Pope Francis will separately meet next week with relatives of hostages held by Hamas and a delegation of Palestinians with family in Gaza, the Vatican confirmed on Friday. The meetings on Wednesday are "exclusively humanitarian" to show the Pope's spiritual closeness to suffering on both sides, said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. Earlier reports said 12 relatives of Israeli hostages will meet the Pope before his general audience. The Palestinian meeting is seen as a humanitarian gesture by the Pope to hear grievances from both sides.The humanitarian meetings come amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas.

UN aid deliveries to Gaza were suspended again due to fuel shortages and communication blackouts, exacerbating hunger and homelessness amidst Israel's ongoing offensive. The UN warned of imminent starvation without supplies. Israel continues strikes in northern Gaza, taking control of an Islamic Jihad commander's base and killing Hamas fighters at a school housing weapons. Israel also found a Hamas tunnel under Al Shifa hospital, a hub overflowing with patients that Israel accuses Hamas of using as a shield and base. At least 18 Palestinians were reportedly killed by an Israeli strike on a refugee camp. Israel has not commented on the incidents. The war is nearing 7 weeks with no ceasefire in sight despite international calls.

  In a widely shared video, Secretary of US tate Antony Blinken visibly winces and shakes his head after President Joe Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "dictator" following their four-hour meeting on November 15. Blinken's discomfort is evident as Biden reaffirms his stance, calling Xi a "dictator" due to his role in leading a communist country. The incident occurred as the US and China aim to address their differences. The meeting covered various issues, fostering open communication despite underlying tensions between the two nations. The encounter reflects the ongoing challenges in US-China relations.

King Charles III marked his 75th birthday with a special reception at Buckingham Palace, honoring Indian nurses and international medics contributing to the UK's National Health Service (NHS). Approximately 400 nurses from India, the Philippines, and other nations attended, emphasizing their significant role in the UK's healthcare sector. The monarch, working through his birthday, expressed appreciation for their contributions, receiving a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' and a birthday card. The event showcased the deep links between the UK and India, with newly appointed Health Secretary Victoria Atkins expressing gratitude and anticipating closer ties during her prospective visit to India. (Picture courtesy: @RoyalFamily/X)

Republican Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy addressed criticism of Donald Trump's "vermin" comment, slamming CNN's Abby Phillip for emphasizing language over substance. Ramaswamy, while discussing the term, also labeled San Francisco's homeless and drug addicts as "vermin." He expressed frustration with mainstream media's focus on specific words rather than policy debates, stating, "Let's have an actual policy debate." The GOP hopeful emphasized the need for discussions on substantive issues facing the country.

After videos praising Osama bin Laden's post-9/11 'Letter to Americans' flooded social media, TikTok faced a massive backlash, prompting the removal of videos and disabling the #lettertoamerica'. Gen Z TikTokers discovered the letter 21 years later, leading to widespread outrage. Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Senator Marsha Blackburn called for a TikTok ban, accusing the platform of promoting anti-American sentiments. TikTok responded, stating it violates rules on terrorism support and actively removing the content. The viral trend began on TikTok but spread to other platforms, reigniting the debate on the Chinese app's potential ban in the US.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale hit the southern Mindanao region in the Philippines, causing damage and prompting aftershock concerns, according to the country's seismology agency. The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) reported the quake at a depth of 10km. Fortunately, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center assured no tsunami threat. Radio reports from General Santos city describe cracked walls and toppled computers, while airport passengers in General Santos City were evacuated to the tarmac. The Philippines, situated on the seismic "Ring of Fire," frequently experiences such geological events.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the difficulty of minimizing civilian casualties in the conflict with Hamas, stating in an interview with CBS News, "Any civilian death is a tragedy... Unfortunately, we're not successful" despite extensive measures such as leaflet warnings and evacuation calls. Netanyahu emphasized Israel's attempts to protect civilians, contrasting it with Hamas's actions. The ongoing military campaign, aimed at destroying Hamas, has resulted in widespread displacement and casualties, with Gaza health authorities reporting over 11,500 confirmed deaths, over 4,700 of them are children. Netanyahu expressed the intention to conclude the operation with minimal civilian casualties but conceded the challenges faced in achieving this goal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that weapons deliveries to Ukraine have decreased since fighting erupted between Israel and Hamas last month. Specifically, Zelensky said supplies of 155mm artillery shells, which are widely used by Ukraine on the frontlines, have declined. He attributed the drop to countries prioritizing their own stockpiles during conflicts. Despite the decreased arms support recently, Zelensky praised efforts in the U.S. to increase production. The news comes as fighting in Ukraine has ground to a stalemate after nearly a year of war with Russia. Both sides have struggled to maintain artillery stockpiles during the drawn-out conflict.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey indicates a significant shift in American sentiment regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Conducted between November 13-14, 2023, the poll reveals a decline in support for Israel, with only 32% of Americans favoring continued backing, down from 41% in mid-October. The survey of 1,006 American adults highlights a growing desire for the U.S. to assume a "neutral mediator" role, rising from 27% in October to 39% in November. President Joe Biden's call for "humanitarian pauses" instead of a "ceasefire" sparked disagreement, with 77% of Democrats advocating for a ceasefire. The survey reflects a nation seeking a balanced approach amid evolving sentiments. On the other hand, Israeli President Isaac Herzog emphasized the necessity of a robust Israeli presence in Gaza after the conflict to prevent the resurgence of Hamas. Discussing potential mechanisms for governance, Herzog highlighted the 'avoidance of a vacuum' and envisions U.S. and regional involvement. Amid international and domestic pressure, U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the two-state solution and warned against occupying Gaza.