Dario Salvi

This was the first deadly incident in months at Tahrir Square, symbol of anti-government protests. The two men were hit in the head and neck with tear gas canisters. More than 26 protesters were wounded. Witnesses said security forces fired live ammunition to disperse the crowd. the Prime Minister ordered an investigation.

Two foreigners, a Myanmar sailor in Vietnam and a South Korean technician in Lao, tested positives. Laotian authorities are not worried, but have boosted checks. In Vietnam, after four cases were reported, the authorities have locked down the coastal city of Da Nang and started the mass evacuation of tourists.

Pilgrims wearing masks began trickling into Makkah over the weekend. Upon arrival, they were subject to temperature checks, placed under quarantine, and given elaborate amenity kits that include sterilized pebbles for a stoning ritual, disinfectants, masks, a prayer rug and the ihram. Pilgrims were selected from a pool of health practitioners and military personnel who have recovered from COVID-19.

There are 43 institutes spread across Jordan, Palestine and Israel. In Zababdeh and Birzeit, in the West Bank, 100% successfully passed the final test, the Tawjihi. In the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza the average figure is 71.32%. The school facilities host young Christians and Muslims.

UAE Culture Minister Noura Al Kaabi attacks Erdoğan's decision. The building, now a museum, is an important example of interaction and dialogue. For Archbishop Pizzaballa, the decision reopens a wound. Radical Palestinian movement and al-Aqsa imam are in favour.

The Maronite patriarch says it undermines Lebanese "neutrality". The Cardinal openly attacks the Shiite movement, whose politics have aggravated an already critical situation. We need an effective, positive and committed system with a view to neutrality. The Church "is not against Hezbollah", but wants to "live together" and "build our Lebanese society".

Amirhossein Moradi, Mohammad Rajabi and Saeed Tamjidi had been convicted for involvement in the November protests against inflationary cost of living. The Persian hashtag #do_not_execute used 7.5 million times in a few hours. Activists and NGOs speak of a farce trial, with confessions obtained by force.

The protest against the prime minister and his government is growing over their failure to handle the country’s economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The prime minister also faces a corruption trial. Police arrest at least 50 people. For Sobhy Makhoul, Israel needs a left-of-centre leader capable of taking up the challenge. After years of lethargy, there is an awakening.

The last attempt took place yesterday, with a man who threw himself off a bridge and was seriously injured. Previously, a 61-year-old had shot himself in the center of Beirut, in protest at the institutions. On the same day, a 37-year-old family man had hanged himself. Authorities will not reveal the number of suicides for 2020.

Former South Vietnamese soldiers are among the most marginalised people in Vietnam today. The restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic have broken the chain of aid. A Buddhist organised an overseas fundraiser, and the money was given to Redemptorist Fathers to help almost 1,200 needy people.

The first prayer inside the former Byzantine basilica scheduled for July 24. During the rites Christian mosaics will be covered, including the icons of the Virgin and the archangel Gabriel. The Greek premier speaks of "a bad" choice. Criticism from the USA and the EU. Praise from Muslim scientists for whome the building returns "to its original nature".

In an era of pandemic, the world needs "human solidarity,” not "further conflict," said Card Sako. After the Armenian genocide, Atatürk sent a strong signal of "coexistence and safeguarding the common heritage;” now his choice has been disowned. Political leaders of the Christian West have shown weakness.