Middle East

Yesterday, Iran’s foreign minister began a six-nation mission to Latin America centred on trade and diplomacy. Oil, energy, and maritime issues will dominate meetings. The region is vital for Iran’s domestic economy. The nuclear deal has not brought real benefits, helping domestic hard-liners (and Ahmadinejad). Norway opens a US$ 1 billion line of credit.

As a student he was destined for a banking career, but was always dominated by the desire to be a missionary to the poor of India. His encounter with Calcutta and Mother Teresa changed his life. We speak to the first missionary of charity, co-founder along with the future saint of Calcutta, of the contemplative branch of the Missionaries. First in a series.

The execution took place by hanging. The militiamen are members of the Islamic State, who attacked the military training base in 2014. A massacre published online by Daesh which had provoked anger and outrage in the country. Criticism of activists and pro-human rights NGOs that denounce summary trials.

The goal, says Pope Francis before the Angelus prayer, "is Jesus himself. He leads us into fellowship with the Father, where we find love, understanding and protection. But why is this door is narrow? It is a narrow door not because it is oppressive, but because it asks us to restrict and limit our pride and our fear, to open ourselves with a humble and trusting heart to Him, recognizing ourselves as sinners, in need of his forgiveness. " An appeal for peace "in dear Turkey ".

A study examines the terrorist attacks between 2002 and 2015. The data includes the attacks of individuals and groups, inspired by or openly declared to have allegiance to IS. Daesh militiamen have carried out 13% of terrorist activities on a global level causing 26% of all fatalities.

The decision by seven French mayors to ban the swimsuit that covers the whole body except the face has been justified in the name of security, state secularism, and women’s dignity. However, the real security issues in France and elsewhere are in mosques, among radical clerics, and on Islamist websites. At the same time, European Muslims must re-examine their faith and adapt it to new times and places, avoiding the schizophrenia of preserving a culture of a 1,000 years ago. A young Muslim gives his opinion.

Since August, areas under siege have not received any aid. UN official calls for a halt to Aleppo bombing. The image of a child rescued from the rubble is the image of the Syrian conflict. For Mgr Zenari, there is “no light at the end of the tunnel”. A deal on “humanitarian aid” is crucial.

The Obama administration and the opposition are at odds over payment to Tehran. For the State Department, the payment was leverage to ensure prisoners released, not ransom. The money was part of a military contract with the shah before the Islamic Revolution. Republicans and the US right attack the White House.

Doctors Without Borders recalls staff of six facilities, situated in the territories controlled by the Houthi rebels. MSF: difficult decision, but it has "lost confidence" in the ability of the Arab coalition to avoid civilian casualties. Since the beginning of the Saudis raids, four structures of the NGO have been hit.

According to Amnesty International, 18 thousand people have died in the Syrian government prisons. The head of the Greek-Melkite Church speaks of manipulated news, because "there is no access to prisons" to carry out reviews. They are revelations, he adds, of "a political nature”. The attempt to stop the new axis of Moscow, Tehran, Beijing. Summer camps and retreats in the pacified areas.

Later this year, all priests must register to receive a certificate that allows them to exercise their ministry. But the request has to go through the Patriotic Association, whose statutes are "incompatible" with Catholic doctrine. Many priests, official and unofficial, now face an enormous dilemma.

More than 2,000 faithful, many of them refugees, attended the solemn Eucharistic celebration. Mgr Warda speaks of a "feast for the whole community", made possible thanks to the work of dozens of young volunteers. The diocese provided free bus transportation from shelters. The situation has improved but aid is still need.