The Catholic Church has long used the idea of "just war" to decide when war is acceptable. Many Catholic leaders, including Pope Leo XIV and U.S. Catholic officials, have expressed concerns that the current war with Iran does not meet these just war rules, which include having a good reason and proper authority. The article also explains how these rules originated and how they apply today to conflicts like the one involving Iran.
Key Facts
The "just war" tradition in Christianity has guided thinking about war for over 1,500 years.
The main rules of just war include having the right authority, a just cause, good intentions, proportionality, last resort, and likelihood of success.
Historically, only a legitimate sovereign could declare war; today, some argue only the U.N. can authorize force except in self-defense.
In the U.S., Congress has the power to declare war, but the president commands military forces, creating debates over war powers.
The current Iran war has faced criticism from Catholic leaders saying it does not meet just war requirements.
Self-defense is traditionally a valid reason for war, but only if the threat is ongoing or imminent.
U.S. officials have given multiple reasons for the Iran war, including stopping "imminent threats," but some doubt remain about whether the threat was immediate.
The conflict raises questions about the balance between using military action and pursuing diplomacy.
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France chose not to vote on a United Nations resolution led by Ghana that calls the transatlantic slave trade the worst crime against humanity. French officials said they abstained because the resolution seems to rank some crimes as worse than others.
Key Facts
The resolution was proposed by Ghana at the United Nations.
It calls the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity.
France did not vote in favor but abstained instead.
France's foreign minister said the resolution creates a hierarchy of crimes.
Abstaining means France neither supported nor opposed the resolution.
The debate concerns how to recognize historical crimes on an international level.
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Ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran stopped before they began after Iran's top diplomat left Pakistan and President Donald Trump told U.S. envoys not to travel there. Both sides remain cautious about trust, and military tensions continue around the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route.
Key Facts
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan amid stalled ceasefire talks with the U.S.
President Donald Trump said he told U.S. envoys not to travel to Pakistan for further talks.
Earlier talks were led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Iran distrusts the U.S. after a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in response to conflict near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital passage for about 20% of the world’s oil supply during peace times.
Iran and Israel’s allied Hezbollah exchanged fire despite an existing ceasefire, increasing regional tensions.
Iran warned it would strongly respond to U.S. military actions like naval blockades and attacks.
Pakistan is trying to mediate and bring the two countries back to negotiations, but talks would be indirect according to Iran.
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Lebanon’s government and several Christian and Sunni leaders support new talks with Israel to maintain peace after recent conflict with Hezbollah. Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, refuses the talks, but Lebanon and Israel have met twice in Washington D.C. with U.S. help to extend a ceasefire.
Key Facts
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are open to new talks with Israel.
The country’s top Sunni religious leader, Grand Mufti Abdul-Latif Derian, supports diplomatic efforts to end the fighting.
Hezbollah, backed by Iran and still active in Lebanon, rejects any negotiations with Israel.
Lebanese and Israeli officials held two direct meetings in Washington D.C. this month, resulting in a ceasefire extension by three weeks.
President Donald Trump announced U.S. support for Lebanon to protect itself from Hezbollah.
Hezbollah carried out attacks against Israel and southern Lebanon after recent escalations tied to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
Some Christian political leaders in Lebanon, like Samir Geagea and Samy Gemayel, back talks with Israel for lasting peace.
Lebanon’s political system shares power among various religious groups, which complicates its foreign relations and internal politics.
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A new road split a wild orangutan community in Sumatra, Indonesia, raising concerns about the animals becoming isolated and unhealthy. Conservation groups and the government built a bridge in the trees to help orangutans cross between the two forest parts, and after two years, one orangutan finally used it to unite the groups.
Key Facts
The orangutan community in Sumatra was divided by a new road.
This separation risked inbreeding, which can harm animal health.
Conservation groups SOS and Tangguh Hutan Khatulistiwa, along with the government, built a canopy bridge to connect the two sides.
The bridge remained unused for two years after it was completed.
One orangutan bravely crossed the bridge, showing its potential use.
This crossing could improve the chances of survival and health for the orangutans.
The story was reported by Helen Buckland, CEO of SOS.
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President Donald Trump canceled a planned visit by U.S. envoys to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad. Trump said the envoys would no longer make a long flight for talks and indicated future discussions could happen by phone, while Iran continued its stance on the conflict and the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Key Facts
President Trump ordered U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to cancel their trip to Pakistan.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad after meeting Pakistani leaders.
Araghchi shared Iran’s position on ending the conflict with Pakistan but questioned U.S. seriousness about diplomacy.
Trump said the U.S. “has all the cards” and proposed that Iran call if they want to talk.
The U.S. maintains a naval blockade and more than 50,000 troops in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz blockade by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has disrupted global oil and gas shipments.
Iran rejected ending the waterway blockade as energy markets faced turmoil.
Araghchi was scheduled to travel next to Oman and Russia to discuss peace efforts.
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The Strait of Hormuz is a very important water passage for shipping oil from the Middle East. It has become a key area of tension between the United States and Iran. Experts and military officials are discussing the risks and strategies related to possible conflicts in the region.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial route for oil shipments from Middle Eastern countries.
The area is a focal point of conflict between the US and Iran.
Former Royal Navy officer Duncan L Potts spoke about the situation on France 24.
The US has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, increasing tensions.
President Trump said he will no longer send envoys to Pakistan for talks with Iran.
Military experts are analyzing naval strategies related to security in the Strait.
The conflict risks impacting global oil supply and energy markets.
Discussions involve defense, trade, and the potential for military action in the region.
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A social media influencer named Klaudia Zakrzewska died six days after being hit by a car outside a nightclub in London. A woman, Gabrielle Carrington, has been charged with murder and dangerous driving related to the incident.
Key Facts
Klaudia Zakrzewska, 32, was hit by a car near a nightclub in Soho, London, on April 19.
Zakrzewska died on April 25 from her injuries.
Gabrielle Carrington, 29, a former X Factor finalist, faces a murder charge after Zakrzewska’s death.
Carrington is accused of dangerous driving and being almost twice over the legal alcohol limit.
Other people, including a 58-year-old man, a third woman, and a security guard, were injured in the crash.
Nearly £18,000 was raised by the public to help Zakrzewska’s treatment and her family’s legal costs.
The police asked people not to share graphic videos to respect the victims and avoid affecting the investigation.
Carrington appeared in court and will next appear at the Old Bailey on May 19.
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Gunmen attacked multiple locations in Mali's capital Bamako and other cities on Saturday in what appears to be a coordinated assault. Mali's army said it has regained control, but fighting and gunfire were reported in several towns including Kidal, Gao, and Mopti.
Key Facts
Attackers targeted military sites and barracks in Bamako and nearby places.
Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard near Modibo Keïta International Airport and other areas.
The U.S. Embassy warned Americans in Mali to stay indoors and avoid the airport and Kati.
Gunmen took control of some neighborhoods in Kidal and fought government forces.
The Tuareg-led separatist movement claimed control over parts of Kidal and Gao.
This was one of the largest coordinated attacks in Mali in recent years.
Mali faces ongoing violence from al-Qaida and Islamic State-linked groups, as well as separatists.
The fighting threatens stability in Mali, which has experienced multiple military coups.
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Islamic militants linked to al-Qaida and a separatist group attacked several locations in Mali's capital, Bamako, and other cities on Saturday. The Malian army said it fought off the attackers and later reported the situation was under control.
Key Facts
The al-Qaida-linked group JNIM claimed the attacks on Bamako’s airport and four cities in central and northern Mali.
The Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-led separatist group, said it joined the attacks with JNIM.
Fighting included heavy gunfire and explosions near Bamako’s international airport and military bases.
The U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a security alert, advising U.S. citizens to stay inside and avoid certain areas.
Mali’s military leader, Gen. Assimi Goita, lives in Kati, a town targeted during the attacks.
Militants reportedly controlled some neighborhoods in Kidal and Gao in northern Mali.
Kidal was a separatist stronghold before government and Russian forces took control in 2023.
The attacks are considered one of the largest coordinated militant assaults in Mali in recent years.
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Two US agents died in a car crash in northern Mexico after taking part in a raid against illegal drug labs. The Mexican government says these agents did not have official permission to operate in Mexico, and federal authorities were not informed of their presence.
Key Facts
The crash happened in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua during a return from an anti-drug operation.
The two US agents reportedly worked for the CIA.
Mexican officials said neither agent had formal approval to participate in actions on Mexican soil.
Mexican law bans foreign agents from operating without federal permission.
One agent entered Mexico as a visitor; the other used a diplomatic passport.
Two Mexican law enforcement officers also died in the crash.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum stressed that foreign officials must get prior approval to work in Mexico.
The US and Mexico share ongoing concerns about drug trafficking but have differing views on US involvement in operations inside Mexico.
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Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez said a program to free political prisoners is ending after about nine weeks. Rights groups criticized this decision, saying many political prisoners remain jailed and only new laws or votes can stop the prisoner releases.
Key Facts
Nearly 500 political prisoners have been released under an amnesty law introduced by Venezuela’s National Assembly.
Many more political prisoners are still believed to be in jail.
Delcy Rodríguez said over 8,600 people were freed under the law and announced the program would end.
Rights groups say Rodríguez does not have the power to stop the prisoner releases and called her move illegal.
Rodríguez is a former vice-president under Nicolás Maduro but is supported by US President Donald Trump.
The National Assembly president, Jorge Rodríguez (Delcy’s brother), said 1,557 political prisoners applied for amnesty, with the law aiming to cover 11,000 people.
US sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez were lifted recently, recognizing efforts toward stability and political reconciliation.
Critics say the prisoner release program has had limited impact and accuse the government of using it to appear more open while suppressing dissent.
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President Donald Trump canceled a planned trip by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Pakistan for talks with Iran, citing confusion in Iran's leadership and stating the U.S. holds all the advantages. Iran and the U.S. remain in conflict, with ongoing military actions disrupting oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and causing higher oil prices and inflation.
Key Facts
President Trump canceled the trip of Kushner and Witkoff to Islamabad, Pakistan, where they were to meet Iranian officials.
Trump said Iran's leadership is divided and unclear, causing delays and confusion.
The U.S. and Israel have conducted bombing campaigns against Iran for over 50 days.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Islamabad and spoke with Pakistan’s prime minister; Pakistan is acting as a mediator for talks.
The conflict disrupts oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for world oil supply.
Higher oil prices from the conflict have contributed to increased inflation in the U.S.
The U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian ports and vessels, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying it will continue "as long as it takes."
Iran’s president urged citizens to conserve electricity after U.S.-Israeli strikes damaged energy infrastructure.
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Mexico said two US federal agents who died in a car crash during a drug raid were not authorized to work in Mexico. The agents entered the country with visitor and diplomatic passports but did not have official permission to carry out operations, according to Mexican authorities.
Key Facts
Two US agents died in a car crash in Chihuahua, Mexico, linked to an anti-drug raid.
Mexican officials said the agents lacked formal approval to work on Mexico’s soil.
One US agent entered Mexico as a visitor, the other held a diplomatic passport.
Mexico requires foreign agents to get federal approval before operating and forbids working with local officials without permission.
US officials described the deceased as embassy personnel or training instructors, not officially CIA operatives.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stressed the importance of respecting Mexico’s sovereignty and promised to investigate any legal violations.
The Trump administration has emphasized a military crackdown on drug trafficking in Latin America.
Mexico supports intelligence sharing and technical cooperation with the US but insists it must be based on trust and respect for national laws.
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People in Deir el-Balah, Gaza, voted in municipal elections for the first time since 2006, shortly after a ceasefire in the conflict with Israel. Many voters, including first-time voters like 18-year-old Dunia Salama, see the election as a chance for peaceful change amid difficult living conditions caused by war damage and displacement.
Key Facts
Deir el-Balah held municipal elections after more than 20 years without them.
The elections took place shortly after a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Polling stations were set up in temporary tents because many buildings were damaged in the war.
Hundreds of thousands of displaced people live in Deir el-Balah, putting pressure on city services like water and sewage.
Voters hope for a strong municipal council not linked to major political factions Hamas or Fatah.
Many residents are tired of politicians and want real change through voting.
Young people like 18-year-old Dunia Salama are voting for the first time and feel their voices matter.
The elections are seen as an important step for Palestinian democracy and recovery after the war.
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Pakistan is trying to act as a middleman to help start peace talks between the United States and Iran amid ongoing conflict. The country has hosted discussions aiming to reduce tensions between the two nations.
Key Facts
Pakistan wants to play a key role in finding peace between the US and Iran.
Pakistan has hosted talks between American and Iranian representatives.
The goal is to reduce conflict and promote diplomatic solutions.
The Iran-US conflict has led to ongoing war and tensions in the Middle East.
Some US officials, including envoys, have been involved in these talks with Pakistan.
President Donald Trump has said he will no longer send envoys to Pakistan for Iran negotiations.
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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. Iran shared its proposal with Pakistan to help restart direct talks with the United States.
Key Facts
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Islamabad, Pakistan.
He met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Iran presented a proposal to Pakistan during this meeting.
The goal is to use Pakistan as a mediator to revive direct talks with the US.
Iran seeks to restart negotiations with the United States.
The meeting focused on diplomatic efforts between Iran, Pakistan, and the US.
Pakistan is playing a role as a mediator in talks involving Iran and the US.
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President Donald Trump has stopped US envoys from traveling to Pakistan for further talks with Iran about ending the conflict. Iran’s top diplomat recently left Pakistan after meeting officials, and officials say talks between the US and Iran will be indirect. The ceasefire has paused most fighting but the conflict continues to disrupt global trade.
Key Facts
President Trump told US envoys not to go to Pakistan for more talks with Iran.
Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, left Pakistan after meeting key officials there.
Talks between the US and Iran are expected to be indirect, with Pakistan acting as mediator.
An open-ended ceasefire has paused most fighting in the conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments, is nearly closed due to the conflict.
Iran has attacked ships recently, and the US maintains a blockade on Iranian ports.
Germany plans to send minesweeper ships to clear mines in the Mediterranean near the strait after hostilities end.
Iran has resumed some commercial flights after the war started two months ago.
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President Donald Trump canceled a planned trip by U.S. officials to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran after Iranian officials left the country. The talks were meant to continue negotiations between the two countries but were stopped following their departure.
Key Facts
President Trump called off U.S. officials’ travel to Pakistan for talks with Iran.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, were supposed to attend the negotiations.
The peace talks were scheduled to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Iranian officials left Pakistan before the planned negotiations could happen.
The cancellation was announced by President Trump on Truth Social, his social media platform.
The talks aimed to improve relations or resolve conflicts between the U.S. and Iran.
This development pauses the diplomatic efforts involving these countries.
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