04/22/2014KOREA-USA Pyongyang prepares nuclear test for Obama's visit to Korea Seoul intelligence speaks of "intensified activities" around Punggye-ri nuclear site. And State press accuses Washington of "reactionary and dangerous" policies in East Asia. The U.S. president’s visit to Asia begins today, in Japan. Then comes the turn of Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines. Seoul (AsiaNews ) - A few days ahead
of the U.S. President's arrival on the Korean peninsula, the Pyongyang regime
"has intensified its activities" around the Punggye -ri...
04/22/2014TAIWAN Taiwan, an Easter of mothers by Xin Yage More than half of those baptized during the Easter Vigil mothers, who have found the key to serenity of the heart in the Gospel. The story of Lingming and Fangyi , converted by Christ’s love.
04/21/2014VATICAN Pope: Easter joy "is not a masquerade! It is impressed on our hearts and shines through our actions". Before reciting the Regina Caeli, that replaces the Angelus prayer during the Easter season, Francis invites the faithful "to take the Gospel, read the chapters on the Resurrection" and turn to the figure of Mary "Mother of all the disciples, Mother of the Church, Mother of hope". Easter Monday "prolongs the joy of the Resurrection of Christ".
04/20/2014VATICAN Pope: The Resurrection, an invitation to rediscover our baptism and become witnesses to Christ At the Easter Vigil Francis speaks of the "return to Galilee, the place where they were first called" where Jesus spoke to the apostles, drawing new energy from the sources of our faith". "It is not to go back in time; it is not a kind of nostalgia. It is returning to our first love, in order to receive the fire which Jesus has kindled in the world and to bring that fire to all people, to the very ends of the earth".
04/19/2014VATICAN Way of the Cross: "Evil will not have the last word; love, mercy and forgiveness will," pope says In the Cross of Jesus, we find "all the bitterness of the betrayal perpetrated by Judas and Peter, all the vanity of bullies, and all the arrogance of false friends." Yet, in front of so many evils, "we also see the vastness of God's love for he does not treat us according to our sins but according to his mercy."
04/18/2014CHINA Beijing: four more New Citizens Movement activists convicted All wanted government officials to declare their economic and financial assets. A court in Haidian found them guilty of disturbing "public order" and sentenced them to prison terms ranging from three and half to two years in prison. Defence lawyer slams the decision, calling it flawed. Now "calling on officials to disclose their assets is a crime."
04/17/2014SOUTH KOREA As sorrow grips the country, bishop of Jeju calls for prayers on behalf of ferry victims The Sewol, a ferry that capsized yesterday for still unknown causes, was on its way to Jeju Island. "All we can do for them and their worried families is to pray, and hope that our prayers and solidarity can somehow bring some comfort," said Mgr Peter Kang U-il, bishop of Jeju and president of the Bishops' Conference, as he spoke to AsiaNews. Rough seas and strong winds have slowed down rescue operations. About 300 people are still missing.
04/17/2014VATICAN Pope: A priest’s "joy", "anoints", is "incorruptible", "missionary" and guarded by poverty, obedience and loyalty Pope Francis celebrates the Chrism Mass with "his" priests. The priestly joy only flows “when the pastor is in the midst of his flock". Even in "in those moments of listlessness and boredom which at times overcome us in our priestly life (and which I too have experienced), even in those moments God’s people are able to “guard” that joy; they are able to protect you, to embrace you and to help you open your heart to find renewed joy"
04/17/2014CHINA Beijing blogger sentenced to 3 years for "spreading rumors" online Qin Zhihui is the first victim of the law passed in September 2013 against micro-blogs, increasingly active in denouncing corruption and scandals . The courts have handed down the sentence without investigating allegations of defamation brought against the blogger .
04/16/2014CHINA Dongguan: 40,000 workers down tools again Strike hits Yue Yuen, a company that works for giants such as Nike, Adidas and Timberland. Workers complain about the level of payments for pensions, want higher wages, better medical insurance, and injury compensation.
