| VATICAN – ITALY – UNITED STATES

Leo XIV issues a warning on the island in the heart of the Mediterranean, 13 years after Pope Francis’s historic visit. “Those who have lost their lives in this sea are victims both of decisions that were made and of decisions that were not made,” he said. The pontiff urged Europe to address this challenge “in a comprehensive manner” without fear, and called on the United States, on its 250th anniversary, not to forget migrants’ “hopes, sacrifices and contribution”.


Under new rules, Beijing cracks down on regional branches of organisations, while limiting the use of titles for local officials because they fuel the proliferation of positions and corruption. In reality, this is another step to control organised civil society. Meanwhile, Xi promoted two senior generals after purging the military.

| 03/07/2026
| CHINA
by Dario Salvi

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.

| 03/07/2026
| TURKEY

The Indian government has ordered the removal of three apps that can be used with smartphones to shut down moving vehicles. Now more than 60 per cent of new three-wheelers registered in the country are electric, while the battery-powered car market continues to register record sales.

| 03/07/2026
| INDIAN MANDALA
by Santosh Digal

Since 2008, Gilda Fortunata G. Altez – founder of Voice in the Storm Counselling Advocacy – has handled more than 3,000 cases, including couples’ and individual sessions. Having lived with an abusive husband, she now offers psychological counselling “with God’s guidance” to those experiencing relationship crises. “Having been abused myself allows me to empathise with many wives.”

| 03/07/2026
| PHILIPPINES
by Steve Suwannarat

Steve Suwannarat

 

The labour agreement, which will come into effect next year, represents a significant opportunity for the small Asian nation’s development. The goal is to avoid dependence on Indonesia or Australia, especially when it comes to resource development. Wong describes the agreement as “mutually beneficial” and “a platform for closer coordination”.

| 03/07/2026
| SINGAPORE – EAST TIMOR
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
Editor's choices
 
Today, Washington and Beijing clash over tariffs, Taiwan, and technology. Yet Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and other leading figures of the American Revolution also found inspiration in the thoughts of Confucius and the meritocratic system of ...
| 04/07/2026
| CHINA – UNITED STATES
 
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
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”