Dario Salvi

Today's news: the death toll in China has risen to 29 from a fire in a hospital in the capital; The Afghan economy at risk if international aid is cut; Indian authorities have imposed school closures in parts of the country hit by an exceptional heat wave; Kuala Lumpur is considering restrictions on the use of water for "non-essential" purposes; "bad weather" forces Pyongyang to cancel the "Day of the Sun", celebrating founder Kim Il-Sung.

Another political twist follows last month’s ruling by the Constitutional Court annulling the September elections and reinstating the 2020 assembly. The vote is expected in the coming months. The decision was justified by saying that it was “the will of the people” to ensure greater stability to the country.

The Rusi expert recounts the Islamic Republic between (fading) street protests and the embrace of China and Russia. The resumption of relations with Riyadh important and with "tangible" results in Yemen, but it is too early to speak of peace. The role of women the 'most important' factor in the demonstrations against the veil, but laws have tightened. The difficult international support for the uprising.

Today's headlines: at least 133,000 people in earthquake-hit areas in Turkey will vote out of province, 600,000 have changed polling station; Vietnamese blogger who disappeared in Thailand is in the hands of Hanoi police; Taiwan ready to buy 400 missiles from the USA in an anti-Chinese bid; In India, murders and suicides in the army are on the rise; Highs and lows in the estimates of the Russian economy at the time of war (and sanctions).

Iraq is a “country facing the most and acting the least,” says one expert. Over the next decade, up to 90 per cent of archaeological sites in southern Iraq are at risk from dry winters and hotter summers. Salt left from enhanced evaporation creates a crust that devours everything. Increasingly, farmers and herders are moving to the cities.

The initiative launched by the Middle East Council of Churches (Mecc) is scheduled for 24 April. An event linked to Metropolitans Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yaziji, on the tenth anniversary of their kidnapping. During the seminar there will be testimonies of kidnapping victims and a final message from the patriarchs of the two communities.

Today's headlines: Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong sentenced to three months in prison; controversial former Indian MP murdered, assailants shouted Hindu slogans; South Korean navy warning shots fired at North's trespassing fishing vessel;at least 41 people killed in Syria in Islamic State attacks; Malaysia wants to introduce a second 5G network.

A ban that has primarily caused very heavy repercussions to the economy of families. More than 400 businesses closed, some merchants have lost the investment of a lifetime. Still others see fleeing abroad as the only solution. Taliban representative: They promoted Indian and Western values and culture, women did not wear the hijab.

Today's headlines: thousands take to the streetsin Iran and the Arab world for al-Quds day; Hong Kong police arrest two youths for firing water guns during a festival; Indonesian President Widodo pardons a woman on death row for more than 20 years for drug offenses; Delhi government claims unit that "monitors" news has no censorship role; Chinese exports to Russia soar to +136% year-on-year in March.

Bilateral talks in Yemeni capital achieve “positive” results. Red Cross planes bring prisoners to Sana'a and Aden. UN envoy sees “hope”, stresses the importance of “constructive dialogue”.

Patriarch Bartholomew and the Franciscan superior have signed an agreement to grant the Church of St Mary (Izmir) to the Orthodox free of charge. For the vicar of Istanbul, Bishop Palinuro, it is a "gesture of love" to a "sister" community and a further step on the "ecumenical path". The hope is to one day also reach "the sharing of the sacraments".

Israeli authorities have limited the number of participants to 2,000, far below the usual 10,000. They also require the Churches to issue “invitations” for admissions. For the World Council of Churches, this endangers freedom of worship. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Armenian Patriarchate, and the Custody of the Holy Land slam Israel’s “unreasonable” demands.