| IRAQ

The inauguration of a place of worship and pilgrimage four years after the papal visit sends a message. Both Christians and Muslims worry about the pontiff's health. A country’s cultural lasting heritage is a treasure that supports the economy. For the patriarch, the secular nature of the state remains a key issue; in the meantime, he appeals for an end to wars and extremist ideologies.

 

by Vladimir Rozanskij

The ‘Centre for the Study of Occupation’ founded by Petr Andrjuščenko, former councillor of the city council, denounces the Russian desire to ‘erase that part of the memory that had been preserved even after the world wars of the 20th century’. The emblematic story of the Drama Theatre that has become a symbol of the conflict in Ukraine.

| 26/02/2025
| RUSSIA - UKRAINE

Today's news: Zelensky in Washington on Friday for the (revised) agreement on rare earths; Israelis take to the streets for the Bibas' funeral, the family criticises Netanyahu's political exploitation of their tragedy; At least 18 people have died after a bus's brakes failed in Thailand; In the Philippines, voting will also take place in 42 shopping centres in May.

| 26/02/2025
| ASIA TODAY

Pope Francis has approved the promulgation of the decree on the “offering of life” of Fr Emil Joseph Kapaun, a priest from Kansas who died in 1951 in a North Korean POW camp.

| 25/02/2025
| NORTH KOREA – VATICAN

Despite the trade war between the US and China, Elon Musk's company has opened a new plant in Shanghai to make megapack batteries. The plant enjoys tax advantages and is facing increasing competition from China's BYD. In the meantime, China Labour Bulletin alleges widespread abuse of workers at Tesla China and its suppliers.

| 25/02/2025
| CHINA

In a statement, the Gemelli Hospital reported “a slight improvement” in the pope’s conditions The Vatican released the pope’s message for the path towards Easter, titled this year “Let us journey together in hope”.

| 25/02/2025
| VATICAN
by Joseph Masilamany

Wanted in India for money laundering, he now can preach in public after a ban imposed five years ago for making incendiary sermons. Malaysian political leaders and human rights activists urge the government to reconsider the decision. His attacks against the believers of other religions risk undermining harmony and coexistence.

| 25/02/2025
| MALAYSIA – INDIA
Editor's choices
 
by Nirmala Carvalho
While the pontiff remains in serious condition at the Gemelli Hospital, people of other religions are joining Christians to pray for him. “May the divine mercies surround Pope Francis for his speedy recovery,” reads a prayer by the secretary ...
| 24/02/2025
| VATICAN – ASIA
 
China announces that drilling reached a depth of 10,910 metres in the Tarim Basin, opening a new frontier for hydrocarbons and deep Earth research. The project epitomises the impressive growth of China’s oil industry in the traditional Uyghur homeland ...
| 21/02/2025
| CHINA
 
Two parish teachers present at the time of the murder of Fr Donald Martin Ye Naing Win, in Sagaing region, recount how the clergyman died. Ten men from a local unit of the anti-military junta People's Defense Forces have been arrested. They were ...
| 19/02/2025
| MYANMAR
 
The charity, which has had a long and close connection with the Cambodian government, has received millions of dollars from entrepreneurs linked to online scam centres in Southeast Asia, some of whom sanctioned by Western governments. In the meantime, ...
| 17/02/2025
| CAMBODIA
 
by Santosh Digal
An armed gang shot to death a 44-year-old priest in a village in the Sagaing region. For the Bishops' Conference, he was an innocent victim of the war like countless others. For the Archbishop of Mandalay, Marco Tin Win, “this heartbreaking ...
| 16/02/2025
| MYANMAR
 
by Dario Salvi
The vicar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem speaks about small stories amid war, an Israeli Jew donating an organ to an Arab in need of a transplant, a wonderful “sign” to behold. Although “Hatred, unfortunately, drops on you,” ...
| 14/02/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
Breaking all records at the Chinese box office, the animated film has enthused online communities, including the “Industrial Party”, which praises technological progress as a means to achieve China's cultural supremacy. With innovative ...
| 11/02/2025
| CHINA
 
The story of Mei Li, who was contemplating suicide: ‘The thing that attracts me most about God is hope’. The story of the little girl who tells her parents tshe is going to the mall but instead takes part in activities in a church and ...
| 09/02/2025
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”