Dario Salvi

According to the Washington Institute expert the resumption of relations is "significant". The exaltation of Beijing as mediator is exaggerated. There is no "game change" on the part of the Saudis, but a desire to widen the circle of their partners. A lasting truce must be reached in Yemen. Israel, like the Emirates, can take advantage and extend the Abrahamic Agreements. Saudi Arabia opens for investment in Iran.

The Vicar of Anatolia recounts a situation "still in full emergency" and with a strong psychological impact. The earth continues to tremble and the toll - between Syria and Turkey - has exceeded 55,000 dead. The work of Caritas in cooperation with the local authorities. The earthquake is an opportunity to rethink, and rebuild, churches according to "Turkish" architecture.

Iran’s Chief Justice Mohseni-Eje'i announces pardon just before the start of Ramadan (sacred month of fasting and prayer). A monitoring NGO reports almost 20,000 arrests and more than 500 deaths. Different figures raise questions about the extent of the crackdown on dissent in the Islamic Republic.

On 20 March 2003, US and British troops launched Operation Iraqi Freedom, which led to the fall of Saddam Hussein. And opened the door wide to terrorism and institutional anarchy, only partly overcome in the last period. The cardinal retraces the country's recent history and the failure of an operation cloaked in freedom and democracy.

Hussein Abu al-Khair, a father of eight, was arrested in 2014 for amphetamine smuggling. His family was not informed of his execution. NGOs fought for his release after a "grossly unfair" trial. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's reformist policies have been overshadowed by the kingdom’s use of the death penalty.

Sultan Al Remeithi, former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders, recounts the pontificate from an Islamic perspective. The signing of the document on 'Fraternity', the affirmation of the values of Christianity against materialism, the trips to Muslim countries 'transcend dialogue'. The 'challenges' to be faced and the 'voice of reason' against extremism and terrorism.

Ayatollah Alavi Borujerdi, grandson of one of the teachers of the founder of the Islamic Republic, warns against the “strange desire” for Zoroastrianism or belonging to house churches. Traditional Shia clerics have lost credibility. Meanwhile, the authorities are looking for young women who danced on International Women's Day.

Today's news: Hong Kong jails three activists who organised Tiananmen vigils while releasing Elizabeth Tang on bail; Thai authorities issue a pollution alert; Japan remembers the victims of the Fukushima nuclear disaster on the 12th anniversary of the accident; Indian police arrest three people in connection with the death of a Muslim man, lynched for allegedly transporting beef.

The pontiff today received the chancellor of a prestigious Iranian religious university. In Iraq, a three-day conference organised by the Community of Sant'Egidio and the Al-Khoei Institute ended today. For Chaldean Patriarch Sako, “centres of coexistence” should be set up to promote fraternity, exchange and cooperation to meet global challenges.

Harsh intervention by the president against a law he calls oppressive, harmful and to be shelved. A shared text is needed, which is being worked towards from behind the scenes. Ben Gvir dismisses Tel Aviv police chief too soft on protesters. Netanyahu in Rome applauds head of state's words. The flight of tech companies worried about the country's stability.

Today's headlines: 23-year-old Palestinian man injures three people in Tel Aviv, killed by police; The Taliban governor of Afghanistan's Balkh province dies in an Isis attack; Cambodian authorities arrest and reduce to a lay state a monk over suspected links to the opposition; South Korean president expected in Tokyo, first visit by a Seoul head of state in 12 years.

A plan to teach and practise yoga is part of a series of upcoming agreement that will be signed by Saudi Arabia and India. The president of the Saudi Yoga Committee stresses its benefits and expresses hope that it will develop further in the future. In January, Riyadh hosted the first festival related to the discipline.