by Mathias Hariyadi | INDONESIA

The budget efficiency plan is causing protests over job cuts at state broadcasters and scholarships freeze this year. The Ministry of Public Works faces the worst cuts. The government also froze funding for the construction of the new capital, Nusantara, pending parliamentary approval of the spending review plan.

by Joseph Masilamany

For the festival of the god Murugan, symbolising the victory of good over evil, the faithful fast from food and drink. Among the practices is that of pricking oneself with metal hooks and spikes. During the 40 days of preparation, devotees bathe ‘only in cold water, sleep on the ground, pray, sing mantras and hymns and devote themselves to spiritual reading’.

| 12/02/2025
| MALAYSIA
by Sumon Corraya

Taslima Nasrin, a physician and activist, went into exile in 1994 after extremist groups made threats against her. The head of Bangladesh’s interim government Muhammad Yunus denounced the incident asking police to strengthen security measures. Tensions mounted on social media in the days leading up to the opening of the event.

 

| 12/02/2025
| BANGLADESH
by Mgr John Rodrigues*

The new archbishop of the Indian metropolis delivered the homely at the Mass of thanksgiving with which he began his ministry this evening. “How often at the bedside of the sick we learn to hope,” he said. “We bring to the Lord, all our activities, our plans, our selves, our families, our parishes, our institutions”.

 

| 11/02/2025
| INDIA

Breaking all records at the Chinese box office, the animated film has enthused online communities, including the “Industrial Party”, which praises technological progress as a means to achieve China's cultural supremacy. With innovative special effects and a strong nod to tradition, the film is part of a new wave of entertainment products that seek to push China's creative industry on the international stage.

| 11/02/2025
| CHINA

In a letter to the US bishops, the pontiff explicitly condemns the expulsion plan that “identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality.” He appeals to Catholics not to give in to “narratives that discriminate and cause unnecessary suffering”. For him, “Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests.” He warns that looking only at national identity “distorts social life and imposes the will of the strongest as the criterion of truth”.

| 11/02/2025
| VATICAN
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

Overcrowded carriages and delays are the order of the day. The country's infrastructure is not adequate to support modern rail traffic. 72% of locomotives are over 40 years old: concerns about safety and efficiency. The new Chinese carriages, which cost 22 million dollars, are unusable. Experts: ‘Urgent action to avoid effects on the economy and commuters’.

| 11/02/2025
| SRI LANKA
Editor's choices
 
Breaking all records at the Chinese box office, the animated film has enthused online communities, including the “Industrial Party”, which praises technological progress as a means to achieve China's cultural supremacy. With innovative ...
| 11/02/2025
| CHINA
 
The story of Mei Li, who was contemplating suicide: ‘The thing that attracts me most about God is hope’. The story of the little girl who tells her parents tshe is going to the mall but instead takes part in activities in a church and ...
| 09/02/2025
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
 
by Dario Salvi
The parish priest spoke to AsiaNews describing a climate of "impunity" among settler attacks and army closures. At least 10 local families fled to the United States in search of peace and security, not for economic reasons. Israeli forces are forcing ...
| 07/02/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
by Nirmala Carvalho
Released today, “Sanatani: Karma Hi Dharma" is yet another picture that risks fuelling religious tensions. According to Christian activists, the meaning of baptism is misrepresented in the film. Several communities joined the protest, remembering ...
| 07/02/2025
| INDIAN MANDALA
 
by Dario Salvi
The archaeological site north of Nablus linked to the memory of John the Baptist targeted by settlers (and the Israeli army) attacks. The death of a 14-year-old boy hit by a soldier's bullets. Scholar Carla Benelli to AsiaNews: ‘Heritage ...
| 04/02/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
 
by Alessandra De Poli
Myanmar’s military regime has extended the state of emergency again, but its control over the country is faltering as ethnic militias and resistance forces now control 95 cities. Meanwhile, the UN is reporting war crimes, highlighting the imminent ...
| 01/02/2025
| MYANMAR
 
The explosion of "cheap" alternative to ChatGPT is the result of China’s bet on internal competition among large companies and startups to develop the most advanced AI systems. A stinging defeat in a Go tournament is having a greater impact than ...
| 30/01/2025
| RED LANTERNS
 
In Fujian, the auxiliary bishop who quit in 2020 over joining government-controlled bodies, celebrated the anniversary of his priestly ordination under residential segregation. Videos sent to AsiaNews by local sources show him meeting the faithful and ...
| 28/01/2025
| CHINA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”