| SOUTH KOREA

A bipartisan group of lawmakers want to protect the children of undocumented foreigners who might be victims of trafficking and abuse. According to an audit, at least 4,000 children born between 2015 and 2022 are in this situation.

by Nirmala Carvalho

In the eastern Indian state shaken by violence that has claimed more than 250 lives in less than two years, Biren Singh has resigned to avoid a no-confidence motion. In recent days, the Supreme Court had asked for verification of the authenticity of an audio in which he is heard ‘claiming’ to have instigated the clashes between Meitei and Kuki. The association of tribal groups: ‘Delayed gesture, we will continue to demand a separate administration’.

| 10/02/2025
| INDIA
by Santosh Digal

After last November's knife attack on Fr Lee, Fr Cary Chan of the Holy Spirit Church was targeted this time. A 22-year-old young man with mental and physical problems attacked him and hit him in the face. The priest suffered a haematoma, but still wanted to celebrate Mass. The archdiocese: ‘Remain calm and refrain from speculation’.

| 10/02/2025
| SINGAPORE
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The two countries are working on a new mechanism to govern the flow of migrant workers. By passing in Uzbekistan special examinations in Russian language and legislation, they will be able to obtain a ‘licence’ necessary for issuing residence permits. Legalisation is an issue made more urgent by the serious labour shortage caused by the mobilisation in the war in Ukraine

| 10/02/2025
| UZBEKISTAN - RUSSIA

Pope Francis was present for this morning's the Jubilee of the Armed, Police and Security Forcesin St Peter's Square, despite bronchitis. In his comments during the Angelus, he spoke of armed service ‘only for self-defence, never to impose dominion over other nations’ and ‘observing international conventions’. An invitation to be vigilant against the temptation of the ‘spirit of war’.

| 09/02/2025
| VATICAN

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 chooses Joan of Arc as her baptismal name. The desire for unity with the whole world. In the Holy Year of the Chinese Catholic communities, the hope that offers a way out from the social, political and existential void that generates only infinite pressures.

| 09/02/2025
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA

The ruling party is expected to win a total of 48 seats out of 70. The AAP, in power until now, stops at 22, while Congress gets none. Turnout is expected to be 60.4% of those entitled to vote, out of a total of about 15.5 million voters. For the prime minister, another success in local elections, after the successes of recent months in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

| 08/02/2025
| INDIA
Editor's choices
 
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
 
by Nirmala Carvalho
Released today, “Sanatani: Karma Hi Dharma" is yet another picture that risks fuelling religious tensions. According to Christian activists, the meaning of baptism is misrepresented in the film. Several communities joined the protest, remembering ...
| 07/02/2025
| INDIAN MANDALA
 
by Dario Salvi
The archaeological site north of Nablus linked to the memory of John the Baptist targeted by settlers (and the Israeli army) attacks. The death of a 14-year-old boy hit by a soldier's bullets. Scholar Carla Benelli to AsiaNews: ‘Heritage ...
| 04/02/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
 
by Alessandra De Poli
Myanmar’s military regime has extended the state of emergency again, but its control over the country is faltering as ethnic militias and resistance forces now control 95 cities. Meanwhile, the UN is reporting war crimes, highlighting the imminent ...
| 01/02/2025
| MYANMAR
 
The explosion of "cheap" alternative to ChatGPT is the result of China’s bet on internal competition among large companies and startups to develop the most advanced AI systems. A stinging defeat in a Go tournament is having a greater impact than ...
| 30/01/2025
| RED LANTERNS
 
In Fujian, the auxiliary bishop who quit in 2020 over joining government-controlled bodies, celebrated the anniversary of his priestly ordination under residential segregation. Videos sent to AsiaNews by local sources show him meeting the faithful and ...
| 28/01/2025
| CHINA
 
by Alessandra De Poli
An Irish missionary in South Korea for almost fifty years, he explains to AsiaNews how current divisions within South Korean society have developed. For Fr Donal O'Keeffe, the situation is progressing "slowly", and is not a total stalemate. The country ...
| 27/01/2025
| SOUTH KOREA
 
by Stephen George
AsiaNews in conversation with Patras Paul, a Muslim cleric who suddenly - more than twenty years ago - reading the Gospel found in it the answers he could no longer find in the Koran. He tells of the persecution he suffered for this choice and of ...
| 26/01/2025
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”