by Sumon Corraya | BANGLADESH

A Missionary of the Immaculate Conception originally from Italy, she passed away at the age of 89 after a long illness. In 1989, she set up a sewing and handicraft centre in Natore to empower women and give them financial independence. She “was like our mother,” the beneficiaries say.

by Santosh Digal

The latest toll stands at 37 dead, four missing, and more than 450 injured. Bishop Gilbert Garcera, president of the CBCP, has called on all Filipinos to contribute aid to the relief effort. Many parts of the earthquake-stricken area are still without power. Homes have been destroyed, and more than a thousand people have been evacuated, including in Indonesia.

| 09/06/2026
| PHILIPPINES – INDONESIA

The two-day visit came after the reopening of rail and air links between the two countries, interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. China remains North Korea's main economic partner, but now faces Russia’s competition, strengthened by agreements tied to the war in Ukraine. Unlike 2019, the Chinese leader no longer made any reference to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

| 09/06/2026
| CHINA – NORTH KOREA
by Dario Salvi

The vicar of Arabia spoke to AsiaNews about the uncertainty and fragility caused by the war between Israel (and the United States) and Iran. In the migrant community, their presence is seen as short-term. Setting roots and a stable presence are hard to do. While the truce had given rise to the illusion of a possible return to "normalcy”, Bahrain and Kuwait have been hit again in recent days in new attacks.

| 09/06/2026
| GATE OF THE EAST

The incident took place in the Worli district of the city. In a letter, the Christian organisation Watchdog Foundation has called for an investigation to identify those responsible. ‘Christian symbols repeatedly targeted’. The religious freedom enshrined in the Indian Constitution has been highlighted.

| 09/06/2026
| INDIA
by fr. Gabriel Romanelli *

On the Feast of Corpus Christi, the small community of the Holy Family performed the Eucharistic blessing towards the four cardinal points from the church square. The parish priest said: “From here we also blessed the towns that no longer exist: Rafah, Deir el Balah, Jabalia, Beit Lahia and the whole world. We blessed every single person, asking for a change of heart and peace for all.”

| 09/06/2026
| GAZA

New technologies promise to increase trade and productivity, but also risk exacerbating economic disparities, this according to a report by the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank. The study highlights the growing gap between East Asia's digital powers and other countries in the region, which lack digital infrastructure and skills.

| 09/06/2026
| ASIA – PACIFIC
Editor's choices
 
by fr. Gabriel Romanelli *
On the Feast of Corpus Christi, the small community of the Holy Family performed the Eucharistic blessing towards the four cardinal points from the church square. The parish priest said: “From here we also blessed the towns that no longer exist: ...
| 09/06/2026
| GAZA
 
by Gregory
Stored gelignite reportedly caused a massive explosion that killed at least 55 people in a village in Shan State. The catastrophe has put the spotlight on the TNLA, a controversial militia that struck a deal with China. Meanwhile, according to the United ...
| 02/06/2026
| MYANMAR
 
by Chow Hang-tung *
In a message written from prison, the lawyer on trial alongside Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho for the 4 June vigils in Victoria Park speaks of the importance of resilience in remembering the 1989 massacre in Beijing, whilst the Hong Kong authorities cover ...
| 01/06/2026
| HONG KONG - CHINA
 
by Shafique Khokhar
In his encyclical, Pope Leo XIV singles out Pakistan's first female prime minister as a public figure who promoted the greatness of humanity. A Muslim, she was assassinated in 2007 in Rawalpindi. Pakistani Catholics expressed gratitude towards her ...
| 28/05/2026
| PAKISTAN – VATICAN
 
by Alessandra De Poli
In May 1956, the hospital near the factory reported an “unknown illness” that was later found to be caused by mercury discharges from the Chisso Corporation. Decades later, the wound remains open in this Japanese city. PIME missionary Fr. ...
| 27/05/2026
| JAPAN
 
by A priest in China
A priest living in the People's Republic of China writes a letter on the "administrative regulations" that prevent people under 18 from participating in religious activities. China’s constitution protects religious freedom, with no reference ...
| 26/05/2026
| CHINA
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical letter, presented today at the Vatican, represents a comprehensive reflection on the "new paradigm" that technological transformations are bringing to today's world. For the pontiff, it is not enough to dictate ...
| 25/05/2026
| VATICAN
 
The unexpected success of "Dear You”, a film produced on a small budget and in a local dialect, is reviving interest in China about the important role played by letter writing, which for over a century migrants used to send money and news to their ...
| 22/05/2026
| CHINA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”