Paolo Fossati

Refugees from Kyaukme are welcomed by the Aung Su Pan, Shwe Kyin and Namt Sitlynn Buddhist monasteries after their villages come under rebel occupation. Food shortages are however a problem and refugee pupils are unable to continue their education.

Phuc Khanh pagoda was packed two hours before the start of a traditional religious service. Many Vietnamese believe that their fate lies in the star designated for the year in question. In the first days of the lunar New Year, people pray that bad stars do not cause unfortunate events.

Over 800 families suffered damages by a Socfin-KCD plantation, which is funded by Bolloré. The plaintiffs lost hope of obtaining justice in Cambodia and so took their case to France.

Ubolratana Mahidol, the king's sister, was the first choice of the Thai Raksa Chart Party. The party now risks being dissolved: it has dragged the monarchy into politics. The decision is not yet final and discussions will continue today.

The Internet is undermining religious education in families and traditional educational institutions. As many faithful abandon mosques, radical groups use them to spread their ideology. For experts, mosques should be revived to fight absolutism.

A South Korean delegation of 250 people arrives in North Korea. They will stay for two days at Mount Kumgang. It is the first inter-Korean civil event this year. Prohibit cameras, laptops and other equipment: fault of the sanctions.

In Lhasa, Chinese officials urge Tibetans to be loyal to Beijing, complaining about those who harbour religious faith and worship in secret. In Markham County, police have been deployed in Tibetan neighbourhoods "to assess the mood of the people”. In Chamdo, visiting monasteries is banned, whilst in Sichuan, Tibetan government workers cannot go home for the holiday.

The name of the monarch’s 67-year-old elder sister does not appear on the official list of candidates. For the Election Commission, members of the royal family must be “above politics". Pro-monarchy activist calls for the dissolution of the Thai Raksa Chart Party for violating the election law.

It is about 8.2% more than a previous five-year agreement, which expired at the end of last year. The agreement is valid only for one year. President Trump had repeatedly complained about Seoul's contribution, considered to be derisory. More than 28,000 US troops are stationed in South Korea.

Speaking about Duterte's attacks on the Church, the auxiliary bishop of Manila is dismayed by “so much bullying and ‘gutter-talk’,” which have “polluted our public discourse". In his view, “’divide and rule’ leadership tactics have been used. There is a deliberate strategy to antagonize a certain sector of society.”

The archbishop of Kota Kinabalu reminds Catholics that "Jesus is the eternal spring” who “brings us eternal hope." Hence, the people of God are called to bring this new hope to those who live in despair. The quest for spiritual wealth cannot be underestimated.

The Mytsone project would dam for the first time the Irrawaddy River, the cradle of Burmese civilisation. Whilst Beijing is pressing for work to resume, Myanmar wavers. About 90 per cent of the power generated by the complex would go to China. One of the most authoritative voices against the dam is Card Charles Maung Bo.