Israel

by Alessandra De Poli | HOLY LAND

After initially being placed on the list of NGOs that Israel wanted to submit to reregistration, with the risk of suspension, Caritas Jerusalem is back in business, and today continues (and expands) its activities in Gaza. Secretary General Anton Asfar and young employee Fatena Mohanna describe the human cost of the war and the resilience of those who remain. For Christians in the Holy Land, “It's our little cross to bear.”

by Dario Salvi

Sayyid Rahim Abu Ragheef rejects al-Maliki's candidacy, calling it ‘reckless’ and “irresponsible” in a theatre of internal and regional crisis. Tensions between Iran and the United States and the political stalemate blocking the election of the president are cause for concern. Citizenship and the protection of minorities are the foundation of the nation. ‘Responsibility’ is needed in relations with Tehran.

| 03/02/2026
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
by Fady Noun

This issue is one of the most sensitive questions in the talks that began between the two sides after the November 2023 ceasefire. For Lebanon, this is a "diplomatic priority," but the Jewish state is not cooperating, as confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross. In the background lurk tensions in Iran and Hezbollah's threat to act alongside the Islamic Republic.

| 28/01/2026
| LEBANON - ISRAEL

The extremists brought their livestock and destroyed the crops near a house, then threw stones at it. After residents tried to defend themselves, Israeli soldiers arrested them, protecting the attackers. In 2025 settlers' violence rose considerably. A new Jewish settlement was recently inaugurated near Beit Sahour.

| 26/01/2026
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
by Dario Salvi

The clergyman talked to AsiaNews about the challenges and issues facing schools in the Holy Land, starting with young people who “have lost their smiles” and “their confidence”. Talking and listening help defuse the desire for revenge and attacks. The dispute with Israel over teachers' permits has been almost resolved. Being a teacher is a “vocation”. Meanwhile, Christians continue to leave.

 

| 23/01/2026
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE

The Vietnamese leader pledged support for joint efforts to bring peace to Gaza. He promised to work closely with his country’s former enemy in various areas in line with both sides' needs and priorities. Among Central Asian countries, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have joined the new body.

| 22/01/2026
| VIETNAM – MIDDLE EAST – UNITED STATES

During a meeting yesterday in Palam between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to greater cooperation with future closer partnerships in business, energy, and space. The game of global alliances plays out in the background, with Israel and the Abraham Accords casting their shadow.

| 20/01/2026
| INDIA – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Editor's choices
 
After five years, the landmark trial under the national security law ended. The founder of Apple Daily was charged with conspiracy and sedition. Chief Executive Lee praised the “severe” sentence that brings “relief to all”. Cardinal ...
| 09/02/2026
| HONG KONG – CHINA
 
by Steve Suwannarat
Defying predictions, the Bhumjaithai Party is leading in the seat count by a wide margin. Outgoing Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a populist businessman who got a boost by the conflict with Cambodia, also won in Pheu Thai strongholds. The reformist ...
| 09/02/2026
| THAILAND
 
With yesterday's landslide victory, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will be able to advance her electoral platform, potentially opening the door to constitutional reform. The prime minister has also proposed cutting consumption taxes and boosting the ...
| 09/02/2026
| JAPAN
 
by Giuseppe Caffulli
The entire area of the ancient city of Samaria north of Nablus has been expropriated and separated from the nearby Palestinian village in the name of promoting only the Jewish period of its history. Meanwhile, the Knesset is discussing the establishment ...
| 09/02/2026
| PALESTINE - ISRAEL
 
The People's Party, heir to Move Forward in the progressive camp, leads the polls for tomorrow's vote in Thailand. But it is taking a more moderate line towards the monarchy and the elite to avoid facing dissolution, as happened to its predec...
| 07/02/2026
| THAILAND
 
by Andrea Ferrario
Despite the tariff war in 2025, China broke through the trillion mark in its trade surplus, 45% of which is now generated in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. However, this wealth is not driving domestic consumption, because the fall in producer ...
| 06/02/2026
| CHINA
 
by Sumon Corraya
In 1985, she was the first in Bangladesh to embrace this vocation, reintroduced after the Second Vatican Council and now practised by eleven women in the country. For more than 40 years, Dora has served in providing spiritual direction, offering family ...
| 02/02/2026
| BANGLADESH
 
by Dario Salvi
In the latest instalment of AsiaNews' reportage from the Vicariate of Northern Arabia, the testimony of the priest from Goa, a friendly face and memory of the local Christian community. He records every celebration and his intentions in a diary: ...
| 30/01/2026
| KUWAIT - GULF
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”