Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, leaves behind a legacy of reform and inclusivity that reshaped the Catholic Church, though sparking conservative opposition. His tenure was marked by Vatican reforms, financial transparency efforts, and advocacy for global issues like peace and environmental protection. Despite controversies and scandals, Francis bridged religious divides and championed social justice.
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A woman at Los Angeles International Airport shocked TSA agents with over 80 prohibited items in her carry-on, including fireworks, knives, replica firearms, and pepper spray. The TSA seized the items and emphasized the importance of travelers double-checking their bags to avoid such incidents. TSA recommends using the 'MyTSA' app to verify permissible items.
On a lush green hilltop on Israel's northern border with Lebanon, Carmela Keren Yakuti proudly shows off her home in Dovev, which she fled more than 16 months ago over fears of a Hezbollah attack. - Rockets, mortars - While many of Dovev's residents were returning this week, the scene was not so joyous in other communities along Israel's northern border.
Syria's new authorities launched a security operation in Tartous after the killing of 14 policemen. The crackdown targets remnants of Assad's militias, with the new leadership aiming to maintain stability. Protests in Homs, involving Alawite and Shi'ite communities, also led to an overnight curfew. Iran has been urged to respect Syria's sovereignty amidst these tensions.
US President Donald Trump has demanded the return of military equipment left behind in Afghanistan after the 2021 withdrawal and called for accountability of military leaders involved in the exit. The equipment largely seized by the Taliban amounts to over $7 billion worth of US assets.
French police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old who refused to give up his phone to two teenagers in Paris, police and prosecutors said. The boy was leaving a football training session on Friday evening in southern Paris when the two demanded his phone, the prosecutor's office told AFP. When he refused, one stabbed him in the shoulder and the boy died in hospital.
Bangladeshi Americans, Buddhists, and Christians appeal to US President-elect Donald Trump to secure the release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and address the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh. They urge for intervention linking Bangladesh's UN peacekeeping involvement to the cessation of internal persecutions.
Ken Martin has been elected as the new chair of the Democratic National Committee, succeeding Jaime Harrison. Martin aims to strengthen party infrastructure, regain working-class support, and enhance rapid response against Donald Trump, as the Democratic Party grapples with low approval ratings and internal divisions.
Donald Trump plans to use the recent Gaza ceasefire, which ended 15 months of conflict and involved a phased hostage release deal, to expand the Abraham Accords. The ceasefire arrangement follows significant casualties and destruction in Gaza. Trump emphasized continued cooperation to prevent Gaza from becoming a terrorist safe haven and aims to normalize Israel's relations with more Arab nations.
An Ohio teacher, Vivian Geraghty, won a $450,000 settlement after resigning for refusing to use students' preferred pronouns due to her religious beliefs. The U.S. District Court ruled the school district's policy as compelled speech, violating the First Amendment. This case emphasizes the conflict between personal beliefs and gender identity policies.
President Trump hinted that US support for Ukraine's war effort might be linked to securing access to Ukraine's rare earth materials. He voiced frustration over the aid imbalance between the US and Europe and highlighted the strategic importance of rare earth minerals. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasized the need for Kyiv's involvement in any negotiations.