ERBIL (AsiaNews): Even a thick layer of soot covering the walls of the church was not enough to obliterate graffiti proclaiming Islamic State scrawled across the remains of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Qaraqosh, Iraq, from sight, as Archbishop Petros Mouche prepared to offer the first Mass in the remains of the once stately building in two years on October 30.

KUALA LUMPUR (UCAN): Malaysia’s battle against the spread of the influence of Islamic State ideology has revealed that despite a high-profile crackdown, new recruits are plentiful.

On the weekend of May 21 and 22, police detained 14 more individuals believed to be linked to the group that calls itself the Islamic State. 

The new arrests came after 15 people, who police say planned to launch attacks in Malaysia, were arrested in March.

HONG KONG (SE): Satellite pictures obtained by The Associated Press on January 20 have confirmed that the Islamic State has destroyed the ruins Iraq’s oldest monastery, built in the sixth century.

The destruction of Dair Mar Elia (St. Elijah’s Monastery) in Mosul in all probability took place in the late summer of 2014.

HONG KONG (SE): “This is one piece,” Pope Francis told TV2000 on November 14, the day after horrific terrorist attacks were perpetrated against the people of France in Paris.

He said that he has spoken often about a third world war that will be fought piecemeal and he believes that this is but one more piece in the brutal puzzle.