| RED LANTERNS

While the eyes of the world are on the negotiations between China and the United States, Chinese-backed ethnic militias control new unregulated rare earth deposits. Beijing's priority is clear: to secure control over strategic resources, including through growing interventionism that is fuelling the country’s civil war and causing serious environmental damage.

by Arundathie Abeysinghe

Controversy is raging in the country over the different treatment by authorities and institutions. The authorities promise investigations and punishment for those who violate the laws. Domestic tourism is essential to sustain the economy after the Easter massacres and Covid. AsiaNews reports on local people being denied entry, especially during the high season.

| 12/06/2025
| SRI LANKA
by Nirmala Carvalho

Tragedy in Gujarat: an Air India flight crashed in a residential area. Among the victims are several doctors from a hostel involved in the explosion of the aircraft. In addition to many Indians, there were also British, Portuguese and Canadian passengers on board. Archbishop Macwan tells AsiaNews: ‘We are in shock at the news. We pray for the families of the victims and for the injured.’

| 12/06/2025
| INDIA
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Only 42% of graduates from teacher training colleges go on to work in schools, and many teachers are leaving the profession. Disparities in pay between Moscow and the country's suburbs are a major factor, as is the increasingly ideological approach of the entire education system.

| 12/06/2025
| RUSSIA

The ceremony took place today in Fujian province. Leo XIV, in his first choice regarding the Church in China, formally appointed Lin Yuntuan alongside Ordinary Bishop Cai Bingrui (the last Chinese bishop appointed by Francis in January). The Holy See is satisfied with this “important step" that confirms the “journey of communion" at the basis of the agreement with Beijing. There is hope that things will turn out better than in Mindong.

| 11/06/2025
| CHINA – VATICAN

On the day that marks the arrival of Arahant Mahinda Thero in Sri Lanka, Christians and Tamils ​​also organised special "dansala", free food, to celebrate the festival. One group made a significant step by handing out coconut saplings, which will bear fruit over the years.

| 11/06/2025
| SRI LANKA
by Alessandra De Poli

New data from the International Labour Organisation and UNICEF indicate a drop of 22 million child workers in four years. However, 138 million children remain trapped in this scourge, particularly in agriculture and the informal economy. Expert Insaf Nizam, who spoke to AsiaNews, highlighted the role of economic growth, warning of the dangers of inequality and family responsibilities.

| 11/06/2025
| ASIA
Editor's choices
 
by Alessandra De Poli
New data from the International Labour Organisation and UNICEF indicate a drop of 22 million child workers in four years. However, 138 million children remain trapped in this scourge, particularly in agriculture and the informal economy. Expert Insaf ...
| 11/06/2025
| ASIA
 
by Gregory
The Trump administration’s immigration restrictions have had a devastating impact on people from Myanmar’s, disproportionately affecting refugees and students. Many of them, who have waited years in refugee camps, are now seeing their dreams ...
| 07/06/2025
| MYANMAR
 
by Alessandra De Poli
Jomana Solman, project manager for the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre, told AsiaNews that no remains have been found where the Italian priest was abducted in 2013. The organisation continues to work on mass graves in northeastern Syria, but ...
| 05/06/2025
| SYRIA
 
The prime minister ousted by parliament had promoted a New Recovery Policy to make Mongolia independent from the mining industry interests. Despite economic growth and the reduction of public debt, his government has had to face growing criticism, triggered ...
| 04/06/2025
| MONGOLIA
 
On the eve of the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre, Hong Kong authorities have sealed off Victoria Park again, once the venue for a memorial vigil for the victims until 2019. Meanwhile, the CHRD released a list of 32 people detained for refusing ...
| 03/06/2025
| CHINA – HONG KONG
 
About 30 countries have signed the convention establishing the IOMed, a new international organisation promoted by China for conflict mediation in a city on its way to be “normalised”. The new body reflects a version of multilateralism that ...
| 30/05/2025
| CHINA – HONG KONG
 
In Rakhine, the Arakan Army – like the military junta – is forcibly recruiting men and women, exacerbating the civil war and aggravating the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, Rohingya face continued abuses after fleeing abroad. India is accused ...
| 27/05/2025
| MYANMAR – INDIA
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
Hong Kong’s Card Stephen Chow said that the pope told him that he “visited China several times and got to know the Chinese culture and reality.” This is unprecedented for a pontiff, linked to his long mandate as prior general of an ...
| 21/05/2025
| CHINA – VATICAN
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”