Dario Salvi

At least 24 million out of a population of 36 million are in critical conditions, while very little aid is arriving. The UN and international agencies are calling for the easing of sanctions. Outbreaks of dysentery, measles, dengue fever, malaria and COVID-19 have been reported. Most women medical staff have fled following the Taliban’s seizure of power.

Today's headlines: athletes at the Winter Olympics accuse Beijing of human rights violations; in Myanmar, more and more families are "repudiating" relatives who oppose the military dictatorship; Pyongyang's cyber attacks have earned 45 million euros, used for the missile programme; Russian schools must submit collaboration with foreign institutes for government approval.

Bishop Thomas Meram of Urmia and Patriarchal Administrator of Tehran, tells of a community coming to terms with emigration, economic crisis and Covid. The numbers confirm the difficulties: three weddings, four baptisms and 30 funerals. But even in Iran, the Church uses social media as a means of reaching out to the faithful. And in June, after three years, a group of children will be able to celebrate their first communions.

On Pope Francis and Imam al-Tayeb issue another plead, Bishop Hinder looks at the tensions that still inflame the region. Ending conflicts remains a “long journey” amid an emerging feeling of “vulnerability”. The Document on Human Fraternity is an “important reference point" for people in power.

The Pontiff has released a video message for the 2nd UN International Day of Human Fraternity, which is being celebrated on the anniversary of the signing of the Abu Dhabi Declaration. He urges people to build a barrier "against hatred, violence and injustice". The imam of al-Azhar addresses Francis, calling him a "courageous companion" on the path "of fraternity and peace". Biden's letter: problems cannot be solved "by one single nation, or one single group".

Iraq would be the first beneficiary of Chinese investments for 2021 under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Nine billion euros have been earmarked for infrastructure projects. According to Chinese data, Iraq is the third most important Belt and Road partner after Pakistan and Russia. However, some sources deny the Chinese figures. In Iraqi Kurdistan, university students are attracted by the study of the Chinese language.

Israeli Prime Minister Bennett announced that the defensive wall will be ready "within a year" in the south, followed later by the rest of the country. The technology, which has been under development for some time, should integrate and improve on Israel’s Iron Dome. Set to be operational by 2025, work on it has been speeded up. Sceptics within the military see it as a pie in the sky because its development will take years.

Using the #HomeDetainees hashtag, the Twitter campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the conditions of women, targeting the male guardianship system (husband, father or brother). Women inside and outside the country share experiences of suffering. For many, the home is “a woman’s grave and man’s paradise”.

Last year, more than 18,000 foreign workers were expelled, including 11,000 men and more than 7,000 women. The government wants to encourage domestic employment in a country where the ratio of migrants to locals is 70:30. Dependence on oil and the lack of reform efforts. The role of women in a perspective of growth and freedom.

Fake papers have become a “booming industry”. A network run by an Uzbek is using an encrypted Telegram channel to recruit customers. Forged passports can cost up to US$ 15,000 and are increasingly hard to detect. Istanbul International Airport is the take off point.

The World Food Programme is warning of a growing emergency caused by "war and economic decline". More than 16 million people are suffering from acute hunger. From January 2020 to May 2021, almost 2,000 child soldiers died. Military training also involves children as young as seven years old.

For 42 days, some 2,000 workers have been protesting against layoffs by hotel and gaming resort operator NagaWorld. According to the company, investments in a new resort and loss of business due to the pandemic justify the decision. Protesters slam the company for distorting the facts. Workers at home and abroad express solidarity with nine jailed union leaders.