Dario Salvi

The defendants found guilty of attempts to overthrow the constitutional order and assassinate of the head of state. Another 106 people will have to serve between six and 18 years in prison. 497 defendants on trial. The majority were career soldiers at the time, including presidential guard officers.

Father Aho will serve 25 months in prison for providing “help to a terrorist organisation”. The clergyman, absent from the courtroom, has always rejected the charges. The trial was held without journalists and public. Anti-Christian repression is growing as evinced by the Assyrian monk’s trial and the fate of Hagia Sophia.

Recent research shows that the number of religiously unaffiliated is increasing in Thailand, more now than a decade ago. Many students oppose the compulsory teaching of religion in school. At the same time, conversions to Catholicism are growing, after a path of search and study.

Lebanese architect Charbel Abou Jaoudé has a US$ 5-billion plan to redevelop the area devastated by two explosions. It includes a 2,200-metre-long cruise terminal, a fishing port, storage area, and a 160-metre tower. France and Germany are also interested in the reconstruction.

Cautious optimism after the first (indirect) meeting yesterday in Vienna, under the aegis of the EU. The restoration of the JCPOA "will not be immediate" and "will take time", but positive signals are coming from Iran and the United States. The White House is ready to remove the sanctions "contrary to the agreement".

Analysts and experts speak of an encouraging "small step forward". Indirect talks, mediated by the European Union, could open today in Vienna. Ayatollah Khamenei withholds go-ahead for direct meetings. But unresolved issues such as support for Hamas, Hezbollah and Assad weigh on the future of the negotiations.

Cases of new coronavirus are on the rise in the Strip, but the pandemic has not stopped the desire for participation. Once more, Israel has not granted any travel permits, using the health emergency to keep tight control. For Fr Romanelli, at a time of uncertainty, faith is strengthened: “let us feed the desire to live through works and prayer”.

The Palestinian 'Nelson Mandela' and Arafat's nephew are joining forces for change. This is a turning point in the run-up to May’s Palestinian parliamentary elections and July’s presidential elections, rumours of a postponement notwithstanding. For the Catholic leader, Barghouti represents a break with the policies of recent years. A breakthrough is needed to overcome years of deadlock.

Card. Beshara Raï met with Sheikh Hamid Shahrayari and the charge d'affaires of the embassy in Beirut. A "frank and transparent" dialogue which confirmed the importance of "national unity" to safeguard "sovereignty". Openness to dialogue and confrontation also by the leader of Hezbollah to "get the country out of the impasse".

Retiring Bishop Paul Nguyễn Thái Hợp celebrated the start of the work and the laying of the foundation stone. In October, devastating flooding caused fatalities and extensive damage to the area. Local authorities granted the land free of charge. The building can also be used as a youth or educational centre.

In 2020, at least 267 people executed, including four minors and nine women. China, Iraq and Saudi Arabia follow. The abolitionist front is growing in the Islamic Republic; the wrestler Navid Afkari, symbol of the struggle executed in September. In 2020, a death sentence was carried out for crimes related to alcohol consumption.

The fifth Brussels Conference of Syria's donors opened. At least US$ 10 billion are needed in 2021 to meet needs. At least 24 million people are in serious need, four more than last year. For Bishop Audio, “a shared and global effort is needed”.