Dario Salvi

Their son, a Chaldean priest in Istanbul, is deeply concerned. He cares for over 7,000 refugees. The last contact dates back to January 7. Neighbors did not report the disappearance for fear of retaliation. A Kurdish activist, who has been in prison and ill for 28 years, commits suicide in protest against abuses and human rights repressions.

At least four civilian deaths in Baghdad and Kerbala, two among security forces in Basra. Protesters threw Molotov cocktails and stones, police responded with bullets and tear gas. Three rockets fell near the U.S. embassy in the capital, inside the Green Zone.

In his homily yesterday, the cardinal slammed Lebanon’s politicians, especially those hindering the formation of a government. The latter is behind last week-end’s protests and clashes. At least 370 injured on Saturday. The cardinal again backs the “legitimate” demands of the people.

The Chaldean primate led the ceremony in the presence of bishops, priests, nuns and many faithful. In his homily, the cardinal stressed that every priest "must be like" Jesus, a "caring and kind" father. Turning to Frs Hanna and Shamil, he reminded them that prayers help “overcome difficulties".

At least 270 people have died from the H1N1 virus in the past three months. In 2019 almost 6,600 people were infected; 1,600 in the past two months. War and health crises hinder the fight against the spread of the disease. Fear over Dengue remains after it kills 78 youth under 16.

Confirmation comes from Pentagon sources, who speak of "concussion" during the "evaluation" phase. They are being treated at facilities in Kuwait and Germany. For the first time since 2012, the supreme leader leads the Friday sermon in the capital. A gesture of high symbolic value.

Great emotion and participation in the funeral. Moments of tension when the relatives of one victim ripped the flag from the coffin. 123 of the 176 passengers on board identified. Police and security forces patrol universities. IMF: if sanctions continue, unemployment will exceed 20% and the economy will drop by 7.2%.

The authorities released the monk Sefer (Aho) Bileçen, from the church of Mor Yakup. He had been arrested on charges of "terrorism" for giving bread to a PKK member. In the province of Şırnak, two elderly spouses disappear into thin air. They were the last two Christians left in the village of Meer.

Citizens anger at authorities admission of responsibility, after days of denials. A video would show two, not one, missiles launched by the Iranians against the aircraft. Rouhani: the culprits of the "tragic event" will be punished, the government is "responsible" for the victims.

Fr. Sefer (Aho) Bileçen, of the church of Mor Yakup in the province of Mardin. The prosecutor did not formalize the charge, nor did he provide explanations. According to local sources, he distributed bread to members of the PKK. For the crime of "terrorism" he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Hossein Karoubi was arrested two days after his father, also under arrest for criticizing the supreme guide. For the third consecutive day in Tehran and Isfahan, in the south, young people in the square against the shooting down of the Ukrainian plane. UN secretary general spokesman calls the reports of violence "worrying".

The monarch, who passed away at the age of 79, modernised his country and mediated in reginal conflicts. Christians praise the “unique leader”. His successor Haitham ben Tarek pledges to follow in his footsteps and promote peaceful solutions to regional crises.