Vincenzo Faccioli Pintozzi

This is the first time a Chinese government official visits the Fanar. The Ecumenical Patriarch, who has been invited to visit China, is “ready to leave as soon as he received an official invitation”. Consul Cui Wei requested the meeting and visited the cathedral with the religious leader. For some analysts, “The meeting could have an anti-Russian orientation.”

In plenary session, the South Korean bishops launch a year of special masses dedicated to peace on the peninsula. Starting from December 1st until November 28th 2020, with a special week next June: it will be 50 years since the war that divided the peninsula into two.

Auxiliary bishop Jong of South Korea has just returned from a visit to Africa, where a complex is being built to include a seminary, a university, a high school, a hospital and sports facilities. South Korea is a leading provider of aid to sub-Saharan countries.

China bans export of black clothing worn by Hong Kong protesters like black t-shirt, jeans, sneakers and often black masks.

Iwao Hakamada, 83, spent 48 years on death row for a quadruple murder he probably did not commit. For Catholic and civil society activists, the Pope's embrace would put the spotlight on the death penalty in Japan.

The president of the Eugene Bell Foundation announces new spaces for cooperation with the North Korean authorities. In 2017, over 130,000 North Koreans were infected, with 16,000 deaths. However, there is no agreement with the Global Fund, which should finance part of the project.

India has already committed US$ 1 billion. The facility in Dornogovi province, which will be operational in 2022, is a fundamental asset for the Asian country, big in size but with a small economy. India is happy with the venture.

South Korea and Japan have been at loggerheads for months over cultural, economic and political issues. However, the North Korean threat is forcing them to talk. Both countries are ready to share intelligence information on North Korea.

The Council of Europe picks the Uyghur scholar this year. He is the first Chinese citizen to receive the award. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 despite working to reduce ethnic tensions in China.

The Emperor is keeping with a tradition established by his grandfather, Hirohito, monitoring the stages of rice cultivation to reflect upon farmers’ hard work. He reaped 100 loads of up to average rice stalks.

The scholar was sentenced to life 2014 for his alleged support for the Uyghur ethnic separatist cause. In reality, he has always tried to reduce tensions with the Han majority. Human rights groups have appealed to the UN to condemn Beijing’s camps.

The authorities announced their choice today. The animal symbolising the Games will be dressed in ice to honour the Winter Games. A red lantern will represent the Paralympics. Things will start in Beijing.