Israel observes Yom Kippur amid firestorm over Lebanon strikes

Historic election opens new page in the VaticanAn-Nahar, Lebanon, May 9In a significant moment for the Catholic Church, the College of Cardinals elected American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, signaling a commitment to reform and continuity. His background in the Augustinian Order and service in Peru shapes a focus on justice, migration, and peace, while promoting a balanced approach to modern challenges without abandoning traditional doctrine. As the first American pope, he...

SummaryPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Turkiye's discovery of a new natural gas reserve of 75 billion cubic meters in the Black Sea, sufficient to meet residential demand for approximately 3.5 years. The discovery was made at the Goktepe-3 well using the 7th-generation drilling ship Abdulhamid Han, with operations starting on March 27. Erdogan reiterated Turkiye's commitment to achieving energy independence, stating that the country would persist in its efforts despite any criticism or obstacles encountered....

The UK’s Labour government has approved around $160 million in arms exports to Israel from October to December 2024, surpassing the total of $144 million during the previous Conservative government’s four-year tenure. This increase in military support has sparked criticism amid accusations of Israel committing genocide in Gaza, particularly as the UK defends its continued supply of F-35 components despite potential violations of international law. Human rights groups and the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT)...

The 34th Arab League Summit commenced on May 17 in Baghdad, addressing regional issues such as conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Lebanon, while promoting Arab unity and the Palestinian cause. Iraq's Prime Minister Shia Al-Sudani announced contributions for the reconstruction of Gaza and Lebanon, emphasizing a balanced foreign policy and the rejection of foreign interference. Despite some absences from key leaders, the summit aimed to unify Arab positions and tackle internal divisions, particularly...

SummaryIran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Iran will not abandon its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and has not received any proposals from the United States regarding negotiations. As the two countries consider a fifth round of indirect talks, Araghchi emphasized the need for mutual respect and the lifting of sanctions, while expressing dissatisfaction with US President Trump's recent comments and actions. Concurrently, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf is attending a...

Arab leaders at a Baghdad summit called for international pressure for a Gaza ceasefire amid Israel's military escalation against Hamas, and urged for funding to support their Gaza reconstruction plan. They firmly rejected any displacement of Palestinians, with Egyptian President al-Sisi and UN chief Guterres emphasizing the need for immediate humanitarian aid and an end to Israel's blockade. The summit followed US President Trump's controversial proposal regarding Gaza, prompting Arab leaders to offer a reconstruction...