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UPI
6 days ago
- Business
- UPI
Iran rejects U.S. nuclear proposal to abandon uranium enrichment
Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Wednesday dismissed a U.S. proposal to halt Iranian uranium enrichment, appearing to reject a central U.S. demand in the nuclear program talks. Khamenei said the proposal was "100% against" Iran's interests. File Photo by Iran's Supreme Leader Press Office/UPI | License Photo June 4 (UPI) -- Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Wednesday dismissed a U.S. proposal to halt Iranian uranium enrichment, appearing to reject a central U.S. demand in the nuclear program talks. Khamenei said the proposal was "100% against" Iran's interests. "The rude and arrogant leaders of America repeatedly demand that we should not have a nuclear program," Khamenei said. "They cannot do anything about this." Axios reported Monday that the U.S. proposal would bar Iran from building new enrichment facilities while establishing a strong system of monitoring and verification. The New York Times, citing unnamed Iranian and European officials, said the U.S. proposal would let Iran keep enriching uranium at low levels while details were worked out by the U.S. and other countries to block Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. Khamenei said Iran won't agree to a nuclear deal that leaves it dependent on other nations. "There is one point that is a key element in the nuclear industry, and that is uranium enrichment," Khamenei said. "A nuclear industry without enrichment capabilities is useless because we would then be dependent on others to obtain fuel for our power plants." He added, "To the American side and others we say: Why are you interfering and trying to say whether Iran should have uranium enrichment or not? That's none of your business." Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier this week that there won't be a nuclear agreement with the U.S. unless Iran's right to enrich uranium is respected. Araghchi wrote on X Wednesday, "Iran has paid dearly for these capabilities, and there is no scenario in which we will give up on the patriots who made our dream come reiterate: No enrichment, no deal. No nuclear weapons, we have a deal."
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
White House is evaluating the future of FEMA. After Helene, NC governor has recommended fixes.
Gov. Josh Stein signed the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 (Part 1) into law. (Photo via the Governor's Press Office) Under the Trump administration, the future of the U.S. disaster management agency is far from certain. The White House has established a council to study the future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The president has on multiple occasions said he would like to see it abolished altogether. And when the interim head of the agency told Congress earlier this month that he did not want to see it eliminated, he was swiftly ousted. North Carolina's Gov. Josh Stein has made it clear he'd like to see changes to FEMA, too. On Friday, he put those thoughts in a formal letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — outlining a series of recommendations as western North Carolina continues to recover from Hurricane Helene. 'There is no doubt that FEMA could be better and faster,' Stein wrote. 'But let us improve it, not abolish it. As governor of a state vulnerable to hurricanes, flooding and other extreme weather, I know we cannot afford for FEMA to be eliminated.' Among Stein's suggestions: create a block grant program to let the agency get money out the door quickly and easily. States could submit pre-approved plans ahead of disasters in order to track spending. And he wants FEMA money to immediately be able to go toward permanent repairs. In almost all cases, aid from the agency can only be used for temporary or pre-storm condition repairs. As previously reported by NC Newsline, Stein's administration asked FEMA earlier this year for money to build permanent housing. It was rejected, with a FEMA official citing the fact that 'alternative housing options in North Carolina exist.' The governor also recommended that the agency move away from reimbursement programs. FEMA's current model forces 'cash-strapped local governments to put up funding' for projects, Stein wrote, slowing recovery and often leaving those governments in financial straits. And he recommended that the agency make it easier for individuals and households to apply for aid. FEMA should consider a 'common application' that allows a person to more easily apply to aid across multiple programs and departments, he wrote. As it rebuilds from the deadliest storm in state history, North Carolina has at times found itself at odds with FEMA under the new administration. The agency denied a request to extend full reimbursement on debris cleanup earlier this year; the state has appealed that decision. Stein is not the first North Carolina official to recommend fixes for FEMA. U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican who represents the region hardest hit by Helene, has sent a list of proposals of his own. But Edwards later cancelled a planned press conference after the White House said it needed more time to review his recommendations, the Asheville Citizen Times reported. Among Edwards' recommendations: forgiving loans to families and small businesses, loosening building codes and reimbursement for property owners and the state. And last week, more than 80 lawmakers from both parties — including Edwards and North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis — signed a letter calling on FEMA to begin spending money already approved by Congress for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program. As with Stein, the letter called for improved programming from the agency. While the program 'has room for improvement,' the lawmakers wrote, FEMA and Congress should work together 'to improve the application review and funding distribution process to more effectively reduce the costs disasters pose to our communities, economies, and livelihoods.'
NDTV
06-05-2025
- NDTV
Aeroflot Flight From Bangkok To Moscow Makes Emergency Landing In Delhi
New Delhi: An Aeroflot aircraft from Bangkok to Moscow, carrying over 400 people, made an emergency landing at the Delhi airport on Tuesday, according to a source. Aeroflot, a Russian carrier, said that in accordance with flight safety regulations, the captain of the flight SU273 from Bangkok to Moscow made the decision to perform an unscheduled landing at Delhi airport due to a brief odour of melted plastic. "The landing was conducted as per standard procedures. No smoke was observed in the cabin," Aeroflot's Press Office said in a statement issued to PTI from Moscow. Further, the airline said the departure from Delhi to Moscow is delayed due to a technical inspection of the aircraft conducted by local maintenance specialists and crew duty time limitations. "Currently, discussions are underway with the Indian immigration authorities regarding clearance for border crossing and accommodation arrangements for passengers at a hotel. The airline's representative office is working on providing passengers with refreshments and meals," it said in an updated statement at around 1950 hours (IST). The source said the plane made an emergency landing at around 3.50 pm and there were more than 400 people onboard. The aircraft was a Boeing 777-300 ER, as per information available on flight tracking website
India Today
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
After new Pope, world to get its first millennial saint
Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian teenager famous as God's Influencer, was slated to become the first millennial saint five days from now. However, the death of Pope Francis on April 21 has postponed the canonisation ceremony of the 15-year-old who died from leukaemia in 2006. Hundreds of pilgrims have been visiting Acutis' tomb in the Italian town of Assisi every day. A million people made the pilgrimage last year to the tomb of Acutis, who will become the first sneaker-wearing saint. Only the wait has become a bit the death of Supreme Pontiff Francis, notice is hereby given that the Eucharistic celebration and Rite of Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, scheduled for April 27, 2025, II Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Adolescents, is suspended," the Pope's Press Office said in a statement on April became popular for creating a website for his parish, coding and using his skills to spread awareness about the Catholic belief. This earned him the moniker God's Influencer. More than 80,000 teenagers from 15 countries, including India, were expected to gather in Rome for the April 27 canonisation amid the Vatican's Jubilee of Teenagers, according to the Dicastery for more about Carlo Acutis, who would become the Catholic Church's first millennial ACUTIS: PASSIONATE ABOUT CHRIST AND COMPUTERSadvertisementBorn in London on May 3, 1991, to a wealthy Italian family, Carlo Acutis grew up in Milan, deep spiritual life took root early — he received his First Communion at 7 and soon began attending daily Mass, praying the rosary, and spending hours in eucharistic deeply devout, Carlo was also an ordinary teenager. He enjoyed hiking, playing video games, and joking with he also taught catechism at his local parish, volunteered with the homeless, and found a unique way to blend his faith with his tech about computers, Carlo built websites for his parish and created an online exhibit chronicling over 100 eucharistic miracles recognised by the learnt to code as a child and used his skills to spread awareness of the Catholic October 2006, when he was just 15, Carlo was diagnosed with acute leukaemia. Within 10 days, he breathed his last in a hospital in northern had asked to be buried in Assisi, the home town of his beloved St body now rests in a glass-sided tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore Church in Assisi. He is displayed in jeans, a tracksuit top, and trainers—just as he GOD'S INFLUENCER WILL BECOME A SAINTadvertisementCarlo's path to sainthood began after Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to him — a seven-year-old Brazilian boy was cured of a rare pancreatic disorder after touching one of Carlo's T-shirts, following prayers offered by a priest to Carlo for his sainthood, the Vatican requires two confirmed second miracle involved a 21-year-old student in Costa Rica who suffered serious head trauma in a bicycle his mother prayed at Carlo's tomb in Assisi, the student made a swift and complete recovery, which the Vatican recognised as a life and legacy have drawn crowds to his tomb, where a wax figure resembling him rests over his body."Over the last year, more than a million pilgrims paid homage to Acutis," Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino told the Associated some pilgrims clutch rosaries, others take selfies or touch the protective glass over a seemingly sleeping young man, according to an AP is also rare, because he attracts teenager's happy image, usually in a red polo shirt and carrying a backpack, is popular in souvenir shops, according to the AP OF CARLO ACUTIS WILL BE HISTORICHis canonisation was set to be historic. Among the 912 people canonised by Pope Francis, none had been born as recently as Carlo, who would have become the first millennial mother, Antonia Salzano, often speaks about her son's extraordinary compassion and a young age, he donated his pocket money to the poor, defended classmates with disabilities, and supported friends through difficult family situations. He chose to live simply, often limiting himself to one pair of shoes at a time."Carlo was a regular child," Salzano told Reuters. He played, had friends, and went to school. But his extraordinary quality was that he opened his heart fully to Jesus and put Him first in everything."For now, the world will have to wait a little longer to witness the canonisation of this modern, tech-savvy teenager whose short life continues to capture the interest of not just devotees but many across the world. First the world will get a new Pope, then its first millennial Reel
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
What happened inside King Charles and Queen Camilla's 'significant and special' last minute meeting with Pope Francis - just 12 days before he died
King Charles and Queen Camilla had a 'very significant and special' secret meeting with Pope Francis, less than a fortnight before he died. The couple's historic state visit to the Vatican earlier this month was cancelled because of the Pope's poor health, but the pair managed to meet the head of the Roman Catholic Church privately during their trip to Italy. The Vatican subsequently released a striking image of Charles and Camilla shaking hands with the ailing pontiff. The King today spoke of his and the Queen's 'deep sadness' over the death of the Pope, but recalled with fondness their most recent meeting. In a personal note, Charles wrote: 'Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry. 'His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. 'His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many. 'The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.' Signing the letter 'Charles R', the King added: 'We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.' The meeting between the royal pair and the Pope was arranged at the last minute and took place on April 9 - Charles and Camilla's 20th wedding anniversary - with Pope Francis wanting to personally wish them a happy anniversary. Charles and the Pope are understood to have wished each other well following their personal health battles in recent months, including the King's cancer treatment. Buckingham Palace issued a photograph of the meeting on social media, with a post saying: 'Che occasione speciale! 'A special moment for Their Majesties as they privately met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday. 'The King and Queen were deeply touched by The Pope's kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary and honoured to be able to share their best wishes to him in person.' Ths followed a statement in which the Holy See Press Office stated: 'Pope Francis met privately with Their Majesties, King Charles and Queen Camilla, this afternoon. 'In the course of the meeting, the Pope expressed his best wishes to Their Majesties on the occasion of their wedding anniversary and reciprocated His Majesty's wishes for a speedy recovery of his health.' A senior Palace official said afterwards: 'I think outside of the official programme, the most significant and indeed moving thing was that visit to the Pope. 'We didn't know until the last minute that it would be possible. But when the Pope asked if he could see the King and Queen, Their Majesties were clearly very pleased; after all, they have known him over many years and with the rest of the world, have been praying for his recovery. 'The Pope wanted personally to wish them a happy anniversary, not least because it hadn't been possible to do the state visit on this occasion. 'Their Majesties both came away feeling that it had been a very significant and special moment.' Twenty years ago, Charles and Camilla's marriage ceremony was postponed with just four days to go following the death of Pope John Paul II. The then-Prince of Wales put duty first and his wedding date was moved from April 8 to April 9 2005 because it clashed with the pope's funeral. Charles represented the late Queen by travelling to Rome to attend the service, alongside more than 100 world leaders and ended up shaking hands with Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. The then-archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who was due to conduct the prince's blessing in St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after his civil ceremony had made it clear he wished to break with tradition and attend the pope's funeral. The 24-hour postponement of the royal wedding from the Friday to the Saturday meant the civil wedding had to be slotted in ahead of three other weddings already taking place at the Guildhall in Windsor. The King met Pope Francis twice as the Prince of Wales, but the visit in April was his first as monarch and head of the Church of England. The pair are said to have had huge respect for one another. When Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, the Pope sent his 'heartfelt condolences' to Charles, the new sovereign, in a telegram. He said he joined all in mourning her loss and paid tribute to 'her life of unstinting service to the good of the Nation and the Commonwealth, her example of devotion to duty, her steadfast witness of faith'. The late Queen met Pope Francis in 2014 at the Vatican, when he gave her eight-month-old great-grandson Prince George a lapis lazuli orb decorated with a silver cross of Edward the Confessor, the 11th century English king who was made a saint. The Queen gave the Pope a hamper full of produce from royal estates including honey from Buckingham Palace and Balmoral whiskey. Charles and Pope Francis first met in 2017, when the prince and Camilla were received at a papal audience in the Vatican at the end of a European tour. The Pope urged Charles to work to bring peace in the world, telling him 'Wherever you go, may you be a man of peace', with the prince replying 'I'll do my best'. They exchanged gifts, with the prince giving the pontiff a large hamper of produce from his Highgrove estate for the poor and the homeless and framed photographs of himself and his wife. The Pope presented him with a bronze olive branch, signifying peace, and copies of his writings on climate change bound in red leather and other papal writings. Francis's reputation as a pope with the 'common touch' and a taste for simple living saw him dispense with some of the formality and trappings of his position. In keeping with the relaxed nature of the meeting, Camilla did not wear black or a mantilla, a lace veil, in 2017 as she did when the royal couple met Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, but opted for a gold silk Anna Valentine dress. But both the King and Queen were dressed in black as a traditional mark of respect when they met the Pope in April. In 2019, Charles travelled solo to the Vatican and met Pope Francis ahead of the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman at an open-air mass in St Peter's Square. The King is Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The role dates back to Henry VIII, who named himself Supreme Head of the Church of England after he was excommunicated by the pope, Pope Paul III, and broke from the Catholic Church in the 16th century to marry Anne Boleyn. A nine-day mourning period will begin in honour of Francis, with his funeral in around four to six days' time after his body lies in state in St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Italy also usually declares a period of national mourning. Two to three weeks later, the conclave to elect a new pope convenes, with the College of Cardinals locked inside the Sistine Chapel to vote in secret four times a day until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority, with a white smoke signal released through a chimney to announce a pope has been chosen.
