A massive explosion at a strategic Iranian port killed at least 14 people and injured 750 others on Saturday, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in the coastal city that serves as a vital shipping hub for the Islamic Republic.

The explosion occurred at the port of Bandar Abbas in southwestern Iran, sending a massive plume of thick gray smoke into the air, with footage showing the blast originating in what appears to be a warehouse facility, according to videos geolocated by CNN.

Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani indicated the explosion likely involved chemical containers, stating that they were stored in a “corner of the port that likely contained chemicals which exploded.”

However, she cautioned, “Until the fire is extinguished, it’s hard to ascertain the cause.”

Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni confirmed that six people remain missing as firefighters battle the blaze amid challenging high winds.

BREAKING: Massive explosion hits the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas pic.twitter.com/PDNvcmCVOi

— BNO News (@BNONews) April 26, 2025

The state-controlled oil company denied responsibility for the explosion, with state media company IRIB reporting that the explosion took place in the chemical and sulfur section of the port.

The blast caused widespread destruction, shattering windows within a radius of several kilometers and leaving buildings at the port complex severely damaged, with reports indicating some people may be trapped in collapsed structures.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation into the incident and dispatched the interior minister to the region to “examine the dimensions of the accident” and conduct “a comprehensive assessment” to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Health authorities have advised citizens to remain indoors, avoid outdoor activities, and keep windows closed due to significant air pollution concerns, while many Iranians were seen lining up at health centers to donate blood for the injured.

The now-decimated facility is a critical infrastructure asset for Iran, spanning 2,400 hectares with 35 shipping berths and handling approximately 70 million tons of cargo annually, including oil shipments and general cargo, per CNN.

Regional governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani confirmed that injured people were being transferred to local medical centers in Bandar Abbas, while the port has been closed and all maritime operations suspended until further notice.

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​[[{“value”:”

A massive explosion at a strategic Iranian port killed at least 14 people and injured 750 others on Saturday, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in the coastal city that serves as a vital shipping hub for the Islamic Republic.

The explosion occurred at the port of Bandar Abbas in southwestern Iran, sending a massive plume of thick gray smoke into the air, with footage showing the blast originating in what appears to be a warehouse facility, according to videos geolocated by CNN.

Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani indicated the explosion likely involved chemical containers, stating that they were stored in a “corner of the port that likely contained chemicals which exploded.”

However, she cautioned, “Until the fire is extinguished, it’s hard to ascertain the cause.”

Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni confirmed that six people remain missing as firefighters battle the blaze amid challenging high winds.

BREAKING: Massive explosion hits the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas pic.twitter.com/PDNvcmCVOi

— BNO News (@BNONews) April 26, 2025

The state-controlled oil company denied responsibility for the explosion, with state media company IRIB reporting that the explosion took place in the chemical and sulfur section of the port.

The blast caused widespread destruction, shattering windows within a radius of several kilometers and leaving buildings at the port complex severely damaged, with reports indicating some people may be trapped in collapsed structures.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation into the incident and dispatched the interior minister to the region to “examine the dimensions of the accident” and conduct “a comprehensive assessment” to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Health authorities have advised citizens to remain indoors, avoid outdoor activities, and keep windows closed due to significant air pollution concerns, while many Iranians were seen lining up at health centers to donate blood for the injured.

The now-decimated facility is a critical infrastructure asset for Iran, spanning 2,400 hectares with 35 shipping berths and handling approximately 70 million tons of cargo annually, including oil shipments and general cargo, per CNN.

Regional governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani confirmed that injured people were being transferred to local medical centers in Bandar Abbas, while the port has been closed and all maritime operations suspended until further notice.

“}]] 

The post Massive Explosion Rocks Major Iranian Port, Killing 14 And Injuring 750 appeared first on Spin Politico.

The Trump administration announced this week an opportunity for American artists to create sculptures of historical figures like George Washington, Patrick Henry, Davy Crockett, and other American heroes in celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday.

The National Endowment for the Humanities announced on Thursday that it would be handing out grants for artists to sculpt one of the 250 American historical figures identified by the Trump administration for placement in a new National Garden of American Heroes.

“The garden will provide the public with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how the lives and accomplishments of these individuals have shaped our history and culture,”Acting National Endowment for Humanities Chairman Michael McDonald said.

Artists, who must be American citizens, can be awarded up to three grants each of $200,000 for a total of $600,000. The statues will be life-size and made with marble, granite, bronze, copper, or brass.

The National Endowment for the Humanities will be partnering with the National Endowment for the Arts to spend $34 million on the project.

“The National Garden will feature Americans who deserve honor, recognition, and lasting tribute because of the battles they won, the ideas they championed, the diseases they cured, the lives they saved, the heights they achieved, and the hope they passed down,” the notice of funding says.

The notice also says that the garden will be a spot for visitors to learn about American history.

“It will also be a place where Americans can gather to learn about and celebrate America and the icons who made America what it is today. Visitors to the park will learn the stories of some of the greatest Americans,” the notice says.

A specific location for the garden has not yet been determined. Trump first proposed the plan in 2020, but it was later cancelled by former President Joe Biden.

The list of figures to be honored includes a wide variety of people, such as President John Adams, Civil War nurse Clara Barton, inventors Orville and Wilbur Wright, World War II General Douglas MacArthur, astronaut Neil Armstrong, Civil War soldier Joshua Chamberlain, Pilgrim leader William Bradford, country music artist Johnny Cash, anti-slavery activist Frederick Douglas, founding firebrand Patrick Henry, World War I hero Alvin York, and many others.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

The Trump administration announced this week an opportunity for American artists to create sculptures of historical figures like George Washington, Patrick Henry, Davy Crockett, and other American heroes in celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday.

The National Endowment for the Humanities announced on Thursday that it would be handing out grants for artists to sculpt one of the 250 American historical figures identified by the Trump administration for placement in a new National Garden of American Heroes.

“The garden will provide the public with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how the lives and accomplishments of these individuals have shaped our history and culture,”Acting National Endowment for Humanities Chairman Michael McDonald said.

Artists, who must be American citizens, can be awarded up to three grants each of $200,000 for a total of $600,000. The statues will be life-size and made with marble, granite, bronze, copper, or brass.

The National Endowment for the Humanities will be partnering with the National Endowment for the Arts to spend $34 million on the project.

“The National Garden will feature Americans who deserve honor, recognition, and lasting tribute because of the battles they won, the ideas they championed, the diseases they cured, the lives they saved, the heights they achieved, and the hope they passed down,” the notice of funding says.

The notice also says that the garden will be a spot for visitors to learn about American history.

“It will also be a place where Americans can gather to learn about and celebrate America and the icons who made America what it is today. Visitors to the park will learn the stories of some of the greatest Americans,” the notice says.

A specific location for the garden has not yet been determined. Trump first proposed the plan in 2020, but it was later cancelled by former President Joe Biden.

The list of figures to be honored includes a wide variety of people, such as President John Adams, Civil War nurse Clara Barton, inventors Orville and Wilbur Wright, World War II General Douglas MacArthur, astronaut Neil Armstrong, Civil War soldier Joshua Chamberlain, Pilgrim leader William Bradford, country music artist Johnny Cash, anti-slavery activist Frederick Douglas, founding firebrand Patrick Henry, World War I hero Alvin York, and many others.

“}]] 

The post Trump Rolls Out New Project To Honor Heroes Ahead Of America’s 250th Birthday appeared first on Spin Politico.

President Donald Trump on Saturday morning criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuing to hit Ukraine, and suggested Putin needs to be “dealt with differently” moving forward.

The same morning, minutes before Pope Francis’ funeral, Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in St. Peter’s Basilica. Both sides signaled that the meeting was “good” and “productive.”

“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along.”

Trump added that Putin might have “to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!”

Notably, 50 senators — 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans — introduced a bill earlier this month that would impose additional sanctions on Russia.

Truth Social: Screenshot

Trump’s post also said the idea that Ukraine would get back Crimea is “ridiculous,” and slammed former President Barack Obama for allowing Russia to take the territory. Zelensky has said that he won’t recognize Russia’s control of Crimea.

“[The New York Times’ Peter Baker] wrote that Ukraine should get back territory, including, I suppose, Crimea, and other ridiculous requests, in order to stop the killing that is worse than anything since World War II,” Trump wrote. “Why doesn’t this lightweight reporter say that it was Obama who made it possible for Russia to steal Crimea from Ukraine without even a shot being fired.”

In a Time magazine article published on Friday, Trump said he would facilitate a deal between Russia and Ukraine, but noted that Putin would have liked to “take the whole thing,” referring to Ukrainian territory.

“Yeah, I think Putin will [make peace],” Trump said. “I think Putin would rather do it a different way. I think he’d rather go and take the whole thing. And I think that because of me, I believe I’m the only one that can get this thing negotiated. And I think we’re a long way. We’ve had very good talks, and we’re getting very close to a deal. And I don’t believe anybody else could have made that deal.”

On Friday, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to speak with Putin and other top Russian officials and push for a peace deal.

Putin advisers Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev said the meeting was “constructive and useful,” and brought the United States and Russia “closer together” on Ukraine and other issues, according to Axios. Additionally, Witkoff and Putin discussed the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Related: Trump Meets With Zelensky At Vatican Ahead Of Pope’s Funeral: ‘Very Productive’

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

President Donald Trump on Saturday morning criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuing to hit Ukraine, and suggested Putin needs to be “dealt with differently” moving forward.

The same morning, minutes before Pope Francis’ funeral, Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in St. Peter’s Basilica. Both sides signaled that the meeting was “good” and “productive.”

“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along.”

Trump added that Putin might have “to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!”

Notably, 50 senators — 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans — introduced a bill earlier this month that would impose additional sanctions on Russia.

Truth Social: Screenshot

Trump’s post also said the idea that Ukraine would get back Crimea is “ridiculous,” and slammed former President Barack Obama for allowing Russia to take the territory. Zelensky has said that he won’t recognize Russia’s control of Crimea.

“[The New York Times’ Peter Baker] wrote that Ukraine should get back territory, including, I suppose, Crimea, and other ridiculous requests, in order to stop the killing that is worse than anything since World War II,” Trump wrote. “Why doesn’t this lightweight reporter say that it was Obama who made it possible for Russia to steal Crimea from Ukraine without even a shot being fired.”

In a Time magazine article published on Friday, Trump said he would facilitate a deal between Russia and Ukraine, but noted that Putin would have liked to “take the whole thing,” referring to Ukrainian territory.

“Yeah, I think Putin will [make peace],” Trump said. “I think Putin would rather do it a different way. I think he’d rather go and take the whole thing. And I think that because of me, I believe I’m the only one that can get this thing negotiated. And I think we’re a long way. We’ve had very good talks, and we’re getting very close to a deal. And I don’t believe anybody else could have made that deal.”

On Friday, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to speak with Putin and other top Russian officials and push for a peace deal.

Putin advisers Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev said the meeting was “constructive and useful,” and brought the United States and Russia “closer together” on Ukraine and other issues, according to Axios. Additionally, Witkoff and Putin discussed the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Related: Trump Meets With Zelensky At Vatican Ahead Of Pope’s Funeral: ‘Very Productive’

“}]] 

The post Trump Says Putin Might Have To Be ‘Dealt With Differently’ appeared first on Spin Politico.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer warned states on Friday that if they allow illegal immigrants to collect unemployment benefits, they could lose federal funding.

Chavez-DeRemer sent a letter to all governors, telling them to comply with President Donald Trump’s directives to make sure illegals are not getting American tax dollars and illegal immigration is not incentivized.

“Our nation’s unemployment benefits exist solely for workers who are eligible to receive them,” the secretary wrote. “To qualify for unemployment, one must be able and available to work, actively seeking work, and be legally authorized to accept employment in the United States. Unemployment benefits are not a handout for those in our country illegally.”

Chavez-DeRemer specifically cited Trump’s “Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits” memorandum and Executive Order 14218, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.”

The letter notes that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently informed states that they are allowed to use the DHS immigration database known as SAVE. The system “helps verify the immigration status of benefit claimants and is a critical tool in the toolbox in ensuring that illegal immigrants do not access our nation’s unemployment benefits,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

“I instructed the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to send a letter to all State Unemployment Insurance Administrators urging them to immediately start using SAVE for every initial and continued claim filed by an individual who indicates that they are not a U.S. citizen,” the Labor Secretary continued.

“This letter also reminds states of their existing legal obligations regarding immigrant access to unemployment benefits and that noncompliance with these existing obligations will result in the loss of the state’s Title III UI administrative grant,” she added.

Earlier in the week, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) will crack down on illegal immigrants accessing food benefits known as food stamps or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

“USDA’s nutrition programs are intended to support the most vulnerable Americans,” Rollins said, Fox News reported. “To allow those who broke our laws by entering the United States illegally to receive these benefits is outrageous.”

The Trump administration has also threatened to withhold federal funding from states that do not comply with other orders and federal law, such as Title IX rules. Maine, for example, is in a heated battle with Trump for refusing to protect girls’ sports and adhere to federal law.

Additionally, the administration has taken aim at the federal funding for specific schools, such as Harvard University. Trump froze more than $2 billion in financing for Harvard after it rejected demands to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and do more to curb student anti-Israel protests, The Daily Wire reported.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer warned states on Friday that if they allow illegal immigrants to collect unemployment benefits, they could lose federal funding.

Chavez-DeRemer sent a letter to all governors, telling them to comply with President Donald Trump’s directives to make sure illegals are not getting American tax dollars and illegal immigration is not incentivized.

“Our nation’s unemployment benefits exist solely for workers who are eligible to receive them,” the secretary wrote. “To qualify for unemployment, one must be able and available to work, actively seeking work, and be legally authorized to accept employment in the United States. Unemployment benefits are not a handout for those in our country illegally.”

Chavez-DeRemer specifically cited Trump’s “Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits” memorandum and Executive Order 14218, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.”

The letter notes that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently informed states that they are allowed to use the DHS immigration database known as SAVE. The system “helps verify the immigration status of benefit claimants and is a critical tool in the toolbox in ensuring that illegal immigrants do not access our nation’s unemployment benefits,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

“I instructed the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to send a letter to all State Unemployment Insurance Administrators urging them to immediately start using SAVE for every initial and continued claim filed by an individual who indicates that they are not a U.S. citizen,” the Labor Secretary continued.

“This letter also reminds states of their existing legal obligations regarding immigrant access to unemployment benefits and that noncompliance with these existing obligations will result in the loss of the state’s Title III UI administrative grant,” she added.

Earlier in the week, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) will crack down on illegal immigrants accessing food benefits known as food stamps or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

“USDA’s nutrition programs are intended to support the most vulnerable Americans,” Rollins said, Fox News reported. “To allow those who broke our laws by entering the United States illegally to receive these benefits is outrageous.”

The Trump administration has also threatened to withhold federal funding from states that do not comply with other orders and federal law, such as Title IX rules. Maine, for example, is in a heated battle with Trump for refusing to protect girls’ sports and adhere to federal law.

Additionally, the administration has taken aim at the federal funding for specific schools, such as Harvard University. Trump froze more than $2 billion in financing for Harvard after it rejected demands to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and do more to curb student anti-Israel protests, The Daily Wire reported.

“}]] 

The post Trump Labor Dept Threatens States Giving Unemployment Benefits To Illegals appeared first on Spin Politico.

President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky met early Saturday in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican to discuss peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

The last face-to-face meeting Trump had with Zelensky took place in February at the White House, and did not end well, with Trump saying Zelensky was not ready for peace talks.

Trump and Zelensky met minutes before the start of Pope Francis’ funeral, which took place at 10 a.m. Rome time and 4 a.m. Eastern. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, drawing leaders from around the world to Rome.

The meeting reportedly lasted about 15 minutes, and Trump and Zelensky will continue such talks. The meeting this go-around, according to both sides, went more smoothly than the last face-to-face.

Behind Scenes, Vatican City—President Trump sat down to meet privately with Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine this morning in St. Peter’s Basilica… pic.twitter.com/zzC78AgbNh

— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) April 26, 2025

Zelensky said on X that they had a “good meeting” and thanked President Trump.

“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered,” Zelensky wrote. “Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you [President Trump].”

Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to… pic.twitter.com/q4ZhVXCjw0

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 26, 2025

A White House spokesman said the pair “met privately today and had a very productive discussion,” according to a CNN report.

Trump and Zelensky met in St. Peter’s Basilica for about 15 minutes (pictures per Team Zelensky) pic.twitter.com/PP7iwK6qzi

— Mathieu von Rohr (@mathieuvonrohr) April 26, 2025

On Friday, Trump said Russia and Ukraine were “very close” to a peace deal, and called for top leadership of the countries to “finish it off.”

Trump made the comments on Truth Social just as he landed in Rome for Saturday’s funeral. On the same day, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to speak with President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian officials and push for a peace deal.

“Just landed in Rome. A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine,” the president said. “They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!”

Nothing like some tough diplomacy in one of the most beautiful places in the world. pic.twitter.com/v23MhfVoBJ

— Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) April 26, 2025

Trump also said earlier on Friday that Zelensky needs to sign a mineral deal with the United States, saying that he was “at least three weeks late.”

“Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States,” Trump posted online. “It is at least three weeks late. Hopefully, it will be signed IMMEDIATELY. Work on the overall Peace Deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly. SUCCESS seems to be in the future!”

Leif Le Mahieu contributed to this report.

Related: Trump Lands In Rome For Pope Francis’ Funeral. Here’s What To Expect.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky met early Saturday in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican to discuss peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

The last face-to-face meeting Trump had with Zelensky took place in February at the White House, and did not end well, with Trump saying Zelensky was not ready for peace talks.

Trump and Zelensky met minutes before the start of Pope Francis’ funeral, which took place at 10 a.m. Rome time and 4 a.m. Eastern. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, drawing leaders from around the world to Rome.

The meeting reportedly lasted about 15 minutes, and Trump and Zelensky will continue such talks. The meeting this go-around, according to both sides, went more smoothly than the last face-to-face.

Behind Scenes, Vatican City—President Trump sat down to meet privately with Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine this morning in St. Peter’s Basilica… pic.twitter.com/zzC78AgbNh

— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) April 26, 2025

Zelensky said on X that they had a “good meeting” and thanked President Trump.

“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered,” Zelensky wrote. “Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you [President Trump].”

Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to… pic.twitter.com/q4ZhVXCjw0

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 26, 2025

A White House spokesman said the pair “met privately today and had a very productive discussion,” according to a CNN report.

Trump and Zelensky met in St. Peter’s Basilica for about 15 minutes (pictures per Team Zelensky) pic.twitter.com/PP7iwK6qzi

— Mathieu von Rohr (@mathieuvonrohr) April 26, 2025

On Friday, Trump said Russia and Ukraine were “very close” to a peace deal, and called for top leadership of the countries to “finish it off.”

Trump made the comments on Truth Social just as he landed in Rome for Saturday’s funeral. On the same day, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to speak with President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian officials and push for a peace deal.

“Just landed in Rome. A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine,” the president said. “They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!”

Nothing like some tough diplomacy in one of the most beautiful places in the world. pic.twitter.com/v23MhfVoBJ

— Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) April 26, 2025

Trump also said earlier on Friday that Zelensky needs to sign a mineral deal with the United States, saying that he was “at least three weeks late.”

“Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States,” Trump posted online. “It is at least three weeks late. Hopefully, it will be signed IMMEDIATELY. Work on the overall Peace Deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly. SUCCESS seems to be in the future!”

Leif Le Mahieu contributed to this report.

Related: Trump Lands In Rome For Pope Francis’ Funeral. Here’s What To Expect.

“}]] 

The post Trump Meets With Zelensky At Vatican Ahead Of Pope’s Funeral: ‘Very Productive’ appeared first on Spin Politico.

As fans roared at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 12, they weren’t just cheering on the fighters entering the Octagon. The thousands of people in attendance at UFC 314 were taking part in a sport that has gripped Americans — especially young men — through traditional courage and patriotism. 

The UFC has surged in popularity in recent years, not just as the premier MMA organization in all of combat sports, but as a cultural force to be reckoned with. Unbridled athleticism and the ferocious skills of its fighters are the initial draw, but that’s only the beginning. The UFC’s unapologetic embrace of courage and patriotism resonates deeply with a growing fanbase, especially as other sports leagues, such as the NBA and NFL, fell prey to woke BS.

The sport celebrates physical and mental toughness above all else. Fans are drawn to the unfiltered intensity. Promos showcase blood, sweat, and stoicism as warriors stare down their opponents. The UFC resonates with Americans who have grown tired of cultural leftism disparaging manliness and dismissing traditional male virtues to exhaustion. 

The UFC isn’t afraid of honoring the United States of America and its military veterans, first responders, and values either. Even in a sport that has representation from countries across the globe, respect for the United States is paramount. Fighters often wrap themselves in their nation’s colors, and post-fight interviews are peppered with shout-outs to the troops or expressions of national pride. This overt patriotism strikes a chord with fans who see the UFC as a bastion of unapologetic love for country. 

President Donald Trump adds to this allure. During UFC 314, the president walked into the packed arena to the chants of “USA!” as he appeared on the big screen. Trump’s appearances at UFC fights are not just celebrity cameos — they’re symbolic endorsements of the UFC’s ethos. For many fans, seeing Trump in the octagon reinforces the UFC as an arena where their values are celebrated, not challenged.

It’s no surprise that Jeremy’s Razors is proud to be the official razor partner of the UFC. Americans deserve to participate in a sport that makes them proud of their heritage and values, and they deserve a razor that will give them a quality shave without nicks, cuts, or criticisms of their hard-fought beliefs.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

As fans roared at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 12, they weren’t just cheering on the fighters entering the Octagon. The thousands of people in attendance at UFC 314 were taking part in a sport that has gripped Americans — especially young men — through traditional courage and patriotism. 

The UFC has surged in popularity in recent years, not just as the premier MMA organization in all of combat sports, but as a cultural force to be reckoned with. Unbridled athleticism and the ferocious skills of its fighters are the initial draw, but that’s only the beginning. The UFC’s unapologetic embrace of courage and patriotism resonates deeply with a growing fanbase, especially as other sports leagues, such as the NBA and NFL, fell prey to woke BS.

The sport celebrates physical and mental toughness above all else. Fans are drawn to the unfiltered intensity. Promos showcase blood, sweat, and stoicism as warriors stare down their opponents. The UFC resonates with Americans who have grown tired of cultural leftism disparaging manliness and dismissing traditional male virtues to exhaustion. 

The UFC isn’t afraid of honoring the United States of America and its military veterans, first responders, and values either. Even in a sport that has representation from countries across the globe, respect for the United States is paramount. Fighters often wrap themselves in their nation’s colors, and post-fight interviews are peppered with shout-outs to the troops or expressions of national pride. This overt patriotism strikes a chord with fans who see the UFC as a bastion of unapologetic love for country. 

President Donald Trump adds to this allure. During UFC 314, the president walked into the packed arena to the chants of “USA!” as he appeared on the big screen. Trump’s appearances at UFC fights are not just celebrity cameos — they’re symbolic endorsements of the UFC’s ethos. For many fans, seeing Trump in the octagon reinforces the UFC as an arena where their values are celebrated, not challenged.

It’s no surprise that Jeremy’s Razors is proud to be the official razor partner of the UFC. Americans deserve to participate in a sport that makes them proud of their heritage and values, and they deserve a razor that will give them a quality shave without nicks, cuts, or criticisms of their hard-fought beliefs.

“}]] 

The post The UFC Is Thriving On Courage And Patriotism appeared first on Spin Politico.

Virginia Giuffre, the most prominent victim of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse, has died by apparent suicide, her family announced Friday.

“It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia,” her family said in a statement to NBC News. “She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.”

Giuffre, who was 41, leaves behind a husband and three children. The family lived in Australia.

Giuffre was involved in several legal actions targeting Epstein.

She filed a defamation lawsuit against Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, whom she accused of grooming her for Epstein’s abuse when she was a 16-year-old spa attendant at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach (Trump reportedly later banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago in 2007 for harassing another member’s teenage daughter). Giuffre said the sexual abuse she suffered included lessons on Epstein’s oral sex preferences.

Giuffre also sued Prince Andrew, claiming the British royal sexually abused her when she was 17. The prince has denied the accusations.

Last month, Giuffre sparked alarm when she posted a photo on Instagram of herself in a hospital bed, saying doctors had told her she had “four days to live” after a car crash with a school bus. However, she was discharged nearly a week later.

Giuffre was one of the first people to call for criminal charges against Epstein, and other Epstein victims credited her with giving them the courage to speak out.

“Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors,” the statement said. “In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.”

Epstein was found dead at 66 in what was ruled a suicide in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019. He was awaiting trial after being accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls.

The lurid details of his alleged sex ring include accusations that he procured underage girls for prominent men on his private island in the Virgin Islands, Little St. James.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

Virginia Giuffre, the most prominent victim of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse, has died by apparent suicide, her family announced Friday.

“It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia,” her family said in a statement to NBC News. “She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.”

Giuffre, who was 41, leaves behind a husband and three children. The family lived in Australia.

Giuffre was involved in several legal actions targeting Epstein.

She filed a defamation lawsuit against Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, whom she accused of grooming her for Epstein’s abuse when she was a 16-year-old spa attendant at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach (Trump reportedly later banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago in 2007 for harassing another member’s teenage daughter). Giuffre said the sexual abuse she suffered included lessons on Epstein’s oral sex preferences.

Giuffre also sued Prince Andrew, claiming the British royal sexually abused her when she was 17. The prince has denied the accusations.

Last month, Giuffre sparked alarm when she posted a photo on Instagram of herself in a hospital bed, saying doctors had told her she had “four days to live” after a car crash with a school bus. However, she was discharged nearly a week later.

Giuffre was one of the first people to call for criminal charges against Epstein, and other Epstein victims credited her with giving them the courage to speak out.

“Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors,” the statement said. “In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.”

Epstein was found dead at 66 in what was ruled a suicide in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019. He was awaiting trial after being accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls.

The lurid details of his alleged sex ring include accusations that he procured underage girls for prominent men on his private island in the Virgin Islands, Little St. James.

“}]] 

The post Most Prominent Epstein Sexual Abuse Victim Virginia Giuffre Dies By Apparent Suicide appeared first on Spin Politico.

I believe that America’s core ideals are very much linked to its Christian faith. So as Easter has just passed, I thought this would be a good time to take a closer look at the state of the American church and then weep quietly and say it was a great country while it lasted.

Now, according to a Pew poll, 62% of Americans identify as Christian. This is a slight drop from the 1697 poll which showed 99.9% of Americans were Christian with one heretic hiding in the woods hoping some long-haired guy with a buckle on his hat wouldn’t blow his head off with a blunderbuss.

But today’s religious landscape looks different depending on political affiliation. For instance, on the political Left, 43% of those who identify as progressives say they have abandoned Christianity and become Episcopalians. Fourteen percent of progressives say they have renounced the corrupt beliefs of colonizing white men, have returned to the innocent and beautiful natural religion of indigenous peoples, and were preparing to sacrifice a virgin to the volcano God until they realized that by the time they were sure she was a virgin, she wasn’t a virgin anymore, and if they threw her into a volcano there’d be no one left who knew how to make breakfast.

Other progressives say they are sick of the sort of restrictive religions that ruined the 1950’s by making everything so great. Instead they have turned to more modern faiths with practices that reflect the moral progress of mankind. These practices include yogic meditation, ritual mindfulness, and tantric sex followed by butchering any unborn babies conceived during tantric sex, then celebrating the mass slaughter by dancing around a pole in a wild blood-drenched frenzy, getting a full body tattoo featuring goat-headed demi-gods with flaming eyes, then running naked through a forest while grunting inarticulately and listening to music that’s mostly composed of drumbeats and shrieking because classic rock is just the best.

WATCH: The Andrew Klavan Show

Among Christians on the political Right, 17% say they believe in Christ so hard they’ll kill anyone who disagrees with them, 14% say their faith is so strong they might even be willing to go to church as long as porn is provided, and 8% say their worship mostly involves posting unspeakably cruel remarks on social media to people who aren’t as Christly as they are. Four percent of conservative Christians say they have abandoned their own egos for Christ’s sake and have thus elevated their souls into a state of suffering-yet-serene agape love, and are now hiding in the woods hoping some long-haired guy with a buckle on his hat won’t blow their heads off with a blunderbuss.

The remaining 57% of Right-wing Christians spend most of their time sobbing and whispering, “Oh God, I suck so bad, please, please, please have mercy on me and don’t send me to hell or California.”

As far as other American religions go, 94% of limousine drivers identify as Muslims, 16% of Christian women pretend they’re Buddhists, and 82% of Jews control 90% of everything except which parts of Ivy League campuses they’re allowed to walk on without one of their professors pointing at them and making that awful insect noise like Donald Sutherland at the end of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”

Approximately 29% of Americans have no religion whatsoever and they say that makes life much easier because they’re able to rotate their heads 360 degrees and spider walk across the ceiling, which comes in very handy when they’re trying to escape from the exorcist.

Around the world, the religious landscape is much more varied. For instance, in Great Britain, while 47% of the people identify as Christian, 70% of them say that Islam is also absolutely great, totally fine, really wonderful and not a problem at all, no, really, it’s fantastic, they’re not just saying that because they’d be arrested for telling the truth.

In France, 49% of the population were excited because they thought they belonged to a dark, obscure, mystery cult with elaborate secret rituals until they found out they were actually just Catholics.

And in China, 23% of high-ranking Communists identify their kidneys as Uiger.

* * *

This excerpt is taken from the opening satirical monologue of “The Andrew Klavan Show.”

The views expressed in this satirical article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Andrew Klavan is the host of “The Andrew Klavan Show” at The Daily Wire. Follow him on X: @andrewklavan

Klavan is the bestselling author of numerous books, including the Cameron Winter Mystery series. The fourth installment, “A Woman Underground.” His most recent nonfiction release is “The Kingdom of Cain: Finding God in the Literature of Darkness.” (May 2025, Zondervan/HarperCollins).

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

I believe that America’s core ideals are very much linked to its Christian faith. So as Easter has just passed, I thought this would be a good time to take a closer look at the state of the American church and then weep quietly and say it was a great country while it lasted.

Now, according to a Pew poll, 62% of Americans identify as Christian. This is a slight drop from the 1697 poll which showed 99.9% of Americans were Christian with one heretic hiding in the woods hoping some long-haired guy with a buckle on his hat wouldn’t blow his head off with a blunderbuss.

But today’s religious landscape looks different depending on political affiliation. For instance, on the political Left, 43% of those who identify as progressives say they have abandoned Christianity and become Episcopalians. Fourteen percent of progressives say they have renounced the corrupt beliefs of colonizing white men, have returned to the innocent and beautiful natural religion of indigenous peoples, and were preparing to sacrifice a virgin to the volcano God until they realized that by the time they were sure she was a virgin, she wasn’t a virgin anymore, and if they threw her into a volcano there’d be no one left who knew how to make breakfast.

Other progressives say they are sick of the sort of restrictive religions that ruined the 1950’s by making everything so great. Instead they have turned to more modern faiths with practices that reflect the moral progress of mankind. These practices include yogic meditation, ritual mindfulness, and tantric sex followed by butchering any unborn babies conceived during tantric sex, then celebrating the mass slaughter by dancing around a pole in a wild blood-drenched frenzy, getting a full body tattoo featuring goat-headed demi-gods with flaming eyes, then running naked through a forest while grunting inarticulately and listening to music that’s mostly composed of drumbeats and shrieking because classic rock is just the best.

WATCH: The Andrew Klavan Show

Among Christians on the political Right, 17% say they believe in Christ so hard they’ll kill anyone who disagrees with them, 14% say their faith is so strong they might even be willing to go to church as long as porn is provided, and 8% say their worship mostly involves posting unspeakably cruel remarks on social media to people who aren’t as Christly as they are. Four percent of conservative Christians say they have abandoned their own egos for Christ’s sake and have thus elevated their souls into a state of suffering-yet-serene agape love, and are now hiding in the woods hoping some long-haired guy with a buckle on his hat won’t blow their heads off with a blunderbuss.

The remaining 57% of Right-wing Christians spend most of their time sobbing and whispering, “Oh God, I suck so bad, please, please, please have mercy on me and don’t send me to hell or California.”

As far as other American religions go, 94% of limousine drivers identify as Muslims, 16% of Christian women pretend they’re Buddhists, and 82% of Jews control 90% of everything except which parts of Ivy League campuses they’re allowed to walk on without one of their professors pointing at them and making that awful insect noise like Donald Sutherland at the end of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”

Approximately 29% of Americans have no religion whatsoever and they say that makes life much easier because they’re able to rotate their heads 360 degrees and spider walk across the ceiling, which comes in very handy when they’re trying to escape from the exorcist.

Around the world, the religious landscape is much more varied. For instance, in Great Britain, while 47% of the people identify as Christian, 70% of them say that Islam is also absolutely great, totally fine, really wonderful and not a problem at all, no, really, it’s fantastic, they’re not just saying that because they’d be arrested for telling the truth.

In France, 49% of the population were excited because they thought they belonged to a dark, obscure, mystery cult with elaborate secret rituals until they found out they were actually just Catholics.

And in China, 23% of high-ranking Communists identify their kidneys as Uiger.

* * *

This excerpt is taken from the opening satirical monologue of “The Andrew Klavan Show.”

The views expressed in this satirical article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Andrew Klavan is the host of “The Andrew Klavan Show” at The Daily Wire. Follow him on X: @andrewklavan

Klavan is the bestselling author of numerous books, including the Cameron Winter Mystery series. The fourth installment, “A Woman Underground.” His most recent nonfiction release is “The Kingdom of Cain: Finding God in the Literature of Darkness.” (May 2025, Zondervan/HarperCollins).

“}]] 

The post Progressives Abandon Christianity, Become Episcopalian appeared first on Spin Politico.

President Donald Trump has arrived in Rome, where he will attend Pope Francis’ funeral Saturday morning in Vatican City, marking the first foreign trip of his second term.

The funeral comes six days after Francis passed away, the day after Easter, dying at age 88 of a stroke and heart failure after a battle with pneumonia. Since then, tens of thousands of people have come to pay their respects to the late pope as he lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The president and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Rome late Friday night. They will depart early Saturday afternoon after attending the funeral.

Previous Papal Funerals

Trump is only the second sitting president to attend a papal funeral. The first was George W. Bush, who attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005. President Joe Biden did not attend the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2023, despite meeting the former pope as vice president years earlier. Benedict died nine years after resigning as pope in 2013, an unusual move for a modern pope. He was succeeded by Francis.

Photos from that visit show three presidents, Bush, his father, President George H.W. Bush, and President Bill Clinton kneeling in the first pew behind Pope John Paul II’s body lying in state. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and First Lady Laura Bush kneel near them.

(TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Who Else Will Be There?

Trump met with Pope Francis at the Vatican during his first term in 2017.

Biden met Francis twice: first as vice president in 2016, and during his presidency in 2021. Biden and former first lady Jill Biden will also travel to the Vatican to attend Francis’ funeral.

(TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)

(Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Neither former President Barack Obama nor former President George W. Bush will attend Pope Francis’ funeral. Obama hosted Francis at the White House in 2015, marking the first papal visit to the United States since Pope Benedict in 2008. Francis was only the third pope ever to visit the White House.

Other world leaders who will attend the pope’s funeral include Javier Milei, president of Francis’ birthplace, Argentina; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy; British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William; French President Emmanuel Macron; and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

As many as 200,000 people are expected to attend the funeral, the Italian government said.

How The Funeral Will Go

The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday morning local time, which is 4 a.m. Eastern time in the United States.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will preside over the funeral Mass and deliver the homily, the Vatican said. He is the dean of the College of Cardinals, which will form a conclave next month to install the next pope.

On Friday night, Francis’ coffin was set to be sealed in a ceremony and closed to the public.

On Saturday morning, the funeral will begin with a procession in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the coffin will then be brought and set down. The funeral Mass will follow.

The cardinals who attend will be recognizable by their purple liturgical garments, the Vatican said.

After Mass, the funeral procession will slowly make its way to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, a little over two miles away, where Francis frequently went to pray before an icon of Mary. Francis is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century. Many popes are buried in the underground crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.

“The coffin will be welcomed by ‘the last ones,’ a group of poor and marginalized people who always had a special place in Pope Francis’ heart,” the Vatican said. “They will be the ones to give the final tribute before the coffin is carried to the altar of Saint Mary Major.”

The burial will be private and is expected to end around 2:00 p.m. local time or 8:00 a.m. Eastern time.

The last funeral for a sitting pope, John Paul II, was three hours long. Francis’ funeral looks like it will be even longer, around four hours.

The faithful may begin visiting Francis’ tomb on Sunday, the day after the funeral, the Vatican said.

The funeral kicks off nine days of mourning for the late pope, with Mass each day before the cardinals begin their work to select a new occupant of the Chair of Peter.

How Is Francis’ Funeral Different?

Francis’ funeral will look different from his predecessors. That’s because he himself changed the rules for papal funerals.

Francis will be buried in just one wooden coffin lined with zinc rather than the three coffins some other popes were buried in, which were made of cypress, lead, and oak.

The late pontiff will also be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major instead of St. Peter’s Basilica, the first pope in more than 350 years to be buried there since Clement IX.

Francis said in his autobiography published last year that a pope should be buried “with dignity, but like any Christian, because the bishop of Rome is a pastor and a disciple, not a powerful man of this world.” He also asked that his tomb be “in the ground; simple, without particular decoration, and with the sole inscription: Franciscus.”

Where To Watch

The Vatican News’ YouTube channel will livestream the funeral and procession to the burial place.

A number of other news outlets and streaming services also plan to livestream the funeral.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

President Donald Trump has arrived in Rome, where he will attend Pope Francis’ funeral Saturday morning in Vatican City, marking the first foreign trip of his second term.

The funeral comes six days after Francis passed away, the day after Easter, dying at age 88 of a stroke and heart failure after a battle with pneumonia. Since then, tens of thousands of people have come to pay their respects to the late pope as he lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The president and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Rome late Friday night. They will depart early Saturday afternoon after attending the funeral.

Previous Papal Funerals

Trump is only the second sitting president to attend a papal funeral. The first was George W. Bush, who attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005. President Joe Biden did not attend the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2023, despite meeting the former pope as vice president years earlier. Benedict died nine years after resigning as pope in 2013, an unusual move for a modern pope. He was succeeded by Francis.

Photos from that visit show three presidents, Bush, his father, President George H.W. Bush, and President Bill Clinton kneeling in the first pew behind Pope John Paul II’s body lying in state. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and First Lady Laura Bush kneel near them.

(TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Who Else Will Be There?

Trump met with Pope Francis at the Vatican during his first term in 2017.

Biden met Francis twice: first as vice president in 2016, and during his presidency in 2021. Biden and former first lady Jill Biden will also travel to the Vatican to attend Francis’ funeral.

(TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)

(Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Neither former President Barack Obama nor former President George W. Bush will attend Pope Francis’ funeral. Obama hosted Francis at the White House in 2015, marking the first papal visit to the United States since Pope Benedict in 2008. Francis was only the third pope ever to visit the White House.

Other world leaders who will attend the pope’s funeral include Javier Milei, president of Francis’ birthplace, Argentina; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy; British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William; French President Emmanuel Macron; and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

As many as 200,000 people are expected to attend the funeral, the Italian government said.

How The Funeral Will Go

The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday morning local time, which is 4 a.m. Eastern time in the United States.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will preside over the funeral Mass and deliver the homily, the Vatican said. He is the dean of the College of Cardinals, which will form a conclave next month to install the next pope.

On Friday night, Francis’ coffin was set to be sealed in a ceremony and closed to the public.

On Saturday morning, the funeral will begin with a procession in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the coffin will then be brought and set down. The funeral Mass will follow.

The cardinals who attend will be recognizable by their purple liturgical garments, the Vatican said.

After Mass, the funeral procession will slowly make its way to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, a little over two miles away, where Francis frequently went to pray before an icon of Mary. Francis is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century. Many popes are buried in the underground crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.

“The coffin will be welcomed by ‘the last ones,’ a group of poor and marginalized people who always had a special place in Pope Francis’ heart,” the Vatican said. “They will be the ones to give the final tribute before the coffin is carried to the altar of Saint Mary Major.”

The burial will be private and is expected to end around 2:00 p.m. local time or 8:00 a.m. Eastern time.

The last funeral for a sitting pope, John Paul II, was three hours long. Francis’ funeral looks like it will be even longer, around four hours.

The faithful may begin visiting Francis’ tomb on Sunday, the day after the funeral, the Vatican said.

The funeral kicks off nine days of mourning for the late pope, with Mass each day before the cardinals begin their work to select a new occupant of the Chair of Peter.

How Is Francis’ Funeral Different?

Francis’ funeral will look different from his predecessors. That’s because he himself changed the rules for papal funerals.

Francis will be buried in just one wooden coffin lined with zinc rather than the three coffins some other popes were buried in, which were made of cypress, lead, and oak.

The late pontiff will also be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major instead of St. Peter’s Basilica, the first pope in more than 350 years to be buried there since Clement IX.

Francis said in his autobiography published last year that a pope should be buried “with dignity, but like any Christian, because the bishop of Rome is a pastor and a disciple, not a powerful man of this world.” He also asked that his tomb be “in the ground; simple, without particular decoration, and with the sole inscription: Franciscus.”

Where To Watch

The Vatican News’ YouTube channel will livestream the funeral and procession to the burial place.

A number of other news outlets and streaming services also plan to livestream the funeral.

“}]] 

The post Trump Lands In To Rome For Pope Francis’ Funeral. Here’s What To Expect. appeared first on Spin Politico.

President Donald Trump said Friday that Russia and Ukraine were “very close” to a peace deal, and called for top leadership of the countries to “finish it off.”

Trump made the comments on Truth Social as he landed in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Friday to speak with President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian officials and push for a peace deal.

“Just landed in Rome,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!”

That post came just hours after he called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign a mineral deal with the United States, saying that he was “at least three weeks late.”

“Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States,” he posted. “It is at least three weeks late. Hopefully, it will be signed IMMEDIATELY. Work on the overall Peace Deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly. SUCCESS seems to be in the future!”

The deal over rare earth minerals was supposed to be signed months ago, but came to a standstill in February after Zelensky was asked to leave the White House following a contentious meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Last week, several Ukrainian officials signaled that the country was coming close to finalizing the agreement.

At the same time, Trump has pushed both Zelensky and Putin to stop the hostilities and come to the negotiating table. Witkoff’s arrival in Russia came after Ukraine was hit with a pair of deadly air strikes this week and Russian Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a high-level military official, was killed in a car bombing in Balashikha.

Before Witkoff’s arrival, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told CBS News that his country “ready to reach a deal” on Ukraine.

“The President of the United States believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction,” he said. “The negotiations continue, and until the end of the negotiations, we cannot disclose what it is about.”

As he was leaving for Rome, Trump said that he thought negotiations with the two countries were “coming along,” but added that they were “very fragile” at the moment.

While en route to Rome, Trump declined to tell reporters on board Air Force One whether he would be meeting with Zelensky while at the funeral. Trump also said that he would soon be talking to Witkoff about how his meeting with Putin went and said he hadn’t heard about the car bomb assassination of Moskalik.

“He’ll be calling me,” Trump said, according to a transcript provided by the White House foreign pool service. “They just left the meeting. I haven’t been briefed yet. But, he had — I hear, a pretty good meeting.”

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

President Donald Trump said Friday that Russia and Ukraine were “very close” to a peace deal, and called for top leadership of the countries to “finish it off.”

Trump made the comments on Truth Social as he landed in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Friday to speak with President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian officials and push for a peace deal.

“Just landed in Rome,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!”

That post came just hours after he called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign a mineral deal with the United States, saying that he was “at least three weeks late.”

“Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States,” he posted. “It is at least three weeks late. Hopefully, it will be signed IMMEDIATELY. Work on the overall Peace Deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly. SUCCESS seems to be in the future!”

The deal over rare earth minerals was supposed to be signed months ago, but came to a standstill in February after Zelensky was asked to leave the White House following a contentious meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Last week, several Ukrainian officials signaled that the country was coming close to finalizing the agreement.

At the same time, Trump has pushed both Zelensky and Putin to stop the hostilities and come to the negotiating table. Witkoff’s arrival in Russia came after Ukraine was hit with a pair of deadly air strikes this week and Russian Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a high-level military official, was killed in a car bombing in Balashikha.

Before Witkoff’s arrival, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told CBS News that his country “ready to reach a deal” on Ukraine.

“The President of the United States believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction,” he said. “The negotiations continue, and until the end of the negotiations, we cannot disclose what it is about.”

As he was leaving for Rome, Trump said that he thought negotiations with the two countries were “coming along,” but added that they were “very fragile” at the moment.

While en route to Rome, Trump declined to tell reporters on board Air Force One whether he would be meeting with Zelensky while at the funeral. Trump also said that he would soon be talking to Witkoff about how his meeting with Putin went and said he hadn’t heard about the car bomb assassination of Moskalik.

“He’ll be calling me,” Trump said, according to a transcript provided by the White House foreign pool service. “They just left the meeting. I haven’t been briefed yet. But, he had — I hear, a pretty good meeting.”

“}]] 

The post ‘Stop The Bloodshed’: Trump Says Russia And Ukraine Are ‘Very Close’ To Peace Deal appeared first on Spin Politico.