Through Al Sisi’s mediation, Italy gets Marshal Khalifa Haftar to come to Palermo. Rome takes the Libya file from France. The UN’s economic plan is accepted with a single bank collecting all oil revenues. Peace in Libya needs action on three fronts: economy, disarmament of the militias, and national reconciliation. Libyan assets frozen abroad amount to 500 billion US dollars.
Tensions between Israel and Hamas continue in the Gaza Strip. For Sobhy Makhoul, the violence caught everyone by surprise at a time of negotiations and calm with Egypt and Qatar mediating. US interests weight heavily in the area. The next few hours will be crucial.
At the historic meeting in Casablanca, the Polish Pope spoke of the common faith in the one God and also of human rights, which "have their foundation in God": first of all, freedom of conscience and religion, "protected from external constraints" because freedom characterizes "the dignity of man". A religious freedom, he specified, that needs "reciprocity". And he also emphasized the respect due to every human person, "man or woman"
The justices accept a motion by opposition parties, suspending President Sirisena’s decision to call an election on 5 January 2019. Former strongman Rajapaksa joins a new party.
Last of three children, Fr Martinian grew up in a Catholic family that was his "first seminary". At the age of 12, he wanted to become a priest. As an adult, he wanted a family, a career and a "good life". The turning point came during a meeting with Mgr Paul Tan Chee Ing.
The Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy still cannot leave the country. Canada has officially offered asylum, whilst the United Kingdom has refused fearing attacks against its embassies. Amid all this there is some joy as Asia Bibi’s husband finally embraced her again.