China

Online content from newspapers and social media targeted. The government wants to silence "citizen journalists". Foreign reporters receive death threats from Chinese Communist Party Youth for their coverage of the floods in Henan. Censorship law in arrival in Hong Kong. Study: 350 fake social profiles discredit Chinese dissidents and opponents of the regime.

The Royal Navy’s new flagship aircraft carrier kept away from Chinese-occupied militarised island outposts. For China, coming within 12 nautical miles is a violation of its sovereignty. The UK, Germany and France are trying to back the US without provoking China. India is also sending warships to the area.

"Throughout history, and today too, we often see some movement that preaches the Gospel with its own modality, sometimes with true, proper charisms; but then it exaggerates and reduces the whole Gospel to 'a movement'." Marking one year since the explosion that hit the port of Beirut with a call to the international community to help Lebanon "pave a path of resurrection with concrete gestures, not just words".

Pro-democracy activists fear being investigated for supporting political pluralism. Local authorities banned 21 pro-democracy candidates from running for the local parliament. EU’s condemnation of the crackdown in Macau elicits China's usual response. Free voices like Steve Vines and Kacey Wong flee Hong Kong.

The Asian city-state joins the bloc formed by Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The Alliance wants to become an intermediary between Latin America and Asia. Singapore already developed trade ties with the region through the former TPP promoted by Obama to counter China. The accord is set to be officially signed in December.

The Delta variant of Covid-19 spreads from Nanjing outbreak. 27 cities and more than 10 provinces affected. Beijing isolated from new areas of infection. Infections also in Henan, devastated by recent floods. In July, the index of manufacturing activities dropped again.

"[To do] God's work is to wlcome the One whom the Father has sent, that is, Himself, Jesus. It is not adding religious practices or observing special precepts; it is welcoming Jesus into our lives, living a love story with Him. It is He who will purify our faith".

70-year-old Chen Chien-jen is the second Taiwanese citizen to join the academy, the first being Nobel laureate Lee Yuan-tseh. An epidemiologist, Chen was instrumental in Taipei's success in containing the first wave of Covid. He also denounced China's manoeuvres to block Taiwan's participation in the WHO Assembly.

The new subjects will be led by Kremlin-appointed officials, ignoring the opinion of the local population, tired of being treated like slaves. Protests continue in Khabarovsk. Putin's cronies like oligarch Abramovich are selling off local resources to the Chinese, without developing the region.

Judges impose a nine-year sentence on Tong Ying-kit, 24, for inciting secession and terrorism. He was arrested for waving a pro-independence flag. His lawyers plan to appeal the conviction. More than a hundred people have been arrested in connection with alleged violations of national security legislation. More than 60 are awaiting trial.

The Delta variant infection traced to city airport. The capital has also been affected. The infection in Jiangsu is more serious than recent ones in Guangdong and Yunnan. Authorities respond with lockdowns and mass screening. In an effort to contain contagions from Myanmar, Beijing is also providing vaccines to ethnic militias fighting the coup junta.

Sun Dawu, a businessman and philanthropist, was accused of "creating unrest" and financial crimes. Critical of the leadership, he has long been targeted by the regime because of his support to dissidents and activists. Family members and employees of his company were sentenced with him. Large private groups that could threaten the power of the Chinese Communist Party have come under attack.