Paolo Fossati

People modify social customs, clothing and food during the holy month. For those who abstain from food, eating, drinking and smoking in public are a form of provocation. In Algeria, the law imposes fines and jail for those who offend the precepts of Islam. Two young people speak out claiming their individual freedom. One, Sarah, was forced to be hypocritical. Saudi Crown Prince calls for respect for non-fasters.

A victory would give him legislative support for anti-crime proposals and to rewrite the Constitution. The opposition denounces: risk of revocation of presidential mandate limit, tightening of the war on drugs and restoration of the death penalty. Polling stations opened with some isolated episodes of violence.

Calls for greater discussion among priests and those who "really want the best for the church". The work should have started in two days. For Catholics and the government, the 1885 building is dilapidated. The plaster on the ceiling has repeatedly fallen suddenly, injuring the faithful. Local architects call for government intervention to avoid a tragedy.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his bride attended the "royal ploughing ceremony". The ritual dates back to the 13th century and marks the annual start of the rice growing season. The latest celebrations show a monarchy stuck in rituals from another era.

According to the South Korean armed forces, however, these are two short-range missiles. The USA confirms: they have flown for over 300km. Ballistic exercises represent a violation of UN resolutions. The launch took place while Seoul and Washington are discussing the denuclearization of the North.

The second Advisory Forum on National Reconciliation and Peace in Myanmar ended yesterday in the capital Naypyidaw. Aung San Suu Kyi hopes to see "mutual respect among the different races and religions". For Fr Joseph Maung Win, "Religion is not the problem, but the solution". Pope Francis’s visit is bearing fruit.

The movement devoted to Muslim-Christian dialogue sends its greetings to Filipino Muslims on the occasion of their holy month. Its message "is inspired" by the document on Human Brotherhood signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Tayyeb. For the group, “Only if we put God at the centre of our lives, respecting others, can we dream of a better future in the midst of divisions and conflicts.”

In the first three months of 2019, 241 Chinese were detained by Cambodian authorities, more than the Vietnamese, Thais, South Koreans and Americans. Chinese nationals also top the list of victims of offences as well. “The issue is that Chinese nationals boast of relations with the Royal Government,” one official said. For activist, Chinese nationals should be monitored to see if “they respect our traditions and customs, and Cambodian law”.

About 500 keepers took part the ceremony in a show of loyalty to the monarch. Animals and handlers prostrated themselves for 19 seconds in front of a portrait of the king. For Thais, elephants have a special historical and cultural significance.

After 511 days in prison, they were released on a New Year’s presidential pardon. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had collected evidence on the murder of 10 people. The investigation was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in May. Even the United Nations involved in the negotiations for their release.

The murder took place on the morning of 17 October 2011. The defendants are the two alleged killers, a tribal leader and three militants, and the member of a paramilitary group. Charges against the former mayor of Arakan and two army officers previously investigated have been dropped. The four key witnesses are under the protection of the authorities.

The distribution of a third tranche of compensation set by a US court starts in Mindanao. Each of the 6,500 parties to the class action will get a check worth US$ 1,500. For PIME missionary, “PIME will use the money to help the families of those who courageously testified in court during the trial of Fr Tullio’s death.”