In recent weeks, the Maronite patriarch, Bechara Al Rai, has taken centre stage in Lebanon’s political life. This comes as those in power remain unable to come to an agreement over a new government, even though Lebanon is in the throes of a financial and economic meltdown that has led to widespread poverty.
Patriarch Al Rai
has been pursuing a campaign in recent months to begin a process of securing Lebanon’s neutrality. More recently, he expanded his demands, asking that a UN conference be held to help break the country’s deadlock. At this conference, participants would announce Lebanese neutrality “so that [the country] does not return to being a victim of conflicts and wars and divisions , as the patriarch recently stated at a rally in favour of his proposal.
From Basel to Baghdad, why do so many people fear other religions?
An aerial photo shows the 6,000-year-old archaeological site of Ur amid preparations for Pope Francis visit near Nasiriyah. AP Photo
Pope Francis arrives in a limousine to hold inter-religious prayer at the ancient archeological site of Ur, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Abraham, in Ur near Nassiriya. Reuters
Pope Francis is received at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur in southern Iraq s Dhi Qar province. AFP
Pope Francis arrives to hold inter-religious prayer at the ancient archeological site of Ur, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Abraham, in Ur near Nassiriya. Reuters
As the world faces both the immediate threats and long-term impact of climate change, data shows that women and children are already the most affected. Globally, eight in 10 climate refugees are women. And they are exponentially more likely to die in natural disasters. Despite this, women are still too few and far between in the places and roles where they can make a difference in helping chart a clean energy future.
There are far too few women in boardrooms, senior management roles and technical jobs in the energy sector. This is despite the recent momentum behind gender equality and all the work that has been done by the international community around the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5: achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
Hard work of healing Iraq must continue after the papal visit
The Pope is welcomed by Iraq s prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
Pope Francis smiles with Iraq s prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
Pope Francis arrives in Baghdad on his first visit to Iraq. Pope Francis began his historic trip to war-scarred Iraq, defying security concerns and the coronavirus pandemic to comfort one of the world s oldest and most persecuted Christian communities.