Led by the heads of various Churches, pilgrims have returned to the 5th-century monastery built around the column on which Saint Simeon lived for 40 years. One of the most important monuments of early Christianity, it still bears the scars of bombing and looting. Yet it bears witness to a faith stronger than any adversity.
The initiative promoted by the primate between 21 and 23 December. Auxiliary of Baghdad: gesture of "solidarity" with those who suffer, with a thought for "migrants and displaced people". From the patriarchate hundreds of food baskets for the needy. The new premier declares Christmas an 'official holiday' for all Iraqis. From al-Sistani a call for solidarity and coexistence.
He challenges his Moscow counterpart Kirill on the historical ideology of 'panslavism'. No to nationalist heresy, yes to original apostolic universalism. In the Russian Orthodox world religion is exploited for political and ideological reasons. The help of the Church of Rome is needed to overcome the differences between "Greeks and Russians".
For Riccardo Redaelli, director of the Master in Middle Eastern Studies (MIMES) at the Graduate School of Economics and International Relations of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Milan), protests by young Iranians are the result of the country’s gradual economic, social, and political decline. Within the regime, some are aware that concessions need to be made to avoid a bloodbath, while protesters have no alternative model should the regime fall.
The stalemate over the choice of Michel Aoun's successor persists. The latest rift over the name of the head of state between (former) allies has taken place between Hezbollah and Cpl. An international forum is needed to wrest Lebanon as far as possible from Iran's orbit. The role of Saudi Arabia in collaboration with France.
After he was convicted in sham trials, MajidReza Rahnavard was hanged as an “enemy of God” in Mashhad and hurriedly buried to hide any signs of torture. The Iranian Foreign Ministry "invited" the Chinese ambassador to express its “dissatisfaction” over a joint statement issued during Xi Jinping's visit to the Gulf States. Three Iranian-held islands claimed by the UAE are at the centre of the controversy.
The army says it is "aware" of the death and "the incident" is being "reviewed". A patrol reportedly fired during the arrest of three militiamen, hitting the young girl. At least 6,500 Israeli Security Forces round-ups in 2022, at least 153 Palestinian women and 811 Palestinian minors arrested. 2,134 administrative detention orders issued.
The execution of a young man to crush protests in Tehran comes in a country that has already seen more than 500 executions this year. Ethnic Balochis have also been executed. The UN is concerned about the possibility that 85 prisoners under the age of 18 could be hanged.
One Philippine migrant fell to his death during repair work at a FIFA training base, adding one more victim to the thousands who perished during construction. Human Rights Watch slams the indifference of the organisers. Back in the Philippines, a poll suggests that most Filipinos still think the World Cup spreads positivity and unites the world.
Today's headlines: North Korean hackers exploited the Halloween tragedy to spread malware in the South; the Emirati passport is first in the world for mobility and freedom from restrictions; in Karnataka, a Christian ecumenical group calls for police protection for Christmas fearing attacks; Taiwan bans the installation and use of Tik Tok on communication devices in public; Uzbekistan rejects the Russian proposal for a 'union' on natural gas.
Today's headlines: Jakarta has released Umar Patek, one of the perpetrators of the 2002 Bali massacre, on probation; human rights in Vietnam are deteriorating; South Korea is emerging as Asia's main market for luxury cars; two people were killed in clashes between police and protesters in the streets against the conviction of an activist; Russia's birth rate is plummeting, birth incentives under study.
The government closes government offices and agencies for two days, 11 and 18 December. Syrian authorities blame Western sanctions and the disruption of supplies. In the southern province of Sweida, two people die in a protest related to the energy crisis. Iran is boosting oil supplies, from one to three million barrels per month.
The talks focus on economic agreements, military cooperation, investment and energy. On 9 December, the Sino-Arab summit, attended by the most important Gulf countries. The signing of a series of projects worth a total of 30 billion euro is on the agenda. Possible partnerships in the nuclear field.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.
Subscribeto the newsletter
