| INDONESIA

The floods meet all the criteria to be considered a catastrophe: millions of people affected, significant damage to property and infrastructure, and insufficient local capacity. But the central government is suspending its decision. The declaration is not just a formality, but responds to pre-established criteria. The provincial government of Aceh is evaluating a request for aid from the UN.

 


In a statement, a group representing Australia’s Pakistani community described the incident as a "horrific act of violence" that "shocked our community." The Bondi Beach attack in Sydney was allegedly the work of a father and son of Pakistani origin who had ties to the Islamic State. The hero who risked his life to disarm them was from Syria. In Pakistan, political leaders slammed the attack, saying that their country is “also victim of terrorism." For Pope Leo, “Enough with these forms of antisemitic violence!”

| 15/12/2025
| PAKISTAN – AUSTRALIA
by Sumon Corraya

Drones and heavy weapons were used against the peacekeeping base in the Abyei region. Eight more soldiers were wounded. Rescue and medical operations are still underway. Guterres says the "alarming" attack might constitute a war crime. Bangladesh has been involved in peacekeeping missions since 1988, earning global recognition and an excellent reputation.

| 15/12/2025
| BANGLADESH – SUDAN

After five years in prison and a one-sided trial lasting 156 hearings, the “exemplary” sentence was handed down today to the Catholic entrepreneur, publisher of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. The sentence has yet to be determined, but the two offences carry a life sentence. At 78, he will spend his fifth consecutive Christmas in prison. Chief Executive John Lee rejoices. The International Press Association: “Independent information repressed”.

| 15/12/2025
| HONG KONG
by Dario Salvi

Second installment of AsiaNews' reportage in the Gulf countries. From the tourism boom to shows, from sports to entertainment, Saudi Arabia is undergoing a phase of profound transformation. In a delicate balance between tradition and modernity, the new generations are “key” to interpreting the development impressed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the signs of changing times.

| 15/12/2025
| SAUDI ARABIA

Today's headlines: Thailand-Cambodia, Bangkok acknowledges its first civilian casualty in the conflict; Beijing has imposed sanctions on a former senior Japanese army officer for collusion with Taiwan; Delhi: online classes and a ban on construction work due to air pollution 30 times higher than the WHO limit; The IDF has struck three Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon

| 15/12/2025
| ASIA TODAY
by Vladimir Rozanskij

New Russian threats in Kherson bring the effects of the conflict on marine pollution back to the forefront. Research published last summer identified at least 70 chemicals from weapons in the waters of the Black Sea. Even the clashes and bombings are having devastating effects on marine wildlife.

| 15/12/2025
| RUSSIA - UKRAINE
Editor's choices
 
The border dispute is not the only factor in restarting clashes. Scores of online scam centres operate along the border, run by criminal networks linked to Cambodian elites. Thailand considers them strategic military targets and is using the war to build ...
| 11/12/2025
| THAILAND – CAMBODIA
 
by A priest from China’s underground community
Yesterday's episcopal ordination in Henan is opening new wounds rather than healing old ones. The underground bishop whose resignation Rome accepted is still under strict surveillance, unable to attend "his" ceremony, and not even his family can ...
| 06/12/2025
| CHINA – VATICAN
 
by Mathias Hariyadi
The Ministry of the Environment has launched an investigation into corporate responsibility for the devastation caused by violent floods and landslides. Some 50,000 of the 340,000 hectares of forest have been logged. For Environment Minister Hanif, there ...
| 04/12/2025
| INDONESIA
 
Leo XIV has arrived in Beirut, where he delivered his first address to the authorities, speaking about the resilience of the Land of the Cedars and the challenge of achieving reconciliation that goes beyond a mere balance of interests. “A culture ...
| 01/12/2025
| LEBANON - VATICAN
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
A mandate entrusted to over 800 delegates to make Jesus present through their lives in their own countries brought to a close the Great Pilgrimage of Hope, which saw the Churches of the continent gather in Malaysia. Cardinal David: ‘Evangelisation ...
| 30/11/2025
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
In Penang, 800 delegates from churches across the continent gathered for a ‘pilgrimage of hope’ in the Jubilee year. Cardinal Tagle: like the Magi, we reject the despair of today's Herods. Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching: ‘We are ...
| 28/11/2025
| MALAYSIA - ASIA
 
by Alessandra De Poli
The devastating fire that destroyed much of a public housing complex in Tai Po has exposed the fragility of Hong Kong's housing system, characterised by overcrowding, negligently managed construction sites, and thousands of senior citizens and domestic ...
| 27/11/2025
| RED LANTERNS
 
by Nirmala Carvalho
Fr Susai Jesu, a missionary with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was called by Leo XIV to lead the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas. Since 2007, he has lived his ministry among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, participating in the journey ...
| 19/11/2025
| INDIA – CANADA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”