Dario Salvi

Israel has started building a nine-metre wall west of Qaffin, northern West Bank, to run for 45 km with fortifications and electronic devices. The area was once accessible three days a week, now “we will be prevented from entering completely,” says a Palestinian farmer. UN secretary general criticises Israel's “unilateral initiatives”.

The Chaldean Primate's message for the Week of Unity from 18 to 25 January. The call to the "minority threatened" by conflict, violence and migration. The need for Christian leaders to "overcome non-essential differences". The "outdated" sermons of some priests and the need to "communicate with current reality". The appeal to Benedict XVI.

A group of 30 experts from various Muslim-majority countries visited China's far western region, praising its fight against terrorism. They said nothing about abuses. The World Uyghur Congress spoke out against the persecutions and criminalisation of ordinary things like wearing a headscarf and reading the Qurʾān.

In an unprecedented open letter, high officials and former officials attack a project that will end up 'destroying the Israeli judicial system'. The method of selecting judges will be overturned, serious limits will be placed on their authority, the separation of powers and their equality will be endangered. Opposing demonstrations between sympathisers and critics of the reform.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights slams the brutal use of force by the Islamic Republic. Iran’s deputy prosecutor general contradicts Khamenei and calls for harsh measures against women who do not wear the headscarf correctly. From Evin prison, an activist describes torture and brutality. A 38-year-old Christian arrested before Christmas has been released.

An Oxfam report confirms the use of Western-made weaponry used in Saudi-led Arab coalition attacks. A quarter of the 1,700 raids between January 2021 and February 2022 saw the exclusive use of weapons sold by London and Washington. 87 civilians were killed, 136 others wounded. Oman delegation tries to mediate the resumption of the fragile truce.

Despite proclamations from Qatar and FIFA, little has changed in the lives of the workers who built World Cup venues and infrastructure. While the Kafala system may have been abolished, the reimbursement scheme is not working. For many, this is a time of uncertainty and unresolved issues. For Human Rights Watch, what remains is “a legacy of exploitation and shame”.

St Ephrem's will be the first in modern Turkey. The structure will have a bell tower, five floors with rooms for ceremonies and meetings, as well as guest rooms at a total cost of four million euro. A work in line with Syriac tradition, capable of responding to the demands of modernity.

Suspended due to the pandemic, the festival resumes this year albeit with some limitations including the cancellation of the procession. Thousands of worshippers have been attending the celebrations at the church in Quipao for days. Additional 5,000 officers deployed, municipality suspends alcohol sales.

In May 2009, the pontiff made a historic visit to the region. Vaticanist Franco Pisano followed for AsiaNews readers the events and meetings between Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Ratzinger a pope who "should not be looked at or listened to, but read." The "ease" with which he handled texts from St. Paul to St. Augustine.

Today's headlines: al-Sistan appeals for suffering Afghans, women in particular; In Vietnam, Dong Thap authorities pronounce child who fell into 35-meter shaft dead, recovery attempts futile; Taliban claim double killing of senior Pakistani officials; in Ukraine, Russian Wagner war cemetery fills up quickly with new burials; Armenian airline opens new connections with Moscow.

Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of two people convicted of killing a security officer. Over the past three months, some 516 protesters have died while more than 19,000 people have been detained. Two French nationals and a Belgian have been arrested for espionage.