| ISRAEL

Mass protests weaken support for the current government. Projections from two recent polls suggest the ruling coalition would drop to 53 seats out of 120. Voters prefer Gantz over Netanyahu by 37 to 30 per cent, while the other main opposition leader, Lapid, is just holding his own. Meanwhile, US President Biden snubs (again) Israeli Prime Minister.


They will then be listed individually on the stock exchange. The company, and its founder Jack Ma, have long been targeted by the government. The group aligns with anti-monopoly regulations wanted by Xi. Foreign investors still cautious about the future of their operations in China. They look to alternative markets such as India and Vietnam.

| 29/03/2023
| CHINA

For experts without 'urgent and dedicated' support there is a danger of further poverty, undeclared employment and child exploitation. In Turkey more than 658,000 workers without a livelihood, 150,000 workplaces damaged and unusable. In neighbouring Syria, 725,000 people suffered earthquake-related damage; about 23% of those who lost their jobs are women.

| 29/03/2023
| SYRIA - TURKEY

St Paul's conversion at the centre of today's general audience in St Peter's Square. "Becoming a Christian is not a make-up job, which only changes your face". Francis' prayer for the migrants who died in a fire in a detention centre in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

| 29/03/2023
| VATICAN
by Shafique Khokhar

Shagufta Kiran, a Christian woman and mother of four, was the victim of false accusations for some comments posted on a social network chat. The judge refused her request for release on bail. Voice for Justice: 'Cases on the rise, courts are succumbing to extremist threats'.

| 29/03/2023
| PAKISTAN

Critics and minorities slam the reform for reducing the chances of smaller parties, sparking protests in several cities like the capital Baghdad and Basra in the south. The new law was adopted after a long session by 206 votes in favour and 12 against in the 329-member house.

| 28/03/2023
| IRAQ
by sr. Udaya Chiramal

Since 1927 the Daughters of the Cross have cared for single mothers. Today their home also cares for abused girls entrusted to them by police and social services. Dedicated to life, the Sisters help young mothers understand that they and their children are safe at their home.

| 28/03/2023
| INDIA
Editor's choices
 
by Sumon Corraya
Today is World Day for the fight against a disease that still causes 100 deaths a day in Bangladesh. The testimony of a Missionary of the Immaculate, a doctor, active for 12 years in Khulna on this frontier: "Many still do not know TB and arrive when ...
| 24/03/2023
| BANGLADESH
 
Back in 2015, more than 75 per cent of Asia lacked was water insecure. Water insecurity affects mainly China, South Asia and the urban areas of Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Asia represents about half of the global bottled water market, a factor that discourages ...
| 22/03/2023
| ASIA-PACIFIC
 
by mons. Michel Sabbah *
In Nazareth, the Latin Patriarchate celebrated the pastor emeritus, whom John Paul II chose as the first Arab leader of this community. His message: 'I ask God for new eyes that see God and man, see lost peace and know that security exists only ...
| 20/03/2023
| HOLY LAND
 
This is the government's likely response to the effects of the rapidly aging population on the welfare system. Survey: 74% of respondents want retirement under 55; only 6% accept it over 61. Reform to raise the retirement age to 65 under consideration: ...
| 18/03/2023
| CHINA
 
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to send all asylum seekers crossing the English Channel to Rwanda. At least 250 girls from a Kabul school have moved to Kigali via Doha after the Taliban came back to power in August 2021. Rwanda’s government ...
| 15/03/2023
| AFGHANISTAN - RWANDA
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
The text was officially made public today. It contains the reflections of Asian Bishops' Conferences brought to the assembly held last October in the Thai capital. Nine emerging challenges have been identified in Asian societies, from the role of ...
| 15/03/2023
| ASIA
 
by Dario Salvi
The Vicar of Anatolia recounts a situation "still in full emergency" and with a strong psychological impact. The earth continues to tremble and the toll - between Syria and Turkey - has exceeded 55,000 dead. The work of Caritas in cooperation with the ...
| 15/03/2023
| TURKEY
 
From Korea to Kazakhstan, from the victims of Typhoon Yolanda to the Rohingya, from Mother Teresa to Matteo Ricci, Pope Francis has paid constant attention to Asia over the past ten years. On the tenth anniversary of his election we present ten excerpts ...
| 12/03/2023
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”