Dario Salvi

Today's headlines: Singapore premier on official visit to China, the first since the pandemic; Taliban block a march of women activists in Kabul for women's right to study; Myanmar's coup leader moves against 'acts of terrorism' by armed groups fighting against the army; First 'controlled' demonstration in Hong Kong; In five months more than 25,000 Russians reached the USA across the Mexican border.

At the Angelus, the pontiff mentioned the “renewed [. . .] consecration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”. He also turned his thoughts to the people of Mississippi and called for peace and reconciliation in Peru. Citing the Gospel episode of Lazarus, he urged the faithful to “take away the stone" and remember the gift of life “even when it seems that all hope has gone,”

In areas controlled by pro-Iranian rebels, women working for NGOs must be accompanied by a "mahram", a male guardian. This hinders their movement and impedes their work. The hunger-stricken population is paying the price in a country in dire need for aid.

The German broadcaster Deutsche Welle shut down its Turkey office after losing its operating licence, primarily because of the close race ahead of the 14 May elections. Government pressure has intensified after the 6 February earthquake. Turkey ranks 149th out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom. In the 2018 elections, Erdogan got 181 hours of coverage on state television; his main rival, 16.

The four civilians, who had lit a fire to celebrate Nowruz, were shot at by a splinter group supported by Ankara. The incident has increased tensions between factions, in an area long disputed by Kurds, anti-Assad groups, and pro-Turkish militias. For Human Rights Watch, the area has seen “over five years of unaddressed human rights abuses”.

Two deputies of the Religious Right proposed a law that criminalises any form of "proclamation" of Jesus, imprisonment from one to two years. Patriarchal Vicar: worries "the general climate", "vicious circle" involving Israelis and Palestinians. Fears of loss of "flow of pilgrims". Netanyahu promises to block the law (not to lose consensus among US evangelicals).

Islam’s holy month of fasting and prayer begins tomorrow and ends on 21 April with Eid al-Fitr. With the Islamic observance coinciding with Easter and Passover, security measures have been tightened on Jerusalem’s holy esplanade. In Saudi Arabia, restaurants remain closed from dawn to dusk. In the UAE, working hours have been reduced. The economic crisis will affect activities this year.

Mohayyedin Ebrahimi, a political prisoner, is among those hanged in Urmia prison. Rights groups slam his trial over alleged links with the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, noting that the 43-year-old man’s confession was coerced out of him. Since the start of the year, 144 people have been executed.

In recent days, the Syrian president has visited the United Arab Emirates. His wife was also with him, her first visit abroad since the beginning of the conflict. Abu Dhabi leads Damascus' rapprochement policy in the Arab world. The Arab League is also ready to discuss reintegration. The hundreds of phantom deaths in government prisons.

Two Jewish extremists wearing a yarmulke and a tzitzit carried out the attack against the church, a major site for pilgrims from around the world. The attackers, who tried to hit the bishop celebrating the service, wounded a priest. The local Christian community is now afraid of what might happened during Holy Week and Easter.

Saudi and US officials say Iran is cutting off supplies to the rebel group, a decision that could mark the end of fighting and be the first step for a stable and lasting truce. First reactions come from Israel, where Mossad’s former chief describes the deal as a “startling” step and calls on Israeli leaders to shift the country’s policy vis-à-vis Iran.

Twelve years of war, poverty and the recent earthquake have brought the country to its knees. Some 12.1 million Syrians are food insecure and more than three million are sliding into hunger, twice as many as in 2018. In Aleppo, the Blue Marists show solidarity and provide aid, but adults and children show worrying signs of mental health problems.