Speaking to AsiaNews, the Archbishop of Homs describes a country where little has changed since Assad’s fall, with increasing Islamisation and the breakdown of the social fabric. He highlights the example of courageous young Christians and Muslims working to support the most vulnerable. Mar Musa stands as a beacon of hope, stability and refuge for all.
Today’s headlines: Indonesia identifies a fourth suspect in wiretapping of President Prabowo Subianto; Security officer killed in Amman; Grab is to reduce the commission rate paid to drivers; Myanmar announces by-elections for April next year; A former pro-democracy MP convicted in Macau.
Two bishops from mainland China, including the president of the Patriotic Association, Bishop Li Shan, took part in a symposium in Rome. In a video message, Pope Leo XIV said that, in a world torn by conflict, we must safeguard communion. For the Bishop of Beijing, the goal is not “to build a different kind of Catholicism.”
With 10 more years in prison, Joshua Wong – Demosisto’s former young leader who spearheaded the Umbrella Revolution – will remain behind bars until he is 40. His "crime"? Simply fighting for the very right that we are celebrating elsewhere, in the wake of the recent elections in Israel, Serbia, and the United States.
Farmers are demanding the return of grazing land in Mayilaththamadu and Mathavanai, which is at the centre of a dispute with newcomers from other parts of the country, to whom then-President Rajapaksa granted land. The crisis is having a severe impact on milk production, a vital activity for the local economy.
The Sevoke-Rangpo line will connect Sikkim to the Indian railway network for the first time. The project, which crosses mountainous terrain and protected areas, is also strategic due to its proximity to the border with China. Work is 80 per cent complete and is expected to be finished by December 2027.
Hundreds of people packed the Bolipara parish church, located in the southeastern hill region, today to witness the celebration. In his homily, the archbishop spoke of the duty to serve one’s neighbour. The newly ordained priest spoke to AsiaNews about his journey as an example of “God’s love, mercy, and faithful call.”
Initiatives to protect snow leopards were cited by the UN as exemplary cases at the Yerevan Biodiversity Conference. According to the Global Progress Report, the world’s largest restoration area is in China, covering 127.4 million hectares. Significant projects are also underway in Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
While Israeli President Isaac Herzog conducts consultations for a new cabinet, the far right is trying to establish as many facts on the ground as possible with their settlement activity. Eight homes on the outskirts of Jericho have been seized. At the same time, NGOs report that Bedouins are being driven out as a result of a “significant” acceleration in the E1 project.
The East Container Terminal (ECT) was designed to accommodate the largest container ships, but is still non-operational despite significant public investment. Four out of five tenders for straddle carriers have been cancelled, while some cranes are currently in service. Losses are projected to reach as much as US$ 126.7 million by 2027.
Two of the five detainees have been released under an amnesty, but remain in an immigration detention centre. Beijing is demanding their return, whilst human rights organisations and the Thai opposition are calling on Bangkok to halt the process, as the men face the risk of persecution.
A study reveals that a sharp rise in construction along Nepal’s rivers, up 78 per cent since 2016, is threatening entire communities. Indigenous groups are often at the greatest risk, while experts warn that land-use planning and mapping remain inadequate.
The practice of wearing a costume depicting a character from manga, video games or films is now widespread amongst young Chinese people. And it often happens that they find themselves in front of churches to take their photos. An AsiaNews source living in China describes the reactions of the Christian community.
She was eight months old when the atomic bomb destroyed her city. Ten years later, she met the co-pilot of the Enola Gay and realised she no longer wanted revenge. In Milan, she told her story to over 300 young people from Sant’Egidio: “You must know what happened, so that it never happens again”.
For Masar Jadid leader Samer Sinijlawi, the turnout was crucial. Now the goal is to mobilise Palestinians for a Palestinian election in March. The high turnout in East Jerusalem is another sign of change. For Adel Misk, at the polls, the voiceless revived the Palestinian issue.
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