Iraq

According to the UNHCR the number is constantly augmenting. Apart form the violence wracking the country, immigration is also fuelled by difficulties in social and health services. The US offers 30 million dollars to aid the crises but western borders continue to remain closed.

Over 2 million people are expected to make their way to the Holy City by Tuesday. The circulation of vehicles is banned to avoid possible car bombs. Check points, body checks and house by house controls in every quarter.

Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds announce agreement on some ‘key issues.’ White House welcomes move, but analysts invite caution. Sunni block warns they will continue their boycott of the government.

22 Chaldean bishops and priests from Northern Iraq completed their spiritual exercises yesterday in Komané. Prayers and reflection on the role of the priest “hope amidst persecution”. Archbishop of Kirkuk: “our courageous priests dream of a strong Church which denounces injustice and contributes to reconciliation”.

Saddam Hussein's cousin and 14 other officials from the former regime are in the dock accused of crimes against humanity for the slaughter of about 100,000 Shias in 1991. Alì Hassan al-Majid has already been sentenced to death for his role in the Anfal campaign in northern Iraq against Kurds.

The Iraqi premier’s visit to Damascus continues today with a meeting with President Assad. In agenda: the economy, control of the borders and national reconciliation. But Maliki’s government in free fall could be seeking stronger legitimization in Syria.

The death toll from anti-Yazidi attacks in northern Iraq is rising and might reach 500. Sources warn AsiaNews that Christian villages in the Nineveh Plain are at risk. The area is currently controlled by Wahhabi extremists since there is no presence of US or Iraqi troops. In a climate of growing insecurity 40 children in Kirkuk receive their first communion on the day of the Assumption of Our Lady.

The Iraqi premier announces the first in a series of meetings between the country’s political leaders for “today or tomorrow”, with the aim of unblocking the deadlock caused by the withdrawal of 17 ministers. Sunnis warn: “Baghdad risks ending up in the hands of Iran”.

The Security Council unanimously approves resolution 1770: the United Nations will return to aid national reconciliation and dialogue between Baghdad and its neighbours as well as provide humanitarian aid. For over 4 years the UN presence on the round was largely symbolic. The population remains sceptical: it will not heal internal divisions.

Jordan’s government had not let Iraqi refugee children into the kingdom’s schools, largely because they were illegal. Iraq’s ambassador in Amman hopes that this step might solve “one of the Iraqi community's main problems.”

Iraqi sources warn: the city is in the hands of rigid Sunni fundamentalists, who aim for an Islamic State; Christians and Shiites, find no space while the “kidnapping industry” gathers pace. The family of a kidnapped Chaldean has already paid a ransom twice over, but there is still no trace of the hostage.

In his general audience, Benedict XVI underlines that the explosion of joy for the football victory “reveals the people’s desire for a normal life”. A greeting to the Scout Movement which celebrates its 100 years today.