International
The pope lands in Singapore: from extreme poverty to one of the richest countries in the world
Pope Francis landed this Wednesday in the city-state of Singapore, one of the richest countries in the world, which will be a huge contrast to the realities of extreme poverty that he found in his previous stages of Papua New Guinea, and will mark the themes of his speeches in this last stage of his tour of Asia and Oceania.
After the meeting with the young people in Dili, the pope moved to Singapore on a flight of the Timorese company AirDili, which landed at 14:55 hours (6.55 GMT), and was received by the Minister of Culture, Edwin Tong.
Regarding the great presence of people in the streets of Dili waiting for the pope, the inhabitants of the frenetic business city, known as the “Pearl of Asia”, did not seem to notice the arrival of the pontiff.
Francis, the third pope who visits Singapore after Paul VI and John Paul II, will spend the rest of the day resting and will only have a private meeting with the members of the Society of Jesus.
On Thursday, the day will begin with the welcome ceremony, the meeting with the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the authorities and will end with a mass at the ‘Singapore SportsHub’ in which about 55,000 people are expected, the capacity of the stadium.
While on Friday this stage will conclude, of just over 24 hours, with a visit to a group of elderly and sick people in the ‘Santa Teresa’ House and then an interreligious meeting with young people at the ‘Catholic Junior College’ and then return to Rome.
Singapore has maintained diplomatic relations with the Holy See since 1981 and occupies the top positions in a large number of international indicators, both in terms of quality of life, personal security or education and is the fourth richest country in the world in relation to the purchasing power of its inhabitants, after Qatar, Luxembourg and Macau.
The Catholic population of Singapore, which currently has around 395,000 faithful, represents about 3% of its inhabitants and the majority, 70%, are of Chinese origin. The city State is closely linked to the figure of the Spanish saint St. Francis Javier, who arrived among the first evangelizers to these lands, where Francis will highlight tolerance and multiculturalism.
As the nunciature is very small, Francisco will reside in the ‘San Francisco Javier Retreat Center’, a house in the diocese intended for training activities.
Not only the wealth of the country, but also the fact that it is one of the largest technological and financial centers in the world will inspire Francis’ speeches on the use of technologies at the service of man. The pope could also refer to the application of the death penalty in the country, which the Catholic Church strongly condemns.
International
U.S. to Limit Visa Duration for Foreign Students and Journalists
The United States has announced new limits on the legal length of stay for foreign students and journalists, marking the latest tightening of immigration policies under President Donald Trump.
The changes, outlined in an administrative rule published on Thursday, are expected to take effect in September, unless Congress blocks the measure.
Under the new policy, holders of student visas will be allowed to remain in the United States for no more than four years.
Foreign journalists will be limited to 240-day stays—approximately eight months—with the possibility of applying for extensions of the same duration.
The policy imposes even stricter rules on Chinese journalists, whose visas will be capped at 90 days.
More than 100 international news organizations and press freedom groups, including Agence France-Presse (AFP), criticized the measure in an open letter, arguing that it would reduce both the quantity and quality of international coverage of events in the United States.
The Republican Party, led by President Trump, currently holds a majority in Congress and has pledged to curb both illegal immigration and certain forms of legal immigration.
Previously, the United States generally issued student visas for the full duration of an academic program, while foreign journalists could receive visas valid for up to five years.
Central America
Nicaragua Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Italy Over Red Brigades Dispute
The Nicaraguan government announced on Thursday that it is severing diplomatic relations with Italy following criticism from the Italian government over Nicaragua’s long-standing decision to shelter Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the Red Brigades convicted in Italy for the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized the administration of co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo on Wednesday for continuing to provide refuge to Casimirri, who was sentenced in Italy to six life terms for his role in Moro’s abduction and killing.
In a statement issued Thursday, Nicaragua’s Foreign Ministry said it was ending all diplomatic relations with Italy, describing Tajani’s remarks as “unjustified, aggressive, and irresponsible.”
Tajani made the comments during a gathering of conservative leaders from Europe and Latin America held in Madrid.
“We have absolutely nothing in common with the positions of extremist governments such as Nicaragua, a country that continues to harbor dangerous Red Brigades terrorists like Alessio Casimirri,” Tajani said, according to Italian media.
The diplomatic break marks a new escalation in tensions between the two countries over the decades-old case involving Casimirri, who has lived in Nicaragua for many years despite repeated calls from Italy for his extradition.
International
U.S. Strikes Hit Areas Near Strait of Hormuz as Tensions With Iran Escalate
Several U.S. strikes targeted areas near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to Iranian state media citing local authorities, as hostilities between the United States and Iran intensified.
Officials in Iran’s Hormozgan Province said the island of Qeshm was struck multiple times by what they described as U.S. missiles during the evening. The reports were carried by the Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim.
Iranian state television also reported that the Bandar Abbas region, located on the Iranian coast overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, was the target of what authorities described as an “enemy U.S. air attack.”
According to local officials quoted by state television, no casualties have been reported following the strikes.
The reported attacks come amid renewed military tensions between Washington and Tehran, although U.S. authorities had not immediately commented on the reported operations.
U.S. to Limit Visa Duration for Foreign Students and Journalists
Nicaragua Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Italy Over Red Brigades Dispute
U.S. Strikes Hit Areas Near Strait of Hormuz as Tensions With Iran Escalate
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