Dario Salvi

Two months after the death of his predecessor, 40-something Ali Alyas, became the new “Baba Sheikh” yesterday. His father also held the title in the past. The ceremony was held at the stone shrine in Lalish, the Yazidis’ holy place. For some, the choice risks causing further rifts in a community still reeling from Islamic State violence.

The government intends to introduce a series of measures from November 21 to stop rise in cases. In the last few days, a new record in infections and victims. President Rouhani calls for "social responsibility". The Minister of Health speaks of "last chance" in the face of an "abyss from which we can no longer recover".

On 7 and 14 November, 35 children took part in the sacraments in the Church of Our Lady Woman of Valour in Tel Aviv. They belong to Philippine and Indian families who live among Hebrew-speaking Israelis. For Fr Di Bitonto, with the services, a "circle was closed" after more than two years of catechesis and preparation. The festivities were restrained but with "great participation".

In the first speech after the victory at the polls, the democratic leader tries to assuage discontent and protests. Controversy over welfare program: many denounce the failure to access funding. According to critics, the money went to entrepreneurs or community leaders.

At least eight targets hit from Golan to the outskirts of Damascus. The attack in response to Syrian special forces operations of led by Iranian ground troops. The shadow war launched by Trump against Tehran and the wait for Biden's policies.

In Kolkata Shakib al-Hasan allegedly took part in a ritual at a pooja mandap (small Hindu temple). This led to one man posting a video on social media threatening to kill the cricket champion and dismembering his body. Fearing retaliation, the player said he was misunderstood and apologised. In Bangladesh, public opinion is divided over the case with some lamenting Shakib’ capitulation to extremists.

Tomorrow a trilateral meeting will be held between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Pompeo and Manama's Foreign Minister Abdellatif al-Zayani. Future bilateral and diplomatic relations are on the table, as well as commercial agreements. A direct link between the two countries is also expected.

Armenia got ten more days to evacuate the Kalbajar district, for “humanitarian” reasons, said an Azerbaijani spokesperson. The timetable for the evacuation of Agdam and Latchin remains the same. Residents are setting fire to their homes and removing their graves to avoid desecration. Russian forces have been deployed to protect the Dadivank monastery where three priests remain.

The Maronite patriarch accuses the ruling class of selfishness and personal interests. The aim of undermining the nation "to get one’s hands on what's left". We need an executive composed of "independent figures" to repel the onslaught of "internal and external forces". Greek Orthodox Metropolitan: they are dragging Lebanon "to the bottom of a chasm".

A man interviewed in the street is placed under house arrest and eventually goes to prison for criticising the government’s economic policies. His son says he was arrested for speaking his mind, and wants him freed “as soon as possible.” A playground in Istanbul is targeted because its redesign somewhat is a reminder of the outlawed PKK. Prosecutors open an investigation.

Official figures released today already assign 346 seats (out of a total of 416) to the ruling party. For the Usdp, an emanation of the military, only 25 seats. A further 64 remain to be assigned. NLD spokesperson: the electorate gives them the mandate to govern "on their own". Congratulations from the leaders of Japan and India.

New Delhi is facing a spike in cases, 8,500 yesterday alone, for a total of 450,000 so far, with 85 deaths in one day (7,000 in total). Hospitals have a reached a breaking point. Restrictions like a ban on fireworks have been imposed for Diwali. Keeping a future vaccine at minus 80 degrees is a problem.