Bhutan, after prioritizing happiness, now faces an existential crisis (November 17, 2024, CBS News)
Bhutan, the tiny kingdom that introduced Gross National Happiness to the world, has a problem: young people are leaving the country in record numbers. The country boasts free health care, free education, a rising life expectancy and an economy that's grown over the last 30 years — still, people are leaving.
CaliphateTok: How Islamic State (IS) Leverages Social Media in Indonesia and the Power of Counter-Narratives (November 28, 2024, Global Network on Extremism and Technology)
This Insight explores how IS targets young users through symbols, narratives, and visual propaganda tailored to popular culture and digital trends. The narratives constructed by IS, especially on TikTok, often seek to glorify jihad, promote violence, and attack the government. This Insight shows how such narratives are exploited to motivate, recruit and mobilise young sympathisers.
Sudan civil war: Nowhere else on Earth are so many children on the run (November 27, 2024, BBC)
Famine has already been declared in one area - many others subsist on the brink of starvation not knowing where their next meal will come from."It’s an invisible crisis…Twenty-five million Sudanese, more than half the country, need help now."
Türkiye ranks as world's 2nd angriest country: Gallup 2024 survey (November 27, 2024, Daily Sabah)
The annual survey, which measures the emotional well-being of populations worldwide, found that 48% of the country’s population reported feeling angry, making it the top-ranked country in Europe for anger.
The Hidden Trade-Offs of Japan’s Crime-Free Society (November 26, 2024, RStreet)
Before stepping foot on a plane to Japan, Americans are sternly warned: Don’t even think about packing that weed pen. Japan’s zero-tolerance drug laws make no exceptions, and possession of even trace amounts of cannabis can get you arrested, deported, and banned for life. This hardline stance reflects a sharp cultural and legal divergence with Western nations, where cannabis legalization is spreading rapidly.
On a Himalayan odyssey in Nepal (November 24, 2024, Deccan Herald)
The vibrant streets of Kathmandu, the spiritual depths of Janakpur, and the breathtaking beauty of Pokhara and Muktinath encapsulate the rich culture, stunning landscapes, and profound spirituality that make Nepal a truly enchanting destination.
Public Opinion on China in the Global South (December 3, 2024, Asia Society Policy Institute)
Global views of China are often understood as divided between a negative Global North and a positive Global South. But is there really a North-South split on China? The dataset presented in the Global Public Opinion on China (GPOC) project suggests a much more complex reality.
China expands successful world-class universities initiative (November 22, 2024, University World News)
China will further expand its Double First-Class initiative to develop world-class universities and excellence in specific academic disciplines on par with the best in the world. The new phase of the initiative will include more interdisciplinary research, strengthened collaboration with industry, as well as adopting longer-term approaches to research.
Hong Kong's unique spirit: A 'Never Normal' love letter to the city (November 29, 2024, Campaign Asia)
Hong Kong—a city where those in the know already accept that it's a little bit bonkers. Frenetic, edgy, chaotic, intoxicating, vertical, crowded and intensely hot—it's definitely got its quirks and character, but that's all part of its enduring appeal. Normal is boring, and if there's one thing Hong Kong definitely isn't, it's boring.
China’s hottest new tourist attraction is 5,000 feet in the air (November 25, 2024, KOAM News Now)
China has 3.7 million square miles of land to explore. But more and more young Chinese travelers are opting to see their country from the sky. The newest of these not-for-the-faint-of-heart structures is called Tianti (“Sky Ladder” in Chinese). It clocks in at 551 feet long (168 meters) and stretches between two cliffs at a height of 5,000 feet.
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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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