Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai among most sought-after destinations in 2017 City Index

2017 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report is published. Data reveals slowdown in the process of dismantling nuclear weapons: 14,935 nuclear warheads against 15,395 of the previous year. US and Russia are investing in modernizing their systems. The smallest arsenals in Asia are in full swing. Israel has 80 nuclear warheads. Pope Francis's appeal to the UN has not been heard.

Indonesian sympathisers of the Islamic State group target law enforcement. The attacker joined 20 policemen for Friday prayer before launching his attack. He was killed trying to escape. Lawmakers plan to revise the country’s anti-terrorism law before the end of the year. The Widodo administration pursues its anti-terrorism campaign.

At Mass for the solemnity of St. Peter and Paul, Pope Francis emphasizes the characteristics of the apostles: professing Christ, accepting persecution, being masters of prayer. In the world today "so many Christians are marginalized, slandered, discriminated, subjected to even mortal violence", and often "in a climate of silence - not often silent accomplice". The presence of the ecumenical delegation sent by Bartolomeo I, Patriarch of Constantinople.

At the Angelus, Pope Francis speaks of how the two apostles were "liberated" to "proclaim the Gospel in difficult and in some cases hostile environments." "Especially in times of trial, God tends a hand to us, comes to our aid, and frees us from enemy threats." Greeting to the faithful from Indonesia and Qatar. The greeting to the new cardinals, the major archbishops who received the pallium, and the delegation of the ecumenical patriarchate of Constantinople.

The Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy takes a leave of absence to "clear" his name of charges of paedophilia, which he categorically rejects. Card. Pell is the highest Vatican personality to undergo this kind of accusation. The Holy See expresses "respect" for the Australian justice system, but affirms all its esteem for the cardinal, who has worked very hard against paedophilia. Pope's appreciation for his commitment to economic reforms. Some people think that these accusations are a "vendetta" of mafiosi groups who are now unable to use the Vatican bank in money laundering operations.

Francis created five new cardinals today. They come from Laos, Mali, Sweden, El Salvador and Spain. He described today’s reality in which “It is the innocent who suffer and die as victims of war and terrorism;” a world in which “forms of enslavement [. . .] continue to violate human dignity even in the age of human rights;” where “refugee camps [. . .] at times seem more like a hell than a purgatory;” and where “all that is no longer useful, people included,” is discarded.

The handover of the former British colony to China in 1997 did not come without pain. Still, Beijing respected Hong Kong’s way of life for several years. In recent times though, mainland meddling in Hong Kong's internal affairs has increased. This has sparked a strong reaction in favour of democracy as well as autonomy, especially among young people. The Catholic Church remains committed to the common good. Card Zen is considered a hero of democracy and the marginalised. It is still possible to build trust between rulers and ruled. What follows is an analysis by a researcher at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The Christian is a "martyr," a "witness" to good, he accepts to die "for fidelity to the Gospel" and "reproaches the idea that suicide bombers may be called martyrs. There is nothing in their end that can be likened to the attitude of the children of God ".

The role of Trade Unions in a modern society, their need to distinguish themselves from politics and for a new social pact for young people. "It's a crippled and short-lived society that forces older people to work too long and forces an entire generation of young people not to work when they should work for themselves and for everyone."

The president and his wife arrive tomorrow for several ceremonies behind two-tonne barriers and heavy security screens. Deng had promised "one country, two systems," but in recent years the people of Hong Kong have had to fight for democracy and against security laws. Many statements coming from Beijing highlight the mainland’s blind supremacy. Dissatisfied, many young people are tempted by "independence".

Francis met with a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Rome for the traditional feast of Saints Peter and Paul. In the first millennium, united, Christians cultivated "a variety of theological, spiritual and canonical traditions compatible with the teaching of the apostles and the ecumenical councils.”

Francis celebrates Mass with the Cardinals present at Rome on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. " Someone who does not love us says of us that we are the gerontocracy of the Church. It is a mockery. He doesn’t understand what he says.. "

Christians must have the "ability" to be stripped of, otherwise they are not "authentic Christians," as they are not those who are not "stripped and crucified with Jesus." Another feature is that of blessing: "The Christian is a man, a woman who" blesses ": that is," He speaks good of God and of others ".

The silence on the persecution of Chinese Catholics and their bishops in Wenzhou and Shanghai. The organisms that Benedict XVI did not accept (Patriotic Association and Chinese Bishops' Conference) because "incompatible with Catholic doctrine" now govern the Church. Dialogue between China and the Vatican must address the issue of underground bishops out in the open and not under the shroud of secrecy. An analysis from a northeast Chinese Catholic, as the Vatican celebrates a new round of China-Holy See talks.

The bishop of Wenzhou (Zhejiang), who belongs to the underground community, is said to be undergoing brainwashing to join the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. Since China and the Holy See resumed talks three years ago, this is the first time that the Holy See Press Office speaks about a detained bishop. The faithful have felt too much pain over the Vatican’s extended silence. Germany’s ambassador in Beijing, Michael Clauss, has talked about the case. The Vatican’s press office calls on the faithful to pray for Bishop Shao Zhumin and “the path of the Catholic Church in China.”