Dario Salvi

Second installment of AsiaNews' reportage in the Gulf countries. From the tourism boom to shows, from sports to entertainment, Saudi Arabia is undergoing a phase of profound transformation. In a delicate balance between tradition and modernity, the new generations are “key” to interpreting the development impressed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the signs of changing times.

Fr Bashar Fawadleh spoke to AsiaNews about a “fragile" security situation in the West Bank Christian town where life has been “seriously disrupted”. Despite this, the faithful attend services, and the Churches offer “unity and ecumenism”. The desire of some families to flee is offset by the show of faith and resilience of those who choose to stay each day. Yet, hope is seen as “something fragile and profound.”

Among the charges are practising worship and promoting religious activities such as baptisms, communions and Christmas celebrations. At least four of them will have to serve sentences of at least 10 years. Article18 director: ‘Clear signs’ of ‘lack of due process’ in a context of ‘growing repression’.

AsiaNews met the prelate in Awali, at the headquarters of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, during a reportage in the Gulf countries. There are many challenges for a Church that is ‘growing’, from the catacombs in Saudi Arabia to the repercussions of the war between Israel and Hamas in the region. The solidarity of the population, close to the suffering of the inhabitants of the Strip.

Several graves in the Christian cemetery in Harmota, a village in Koya District, were broken into and headstones smashed. Who carried out the attack and why remain unknown. Anger and indignation are high among the faithful. For Cardinal Sako, such an act is “morally and religiously unacceptable”. Missiles were fired at a gas field in late November.

Today's headlines: Israel's 2026 budget includes record spending on arms and defence (while it continues to bomb Lebanon); The weather emergency continues in Sri Lanka, with more rain forecast; Taipei temporarily blocks access to a Chinese app for online fraud; In India, airports are in chaos and over 1,200 flights have been cancelled due to the grounding of the national airline IndiGo; Kazakhstan passes a law punishing women who wear the niqab.

Today's headlines: The hostage’s body returned by Islamic Jihad is that of Thai migrant Suthisak Rintalak, found north of Gaza; Beijing is deploying its most impressive naval force in East Asia; Delhi reverses its decision to make it compulsory to install a state-provided application on smartphones in the country; The new round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan ends without agreement.

Visitors from China will be able to use payment apps, making transactions easier. Soon, Thai nationals will also benefit from this technology in China. The system, increasingly used across ASEAN, serves not only to exchange money but also to strengthen trust, convenience, and a shared commitment to a more seamless financial future.

For Bishop Palinuro, the presence of Leo XIV has restored "enthusiasm" to a Catholic community that had fallen into a certain torpor. The encounter with Orthodox leaders represented a return "to the origins of our faith," even if challenges remain. The pontiff's simple gestures have lifted “biases" among Muslims. The Vatican and Turkey are equally committed to peace in the Middle East through diplomacy.

Today's headlines: Kuala Lumpur announces the resumption of the search for flight MH370 on 30 December; Islamabad and Beijing have begun their annual joint military exercises; UN: opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar reaches record levels, up 17% on 2024; Tokyo focuses on generative artificial intelligence; According to Bangkok, devastating floods have paralysed the domestic high-tech market.

As severe weather continues to rage, more than a thousand people are dead, while millions are affected across vast swathes of Southeast Asia and South Asia. In Sri Lanka, all 25 districts have reported damage of varying degrees. In Indonesia, illegal logging has contributed to soil erosion, making the devastation worse.

Today's headlines: Hong Kong leader orders creation of independent committee to investigate causes of fire. Delhi imposes “state” app on smartphones for users' “cyber security”. Over 60% of companies in Japan run by people over 80 have no successor. South Korean President Lee wants to reopen channels of communication with Pyongyang.