The entire area of the ancient city of Samaria north of Nablus has been expropriated and separated from the nearby Palestinian village in the name of promoting only the Jewish period of its history. Meanwhile, the Knesset is discussing the establishment of an authority to extend control over archaeological assets even in areas assigned to the Palestinian Authority.
The Punjab government has brought back the Basant cultural festival. Celebrated from 5 to 9 February, it enlivened the city, reviving tourism and the local economy. Strict security measures were in place to prevent accidents that led to the 2007 ban, which was also supported by the Muslim clergy. Activists and citizens enthusiastically welcomed the return.
Never before have the Americans tried so hard to show Central Asians how mutual cooperation can compensate for the inevitable irritation of Russia and China. The approach of the current Trump administration is to put ideological issues aside and focus on economic advantages, finding much greater harmony with the historical “satraps” of the region.
Leo XIV at the Angelus: “Strategies of economic and military power offer no future”. Solidarity with the victims of terrorism in Nigeria: “Work to protect life”. On the Day Against Trafficking: “Peace begins with dignity”. In his commentary on the Gospel: “In the broken bread, life is given, love that makes no noise”.
The Dalit prelate, archbishop of Hyderabad, chosen by Pope Francis in 2022 as cardinal, has been elected to lead the CBCI, the collegial body that brings together the dioceses of the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rites. Monsignor Chandra Nayak tells AsiaNews: ‘Chosen for his merits: a message from the bishops to the whole of Indian society’. During the Assembly, the new translation of the missal into Konkani, the local language of Goa, was also presented.
Amidst general silence, the cradle of Christianity is being emptied of its Christian population. Communities are now ultra-minorities. Vincent Gelot, representative in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan for the NGO, is launching a campaign to root the faithful in the land of their ancestors. Their disappearance is also a loss for the West and for the confessional mosaic of which they are a part.
