Iraqi premier returns ‘full powers’ to Patriarch Sako

Today's news: In Sumatra seven months in prison for a comedian for a joke about Mohammed; 21-year-old Afghan Manizha Talash, who fled the Taliban, at the Olympic Games in the refugee team; Hong Kong outlaws and withdraws passports from six activists who fled to the UK; Two Indians recruited by the Russian army killed in the war in Ukraine; New attack in Yerevan against synagogue. 

IRAQ
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Saudani has returned ‘full powers’ and ‘control’ over Christian property and assets (in the crosshairs of Chaldean Rayan and Shia militias) to Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako, thus putting an end to a bitter dispute. A clash that originated from President Abdul Latif Rashid's decision to annul the recognition of the patriarchal decree. In response, the cardinal had left the patriarchal see last July. His return to Baghdad is imminent, ending the crisis between State and Church. 

INDONESIA
A court sentenced comedian Aulia Rakhman to seven months in prison for a joking ‘joke’ about the name ‘Muhammad’. A sentence that worries activists and pro-rights groups over the use of blasphemy laws in the world's most populous Muslim nation. The performance took place last December in the city of Lampung, Sumatra, with the video soon going viral.

AFGHANISTAN
Three years after fleeing Afghanistan to dedicate her life to breaking (the Olympic sport of break dancing), 21-year-old Manizha Talash is preparing to compete at the Paris Games in the refugee team. Sixteen ‘B-Girls’ and 16 ‘B-Boys’ will compete in this discipline that has its roots in the 1970s Bronx. ‘I would love to go and compete with the Afghan team together with other girls, but we all know it is impossible,’ said the athlete.

HONG KONG
The Hong Kong government today cancelled the passports of six pro-democracy activists who fled to the UK, calling them ‘lawless wanted criminals’. In 2023, Hong Kong issued a 3,000 bounty to 13 activists living abroad, guilty of violating the controversial national security rule. They are: Nathan Law, Mung Siu-tat, Simon Cheng, Finn Lau, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da.

INDIA - UKRAINE - RUSSIA
Two Indian citizens recruited by the Russian army were killed recently in the war in Ukraine. This was reported by the Foreign Ministry, with the Indian Embassy in Moscow lobbying the Moscow authorities, including the Defence Ministry, for the swift repatriation of the bodies. Delhi has also called for the release and return of all Indian citizens still with the Russian army.

ARMENIA
The Jewish community of Yerevan reports that on 10 June, the only synagogue in the Armenian capital was attacked during the night, the fourth since last October (since the beginning of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza). Unknown persons threw stones and rocks at the windows of the building. The Armenian authorities have opened an investigation, but so far the perpetrators are unknown. 

TURKEY - RUSSIA
Parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Churches in Turkey took part in a pilgrimage to the tomb of Blessed Ioann Russkij (John the Russian) in the city of Ürgüp in Cappadocia. He was a Cossack from the troops of Pierro the Great captured by the Tatars at the Battle of Azov, a slave of a Turkish Ağa who won the respect of his Muslim master for his humility, faith and benevolence.

TURKMENISTAN
A new virus seems to be spreading in Turkmenistan, with patients suffering from flu-like symptoms losing their sense of taste and smell. However, due to expensive and poor medical services for the masses, experts are unable to identify the type of this strange form of lung disease, and whether it is in any way connected with the coronavirus.

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