| VIETNAM - VATICAN

The President of the National Assembly in Hanoi presented the Pope with a letter from the President, who is now firmly at the helm of power in Vietnam. It was precisely internal disagreements over the local political balance of power that had slowed down the preparations for the visit, which is so eagerly awaited by the Catholic community. Cardinal Parolin is due to visit soon to establish full diplomatic relations. The possibility of 2027, when the Pope is already expected in Seoul for World Youth Day.

by Arundathie Abeysinghe

Studies by the University of Peradeniya show that atmospheric nitrogen can be fixed into the soil and rapidly improve it thanks to sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), reducing the need for chemical fertilisers, which are in short supply following the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Experts are urging the various stakeholders, including farmers, to leverage its potential to boost the country's food security.

| 11/04/2026
| SRI LANKA
by Shafique Khokhar

Talks between the United States and Iran to firm up a still shaky ceasefire began in the Pakistani capital today. However, the United Arab Emirates is withdrawing US$ 3.5 billion (over a fifth of Pakistan's reserves) to put political pressure on the South Asian country. For Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, “war and conflict cause immense suffering” and this needs “solutions to problems through wisdom, tolerance and dialogue.”

| 11/04/2026
| PAKISTAN - MIDDLE EAST

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho spoke in harsh terms to describe adoptions from South Korea in the 1970s and 1980s that were marked by serious irregularities. The government announced steps to facilitate compensation, stating that it will waive appeals in proceedings initiated by victims, although delays remain.

| 11/04/2026
| SOUTH KOREA

Today's news: Talks between Lebanon and Israel to end the conflict between the two countries will be held in Washington on Tuesday. Yesterday, North Korea’s strongman Kim Jong-un met with the Chinese Foreign Minister. In the Philippines, the cost of Chinese-made solar panels has “skyrocketed”. Indonesia wants to boost palm oil production using insects from Africa.

 

| 11/04/2026
| ASIA TODAY
by Stefano Caprio

Russians were promised a high-tech future. What they got instead is a form of total control, not authoritarian, but totalitarian, reflecting the Kremlin's definition of “the sum of technologies”, namely missiles and drones, as well as surveillance and monitoring equipment.

| 11/04/2026
| RUSSIAN WORLD

The government gave its green light recently, without much fanfare, just as settler violence was escalating. Since the start of the current legislative session, 103 settlements were approved, on top of 127 already existing settlements. Settlement procedures have also changed, showing a desire to accelerate the process of seizing land. Polls show Likud decline, but the country's majority opposes the ceasefire with Iran.

| 10/04/2026
| PALESTINE – ISRAEL
Editor's choices
 
The President of the National Assembly in Hanoi presented the Pope with a letter from the President, who is now firmly at the helm of power in Vietnam. It was precisely internal disagreements over the local political balance of power that had slowed ...
| 13/04/2026
| VIETNAM - VATICAN
 
by Gregory
A military-dominated government was approved today following elections deemed a sham by the international community. But while General Min Aung Hlaing consolidates his power by merely changing his clothing, the exiled opposition and the ethnic groups ...
| 09/04/2026
| MYANMAR
 
Talks between Washington and Tehran will take place in Islamabad on Friday after threats of escalation. China has applied pressure, consolidating its influence in the region. Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir has played a crucial role. Uncertainties ...
| 08/04/2026
| PAKISTAN – CHINA
 
The lights of Easter Vigil illuminated a community marked by suffering. After three years, some faithful returned to the Church of Christ the King. It had been occupied by the Myanmar military, forcing the local population to flee. Bishop Celso Ba Shwe ...
| 07/04/2026
| MYANMAR
 
by Alessandra De Poli
In the hills south of Hebron, in the Palestinian village of Umm al-Khair, marked by increasingly frequent Israeli settler attacks, a small music project called Sotna (Our Voice) is trying to carve out some room for normalcy. Two activists, Amalia Kelter ...
| 06/04/2026
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
by Gianni Criveller
The Easter message from the editorial director of AsiaNews: ‘From Lebanon to Myanmar, and to the streets of Hong Kong, a long ordeal of suffering. May the spirit of the Risen Jesus, present in our time and in our world, bring comfort and grant ...
| 05/04/2026
| EDITORIAL
 
The thousands of people employed on large ships, mostly Filipinos, Indians, and Indonesians, are unable to disembark or be repatriated, while those who were set to leave have suddenly been left without work. Psychological pressure and uncertainty are ...
| 03/04/2026
| PHILIPPINES – MIDDLE EAST
 
During Holy Week, Korea’s bishops announced a major step in the cause of Father Thomas Choi Yang-up (1821-1861), a companion in the seminary of the martyred Saint Andrew Kim. For 12 years, he was the first priest to minister in Korea, visiting ...
| 02/04/2026
| SOUTH KOREA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”