An overview of the Church in Timor-Leste (September 1, 2024, Vatican News)
With an overwhelming Catholic majority of 95% of its population of 1.4 million, today Timor-Leste is the second Catholic nation in Asia after the Philippines.
Tunisia: A Sham Presidential Election (September 6, 2024, Arab Reform Initiative)
On 2 July 2024, the presidency of the Republic of Tunisia issued a press release announcing that presidential elections will be held on 6 October 2024…While a large part of the opposition had hoped to use the presidential election as an opportunity to turn the page on Kais Saied’s rule, the regime seems determined to ensure that Saied wins at all costs, even if this means organizing a sham election and barring candidates from running.
Kyrgyzstan follows regional trend, takes Taliban off terrorist list (September 7, 2024, Voice of America)
Shunned by the West for over three years, Afghanistan's Taliban scored a diplomatic victory of sorts this week when the small Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan quietly removed the group from its list of banned terrorist organizations.
Security agencies on alert as concerns rise over possible ISIS presence in Nepal (September 8, 2024, myRepublica)
Suspicions have arisen that agents of the extremist organization ISIS may be present in Nepal following revelations that a senior Nepal Police official had contact with individuals involved in terrorism-financing activities linked to ISIS.
Why Nepal had a religious monarchy − and why some people want it back (July 3, 2024, The Conversation)
In 2012, it seemed that Nepal had decisively eliminated its monarchy and that Nepalis were gladly anticipating their secular future. But today many Nepalis are disillusioned with their multiparty democratic system. Following a major pro-monarchy rally in November 2023, Nepal’s capital has witnessed a series of modest but vocal follow-up demonstrations advocating a return to Hindu monarchy.
Brunei's maritime dispute with China in 10 points (September 5, 2024, First Post)
Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, sits on the Borneo island bordered by Malaysia and just outside the South China Sea, claimed largely by China as its sovereign territory. Brunei has about 160-km coastline in the oil-gas rich sea, putting it in direct conflict with China amid Beijing increasing military assertiveness in the region.
Why Didn’t Mongolia Ship Putin Off to The Hague? (September 6, 2024, International Policy Digest)
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Mongolia this past week set off a firestorm of outrage and international debate. Mongolia now finds itself at the center of controversy as Putin visited the country with apparent impunity—marking his first visit to an International Criminal Court (ICC) member state since the Court issued an arrest warrant for him.
Student leaders reveal prison ‘nightmare’ after Gen Z revolution sets them free (September 3, 2024, CNN)
Human rights groups say hundreds of people were tortured there during the 15-year rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned in August after weeks of protest.
Libya Power Struggle Spikes Oil Prices (August 28, 2024, Foreign Policy) (Subscription required)
Global oil prices jumped more than 7 percent Monday amid increased rivalry between competing governments in Libya—which has Africa’s biggest crude oil reserves.
The World’s Call Center Capital Is Gripped by AI Fever — and Fear (August 28, 2024, Bloomberg)
While the rest of the world is still debating what artificial intelligence might mean for jobs, citizens in the Philippines are already living in the new reality. The same relentless drive to cut labor costs that saw back-office roles shipped to the archipelago in the first place is now starting to turn over some of their duties to bots.
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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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