Dario Salvi

The Vietnamese government has stepped up its campaign of arrests and repression of activists, independent journalists, bloggers and citizens. Today there are at least 150 people sentenced for freedom of expression, another 15 in pre-trial detention. Vietnam is one of the four "closed" nations of Asia along with China, Laos and North Korea.

The text, which includes verses 159 and 160 from the Surah Al-i Imran, says: “Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him. [. . .] So in Allah let the believers put their trust.” Placed close to the pulpit, it also reads:” The plate is endowed by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque on the occasion of its reopening to worship.”

Each year, Vietnam generates 15 million tonnes of waste. In urban areas it is around 34,500 tonnes per day. Industrial waste is around 3.2 million. The capital and the Hồng River Delta have reached a critical point. Most waste goes to landfills, polluting groundwater.

Despite calls for a global ceasefire, violence and persecution on the rise. Unhcr: “another tragic milestone” passed which is destined to “increase”. The international community "has failed" in its task of "safeguarding peace". In the first half of the year, the number of vulnerable refugees resettled in third countries fell by half.

On 4 December a man, later arrested, entered the church at the foot of the Mount of Olives and set fire to some pews, part of the so-called "price tag" vendetta. Two days later the Christian leaders of the Holy Land, including the Latin patriarch and the Custos concelebrated a mass of reparation. Fr. Patton: prayer "for reconciliation", standing strong against "the advance of destructive forces.”

The pontiff will visit the Arab country from 5 to 8 March 2021. For the visit’s general coordinator, this is “confirmation of the country’s greater stability”. His presence in Mosul will help heal the wounds caused by jihadist madness. The highlight will be in Ur of the Chaldees “because for us Christians, Muslims and Jews, Abraham is the prophet of all religions”.

The grand ayatollah is said to have transferred his powers to his son Mojtaba due to serious health issues. The decision paves the way for the succession, but sources in the Islamic Republic deny it. According to some, the story is aimed at destabilising the regime at a time of intense tensions with Israel and the United States.

The Maronite patriarch criticises the "suspicious" slowness of the judiciary in investigating the causes and perpetrators of the double explosion at Beirut port. He also criticizes the "intentional lack" of reference to the nation as an entity during the last conference of donor countries. Renewed appeal for the formation of the government.

Yesterday the new primate of Jerusalem of the Latins made his official entrance to the Tomb of Jesus. A sober ceremony with measures and restrictions due to the new coronavirus. Remembering is essential for constructing a bridge between our present time filled with worries and fear, and the future of hope. Pastoral commitment, clear and serene words on the political situation, meeting with sister Churches and Muslim and Jewish brothers.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (Ipc), published yesterday. According to experts, "time is running out" to avert "mass hunger". For tens of thousands of people, the situation is "catastrophic" and will get worse next year. FAO Director General: War is the engine of food insecurity.

The UN agency wants the Turkish government to grant them access to evaluate possible alterations to the two World Heritage sites. Turkish officials have installed a system of curtains and lights to hide Christian traces. But Hagia Sophia continues to amaze; a hidden Seraphin angel has emerged, last seen by an Ottoman caliph.

The Iranian leader is opposed to a parliamentary law that aims to block UN inspections and revive uranium enrichment. A "harmful" norm for dialogue, a political maneuver in view of the presidential elections in June. The future tenant of the White House ready to revive the JCPOA, the "best way" to ensure "stability" in the region.