Iraq

The parliament that has been divided for months over the election of a president has reached unanimity to approve the law. Those who establish relations, travel to or promote economic relations with Israel will be punished. Shiite leader al-Sadr invites citizens to take to the streets to celebrate this "great achievement".

The dealine has long passed for the election of parlimentary speaker, the appointment of premier and government team. Institutions are hostage to divisions and opposing blocs between Sadrists and pro-Iranians. Negotiations with independent deputies. Chaldean Patriarch: politics and institutions held back by "personal and partisan ambitions," citizens "frustrated."

Sandstorms follow one another with increasing frequency, causing victims and thousands of hospitalizations. Water reserves have collapsed by 50% compared to last year. By 2040 Tigris and Euphrates risk drying up. The emblematic case of Lake Sawa. Archeological sites and historical cities, from Ur to Babylon, in danger.

Today's headlines: sandstorms in Iraq provoke a health emergency, one victim and 5,000 hospitalizations; the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh receives the title of "friend of Buddhism"; Russia bombs Kiselevka destroying the historic Church of the Immaculate Conception; 53 official victims in the collapse of a squat in central China; in Israel the hunt for "terrorists" who killed three people yesterday, during Independence Day celebrations.

Today's headlines: The ban on fertilizers and the Ukrainian war torpedo Sri Lanka tea exports; in Dandong hundreds of North Korean workers in China undergo mass testing for Covid-19; Manila, the Christian sect Iglesia ni Cristo supports the Marcos-Duterte candidacy; over the skies of Moscow in flight "Putin's plane" ahead of the May 9 parade; in Kazakhstan a law on cyber-bullying threatens to limit freedom of expression.

Chaldean primate stresses importance of "equal" rights and culture to cement common belonging, stronger than religious, ethnic or gender affiliation. The contribution of Christians to the development of the country, the educational commitment resulting from human values and moral principles such as brotherhood. Attempts at demographic upheaval still underway.

For the first time in two years, millions of people travel to their villages of origin to celebrate the end of Ramadan following the lifting of pandemic restrictions. However, the festivity is overshadowed by economic crisis and food shortages. Meanwhile in India, Muslims are targeted by Hindu extremists.

Today's headlines: Taiwanese premier describes Chinese anti- Covid-19 measures as "cruel", underlines Taipei's different approach; Armenian opposition calls for the premier's resignation over concessions to Azerbaijani "enemy" for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh; Ukrainian sources report Russian occupation forces in Kherson have kidnapped dozens of children; Ashgabat forbids childrens T-shirts and games depicting foreign heroes, women wearing make-up risk being fired.

In the country there is a food crisis, additional funds are urgently needed for the supply of raw materials and price controls. The government wants to strengthen domestic production and study aid for the most vulnerable. About 23% of the total population lives in poverty, the unemployment rate has reached 14%. The AsiaNews campaign.

Talks for a possible reconciliation between the Assyrian Church of the East and the Ancient Church of the East are scheduled for 9 May. The schism consummated in 1968 will be difficult to overcome, especially overt thorny issues like the patriarchal see (Baghdad or Erbil) and the choice of patriarch. A source told AsiaNews that the first thing is to “prepare our hearts” for unity.

Ankara has launched a spring offensive "Claw Lock" against Kurdish targets across the border. A 26-year-old Christian man was killed in Khabour, as jihadists attack with Turkish support. Dozens of targets hit in Iraqi Kurdistan. Opposition says it is a hypocritical "policy" aimed at covering up the internal crisis.

In the monastery of Gabriel Danbo, a patrimony of Syriac manuscripts is being catalogued and digitised by five monks together with some young students. A sign of hope for a community where there is still much suffering. The bishop of Erbil, Bashar Warda, says: "We try not only to survive but also to have a voice in society". Today a hospital that bears the name of Mary.