Almost two years after Assad’s fall, Israel continues to run roughshod over the Syrian villages where it has expanded its presence. A few days ago, a deaf man with Down syndrome who failed to hear an order was shot dead, sparking protests, but al-Sharaa’s words at the UN do not produce any results.
The United Nations has made another appeal to donor countries for US$ 4.3 billion in aid. Last year, a similar appeal raised only half of what was requested. Meanwhile, fighting continues and last year’s truce, a distant memory. As the economy gets worse, child soldiers, a halved GDP and shortages remain.
At two o'clock in the morning, an air strike from the Mediterranean, west of Latakia, hit Syria's second airport. A key centre for the delivery of basic necessities to the populations hit by the earthquake on 6 February, which caused 6,000 deaths and over 500,000 homeless. Damascus speaks of "enemy missiles", no comment from Israel.
Today's headlines: for the UN, the Taliban's treatment of Afghan women is tantamount to 'crimes against humanity'; the Philippine Catholic Educators Association condemns the practice of 'hazing' after a suspicious death at a university. Tehran confirms its hard line on transgressions of the Islamic 'dress code'; in 2022, new births in Japan fell below 800,000 for the first time.
Over the weekend, the leader of the right-wing nationalist İYİ party left the "Table of Six" over the candidacy of CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu. In his place, İYİ leader Meral Akşener wants either the mayor of Istanbul or that of Ankara. The “Table” put off a meeting to pick their joint candidate.
The Babylon Movement denounces its unconstitutionality because it ignores the rights of minorities. The law was approved in 2016, but only recently became official with publication in the Gazette. Fines of up to 16,000 euro. In Iraqi Kurdistan, a thousand-year-old Assyrian site was vandalised with the inscription 'Allah Akhbar'.
Today's headlines: Philippine coast guard spotted over 40 Beijing ships in a disputed area of the South China Sea; Pakistani police serve arrest warrants on former premier Imran Khan; Qatari emir 'perplexed' over delays in aid to post-earthquake Syria; illegal pangolin sales increase in Laos.
As people avoid going out and travelling, the local market place lies empty. Many fear “worse days ahead " amid the prevailing "pessimism”. Given the current political situation, hope for a just peace is virtually nil. Christians are "part of a community" that is suffering. For Fr Jimenez, Israel and Palestine have “two different visions of the world".
Outgoing Prime Minister Mikati is expected at the Vatican in March to meet Pope Francis. Today, the emigration of young people is '80% Muslim'. The last national census dates back to 1932 and is now outdated. The war of numbers for representation has long since passed the Islamic-Christian balance.
The new Syro-Catholic archbishop is set to be formally ordained tomorrow in a region that for years had no pastor or resident priests. Yet, the community was able to survive. For months, the Islamic State group held the new prelate captive along with scores of parishioners. One of his priorities is “to renew the theological and biblical education” of priests.
The story of 13-year-old Haydar Karar, forced into carpentry eight hours a day, for seven days, since the age of eight. For a weekly wage of about 20 euros. Mohanad Jabbar, 14, works in a shop, but dreams of becoming an engineer. The areas once under Islamic State where exploitation is most widespread. The failure of government policies.
Police use water cannons and tear gas cannons. Scores of peaceful protesters are arrested during the “national day of disruption”. Israel’s prime minister and National Security minister call for zero tolerance towards "anarchists". Tensions run high in the Knesset committee reviewing the judicial reform bill designed to limit the powers of Israel’s supreme court. Now the bill goes before the whole parliament.
After fewer shutdowns during the pandemic, Internet censorship worsened substantially last year in terms of number, duration, and target groups, this according to a report by Access Now. Iran, Myanmar, and Bangladesh are among the top offenders. In India, “security” is given as the main reason with the power to shut down vested in central and state Home Affairs ministries.
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