China

Nepali authorities had announced a special programme to stop the spread of the A-H1N1 virus, but on many border posts instructions and specialised staff have not yet arrived. Health Ministry tries to be reassuring, saying that it is ready top meet the challenge and that delays are due to recent instability caused by the appointment of the new government.

The petitioner (and perhaps the author) of the Charter 08 demanded political reforms, freedom of association, independence of the judiciary. He risks at least 15 years in prison. The police refuse Mo Shaoping, the defence lawyer chosen by his wife because he too is a signatory of Charter 08.

Nothing is known about Ngagchung who was arrested in July 2008. He was a member of the Larung Gar Buddhist Temple, an important centre for Buddhist studies targeted by Chinese authorities.

Chinese products are increasingly appreciated, primarily in the fields of electronic and industrial equipment. In return, China buys energy and attracts investment. Experts: this growing market, however, will not resolve widespread unemployment in the region, nor help acquire technological knowledge.

Satellite TV is replaced with the cable TV, which only broadcasts government approved programs. Among the broadcasts criticized are those of well known agencies for the protection of rights. Resident's protests.

Chinese authorities complain about ‘Google suggest’ function for suggesting porn sites. The internet giant suspends the functionality in China. The real problem however is Beijing’s intention to require all new computers built and sold in China to contain software that would prevent access to sites disliked by the government.

Police have released many pro-rights activists who were arrested just before June 4th, but others are still detained. Signatories of Charter 08, the document for Democracy which has aroused great interest in the country, are the most affected.

In Hubei some 10,000 people resist attempts by police to remove the body of a young man who died in mysterious circumstances. They fear the authorities might cremate it and eliminate the evidence of a crime. In Guangdong residents seize government officials and clash with police sent to free them.

The president of the Pontifical Council for interreligious Dialogue highlights an improved atmosphere and greater trust in Muslim-Catholic relations, also after Benedict XVI’s trip to the Holy Land. Problems do remain, including the right of Muslims to convert and the possibility to have Christian places of worship in the Saudi kingdom. Oasis conference focuses on tradition and dialogue between religions and cultures. Issues touched include the US, French and British cases, the development of Islam in given nations, and the move away from literalism in Qur’anic exegesis.

Benedict XVI visits San Giovanni Rotondo and proposes the characteristics of the Saint from Pietrelcina to capuchin monks, Padre Pio spiritual groups and all faithful. The Pope prays before the body of the saint.

For some time now officials and mayors of important cities have been accused of corruption and speculation and thrown out of office. Experts wonder whether this is simply another way of eliminating political opponents.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation forecasts that in 2009, for the first time in history, a sixth of the global population will suffer from hunger. For the FAO director, Diouf, the phenomenon is caused by the “dangerous combination of the global economic recession and the persistent high prices of basic food items in many countries”.