Middle East

Today's headlines: a 17-year-old Palestinian boy is the latest victim of the wave of violence; Burmese military abandons Mandalay Cathedral;2021 sees a doubling of human trafficking victims in Cambodia; Yerevan and Baku are close to an agreement on the normalization of bilateral relations; Kazakh governmen to pay 12 million euros to demolish the former presidential palace; Patriarch Kirill invitesRussians to "rally around" Putin.

During a meeting with young people in the Phanar, the ecumenical patriarch said that no row can be settled by war. He slammed Russia’s invasion, justified by pretexts like NATO on the borders. Nothing justifies attacking “innocent people”. Bartholomew also criticised Patriarch Kirill who speaks of “holy war”.

A 29-year-old Palestinian fired at people in a crowded street, killing two and wounding 12. The police killed the attacker after a manhunt followed on social and mainstream media. Hamas and Islamic Jihad praised the attack, which was condemned by the Palestinian Authority. Jerusalem remains under maximum alert. For Christian leader, the latest incidents are the work of lone wolves and it is unclear if anyone is behind them.

In the new scenario opened by the war in Ukraine, Erdogan is trying to put aside tensions with the United States. This week he will hold his first meeting at the level of deputy foreign ministers. A resumption of relations fundamental to relaunch the Turkish economy. Analyst Cagaptay: "A good relationship with the United States would also serve as a lever for more serene relations with the European Union.

Knesset Member Idit Silman quit the ruling coalition after a row with Health Minister over leavened bread in hospitals during Passover. Israel’s parliament is now evenly split: 60/60. More defections are possible. This opens the door to a fifth election in two years and a possible Netanyahu comeback.

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.

Street food vendors are now offering plan or light versions of traditional delicacies, without some of the basic ingredients. Customers can get meat-flavoured dürüm with no meat. Plain or light versions include meatballs, pies, ravioli and baklava. Inflation is now at 61.14 per cent, the highest in the last twenty years. Government welfare policies are one of the causes.

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 patriarchs and other Church leaders in the Holy Land issued a harsh statement against the threat posed by Ateret Cohanim. They blame the extremist group, which is trying to seize Christian properties, for illegitimate actions, intimidation and violence that undermine peace and justice. The controversy goes back more than a decade, involving the former Greek Orthodox patriarch, who was dismissed as a “Judas”.

The pandemic has impacted heavily on the labor market, which includes just over 2.6 million people. Among those who have lost their jobs, only about 7 thousand are local. An emergency that has affected foreign workers, including Christians, says the Vicar of Arabia. Prospects for future growth.

Azerbaijan also began the holy month differently from Iran. Aliyev is using the war in Ukraine to boost relations with Turkey’s Erdoğan, questioning Russia’s military presence in his country after the war with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. For Turkey, this is an opportunity to fill any vacuum left by a weaker Russia in the Caucasus.

A report presented in Dubai reveals that over 30 years temperatures have risen by 1.5 degrees, double the global average. Disasters every year displace an average of seven million people , kill at least 2,600 dead and damages for almost two billion euros. Impacts of up to 2% on GDP.