Lebanon

by Fady Noun | MIDDLE EAST

The initiative linked to the "Rencontres méditerranéennes" and involves the rectors of 12 sanctuaries of countries overlooking the Mediterranean. The places of worship, explains the rector of Harissa, also attract "many Muslim pilgrims, including from Iran". In Lebanon and in the region, "conflicting geopolitical alliances" and a "corrupt political class" weigh heavily. Bishop of Algiers: the great "fracture" is above all "economic".


Today's news: Augst registers record sales of Chinese stocks by foreign investors; India considers bringing forward 2024 elections with an Election Day; UN Security Council extends UNIFIL mandate in Lebanon; Teenagers also among perpetrators of explosive attacks on barracks in Russia.

| 01/09/2023
| ASIA TODAY

U.S. diplomat Hochstein visiting the Middle East region to unblock impasse. The demarcation of maritime borders between the two countries and land borders at stake, with the knot tied to the so-called "B1 Point." In the background are Tehran's aims, the energy issue and the exploitation of resources that fuel global conflicts.

| 31/08/2023
| LEBANON
by Fady Noun

The vicar of the Latin patriarchate for Israel looks back on his first 16 months as bishop and delves into the tension around the Carmelite monastery. Peace and confessional balance endangered by a sect linked to Hasidism. The escalation degenerated into physical clashes between the parties, the police arrested a Christian leaving the provocateurs unpunished. The visit of President Herzog.

| 28/08/2023
| HOLY LAND - LEBANON
by Fady Noun

At least 1,400 in Bzommar and over a thousand in Maarret-Saydnaya promoted an event to coincide with Pope Francis' days in Lisbon. A "sign of hope" and a "model of success" for the future of the Church in a changing Middle East. Failure to respond to the need for unity.

| 23/08/2023
| LEBANON - SYRIA

Today's headlines: Trilateral summit set to begin between the US, South Korea and Japan at Camp David; A Chinese university estimates the over-60s will make up 38% of the population in the People's Republic by 2050; Corruption to avoid controls behind Indian syrup deaths in Uzbekistan; Belarus closes down sixth opposition party closed down in just three months.

| 17/08/2023
| ASIA TODAY
by Fady Noun

Saudi Arabia has called on its citizens to leave Lebanon “as soon as possible”, followed by other Gulf states. Fighting between Palestinian factions in Ain al-Hilweh have renewed concerns in the Arab world, as fears of violence grow. This mirrors a cooling in Saudi-Iranian rapprochement.

| 08/08/2023
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
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“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”