Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Turkey before arriving in Lebanon to offer hope to its struggling population and support the country’s Christian community. In Turkey, he visited the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, promoting messages of peace and interfaith respect. In Lebanon, he faced a nation reeling from financial collapse, the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and ongoing tensions with Israel and … Continue reading Pope Leo brings message of peace to Lebanon after leaving Turkey

Germany’s far-right AfD launched its new youth organization, Generation Germany, on Saturday in Giessen amid protests by over 25,000 demonstrators, some of whom clashed with police. The party dissolved its previous youth group, the Young Alternative, earlier this year after it was classified as a right-wing extremist organization. Up to 5,000 police were deployed to manage the protests, using water cannons and pepper spray to … Continue reading German far-right party sets up new youth wing as thousands protest

A long-lost painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, hidden for over four centuries, sold for 2.3 million euros ($2.7 million) at a Versailles auction. The artwork, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, was discovered in a private Paris townhouse and had previously been undervalued at around 10,000 euros. Experts authenticated it through the Rubenianum in Antwerp and scientific analysis of the paint layers, confirming … Continue reading Long-lost Rubens painting depicting crucifixion sells for $2.7M

Nearly a dozen U.S. warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, have been deployed to the Caribbean as tensions rise between President Trump and Venezuela. The deployment includes a Marine Expeditionary Unit capable of amphibious land operations as part of Operation Southern Spear, aimed at stopping narcotics flowing from Venezuela to the U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan said the mission is critical to … Continue reading 11 US warships and 15,000 troops now in Caribbean as Venezuela tensions escalate

Turkey and Kazakhstan condemned recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil assets in the Black Sea, warning that further strikes threaten regional energy supplies. The Turkish government criticized attacks on two Russian “shadow fleet” tankers within its exclusive economic zone, while Kazakhstan urged Ukraine to stop targeting the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s terminal, which handles 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports. Ukraine said the strikes were retaliatory … Continue reading Nations Call for Ukraine to End Attacks on Black Sea Oil Assets

Austrian beauty influencer Stefanie Pieper, 31, was found dead in a suitcase in a Slovene forest after going missing following a Christmas party. Her ex-boyfriend allegedly confessed to strangling her, hiding her body, and later leading police to the site where he buried the suitcase. Neighbors reported hearing an argument and seeing the ex-boyfriend in her building the night she disappeared, Fox News has reported. … Continue reading Beauty influencer found dead in suitcase in forest after ex-boyfriend allegedly confesses

Thousands of Filipinos — including Roman Catholic clergy — protested Sunday, demanding swift prosecution of top officials implicated in a massive corruption scandal involving flawed or fake flood-control projects. Left-wing groups held a separate rally calling for implicated officials to resign immediately. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deployed more than 17,000 police as he struggled to contain public outrage and secure key government areas. The military … Continue reading Thousands in Philippines protest corruption, demand return of stolen funds

Over 400 people have died and hundreds more injured after Cyclone Senyar caused severe flooding and landslides in Indonesia, particularly on the island of Sumatra, where thousands remain cut off from aid. The rare tropical storm swept away homes and submerged thousands of buildings. Torrential rains and storms have also affected Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, leaving millions impacted and contributing to more … Continue reading Desperate hunt for food and water as Indonesia floods death toll rises to 442

The death toll from a Hong Kong apartment complex fire rose to 146 as investigators recovered more bodies from the Wang Fuk Court buildings. Teams have found victims in apartment units and on rooftops, while four of the seven blocks have been examined so far; another 100 residents remain unaccounted for and 79 were injured. Rescue efforts have been slow due to darkness and limited … Continue reading Death toll rises to 146 in Hong Kong apartment fire

Peru’s President José Jerí announced a state of emergency along the southern border and deployed additional armed forces as Venezuelan migrants began leaving Chile amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment. Many migrants had previously traveled to Chile seeking stability, but fears of mass deportation under ultraconservative presidential candidate José Antonio Kast have prompted some to head north. Kast, leading in Chile’s Dec. 14 runoff, warned immigrants without … Continue reading Peru to declare a state of emergency as migrants leaving Chile trigger backlash