Dario Salvi

The Security Council slaps Israel on the wrist for its expansionist policies. Despite the mild rebuke, Israel rejects the criticism, slams the United States for supporting it. The Knesset passes the first reading of the justice reform bill, a “great day” for Netanyahu, this despite a poll indicating that most Israelis are against it.

A Custody delegation visited Iraq in the days of the episcopal ordination of the new Syrian Catholic bishop of Mosul, a country marked by the drama of the Islamic State. The visit to Baghdad Cathedral, theatre of the 2010 massacre. The statue of Our Lady in Basra, where Muslims also stop to pray.

After coordinating relief from Italy, Bishop Bizzeti left today for Turkey’s quake-affected areas. He fears the tragedy might be soon forgotten. Meanwhile, the Church and Caritas are hard at work in providing aid. The quake’s psychological impact far too “often gets overlooked.”

At the Angelus, the pontiff recalls the victims and survivors of the devastating earthquake that struck the Syrian and Turkish populations on Feb. 6. Thoughts also turn to Ukraine almost a year after the Russian invasion. The suffering caused by poverty, lack of freedom and environmental devastation. The "extraordinary" and "disproportionate" love of Jesus that goes beyond calculation.

The goal is to raise at least one million dollars to treat 53 people, aged 22 to 80, from the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Pakistan and Nigeria. The initiative includes a walk next Sunday. Government agencies are among the sponsors.

More than 10 days after the main quake three more people rescued from the rubble. Ascertained victims exceed 41,000. From 17 to 21 February, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches will visit the earthquake-stricken areas to bring the Pope's support. The Jesuit provincial recounts the "daily" fear experienced by the people.

Today's headlines: Beijing announced a 'decisive victory' against the Covid; At least 69 Rohingya land on the beaches of Aceh some people on board died during the crossing; Tokyo launches digital yen programme; Delhi officials after three days concluded inspections at BBC offices; Armenia and Turkey press to 'fully regulate' relations.

The inauguration of the interfaith complex opens in a ceremony, first concrete result of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by the pontiff and al-Azhar’s grand imam. It includes a mosque, a church, and a synagogue. A conference on interfaith relations is scheduled for tomorrow morning. For Rabbi Lustig, the House “will help build bridges between religious leaders and communities”.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development experts view this as a 'reasonable estimate'. Growth prospects also revised. Health authorities on alert for possible epidemics linked to lack of or contaminated water. Authorities continue online repression with arrests, censorships and closures of sites critical of the post-earthquake and building resilience.

Today's headlines: Khamenei reportedly orders transfer of €4 billion to a counter of his son in Venezuela; Sri Lanka and India to connect power grids and strengthen trade partnership; Tokyo authorises the army to shoot down balloons and unidentified flying objects; Philippines and US study massive military exercises to counter China; Seoul welcomes two Russian citizens who fled Putin's mobilisation.

The parish priest speaks about the reality of destruction; the bell tower, the minaret, the synagogue, everything has been destroyed. He talks about the people who could not be saved, like "a mother with her child”, something that “still hurts”. Ecumenism in pain means, “I celebrate funeral rites for Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants.”

Today's headlines: Thai activists sue government over use of spyware and surveillance equipment; more than 41,000 victims in earthquake in Turkey and Syria; Iran's National Library suspends a group of female members for not wearing the hijab properly; Colombo bans single-use plastic; In Hong Kong mandatory weekly programmes on radio and TV to promote 'Chinese identity'; Delhi freezes arms contracts with Moscow.