Premier Lee Hsien Loong has announced that he will leave office once the coronavirus emergency ends. Battle against the pandemic and the economic crisis are the main themes of the election campaign. The country is in recession. The prime minister's brother sides with the opposition.
Quezon City, Catholics celebrate: the oldest church becomes a minor basilica
| PHILIPPINES - VATICANThe former European Central Bank president graduated from the Massimiliano Massimo Institute and La Sapienza University (in economics) in Rome. He has a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Celebrating mass on the seventh anniversary of his visit to Lampedusa, Francis again decries "globalization of indifference". “War, of course, is bad, we know it, but we can't imagine the hell people live there, in those detention camps. And these people only came with hope to cross the sea."
At a press conference titled “Preparing the future, building peace in the time of COVID-19,” Card Turkson said: “As the world takes emergency measures to address a global pandemic and a global economic recession, both underpinned by a global climate emergency, we must also consider the implications for peace of these interconnected crises.”
Work went on during pandemic despite "restrictions,” Catholic volunteer noted. Volunteers and some refugees helped to make masks and sanitisers. People in urgent need are “fragile,” said a priest in Bangkok. Health crisis has increased inequalities.
National security law “threatens to undermine freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press and academic freedom. Freedom of religion and belief is also under threat. According to many reports, freedom of religion and belief in mainland China has suffered the most violent attacks since the Cultural Revolution."
Vietnam and the United States marked 25 years of diplomatic ties and six years of “comprehensive partnership”. The COVID-19 crisis has kept celebrations at a minimum, but not diminished cooperation. More than 30,000 Vietnamese are studying in the United States and will be the future "cultural ambassadors" between the two countries.
"The "solace" that Christ offers to the weary and oppressed is not only psychological relief or almsgiving, but the joy of the poor to be evangelized and builders of the new humanity. It is a message for all men of good will, which Jesus still addresses today in a world that exalts those who make themselves rich and powerful.”
A United Nations study estimates global damage at around 3300 billion dollars. Timid openings are not enough to restore confidence; the persistence of the economic crisis weighs. Over 2.5 million jobs in the sector are at risk. Bangkok approves two 700 million stimulus packages.
Terrorist suspects can be placed under surveillance for up to 60 days, detained without a warrant, and imprisoned for up to 24 days. For civil society groups and the Catholic Church, the legislation could be used to limit freedom of expression. Government argues that it will help fight communist and Islamic rebels.
The Financial Intelligence Authority (AIF), the agency of the Holy See and Vatican City State charged with fighting money laundering and terrorist financing, received 64 suspicious activity reports, took action in four cases, and froze one IOR account.
A landslide caused by heavy monsoon rains buried the miners. Only the floating bodies have been recovered, many are still under the sea of mud and dirt. At the moment there are also 54 injured, hospitalized in the area. The Burmese mining industry is worth billions of dollars, but the proceeds remain in the hands of the military and the former rulers.
Secretary of State Card Pietro Parolin met with the US and Israeli ambassadors yesterday. Israel and Palestine have the right to exist and live in peace and security within internationally recognised borders.
Chinese warships and coastguard vessels are in the waters around the Paracel Islands, which are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. For some analysts, Beijing wants to demonstrate its strength by showing they can land and seize islands in the area. Two US aircraft carriers are currently in the Philippine Sea. Australia is boosting its military budget to meet China’s challenge.
The country has been ruled by the military for decades. A victory for Aung San Suu Kyi and her League for Democracy is expected, but not the triumph of 2015. The Lady has lost the approval of ethnic minorities and is criticized by the international community for the army's violence against the Rohingya.
