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.
Today's headlines: aftershocks from yesterday's earthquake in southern Taiwan at least one victim and 150 injured; more clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, a hundred people dead; a mega-church in Zhejiang held prayer services with sacred music linked to traditional Chinese culture; Turkish president and Pakistani premier agree on Russian gas supply.
In addition to prison, Abdulilah al-Howeiti and Abdullah Dukhail al-Howeiti will not be allowed to expatriate for another 50 years. They are guilty of opposing the mega-development project wanted by bin Salman. Activists denounce the escalation of the use of force and imprisonment for those who protest or criticize. A five-billion moon-shaped resort is about to be built in Dubai.
Today's headlines: Metropolitan Antonij reports Pope Francis has requested a new meeting with Patriarch Kirill; ceasefire holds between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; protests in Iran over the death of a young woman detained for violating headscarf regulations; pork prices in China mount, about 70% year-over-year; Phnom Penh set to issue final verdict on Khieu Samphan.
In the wake of the Ukraine war, the Emir of Qatar Al Thani appeals to Russia and the West, saying his country cannot replace Russian natural gas, which remains "essential to the global market”. For Iran, this situation provides an opportunity to raise its visibility and offer its natural gas in exchange for a lifting of sanctions.
Forty years after the massacre in the Palestinian refugee camp, the unresolved emergency has worsened over time with the war in Syria. Hundreds of thousands of children deprived of the right to education. International aid conditional on their remaining in Lebanon, compromising the fragile ethnic and confessional balance.
On the flight back from Kazakhstan the pontiff answered a question about the trial of Card. Zen that will begin on 19 September: "It is a complex country: it is better to dialogue than to qualify". Meanwhile, Reuters, citing a Vatican source, reports that the Holy See had asked for a meeting with Xi Jinping in Kazakhstan, which the Chinese leader declined. The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong: 'I have lost all the battles, but I am happy'. Pope's trip to Bahrain in November.
An Egyptian delegation attended the Qatar Economic Forum in recent days. A smiling al-Sisi met the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Economic agreements, partnerships and a multi-point MoU were signed. The axis between the Gulf countries is strengthened in the face of the difficulties linked to the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.
The outbreak began three weeks ago and is likely to threaten the whole region, beginning in Aleppo and Deir al-Zour provinces. Contaminated water from the Euphrates River is blamed. War and climate change are other risk factors. Expert calls for “swift and urgent” action.
Some 25 people have been convicted this year, compared to 15 for the whole of last. Likewise, 58 people have been arrested in the first half of 2022, against 72 for the whole of 2021. Iranian authorities uses spurious charges to silence minorities, and arrest people on national security and espionage charges. Muslim converts and Farsi speakers are particularly targeted. For Muslims, joining another religion is strictly prohibited.
The mediation work of US envoy Amos Hochstein continues to resolve disputed lines and strategic interests of the two countries. Washington wants to retain control of hydrocarbons in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean to the exclusion of China and Russia. The internal struggle ahead of the elections in Israel and the role of Hezbollah.
Renovation work on the Gaza School in Al-Sakhour lasted five weeks. The roof was restored, bathrooms, classrooms and rainwater pipes were fixed. The aim is to ensure a suitable educational atmosphere and safe environments for the primary school students. Catholic volunteers have also distributed hundreds of backpacks and school materials.
A report shows that temperatures in the region and the eastern Mediterranean are set rise twice as fast as global average. Models project a 5-degree increase by the end of the century, putting the lives of 400 million people at risk. “Unprecedented” heatwaves will compromise water and food security.
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