Headline

Pope Francis In Hospital, Events Cancelled

Published

2 years ago

March 29, 2023

The Vatican said Wednesday that Pope Francis, 86, was in hospital in Rome for previously scheduled health checks, before later cancelling his Thursday appointments.

“The Holy Father has been at Gemelli (Hospital) since this afternoon for some previously scheduled checks,” wrote Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni in a one-sentence statement.

The pontiff, who this month marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church, had earlier appeared in good spirits at his weekly audience at the Vatican, smiling as he greeted the faithful from his “popemobile”.

However, he was seen grimacing as he was helped getting into the vehicle.

Italian media reported he was taken to hospital by ambulance after suffering from respiratory and cardiac problems.

His appointments for Thursday morning were cancelled, a Vatican source told AFP, adding that there was a possibility Francis could stay in hospital overnight.

The Argentine pontiff suffers from chronic knee pain that has forced him to rely on a wheelchair in recent months.

The Gemelli was the same hospital where he underwent an operation on his colon in July 2021 after suffering from a type of diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets that develop in the lining of the intestine.

He remained in hospital for 10 days. A year later he admitted he was still feeling the effects of six hours spent under anaesthetic during the surgery.

In an interview in January, Francis said the diverticulitis had returned.

– Speculation –
Pope Francis had to cancel or curtail activities several times last year because of the pain in his knee and in a July 2022 interview acknowledged that he needed to slow down.

His health has been the frequent subject of speculation, particularly the question of whether he will follow the example set by his predecessor and retire if he cannot continue.

Benedict XVI, an eminent German theologian, shocked the world in 2013 by becoming the first pope since the Middle Ages to resign.

The two “men in white” co-existed within the walls of the tiny Vatican state for almost a decade, before Benedict died on December 31.

Francis has said he would follow Benedict in stepping down if his health made him unable to do his job.

However, he told an interviewer in February that papal resignations should not become “a normal thing”, adding that for the moment it was not on his agenda.

– Still active –
Despite his advancing age and health problems, Francis continues to travel widely.

Huge crowds greeted him on a visit earlier this year to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a testament to his ongoing popularity.

In the past decade, he has sought to forge an image of a more open, compassionate Church, although has faced internal opposition, particularly from conservatives.

Next month, Pope Francis is due to visit Hungary and meet Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The Argentine almost died when he was 21 after developing pleurisy — an inflammation of the tissues that surround the lung — according to biographer Austen Ivereigh.

He had part of one of his lungs removed in October 1957.

He has also talked about the surgical removal of cysts from the top lobe of his right lung.

He insisted he had made “a complete recovery… and never felt any limitation since then”.

Headline

Zelensky Responds To Putin’s Invite To Russia For Peace Talks

Published

18 minutes ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to visit Moscow for peace talks over the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war.

According to the Russian government, President Putin is preparing to host Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in Moscow.

Presidential aide Dmitry Peskov confirmed the meeting during an interview with TASS at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) on Friday.

The Kremlin spokesman said Putin’s invitation to the Ukrainian leader was “to talk, not to surrender.”

Peskov noted that efforts to resolve the 42-month conflict are ongoing but declined to predict the outcome. He quoted Putin as saying, “There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

The Russian government says it aims to achieve its objectives in Ukraine through peaceful means but will continue its special military operation if no truce is reached.

When asked about a possible follow-up conversation between President Putin and President Donald Trump after their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, Peskov said, “There are no developments yet.”

He also spoke about US-Russia relations, saying “the process of bringing our relations out of complete paralysis will take time.” Peskov added that “much damage has been done to the architecture” of both countries’ ties, referring to years of diplomatic standoff under the previous US administration.

Responding to the open invite during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron after the Coalition of the Willing meeting, Zelensky said he can only be invited when Russia wants there to be no meeting.

Speaking about the coalition meeting amid ongoing effort for peace in Ukraine, Zelensky said the meeting is necessary and “not about desire, but a real need.” He added that he supports any format for the talks—trilateral or bilateral—but believes Russia is trying to delay it.

“The meeting is needed, this is not about desire, but it is needed. We supported it in any format: both trilateral and bilateral. I believe that Russia is doing everything to delay it. Our American partners told us that Putin invited me to Moscow. I think that when you want there to be no meeting, then you should invite me,” Zelensky said.

Headline

Surfer Dies After Suspected Shark Attack In Sydney

Published

34 minutes ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

A man has died following a suspected shark attack at Long Reef Beach in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, police in New South Wales have confirmed.

Emergency services were called shortly after 10:00 am local time on Saturday after reports that a surfer had suffered critical injuries about 100 metres offshore.

Despite being pulled from the water by fellow surfers, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said two sections of a surfboard were recovered from the water and have been sent for expert analysis. The victim, described as an experienced surfer, had been in the water for only about 30 minutes when the incident occurred.

In a statement, the police said the man had been pulled out of the morning surf onto the shore at Long Reef Beach, but he “died at the scene”.

“Two sections of a surfboard have been recovered and taken for expert examination,” the statement read.

At a news briefing later on Saturday, the police described the victim as an “experienced surfer” who had been in the water with his friends.

They said he had been surfing for only about 30 minutes when he was attacked some 100m (328ft) off the shore, losing “a number of limbs”.

Rod McGibbon, a duty officer from Surf Life Saving, said the victim had been brought to the beach by other surfers.

He said he expected the beaches to remain closed for between 24 and 72 hours.

The victim’s name has not been publicly released.

Local police officers and experts were now working together to “determine the species of shark involved”, the police added.

The last deadly shark attack in the Sydney area in 2022, when Simon Nellist, a British diving instructor, was mauled by a great white shark.

Prior to that, there had not been a fatal attack since 1963.

Australia typically records about 20 shark attacks each year, with most in New South Wales and Western Australia.

Historically, dying from a shark bite is uncommon. In over a century of records, Australia’s shark attack mortality rate is 0.9 – less than one person per year.

(BBC)

Headline

David Lammy Appointed UK’s Deputy PM

Published

13 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a major cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, in a move that could reshape the direction of his administration.

As part of the shake-up, David Lammy, a senior Labour figure and former Foreign Secretary, has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, taking over key roles previously held by Rayner.

The cabinet reshuffle comes at a politically sensitive time for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership is under growing pressure from both within the Labour Party and the broader electorate.

The sudden resignation of Angela Rayner, a high-profile figure with strong working-class support, has exposed internal tensions and sparked concerns over the party’s unity and electoral strategy.

According to BBC News on Friday, the reshuffle is seen as a crucial test for Starmer’s leadership, especially as Rayner had been a prominent and working-class figure whose departure may weaken his appeal to core Labour voters.

Key Cabinet reassignment

-Lammy transitions from Foreign Secretary to Deputy PM and Justice Secretary.

-Yvette Cooper moves from Home Secretary to Foreign Secretary.

-Shabana Mahmood is promoted from Justice Secretary to Home Secretary.

Other notable appointments include:

-Steve Reed as Housing Secretary

-Pat McFadden as head of a newly expanded Work and Pensions department

-Douglas Alexander as Scotland Secretary

-Liz Kendall moves to Science and Technology

-Emma Reynolds becomes Environment Secretary

-Peter Kyle appointed Business Secretary

-Jonathan Reynolds named Chief Whip

-Alan Campbell becomes Leader of the House of Commons

Meanwhile, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray were removed from their cabinet roles.

Political Fallout and Internal Tensions

Labour now faces mounting political pressure. Observers note Rayner’s exit leaves a vacuum for constituents drawn to her working-class credentials, possibly intensifying internal party divisions.

Her resignation also triggers a deputy leadership contest, opening up a battleground between the party’s centrist and left-leaning factions.

Moreover, Labour’s popularity has waned, with opposition to policies on welfare and immigration increasing support for Reform UK.

Starmer’s government’s handling of economic pressures and an upcoming £40 billion budget shortfall deepen the political stakes.

Lammy Steps into Key Role at a Crucial Juncture

Lammy’s appointment is viewed as strategically significant. Known for his reform credentials and advocacy for criminal justice reform, his new position comes as Parliament prepares for the Sentencing Bill.

The Prison Reform Trust welcomed his appointment, noting the timing offers “an important opportunity to move away from the failed cycle of overcrowding and crisis management.”

This reshuffle represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Keir Starmer’s administration. With Labour under heightened scrutiny and internal frictions rising, the effectiveness of the newly configured cabinet will be a litmus test of Starmer’s leadership, particularly as the party approaches a difficult budget season, rising populist pressures, and internal power shifts ahead of the next deputy leadership election.