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Pope Francis criticised for praising Russian imperialist heritage

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Pope Francis has come under scrutiny after his recent remarks to Russian youths, urging them to remember their historical lineage as heirs of past Russian tsars, including figures like Peter the Great.

These comments have sparked controversy due to their potential alignment with President Vladimir Putin’s justifications for the Ukrainian invasion.

The Ukrainian government expressed deep regret over the remarks, calling them “deeply regrettable.”

During a live video address to Catholic youths in St. Petersburg, Pope Francis initially delivered a prepared speech in Spanish.

However, he spontaneously shifted to Italian towards the end, stating, “Don’t forget your heredity. You are heirs of the great Russia – the great Russia of the saints, of kings, the great Russia of Peter the Great, of Catherine II, the great Russian empire, cultured, so much culture, so much humanity. You are the heirs of the great mother Russia. Go forward.”

While the Vatican released the official text of the address without the impromptu Italian paragraph, religious websites shared a video of the pope’s complete remarks.

Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, took to Facebook to criticise the comments, linking them to the Kremlin’s imperialistic propaganda that has been used to justify the Ukrainian crisis.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Ukraine’s Eastern Rite Catholic Church expressed concern over the pope’s words, fearing they might embolden the ambitions of the aggressor country. He called for an explanation from the Vatican regarding the controversial statement.

Italian website Il Sismografo, which specialises in Catholic affairs, published an editorial characterising the pope’s words as “odd” given the delicate historical context.

The editorial highlighted the actions of Catherine the Great, who annexed Crimea in 1783, and her protection of Jesuits in Russian-controlled areas after the global suppression of the Jesuit order by Pope Clement XIV in 1773. Pope Francis himself is a Jesuit.

Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously praised Tsar Peter the Great, drawing parallels between his historical pursuits and Russia’s current actions. Putin has repeatedly employed historical narratives to justify the Ukrainian crisis, denying the nation’s distinct identity and history of statehood.

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Belarusian news site Nexta criticised the pope’s remarks, with Ilves calling them “revolting.” Nexta emphasised the historical resistance of Catholics in Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus against Russia’s influence.

While Pope Francis has condemned Russia’s brutal actions in Ukraine, emphasising the violation of a nation’s right to self-determination, he has also faced criticism for certain extemporaneous statements.

Last year, he upset Kyiv by referring to Russian ultra-nationalist Darya Dugina as an innocent victim of war, prompting Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to voice strong objections.

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Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing immediately

Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety

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Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety

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In Short:
– Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, risking global tensions and retaliation from other nations.
– Proliferation concerns are rising as nuclear states modernise arsenals and the New START Treaty nears expiration.
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately, aiming to align with testing programs from other countries according to the conversation.Resuming explosive nuclear tests would likely trigger retaliatory responses from nuclear-armed nations like Russia and China, worsening the arms race and increasing global risks.

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The potential for worldwide radioactive fallout remains high, even for underground tests. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by 187 states, prohibits such testing, yet the US remains a signatory without ratification, bound not to violate the treaty’s intent.

Nuclear weapon testing, once crucial for understanding weapon effects and military planning, has diminished. Since World War II, nuclear tests have largely focused on developing new designs. Significant environmental and health concerns led to a moratorium on atmospheric testing in the early 1960s and the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963.

Many countries, including the US, stopped explosive testing in the 1990s. Technological advancements allowed nations to develop nuclear weapons without the need for actual explosions.

Proliferation Risks

Nuclear proliferation continues, with all nine nuclear-armed states investing heavily in modernising their arsenals. This raises concerns about lowered thresholds for using such weapons.

Recent conflicts involving nuclear threats have escalated, and the number of nuclear weapons operationally available has begun to rise again. Russia has tested advanced nuclear weapons, while China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities.

The New START Treaty, which confines the nuclear capabilities of the US and Russia, is set to expire soon, with no successor treaty negotiations underway.

The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight this year, highlighting the heightened dangers facing the world today.

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US–China trade talks are a handshake, not a deal

Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.

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Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.


Presidents Trump and Xi extend their tariff truce in an informal meeting, with US cuts and Chinese promises on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.

Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX cautions this is unofficial and deeper issues between the two super powers remain.

#USChina #TradeTruce #Tariffs #GlobalMarkets #Soybeans #RareEarths #UnofficialDeal #TickerNews


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Markets cautious as rate cut hopes fade

Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.

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Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.


Central banks pull back on rate cut expectations as tech stocks wobble and inflation pressures persist. Markets adjust cautiously to the Fed’s new tone.

#Markets #Fed #InterestRates #Inflation #TechStocks #CapitalMarkets #TickerNews #Economy #FinancialUpdate


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