by Dario Salvi | TURKEY

Bishop Palinuro spoke to AsiaNews about the visit of a delegation from the Turkish Catholic Church to the president who “showed particular interest in the needs" of the local community. Both sides hope “to overcome a difficult past and open a new era of relations." Erdoğan asked for "prayers" for the success of the NATO summit.

by Mathias Hariyadi

Nicholas F. Goselin of Associated Mission Aviation was on one of the essential shuttle flights serving the most isolated communities. He was fatally shot after landing; the seven Papuans on board were unharmed. The West Papuan National Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack.

| 03/07/2026
| INDONESIA
by Vladimir Rozanskij

In Tajikistan, heatwaves with temperatures consistently above 40 degrees in summer are taking their toll on 2.5 million children, who are particularly vulnerable to water shortages. Almost a third of the country’s population is under 15 years of age; according to scientists’ data, they will have to cope with increasingly extreme temperatures throughout their lives.

| 03/07/2026
| TAJIKISTAN

On behalf of Pope Leo, Cardinal Tagle presided over the beatification ceremony of the martyred priest killed in 1946. Held in Tắc Sậy before 70,000 people, this was the first time the Church of Vietnam was able to hold a service like this in the country. He teaches us to prioritise honesty over corruption, sharing over selfishness, and solidarity over the exclusive pursuit of self-interest.

| 02/07/2026
| VIETNAM
by Shafique Khokhar

Amir Peter, 60, was arrested on 19 July 2025, after a Muslim businessman accused him. The two had an argument. The Christian man died in hospital from serious medical complications. The victim's brother, Father Henry Paul, said that his brother was suffering from advanced dementia and the charges against him were false. The organisation Christians' True Spirit had called for his release on health grounds.

| 02/07/2026
| PAKISTAN
by Giuseppe Caffulli

Following the diplomatic recognition of the breakaway region, military cooperation and speculation over a possible Israeli presence in the city of Berbera have increased. Rumours about military bases have so far not been officially confirmed, but the Horn of Africa is becoming increasingly central to regional competition.

| 02/07/2026
| ISRAEL
by Maria Casadei

The government granted an additional week following protests, but confirmed assistance is still limited to three months. Families forced to leave “illegal” settlements in April complain that the resettlement plan is unbalanced. Human rights groups are also critical of the government.

| 02/07/2026
| NEPAL
Editor's choices
 
by Silvia Torriti
According to official licence statistics, as many as 30,000 are aged between 70 and 79. This reflects not only the ageing population but also the financial difficulties faced by those who lost their jobs during the Covid pandemic. And with pensions insufficient ...
| 02/07/2026
| RED LANTERNS
 
Leo XIV's appeal not to break unity has fallen on deaf ears. This morning in Écône, four consecrations were made without a mandate, which is tantamount to a schismatic act. The Society of Saint Pius X also has a district in Asia, based ...
| 01/07/2026
| VATICAN – ASIA
 
The government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has approved a bill to address the declining membership of the Imperial Household, allowing the adoption of male descendants from ancient dynastic branches and letting princesses to retain their titles ...
| 30/06/2026
| JAPAN
 
by Sumon Corraya
Just as football fans in Bangladesh display the symbols of the World Cup teams, rows of white flags and processions of motorcyclists proclaiming the Islamic profession of faith are appearing on the streets. The organisers describe it as a “simple ...
| 29/06/2026
| BANGLADESH
 
After eight years, the trial against the Sisters has ended. In 2018, far-fetched child trafficking charges were laid against them, sparking worldwide media coverage. The High Court's verdict declared them not guilty. For Bishop Mascarenhas, “after ...
| 18/06/2026
| INDIA
 
by Alessandra De Poli
In online scam centres across South-East Asia, thousands of young people are reduced to digital slaves in one of the forms of violation of human dignity also highlighted in the encyclical ‘Magnifica Humanitas’. On the border between Thailand ...
| 17/06/2026
| SOUTH EAST ASIA
 
by Arundathie Abeysinghe
The new sustainability rules are causing difficulties for many local exporters. The European Union is the largest market for the textile industry. From September, companies will have to comply with requirements across the entire supply chain: firms are ...
| 16/06/2026
| SRI LAKA - EU
 
by Andrea Ferrario
Once classified by the Communist Party as “spiritual pollution”, this genre now generates billions of yuan in revenue and has become part of the state's cultural promotion strategy, within a clear geopolitical vision. "The Wandering Earth" ...
| 11/06/2026
| RED LANTERNS
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”