| VATICAN - SYRIA

The cardinal who recently left his post in Damascus reflects with AsiaNews on his long service in the country amid the suffering of children and the faces of friends who have disappeared. A nation ‘destroyed and humiliated’ that must find the basis for rebuilding its future in the ‘ecumenism of suffering’. The few remaining Christians have the task of ‘being the glue’. Advice for the next generation of Vatican diplomats: ‘Live with the people, learn to adapt to reality’.

by Sumon Corraya

Voting concluded at 4:30 PM. The Election Commission will announce the results tomorrow morning. A Yes vote in the constitutional referendum could lead to the drafting of a new constitution without the Awami League, which led Bangladesh to independence. Minority representatives confirmed the peaceful atmosphere, but called for greater inclusion.

| 12/02/2026
| BANGLADESH

Father Nicholas Han Zaw Shing was thrown from his motorcycle and sustained several injuries. Ordained a few weeks ago, he has had to flee the military junta's bombings. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which reported the incident, said that both the Myanmar army and anti-coup resistance groups continue to plant explosives, creating the conditions for decades of further suffering.

| 12/02/2026
| MYANMAR
by Shafique Khokhar

The founding lawyer of CLAAS-UK dedicated over twenty years to defending Christians and religious minorities. He offered legal assistance to victims of blasphemy laws, forced conversions and discrimination. Internationally respected, he leaves behind a fundamental legacy for the protection of rights in the country.

| 12/02/2026
| PAKISTAN

Akin Gurlek becomes minister in the government reshuffle ordered by the president. The interior minister also changes. The opposition CHP party is critical, having been targeted by the prosecutor over the past two years with arrests and trials. The swearing-in ceremony in Parliament was marked by protests from the opposition and clashes that led to the suspension of proceedings for a few minutes.

| 12/02/2026
| TURKEY

Today's headlnes: no “definitive” agreement on Iran between Trump and Netanyahu, Israel joins the “Board of Peace” for Gaza; Headmaster of a school in southern Thailand dies after attack by armed assailant; Pakistani militants kill five police officers in north-western Pakistan; Court sentences former interior minister to seven years for his role in declaring martial law; Saudi Arabia ranks second in terms of Russian tourist arrivals, with China remaining in first place.

| 12/02/2026
| ASIA TODAY
by Vladimir Rozanskij

According to the latest census in Kazakhstan, there are almost 424,000 mothers living alone with minor children. In Astana, a businesswoman has started a volunteer organisation that helps those who give birth without anyone by their side. Her idea has now been replicated in Uzbekistan.

| 12/02/2026
| KAZAKHSTAN
Editor's choices
 
After five years, the landmark trial under the national security law ended. The founder of Apple Daily was charged with conspiracy and sedition. Chief Executive Lee praised the “severe” sentence that brings “relief to all”. Cardinal ...
| 09/02/2026
| HONG KONG – CHINA
 
by Steve Suwannarat
Defying predictions, the Bhumjaithai Party is leading in the seat count by a wide margin. Outgoing Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a populist businessman who got a boost by the conflict with Cambodia, also won in Pheu Thai strongholds. The reformist ...
| 09/02/2026
| THAILAND
 
With yesterday's landslide victory, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will be able to advance her electoral platform, potentially opening the door to constitutional reform. The prime minister has also proposed cutting consumption taxes and boosting the ...
| 09/02/2026
| JAPAN
 
by Giuseppe Caffulli
The entire area of the ancient city of Samaria north of Nablus has been expropriated and separated from the nearby Palestinian village in the name of promoting only the Jewish period of its history. Meanwhile, the Knesset is discussing the establishment ...
| 09/02/2026
| PALESTINE - ISRAEL
 
The People's Party, heir to Move Forward in the progressive camp, leads the polls for tomorrow's vote in Thailand. But it is taking a more moderate line towards the monarchy and the elite to avoid facing dissolution, as happened to its predec...
| 07/02/2026
| THAILAND
 
by Andrea Ferrario
Despite the tariff war in 2025, China broke through the trillion mark in its trade surplus, 45% of which is now generated in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. However, this wealth is not driving domestic consumption, because the fall in producer ...
| 06/02/2026
| CHINA
 
by Sumon Corraya
In 1985, she was the first in Bangladesh to embrace this vocation, reintroduced after the Second Vatican Council and now practised by eleven women in the country. For more than 40 years, Dora has served in providing spiritual direction, offering family ...
| 02/02/2026
| BANGLADESH
 
by Dario Salvi
In the latest instalment of AsiaNews' reportage from the Vicariate of Northern Arabia, the testimony of the priest from Goa, a friendly face and memory of the local Christian community. He records every celebration and his intentions in a diary: ...
| 30/01/2026
| KUWAIT - GULF
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”