Global IT outage shows dangers of cashless society, campaigners say (July 20, 2024, The Guardian)
Supermarkets, banks, pubs, cafes, train stations and airports were all hit by the failure of Microsoft systems on Friday, leaving many unable to accept electronic payments. The impact was especially severe for businesses that no longer accept cash.
What other ASEAN members can learn from Vietnam’s renewable boom (July 12, 2024, East Asia Forum)
Southeast Asia's energy transition is critical for global emissions reduction, but progress is behind schedule, with the region needing significant policy changes to meet net zero targets. Vietnam's recent solar and wind expansion, which saw it produce 13 per cent of its electricity from these sources in 2023, can serve as a guide for ASEAN. Vietnam's experience highlights that attractive pricing incentives, no local content requirements, policy certainty and a sound policy narrative are key to invigorating renewable uptake.
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.
Pakistan’s Presbyterians Have United. Reconciling Will Take Time (July 19, 2024, Christianity Today) (Subscription required)
On March 25 of this year, a group of Pakistani Presbyterian church leaders gathered in one of their homes. There, the 20 or so people decided to bring their factions together after years of contentious division. There were no contracts or legal documents to mark this momentous decision. “We just talked and trusted each other,” said Reuben Qamar, the leader, or moderator, of one faction.
Azerbaijan Is a Top Violator of Religious Freedom. Accountability Is a Must | Opinion (July 12, 2024, Newsweek)
Despite these documented crimes, no international mission, including UNESCO, has access to Nagorno-Karabakh. Behind this criminal scene and tragedies, we record the profound immorality of the international community when, just after the genocide of my people, it was decided to hold the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP29) in oil-rich, authoritarian, and genocidal Azerbaijan in 2024.
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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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