Indonesia

by Joseph Masilamany | MALAYSIA

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’.

by Mathias Hariyadi

The project aims to turn 20.6 million hectares of forests in Papua’s Merauke region into rice and corn fields. For the Minister of Forestry, the goal is not to deforest, but to improve land productivity. The Indonesian Environment Forum calls for transparency. For Greenpeace Indonesia, the project is nearly impossible.

| 03/02/2025
| INDONESIA
by Mathias Hariyadi

In the diocese on the island of Java, the ordination of the new prelate at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral. During the homily the invitation to give attention to the “crisis of love” identified by Benedict XVI: “The smile in the Jubilee is a Holy Door,” he said. Also present at the rite was his friend Fr. Pat Min Seong, a deaf-mute priest from South Korea.

| 23/01/2025
| INDONESIA
by Mathias Hariyadi

The event took place yesterday in the city of Pekalongan. Rescuers are looking for missing people and survivors but rescue operations are hampered by adverse weather conditions. The authorities have warned residents that the rains will continue in the coming days.

| 22/01/2025
| INDONESIA
by Mathias Hariyadi

Hambali, who masterminded the attacks in Bali and against Christians, is currently held in Guantanamo. A s part of a policy of repatriating Indonesians incarcerated abroad, Indonesian authorities envisage bringing him home after his group said it was disbanding. Activists argue that helping jailed migrant workers come home and leniency towards a convicted terrorist are not the same.

| 20/01/2025
| INDONESIA
by Mathias Hariyadi

Strong stance by Archbishop Msgr. Paulus Budi Kleven in defense of pristine lands that the Jakarta government wants to turn into a hub for new nationally significant “development projects” on the predominantly Catholic island. Local farmers' concerns.

| 17/01/2025
| INDONESIA

Manufacturers in ASEAN countries are concerned about what might happen if a trade war with China breaks out once the US president takes office in a few days. The fear that Chinese products that no longer take the road to the West could be dumped in their markets, already grappling with tough competition from the “Made in China”.

| 16/01/2025
| RED LANTERNS
Editor's choices
 
by Santosh Digal
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 ...
| 16/02/2025
| MYANMAR
 
by Dario Salvi
The vicar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem speaks about small stories amid war, an Israeli Jew donating an organ to an Arab in need of a transplant, a wonderful “sign” to behold. Although “Hatred, unfortunately, drops on you,” ...
| 14/02/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
Breaking all records at the Chinese box office, the animated film has enthused online communities, including the “Industrial Party”, which praises technological progress as a means to achieve China's cultural supremacy. With innovative ...
| 11/02/2025
| CHINA
 
The story of Mei Li, who was contemplating suicide: ‘The thing that attracts me most about God is hope’. The story of the little girl who tells her parents tshe is going to the mall but instead takes part in activities in a church and ...
| 09/02/2025
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
 
by Dario Salvi
The parish priest spoke to AsiaNews describing a climate of "impunity" among settler attacks and army closures. At least 10 local families fled to the United States in search of peace and security, not for economic reasons. Israeli forces are forcing ...
| 07/02/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
by Nirmala Carvalho
Released today, “Sanatani: Karma Hi Dharma" is yet another picture that risks fuelling religious tensions. According to Christian activists, the meaning of baptism is misrepresented in the film. Several communities joined the protest, remembering ...
| 07/02/2025
| INDIAN MANDALA
 
by Dario Salvi
The archaeological site north of Nablus linked to the memory of John the Baptist targeted by settlers (and the Israeli army) attacks. The death of a 14-year-old boy hit by a soldier's bullets. Scholar Carla Benelli to AsiaNews: ‘Heritage ...
| 04/02/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
 
by Alessandra De Poli
Myanmar’s military regime has extended the state of emergency again, but its control over the country is faltering as ethnic militias and resistance forces now control 95 cities. Meanwhile, the UN is reporting war crimes, highlighting the imminent ...
| 01/02/2025
| MYANMAR
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”