Dario Salvi

Workers in a labour camp on the outskirts of the Abu Dhabi staged a protest because they have not been paid since February. Meanwhile, their living quarters are turning into hotspots for the novel coronavirus. French construction giant Altrad shut down its building sites leaving workers without pay. Nepal-based trade unionist slams multinationals for taking advantage of the lack of workers’ rights.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights focuses on 12 countries, including the Philippines, Myanmar, China, India, Thailand and Nepal. The situation in Vietnam, where 600 people have been targeted for their social media postings, is worrisome. An independent publishing house in Ho Chi Minh City wins the 2020 Prix Voltaire.

Free after almost 700 days Michael White, detained in 2018 while going to Mashhad to visit his Iranian partner. Sentenced to 10 years for insulting the supreme leader. Washington authorizes the return to Iran of the scientist Sirous Asgari, arrested for espionage. Confirmation of the release of the doctor Majid Taheri is awaited.

The vicar of southern Arabia has been appointed apostolic administrator of the North after the death of Msgr. Ballin. His priorities: the conclusion of the cathedral of Bahrain and aid to migrant communities. Travel restrictions remain due to the new coronavirus pandemic. A thought for Yemen, an "open wound".

On the 567th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, Erdoğan endorses the recitation of an Islamic prayer inside the basilica. In a strong-worded reaction, the Greek government calls it an insult to the international community. For Turkey, “Hagia Sophia is on Turkish territory”, and is “our property” and “up to us”. Catholics and Orthodox are in favour of the status quo.

The Chaldean patriarch speaks out amid a controversy among Chaldean clergy and believers following an interview with Card Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, who criticised streamed Masses with priests looking at the camera, not God. These changes are temporary and should not upset anyone. Bread and wine, the body and blood of Christ, remain at the centre of the liturgical service.

The desert locust is considered the most "destructive" migratory plague in the world. A single swarm can contain up to 80 thousand specimens. FAO: "increased" risk on the border between India and Pakistan. A disaster coupled with the coronavirus emergency and seasonal cyclones. A joint strategic plan is being studied between the three countries.

Government leaders promise to do "everything possible" to ensure inter-religious harmony and respect for minorities. Fahrettin Altun: violence "is an element of profound pain" and "will not go unpunished". A man detained over attack on church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Galata.

After two months, Saudi Arabia has eased restrictions on mosques. Physical distancing and face masks remain mandatory. The elderly, children and the chronically ill are still banned. Sermons and prayers by clerics cannot exceed 15 minutes.

Ankara's goal is to present the claims on the area’s natural resources as a "fait accompli" and revive the idea of ​​an "economic caliphate". The agreement establishes "exclusive" research rights. The risk of a clash with Europe that has already threatened sanctions for exploration in Cyprus.

Since last Sunday, Masses can be celebrated in various parts of the country, including Bangkok. But not in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, where people will have to wait until 7 June. The “new normal" includes masks, distancing and temperature detection. Priest in the capital notes “great enthusiasm", but also a little unease about precautionary measures.

For Fr Samir hunger “could be worse" than the coronavirus. Unemployed youth and families without resources could be targeted for jihad recruitment. In Kurdistan churches were closed again after a partial easing. Young Christians died in Baghdad from the coronavirus.