Dario Salvi

The patriarchal vicar describes a climate of expectation and participation, despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Only 50 people will be present at the Holy Sepulchre. Previously the administrator, now he will be a real pastor. The Holy Land without pilgrims is "a desolation", the hope pilgrimages will start again "after Easter".

The writer and blogger had been held in a detention centre since last May, awaiting trial. He is indicted under art. 117 of the Criminal Code, for having produced and kept "documents against the State". The reasons for the transfer are unknown. HIs wife: "He has no mental problem."

63 already detained. Suspects include seventy still on active duty. The operation signed by the Izmir prosecutor took place overnight and affected 39 provinces. 848 soldiers dismissed, including high-ranking officers. At least 150,000 people fired or suspended since the purges began.

The scientist was laid to read in a cemetery north of the capital. At the funeral, images of Ayatollah Khamenei and General Soleimani were on display. President Rouhani pledged to take revenge in due course. But hardliners want immediate action, threatening the Israeli city of Haifa. The arrival of US president-elect Biden and the fate of the nuclear deal will come into the picture.

There are still nearly one million displaced people in Lebanon. The war in Syria has changed the demographic balance and reshuffled the internal balance. Damascus is in no hurry to see them return, but for Beirut they have become a heavy burden at a cost of a billion. The game of reconstruction between Russia and the West

From this morning, restriction to contain coronavirus contagion will be eased. Restaurants will reopen to 50% of their capacity, curfew passes from 5pm to 11pm. Bars and night clubs remain closed. Minister for Health: the "danger" of contagions is still high and current.

One of Iran’s foremost scientist was killed this morning following a targeted attack. He was injured when his car was hit, and died later in hospital from his injuries. Foreign diplomats describe him as the "father of the Iranian bomb". Israel has not yet issued any comment.

Turkey’s sustained growth rate of the past decade has considerably slowed down. Recession appears to be around the corner. The main Turkish trade union confederation notes that the poverty line is three and half times higher than the minimum wage. The country’s foreign adventurism masks its domestic crises.

The 49-year-old father of six was transferred from the Tel Aviv hospital to the university clinic in Al-Najah in the West Bank. For 103 days, he refused food in protest against his detention. According to B’Tselem, as of August there are about 355 Palestinians held in administrative detention, including two minors.

About 500 military and civilians are on trial in connection with the 2016 coup. Proceedings focused on events inside the Akinci Air Base, near the capital. Dozens of defendants will serve harsh prison terms for trying to overthrow the government and kill Erdoğan.

A survey by the PCPO, a research institute led by Nabil Kukali, a Christian, shows that 81 per cent do not trust Israel "to various degrees”, 59 per cent oppose re-establishing relations, and 52 per cent are hostile to peace negotiations. The “bad” economic situation is the motive for those who support renewed cooperation with Israel.

The cardinal met with the president before leaving for the Vatican to meet Pope Francis and participate in next Saturday’s consistory. Aoun and al-Rahi share the same concerns over the stalemate preventing the formation of a new cabinet. Uncovering corruption in state institutions must be backed.