The Lebanese president is due at the Vatican tomorrow. Talks (including with the Italian government) will focus on territorial integrity and an alternative to UNIFIL. In southern Lebanon, clashes are taking place over control of a key Hezbollah position in Nabatiyeh. Parliament has approved a general amnesty and abolished the death penalty.
The visit announced as official by the presidency was followed by a clarification from the Holy See: "It is being studied". In fact, the presence of the pontiff is given for certain, but according to protocol the Vatican announces the program. A leak of rumors that the office of the Head of State wanted to quell with the stamp of officialdom.
The Land of Cedars losing its hemorrhaging its human capital. Deprived of the future, young people and couples prefer to flee uncertainty. In the two-year period 2020-21, about 10 thousand definitive departures per month registered. An exodus that empties various sectors, starting with healthcare. Huge "discouragement" in the face of an "uncertain" panorama. Papal trip to Lebanon being studied: possible meeting with Kirill?
The military attack launched by the Kremlin has taken the country of the cedars, already the object of a tug-of-war between the US and Iran, by surprise. The government has ritually condemned the attack, but there are many differences and ambiguous positions, including that of Hezbollah. The impact on the price of grain and fuel. 74% of imported wheat comes from Ukraine.
The visit sends a positive signal sent to the international community, and an indirect confirmation of the smooth running of the political elections scheduled for 15 May. Agenda covers current questions Land of the Cedars and in the region, from the Iranian issue to the war in Ukraine.
Trial chamber verdict reversed over alleged procedural errors. The appeals judges ruled "unanimously" against the defendants in absentia Hassan Habib Merhi and Hussein Oneissi. Mobile phone network used to coordinate the attack, dubbed the "Green Network",identified.
Turnout, the Christian vote, Sunni choices, the "Shiite wall" and opposition are the key points around which the electoral contest revolves. The future of a country on the brink of collapse due to the economic and financial crisis is at stake. Saad Hariri's resignation and Hezbollah's aims.
The function was attended by the highest offices of the State, including President Aoun and Prime Minister Mikati. In his homily, the cardinal listed five priorities, including the elections in May and the truth about the incident at Beirut port. The country must not be transformed into an arena of regional conflict, and a model of coexistence must be found.
The Secretary for Relations with States in Beirut to relaunch the dialogue between the parties and avert an escalation of the crisis. The Pope will go to Lebanon "soon", but there is no set date yet. The meeting with the highest civil authorities and the speech at the university. The unresolved issue of Palestinian and Syrian refugees.
The other news of the day: Japan’s request to have a mine listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site sparks a row with South Korea. Lebanon refuses to hand over Hezbollah's weapons. India allocates US$ 40 billion for food security. In Russia the crackdown against the Memorial civil rights group continues. Clashes break out at the Tajik-Kyrgyz border.
“We can hardly fail to see that these days, in addition to the pandemic, an ‘infodemic’ is spreading: a distortion of reality based on fear, which in our global society leads to an explosion of commentary on falsified if not invented news,” Francis said. “Fake news has to be refuted, but individual persons must always be respected, for they believe it often without full awareness or responsibility,” he added. “[T]ruth is never merely a concept having to do with judgment about things; no, that is only a part of what truth is. Truth regards life as a whole”.
The Dutch-born missionary died in 1985 “in hatred of the faith”. In spite of dangers and war, he pursued his mission like the Tibhirine monks (Algeria). Healing divisions was his greatest challenge. His work sparked a vendetta by pro-Syrian, leftist and Shia parties.
The education system is one of the pillars of society, the pandemic has highlighted its limitations. A multi-factorial crisis, aggravated by a corrupt political system. Rethinking the state budget and adjusting salaries, supporting families. Catholic institutions excel in education. An interview with Professor Gisèle Michel Ayoub for the AsiaNews campaign.
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