Pope Leo urges Lebanese leaders to make peace highest priority

A recent report by SIPRI highlights a significant surge in revenues for top global arms producers, including major companies from the US and Europe, as conflicts continue to escalate worldwide. Notable entities such as SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, are among those benefiting from this trend in 2024.

Pope Leo XIV has embarked on his first foreign trip to Turkey, where he aims to promote peace and unity amid regional tensions. His visit includes significant engagements, such as attending Istanbul's Blue Mosque, marking the first time a pope has participated in a Muslim place of worship since his papacy began in May.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog amid his ongoing corruption trial, which includes serious allegations of bribery and fraud. This request follows a series of delays in the trial proceedings, which began in 2019, and comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Netanyahu should receive a pardon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog in light of his ongoing corruption trial, which includes serious allegations of bribery and fraud. Netanyahu argues that the trial is obstructing his ability to govern effectively and asserts that a pardon would benefit Israel. However, under Israeli law, the president cannot grant pardons to individuals who have not been convicted of a crime.

Pope Leo XIV visited Beirut, where he called for an end to violence and emphasized the need for a two-state solution to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict. His presence drew large crowds, reflecting a desire for peace and interfaith understanding in a region marked by longstanding tensions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog amid his ongoing corruption trial, which includes serious allegations of bribery and fraud. This request is seen as a strategic move to unify the country during a period of significant change in the region.

On November 28, 2025, Israeli military operations in southern Syria resulted in the deaths of at least 13 individuals, including two children, during an incursion into the village of Beit Jinn. This attack was reportedly in response to local resistance against Israeli forces, escalating tensions in the region.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced that it will cease further indirect talks with Turkey until the release of its founder, Abdullah Ocalan, from imprisonment. A senior commander emphasized that the peace process, which has seen some compliance from the PKK since its inception last year, is at risk of halting due to this demand.