Following the introduction of the state of emergency and ‘governor’s rule’, schools and universities have been closed and exams postponed until further notice. Amnesty International highlights the risks to human rights following arbitrary arrests and the suspension of internet access. Meanwhile, the Pakistani Taliban are seeking to capitalise on the discontent over Islamabad’s intervention.
For the first time in 30 years, the government has reintroduced conscription. After completing their service, conscripts will remain in the reserves until they reach the age of 45. This comes against a backdrop of tensions on the border with Thailand, with 20,000 Cambodians still unable to return to their villages
Today’s headlines: Parliamentary opposition and ‘cockroach’ movement seek agreement on the protests in Delhi; Hong Kong police launch AI-powered platform to teach children about ‘national security’; Three charges dropped in the trial of Sara Duterte; The PKK withdraws its militias from the Metina region.
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.”
Following Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei may also welcome the Myanmar leader. Meanwhile, the US has initiated direct talks with Myanmar, which is keen to gain international legitimacy.
In a fresh outbreak of violence in West Bengal, which has returned to BJP rule, the annual retreat organised by the diocese and attended by 1,900 faithful was forcibly disrupted by a mob incited by extremists. Bishop Gomes said: “Such premeditated acts are becoming increasingly frequent. We can no longer remain silent.”
Today’s headlines: pilgrims from South Asia among victims of Houthi raids on Riyadh airport; Further flooding in Nepal: at least five dead and dozens of homes swept away; Pyongyang launches missiles amid the crisis triggered by the mine explosions; The former Wuhan mayor also sentenced to 14 years for corruption.
To mark International Geodiversity Day, Novosti-Armenia has selected seven sites that particularly clearly demonstrate the country’s geological diversity.
The Philippine cardinal today brought to the Vatican meeting what he experienced in Manila’s poorest areas, among the victims of extrajudicial killings of drug addicts and small-time dealers. For him, fragility among families also stems from poverty, violence, and underemployment, but they can teach how to walk alongside others while trusting in grace.
Families fled the village in the Sheikhupura district when a mob set fire to the home and clinic of Kamran Masih, after he was accused of blasphemy. Five arrests have been made in connection with the arson. The incident highlights the importance of political action to defend marginalised communities.
From Azekh (Idil in Turkish) to the village of Anhel (Yemisli), there have been worrying cases of violations of the rights of Assyrian-Chaldeans. In addition to private homes, a guesthouse belonging to the Syriac Orthodox Church has also been targeted. At the centre of the controversy is a (Christian) mayor elected with the DEM who has now switched to the AKP.
Once hampered by its lack of access to the sea, Uzbekistan is now capitalising on its geographical location as a new crossroads. It is placing great emphasis on the railway line that is set to link Xinjiang with Andijan via Kyrgyzstan.
After a localised nodule was found in his lung, Leo “decided to undergo surgery to remove it” in “the coming days” at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. The Holy See Press Office expects a one-week post-operative hospital stay. Regarding “tormented Ukraine”, the pontiff issued an appeal for the “safe transport” of grain in the Black Sea.
On 7 and 8 October, just as the Thai capital was grappling with the damage caused by the Chao Phraya River bursting its banks, 17 delegates from regional bishops’ conferences gathered for a meeting organised by the FABC. Five lines of action were defined for a shared path forward.
From the historic church in Goa to the cathedral in Xi’an, there are many places across Asia that commemorate the message of the saint from Assisi, on the 800th anniversary of his death. Among the most recent is the chapel built in the image of the Porziuncola near the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas.
Retail sales are not growing as much as Beijing would like. Employees currently work an average of 48.2 hours a week, but without a significant increase in income. So, during the recent public holidays, a call not to use days off for shopping went viral on Weibo before being censored.
In today’s session of the Vatican meeting marking the tenth anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, the Indian cardinal and FABC president described the transformations the continent is facing amid economic instability and religious polarisation. For the prelate, “we ask not what families are missing, but what God is already doing in their midst.”
Starting today, every Monday, AsiaNews will feature voices, stories, and in-depth reports to explore, step by step, the South Korea that will welcome young people for World Youth Day (WYD) next August. The perspective will be one of “memory and hope” focused on the mission, an approach suggested today by Pope Leo XIV to South Korean priests and religious sisters living in Rome.
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