Dario Salvi

The Franciscan clergyman remembers the slain journalist. The UN Security Council condemns the murder and calls for an investigation. Latin Patriarch and the heads of the Churches issued a strong note. Ordinary Muslims and Christians, right-wing and left-wing politicians took to the streets to remember her. Her death fulfilled the dream of transcending divisions.

A country in mourning for 40 days bid its final farewell to the 73-year-old president, who has been ill for some time. The nation's leadership already long in the hands of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed. Former Vicar of Arabia: there is an atmosphere of "respect and tribute" to the person. For new leadership, the value of tolerance that embraces religions and ethnicities.

More than two years after his appointment as Grand Master, Card Filoni made his entrance to the empty tomb of Jesus. Due to the pandemic, the event had to be postponed several times. During his visit, the prelate met with the local community and travelled to Nazareth and Bethlehem. In Jordan, he inaugurated a new church. The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem has been active for centuries.

The dealine has long passed for the election of parlimentary speaker, the appointment of premier and government team. Institutions are hostage to divisions and opposing blocs between Sadrists and pro-Iranians. Negotiations with independent deputies. Chaldean Patriarch: politics and institutions held back by "personal and partisan ambitions," citizens "frustrated."

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem expresses “shock” over her death, calling for an urgent and thorough investigation. Latin Patriarch Pizzaballa sends a message and offers prayers to the family. Israelis and Palestinians blame each other. For Sabella, she was “always the professional and even-handed”.

Sandstorms follow one another with increasing frequency, causing victims and thousands of hospitalizations. Water reserves have collapsed by 50% compared to last year. By 2040 Tigris and Euphrates risk drying up. The emblematic case of Lake Sawa. Archeological sites and historical cities, from Ur to Babylon, in danger.

The Lebanese government announced the postponement of the papal visit even before the final details were worked out. For Bishop Aoun, this was expected given the pontiff’s health. There was also little time to organise it. Still a future visit "remains important” because the “country’s very identity is at stake” as is its “mission”.

Mass is celebrated in the Church of St Cyriacus for the first time in seven years. The Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople and the Turkish Minister of Culture were present at the event. Turkish authorities contributed to the church’s restoration. The building was closed after it was seized in 2015-2016 during clashes between the military and the PKK.

Today more than 30,000 Lebanese expatriates vote in Mideast countries, casting their ballots at Lebanese diplomatic missions. On Sunday, another 195,000 will vote elsewhere in the world, like in the United States and Australia. The country’s never-ending political and economic crises and the 2020 Port of Beirut explosion dominated the campaign.

Anooshavan Avedian, who will be 60 years old tomorrow, will be deprived of "social rights" for another decade upon release from prison. Together with him two other believers, 45 year old Abbas Soori and 46 year old Maryam Mohammadi (both converts from Islam) will be sentenced. Prison confessions were extracted through "psychological torture".

Today's headlines: sandstorms in Iraq provoke a health emergency, one victim and 5,000 hospitalizations; the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh receives the title of "friend of Buddhism"; Russia bombs Kiselevka destroying the historic Church of the Immaculate Conception; 53 official victims in the collapse of a squat in central China; in Israel the hunt for "terrorists" who killed three people yesterday, during Independence Day celebrations.

The auxiliary of Milan, Msgr. Paolo Martinelli, replaces Msgr. Hinder in southern Arabia, who resigned having reached the age of retirement. A breath of vision that "embraces all Christians" and a particular "concern" for Yemen. The "historical" value of the document on Brotherhood, keeping its "memory alive". A "different" migrant Church, but part of "one people".