| CHINA

The Chinese president met today with the heads of leading digital companies. State TV showed Xi greeting Alibaba’s co-founder, the business giant forced to keep a low profile since 2020. The move comes as China’s economy struggles. “It is time for private enterprises and private entrepreneurs to show their talents,” Xi told his audience.

by Nirmala Carvalho

The local BJP government wants to implement the contested law that was approved in 1978, but that successive governments had since set aside. On 6 March the discussion in the Legislative Assembly in a state where Christians make up 30% of the population. The Arunachal Christian Forum protests: ‘This law is clearly against us, we demand its withdrawal’.

| 17/02/2025
| INDIA
by Joseph Masilamany

Southeast Asia expert  Bridget Welsh analyses Kuala Lumpur's first steps at the helm of the bloc: the leadership will be successful if it puts ‘the interests of those who live in the region above those of its leaders’. ‘Calling for “inclusive elections” in Myanmar contradicts the real situation on the ground’.

| 17/02/2025
| MALAYSIA
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The repercussions in Central Asia of the US government's blocking of cooperation activities also include the suspension of subsidies to news agencies such as Radio Svoboda and associations that fight against the gagging of critical voices. And Kazakh nationalist politicians are rejoicing, calling for an end to ‘foreign interference’ in the story of their country.

| 17/02/2025
| KAZAKHSTAN
by Santosh Digal

An armed gang shot to death a 44-year-old priest in a village in the Sagaing region. For the Bishops' Conference, he was an innocent victim of the war like countless others. For the Archbishop of Mandalay, Marco Tin Win, “this heartbreaking tragedy” should be a clarion call to “wake up and end the violence.”

| 16/02/2025
| MYANMAR

The pontiff is currently in stable conditions in a Rome hospital for bronchitis. For this reason, he did not recite the Angelus today; however, the written text was released. Francis greeted participants in the Jubilee of Artists and the World of Culture, and issued a new appeal for peace. He also thanked all those who are close to him at this time of poor health. The Beatitudes “overturn our worldly mentality,” he said, while “Artists are called to take part in this revolution.”

| 16/02/2025
| VATICAN

The Philippine team won the country's first-ever gold at the Asian Winter Games currently underway in Harbin (China), and now aim for a spot at Milano-Cortina 2026. Its members live in Switzerland, the United States and Canada. For the Philippine Olympic Committee, this is the best result for Southeast Asia.

| 15/02/2025
| PHILIPPINES - CHINA
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by Santosh Digal
An armed gang shot to death a 44-year-old priest in a village in the Sagaing region. For the Bishops' Conference, he was an innocent victim of the war like countless others. For the Archbishop of Mandalay, Marco Tin Win, “this heartbreaking ...
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| MYANMAR
 
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The vicar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem speaks about small stories amid war, an Israeli Jew donating an organ to an Arab in need of a transplant, a wonderful “sign” to behold. Although “Hatred, unfortunately, drops on you,” ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”