speech before parliament. “A capital city is not just a symbol of national identity, but also a representation of the progress of the nation,” he said. For the president, minerals, palm oil and fisheries are resources Indonesia should process more at home to increase their value.