(L-R) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon Peres, and Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew meet in the Vatican, June 8, 2014. Credit: Alan Holdren/CNA.

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Vatican City, May 13, 2015 / 02:13 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Holy See and the State of Palestine have agreed on the text of a treaty regarding the life and activity of the Church in Palestine, which is expected to be signed soon by both parties.Much attention has been given to the fact that in its May 13 announcement, the Holy See referred to its agreement with “the State of Palestine” rather than the Palestinian Liberation Authority, or some other title.

It is hoped that the agreement will encourage the international community to acknowledge an independent State of Palestine, alongside Israel.

By Matt Hadro

Washington D.C., May 13, 2015 / 03:41 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Having lost their homes, their heritage and their sense of dignity, Iraqi Christians victimized by the Islamic State feel abandoned by earthly powers, but their faith in God has only grown, an Iraqi nun told members of Congress May 13.

The faith of homeless Iraqi Christians is “increasing more and more,” Sister Diana Momeka, O.P., told the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.Many of the displaced lived in devastating conditions – families taking shelter in containers, parents without jobs and children without an education.But Sister Diana insisted the spirit of the people has not been broken by the adversity.“It’s making us stronger,” she said.

• Elena Holodny

We’re about to see a very different world — one with "two Asias" — according to Australia’s former prime minister.

In the next decade or so, China’s economy is expected to surpass that of the US. (And, by some measures, it already has.)

However, even though China’s increased defense spending will continue to close the gap, the US is expected remain the dominant regional and global military power.

Consequently, we will see the emergence of an "asymmetric world" in which China will become the dominant economic power, while the United States will remain the dominant military power, writes former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, in his summary report on "The Future of US-China Relations Under Xi Jinping."

  The security plan, which has so far led to the arrest of several fugitives in Beirut’s southern suburbs since it was implemented late last month, has entered a new stage, informed security officials said. The officials, who were not named, told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that the joint security force, comprised of the army, […]

  DBAYEH, Lebanon: Tripoli MP Robert Fadel said he would announce a new initiative to break the presidential deadlock Wednesday, adding that he would consider all options, including resignation, if efforts hit a dead end and the paralysis in Parliament dragged on. During an interview with The Daily Star at his Dbayeh office Tuesday, the […]

  Negotiations regarding a prisoners swap deal between the Lebanese state and al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front reached the final stages as discussions are currently focusing on the timing and the place of the release. Al-Mustaqbal newspaper quoted a concerned source as saying that the exchange of captives and prisoners could be either carried out in Turkey […]

By: http://en.radiovaticana.va

Eight Lebanese parties, related to both blocs that for years have dominated the national political scene, have agreed to sign a document entitled "National Partnership to strengthen the state and fight terrorism" prepared and proposed at the initiative of the Political Commission of the Maronite League as a base to relaunch political dialogue and reactivate institutions paralyzed by conflicts and mutual vetoes. The document will also be signed by representatives of the Hezbollah Shiite party, those of the Lebanese Forces, the Future Party and the Free Patriotic Movement.

Watch the Prophet Trailer – Featuring Salma Hayek

Inquirr

The moment she made her breakthrough in Hollywood by playing Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, everybody became aware of Salma Hayek’s Mexican roots. Her physical features all scream of her Mexican descent, but who would’ve thought that she has Lebanese roots, too?

Recently, Hayek revealed her Lebanese ancestry as she promoted her new animated film entitled The Prophet. According to her, the movie was a labor of love dedicated to her late Lebanese grandfather who adored the 1923 book by Kahlil Gibran, which the movie draws inspiration from.

Associated Press:

QALAMOUN MOUNTAINS, Syria –  Here in pockets of the rugged mountains near the Lebanese border, the distinctive yellow flag of Hezbollah now flies where al-Qaida militants once held sway.

These gains in the Qalamoun Mountains represent a bright spot for embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government, now reeling from a unified insurgent assault in the country’s northwest. And again, they show the power and influence of the Lebanese militant group in Syria’s civil war, grinding on into its fifth year after killing more than 220,000 people.

A team of Associated Press journalists traveling with Hezbollah into Syria found smiling Hezbollah fighters proudly showing newly dismantled booby traps and food quickly left behind by the Sunni insurgents as commanders promised further advances they say protect Lebanon. But in Lebanon, worries persist that Hezbollah’s battlefield successes only further entangle the tiny country in Syria’s violence, risking attacks back home as well.

By Pamela Engel – Business Insider

Muslims becoming radicalized and joining the Islamic State terror group — and in some cases leaving their home countries to travel to the Middle East — is becoming a growing crisis in the West.

Local imams are speaking about having to fight against a tide of young people who are turning to radical Islam in increasing numbers, Twitter is scrambling to shut down Islamic State accounts that spew propaganda and advertise the brutal acts the group carries out, and airport customs officials are now on the lookout for people who are trying to enter Syria illegally through Turkey.