Dario Salvi

In their Easter message, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in the Holy City note that “the human family is celebrated in the light of the divine life”. Jerusalem is also a “beacon of hope". They call on believers to pray for the "regions of violence and distress" and for women and children "who face violence”.

Only one can keep their citizenship. At least 111 people were already in prison, another 58 were tried in absentia. Since 2012, Manama has revoked the nationality of 990 people, of whom 180 this year alone. Activists and pro human rights NGOs speak of " mass arbitrary denaturalization".

The Chaldean primate invites us to deepen our understanding of scripture, to better understand the events of Holy Week. We must fight against intellectual poverty and spiritual decline. From the Church the example to be humble and know how to ask forgiveness. In a Muslim society find answers to the question: how to witness to Christ?

Bridges, houses and farmland hit; the oil sector spared. The toll (still provisional) is 76 victims and 220,000 displaced persons. 25 provinces and 4400 villages hit. Rouhani asks Khamenei to release two billion from the sovereign fund. Pope sends 100 thousand euros "for the first phase of the emergency".

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are closely monitoring the situation, calling for "stability" and a "peaceful transition". The two countries are ready to support the transitional military council and want the military to stay in control. For now, Qatar is silent. A climate of instability pervades the region.

Vida Movahedi was arrested last October for showing her head uncovered in Tehran’s Enghelab Square. She was convicted of "fomenting corruption and debauchery" on 2 March, but her sentence was made public only recently. She describes her fight as “civic revolt”.

HIgh ranking US advisors behind Middle East Security Alliance (Mesa) . The goal is to contain the Islamic Republic and stop the growing influence of China and Russia in the Middle East. Among the other internal countervailing factors is the murder of the Saudi dissident journalist Khashoggi and the tensions between Riyadh and Doha.

The president Fr. Paul Karam was one of 200 delegates of the international conference on trafficking, promoted by the Dicastery for integral human development. Lebanon one of the main destinations in the Middle East. The Catholic NGO has opened six centers, which work in collaboration with the government and embassies. The schooling of children to promote integration.

The situation, especially in the north, is beginning to worry experts and authorities. The Tharthar basin has a reached a level "never seen" in over 60 years. Two bridges in Mosul submerged by water. The closure of kiosks and businesses near the river. AsiaNews sources: "exceptional" events.

A bazaar will be organised for holy week to collect food, drugs and clothes for the neediest families. For Fr Samir, many families are still experiencing difficulties at a time when aid has fallen off. Grateful to AsiaNews and PIME for their financial support, he voices local concerns about the winds of war blowing in the Middle East and a possible attack against Iran. Prayers for peace are needed.

The leader of the center alliance respects "the decision of the people" and congratulates the outgoing premier. The ally and former finance minister Lapid promises to make "life bitter for the next" executive. Trump: "I'm with him". The disenchantment of the Arab front that deserted the polls.

The trial of Jennifer Wenisch, 27, a former IS morality policewoman, opened yesterday in Munich. Together with her husband, a Caliphate fighter, she bought a child and her mother. Chained under the sun, the girl died "in scorching heat". The accused could get life in prison. The case highlights the problem of foreign fighters returning to their countries of origin.