The conflict with Iran, the Gulf crisis and devastating attacks in Lebanon are overshadowing the tragedy in the Strip. Over 21,000 children have been killed, nearly 45,000 injured, and at least 58,000 have lost one or both parents. There is a shortage of drinking water and medicines, and infectious diseases are spreading. The aid system is paralysed. Restrictions imposed by Israel are taking their toll, whilst Hamas is weakened but not disarmed.

“Highway to Somewhere” is a TV series produced in Singapore but set in Malaysia, centred on an online scam network. It has drawn criticism from groups concerned about its impact on Malaysia’s image. The broadcaster that aired the series has dismissed the accusations, saying its goal was to raise awareness about the phenomenon of online scam centres in Southeast Asia.

The President of the National Assembly in Hanoi presented the Pope with a letter from the President, who is now firmly at the helm of power in Vietnam. It was precisely internal disagreements over the local political balance of power that had slowed down the preparations for the visit, which is so eagerly awaited by the Catholic community. Cardinal Parolin is due to visit soon to establish full diplomatic relations. The possibility of 2027, when the Pope is already expected in Seoul for World Youth Day.

For four years now, the forty-year-old Serdar Berdymukhamedov has held the office of president in Ashgabat, but his father, Gurbanguly, continues to present himself at every opportunity – both at home and abroad – as the true ‘national leader of the Turkmen people’. The son may well be better prepared than his father in the fields of politics and diplomacy, but he confines himself to chairing government meetings for the benefit of the cameras.

Today’s headlines: the Spanish Prime Minister has called on China to play a more active role in global affairs; Israel has approved the appointment of the new head of the Mossad; Next week, the President of Taiwan will visit Eswatini. Since late March, floods in Afghanistan have killed at least 189 people; With Orban’s defeat, Hungary is distancing itself from Russia.

At the Regina Caeli, Leo XIV invoked the "principle of humanity" to "protect the civilian population" from war. He mentioned the peoples of Ukraine, Lebanon, and Sudan. Yesterday, at the vigil in St Peter's, he appealed to political leaders to “Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned”. He stressed that praying is a “transformative response to death”.