Dario Salvi

For the court, meeting at home and praying does not make the faithful, even converts, a "threat" to the Islamic Republic. The decision could lead to a review of adjudicated cases. Advocacy groups and activists welcome the ruling, but some call for caution since the Iranian government has not always followed its own rules.

The (Greek) Cypriot government has awarded exploration concessions off the southwest coast, in sector 5 of the Ezz. The Turks have responded by saying that no nation, company or ship will be allowed to carry out "unauthorised research". A new confrontation while Pope Francis is preaching peace and fraternity on the island.

The contract includes 80 Dassault Rafale aircraft and 12 Caracal helicopters. The deal was inked by French President Macron and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Human rights groups and NGOs note that the UAE military have killed civilians in Yemen and Libya.

The norm is wanted by the ultra-conservative president Raisi and responds to the directives of the supreme guide Khamenei. For activists and critics, the goal is the control of women and family life. Greater constraints and limits to access to abortion. A radical change from the policies imposed by the founder of the Islamic Republic Khomeini.

The groups finance themselves via fuel smuggling, extortion and a slice of government funds. One engineer complains of paying a 15 per cent of his earnings to the militias compared to 10 per cent to the Islamic State. Pro-Iranian militia names a school after Ayatollah Khomeini.

The annual Worldwide Cost of Living survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit places the Israeli city at the top, followed by Singapore, Paris and Hong Kong. Food, alcohol and transportation are behind higher costs in Tel Aviv. For migrants, the most expensive cities are Ashgabat, Hong Kong and Beirut.

The Vicar of Anatolia speaks to AsiaNews about an apostolic journey that strengthens relationships and alliances. The island was the first place where the Gospel was proclaimed outside the Holy Land and Antioch. The figure of Barnabas is central to community and openness to different cultures. On migrants and refugees, he recalls that "it is not a wise policy to close oneself within one's own walls".

Today's headlines: Afghanistan is running out of medicines, the Turkish lira hits a new all-time low, Google will ban political ads ahead of Philippine elections, Russia's death rate is the worst since 1945.

The home of the owner of a shop selling alcohol in the central-eastern Iraqi city is the target of homemade bombs thrown from a motorbike. No was killed or wounded; only material damage was reported. The Church is not in favour of selling alcohol, but this is a personal matter and the illegal trade would be far worse.

In other news today: more than 200 Rohingya who wanted to leave Myanmar arrested; world squash championship in Malaysia cancelled after visas were not issued to Israeli players; Simpsons episode on Tiananmen Square massacre removed from streaming in Hong Kong.

The official inauguration by King Hamad is set for 9 December, followed by the consecration the next day in a ceremony led by Card Tagle. Bishop Ballin, who passed last year, was the driving force behind the complex, which was built on land donated by the king. The church has a 2,300-seating capacity. A time capsule with the history of the Church of Arabia was interred at the site.

Father Romanelli notes that for now only an “announcement” has been made. Hopefully, words will be followed by deeds. This year no age restriction is expected. Gaza Catholics are waiting for Patriarch Pizzaballa for the celebrations. A solemn Mass will be held “for those unable to get an exit permit.”