Dario Salvi

Israel’s Peace Now group reports on the first six months of the new government, noting that it is not living up to its pledge not to change the status quo. Instead, settlement activities in the Occupied Territories are up, and so is settler violence. in order to keep an Arab party on board, the government is authorising more housing and electricity for Bedouin communities.

After groups, individual visitors can now enter Israel if they respect a strict health protocol. As of 6 November, people can stay overnight in Bethlehem. For Fr Patton, it is possible to get over the emergency; in fact, while the virus remains, now “it is manageable.” Religious tourists, especially Christians. make an essential contribution to the local economy.

Scientists and environmentalists are sounding the alarm ahead of COP26, scheduled for Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November. Many countries are going from picturesque places to dusty lands, like Iran where Lake Urmia is drying up. In June, Kuwait recorded temperatures of up to 53.2 degrees. The region is warming at twice the global average.

The prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches is on an official visit to the Arab country from 25 October to 3 November. This includes meetings with the authorities and faithful, prayers and solidarity initiatives. For Fr. Ibrahim, his presence “is a call to remain rooted in this land”, despite an exodus that reduced the Christian population to a quarter.

31 people are under investigation for videos posted online; 11 have been arrested and 7 already repatriated. The clash originated from a protest by a Turkish citizen who, due to the crisis, says he cannot even afford bananas. The Turkish ruling class, majority and opposition,after years of welcoming refugees in the name of Islam wants to send them back to Syria.

For Israeli Minister Omer Bar-Lev, the event had direct links with the Palestinian Authority. In reality, the three-day festival was supported by France and Austria as part of a UN programme. For Catholic leaders, the cancellation is a "harsh, unjustifiable decision”. Meanwhile, Muslims continue to protest over the demolition of part of the Islamic al- Yusufiyah cemetery.

Iran's chief negotiator speaks of "very serious and constructive dialogue" on "essential" elements. Date set next week. U.S. special envoy adds, "Critical phase." Tehran tclaims a foreign "state actor" behind the hacker attack that has blocked the fuel stations. On the web the claim of the fictitious group "Predatory Sparrow".

The political controversy around the violence of 14 October continues. The leader of the Lebanese Forces fails to heed the summons by the Military Tribunal and rejects Judge Fadi Akiki. A head-on clash with Hezbollah and Amal has paralysed Nagib Mikati’s new government. Maronite patriarch defends Geagea.

Security sources say the jihadists struck "unarmed civilians" after an attempted kidnapping. A woman also died. The authorities have sealed off the area and begun rounding up operations. According to a UN report there are still 10,000 militiamen active between Syria and Iraq.

The attack’s modus operandi is similar to the one that disrupted Iran’s railway network last July. Motorists trying to buy petrol with their government-issued subsidy cards got instead a "cyberattack 64411" message. The latter refers to the hotline associated with the office of Supreme Leader Khamenei. The images of long queues at stations were seen across the country.

After four years of automatic quarterly renewals, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ended the measure. It granted broad powers to authorities to make arrests and repress individuals or groups. A weapon used in the fight against Isis (and to silence dissent). Move to qualm tourist sector concerns and show the "safe" face of the country.

According to Israeli Defence Minister Gantz, the targeted groups are linked to the militant group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. His decision has been criticised by international NGOs and human rights groups. For Human Rights Watch, it is a “brazen” attack against freedom. B'Tselem calls it a move worthy of “totalitarian regimes”. Over 1,300 new housing units are slated for construction in the West Bank.