The director of the Catholic Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur offers an initial assessment for Asia of the path Pope Francis set for dioceses worldwide, which continues with Leo XIV. Awareness is growing, albeit at different speeds depending on the context. Now the challenge is to translate the vitality of our Churches in Asia into a way of truly “walking together”.

Among the athletes who will compete on the Olympic slopes in a few days are two young people who grew up in the United States and Italy, but who maintained a special tie to their tropical roots. Proulx, 17, will be the first woman to compete in a Winter Olympics under the Philippine flag. “I guess we are pioneers,” she said, hopeful that her fellow countrymen and women will learn more about these sports.

Russian political scientist and ultra-Putinist Gleb Kuznetsov published an article in the magazine Gosudarstvo (The State) where he explicitly states that “the separation of powers, competitive elections, and freedom of speech prevent the state from functioning effectively.” He points to the example of Shenzhen, “one of the most controlled cities in the world” as a model.

With families shrinking due to demographic decline and more individualised social relationships, more people are opting for one-day ceremonies, without receptions to pay homage to the deceased, which were traditional signs of respect and social prestige. Contributing factors include the high costs of such ceremonies, as well as the need for less ostentatious rituals.

The state government wants to address an inequality affecting women living in convents, monasteries, and ashrams who lack independent income. The decision is also linked to the case of Sister Ranit, a victim of violence, but it comes on the eve of state elections and will need to be monitored for implementation. Sister Nirmalini, president of the Conference of Religious Women of India, hopes that “this is the beginning for other states to follow”.

Today's news: After Jakarta stock market plummets, the head of regulatory agency resigns. The number of Indian nationals arrested by ICE in the United States doubled in 2025, more than half for visa violations. In Japan, the working population tops 70 million for the first time, thanks to workers over 65. Hong Kong lifts its seat belt requirement on buses after just five days.