Dario Salvi

The Jewish state has given the green light to reopen Kerem Shalom Crossing. Gaza’s fishing area has been expanded, water supply increased and local traders can more easily enter Israel. Fr Romanelli hopes “that there will be more [concessions] in the future [. . .] on medical, religious or family grounds”.

Maximum alert in Cyprus, the spill is expected to reach Karpas peninsula in the area controlled by pro-Ankara authorities. Turkish vice president assures a general mobilization to avert "an environmental disaster". The incident occurred last week in a power plant on the Syrian coast.

Turkish planes hit Tell Tawil (Bnay Roumta), not far from Tel Tamer, scene of Turkish military operations against the Kurds, which also affect Christians. For Assyrian leader, Turkish violence is comparable to past Ottoman offensive and Islamic State attack. “History,” he said, “is repeating itself”.

The Parisian museum opens a ninth exhibition space tomorrow, dedicated to the region's art, history and Christian culture. A response to recent decades of war, violence and destruction. Over the weekend, French President Macron on an official visit to Iraq; in Mosul, with stops at the Clock Church and al-Nuri Mosque.

Shut down in 1915, the Üç Horan church in Malatya laid dilapidated. Local authorities contributed to its renovation with public funds. The place of worship is located in the neighbourhood where the late journalist Hrant Dink grew up. He was killed in 2007. The church will see Masses, weddings and baptisms, but also serve as a cultural centre.

The structure is about 70 km north of Aden. Several wounded are in serious condition and the toll is likely to worsen. The condolences of President Hadi to the families of the victims. Peace talks at a standstill, with the parties unable to reach a compromise.

The government intends to expropriate 106 square kilometres of land, one third of the total. The subsoil contains copper and magnesium. Authorities believe earning potential could be worth up to four billion. Experts deny the figures and speak of a maximum of 30 million dollars. Ecologists propose 'sustainable tourism' industry as an alternative.

Bishop Paul Hinder issues a pastoral letter for the synodal period, which opens in mid-October with a Mass in Abu Dhabi’s cathedral. This journey calls for “the active participation of all the faithful”. The local Church is centred on pilgrimage and catholicity. The sacramental way and evangelisation in the media are among the topics to be explored.

After years of tension and isolation, Qatar, which hosted talks between the U.S. and the Taliban, is back at the center of regional diplomacy, launching a coordination council to strengthen economic and commercial partnership with Riyadh. First visit in four years by a senior Emirati official to Doha.

The goal of the ride is to send a message of unity and rapprochement after seven years of war. Sport can be a tool of peace and dialogue, but the situation appears increasingly dangerous. A source told AsiaNews that the country “seems to be heading towards splitting into two, if not more parts”.

A reward system for reporting “crimes” related to religious worship is introduced in Heilongjiang. Anyone snitching by phone, email or letter can get up to US$ 150. Two members of Chengdu’s Early Rain Covenant Church were arrested while police used force during raid.

The Iraqi government has signed an initial agreement with the giant PowerChina for the construction of a power plant with a capacity of 2 thousand megawatts. The world's second-largest Opec producer, the country depends on imports from Iran, which is subject to U.S. sanctions. In 2020, it burned about 17.37 billion cubic meters of gas.