Kuwait plans ‘amnesty’ for illegals from March to May (March 2, 2024, Kuwait Times)
We want to open Kuwait, Deputy PM reveals. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah revealed on Saturday that the government is considering an ‘amnesty’ plan to allow residency violators to leave Kuwait starting in March and ending in May, noting that violators could apply for a visa to return to Kuwait via legal and approved channels.
Detained, trafficked, exploited: the plight of lone child migrants stranded in Tunisia (March 11, 2024, The Guardian)
Almost 1,500 unaccompanied children are stuck in the country, where many report being separated from parents, while globally the number of minors making journeys alone is rising
A new city is rising in Egypt. But is it what the country needs? (March 20, 2024, CNN)
In an expanse of desert 30 miles east of Cairo, Egypt, a new city is rising. Already boasting the tallest tower in Africa and the biggest cathedral in the Middle East, the city is one of a series of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s grand megaprojects intended to develop the country’s economy.
Catching a break: How gig workers find rest (March 19, 2024, Rest of World)
Whether they’re ferrying passengers or delivering food orders, gig workers often work 10 to 12 hours a day to make ends meet. As they traverse their cities, these workers scramble to find facilities to meet their basic needs — restrooms, clean places to eat meals, and safe spots to rest.
Singapore tightens rules for hiring foreign professionals (March 4, 2024, Reuters)
Singapore will raise the salary criteria for foreign executives and professionals that companies can hire starting next year, the government announced on Monday.
HK, Macao, Chinese mainland could launch multi-stop, culture-themed travel products to boost inbound tourism: political advisor (March 10, 2024, Global Times)
China's inbound tourism has been on a recovery trajectory since last year, with support measures including easing visa requirements and improved travel products.
Video: Where Will China’s Economy Go in 2024? (March 23, National Committee on U.S-China Relations)
Economists are split on whether the Chinese economy is stable or on the edge of a debt crisis. In this program on March 14, 2024, National Committee President Stephen Orlins joins Amy Celico and Barry Naughton to help make sense of different economic and policy projections for China’s economy in 2024 (and beyond).
All the Countries That Enjoy Visa-Free Travel or Transit in China (March 12, 2024, The Beijinger)
China continues to open up visa-free entry for foreign nationals, with six more countries slated to join a list that’s been growing since autumn of last year, reports Xinhua News. Citizens of Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg will now be able to enjoy visa-free entry to China for 15 days for travel, business, and family reunions from Mar 14 until Nov 30 of this year.
China's efforts to prop up its ailing stock market (March 14, 2024, Reuters)
China's blue chip CSI300 Index has rebounded from five-year lows hit in early February, after the country's securities watchdog ramped up efforts to revive investor confidence. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), led by newly installed chairman Wu Qing, has tightened scrutiny over quantitative trading, introduced fresh curbs on short-selling, and vowed zero tolerance toward securities fraud.
For many in China, the economy feels like it is in recession (March 10, 2024, Reuters)
"We were born in the wrong era," said the 24-year-old graduate from China's top Renmin University."No one cares about their dreams and ambitions anymore in an economic downturn. The endless job-hunting is a torture." A crisis of confidence in the economy is deterring consumers from spending and businesses from hiring and investing, in what could become a self-feeding mechanism that erodes China's long-term economic potential.
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Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
Blessing Asia
In October-2022 more than 500 Christian leaders from across Asia gathered in Thailand for the Asia 2022 Congress, sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and various partnering organizations. I had the opportunity to participate in the Congress virtually and was mightily blessed. From Bible exposition to K-pop worship, and through seminars and workshops, the participants were encouraged by the stories of what God is doing in countries all over Asia. Clearly, God is on the move.
A beautiful vision was portrayed in a video of the popular worship song The Blessing, featuring singers from all over Asia. Here it is:
Many of the sessions have already been posted on their website and to their YouTube channel.
One that I found particularly helpful considering all that is going on in China was a presentation titled Church and State Relationship in Asia Today. You can see the video here.
I encourage you to spend some time on their website; there are fantastic resources for understanding God’s work in Asia today.
Original link: https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/blessing-asia/
Image credit: Andrea Brucker, via Unsplash
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