Dario Salvi

The musician died yesterday in hospital shortly after ending his extreme protest. Several members of the politically engaged band are in prison or in exile after they were accused of ties to "terrorists”. In his spiritual testament, Gökçek said: “They took my bass guitar away, so I turned my body into an instrument.”

The patriarchs and heads of the Churches of Jerusalem are observing "with concern" the unilateral plans that block "any peaceful agreement". Criticism of world powers and international inertia. The "internal disputes" to the Palestinians are also targeted. Meanwhile, Israel announces thousands of new homes in the occupied territories.

The pandemic has led to the rediscovery of religion and enhanced Islamic-Christian collaboration. Physical distancing, social media, the Internet and television have become the tools of a form of new evangelisation. Three activities have been proposed for the month of May aimed at boosting participation and ecumenism. Some US$13,000 have been raised and two tonnes of food collected for Bethlehem. Muslims have also joined the initiative.

He is the sixth prime minister since the 2003 US-led invasion. The appointment of 15 ministers has been approved, five rejected, including justice and migration. Ministries for oil and foreign affairs also remain vacant pending new negotiations. Fighting the economic crisis and the new coronavirus pandemic are among the priorities. The fears of new ISIS violence.

Places of worship will be able to welcome up to 30 per cent of their maximum capacity for Friday prayers and Sunday Mass. Social distancing and sanitary rules will remain in place to prevent contagion. Prime Minister Diab appeals to fellow Lebanese to end divisions and join forces to help the country overcome its economic crisis.

In the last 24 hours there have been 1323 new cases, for a total of 99970. The total victims are 6340, 63 deaths in one day. The progressive reopening of activities and businesses continues. To stop hyper-inflation, Parliament votes on changing the currency: from rial to toman, with a cut of four zeros.

Lockdown and social distancing measures to fight the pandemic have been in place for two months. The government has eased some of them, but religious services and places of worship are still off limits. For Bishop Pabillo, Masses and religious celebrations are "essential services;” religion is very important for people.

Bernard Sabella sees “no discrimination in this emergency”. People are respecting social distancing and separation; masks and gloves have become ordinary things. The Church and Christians are playing a role in easing the confrontation and promoting dialogue. An Israeli laboratory has taken the first step towards monoclonal antibodies in the fight against coronavirus.

According to HRW, the militiamen used the area for years as a "landfill" for the bodies of people killed. The gorge, 50 meters deep and once a site of "great beauty", has become "a place of horror". At least 20 mass graves were found between Syria and Iraq. Victims include activists, humanitarian workers, journalists.

​The neighbours of a doctor under self-isolation blocked the road to his house, demanding he be quarantined in a hospital. The latest incident highlights the growing intolerance towards healthcare professionals who test positive for the coronavirus. Eyewitness talked to AsiaNews about the climate of hostility. So far, at least 24 medical doctors and 13 nurses have died in the pandemic.

In the homily on the feast day of Our Lady of Lebanon, Patriarch al-Rahi calls on the government to ratify the whole recovery plan next Wednesday. Challenges and needs have increased as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The patriarch appeals to Our Lady to heal the sick. Shia leader slammed Germany’s decision to designate Hezbollah as terrorist organisation and ban its activities.

The government plans a general easing of the restrictions introduced in the first phase of the pandemic. The updated toll is 95 thousand infections and over 6200 victims. In the first phase of Ramadan, the authorities promoted ceremonies and functions on a "drive-in" model. Relaxation of restrictions on economic activities also in Jordan and the Emirates.