Dario Salvi

After months of silence, the leader of the Islamic State group issued a video message yesterday, praising attacks the Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka and pledging to continue the jihad in the Middle East and Africa. For the Chaldean Patriarch, Muslim authorities have the task and responsibility to defeat this ideology.

Archbishop Samir Nassar recounts the devastation caused by the conflict to the country and its people. In 2006 it was rare to find people asking for help or charity. Today it is "impossible" not to meet someone "in need". The conflict has moved from the military to the economic battlefield. In Astana a new round of (fruitless) meetings.

Speaking before the Asia Society, Iran’s foreign minister attacks warmongers like Bolton, "Bibi" Netanyahu and the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. He refers to the danger of an "accident" triggering a greater crisis, which would help Iran’s own hardliners.

Following consultations with the Mufti, the judges of the Criminal Court of Damanhur confirmed the sentence. It excludes generic extenuating circumstances due to the brutality of the assassination. The two monks will ultimately appeal against the verdict.

UNDP experts have outlined three scenarios, depending on whether the war ended in 2019, 2022 or 2030. The repercussions on infrastructure, health and population are devastating. Economic losses range from US$88 billion to US$657 billion. About 71 per cent of the population is at risk of extreme poverty. MsF reports many deaths are due to delivery complications.

Constitutional changes are approved by almost 90 per cent of voters who cast their ballots. Turnout stands at 44.33 per cent of eligible voters. The presidential mandate is extended, and the president picks judges and prosecutor. The army is the guarantor above the constitution. Fr Rafic was "hoping for a greater turnout." Christian leader fears a military regime.

He was part of a group of 37 people part of a "mass execution". One of the defendants was 16 at the time of detention. His charges included having an "extremist ideology" and "forming terrorist cells". The Ulema Council approves: "sharia-compliant" killings.

There is no news of the Syro-Orthodox Msgr. Yohanna Ibrahim and the Greek Orthodox Msgr. Boulos Yaziji. For the prelate "there are no certain signs of their presence" or "communication channels in place". He launches an appeal to the West: to support peace in Syria and the Christian presence in the country. The memory of the Federation of Arameis (Syriacs) in Switzerland.

President Trump canceles waivers granted to eight nations and expiring on 2 May. In response, Tehran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz. The White House deals with Saudis and Emirates to ensure an "adequate supply". The effects of the increasingly evident sanctions on the Iranian population.

The MPs voted against Fortnite and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. They exert a "negative" influence on young people and have no educational value. The revolt of young people and Internet users was immediate. Radical Shiite leader Al-Sadr is one of the supporters of the controversial law: they are creating addiction.

Fr Paul talks about the many families from North America and Europe who have come back for Holy Week. Heavy rains are hindering the celebrations, but the desire to participate is very strong. A father brought his daughter from Canada to Mart (Saint) Barbara shrine in Karamles to baptise her. “We must stop looking back and think about the past, about the Islamic State,” says the clergyman. “We must build a future here, in this land, and help those who have left to come back.”

The figure refers to 2018, which marks a slight decrease compared to the 9.2 billion dollars of the previous year. Ministry of Defense says the sector is "exceptionally strong" and represents one of the leading industries. Most important clients are India, Azerbaijan and Vietnam.