Lebanon's annual Baalbek Festival was held Friday in virtual form with the famed Roman ruins a part of its backdrop, as an expression of hope in the crisis-hit country.

Donald Trump, during a visit to Europe while U.S. president, told his chief of staff that "Hitler did a lot of good things," The Guardian newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing an upcoming book.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday warned Hungary to reverse course on its controversial LGBTQ law, as pressure mounts on Brussels to cut EU funding to Budapest.

Pope Francis has been touched by the many message of support received following his operation, the Vatican said Wednesday as it confirmed his condition continues to improve.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday appointed Mary Simon as Canada's first indigenous governor general, Queen Elizabeth's official representative.

"We are honored to have Ms. Simon as Canada's first Indigenous governor general," Trudeau told a news conference.

Pope Francis, 84, on Tuesday had breakfast and got up to walk, two days after undergoing surgery for an inflamed large colon, the Vatican announced.

Israel's parliament is set to vote Monday on whether to renew a temporary law first enacted in 2003 that bars Arab citizens of Israel from extending citizenship or even residency to spouses from the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Critics, including many left-wing and Arab lawmakers, say it's a racist measure aimed at restricting the growth of Israel's Arab minority, while supporters say it's needed for security purposes and to preserve Israel's Jewish character.

Pope Francis, 84, was recovering in hospital Monday from surgery for an inflamed large colon, a potentially painful condition that could see him bed-bound for several days.

The pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital Sunday for a scheduled operation under general anesthetic for symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon.

President Michel Aoun expressed on Friday his deep gratitude to Pope Francis for the day of prayer and meditation for Lebanon.

He affirmed that the Lebanese of all sects have great respect for the Holy See and will respond to the Pope’s call to save their treasured homeland.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Thursday that Hungary should not be part of the EU because of its new law banning LGBT content in schools.