International
Cardinal Becciu’s enigma: will he enter the conclave?
Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison for a case of financial irregularities, and to whom Pope Francis withdrew his privileges as a purp, is the great unknown of the next conclave that will choose the pontiff’s successor since it is unknown if he will be able to enter.
Unless otherwise decided, he should not participate in the conclave, and even in the Vatican statistics they count him as a non-elector cardinal, despite being 76 years old.
However, the Vatican press office assured that all cardinals, including the former powerful substitute for the Vatican State, can participate in congregations, preparatory meetings, but that another thing is entering the conclave.
In 2020, Francisco suspended it, stripping it of the “rights associated with the cardinal’s rate” after his involvement in financial irregularities became known.
But he did not suspend his duties and among those that correspond to a cardinal is the election of a new pope, analysts explain.
“The pope recognized my cardinal prerogatives as intact since there was no explicit will to exclude me from the conclave or request for my explicit resignation in writing,” Becciu told the newspaper ‘Unione Sarda’ on Tuesday.
Surely the question of Becciu’s participation will be one of the arguments that will be discussed in the congregations of cardinals, the preparatory meetings of the conclave.
Becciu, the first cardinal tried by a Vatican criminal court, was also sentenced to “perpetual” disqualification from holding positions in the Holy See.
The scandal broke out when the purchase of a building in the heart of London, on Sloane Avenue, a former headquarters of the Harrods galleries in the exclusive Chelsea neighborhood, transcended.
In addition, during the process other financial crimes allegedly committed by Becciu arose, such as the donations of 125,000 euros that the cardinal entered into the account of an association, linked to the Sardinian Caritas of Ozieri, his hometown, and that at that time was presided over by one of his brothers.
In the conclave, in which 135 cardinals will enter, if Becciu is not counted, there are also two peculiar cases.
Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso, had as his date of birth January 25, 1945 in the new papal yearbook of 2024, although the eightieth birthday is postponed to December 31, so he will be able to enter the Sistine Chapel, revealed the Hendro Munsterman of the media Nederlands Dagblad.
A few months ago, the newspaper of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Avvenire, also highlighted a precedent, that of the Kenyan John Njue, whose birth had been corrected from 1944 to 1946: he would also still be an elector in a possible conclave.
The Dutch journalist asked Ouédraogo: “In my town there were no hospitals or schools. I was born at home and they didn’t give me a date of birth,” said the cardinal.
“Some documents may have arrived,” they said from the Vatican press office.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
