ASIA/SYRIA - The monastery of St. Tekla in Maalula reopens ASIA/PAKISTAN - A Catholic lay elected in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Government anti-drug campaign: the Church's commitment to the rehabilitation of drug addicts AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Release of political prisoners: an important step towards peace AFRICA/EGYPT - "St. Mary’s fast": Copts pray for the Patriarch and monasteries after the murder of Bishop Epiphanios ASIA/PAKISTAN - Cardinal Coutts: "A call to pray and serve my people and the universal Church"