‘Lack of humanity’: Why Azerbaijan is angry with Russia over plane crash (January 1, 2025, Al Jazeera)
Russia’s failure to let the plane land and its refusal to take responsibility for the crash are upsetting a key partner in the South Caucuses.
The world's sixth 'Blue Zone': Why Singapore values both quantity and quality of life (December 24, 2024, BCC)
When it comes to longevity, few places in the world have seen such a drastic jump in life expectancy as the island city-state in Southeast Asia. A child born in the country in 1960 was only likely to live (at the time) to 65, but a child born in Singapore today can expect to live to more than 86 according to estimates.
Opinion | Social Media’s Dark Side: A Breeding Ground For Radicalisation In Bangladesh (January 10, 2024, CNN News18)
In a world increasingly driven by social media, Bangladesh finds itself grappling with a dangerous phenomenon—online radicalisation. While the rapid digitisation and growth of internet users in the country mark progress, the misuse of these platforms by extremist groups is raising alarm bells.
The Rise of HMPV in China: Implications for South Asia and Bangladesh (January 10, 2025, Modem Diplomacy)
China reported a notable increase in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases late in 2024, a respiratory infection initially discovered in 2001. Following the outbreak in China, neighboring South Asian nations—including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have begun tracking HMPV cases.
In Laos, in the capital of the Golden Triangle, drops of legality in an ocean of crime (November 12, 2024, Le Monde) (Subscription required)
Dark stories are circulating about a new city along the Mekong River, leased in 2007 for 99 years to Chinese gambling magnate Zhao Wei.
A toddler, a student, a family of nine: who were the victims of Jeju Air flight 7C2216? (January 4, 2024, The Guardian)
As authorities rushed to establish the cause of Sunday’s crash, in which all but two passengers and crew on the Boeing 737-800 died, heartbreaking stories and tributes emerged as grieving families and friends shared the pain of their loss.
Two Lost Cities Discovered Along the Silk Road–the Iconic Ancient Trade Route (November 12, 2024, Good News Network)
A pair of lost cities in the highlands of Uzbekistan recently found by archaeologists using lidar demonstrate that the bounty of the Silk Road trade was so lucrative, it allowed urban populations to flourish without agriculture to support them.
China marks muted 5th anniversary of first Covid death (January 11, 2025, Medical Xpress)
The fifth anniversary of the first known death from Covid-19 passed seemingly unnoticed in China Saturday, with no official remembrances in a country where the pandemic is a taboo subject.
Survey reveals alarmingly low physical activity levels among Hong Kong students (January 11, 2025, Dimsum Daily)
A recent survey has revealed that fewer than 8 per cent of students in Hong Kong participate in physical activities that align with the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise daily. Conducted by the Physical Fitness Association in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong, the survey highlights particularly concerning trends among secondary school students.
U.S. satellites reveal China's solar dominance (January 11, 2025, Mashable South East Asia)
The sun's energy is plentiful. And China is capitalizing. Images captured by two Earth-observing satellites, operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, revealed a rapid expansion of solar farms in a remote northern Chinese region, the Kubuqi Desert.
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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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