WORLD

DUBAI | TASS | The Afghan government has banned chess indefinitely due to “religious considerations” and restrictions set by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, Khaama Press agency quoted the departments of the Afghan government formed by the Taliban movement as saying. The Afghan …

NEW DELHI, INDIA | Xinhua | People living close to border areas and the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan Sunday woke up to a calm morning as guns have fallen silent four days after an incessant military conflict. The uneasy calm has brought relief to people in …

VATICAN, ROME | TASS | Pope Leo XIV dedicated his first Regina Caeli prayer to peace, recalling the end of World War II 80 years ago and calling for a settlement in Ukraine, the Middle East and de-escalation of the situation between India and Pakistan. “The tragedy of World War …

KIEV | Xinhua | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that his country is prepared to resume direct negotiations with Russia if Moscow accepts a Kiev-proposed ceasefire. “We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire — full, lasting and reliable — starting tomorrow, May 12th, and Ukraine is ready to meet …

Vatican, Italy | VATICAN NEWS | Pope Leo XIV appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace for his first ever Regina Coeli address on Sunday the 11th of May. Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square and countless others following from around the world he echoed the cry …

MOSCOW | TASS | The Kiev regime did not respond to Russia’s Victory Day ceasefire initiative and launched large-scale attacks almost immediately, Russian President Vladimir Putin has told reporters in the Kremlin. “The Kiev government … left our ceasefire proposal unanswered,” he said. “Moreover, shortly after we announced our proposal …

In his first address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV invokes the legacy of both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIII, saying that he wants the Church to “respond to a new industrial revolution and to the development of artificial intelligence.” Vatican, Italy | VATICAN NEWS |  In …

GAZA | Xinhua |  A joint U.S.-Israeli initiative to distribute humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip has triggered strong backlash from Gazans, who say the plan undermines their dignity and sidelines established international relief channels. Palestinians displaced by months of conflict voiced deep mistrust of the effort, accusing Washington and …

NEW DELHI | Xinhua | Pakistan and India announced on Saturday that they agreed on a ceasefire. The announcement came following four days of military strikes on each other. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Saturday that Pakistan and India have agreed on a ceasefire …

MEXICO CITY, the United States | Xinhua | Mexico has filed a legal lawsuit against Google for labeling the Gulf of Mexico as “Gulf of America” on Google Maps for American users, arguing that the move violates the sovereignty and international recognition of Mexican territory, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said …