South East Asia

Concerned only with reporting their "achievements " to superiors, education officials worry little about the formation of young people. At the end of 2009, thousands of false reports from public schools.

Economy grows at fastest quarterly growth in five years, reaching 9.22 per cent from a year earlier. Recovery is due to a huge jump in exports to China (+187.8 per cent). Exports to the United States and Europe decline; this raises concerns among experts.

Tint Swe, a member of the government in exile, denounces a campaign launched by the military dictatorship against monks, journalists and political opponents. The impotence of international organizations and the complicity of neighbouring countries like China and India, attracted by economic wealth.

In the Islamic country there is no freedom of religion. In order to keep her faith alive the woman took refuge in her room to pray. Filipino bishops call on the faithful to pray and reflect on the plight of workers abroad.

Benedict XVI invites the faithful to begin the Lenten journey by overcoming the temptations of material need, and the deceit of power and extravagant miracles, in imitation of Jesus who delivers us "from the ambiguous lure of planning our lives without God" . From tonight until 27 February, the pope and the Roman Curia will hold their spiritual retreat, preached by the Salesian Don Enrico dal Covolo.

The faithful are 17.4% of world population. Priests and religious growing in Africa and Asia; decline in Europe and America. Candidates for the priesthood also increases in Oceania.

The law aims to "protect" wives and children in cases of abandonment. The bill is supported by the Indonesian Council of Ulema and the money will be paid to Islamic banks. However, it does not apply to foreign women married to Indonesians.

Gaw Thita was arrested on August 26 along with seven other monks, on their return from a trip to Taiwan. He is the only one who has been convicted. Today the UN’s High Representative for Human Rights concludes his visit. No confirmation of a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi.

Over 31 million for advertising in media and newspapers before the official start of the campaign. For analysts this is an example of the corruption that has always afflicted the country and costs more than 3 billion Euros each year. Fr. Timoner: Corruption is the main cause of chronic poverty experienced by the population.

Communication Ministry spokesman announces draft bill to regulate internet use. The proposal provokes protests among ordinary Indonesians who oppose the idea. President Yudhoyono speaks out, defending “freedom of speech and freedom of expression.” The minister backtracks, claiming he is innocent since he knew nothing of the initiative.

Exports reach US$ 13.72 billion in January, projected to rise 17 per cent in first quarter. For the third consecutive month, all important sectors gain. Trade balance hits US$ 516 million.

Police and anti-riot units are deployed to stop protests. Workers want better working conditions and a higher minimum wage. Two years after Cyclone Nargis, 500,000 people are still homeless, without enough money to rebuild their homes.