Asian

Paying people to have babies backfires in Japan

The Japanese government’s policy of increasing financial subsidies for families to have a baby has a long history. It is of course an attempt to address the country’s extremely low birth rate and aging population. Japan has really tried everything, from providing couples with subsidies for marriage before the age of 40 to encouraging couples […]

Pakistan tightens its already far-reaching blasphemy laws

The parliament of Pakistan moved this week to tighten its already far-reaching blasphemy laws, under which numerous Christians and other minorities have been prosecuted and subjected to mob violence, often for dubious charges of blasphemy against beliefs or figures associated with Islam. Insulting the Prophet Muhammad is already, at least on paper, a capital offense […]

Worship places attacked, Myanmar religious leaders appeal for restraint

In the wake of rising attacks against places of worship, senior religious leaders of Myanmar have appealed for restraint citing international pacts that call for the protection of places of worship, places of learning, and places of healing. In the latest attack, a church, bell tower and other buildings of Our Lady of the Assumption […]

Christian persecution to worsen in Asia in 2023

The persecution of Christians in seven Asian nations including China is predicted to increase in 2023 due to political pressure and radical religious views, says the latest report from UK-based Christian rights group, Release International (RI). The RI report titled “Persecution Trends 2023” released on Dec. 28, 2022, highlights China, North Korea, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, […]

Japan’s unnecessary military budget hike a global worry

According to a Kyodo News poll conducted recently, 64.9 percent of Japanese citizens disapprove of a recently revealed plan to raise taxes to pay for a significant rise in the country’s defense spending. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration now has the lowest support level since it assumed power last year, at 33.1 percent. The reasons […]

During polls, Pakistan’s minorities get some importance

Pakistan practices religious segregation which puts minorities at the receiving end. With national polls around the corner in the South Asian nation, minorities are looking forward to some respite from the divide-and-rule strategy of the powerful religious and political elite. Despite Islamization directly enshrined in the constitution, preventing equal rights for all citizens, political parties […]

Return of communists in Nepal is good news for China

As Maoists and Communists yet again become major players in Nepal, the Chinese element is poised to dominate the overall geo-politic opus of South Asia. Democracy in Nepal was largely brought about and led by the bespectacled Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal 17 years ago. However, when the 68-year-old former Marxist guerrilla leader took up […]

Anger mounts as N. Korea puts ‘cattle before people’

Farmers in North Korea have expressed their dismay over the government’s slashing of their annual food ration to half while the cattle food supply remains unchanged as the country reels under an acute food shortage. North Korean farmers have been relying largely on the government’s supply of food grains that helps them survive massive food […]

Eviction-facing Indian Catholics to fight Muslim charity’s claims

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica