London, Paris and Berlin hope for an in-depth investigation that will clarify the fate of the Saudi intellectual. World companies boycott the trade fair wanted by Mbs. The Saudis reject the accusations and threaten economic and commercial responses, above all on oil.
Perhaps today he will meet President Donald Trump. The judges sentenced the pastor to three years in prison, in reality already discounted during the trial. In his last defense, Brunson said, "I am an innocent man. I love Jesus, I love Turkey ". A recovery of US-Turkey relations is expected.
The Synod of Bishops is underway in the Vatican. For Youth Commission Secretary, the Church has not really committed herself to involving young people. the challenges facing Pakistan and Europe’s secularised societies are not the same, says Card Coutts.
The government plans tighter controls on drug trafficking. New bill seeks to stop the sale of ‘ya ba’, the mad drug. The real goal is to ensure the outgoing government’s victory in next December’s elections. Since mid-May more than 200 people have been killed in “encounter” with the police.
The annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (Wbg) are currently underway in Bali. The Indonesian president: "Developing countries suffer enormous market pressure". During the summit, Indonesian companies sign important agreements with foreign partners.
Today is International Day of the Girl Child. Male-to-female ratio is 1,000 to 918 in India. Associations target education as the way to make girls and women independent and able to support their families. Love, charity and development projects can turn lives around.
Singapore Airlines will offer only business and premium classes. The flight will cover 16,700 km. Passengers will enjoy more room and a seven-week long selection of audio-visual material. The menu will include selected dishes to promote well-being.
The Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops writes an open letter to the former nuncio to Washington. In it, he describes the former nuncio’s accusations as a baseless “political manoeuvre”. “I cannot understand how you could have allowed yourself to be convinced of this monstrous accusation which has no standing,” he writes.
Chinese faithful, official and underground communities, express their feelings about the present and the future of the Sino-Vatican provisional agreement. Many ask for the publication of the agreement document; others that bishops held in prison are freed and that the unofficial bishops are recognized by the government. The fear that China will belittle the Vatican. Fidelity to the Pope and to the unity of the Church, but concern for the rise in "collaborator" bishops.
For the optimists the provisional agreement is "historic"; for the pessimists it is the beginning of the total sell out of the Church to the Party. The Pope is involved in naming bishops. But we know nothing of a right of veto. The lifting of excommunications is good, but the faithful expect a public request for forgiveness. China has not asked for a break with Taiwan as a prior condition. Praise for Lithuanian martyrs, amid silence on the Chinese ones.
