East Asia

The arrests were made under the national security law. The accused were charged with trying to force Hong Kong’s chief executive to resign and block government's activity. John Clancey, a former Maryknoll missionary, was also taken into custody. At present, being a pro-democracy candidate is itself a crime in the former British colony.

On the solemnity of Epiphany, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Altar of the Chair. Worshippers, cardinals, bishops, and choir kept at a distance because of COVID-19. It Is urgent “to understand more fully what it means to be worshippers of the Lord.” We must ‘lift up our eyes,’ ‘set out on a journey’ and ‘see’.” We must “cast off the dictatorship of the self, the constant temptation to withdraw into ourselves and our own concerns.” “Herod and the leading citizens of Jerusalem represent a worldliness enslaved to appearances and immediate attractions.”

The Gospel of Epiphany: the Magi and the star (VIDEO)

The New York Stock Exchange had announced plans to delist three Chinese telecommunications giants. Legal considerations and Joe Biden’s imminent arrival are behind the change of direction. Trump imposed limits on investments in China's tech companies. Beijing accuses Washington of targeting its companies for political reasons.

Bishop Andrea Han Jingtao died last December 30 at the age of 99. He is considered a "giant of culture and faith" of the underground Church. Some people close to him have drawn together these biographical notes from his own words. His foundation of a male and a female congregation. His commitment to evangelization during imprisonment, police checks, expropriations, community closures.

The Mongolian-born athlete is the current "yokozuna" or top-ranking wrestler. He was tested after losing his sense of smell. In May, a 28-year-old sumo wrestler died from the coronavirus. As the number of cases rises, the Japanese government is contemplating imposing a state of emergency in the capital region. Fears are growing over this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

South Korea has the lowest fertility rate in the world. The COVID-19 pandemic is raising fears that the number of births in the new year will decline further. Last month, President Moon Jae-in launched several policies aimed at addressing the low birth rate, including cash incentives for couples.

Fewer flights and more checks will reduce travel. Air traffic fell by 67 per cent in 2020 over the previous year. Almost US$ 1 trillion in revenues have been lost. A return to pre-pandemic levels is not expected before 2024. Free cancellations and vaccine tours have been proposed to boost the industry.

He is charged with making "inappropriate" statements and damaging the image of the legal sector. Relatives of prisoners who arrived in Guangdong: they ask to meet their relatives and want to appeal. The inaction of the Hong Kong authorities.

Speaking before praying the Angelus in the library of the apostolic palace, Pope Francis emphasizes that "God always wants to communicate with us". " God became flesh … because it indicates our human condition in all its weakness, in all its frailty." In the new year "things will get better to the extent that we work for the common good, above all for the disadvantaged".

Commentary on the Gospel of the 2nd Sunday of Christmas (John 1,1-18).

The new bishop was appointed on November 14 by Pope Francis. The Vatican charge d'affaires read the papal bull and handed it over to Msgr. Lee. The message of wishes from Vice-President Chen Chien-jen. Given up for adoption as a child to one family and then to another, Msgr. Lee is very busy with the world of youth and the marginalized.