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Lahore’s Archbishop Shaw hosts inter-religious gathering

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Lahore’s Archbishop Shaw hosts inter-religious gathering - Vatican News

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

On 31 July, Lahore’s Archbishop Sebastian Shaw announced churches would reopen in the diocese in mid-August. He cited important occurrences in August as the motive for his decision: Independence Day, 14 August and the Solemnity of the Assumption, 15 August.

The Archbishop also reiterated the need to follow safety measures, reminding Churchgoers that they would follow procedures in place to protect against the virus. In addition, he said that services would be kept short, numbers to a minimum, and consecutive Masses would be offered to accommodate the faithful.

Last week, many coronavirus measures ordered by the government were then lifted.

Cathedral reopens

True to his word, the first Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on the Solemnity of the Assumption. The next day, a ceremony in which Archbishop Sebastian Shaw himself opened the doors of the Cathedral symbolized the reopening of every church door in Pakistan. Present for the ceremony were leaders of other faith traditions in Pakistan.

Inter-religious service

The Dean of the Anglican Church of Pakistan in Lahore, Pastor Shahid Meraj, prayed the opening prayer of thanksgiving.

Archbishop Shaw commended the faithful for having respected the government anti-Covid guidelines. He also requested that Christians continue to observe those guidelines for the purpose of saving lives. Although belonging to different religions, “we are all brothers”, Archbishop Shaw said. “We are indeed united even in the difficult time of Covid-19.”

Sadar Bishan Singh, Pakistan’s Sikh representative, expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Shaw for organizing the celebration. “People of all religions are glad to go back to their worship places and those who left the world because of the pandemic may rest in peace,” he said. He then prayed for love and unity between those following different religious traditions.

Those present were reminded by Asim Maqbool, a representative of the Muslim population, that everyone had been affected by the virus, regardless of religious persuasion or ethnicity. “We all had to put our trust in God,” he said.

Bishop Irfan Jamil of the Anglican Church observed that everyone had rallied together for the good of those who are poor.

A leader of the Shia community, Qasim Raza Naqwi had words of congratulations for everyone who played a role in saving the lives of the virus’s victims.

Quoting the Quran, Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain said that respect is due to all religions and sacred places of worship.

Church closures

Churches initially closed in Pakistan on 15 March before the official lockdown began. Some churches of various denominations later chose to open only for Sunday worship. Public Masses began to be celebrated in churches in the Archdiocese of Karachi, Sindh Province, and Islamabad-Rawalpindi Diocese in July.

Covid in Pakistan

Pakistan has registered almost 290,000 Coronavirus cases, just over 6,000 people have died from it and a few more than 270,000 have recovered. The number of new cases has been declining dramatically. On 16 August, only six deaths were reported.

UAE: High Representative/Vice-President Borrell speaks to Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed

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European External Action Service
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UAE: High Representative/Vice-President Borrell speaks to Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell had a phone call on 17 August with the UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.

They discussed the welcomed normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE and High Representative/Vice-President Borrell reiterated the EU’s position, in particular the EU’s commitment to a negotiated and viable two-state solution and the need for a resumption of meaningful negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

The High Representative/Vice-President and the UAE Foreign Minister also tackled regional issues and the importance of dialogue to find solutions. On Libya, High Representative/Vice-President Borrell reiterated the urgency to find a political solution to the crisis. On the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he recalled that the deal remains a key pillar of the global non-proliferation architecture, contributing to regional security.

Charles Michel invites members of EC for video conference on 19 August 2020

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Council of the EU and European Council
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Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council ahead of their video conference on 19 August 2020

Our foreign ministers discussed developments in Belarus and the Eastern Mediterranean last Friday. Since then, the situation in Belarus has continued to evolve, and I have therefore decided to call a video conference on Wednesday at noon to address this issue.

What we have witnessed in Belarus is not acceptable. The 9 August elections were neither free nor fair. The subsequent violence against peaceful protesters was shocking and has to be condemned. Those responsible must be held to account. The EU has started work on sanctions.

The people of Belarus have the right to determine their own future. To allow for this, violence has to stop and a peaceful and inclusive dialogue has to be launched. The leadership of Belarus must reflect the will of the people. There should be no outside interference.

Based on these principles, we will discuss how best to respond to the evolving situation in Belarus.

As for the other main topic discussed by our foreign ministers, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, I propose that we allow time for thorough preparation and come back to the topic during a special  European Council on 24-25 September 2020.

Belarus crisis: Top UN official concerned over torture allegations

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Belarus crisis: Top UN official concerned over torture allegations

Belarus crisis – Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, UN Resident Coordinator, has expressed serious concern over allegations of torture and other ill treatment of people, including minors, who were detained after demonstrations connected to elections held on 9 August.

“Torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are absolutely prohibited and can never be justified,” she said in a statement issued late last week.

‘Deeply troubling’ testimonies

While welcoming the release of many detainees on Thursday, Ms. Kazana-Wisniowiecki said testimonies about their treatment in custody are “deeply troubling”, adding that “if confirmed, these reports would point to systemic problems in the management and oversight of detention facilities in Belarus.”

Thousands of people were arrested in protests that erupted across Belarus after preliminary results for the election showed President Alexander Lukashenko had secured a majority of the votes, giving him a sixth term in power.

UN reactions and recommendations

Senior UN officials have been monitoring the ongoing situation.

On Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said torture allegations must be investigated, while the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, earlier condemned the violent response to the demonstrations.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence against Children has also expressed deep concern over the torture and mistreatment allegations.

Najat Maalla M’jid recounted a “particularly shocking” case in which a 16-year-old boy was allegedly beaten while in detention, resulting in brain injuries. The teenager reportedly was hospitalized and put in an induced coma but has since regained consciousness.

“Special Representative Maalla M’jid welcomes the release of a large number of detainees on the night of 13 August, but recalls that detention of children should only be used as a measure of last resort, for the shortest period possible and that legal support should be provided to all children in contact with the justice system”, according to a statement issued on Friday.

Assistance and access

The UN Resident Coordinator has requested an urgent meeting with Belarus’s Minister of Interior to discuss human rights concerns and to offer broader UN support and other assistance, according to the statement.

Ms. Kazana-Wisniowiecki has also requested that the UN visit two detention facilities in the capital, Minsk, to see conditions there.

The authorities also are urged to take immediate measures to prevent any instances of torture or other ill treatment in detention.

Support and accountability

Meanwhile, detainees and those released from custody should receive adequate medical care, including rehabilitation and psychosocial support, she added.

The specific needs of children and young victims of torture or other ill treatment, or who have witnessed violence, also should be addressed.

“As we receive increasing numbers of reports of torture and other ill-treatment, it will be important to ensure that when possible these are well documented, also to allow for the prompt, thorough and impartial investigation of and future accountability for such acts,” said Ms. Kazana-Wisniowiecki.

“Timely medical examinations will be crucial in this regard, alongside the important work of human rights organizations gathering information on these cases”.

2-2020 Ordinary Call for Contributions for the European Union Po

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European External Action Service
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2-2020 Ordinary Call for Contributions for the European Union Po

2-2020 Ordinary Call for Contributions for the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) – Deadline for applications: Thursday 3 September 2020 at 17:00 (Brussels time)

Pope donates ventilators, ultra- sound scanners for hospitals in Brazil

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Pope donates ventilators, ultra- sound scanners for hospitals in Brazil - Vatican News

By Vatican News

Pope Francis continues to make his heartfelt appeal for generosity and solidarity for communities and countries hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic by personally leading the way through concrete acts of closeness and affection. 

This he carries out through the Office of Papal Charities, a department of the Holy See headed by the Apostolic Almoner, or papal almsgiver, Polish Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.

In the latest move, the Cardinal says in a Statement released by the Holy See Press Office on Monday, the Pope’s charity is being directed to Brazil.  Eight Draeger intensive care ventilators and 6 portable Fuji ultrasound scanners are being shipped to needy hospitals in Brazil.

Hope Association

This, Cardinal Krajewski says, has been made possible through the generous commitment of Hope Association, an Italy-based non-profit group that helps needy children and communities.  Highly specialized in humanitarian projects on health and education, Hope Association, he says, finds ways to obtain high-tech life-saving medical equipment through donors, and arranges for their shipping and installation in hospitals.

Helping the poorest and neediest 

These medical devices will be delivered to hospitals in Brazil chosen by the Apostolic Nunciature, so that “this gesture of Christian solidarity and charity can really help the poorest and neediest people”.

On several occasions, the Office of Papal Charities has mobilized medical material and equipment to be donated to many health facilities in situations of emergency and poverty around the world so that many human lives are treated and saved. 

After the United States, Brazil has the world’s worst coronavirus scenario, reporting more than 3.3 million cases and close to 108,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Indian soldiers hoist Tricolour at Pangong Lake

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Shyamal Sinha
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Indian soldiers hoist Tricolour at Pangong Lake

By – Shyamal Sinha

The Indian Soldiers sent out a clear message to the Chinese after they celebrated the country 74th Independence Day at the Pangong Lake. Lake so popular is the fact that it keeps changing colors. Situated in the Himalayan range it is approximately 140 km from Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. The name of the lake Pangong was got from a Tibetan word Banggong Co that means a narrow and enchanted lake. And now you know that the lake has got its name rightfully. You will know this when you visit the beautiful lake of Pangong. You are sure to be enchanted by the charm. And because the lake is a long stretch, one third area of the lake lies within our country and the other two third portion lies with Tibet and is controlled by China.

The personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Force hoisted the Tricolour and conducted a march, while also raising slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai. These celebrations took place in the midst of tensions with China at several points along the Line of Actual Control.

Amidst the stand off, Ambassador Vikram Misri held talks with Major General Ci Guowei, Director of the Office of International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission (CMC) on Friday. Misri briefed him about India’s stance on the border issue in eastern Ladakh.

Meanwhile Anurag Srivastava, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said that both sides agreed on the broad principles of disengagement and based on it some progress had been earlier made.
I must add that translating these principles on the ground is a complex process that requires deployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective side of the Line of Actual Control. It is natural that this can be done only through mutually agreed reciprocal actions, he also said.

He further added that we would like the ongoing disengagement process to be completed at the earliest. It is also important to bear in mind that achieving this requires agreed actions by both sides, Srivastava also added.

Srivastava also said, “we, therefore, expect the Chinese side to sincerely work with us towards the objective of complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas as agreed by the Special Representatives. This is also necessary and essential in the context of overall development of our bilateral relationship. As External Affairs Minister had noted in a recent interview, the state of the border, and the future of our ties cannot be separated.”

Misri had earlier met with Liu Jianchaou, the deputy director office of the CPC Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission.

During the meeting, Misri meet Jianchaou of India’s stance on the situation on the borders on easter Ladakh and the overall bilateral relations.

The meeting was important considering the influence Liu holds with the CPC’s foreign affairs division. He would be able to convey the need to resolve the border row at a political level.  New Delhi is looking for another round of official talks through an established diplomatic channel. The talks are likely to take place this week, the official cited above also said.

The Pangong Lake falls on the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control and to visit this beautiful lake you are required to get Inner Line permission. Also because the Pangong Lake is situated very close to the border, you will be allowed to visit only up to a certain area. You can explore the lake till the Spangmik village.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister delays election over Coronavirus

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New Zealand's Prime Minister delays election over Coronavirus - Vatican News

By Vatican News

“Ultimately, the 17th of October … provides sufficient time for parties to plan around the range of circumstances we will be campaigning under.”

Those were Jacinda Ardern’s words at a press conference on Monday as she delayed the country’s general election.

The decision came after parties complained they could not campaign with nearly a third of New Zealand’s five million people under lockdown in Auckland due to the pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who had called for a delay, said “common sense has prevailed”.

COVID-19 in New Zealand

Restrictions were imposed on Auckland last Wednesday after a number of new infections were discovered.

On Monday, the country recorded nine new cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of active cases to 78.

The origin of the new outbreak is still unknown. Authorities said previously that it could have been through a cold-storage facility where one of the infected individuals worked.

In total, 1,280 cases have been confirmed in the country, and 22 deaths.

Re-scheduled elections

The election had been scheduled for September 19 and New Zealand law requires it to be held by November 21.

The Election Commission said it was ready to hold a vote with health measures in place, including hand sanitiser and social distancing in voting centres, protective equipment for staff and contact-tracing systems.

The people of Auckland and those in the city are being advised to wear masks in public in order to avoid spreading the virus.

There has also been an increase in border testing at ports and airports.

EIOPA’s Risk Dashboard: European insurers remain exposed to high risks since the outbreak of COVID-19 – Eiopa Commission

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News desk
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EIOPA’s Risk Dashboard: European insurers remain exposed to high risks since the outbreak of COVID-19 – Eiopa Commission

Today the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) published its updated Risk Dashboard based on the first quarter of 2020 Solvency II data. 

The results show that the risk exposures of the European Union insurance sector remain generally high compared to April as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemics continued to cause disruptions in all financial sectors and economic activities. Insurers are particularly exposed to very high levels of macro risk, while market, credit, profitability and solvency risks are at high level.

With regard to macro risk, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth as well as inflation forecasts have been revised significantly downwards for all geographical areas. The unemployment rate increased following a steep fall of business activities. Fiscal balances are expected to deteriorate. As a response to the crisis, the governments announced their interventions to sustain the halted economies. 

Credit risk remains at high level, as the risk of credit events persist elevated going forward.  Profitability and solvency risks remain at high level. Following the COVID-19 impact, the expected deterioration is already reflected in asset over liabilities and in weakening of Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR) ratios for groups and non-life undertakings. A further drop of SCR ratios for both life and non-life undertakings is expected for the next quarter, with the depreciation of assets in the context of COVID-19 as well as effects of already pre-existing low yield environment. The net combined ratio improved for non-life insurance undertakings.  

Insurance risks decreased to medium level. On one hand, year-on-year premium growth for life undertakings significantly declined indicating already a negative impact from the COVID-19 outbreak. On the other hand, year-on-year premium growth for non-life undertakings and loss ratio show a slight improvement. Catastrophe loss ratio continues increasing following the significant events occurred during 2019 and 2020. 

Market perceptions remained stable at medium level. Stocks of life and non-life insurance undertakings continued to underperform relative to the market, which in contrast experienced an unexpected increase. Insurers’ Credit Default Swaps (CDS) spreads returned to lower level, with insurers’ external outlooks showing a net increase in negative revision as of June 2020.

After a week fending-off Boko Haram, Nigerian military join in Sunday Mass – Vatican News

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After a week fending-off Boko Haram, Nigerian military join in Sunday Mass - Vatican News

Paul Samasumo – Vatican City

Barely, a few hours after Pope Francis’ Saturday tweets, urging prayers for northeast Nigeria, on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a sizeable number of Nigerian military personnel attended Sunday Mass at the Madagali community parish in the Catholic  Diocese of Maiduguri. This is according to information made available to Vatican News’ English Africa Service by Fr. Gideon Obasogie of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri.

The Mass became a thanksgiving event 

It was an emotional Eucharistic celebration as the Madagali community Mass turned into a celebration of thanksgiving. The Nigerian military personnel, in attendance, had literally come from the front line following a week spent repelling a series of Boko Haram attempted attacks on the Madagali community.

Pope Francis is praying with us, says Parish Priest

The Parish Priest, Fr. Innocent Sunu encouraged the Military personnel to remain steadfast in protecting the vulnerable community. He reminded parishioners that they were not alone, but that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and the Universal Church were praying and were united with them in their life of constant insecurity.

We are neglected by politicians

Fr. Sunu, however, said the state of insecurity in Nigeria and particularly in the northern regions was the result of neglect by politicians. With some bridges in the region recently washed away by heavy rains or destroyed by Boko Haram, the area could as well be considered “comfortably cut off from other towns,” said Fr. Sunu.

“The weak but faithful Christians here in the north (of Nigeria) have nothing much to say or do other than seek the intercession of our Mother of Hope -as prayed by the Holy Father. This is the only lifeline left for our people in a country where our political leaders seem to have fallen asleep at the wheel and have taken their eyes off the ball,” lamented the Madagali Parish Priest.

Madagali is near the Sambisa forest

Nigeria’s Madagali community has in the past been vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks because it is situated just a few kilometres from the infamous Sambisa forest that unfortunately has become synonymous with Boko Haram terrorists. Boko Haram has used the forest as its fortress and hiding place.

The insurgents have been waging deadly attacks against the Nigerian State in a bid to impose their brand of a religious government (Caliphate). In the process, Boko Haram has attacked civilians through killings, bombings, forced conscription and abductions of women and girls.

Abducted victims are often spirited away in the dense Sambisa forest. Over the last few years, the Nigerian military has, appeared to have gained a noticeable upper hand over the terrorists. Nonetheless, Boko Haram are relentless fighters who are still a significant menace to Nigerian society.

We thank God for sparing us from COVID-19

Turning to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Madagali Parish Priest, Fr. Sunu, thanked God that, so far, the community had been spared the worst.

“We give thanks to God for His care as we have been protected against the Coronavirus. The world is experiencing a global pandemic, but we have been saved in this our little village. If COVID-19 cases come here, the numbers would hit the roof, and we would all be history because the health care facilities here are as good as non-existent,” said the Parish Priest. 

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