China

China reports its eighth bird flu death as well as the 24th case of H7N9human infection, bringing the local poultry industry to its knees. In Vietnam, the original strain of the virus makes a comeback with the death of a 4-yar-old child. In Cambodia, the authorities are unable to cope with eight deaths in month. "There are some missing pieces in the puzzle," FAO official says.

Tokyo's decision to double the monetary base follows what the Americans, the Europeans and the even Swiss are doing. Two decades of an undervalued exchange rate explain China's 'economic miracle'. Now older industrial nations can no longer yield their industrial base.

The Family Planning Bureau in Dabacheng fails to heed the doctor who said operation was "dangerous for patient's life". Hongxia Shen, 42, was "guilty" having already two children. She was killed to prevent more "illegal pregnancies".

On Divine Mercy Sunday, Francis says that Jesus came to bring "true, profound peace, " which "comes from the experience of God's mercy." And the "gift" that he leaves his disciples. The "beatitude of faith" of those who believe "without having seen".

On Divine Mercy Sunday, John Paul II, Pope Francis celebrates the installation Mass as Bishop of Rome in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. From now on the square in front of the Vicariate will be known as "John Paul II Square". The "patient mercy of God" towards Thomas, Peter, the disciples of Emmaus, the prodigal son. The "style of God" is patience. The "courage to return to Him .. whatever the mistake, whatever the sin in our lives." Welcoming the sacraments with faith.

A local farmer Zhejiang died this morning after contracting the H7N9 virus, a variant of the infamous H5N1. The Chinese authorities are trying to keep the alert level low and WHO speaks of situation "still under control."

The regime is moving "Musudan" rocket to its east coast with a range of about 4 thousand kilometers that can carry a nuclear warhead. High alert in Seoul and Washington, which responds with an anti-missile battery in Guam. The U.S. defense secretary: "It has become a real threat." Dissident from the North: "Only a tactical intermediate move, they could open up to a market economy."

"China, the United States and Japan know very well what would be the consequences of an open conflict: millions of refugees and a new, formidable regional competitor," a Catholic source that works between North and South Korea told AsiaNews. Meanwhile, the situation in North Korea is as desperate as ever and its leaders could do something rash.

Medical checks and inspections at airports and ports. Shanghai raises alert level. Travelers to Hong Kong must fill-in a declaration on their state of health. Authorities advise against killing poultry for offering to ancestors for Qing Ming festival. Taipei ready to produce 10 million doses of vaccine in two months.

Li Wenxi ran a bookstore in Beijing. In December, he decides to go in Taiyuan, in the north of the country, to help local faithful open a bookstore. However, the police laid a trap for him, seize all his stuff and threw him in jail. "Don't you dare bring Christianity to Shanxi," they told him. After his desperate wife turned to the Internet, his story was reposted across the blogosphere.

All four patients are in danger of death. But many people who came into contact with them do not have any symptoms. Infections occurred in the delta of the Yangtze river, where more than 16 thousand dead pigs were dumped. The World Health Organization does not rule out a connection with the slaughter of the pigs. Travelers who arrive from China to Hong Kong and have respiratory symptoms, are required to wear masks and be seen by a doctor.

Communist authorities released Jigme Gyatso, 52, a year early. He was arrested in 1996 for "counterrevolutionary activities." His health worsened after the recent and brutal beatings suffered in prison at the hands of security agents.