Pope Francis still critical but shows ‘slight improvement’: Vatican
Vatican says pope still receiving oxygen as hospitalisation for double pneumonia nears two-week mark. Pope Francis’s condition remains critical but has shown a “slight improvement”, the Vatican has said in its latest update on the 88-year-old pontiff’s health. In a statement on Monday, the Vatican said “the clinical conditions of the Holy Father, in their critical nature, show a slight improvement”. “Today there were no episodes of asthmatic respiratory attacks; some laboratory tests have improved,” it said, noting that Francis had worked in the afternoon after receiving the Eucharist in the morning. The pope was still receiving oxygen, “although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen percentage”, the statement said. Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with breathing difficulties and his condition subsequently worsened. He is battling pneumonia in both lungs as well as kidney issues in what has become the longest hospital stay of his nearly 12-year papacy. Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican has described the pope’s infection as “complex” and said it was caused by two or more microorganisms. Advertisement The head of the Catholic Church, who has been pope since 2013, has suffered bouts of ill health over the past two years. He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed. Francis’s continued hospitalisation has prompted a global outpouring of concern and support, with a special prayer organised for Monday evening in St Peter’s Square in Rome. Tributes also have been left outside the hospital where he is being treated. Maria Vozlv, a Ukrainian who has lived in Rome for 18 years, said many in her home country were praying for Francis. The pontiff has often decried the war in Ukraine, which hit the three-year mark on Monday, and prayed for peace. “We Ukrainians are really praying for him,” Vozlv said. “He needs to get well and come home.” Earlier Monday, the Vatican said the pope had spent a peaceful night, with a Vatican source saying he was “not in pain”, eating “normally” and even “in a good mood”. Adblock test (Why?)
MSF halts operations in camp in Sudan’s Darfur region as violence rages
Doctors Without Borders says increased fighting in and around Zamzam camp has made it too dangerous to operate. Doctors Without Borders has said it is suspending its work in a famine-stricken camp for displaced people in Sudan’s North Darfur region, as an increase in violent attacks has made it too dangerous to operate. In a statement on Monday, the medical charity – known by its French-language acronym MSF – said fighting in and around Zamzam camp near the town of el-Fasher had made it “impossible … to continue providing medical assistance”. “Despite widespread starvation and immense humanitarian needs, we have no choice but to take the decision to suspend all our activities in the camp, including the MSF field hospital,” the group said. MSF was one of the few humanitarian groups still working in the camp, which houses about half a million people displaced by Sudan’s devastating 22-month civil war. Health workers at the organisation’s field hospital in Zamzam had helped treat people wounded in attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) this month, as well as provided care to thousands of malnourished children. Advertisement “Halting our project in the midst of a worsening disaster in Zamzam is a heartbreaking decision,” said Yahya Kalilah, MSF’s Sudan country director. “The sheer proximity of the violence, great difficulties in sending supplies, the impossibility to send experienced staff for adequate support, and uncertainty regarding routes out of the camp for our colleagues and civilians leave us with little choice.” We’ve taken the difficult decision to suspend our activities in Zamzam camp, North Darfur, Sudan. Violence has engulfed the camp, which hosts around 500,000 people. We urge all armed actors in the area to protect civilians.. The details: https://t.co/7zb32yoe5d — MSF International (@MSF) February 24, 2025 The war in Sudan broke out between the RSF and the Sudanese military in April 2023. Both parties have been accused of war crimes as the United Nations says the violence has killed tens of thousands of people, forced 14 million to flee their homes and spurred a humanitarian crisis. On February 11, the RSF stormed Zamzam, triggering two days of clashes with the army and allied armed groups and forcing about 10,000 families to flee, according to the United Nation’s International Organization for Migration (IOM). MSF said its teams had treated 139 patients with gunshot and shrapnel wounds in its field hospital so far this month. But 11 people – including five children – died because the facility lacked the necessary equipment. The organisation also said its ambulances were targeted in recent months. Advertisement Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Monday of a “further escalation” after the RSF and its allies agreed to form a parallel government. Guterres’s spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said the UN chief was “deeply concerned” by Sunday’s announcement. “This further escalation in the conflict… deepens the fragmentation of the country,” Dujarric said. The RSF-led government is not expected to receive widespread recognition, with the group accused of carrying out war crimes, including genocide. But it is a sign that the splintering of Sudan could be cementing as the RSF focuses on the western region of Darfur while it loses ground elsewhere. Adblock test (Why?)
Ukraine marks war’s third anniversary with support mired in uncertainty
EU leaders in Kyiv, Moscow rejects Trump’s push for swift ceasefire, competing UN votes scheduled. Leaders from the European Union and Canada have gathered in Ukraine in a show of unity as Kyiv marks the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday hailed the “heroism” of his country as he welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau among other senior officials. However, there was no representative from the United States, amid growing uncertainty over Washington’s support. “Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians,” said Zelenskyy. “I thank everyone who defends and supports it.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s support for Ukraine. “In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It’s Europe’s destiny,” she wrote in a social media post. On the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion, Europe is in Kyiv.We are in Kyiv today, because Ukraine is Europe.In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake.It’s Europe’s destiny. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu) 2025-02-24T05:18:04.584Z Advertisement Amid the threatened vacuum in US military support, the 27-member bloc’s leaders are scheduled to meet on March 6 for a special summit “to take decisions” on Ukraine and European defence. On Monday, a meeting of EU foreign ministers reportedly approved a 16th package of sanctions against Russia. However, Hungary, whose leader Viktor Orban has remained close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and has persistently complicated EU efforts to support Ukraine, said it will not back further sanctions. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also said his country will not agree to a boost in EU military aid. Competing resolutions The new confidence in Budapest is the result of US President Donald Trump’s push to force Ukraine to agree to a peace deal with Russia. US officials met their Russian counterparts last week, while Trump and Zelenskyy have embarked on a bitter spat via the media, with the US leader accusing Kyiv of starting the war and questioning the Ukrainian president’s legitimacy. Another showdown is expected at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday, as Washington and Kyiv table competing resolutions before the General Assembly. Ukraine’s resolution, backed by European allies, demands an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces while emphasising Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. The US proposal aims for a swift end to the war without explicitly mentioning Moscow’s aggression. ‘Unacceptable’ However, Trump’s peace plan, which appears designed to illustrate his self-appointed role as a global dealmaker, faces resistance on both sides. Advertisement Russia said on Monday that the quick end to the war the UK is trying to forge is “unacceptable”. A ceasefire without a long-term settlement “is the path to a swift resumption of fighting and a resumption of the conflict with even more serious consequences, including consequences for Russian-US relations,” Moscow’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said, according to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency. People take part in a march to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, February 23, 2025 [Pedro Nunes/Reuters] Meanwhile, Ukraine signalled on Sunday that the break with the US might be easing. Kyiv said a contentious proposal that would hand Washington $500bn worth of profits from Ukrainian rare minerals has now been taken off the table, and that talks on a different deal are progressing. Zelenskyy told a forum in Kyiv that he would resign his post if that meant peace was achieved. “If you need me to leave this chair, I am ready to do that, and I also can exchange it for NATO membership for Ukraine,” he said. Adblock test (Why?)
India’s Kohli shuts ‘outside noise’ in landmark century against Pakistan
Virat Kohli’s unbeaten century helps him cross 14,000 runs in ODIs and seal India’s place in the Champions Trophy semifinals. All it took for Virat Kohli to prove that he is not a spent force was a classic one-day international (ODI) century as India’s batting stalwart produced a match-winning knock against archrivals Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy. Kohli became the fastest batter and third man to reach 14,000 runs in ODIs, before going on to hit a record-extending 51st century in the limited overs format as he led India’s chase in their six-wicket win in Dubai on Sunday. The knock from the 36-year-old stood out in the high-pressure match as the former captain came into the 50-over tournament with speculation over his cricket future. Kohli said he shut down “the noise” to compile his unbeaten 100. “My job was clear – to control in the middle overs, not take risks against spinners and take on the pacers. I was happy with the template, it’s how I play in ODIs,” he said after the match. “I have a decent understanding of my game. It’s about keeping the outside noise away, take care of my energy levels and thoughts. It’s easy for me to get pulled into expectations and frenzy around games like these.” Virat Kohli hit seven fours in his century [Satish Kumar/Reuters] Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said his respect for Kohli had rocketed. Advertisement “I wonder how hard he would have worked when the whole world was saying he is out of form but coming into a match which is awaited by the world, he scores runs easily,” Rizwan said. “I praise his hard work and fitness.” India’s captain Rohit Sharma said his teammates were not surprised by Kohli’s match-winning performance. “Virat loves representing the country, doing what he does the best, which is what he did today. People sitting inside the dressing room aren’t surprised with what he did.” Kohli entered the match with 13,985 runs in 298 ODIs and went past 14,000 runs with a flowing punch through the covers off pace bowler Haris Rauf. He is just the third man to achieve the feat after India icon Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) and Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara (14,234). Kohli, who was out for 22 in the opening win over Bangladesh, put on 114 runs with Shreyas Iyer as he drove and flicked with aplomb to reach his 82nd century across all formats with a winning boundary. He took off his helmet and raised his bat to a standing ovation from the crowd that chanted his name. “I have never thought of Virat struggling for runs,” said Iyer. “It’s just that the mindset he possesses over the years, he is always hungry for runs and I remember yesterday he came almost an hour before us for the practice session. Looking from outside, he looked as crisp as he looks all the time.” Kohli and Rohit retired from T20 internationals after India’s World Cup triumph last year. But they struggled to find their best form in both Test and 50-over formats due to inconsistent run-scoring, with speculation that they may soon retire. Advertisement Following the bruising 3-1 Test defeat in Australia, the Indian cricket board ordered contracted players to feature in domestic cricket. But both flopped, with Rohit scoring three and 28 in his first and second innings for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, and Kohli scoring six off 15 balls for Delhi. Kohli will likely take the field against New Zealand next Sunday in their final group match for his 300th ODI since his debut in 2008. Adblock test (Why?)
Video: Netanyahu heckled while showing photos of Bibas family
NewsFeed “Shame! Why didn’t you bring them back?” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was heckled during a speech as he held up a picture of members of the Bibas family, captives whose bodies were released by Palestinian factions in Gaza. Published On 24 Feb 202524 Feb 2025 Adblock test (Why?)
Germany’s CDU ahead in election exit poll, strong support for far right
Germany’s opposition conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has been projected to win the national election, putting leader Friedrich Merz on track to be the next chancellor, exit polls show. On Sunday, the first exit polls said Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance had won at least 28.5 percent of the votes, crushing the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) of the outgoing chancellor, Olaf Scholz, with SPD looking at around 16 percent. Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) also roughly doubled its score to at least 19.5 percent and were in second place, the exit polls said. Germany’s election authority noted that 52 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots four hours before the closure of polling stations in Sunday’s high-stakes snap election, which took place due to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition government collapsing last November. “Tonight we will celebrate and from tomorrow we start working,” Merz said in a first reaction to the exit polls in Berlin, surrounded by supporters. Advertisement “The world out there is not waiting for us.” Merz – a longtime party rival of ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel – has vowed to crack down on irregular immigration and remedy Germany’s economic policies. Reporting from Berlin, Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen said that the CDU leader has already delivered a message to Germans, saying it was time for the country to have a “solid government” and show it is “present in Europe”. She noted that “Merz is known to be much more conservative” than Merkel. “He has a very tough stance against immigration, and he has been working together recently with the far-right AfD on anti-migration policies,” Vaessen said, adding that he has been heavily criticised for working together with the far right.” But 69-year-old Merz has reiterated in the past that he is not aligned with the AfD’s anti-migration rhetoric and also hopes to halt its rise, which has stunned many in a country still seeking to atone for its dark Nazi history. For now, the AfD – basking in the vocal support of key allies of US President Donald Trump – is set to stay in opposition. All other parties have vowed to keep it out of power and behind a “firewall” of non-cooperation. On Sunday, AfD’s jubilant leader Alice Weidel hailed the “historic” result and said her party was ready to govern with the CDU and Christian Social Union (CSU). Meanwhile, Scholz has acknowledged his “election defeat”. “This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party,” the incumbent chancellor said in his first remarks after the polls closed. Advertisement “It is also an election defeat, and I think that needs to be made clear at the outset.” Directing his comments towards Merz, the conservative party leader, Scholz added: “Congratulations on the election result.” What next? Before Merz takes over from the now caretaker chancellor Scholz, he will have to forge a new coalition government in Europe’s top economy, an often drawn-out process he has vowed to complete by Easter, April 20. This threatens to leave Berlin paralysed for weeks to come as the Trump administration has forced head-spinning change on the world scene and among European allies, especially over the Ukraine war that has raged for three gruelling years. To build a majority, Merz would be expected to reach out first to the SPD, though without Scholz, who has led Germany’s traditional workers’ party to a historically poor result. To gain enough seats, he may also reach out to the Greens, who scored at least 12 percent in the exit polls, although the CDU’s Bavarian sister party the CSU has so far rejected this. Reporting from the German capital Berlin, Al Jazeera’s Dominic Kane said that Merz will have to make some “compromises and concessions”. “Mr Merz is very clearly saying that there need to be quick negotiations, but with which specific parties? Because, obviously, the Social Democrats have been repudiated, their vote dropping to the sort of level which is one of the worst performances they’ve ever had since the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany,” Kane said. Advertisement “We know that some of Merz’s allies in Bavaria have said they do not want to govern with the Greens,” he added. “So actually, forming a coalition is going to be particularly difficult for Mr Merz, and he is going to have to make compromises, concessions insofar as some key policies are concerned.” Adblock test (Why?)
Why has Israel suspended the release of Palestinian prisoners?
Future of Gaza ceasefire at risk after Israel suspended the release of Palestinian prisoners. Israel has postponed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners despite Hamas setting free six Israeli captives on Saturday. The group says Israel’s far-right government is “playing dirty games and sabotaging” the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the captive handover ceremonies in Gaza, “humiliating” and is accusing Hamas of using the captives for “propaganda”. But aid groups are questioning Israel’s unkept promises under the first phase. It has yet to allow delivery of 60,000 mobile homes and 200,000 tents, desperately needed by millions of displaced Palestinians. And Israeli negotiators have not joined discussions for the second phase of the deal. So, what’s behind Netanyahu’s dramatic turnaround? And how will it affect the hard-fought ceasefire agreement? Presenter: Cyril Vanier Guests: Alon Liel – Former director, Israel’s Foreign Ministry Xavier Abu Eid – Political analyst, a former PLO adviser and author of the book Rooted in Palestine Akiva Eldar – Contributor to Haaretz and author of Lords of the Land Advertisement Adblock test (Why?)
German election 2025 live results: By the numbers
About 59 million Germans were eligible to vote in snap elections to decide who will govern the eurozone’s largest economy. Votes are now being counted across Germany where about 59 million citizens were eligible to vote in snap elections to decide who will govern the eurozone’s largest economy for the next four years. Polls opened at 8am (07:00 GMT) and closed at 6pm (17:00 GMT). Here are the latest results from the federal returning officer, who oversees the elections: Germany’s election authority says 52 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots four hours before the closure of polling stations. When will we know the final results? The first local constituencies started reporting results at about 9:00pm (20:00 GMT). The overall outcome should become clear quickly with the final official results expected early on Monday. Who are the major candidates and parties? This year, 29 political parties are participating in the elections, a decrease from the 47 that contested in 2021. (Al Jazeera) The main parties are: CDU/CSU – The Christian Democratic Union is led by Friedrich Merz, who is also the bloc’s chancellor candidate. The Christian Social Union, the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, is led by Markus Soder. AfD – The Alternative for Germany is co-led by Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla with Weidel as the AfD’s chancellor candidate. SPD – The Social Democratic Party is co-led by Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil. Olaf Scholz serves as the party’s chancellor candidate and is the incumbent chancellor. Alliance 90/The Greens – It is co-led by Franziska Brantner and Felix Banaszak, and Robert Habeck is its chancellor candidate and the current vice chancellor. The Left – The party is co-led by Ines Schwerdtner and Jan van Aken with Heidi Reichinnek and van Aken as the chancellor candidates. BSW – The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance is led by Sahra Wagenknecht, who is also the party’s chancellor candidate. FDP – The Free Democratic Party is led by Christian Lindner, who also serves as the party’s lead candidate. Advertisement What do the latest polls indicate? The conservative CDU tops the polls with 30 percent support. The far-right AfD is predicted to win about 20 percent of the votes while the SPD, which led the previous coalition government, sits in third place with 15 percent support. (Al Jazeera) How does voting work? German citizens will vote twice: once for a local member of parliament and second for a party. A party must receive at least 5 percent of the national vote to enter the Bundestag, the elected chamber of the bicameral parliament. The second vote is considered the most important and is most widely reported on election night because it determines the number of seats a party will receive overall in the Bundestag and a party’s strength within a coalition government it might be part of. Whichever party secures the most seats will nominate a candidate as chancellor, and the new Bundestag will vote. The candidate must secure an absolute majority to be sworn in as the country’s new leader. (Al Jazeera) Germany’s current distribution of seats The Bundestag has a base of 598 seats, but it can expand, reaching 733 seats in 2021, the largest in its history. A 2023 reform now limits it to 630 seats. (Al Jazeera) What are the key issues? A sluggish economy, immigration and the Ukraine war have been the top issues in the campaign. Surveys suggested many voters want to pay less in taxes, but doing that will be hard. Germany has been in recession for the past two years, and its key industries are struggling to remain competitive. Advertisement Unemployment is at more than 6 percent, and the debt brake, which limits government borrowing, is also causing problems. Who could be Germany’s next chancellor? A coalition government will likely be formed because no one party has ever won an absolute majority. The only time a single parliamentary group secured a majority was for the parliamentary term of 1957 to 1961 when the CDU/CSU won elections in West Germany. Whichever party secures the most votes will nominate a candidate as chancellor, and the new Bundestag will vote on the person. The candidate must secure an absolute majority to be sworn in as leader. Here are the chancellor candidates of the top four parties: Merz, 69, is the frontrunner, according to the polls. He became the leader of the CDU after former Chancellor Angela Merkel stepped down in 2021. Weidel, 46, has co-led the anti-immigration AfD since 2017. Scholz, 66, from the SPD has been chancellor since December 2021. Habeck, 55, is the candidate representing the Greens. He is the current vice chancellor as well as economy and climate minister. Adblock test (Why?)
The Dark Side of Conservation | True Crime Reports
In 2015, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, guards shot and killed an Indigenous boy searching for herbs with his father. This tragedy spotlights the violence faced by Indigenous communities from international conservation efforts. Is human life the cost of wildlife protection? In this episode: Fiore Longo, campaigner at Survival International Members of the Batwa Community Adblock test (Why?)
Thief in UK caught on camera climbing through supermarket roof
NewsFeed Watch the moment a man drops through a supermarket ceiling to steal lottery scratchcards in Nottingham, UK. Police say the 50-year-old suspect was arrested within minutes on suspicion of burglary and taken into custody Published On 23 Feb 202523 Feb 2025 Adblock test (Why?)