Protests, court appeals as Nepal's TikTokers decry government ban on app (November 23, 2023, Reuters)
Nepali TikTok creator Manjita Manandhar was caught off guard when the Himalayan nation banned the popular social media platform last week for disturbing "social harmony and goodwill".
Climate disaster fund approved at UN’s COP28 climate summit (November 30, 2023, Al Jazeera)
The United Nation’s annual climate summit is under way in Dubai, with world leaders approving a climate disaster fund that will help vulnerable nations cope with the impact of drought, floods and rising seawater. The agreement marked a “positive signal of momentum” at the start of the 2023 conference – known as COP28 – its host UAE’s Sultan al-Jaber said in the opening ceremony on Thursday.
How the Middle East and Central Asia Can Better Address Climate Challenges (November 30, 2023, IMFBlog)
The Middle East and Central Asia face a sobering climate reality. Temperatures have risen twice as fast as the global average, and rainfall has become scarcer and less predictable. Fragile states are disproportionally affected and conflicts may worsen. The toll this is taking on people and economies is poised to worsen.
'Climate doesn't wait': At COP28, Singapore wants to get more nations back on track with reducing emissions (November 30, 2023, Channel News Asia)
Singapore is hoping to get more countries back on track on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference. Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu is leading the Singapore delegation at the two-week COP28 summit, which takes place in Dubai from Thursday (Nov 30).
South Korea to ban eating dog meat (February 17, 2023, Sky News)
The popularity of eating dog meat has fallen dramatically in South Korea, particularly among younger people. A proposed ban would see the consumption of dog outlawed fully from 2027.
Generational tensions flare as Japan faces the economic reality of its ageing baby boomers (November 14, 2023, The Conversation)
In 2024, the youngest of Japan’s baby boomers will turn 75. The boomers are called the “bunched” generation in Japan because they were born in a short spurt in the late 1940s, in the aftermath of the end of the second world war. The sheer size of this cohort has made it a lightning rod for many of the thorny social and economic debates in Japan today. Japanese boomers are variously criticised for generational wealth disparity, national debt, and even the environmental crisis.
Explainer: Why is South Asia the global hotspot of pollution? (November 13, 2023, Reuters)
Explainer: Why is South Asia the global hotspot of pollution? (November 13, 2023, Reuters) South Asia has become the global hotspot for air pollution, with studies finding four of the world's most polluted countries and nine of the 10 most polluted cities in the region.
Across China, an Unseen Rural Workforce Is Shaping the Future of AI (November 24, 2023, Sixth Tone)
Data labeling jobs in rural areas are empowering women and the marginalized while also aiding poverty alleviation. But as advanced AI begins to eclipse traditional methods, the future demand for such human-driven jobs faces uncertainty.
On China’s Streets, Young Vendors Toil for Money, Friendship, and Freedom (November 15, 2023, Sixth Tone)
In China, relaxing restrictions on night markets and street vendors is encouraging more young people to venture into street vending. While some are trying to turn the traditionally low-status job into a lucrative venture, others are doing it as a hobby or a lifestyle choice.
Chinese graduates hold off career dreams, take temporary government jobs (November 13, 2023, Reuters)
Having failed to find his dream job at a Chinese internet company upon graduation, Peter Liu settled for a role in a state library where there is so little need for his participation that he spends his time studying for a change in his career path. "It's really hard to get work at big companies," said the 24-year-old who majored in TV production at a Beijing university before moving back home in the central Henan province.
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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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