Philippines

by Santosh Digal | PHILIPPINES

The movement for interreligious dialogue founded in Mindanao by Fr Sebastiano D'Ambra, a PIME missionary, is also active in offering prisoners training courses for when they regain their freedom. But because of the slow pace of the Philippine justice system, many remain in prison longer than they should. "I pray that during this Lenten period they can be released," said Giljohn G. Rojas, coordinator in Zamboanga prison.

by Santosh Digal

In his homily, the archbishop of Manila urged the faithful to “engage in more listening and dialogue", via approaches that, while upholding the Church's teachings, avoid judgement and condemnation, helping young couples on their journey. More than 80 groups were present.

| 19/02/2024
| PHILIPPINES
by Stefano Vecchia

Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro were seized last September by soldiers on charges of supporting communist guerrillas. For the country’s highest court, the two were victims of “established violation to the life, liberty or security.” Police threatened their life during detention. Charges of association with guerrillas are used to silence critical voices.

| 16/02/2024
| PHILIPPINES

Today's news: in Pakistan agreement between Muslim League and Pakistan Peoples Party for a government led by Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan: 'stolen elections'; Erdogan in Cairo for thaw visit with al-Sisi, Gaza top of agenda; Facial recognition systems in new security cameras in Hong Kong; For the Russian governor of Kaliningrad also the philosopher Kant 'guilty' for the war with Ukraine.

| 14/02/2024
| ASIA TODAY

Today's news: Fugitives and defectors to Bangladesh increase among Myanmar border guards who report losing contact with commanders; Escalation between the Philippines and China continues in the South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal; Qatar wins the Asian football cup for the second time in a row; In Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliev is re-elected president for the fifth time with a 'Bulgarian majority'.

| 12/02/2024
| ASIA TODAY

At least 15 people are dead and 100 are missing in the landslide-hit area in Mindanao that had been declared a “no build zone” in the wake of 2007 landslides; but most residents refused resettlement because of jobs in a local gold mine.

| 09/02/2024
| PHILIPPINES

Today's news: five dead and dozens injured in a landslide in Mindanao; Activist Agnes Chow is wanted by Hong Kong police; Militiamen in northern Myanmar hand over 60 more Chinese accused of online fraud and weapons possession; Bangkok wants to cancel the decriminalisation of cannabis; Domestic tourism in Russia grows +20%.

| 07/02/2024
| ASIA TODAY
Editor's choices
 
On the ninth anniversary of his death, a Eucharistic celebration marked the end of the local investigation towards the beatification of the young man who died protecting others during a deadly Islamist attack in Youhanabad. “We pray for this grace ...
| 15/03/2024
| PAKISTAN
 
Baek Kwang-soon, 53, is being held on espionage charges. The Love Rice Sharing Foundation, a Protestant charity he works for, says that “all sorts of Russians, Thai and North Korean workers” are “in need, and we provide them with clothes, ...
| 13/03/2024
| RUSSIA - SOUTH KOREA
 
Inaugurated by Modi in the foothills of the Himalayas, it will facilitate connections in Arunachal Pradesh, including military links to the de facto border with the People's Republic of China. Claiming sovereignty over the region, Beijing issued ...
| 12/03/2024
| CHINA - INDIA
 
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council is set to fast track the approval of a national security bill tabled today that imposes unprecedented restrictions to all forms of freedom in the former British colony, including life in prison for “treason” ...
| 08/03/2024
| HONG KONG - CHINA
 
The worst case is Myanmar, where both the regular army and armed resistance make extensive use of landmines. Almost half of the countries that are not signatories to the UN treaty are in Asia or the Middle East. In Southeast Asia region, Cambodia has ...
| 01/03/2024
| ASIA
 
by Dario Salvi
The 2024 Niwano Peace Prize, the “Nobel Prize for Religions" was given to a Sufi Muslim, who teaches at the American University in Washington, for his "holistic contribution to the cause of peace”. After the Hamas attack sparked Israel's ...
| 27/02/2024
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
 
An image of Christ on the cross painted in Stanley Prison by the Catholic businessman on trial under the National Security Act is on display at the Catholic University of Washington. Meanwhile Agnes Chow from Canada recounts her imprisonment in Hong ...
| 27/02/2024
| HONG KONG - UNITED STATES
 
by Santosh Digal
The archbishop of Goa was elected today in Bangkok by the heads of the continent's Bishops' Conferences. Next January he will become the third Indian to head the collegial body, taking over from Card Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, who led the organisation ...
| 22/02/2024
| ASIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”