The Levant Files

The famed white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney today, March 15, 2025, signaling the election of a new leader for the world's 1.3 billion Catholics. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American-born Augustinian friar with extensive experience in Peru and the Roman Curia, has been chosen as the 267th Pope. He will take the pontifical name Pope Leo XIV. The Cardinal Protodeacon announced, "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a Pope!"), from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to tens of thousands of pilgrims and onlookers gathered in a rain-swept St. Peter's Square. Shortly thereafter, the 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV appeared, offering his first "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing, a moment met with jubilant cheers and applause. The election of Pope Leo XIIV follows a conclave convened after Pope Francis's death. His selection marks a significant moment, bringing to the papacy a figure with deep pastoral roots in Lati...

According to The Jerusalem Post , citing a Reuters report dated May 8, 2025, the United States under President Donald Trump has made a momentous decision. The requirement for Saudi Arabia to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel as a condition for advancing civil nuclear cooperation talks has been dropped. This marks a significant policy shift, a decision of great consequence, ahead of Trump's upcoming visit to the kingdom next week, where major economic and defense agreements are expected to be discussed. Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed this development, highlighting a departure from previous US demands under the Biden administration, which tied nuclear discussions to a broader deal involving normalization and a US-Saudi defense treaty. During Biden's tenure, efforts to expand the Abraham Accords—initiated under Trump's first term with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco recognizing Israel—were stalled by Saudi Arabia's insistence on a Palestinian state b...

In a historic moment captured by the international media, white smoke billowed from the chimney above St Peter’s Square earlier today, signaling the election of a new pope. The sight triggered an outpouring of joy among the crowd gathered in the Vatican, who anxiously awaited this pivotal announcement. Cheers erupted, flags waved, and strangers embraced as the Catholic Church concluded its search for a new leader. Images on social media depict the electric atmosphere, with people jumping for joy, praying, and capturing the moment on their phones. Reuters photos show nuns in white headscarves beaming with delight and a couple from Greece describing the event as a “once in a lifetime experience,” as reported by Scarlett Barter from the Vatican (published at 19:17). The sound of ringing bells reverberated through the square, amplifying the crowd’s fervor as they surged forward to witness history. The process moves swiftly following the white smoke. The newly elected pontiff is fitted with...

Η τουρκοκυπριακή πλευρά φέρεται να σχεδιάζει το πλήρες άνοιγμα της περίκλειστης πόλης της Αμμοχώστου (Βαρώσια), ως απάντηση σε συλλήψεις που, σύμφωνα με τον Τουρκοκύπριο δημοσιογράφο Χασάν Χαστουρέρ, πραγματοποιήθηκαν στις ελεγχόμενες από την Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία περιοχές και στοχεύουν την οικονομία των κατεχομένων. Σε σημερινό του άρθρο , με ημερομηνία 8 Μαΐου 2025, ο Χαστουρέρ, επικαλούμενος «αξιόπιστη πηγή», αναφέρει χαρακτηριστικά: «Να χαίρεται ο Χριστοδουλίδης! Τα Κλειστά Βαρώσια ανοίγουν πλήρως». Σύμφωνα με τον αρθρογράφο, η κίνηση αυτή αποτελεί «αντεπίθεση» της τουρκικής πλευράς έναντι των συλλήψεων που αφορούν τον τομέα των ακινήτων. Το σχέδιο, όπως περιγράφεται, περιλαμβάνει την άρση των συρματοπλεγμάτων που περιβάλλουν τα Βαρώσια, καθιστώντας τα ισότιμα με άλλες περιοχές στα κατεχόμενα όσον αφορά τις ακίνητες περιουσίες. Ο Χαστουρέρ προσθέτει ότι οι Ελληνοκύπριοι ιδιοκτήτες θα έχουν τη δυνατότητα να προσφεύγουν στην «Επιτροπή Ακίνητης Ιδιοκτησίας» για τις περιουσίες τους στα Β...

The recent escalation in tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan, reportedly following an Indian military operation, has drawn sharply contrasting responses from two key regional players, Turkey and Greece. While Ankara issued a strong condemnation of India's actions and voiced solidarity with Pakistan, Athens expressed deep concern and called for immediate dialogue to de-escalate the situation. Turkey unequivocally denounced India's reported cross-border military engagement on May 7. According to DW , the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement criticizing the Indian operation as a serious breach of international norms and a significant threat to regional peace and security. The ministry's communiqué emphasized Turkey's unwavering support for Pakistan, urging the international community to take note of the developments and work towards preventing further instability. This strong stance from Ankara underscores its deepening alignmen...

Greek media reported Wednesday that "the 'gap' between Turkey and the European Union is widening. " A newly adopted European Parliament (EP) report delivered a stark assessment of Turkey's trajectory, citing 'democratic backsliding in the last year." The annual report on Turkey, authored by Spanish Socialist MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor, was approved with 367 votes in favour, 74 against, and 188 abstentions, underscoring a deepening concern within the EU regarding Ankara's commitment to the bloc's core values. The comprehensive document states unequivocally that Turkey has "distanced itself from the values espoused by the European Union." Consequently, the EP report highlights that accession negotiations, which have been "stalled since 2018," cannot be restarted under the current circumstances due to the significant deterioration of the country's rule of law and fundamental rights. Despite the grim outlook on membership, the Euro...