Dario Salvi

The report states that the "domination" of one group over the other is underway, the result of a "systematic oppression" of a people victim of "inhuman acts". For Israel these are "absurd and false" accusations, the NGO harbors an "anti-Israeli" agenda. Barricades preventing access to the Old City removed.

The still provisional toll of the fire that struck the Ibn Al-Khatib hospital has risen to 82 dead and over 110 injured. Inside were hospitalized patients affected by the new coronavirus, while the country faces the second wave of the pandemic. Among the causes, "the storage of oxygen cylinders" without safety standards. Pope Francis’ prayer.

At least 10 thousand people marched through the streets of the capital. The crowd, holding torches and candles, gathered around the memorial to the victims. Turkish and Azerbaijani flags burned. Waiting for Biden's possible recognition of the genocide. A move that on the Turkish front would lead to the "irreparable" destruction of relations.

Fear of violence and Israeli police barriers have limited the number of people going to the al-Aqsa compound. Palestinians and young Jewish supremacists from the Lehava group clashed last night, with about a hundred injured, 22 hospitalised, and more than 50 taken into custody. Provocations mar the holy month of Islamic fasting and prayer. Israel’s occupation is the main problem.

The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops met yesterday in Bkerké. The birth of a "salvation" government that is "free from partisan interference" is a priority. The frontal war between President Aoun and the interim prime minister Hariri, who is meeting the Pope today. The power vacuum slows investigations into the double explosion at the port of Beirut.

The speaker of Syria’s parliament announced the candidacy of 50-year-old Faten Ali Nahar, from Damascus, but little is known about her. Assad has not yet announced. For Bishop Abou Khazen, a woman candidate in a Muslim society is an important step. Daily hardships trump hopes for change.

Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia occupy four of the top five positions globally according to data from Amnesty International. People executed by Riyadh (down 85%) and Baghdad (down 50%) are decreasing. Dizzying increase in Cairo of more than 300%. The global figure is the lowest in the last decade.

Elections are scheduled for 26 May. Victory assured for outgoing leader Assad, who has yet to formalize his candidacy. The High Court has so far admitted two challengers, excluding figures from opposition in exile. AsiaNews source: a vote that does not warm the hearts, the hope of an agreement between Iran and world powers on nuclear power.

The 31-year-old spent over a thousand days in prison fighting the ban on women driving. In prison she was subject to solitary confinement and torture, since February she has been under house arrest and subject to restrictions. Her sister Lina calls for international support to "expose the injustices in my country and to protect the victims".

Nabil Habashi Khadim, 62, was an esteemed merchant and philanthropist. He was kidnapped on 8 November last and killed with a Kalashnikov shot to the head. His murder was posted online by the jihadist movement who accused him of having contributed to the construction of the only Christian place of worship in Bir Al-Abd,

The Financial Times reports a first meeting between officials of the Islamic Republic and emissaries from the Wahhabi kingdom in the Iraqi capital on 9 April. Relations broke off in 2016 after the assault on the Saudi consulate in Iran. Issues on the agenda include nuclear power to the war in Yemen.

Worshippers, mostly Israeli Arabs, are back at al-Aqsa mosque on the first Friday prayer of Ramadan after last year's pandemic-related restrictions and lockdowns. Prayers were peaceful with no tense moments with police. Meanwhile, Israel is planning to reopen to vaccinated foreign visitors on 23 May under strict conditions.