In a solemn Christmas address, Pope Francis called for courage to end wars, heal divisions, and bring hope to a world plagued by conflict and crisis, urging nations to embrace reconciliation during the Holy Year.
From the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis addressed thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, emphasising the need to silence the "sound of arms" in Ukraine and other conflict zones. He called for bold steps towards negotiation and lasting peace, highlighting humanitarian crises in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
The pontiff also turned attention to regions affected by political instability and armed violence, including Mali, Mozambique, and Haiti. He expressed concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging for a ceasefire and the release of hostages taken in October 2023.
Marking the beginning of the Holy Year, the pope invited people to "become pilgrims of hope," fostering reconciliation and dialogue. The Jubilee Year, running through January 2026, is expected to draw millions of pilgrims to Rome, symbolising peace and forgiveness.
In our latest Newshour programme, presenter Guy Shone covered the recent report revealing that a covert U.S. working group, established earlier this year to speed up peace talks in Ukraine, has been quietly disbanded.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Ukraine “will have to understand and accept” the post-war realities, as Moscow signals openness to a third round of peace negotiations with Kyiv.
As Armenia prepares to host the 8th European Political Community Summit and Baku gets ready for the 12th, Caucasus Now explores a critical question: are external actors truly invested in peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan?
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset Discusses Regional Issues with Armenian PM in Yerevan
China has nearly doubled its naphtha import quotas for 2025, issuing a second batch of allocations to chemical companies as demand surges and cheaper alternatives like propane and ethane face supply disruptions, according to six trade sources.
Iran’s president says his country ready to pursue dialogue ‘to reclaim Iranian nation’s rightful demands’
Britain’s competition regulator may force Google to rank businesses more fairly in search results and provide consumers with alternative services, using new powers to regulate tech giants.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he will probably meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during this week’s NATO summit, offering Kyiv an opportunity to push for U.S. Patriot missiles and stronger sanctions on Russia.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
European metal producers are urging the EU to restrict scrap exports, warning that rising US demand driven by Trump’s 50% tariffs threatens Europe’s green transition and efforts to cut carbon emissions.
China announced on Tuesday that it will host a large-scale military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. President Xi Jinping is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech during the commemorative events.
Iran’s president says his country ready to pursue dialogue ‘to reclaim Iranian nation’s rightful demands’
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he will probably meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during this week’s NATO summit, offering Kyiv an opportunity to push for U.S. Patriot missiles and stronger sanctions on Russia.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday called for an unconditional end to defence trade restrictions among NATO allies and expressed Türkiye’s interest in hosting the alliance’s 2026 summit.
China has nearly doubled its naphtha import quotas for 2025, issuing a second batch of allocations to chemical companies as demand surges and cheaper alternatives like propane and ethane face supply disruptions, according to six trade sources.
Iran’s president says his country ready to pursue dialogue ‘to reclaim Iranian nation’s rightful demands’
Britain’s competition regulator may force Google to rank businesses more fairly in search results and provide consumers with alternative services, using new powers to regulate tech giants.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he will probably meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during this week’s NATO summit, offering Kyiv an opportunity to push for U.S. Patriot missiles and stronger sanctions on Russia.
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