Dario Salvi

Humanitarian aid, economic and financial issues, humanitarian principles to be respected are at the center of the meeting. Absent the main operating organizations in the field. It weighs the missed invitation to the Shiite militias, active part of the conflict. The Emirates reject UN peace plans that involve Houthi involvement.

Largest national protests since 2012; the Grand Bazaar is brought to a standstill. Small business worried about the collapse of the local currency against the dollar. The police respond with tear gas, two arrests. The government is ready to intervene with concessions and access to credit.

The Turkish president is elected in the first round of the vote with 53 per cent. Turnout was 87 per cent. In his first speech Erdogan pledges to fight terrorists, threatens the opposition. International observers faced obstacles during the poll. In Diyarbakir people celebrate pro-Kurdish party, which makes it into parliament.

Tehran's chief of diplomacy re-launches efforts to save the JCPOA after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States. The government does not want to collapse a system built with difficulty, The flight of European companies in fear of US retaliation. The Iranian currency falls on the dollar.

Set for tomorrow, the general elections will renew parliament and choose the next president. The economy, war in Syria and Kurdish issue hot topics among voters. Analysts and experts speak of the "most important" vote in the modern history of the country. Erdogan focuses on nationalist leverage. The oppositions seek unity to stop the domination of the "sultan".

Countries making "intermediate goods" like Taiwan, South Korea and South-East Asian nations are the hardest hit. Experts note that the trade war is having ripple effects across the region. Local currencies fall. After Turkey India announces duties on US food imports worth US$ 240 million.

Hundreds of families are leaving several centers in the province of Deraa. Local sources speak of 12,500 displaced people, a figure far above the 2,500 declared by the UN. Assad ready to negotiate a "political solution", but does not exclude "the use of force" to regain control of the area.

The provision affects dozens of products, from sunglasses to cars. An Ankara response to the US decision to impose duties on steel and aluminum. Turkish Minister: the choices of the "unbearable" and "reckless" White House. Turkey is the 32nd trade partner of the United States.

One hundred families went back to the eastern sector of the northern metropolis. A Chaldean priest talks about reconstruction. In addition to houses, social and economic life must be rebuilt. For Muslim leaders, there is no rebirth without Christians.

Israeli army says the Palestinian extremist movement launched at least 45 cross-border missiles overnight. Seven were intercepted by the Israeli defense system. Since the beginning of the violence there have been 132 victims among the Palestinians, none among the Israelis. The UN agency for Palestinians suspends payment of salaries and humanitarian operations due to lack of funds.

In 2017 the total was 68.5 million. Last year a jump of 3.1 million, far above 300 thousand in 2016. Globally one in 110 people fall under status of displaced. UN experts: we need a "new and more global" approach to the problem. Over a fifth of the total refugees are Palestinians.

Maronite bishops call for a safe and dignified return of refugees. But the bases for peace and security are still missing. Lebanon risks economic and social collapse. For the UN, a repatriation plan is still premature. Fr Karam wants the international community to promote a peace process in Syria that respects everyone involved.