The $2bn dirty-money case that rocked Singapore (April 12, 2024, BBC)
How did these men, some of whom had multiple passports from Cambodia, Vanuatu, Cyprus and Dominica, live and bank in Singapore for years without drawing scrutiny? It has sparked a review of policies, with banks tightening rules, especially around clients who hold multiple passports.
Bhutan launches a metaverse gateway to provide a glimpse of country’s art, culture, and architecture (February 21, 2024, Education Times)
Named as Bhutanverse - the platform connects with country with the world through technology.
Turkmenistan: Things that make it so unique and bizarre at the same time (March 1, 2024, Times of India)
Today, Turkmenistan is one of the least visited countries in the world. Those who have visited, are often left flabbergasted by some of the most unusual rules that are in place in the country. It’s these unusual rules and regulations that make Turkmenistan such a unique country to visit.
Babies are starving as Yemen teeters on brink of collapse - while Houthis use Gaza crisis to earn 'hero' status (April 10, 2024, Sky News)
The longer, more costly journey avoiding the Red Sea and going around the Cape of Good Hope has sent the price of goods up everywhere. The outcome is the poorest countries with the poorest populations have been most severely impacted. And that includes Yemen.
Battle of Ain Jalut: unraveling first Mongol defeat in Western Asia (April 7, 2024, The Jordan Times)
The consequences of the Mongol campaign affected both urban and rural centres in Syria and northern Transjordan where Ayyubid-Mamluk economy heavily relied on agriculture. The taxes collected off the cereal production in northern Transjordan represented a significant profit for the state. Due to the Mongol invasion and depopulation of rural areas, the interruption of trade and agricultural production occurred and it had a direct negative impact on the economy of the state.
Bahrain’s king takes activists by surprise with pardon for at least 1,500 prisoners (April 9, 2024, The Guardian)
On social media, joyful scenes of families being reunited in their homes were screened, including some who had not been in their family home for as long as a decade.
Kyrgyzstan Warns Citizens Against Travel to Russia (March 26, 2024, The Diplomat)
In the wake of the horrific Crocus City Hall attack, allegedly perpetrated by Tajik nationals, Bishkek has issued a recommendation that its citizens avoid unnecessary travel to Russia.
Few East Asian adults believe women have an obligation to society to have children (April 3, 2024, Pew Research Center)
Government views of whether citizens are obligated to have children are varied in East Asia…Concerns about these low rates have led to government policies such as giving parents a cash allowance to help cover the cost of raising a child.
President asks EU to intervene, island faces migration crisis (April 3, 2024, Cyprus Mail)
Two more boats carrying 263 irregular migrants were spotted on Tuesday night by authorities who proceeded with a rescue operation bringing the passengers to the safety of the Larnaca port.
How a Malawi WhatsApp group helped save women trafficked to Oman (March 18, 2024, BBC)
BBC Africa Eye investigates how a WhatsApp group helped save more than 50 Malawian women trafficked to Oman to work in slave-like conditions. Warning: Some people may find details in this story distressing.
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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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