Paolo Fossati

She was accused of having sprayed Kim Jong-nam's face with a powerful nerve gas. The young woman thought it was a television joke. Hương risked death by hanging: she pleaded guilty to a minor crime. The defense points the finger at four North Korean citizens: "The killers were not brought to justice".

Peace talks between the government and the Northern Alliance took place in Muse. The four rebel groups have not yet signed the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). A four-month truce came into effect on 21 December in Kachin and Shan states. ““The ceasefire period was extended until June 30,” a military spokesperson said. The parties will meet again in the third week of May. Hundreds of thousands of people have become refugees.

​The wedding was celebrated yesterday in the Dusit Palace, "legally and according to tradition". The television stations reported the marriage a few hours after the ceremony and a royal decree. King Maha Vajiralongkorn already has seven children and three marriages behind him. On May 4, the series of complex ceremonies will begin for his coronation.

The new Reiwa era begins. With the abdication ceremony, yesterday the 30-year reign of emperor Akihito ended. In his first speech, Naruhito outlines his hopes and pays tribute to his father's service.

The church was inaugurated in 1581, the first dedicated to the Portuguese saint in Asia. “May the shrine truly be [. . .] be the centre of constant missionary outreach,” says the Pope in a message for the occasion. Every year, some 75,000 to 100,000 pilgrims visit the site. The recognition is "first and foremost an honour, but at the same time a great responsibility,” says rector.

In the first rite, in private, the sovereign announced his abdication to the mythological ancestors. The main rite of renunciation of the throne will begin at 5 pm local time. Starting at midnight tomorrow, Akihito will take on the title of "emeritus emperor". Tomorrow morning, Crown Prince Naruhito will inherit the imperial treasures.

Fighting between the RCSS and the SSPP has stopped in Kyaukme and Thibaw townships. It broke out last September in the Namtu district. Since the end of 2018, the two groups have clashed more than 150 times, displacing thousands of persons. Shan State is the global centre for methamphetamine production.

The initiative to visit church and temples promoted by the NGO Global Unity Network. The president: "Compassion and closeness even when non-Muslims die". The delegation holds a meeting on dialogue with the parish priest of St. Joseph. For almost 20 years the group has offered itself as a tool to expose Muslims to other faiths.

Christians continue to suffer persecution and pay the price for wars they never asked for. Intolerance against them increases in contemporary Islamist discourse. The Nimes imam comments on the attacks in Sri Lanka and challenges "the silent majority": "You will be accused of complicity, if you do not declare a holy war against extremism and hatred".

The Archbishop of Colombo meets the ambassadors of Islamic countries: "What took place id neither political or religious, but the result of the actions of some misled people." In the meantime, investigations into the massacres continue. Military and Islamists: 15 dead, including six children, for fear of new attacks, the Sunday masses were canceled: Catholics invited to stay at home.

Only 257,622 couples were married last year. Economic uncertainties, frustration and lack of prospects are the main reasons. The economy is slowing down and many young people cannot find a decent job. There is little hope of earning enough to buy a house, get married and have a child. The demographic transition, due to the low birth rate, is looming over the country.

The details of solemn rite have been made public. The ceremony is set for 5pm in the "Matsu-no-Ma" (Room of Pine) in the presence of an ancient sword and a jewel, part of the imperial regalia. Akihito will remain sovereign until midnight. At that moment, a new imperial era will begin with Naruhito.