Dario Salvi

The village of Qashafar, about 27 km from Dohuk, also involved. Panic among the local population. Several families who fled Mosul and the Nineveh plain with the rise of Isis live in the area. Baghdad summons the Turkish ambassador and demands an easing in tension. Turkey’s response: "We will fight the PKK wherever it is", even on Iraqi territory.

Issue of inspections of two nuclear sites where some experts speculate activities in the early 2000s aimed at building the atomic bomb. France, Germany and Great Britain are pressing for a resolution. For the Iranian Foreign Minister "more inspections in Iran in the past 5 years than in the whole history of the IAEA".

This is the highest number of the past ten years, about one per cent of the world's population, twice as many as in 2010, when the total stood at 41 million. Wars, persecutions, famines, diseases and human rights violations are the main factors. For UNHCR’S Filippo Grandi, “the figures are [getting] higher”.

The service cancelled during Holy Week because of the lockdown to stem the COVID-19 pandemic was celebrated today in the Church of Gethsemane, not the Holy Sepulchre. For the Apostolic Administrator, the emergency becomes an invitation to rethink ourselves and the origins of the faith.

The effects of the Caesar Act, approved by Washington in December, enter into force. Targeted figures include Asthma al-Assad. The rules affect those who provide financial, technological or material support to Damascus. Experts say they will end up hitting an already weakened civilian population.

Saudi authorities have yet to issue their official decision over the major pilgrimage. A scaled down pilgrimage limited to locals appears to be making headway. Malaysia has urged its citizens to be patient and "accept the decision". In Indonesia, fake news claim that pilgrimage funds have been misappropriated.

The economic embargo is the weapon of a "global system of finance and geopolitics". It uses peoples and nations as "pawns for its own interest". The Sisters note that people “are dying from starvation,” not only from the coronavirus. Pharmacies are closed, there are no medicines. After the fighting, an "economic war" is taking place at present.

A 47-member panel criticizes the Israeli government's project, supported by the US ally. It leads to the creation of a "Palestinian Bantustan". And it is contrary to the UN charter, the Geneva conventions and the Security Council resolutions. Satisfaction among the Palestinians; Israeli counterattacks, the UN "does nothing to find a solution".

Residents are evacuated from the facility dedicated to the Virgin Mary because of possible coronavirus infections. The site has been sanitised. Iraq has reported more than 21,000 cases with 650 deaths. For the Auxiliary Bishop of Baghdad, things are getting worse because of the “invisible enemy” who “knows no mercy” and affects “all ages”.

For Sahak Mashalian "the temple is large enough" to be used by both confessions. A decision that would be "applauded" from a "peace" perspective and would make Turkey an example and pride in the world. But 73% of Turks want it as a mosque.

Hundreds of people clash with the military during demonstrations against a "corrupt and incapable" political class. At least 36 people jailed for damaging public and private property. President Aoun slams "thugs": vandalism "will no longer be tolerated".

In a letter, the cardinal calls on the faithful to seize the opportunity despite the tragic period. The coronavirus has changed the way people meet, whilst strengthening relations. We need "a new language" from the clergy to answer people's questions. Many religious and lay people and "different charisms" stand as examples.