Dario Salvi

Archbishop Anil Couto officially recognised two new groups: the Santvana Missionary Brothers and Sisters. The first training seminars are underway, like those for the novitiate of men and women religious. Their primary task is to proclaim the Gospel among non-Christians. The Santvana community is also offering training and homeschooling in rural areas.

A Buddhist monk and a famous local rapper also detained. Protests over the detentions of opponents and the management of the border issue with Vietnam. The United Nations warns: respect the "right to freedom of expression and peaceful association".

In August 248 young people were confirmed in four separate ceremonies. Some 341 boys and girls are set to receive their First Communion in September and early October. The ceremonies were simple but well appreciated. Strict rules of social distancing were enforced. Only parents were allowed to attend.

Chinese dam construction, which is damaging the river, is an “ideological choice” typical of a totalitarian regime that is stifling a neighbour. A Chinese company got control over a state-owned Laotian electrical company (and its revenues). Beijing is lying about the exploitation of water resources.

62% of the companies that have closed belong to the service sector. 28% refer to industry and 20% to agriculture. About 13,500 people have retired in recent months. Rouhani allocates three billion for healthcare. Over the weekend the first bell rang for 15 million pupils in 116,000 schools.

Abdulrahman al-Sudais’s latest sermon has sparked controversy and rifts. According to some, it is a prelude to diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. In reality, he stressed the importance of "healthy” international relations. Trump and King Salman spoke on the phone. The Saudi monarch reiterated the Kingdom’s position: first comes peace with the Palestinians.

For IOC VP John Coates, these will be the Games that conquered the coronavirus pandemic with “light at the end of the tunnel". Doubts persist though. The number of spectators is expected to be “limited”. In the past, the Games were cancelled due to war, but never postponed.

In his Sunday homily, the Cardinal calls on the interim prime minister Mustafa Adib to establish a "strong and competent" executive, who can inspire "seriousness, skill and hope". Among the priorities are the return of current accounts to their owners, stop emigration and attract aid and investments.

The local Church responds to the pontiff’s call to action on World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. In Puerto Princesa, Christians and Muslims clean up beaches. Bishop and clergy in Quezon province launch a campaign against new coal plants, calling for investments in renewable energy.

From Yemen to India, a quarter of the world’s population faces water shortages. A growing population and increasingly irregular rainfall are two important factors. At least 17 nations are currently under high-water stress due to the lack of water. By 2040, one in four children in the world will live in water-stressed areas.

Anon Nampa and Panupong Jadnok breached their bail. For the court, the two activists continued to engage in political activity. Both have declined to post new bail. A call to join an anti-government protest on 19 September is circulating on social media.

Yesterday 3 thousand new cases were registered in the country, for a total of 123 thousand infected and 976 victims. The government requires the closure of 30 cities and communities. Arabs and Orthodox accused of not respecting the distancing. For critics, internal conflicts within the executive have slowed the response to the crisis. Fr. Faltas: The resumption of the school is an obstacle course. Some institutions already closed for infections.