South East Asia

Myanmar’s armed forces attacked ethnic militias over the weekend. Fighting was reported yesterday. Despite international sanctions, trade in timber continued in 2021.

Vietnam produces 25 million tons of solid waste each year. On average, a Vietnamese household uses one pound of plastic bags per month. International cooperation projects against pollution continue.

Luang Ta Bun Chen, a Vietnam War veteran, stops his retreat and studies for an annual pilgrimage during he shares his experiences with others. This year he went from Phuket to Nakhom Phanom. Meanwhile, the practice of “Dhammayatra” risks becoming a tourist attraction.

The booster will be administered to people over 60 and those at risk. It will be free of charge. The region around the capital is the most affected by the Omicron variant.

In his address to the diplomats representing 183 States accredited to the Holy See, Francis stressed the need to tackle issues such as vaccines for all and openness to those who are forced to leave their country, as well as the main crisis hotspots, from Syria and Afghanistan to the Ukraine and Myanmar.

Heavy rains have led numerous rivers to break their banks flooding entire areas of the province. In recent days, Sumatra (three children dead and 32,000 displaced) and North Aceh have also been hit. Unregulated deforestation and illegal logging at the origin of the floods,.

The Burmese population has demonstrated against the arrival of the strongman from Phnom Penh in various parts of the country. Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has reiterated that Myanmar's generals must continue to be excluded from ASEAN meetings if there is no progress on the peace plan.

Two arrests last November highlighted how the al-Qaeda-linked group has consolidated its political wing. Its recruitment and proselytising activities have been reduced, but the group has an estimated six to seven thousand members.

The Kopel cooperative, which ran a sustainable tourism business, saw visitors disappear with the health crisis. So it invested everything in reforestation projects. In the last 20 years, Malaysia has lost a quarter of its tree cover.

Other news of the day: North Korea will not participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics. Cambodian Premier Hun Sen criticised for trip to Myanmar. Unvaccinated Filippinos who violate quarantine face jail. First woman to lead Pakistan's Supreme Court. Eight Palestinians killed in a car accident in the Occupied Territories.

Francis' message for World Mission Day revolves around "three key phrases that synthesize the three foundations of the life and mission of every disciple: “You shall be my witnesses”, “to the ends of the earth” and “you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit”. "In evangelization, then, the example of a Christian life and the proclamation of Christ are inseparable. One is at the service of the other. They are the two lungs with which any community must breathe, if it is to be missionary.."

"The journey of life and faith demands a deep desire and inner zeal. We need it as Church". "It is also one of the tasks of the Synod: to walk together in listening, so that the Spirit may suggest new ways, ways to bring the Gospel to the hearts of those who are indifferent, distant, of those who have lost hope but seek what the Magi found, 'a most great joy' (Mt 2:10)".