Syria

by Chiara Zappa | GATEWAY TO THE EAST

Fr Bahjat Karakach, a Franciscan, talks about the difficult situation in the battered city after 13 years of war, a powerful earthquake, and the Gaza War. With inflation and rents skyrocketing, people survive with “remittances from relatives abroad.” The parish is involved in various projects in neighbourhoods once occupied by militias where poverty and degradation are high. The Church today is "a light in the midst of darkness.”

 


Today's headlines: Senior doctors in South Korea join trainee doctors’ protest. India's foreign exchange reserves reach their highest level in two years. Iran is beset by a severe nursing shortage with more than 3,000 emigrating abroad a year. Thailand is considering legalising casinos. The Chinese are quietly occupying Siberia, raising concerns among local Russians.

| 16/03/2024
| ASIA TODAY

Today's news: Vientiane aims to build one of the largest 'wind farms' in the region; India heart of global aviation industry by 2040; Bangkok wants to pass a law this year that will only allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes; South Korea sends military personnel to hospitals amid young doctors' strike.

| 29/02/2024
| ASIA TODAY
by Dario Salvi

The Italian Marco Rodari, known as 'Claun il Pimpa', talks about his bond with the artists of the Strip, a movement that he himself helped to create. Gifting a smile to a child can mean the difference between anger in the moment and hatred in the future. His personal remembrance of the Christian victims of the conflict, the parish of the Holy Family 'always an oasis of peace'.

| 21/02/2024
| GAZA - ITALY
by Mons. Samir Nassar *

From the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea to the conflict in the Strip, to which Israeli raids against Iranian targets are added, regional tensions are (also) affecting Syria. In his message for Lent, the Maronite Archbishop of Damascus says that "even dreaming is forbidden" and "fear and despair" prevail among young people.

| 09/02/2024
| SYRIA

Today's news: five dead and dozens injured in a landslide in Mindanao; Activist Agnes Chow is wanted by Hong Kong police; Militiamen in northern Myanmar hand over 60 more Chinese accused of online fraud and weapons possession; Bangkok wants to cancel the decriminalisation of cannabis; Domestic tourism in Russia grows +20%.

| 07/02/2024
| ASIA TODAY
by Dario Salvi

The situation is still critical and Antioch a "ghost town". Caritas' contribution in guaranteeing food, accommodation, psychological support, education and schooling. Bishop Bizzeti: "It will take at least 10 years to understand whether the region will be able to recover, but I am optimistic".

| 06/02/2024
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
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“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”