Dario Salvi

The prelate backs the proposal made by the patriarchs and heads of the Churches of the Holy Land in their Christmas statement. A special zone is necessary to preserve the Christian presence, protect the status quo, and uphold the city’s universality. The community’s future is endangered by “physical and legal attacks”. The prelate criticises Israel for allowing US Jews to come to Jerusalem while banning Christian pilgrims.

Teachers have demonstrated in 120 cities, including Tehran and Qom. Demands include the release of arrested union leaders and greater equity in salaries. Raisi increased military spending by 240%, but granted a measly 10% to teachers. Parliament attempts to quell discontent.

A new opportunity for Gulf Catholics to celebrate after the cathedral in Bahrain. The parish of St. John the Baptist in Ruwais has a capacity for 800 and upstairs a multipurpose center with a capacity for one thousand. Mass will be celebrated every night of the week, three on Fridays. A point of reference for the region's 2,500 faithful, most of whom are migrants.

Only 47 per cent of respondents aged 25-34 years and 46 per cent aged 35-44 are in favour of the vaccine for the 5-11-year group. In the general population, the approval rate is 56 per cent, rising with age. Three weeks after the vaccination campaign started, only 110,000 children out of 1.2 million received a dose. Long COVID-19 is risk for young people as well.

The two countries are ready to appoint envoys to negotiate the normalization of relations. Recognition of genocide remains legitimate, as "moral duty" towards those who lost their lives. The role of the Church in favor of rights, including religious freedom. Defense of identity and fraternity must be points of reference in all dialogue.

According to the UN, from January to September at least one hundred children have died or been injured by mines. Over 1,500 unexploded explosive devices were found in one year. The Chaldean Church calls for large-scale demining. An effective awareness campaign has been promoted among children, Bishop Mekko said.

For the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, this year’s Christmas is compromised, but action should be taken to ensure an upturn next year. Working with Israeli authorities, “new ways” ought to be found to allow both religious practice and fight COVID-19. AsiaNews is organising a pilgrimage in March next year.

Before the war, tourism represented more than 14 per cent of GDP, employing 8.3 per cent of the workforce. Two European tour operators are set to organise trips in 2022. Religious tourism is recovering thanks to Shia pilgrims from Iran, Iraq and Pakistan. For Christian scholar, tourism could jumpstart the economy and renew relations with the outside world.

The number of jailed reporters rose from 280 in 2020 to 293 this year with China, Myanmar and Egypt leading the way. For the first time, Hong Kong journalists are jailed for their work. At least 24 reporters have been killed this year, the latest in the Philippines.

AsiaNews receives the witness of Sr Bacima El Khoury, director of the Institute of the Antonine Sisters in Roumieh (Mount Lebanon). The average annual cost for each student is 450 euro. They are running out of extbooks, paper, notebooks, andphotocopier ink. Online schooling is increasing inequalities. Management costs 15 times more expensive than 2019. AsiaNews' call for donations to support Lebanon's Schools.

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, one of the main opposition leaders, is barred from TÜİK headquarters. Critics slam the statistical bureau for lack of transparency and credibility. In Istanbul, prices jump by more than 50 per cent on an annual basis, especially basic items and fuel.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem reviews the apostolic journey to Cyprus and Greece. Migration "neither a problem nor a resource" but a "fact" to be faced with "pastoral choices". From economic divisions to individual encounters, "another wealth" is possible. Walls are "a buffer, not the solution".