Pope Francis celebrated a mass for hundreds of thousands of faithful in East Timor on Tuesday, rallying nearly half the population of the world's most Catholic country outside the Vatican in stifling tropical heat.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut has announced the 2025-2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES). This scholarship program provides high school students between the ages of 15-17 with the opportunity to spend a full academic year in the United States.

Selected students will live with American host families in the U.S. and attend American high schools. They will also engage in activities to learn about American society and values, develop leadership skills, and help educate Americans about Lebanese culture. The scholarship covers round-trip travel expenses, tuition fees, health insurance, accommodation, and a monthly allowance to cover miscellaneous expenses.