China has opened the 22-kilometre-long Tianshan Shengli Tunnel to traffic, completing a key piece of infrastructure on the motorway linking the city of Urumqi to Yuli. The project drastically reduces travel times between northern and southern Xinjiang and strengthens connections to Central Asia as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. The project is part of the development strategy for border regions, but it crosses a territory marked by strong political tensions over human rights violations against the Uyghurs.

In the city of Bareilly, members of the Hindu nationalist groups Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested in front of a Catholic church on 24 December, accusing a school of offending Hinduism during Christmas celebrations. The diocese rejected the accusations and explained that this was a serious distortion of the content of the theatrical performances, which were dedicated to social issues and universal values. Bishop Ignatius D'Souza once again denounced the climate of growing religious intolerance.

Almost five years after the coup that ended democracy, the military junta has called elections, despite ongoing conflict in some areas. Several international organisations and a large part of the civilian population consider the vote a sham. Meanwhile, people displaced by war and earthquake continue to try to build a future full of uncertainty.

Despite the difference in calendars that means Russians celebrate Christmas on 7 January, since Soviet times on New Year's Eve the population marks the arrival of Ded Moroz, or “Grandfather Frost” who descends from the frozen banks to cheer children with gifts. This narrative - with ancient roots in local culture, but too similar to what happens in the West - is now increasingly criticised by Orthodox preachers who urge people not to “confuse” children.

Today's headlines: Despite tensions with Washington, India continues to invest in AI data centres; Record number of foreigners in South Korea; Attack in Syria targets Alawite mosque.

The words of Leo XIV at the Angelus on the feast of Saint Stephen: “Those who believe in peace and have chosen the unarmed path of Jesus and the martyrs are often ridiculed, pushed out of public discourse, and not infrequently accused of favoring adversaries and enemies. Christians, however, have no enemies, but always brothers and sisters.”