Dario Salvi

The economic and migrant crises cut into his support. The anti-Kurdish offensive in north-eastern Syria brushed up his winning image. From an historic low of 33.7 per cent, support for him now stands at 48 per cent, achieved on the backs of Kurds, refugees, Christians, political opponents and victims of his repression.

A overnight operation targeted Baha Abu al-Atta. For president Rivlin the operation is a guarantee of the "security" of the country. Netanyahu: ready to carry out "new attacks in the near future". The extremist group promises revenge: we will "shake the Zionist entity". Southern Israel on maximum alert.

The Chaldean patriarchate urges a prayer for peace. For Card Sako, Iraq’s problem is not only political, but cultural and spiritual as well. The death toll stands at 320 dead and 16,000 wounded. Baghdad’s Auxiliary Bishop warns that too little is done for the future of youth and the poor. Young Iraqis have overcome ethnic and confessional divisions.

The new reserve is located in the southwestern province of Khuzestan and has an area of ​​2400 km2. China and Iran have signed a $ 400 billion economic and commercial partnership. Investments in energy and infrastructure. The Emirates are inviting the Islamic Republic to the negotiating table to ease tension in the region.

According to Iran’s National Organisation for Civil Registration, the country’s marriage rate dropped considerably in the past year, confirming a trend that started in the late 2000s. The average marriage age rose from 18 in the 1980s to 23 in 2018. The population grew by 4.7 per cent over 2016, reaching 83.75 million.

The epicenter of the magnitude 5.9 earthquake at 8 km depth in the province of Eastern Azarbaijan, in an agricultural and mountainous area. The main shock was followed by another 42 aftershocks. At least 30 buildings razed to the ground. The greatest damage concentrated in two villages.

Umm Qasr port and southern oil production are back in business. The government says the cost of the protests has reached US$6. Death toll reached 280. UN Secretary General describes reports about police brutality "disturbing". World Council of Churches urges respect for the legitimate demands of the people.

Tehran opens to dialogue to resolve disputes between rival powers in the region. US pressure on Iran must not "create distances" between nations that share "cultural and religious" elements. The mediation role played by Kuwait and the objective of direct talks at another level.

Eman Abdulla was kidnapped in the summer of 2014 and was held by jihadis for nine months. The young woman was raped, sold and enslaved. Today she works for an association that is fighting to save young victims of violence. Winner of the 2019 Mother Teresa Award, the group is fighting for the international recognition of the tragedy that befell her people.

Today the uranium gas injection will be resumed in 1044 first-generation IR-1 centrifuges. For the Islamic Republic it is the fourth step in the direction of a disengagement from the 2015 Vienna agreement. Rouhani: "reversible" decision if Europe compensates for the effect of US sanctions.

The Chaldean patriarchate promotes an ecumenical prayer for "peace, security and stability". The Church's closeness to young people "on the street" to "claim their rights". Protesters have overcome sectarian divisions and restored national identity. New victims in Baghdad and in the south among the protesters.

Human Rights Watch report says reforms have "a high cost" with arrest of dozens of dissidents. Many of these suffered torture in prison. On the state media, defamatory and slanderous campaigns against those arrested. Rights "can be challenged at will" by political leaders.