Link: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261275/pope-francis-s-2024-travels-historic-visits-to-southeast-asia-oceania-belgium-luxembourg-and-corsica The article highlights Pope Francis’ ambitious travel schedule in 2024 despite health challenges. His 12-day Southeast Asia and Oceania tour drew historic crowds, including 750,000 attendees at a Mass in Timor-Leste. Key moments included signing the Istiqlal Joint Declaration in Indonesia to condemn religious-based violence and focusing on Indigenous communities in Papua New Guinea. The pope’s European visits… Read more »
Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-says-ready-hand-over-n-korean-soldiers-exchange-ukrainians-captive-2025-01-12/ On Sunday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Kyiv is willing to trade captive North Korean soldiers back to NK leader Kim Jong Un for exchange for Ukrainians held in Russia. On Saturday, Zelenskiy claimed that two North Koreans had been captured by Ukrainian forces. According to an interpreter, one North Korea troop claimed that he… Read more »
Link to article: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250113_01/ Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi will be attending Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 as the Japanese government seeks to strengthen and maintain an open and free Indo-Pacific region through the power of the Quad. To coincide with Iwaya’s travel to the US, Japanese foreign officials wish to arrange a meeting of Quad officials in order… Read more »
Link to article: https://english.news.cn/20250109/637f83897b6542058dba32cd614800fd/c.html China’s foreign trade has been greatly strengthened by the country’s participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), as stated by He Yadong, spokesperson for the Commerce Ministry. Made up of majority Southeast Asian countries including China, Japan, and South Korea, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and ten other countries in the region, the RCEP… Read more »
