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Violence in Congo-Kinshasa
Nearly 70 dead in attack in Congo-Kinshasa in April

At least 69 people were killed in an attack on northeastern Congo-Kinshasa at the end of April, security sources told AFP.

According to the sources, the attack was carried out by armed men with links to the Codeco militia. They attacked Ituri province near the border with Uganda, which has been subjected to deadly violence for several years.

For security reasons, it was not possible to retrieve the remains for several days, as the militia remained in the area, according to the sources. 

Prominent Buddhist monk accused of child rape

A high-ranking Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka is accused of raping an eleven-year-old girl in 2022, reports The Independent.

Allegations were made against Pallegama Hemarathana Thero four years ago, but the police chose not to open a preliminary investigation. The arrest took place this week after widespread protests and demands from the country's child protection authority.

Pallegama Hemarathana has not commented on the allegations, writes the BBC.

The girl's mother has also been arrested and is suspected of involvement in the abuse.
 

Hundreds arrested - operation against online gambling

More than 300 foreign nationals have been arrested in an operation against online gambling activities in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. It is one of the largest police operations against illegal betting networks.

321 people, most of whom came from Vietnam, were arrested at what investigators describe as a hub for more than 70 digital gambling sites targeting people outside Indonesia.

According to the police, many of the suspects entered the country on short-term visitor visas and have stayed longer than allowed when working with the sites. The fact that they stayed too long was discovered "in addition to suspected gambling and money laundering crimes", the police say. 

At least twelve dead in attack on police in Pakistan

At least twelve people have been killed after a car bomb detonated and people opened fire on police in Pakistan, the police in the country say.

The incident occurred on Saturday in the city of Bannu. Five people were injured, and one is still missing.

Several people are said to have been behind the attack.
Number of marriages in China at lowest level ever

Almost 1.7 million marriages were registered in China in the first quarter, according to Bloomberg. This is a decline of more than 6 percent compared to a year ago and the lowest level ever.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs has been publishing marriage data since 2013, and in the first reported quarter, 4.3 million marriages were registered.

Bloomberg considers the figures in light of China's demographic problems, writing that the aging population may explain the decline.

China's Marriages Hit All-Time Low

Just under 1.7 million marriages were registered in China in the first quarter, according to Bloomberg. That's a decline of more than 6 percent compared to a year ago and the lowest level ever.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs has been publishing marriage data since 2013, and in the first reported quarter, 4.3 million marriages were registered.

Bloomberg views the figures in light of China's demographic problems and writes that the aging population may explain the decline.