The local BJP government wants to implement the contested law that was approved in 1978, but that successive governments had since set aside. On 6 March the discussion in the Legislative Assembly in a state where Christians make up 30% of the population. The Arunachal Christian Forum protests: ‘This law is clearly against us, we demand its withdrawal’.
Southeast Asia expert Bridget Welsh analyses Kuala Lumpur's first steps at the helm of the bloc: the leadership will be successful if it puts ‘the interests of those who live in the region above those of its leaders’. ‘Calling for “inclusive elections” in Myanmar contradicts the real situation on the ground’.
The repercussions in Central Asia of the US government's blocking of cooperation activities also include the suspension of subsidies to news agencies such as Radio Svoboda and associations that fight against the gagging of critical voices. And Kazakh nationalist politicians are rejoicing, calling for an end to ‘foreign interference’ in the story of their country.
An armed gang shot to death a 44-year-old priest in a village in the Sagaing region. For the Bishops' Conference, he was an innocent victim of the war like countless others. For the Archbishop of Mandalay, Marco Tin Win, “this heartbreaking tragedy” should be a clarion call to “wake up and end the violence.”
The pontiff is currently in stable conditions in a Rome hospital for bronchitis. For this reason, he did not recite the Angelus today; however, the written text was released. Francis greeted participants in the Jubilee of Artists and the World of Culture, and issued a new appeal for peace. He also thanked all those who are close to him at this time of poor health. The Beatitudes “overturn our worldly mentality,” he said, while “Artists are called to take part in this revolution.”
The Philippine team won the country's first-ever gold at the Asian Winter Games currently underway in Harbin (China), and now aim for a spot at Milano-Cortina 2026. Its members live in Switzerland, the United States and Canada. For the Philippine Olympic Committee, this is the best result for Southeast Asia.