Zelenskyy meets Slovakia's Fico, says Ukraine will respond to Russia's energy attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday (September 5) that Kyiv would continue targeting Russian energy infrastructure in response to r...
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with senior Vatican officials on Saturday for talks that the Vatican described as "cordial," following ongoing criticisms of the Trump administration’s policies, particularly regarding immigration.
Vance, a Catholic who has had differences with Pope Francis over U.S. immigration policies, met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and his chief deputy.
According to a Vatican statement, the two sides had "an exchange of opinions on the international situation," with discussions focused on countries affected by war, political tensions, and humanitarian crises, especially those concerning migrants, refugees, and prisoners. The statement noted that the talks were conducted in a constructive atmosphere, with hope expressed for continued collaboration between the U.S. Church and the government.
Pope Francis, who is limiting public appearances while recovering from double pneumonia, did not participate in the meeting. Vance is visiting Italy for the Easter weekend, which provided an opportunity for this in-person dialogue with Vatican officials.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened tension between the Vatican and the Trump administration, particularly over the U.S. immigration crackdown and cuts to foreign aid programs. Pope Francis has publicly criticized the Trump administration’s approach, calling the immigration policies a "disgrace." Vance, who became Catholic in 2019, has previously justified the administration's immigration stance using medieval Catholic teachings. However, the pope rebutted Vance's theological arguments in an open letter to U.S. Catholic bishops in February, describing the Trump administration's approach as a "major crisis" for the country.
The Vatican has also voiced concerns over the Trump administration's cuts to U.S. foreign aid programs, calling the reductions "catastrophic" for the developing world. The U.S. Catholic bishops’ conference announced this month that, due to these cuts, it would end a decades-long partnership with the federal government to provide services to migrant and refugee populations.
Chieko Noguchi, a spokesperson for the U.S. bishops, expressed hope that the meeting between Vance and Parolin would lead to productive dialogue. The Vatican, for its part, expressed optimism that the discussions could pave the way for “serene collaboration” between the U.S. government and the Church.
As relations between the Vatican and the Trump administration continue to be a point of contention, this meeting marks a significant moment for diplomatic and church-state relations.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday called for a wide-ranging re-examination of the Federal Reserve’s role and authority, including its control over interest rate policy, as the Trump administration steps up its campaign to assert greater oversight over the central bank.
The Trump administration is preparing to introduce new rules that would restrict or potentially block imports of Chinese-made drones and medium to heavy-duty vehicles, citing national security concerns.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer carried out a major cabinet reshuffle on Friday (September 5), appointing new deputies as well as foreign and interior ministers in a bid to reassert control following the resignation of his deputy, Angela Rayner.
Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo confirmed on Friday (September 5) that his racing career has come to an end, announcing he will take on a new role as a global motorsports ambassador for Ford.
Lebanon’s cabinet on Friday (September 5) endorsed an army proposal to disarm Hezbollah, saying the military would begin implementing it, though without a set timeline and while noting the army’s limited resources.
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