Lebanon–Vatican Diplomacy: President Joseph Aoun met Pope Leo XIV and urged stronger Vatican support for Lebanon’s push to end the Israeli occupation, stop attacks on southern villages and infrastructure, and enable full withdrawal—framing it as a path to reconstruction and displaced residents’ return. Prison Reform: Lebanon’s parliament adopted an amnesty law for thousands of prisoners tied to crimes committed before March, excluding murder, major financial crimes and threats to the state, alongside legislation dropping the death penalty—aimed at easing overcrowding but criticized for political bargaining and weak accountability. Regional Shipping & Iran Talks: Egypt and Qatar called for a return to the US-Iran MoU to restart negotiations and stressed freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as the US and Iran trade claims over whether shipping is open and talks are happening. Humanitarian Operations: UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said aid in Gaza and Lebanon is still operating despite shocks, while warning that attacks on aid workers are becoming normalized. Banking & Reform: A Beirut-based banking integrity push linked money-laundering control to broader economic and institutional reform, not just tighter bank rules. Business & Skills: Lebanese American University hosted consulting veteran Souheil Moukaddem to brief students on careers in management consulting and practical market-entry skills. Lebanon Under Pressure: Reporting highlighted a gap between war-focused coverage and what people in Lebanon search for—like currency, rent, services and emigration—underscoring how conflict dominates the news agenda.