For Ukrainians, war of survival is also a battle to defend their identity (July 19, 2024, The Christian Science Monitor)
Ukraine is now in the third year of a war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has maintained that a Ukraine and Ukrainian culture independent of “Mother Russia” do not exist. In response, Ukrainians and their cultural institutions are redoubling efforts to bring to light aspects of national heritage, from art to literature and song.
In Kyrgyzstan, an ‘unprecedented crackdown’ on free press raises alarm (July 18, 2024, Al Jazeera)
But an apparent crackdown continues. In early July, Akyn Askat Zhetigen, a local folk poet and singer, continuing the old Kyrgyz tradition of oral socio-political commentary, was sentenced to three years in prison for criticising the government on social media.
The Killer Stalking Sri Lanka’s Men (July 8, 2024, The New York Times)
Something odd has been happening to young men in the sultry farming and fishing communities of Sri Lanka. Since the 1990s, men in their 30s and 40s have been turning up at hospitals with late-stage kidney failure, needing dialysis or even transplants. In some communities, as many as one in five young men is affected.
Hikmat Hajiyev: Azerbaijan has repeatedly been a victim of disinformation (July 21, 2024, AzerNews)
As the official said disinformation is not a new phenomenon. Hajiyev noted that information is a very powerful tool. "But how it is used is a big question. The most dangerous thing is that disinformation has turned into manipulation and psychological warfare against the people of Azerbaijan," he added.
Why Tunis Should Be Your Art, Beach And Sunshine Break In 2024 (March 12, 2024, Forbes)
Explore Tunis, Tunisia's dynamic capital in North Africa, where cultural fusion thrives. Wander through the fascinating Arab Medina, alongside European-inspired facades. And on the outskirts is the charming seaside town of Sidi Bou Said, another must visit.
Brides Too Soon: The Rising Trend of Early Marriages in Uzbekistan (July 18, 2024, The Diplomat)
In recent years, Uzbekistan has witnessed a troubling resurgence in early marriages, a practice that disproportionately harms young girls.
Why You Should Visit Turkmenistan, Land of Contrasts (May 1, 2024, Atlas Obscura)
If you’re looking for a destination that offers fascinating cultural history and very few crowds, Central Asia is for you. Particularly Turkmenistan, where modern excess and Soviet history breathe the same air.
China Good Samaritans – landslip hero, delivery mercy man, long-distance rubbish mission (July 21, 2024, South China Morning Post)
We all need a helping hand in life, and when it comes, it feels all the more welcome when the act of generosity is from a stranger. Here, the Post rounds up the best Good Samaritan stories to come out of China recently.
China–US research collaborations are in decline — this is bad news for everyone (July 19, 2024, Springer Nature)
China’s scientific collaboration with other countries has declined since the pandemic, driven by falling partnerships with the United States, an analysis shows. Scientists have been warning that political tensions between China and the United States, combined with the pandemic, have affected research collaborations between the two countries. But it takes time for evidence of this sort of decline to accumulate in research databases.
China braces for twin tropical cyclones after deadly flash floods (July 21, 2024, Channel News Asia)
Two tropical cyclones will bring gales and heavy rain to China's eastern seaboard this week, with the first expected to make landfall on Sunday (Jul 21), after deadly flash floods struck the country's interior over the weekend.
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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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