China

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issues a statement for Vesakh, which celebrates the key moments in the life of the Buddha. Both religions should boost their joint efforts to raise awareness about the environment and peaceful coexistence.

All indexes are down: Tokyo (–2.17 per cent), Hong Kong (–2.14 per cent), Kuala Lumpur (–2.06 per cent), Seoul (–2.6 per cent), Singapore (–0.75 per cent) and Bangkok (–2.5 per cent). In Thailand, the country’s political crisis is an additional burden. Fear over Europe undermines confidence in the EU rescue package, seen as inadequate to avoid contagion, putting other countries are risk like Greece.

A number of associations and movements come together to show their affection and express their support for Benedict XVI in the wake of paedophile priests scandal, which has turned into a campaign to tarnish the ministry of the Pope and the Church. We Christians are not afraid of the world [. . .]. Instead, we must fear sin [. . .] let the trials, which the Lord allows, push us towards greater radicality and coherence.”

Created to encourage dialogue between East and West, the structure - which combines the name of the Jesuit who died 400 years ago with that of his Chinese best friend - seeks to be a bridge between two worlds. Shanghai also launches the largest Sino-French dictionary, the "Grand Ricci".

Mobilization of entire police force and private hired guards to oversee every school or asylum, even in remote rural villages. Parents send their children to school with canisters of pepper spray. Premier Wen: the cause is the neglect of local authorities for many social problems.

India plans to upgrade its infrastructure in order to attract new investments and lift out of poverty 828 million people. Many Indian roads are one lane with irregular surface. Power supplies are in short supply. Money that the government lacks is needed.

Just ten years ago, Chinese state oil companies were seen as neophytes at the game of acquisitions and mergers. After suffering a few losses, they have become major players.

In Oporto, the last leg of his visit to Portugal, Benedict XVI emphasizes that every Christian must give witness to Christ in every sector of society. "How much time we have lost, how must work has been set back, on account of our lack of attention to this point! Everything is to be defined starting with Christ. " Dialogue with different religions and cultures to try to build the peaceful coexistence of peoples.

Almost all the child killers are ordinary people. Police security measures prove to be inadequate. Experts describe murderers as individuals left behind by an unjust society that has deprived them of any hope in the future.

An official survey indicates that most people consider the Internet as the only way to uncover wrongdoing and misdeeds by officials. Some officials have been arrested or fired because of online revelations. As Beijing gets ready to tighten its control on the web, Washington plans to help Falun Gong.

Six children and a teacher stabbed to death, another 20 wounded. The murderer then committed suicide. It is the fifth case of violence against children in two months. Local authorities suggest increased security outside and inside schools and see these as isolated cases. Bloggers and commentators put the blame on the social gap, poverty, injustice, lack of space for people to express their frustrations.

Children continue to die violently in kindergartens and schools. For the government, such episodes are isolated incidents caused by deranged individuals. However, they have deeper roots and are the consequence of pent-up social tensions. Democracy and religious freedom could open up spaces where people can meet and listen to one another. Without them, China might experience a conflict much more violent than the one that unfolded in Tiananmen Square, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences says.