This morning, Francis met Pary Gul, her children, sons-in-law and grandchildren who were airlifted to Italy in August. She told the pontiff about her husband going missing during days of violence. Thanks to the Meet Human Foundation, they are starting a new life in Italy with the “pope's ring”.
80% of Palestinians want Abu Mazen's resignation
| PALESTINEBeirut: Parliament votes confidence in the Mikati government. Doubts about reforms
by Fady Noun | LEBANONThe brother of Shahbaz Bhatti, the Christian minister of Minorities assassinated ten years ago, looks at the repercussions of the situation created in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s priority will be to defend itself from terrorism. The region is unstable and the problems of Christians are likely to take a back seat. Interfaith dialogue can be a way. “We want to involve like-minded Muslims,” he said. “And the majority of Pakistan must support them, not the West.”
In his homily at Sunday Mass, the cardinal criticizes an operation that substitutes Shiite militiamen for the state. The invitation to the new government to address and resolve the "deterioration" of the economy and institutions. We need to fight "smuggling" and begin "reforms" to ensure a future for the country, starting with schools.
Ali Kaliora, leader of a terrorist group affiliated with the Islamic State, was killed by a joint task force of the police and the army. Four people managed to escape. The area has long been the scene of violence between Christians and Muslim extremists.
Initially the site in al-Jawf was thought to be 2,000 years old. New research found life-size images of camel carved in red sandstone to date back 8,000 years. Increasingly focusing on tourism, Saudi Arabia plans to build a 50,000-square-metre resort in the al-Baha region. The goal is to reach 10 per cent of GDP.
Fr Palinuro’s ordination is scheduled for 7 December in a ceremony led by Card Sandri with his entrance in the Cathedral of Holy Spirit 11 days later. Fr Andrea Santoro’s legacy means remembering that evangelization is "a risk" to be taken "without fear" while keeping "doors open". He can start with an established relationship with the ecumenical patriarch while the dialogue with Islam will be a great challenge.
A convoy of dozens of tanker trucks crossed the Syrian border at Hermel yesterday morning. The pro-Iranian Shiite movement celebrated the entry as a victory. The crude oil will be distributed to hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, water plants and the Red Cross. Experts speak of "state conquest" by Hezbollah.
A French drone killed the head of terrorist group Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. Russian privateers are moving into the Sahel. jihadism is an ideology much stronger than any individual and must be fought on the ground.
Economic aid and commercial opening in exchange for the fight against the network of Fethullah Gülen, Erdogan's arch-enemy. The "Gulenists" have a strong presence in Central Asia. The goal is to bring trade to the billion dollar mark. Expert: the Turks act like masters in Kyrgyzstan.
The measure affects some 30 prisoners for crimes of opinion or thought. A recent amendment by the monarch provides for alternative sentences to prison at any time of sentencing. Some detainees had ended up in cells while still underage. Of 3,800 total detainees, at least 1,400 are political prisoners.
Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his government plan to appeal last week’s High Court ruling overturning a discriminatory law that grants citizenship to children of mixed couples only if the father is Malaysian. For civil society groups, the government’s appeal is a “betrayal of rights”.
A Muslim man tried to kidnap Arushma Ejaz in order to convert her and force her into marriage. After a number of intimidatory and violent incidents, her mother turned to the Human Rights Focus Pakistan organisation. The police accepted the First Information Report only after 47 days. The second hearing of the case is set for tomorrow.
The 64-yer-old from Chanay is married with four children. He will succeed Sheikh Naim Hassan when the latter’s mandate expires on 5 November. For many he is a man of openness, peace and dialogue, in the spirit of fraternity espoused by Pope Francis. Sources close to Druze leader Walid Jumblatt denounce attempts to "impose" someone close to Syria.
A document published by a UN panel of experts speaks of worsening violence and human rights violations. Government forces responsible for arbitrary detentions and abuses, even in areas controlled by rebels and extremist groups. A decade after the beginning of the conflict, the parties "continue to perpetrate war crimes".
The new vicar succeeds Bishop Rubén Tierrablanca González, who died in December from COVID-19 after three weeks in intensive care. A fidei donum priest from Italy’s Campania region, Bishop Palinuro has lived in Turkey for nine years. This is excellent news, according to Bishop Bizzeti. The new vicar is an expert, ready to contribute to the growth of “a diocesan Church”.
