Middle East

The government intends to expropriate 106 square kilometres of land, one third of the total. The subsoil contains copper and magnesium. Authorities believe earning potential could be worth up to four billion. Experts deny the figures and speak of a maximum of 30 million dollars. Ecologists propose 'sustainable tourism' industry as an alternative.

Bishop Paul Hinder issues a pastoral letter for the synodal period, which opens in mid-October with a Mass in Abu Dhabi’s cathedral. This journey calls for “the active participation of all the faithful”. The local Church is centred on pilgrimage and catholicity. The sacramental way and evangelisation in the media are among the topics to be explored.

After years of tension and isolation, Qatar, which hosted talks between the U.S. and the Taliban, is back at the center of regional diplomacy, launching a coordination council to strengthen economic and commercial partnership with Riyadh. First visit in four years by a senior Emirati official to Doha.

The goal of the ride is to send a message of unity and rapprochement after seven years of war. Sport can be a tool of peace and dialogue, but the situation appears increasingly dangerous. A source told AsiaNews that the country “seems to be heading towards splitting into two, if not more parts”.

The Iraqi government has signed an initial agreement with the giant PowerChina for the construction of a power plant with a capacity of 2 thousand megawatts. The world's second-largest Opec producer, the country depends on imports from Iran, which is subject to U.S. sanctions. In 2020, it burned about 17.37 billion cubic meters of gas.

Iraqi public opinion is critical of the United States, which, as in Afghanistan, has achieved the same poor results in building a state after years of occupation. Baghdad's silence and Isis' "contempt" for the rise of the Taliban. Saad Salloum: Iraq's 'neutrality and stability' essential for the region's future. The litmus test of elections in October.

The incident took place in the Tuşba district, in Turkey's eastern province. Opposition MP Murat Sarısaç submitts a complaint. According to some sources, a local landowner was behind the damage. The number of incidents of violence, abuse and damage against minority property is increasing.

The Maronite patriarch stands against those trying to empty the country of its Christians. The tragic explosion in Tleil has moved people. Church, lawmakers, Kesrouan-Jbeil municipalities, and business associations are trying to meet local food, medical and energy needs.

The emergency originates from climate change and also affects access to electricity and food. In Syria it affects at least five million people, in neighboring Iraq more than seven. The drought has left about 400 square kilometers of arable land unusable. Concern mounts in Lebanon where medicines are also in short supply.

Nasrallah announces the departure "within a few days" of a second boat loaded with crude oil. The pro-Tehran Shiite movement on the ground to "alleviate" the suffering of the population. Openings to the Ayatollahs risk exacerbating regional tensions. Green light also for aid from Egypt and Jordan, but it will take "months to materialize".

A new media bill would impose one to five years in prison for spreading online “disinformation” or “misinformation”. Penalties for defamation would also be increased. The bill would set up a directorate to monitor critical content. For experts and activists, this is the sign of a “continued trend of the degradation of internet freedom” in Turkey.

Overnight Israeli fighters and missiles hit sensitive targets on the outskirts of Damascus and Homs. Syrian anti-aircraft defense system activated. There is no confirmation of casualties or material damage, no comment from Israel. Lebanese minister slams the use of airspace to attack Syria, in violation of UN resolutions.