Laos

| LAOS

The Venerable Maha Bounma Simmaphom welcomed Fr Daniele Mazza, a PIME missionary, and three members of the Apostolic Vicariate in the Laotian capital in the presence of the deputy director of the Department for Religious Affairs. The personal meeting, which marks an important first for the country, took place under the banner of “spiritual friendship”.


A video of three activists denouncing decades-old land concessions triggered a new crackdown on dissent. Capital armored to prevent demonstrations that exiled opposition leaders had called for Aug. 18. Hun Manet: “We will not tolerate protests against the government like those that took place in Bagladesh.”

| 19/08/2024
| CAMBODIA
by Steve Suwannarat

So far, the efforts by governments and international organisations to contain the danger have failed. Dengue fever has no cure and the only prevention is via elimination of the Aedes mosquito. The most dramatic situation is in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.

| 13/08/2024
| ASIA

Thongkham Philavanh, 40, was attacked in his home in the village of Vanghay. Rescued by his wife, he died on arrival in hospital. The murder of Pastor Sy Sengmany in 2022, a case that is still unsolved. A relative of Philavanh: ‘Groups of people do not like what he did’. 

| 26/07/2024
| LAOS

Today's news: Police in Laos rescue 17 girls (as young as 10) from sex slavery for Chinese tourists;  UN report denounces "institutionalized" forced labor in North Korea; Six Vietnamese men poisoned in a Bangkok hotel room; Recruitment among ultra-Orthodox begins next week, clashes in Tel Aviv; Hindu group offers prayer for Trump's "health" after attack. 

| 17/07/2024
| ASIA TODAY

Francis dedicated today's general audience to the World Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. "Let just laws be promoted to help drug addicts". Meaningful words for the continent of the Golden Triangle, but also for the Chinese companies that export the active ingredients for the production of Fentanyl and Duterte's bloody 'war on drugs'.

 

| 26/06/2024
| VATICAN
by Steve Suwannarat

Thailand and Malaysia are the latest two nations to express interest in the China-sponsored global forum. According to Premier Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, the decision to join has already been made. More cautious are the Philippines and Vietnam, which fear a further strengthening of Beijing's political hegemony also in maritime disputes.

| 24/06/2024
| SOUTH EAST ASIA
Editor's choices
 
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
 
The explosion of "cheap" alternative to ChatGPT is the result of China’s bet on internal competition among large companies and startups to develop the most advanced AI systems. A stinging defeat in a Go tournament is having a greater impact than ...
| 30/01/2025
| RED LANTERNS
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”