VATICAN: Pope Leo XIV opened a meeting with the world’s cardinals today by saying war is “never blessed by God,” insisting the Catholic Church has a prophetic message of peace for a world ravaged by conflict.

During an opening Mass early on Friday, Leo said: “War is never worthy of humanity, and it is never blessed by God.

“Because, even if we are equipped with high-tech weapons, the creator has endowed us with intelligence and free will to resolve conflicts as human beings and not as beasts.”

PYONGYANG: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for the military’s “deadly and destructive offensive posture” to be bolstered today following an observation of major weapons tests on Thursday.

South Korea’s Defence Ministry has separately also announced plans to beef up its drone forces, citing growing concerns that the North may have received technology assistance from Russia.

Seoul plans to develop long-range exploding, reconnaissance and attack drones and train the country’s entire 500,000-strong army as “drone warriors.”

CALIFORNIA: Voters will consider a proposal to temporarily raise taxes on billionaires in November.

The proposal, backed by the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Workers West, would impose a one-time 5 per cent tax on individuals whose net worth exceeds $1 billion (£757 million) and who were living in the state as of January 1 2026.

The goal is to generate $100bn (£75.7bn) in revenue, mainly to fund the state’s Medicaid system after federal cuts. The union’s president Dave Regan accused opponents of the proposal of being “totally out of touch” today.

GERMANY: A Saudi man was sentenced to life in prison today over the car-ramming attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg in 2024 that left six people dead.

The defendant, 51-year-old Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, went on trial at the state court in November. He won’t be eligible for release after 15 years, as is usually the case in Germany.

The defendant described himself as an ex-Muslim who was highly critical of Islam. He had expressed support for the far right on social media.