Pope Francis has authorised the promulgation of the heroic virtues of the prelate who died in 1953, considered "the Newman of the East” in his native India. ““Our Church has been praying fervently for many years” for this day, Card Baselios Cleemis told AsiaNews. Thus, “his unconditional commitment to Providence” has been recognised. The latest papal decrees also recognise the miracle that will lead to the beatification of Istifan al-Duwayhi, the great Maronite patriarch of the 17th century.

Within the Lebanese army and among retired soldiers, anger and protest are mounting: the collapse of the economy has squandered the purchasing power of their salaries. Today they receive between 9 and 12 per cent of what they were entitled to before the 2019 crisis. The indifference of the political and ruling class, aid from foreign countries.

The victim, 31-year-old Pat Nibin Maxwell from Kerala, arrived in northern Israel just two months ago to work on a farm. He had a five-year-old daughter and his wife is expecting a second child. Two other Indian nationals were wounded. The Israeli embassy in Delhi extended its condolences to the victim’s family and slammed the "cowardly" attack that puts the spotlight back on the fate of migrant workers, the war’s "forgotten” victims.

Responding to an invitation from the women's branch of the Lebanese Order of the Antonines, Archbishop Paolo Borgia visited the school, located in an area dominated by Amal and scene of the fiercest clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. The prelate conveyed Pope Francis’s closeness and prayers for peace.

Regional tensions add to internal divisions, further distancing the prospects for an agreement on the election of the head of state. The pro-Iranian Shia movement attacks, but Tehran and Washington do not want a full-scale war. AsiaNews diplomatic source: implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and an internal agreement are essential.

The international community's focus is now on Rafah, while Israel gets ready for a ground assault. For Jordanian scholar Amer Al Sabaileh, the Palestinian cause has given way to global jihad. Hamas is politically divided while Shia groups are beholden to Iran. Saudis could play the role of mediators, transcending the Abraham Accords.