China

Nepal’s main political parties agree to divide the country into six federated states. All of them will border India; four will border China. New territorial divisions were necessary to continue constitutional reform; however, some parties have reservations on some aspects.

After the Angelus prayer, Francis remembers the 70th anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Japan: "One voice should rise from every land: no to war, no to violence and yes to dialogue and peace." Before the Marian prayer, he reflects on the dynamics of faith, which is a relationship between man and Christ.

The center is in the Alexander Nevsky Church, recently restored at the expense of the People's Republic. The project is part of the wider cooperation between the Russian Volga River region and the Yangtze River region.

Four people, including the small twin of one of the victims, are missing. More than 4 thousand people evacuated, including 2 thousand tourists. Nearly 700 thousand homes without power. In Suao winds reach 237 kilometers per hour. The cyclone is now heading for the Chinese mainland, in Fujian province.

The young man killed himself to protest against the new textbooks, deemed too pro-mainland China. His parents ask that his memory be respected, whilst his comrades say they will continue to protest. The affair becomes political as the Kuomintang and the Democratic Progressive Party openly spar over it.

The Movement was born in 1915 to encourage devotion to the Eucharist among young people and pray for peace. Questions from six young people: from Africa, Indonesia, Brazil, Taiwan, France, Argentina. Pope Francis responds in an unscripted discourse. The biggest challenge: Finding Peace in the Lord, not the devil, who is a criminal. Searching for an encounter with Jesus. "Remember Jesus", who gave his life for each of us. Mass is not only a ritual, its a memorial. A reminder of the plight of the Rohingyas and the persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

The police is attempting to force them to join the Patriotic Association, which promotes a Church independent of the Pope. National security agents and members of the Religious Affairs Bureau are interrogating them. The underground Church appeals to Christians to pray for them and work for the release of the four men.

Najib Razak said that the flaperon found recently on the island of Réunion belongs to the Malaysia Airlines Boeing. More cautious, French investigators and the Australian government say that there is a “high probability” that the fragment came from the missing plane. Still nothing is known as to why the plane went down. In Beijing, victims’ relatives demand the truth and justice.

CORRECTION

A former monk posted accusations against Shi Yongxin, describing his as a sellout who is throwing away the religious and cultural heritage entrusted upon him. Known for his lavish lifestyle and nicknamed the “CEO monk,” Shi apparently turned one of China’s most respected monasteries into a cash cow. Netizens want the authorities to conduct serious investigations into the allegations.

In a letter to Mgr Maroun Laham, the Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, to mark the first anniversary of the flight of refugees from Mosul and the Nineveh Plain, Pope Francis says the latter “are the martyrs of today, humiliated and discriminated against for their faith in the Gospel.” He calls for international action against this “unacceptable crime". Italian Bishops’ secretary Mgr Galantino will be in Jordan from 6 to 9 August.

​​Bijie is sadly known in China for the number of left-behind children who have died. Neighbours reported nothing unusual to investigators. In 2012, five children died from carbon monoxide poisoning sheltering in a rubbish container. In 2015, four died from drinking pesticide.