Today’s headlines: Japan identifies North Korean hackers behind recent cyber-attacks and seeks US cooperation; To retain ‘expats’, Malaysia to allow spouses to work as well; Burmese workers in Thailand fear remittances are funding regime.; Thousands of Bengali Muslims evicted in the Indian state of Assam.
When Prime Minister Pashinyan speaks of a peace with Azerbaijan “that will last 400 years”, he is not merely engaging in political hyperbole. He is looking towards a future for Yerevan that is not dependent on the regional balance of power at any given time.
Leo XIV at the Angelus on the Solemnity of All Saints: “countless” unknown saints, yet known to God. Holiness cannot be reduced “to any calculation, for such is the good they have spread”. He calls for “cooperation between the parties” in Ukraine to foster “concrete initiatives for peace”.
An initiative of the FABC, bishops and pastoral workers gather in Macao to reflect on how to rise to the challenge set out by Leo XIV in his encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas”. They examined the reality of a continent at the forefront of AI but also one that is more exposed to its contradictions. They also proposed some concrete actions for the Churches.
The practice of wearing a costume depicting a character from manga, video games or films is now widespread amongst young Chinese people. And it often happens that they find themselves in front of churches to take their photos. An AsiaNews source living in China describes the reactions of the Christian community.
She was eight months old when the atomic bomb destroyed her city. Ten years later, she met the co-pilot of the Enola Gay and realised she no longer wanted revenge. In Milan, she told her story to over 300 young people from Sant’Egidio: “You must know what happened, so that it never happens again”.
A recent study estimates that nearly 40 per cent of children have blood lead levels exceeding the threshold set by the World Health Organisation. The difficulty of preventing disposal in soil or water is compounded by a shortage of facilities for special waste and their poor efficiency.
Today’s headlines: North Korean linked Lazarus Group behind massive cryptocurrency heist; October registers another slowdown in China's manufacturing output; In Bangladesh, only 51 per cent of students pass their A-levels, the lowest rate since 2004. Novaya Gazeta closes on 9 November: “Suffocated by Putin”.
For the sociologist Anna Kulešova, the main outcome of propaganda is not enthusiasm or support for war. Rather, it ‘constantly distances people from moral judgement’, because this is far more beneficial to the authorities.
Inspired by the 40th anniversary of the initiative launched by John Paul in 1986, the Dicastery for interfaith dialogue released a message on the occasion of the upcoming Hindu festival of Diwali. In it, the Vatican body says that, “genuine prayer overcomes differences and disarms hearts, minds and lives transforming us into men and women of compassion and peace.”
New Delhi’s tug-of-war with Beijing is unfolding amid protests by ethnic Adi opposed to a hydropower project on the Siang River, India’s response to China's Medog mega-dam. Recent protests have also been accompanied by arson attacks and damages, forcing New Delhi to deploy security forces.
For Masar Jadid leader Samer Sinijlawi, the turnout was crucial. Now the goal is to mobilise Palestinians for a Palestinian election in March. The high turnout in East Jerusalem is another sign of change. For Adel Misk, at the polls, the voiceless revived the Palestinian issue.
He is the first head of government to be appointed following the September elections. He secured 51 votes, compared with the 27 that went to the former interim prime minister, Ebrahim. The assembly must now elect the president, form the executive and appoint two deputy prime ministers. After decades of conflict, this marks a first step towards stability.
The couple are the recipients of the 2026 Ludovic Trarieux International Human Rights Prize, having distinguished themselves through their defence of individuals accused of blasphemy, as well as members of minority groups. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for a fair trial and expressed concern regarding judicial harassment and the use of anti-terrorism laws against people who defend fundamental freedoms.
The Melkite parish priest highlights the long-established coexistence with Muslim neighbours in Hmoud, where the attack took place, and of the grief shared by sister communities, now united in these days of sorrow. A direct attack on Christians raises questions about the future. The clergyman also looks at poverty and hardships in Jordan’s remote areas, far from Amman.
From Thailand to Malaysia, thousands of homes remain on the market despite high demand for housing. High prices, difficulty in obtaining mortgages, and locations far from workplaces are widening the gap between the available housing supply and the financial means of young workers and families.
Nancy Sequeira calls for her son’s release. Randall is currently held in pre-trial detention for his involvement in protests against bauxite mining in Kantamal. A doctor who works with Adivasi communities, he is accused of inciting clashes that took place in April. The St. John’s Medical College in Bengaluru and Bishop Percival Fernandez have expressed their solidarity.
From reforestation in China to sustainable coffee in Indonesia, and free-diving fisherwomen in South Korea: the FAO has selected 100 women who are contributing to food security, environmental protection and the development of rural communities. However, the sector is still marked by significant gender inequalities.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.
Subscribeto the newsletter
