Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te responded to US President Donald Trump's statement that he is “not looking to have somebody go independent”, made after the summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing. Concerns are growing in Taiwan about Washington’s possible "transactional" approach, with Beijing leveraging these concerns to promote political reunification.
Five days of dialogue in Thailand on the role of the family in the Catholic Churches of Asia: 52 delegates from 11 countries discussed pastoral challenges, synodality, the role of young people and interfaith dialogue. The Christian family is at the heart of the Church’s mission and the transmission of the faith. A roadmap inspired by the 2023 Bangkok Document has been approved.
The appeal made at the funerals of the three Baptist leaders killed in recent days during renewed clashes between the Kuki-Zo and Naga tribal groups: “I forgive those who killed my father in the name of the Lord and in the broader interest of peace.” The slain pastor had worked tirelessly for reconciliation between the two groups. Concern remains for six people still being held hostage.
Today’s headlines: the impeachment case against Sara Duterte enters the trial phase today. The Indonesian rupiah hits a new all-time low. In Hong Kong, a verdict is awaited in the trials of the organisers of the Tiananmen Square vigil. Samsung’s requests against workers’ strikes have been partially upheld. Kazakhstan wants to control rainfall.
At the recent European summit in Armenia, attended by Zelenskyy and marked by a clear desire to strengthen relations with the European Union, Putin responded by warning Armenia not to follow in Ukraine’s footsteps. These are weighty words in a country preparing to go to the polls on 7 June for extremely sensitive parliamentary elections.
Over the past few days, the country’s bishops have been in the Vatican for a meeting with the Pope and the departments of the Roman Curia. The president of the Bishops’ Conference, Shukardin, told Vatican media: “He has given us a new vision and new hope for the future”. Evangelisation, poverty and a lack of educational opportunities are the main challenges.
