During the consistory held at the Altar of the chair, Pope Francis placed the biretta on 13 new cardinals. Those from the Philippines and Brunei were absent due to problems related to the pandemic. All the cardinals wore masks and stood at a distance from each other. One of the new cardinals, Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, delivered the opening greetings.

A university student unleashed an ideological attack against a dorm attendant for showing some gratitude to students at the Harbin Institute of Technology by offering chocolates for “Thanksgiving”. The student accused her of bringing "religious activities" and a “foreign celebration" to the university. Yet in China people celebrate 1st January, Women's Day, May Day, etc. Here are some thoughts.

The victims are a couple, their daughter and her husband, all members of the Salvation Army. Sulawesi police inspector general denies church burning. Relations between Christian groups and Muslim extremists are tense. In 2005, three Christian teenagers were beheaded. In 2006, three Catholics were sentenced to death.

One of Iran’s foremost scientist was killed this morning following a targeted attack. He was injured when his car was hit, and died later in hospital from his injuries. Foreign diplomats describe him as the "father of the Iranian bomb". Israel has not yet issued any comment.

The authorities take contradictory decision. Schools, villages and districts open one day only to close another. So far, 22,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in the country with 99 deaths. However, about 64,000 people are in quarantine.

Bilateral trade dropped by 73 per cent in the first nine months of 2020, and drop further to 80 per cent by the end of the year. In 2018, restrictions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear programme led to a 57.4 per cent reduction in trade. The recent collapse is due to tighter North Korean border controls. Meanwhile Kim Jong-un ordered a lockdown in the capital, South Korean sources say.