During the Angelus, Leo highlighted the "grave humanitarian crisis" in Taiz, where 800,000 people are without aid. He expressed closeness to the victims of the attack on St George’s Church in Jordan, a country characterised by "peaceful coexistence and respect between different religions." Regarding the Gospel, he noted, “Love for God is the very essence of human desire.”
The Pakistani archdiocese brought together more than 2,000 children from 35 schools for a celebration at the cathedral, where they collected school supplies for less fortunate peers. Archbishop Travas told them that through their lives, they help others build “a genuine friendship with Jesus.”
Nazrul Islam Abdul Bashir and Sweety Akter were put to death in Saudi Arabia on 14 October. The controversial case has caused deep shock among activists and the general public, raising questions about the government’s actions. At the heart of the matter lie broader issues concerning the migrant economy and the protection of human rights.
Anthropic has documented the use of Claude to track Catholic and Tibetan Buddhist leaders, Christians in Taiwan, and the Falun Gong. A religious affairs intelligence unit that once employed many teams has been reduced to a single office, yet this is enough to produce thousands of investigations per month.
Today’s news: Kim Jong-un goes to China on an official visit. Anti-Christian attacks in Israel rose in the third quarter of 2026. Thousands of police officers are deployed in Seoul for Halloween to prevent incidents. Jakarta seizes 1.1 tonnes of ketamine. UN warns that hunger and malnutrition are getting worse in Afghanistan.
Two gunmen opened fire inside a Greek Orthodox church during a funeral. So far seven people are reported dead, with about a dozen people wounded. A Jordanian priest reports a sense of disbelief among both Christians and Muslims regarding an act that “wounded our hearts,” but “must not succeed in breaking our unity.”
The first brain-computer interface (BCI) auditory brainstem implant has been approved. China wants to challenge US leadership in a multi-billion-dollar market, with BCIs identified as one of the key sectors of the future. However, unresolved concerns remain regarding bioethics and the protection of personal data.
From Hollywood to Bollywood, and across various streaming platforms, the range of content available in the UAE is increasingly diverse. Amid a varied demographic landscape, movie theatres have become spaces for fostering a sense of belonging, rather than serving merely as commercial venues. Yet, cultural consumption and choices are also influenced by geopolitical tensions, at times leading to the boycotting of certain films.
Economist Vladislav Inozemtsev envisions three scenarios that will likely shape the world we are heading towards, a world in which it is hard to place Russia, which continues to act as a "rogue element”, much as it has so done throughout much of its distant and recent past.
The Vietnamese government wants to allow tissue donations by individuals under 18 in certain situation. A questionnaire distributed in schools, with the goal of reaching 100 per cent of students, has raised concerns among parents regarding children’s consent and protection.
On 27 February 1926, the missionaries arrived in Laham from Amsterdam, continuing the work begun by the Capuchins in 1907. The centre moved to Tering and the mission expanded until four dioceses were established. The centenary is being celebrated at present.
The ceremony in Rome took place in the year that marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the beginning of his ministry as Patriarch of Constantinople. The future of Christianity requires “humility in the face of triumphalism, encounter in the face of isolation, dialogue in the face of division, and communion in the face of nationalism.”
After they fled persecution in Myanmar, dozens of Rohingya families have now been evicted under pressure from Indian authorities, amid a climate of mounting hostility towards the presence of these Muslim refugees. Lacking any legal status recognised by New Delhi, many now face the risk of repatriation, even as the civil war in Myanmar continues to rage.
The abduction of a jeweller in Suqaylabiyah has reignited concerns over protection and security. Church leaders describe intimidation and discrimination, whilst Christian representatives within the institutions speak of freedom. This contrast puts the new authorities’ promises of equal rights to the test.
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.
Ignatius Ding Zuyao, a priest born in 1986, was consecrated this morning in Jiangsu province under the terms of the agreement with the Holy See. This diocese saw Bishop Shen Bin moved (by the Communist Party) to Shanghai. Ding becomes the youngest bishop in the world, confirming a clear trend in episcopal appointments in China.
Fires burning for weeks have worsened air pollution in Malaysia and Singapore. While Malaysia has called for greater regional coordination, ASEAN agreements remain contingent on the willingness of individual states to cooperate.
Bishop Ri Iong-Hoon, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, spoke to AsiaNews from Rome, where he is taking part in a gathering convened by Pope Leo XIV, about the challenges facing families in his country. In his view, “the Church should not simply tell young people to marry and have children. We must first listen to their hopes, fears,” while the family and children should be seen “as a subject of evangelization.”
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.
Subscribeto the newsletter
