Dario Salvi

The fighters, from Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, call themselves 'volunteers from the Islamic lands'. They say they want to collaborate with the ayatollahs to suppress internal dissent triggered by the killing of the young woman at the hands of the morality police. President Raisi announces an iron fist. At least 80 killed, hundreds arrested.

The death of the 22-year-old Kurdish woman turns the spotlight on the Gasht-e Ershad, which monitors compliance with Islamic norms. Since the Islamic revolution of 1979, the clampdown on customs has been increasing 'step by step'. The hijab symbolises the protest for freedom and rights, especially for women. Demonstrations continue, at least 40 cities involved. Over 30 people killed in clashes.

Today's headlines: Burmese Nld MP dies from torture during interrogation; Singapore overtakes Hong Kong as Asia's leading financial centre; in Macao pandemic and unemployment exacerbate food crisis, Caritas leads the way in aid; FAO and WFP say 19 million people risk famine in Afghanistan; in Russia queues of cars loaded with fleeing citizens at the borders.

Save the Children released a report describing the situation of Yazidi children, based on interviews with more than a hundred aged 7 to 17 years old. Many are still displaced, in fear of abduction and forced recruitment, their right to an education denied. Without action, their fate is bound to get worse.

This was revealed in the 2022 edition of the Arab Youth Survey. Thousands of young people aged between 18 and 24 in the MENA region were interviewed. In 2009, the democratic system was a priority for 92%. Today, stability counts more; religious and cultural identity prevails over globalised society. China is a better and more reliable reference than the US. The weight of the Arab Spring and wars.

Today's headlines: Phnom Penh raises minimum wage to €203 per month, this is not enough for trade unions; students at a business school in Wuhan protest against power cuts and lockdowns for Covid; over 55% of online content of an 'Islamophobic' nature comes from India; Seoul aims to return to pre-pandemic normality by next spring; after Putin's military mobilisation, the hunt is on for tickets to flee the country.

Family files a formal complaint against Israel. For its legal team, the goal is to end “Israel’s impunity”. For the victim’s brother Anton, shooting at journalists means “intentionally trying to kill them”. Even though the victim was a US citizen, the US and President Biden have been indifferent to the case.

The wave of demonstrations following the death of the young woman at the hands of the 'morality police' has not subsided. Irna speaks of one 'auxiliary' killed and four officers injured in the clashes; at least three victims among the demonstrators. The Supreme Leader sends a loyalist to the family as a sign of condolence; protesters shout "death to the dictator" Khamenei.

Today's headlines: Bangkok removes Covid from the list of diseases that prevent entry; Hong Kong police arrest a citizen for playing the harmonica during Queen Elizabeth's funeral; Riyadh funds the construction of the first mosque in Cuba; the founder of the Gulagu humanitarian project denounces an assassination attempt by Russian intelligence.

The decision by some Arab parties to run alone might give the former prime minister an edge in Israel’s upcoming election. Turnout among Israeli Arabs might prove crucial one way or the other. However, Israeli Arabs are dissatisfied and surveys indicate that only 40 per cent plan to vote.

In a long reflection, the cardinal relaunches the theme of a "fusion" between local realities, such as the Assyrians and the Chaldeans. The same applies to the Syro-Catholics and the Syro-Orthodox. At the basis is a shared land, liturgy, language, heritage and history'. The need to study a unitary project that sis built through "courageous dialogue".

Today's headlines: Saudi GDP set to grow by the highest figure in the last decade; Shanghai launches a 260 billion development plan; Pakistan's high court clears former premier Khan of terrorism charges; a giant statue of Padre Pio is to be erected in Cebu in a pilgrimage site; Moscow patriarchate says the meeting between the pope and Kirill is still possible and desirable.