International
Vatican reports ‘slight improvement’ in Pope Francis’ condition
From LifeSiteNews
The Vatican reported Monday that Pope Francis’ condition is still ‘critical’ but that he is showing ‘slight improvement.’ Moreover, ‘some laboratory tests have improved,’ though the Pope is still receiving oxygen therapy.
The Vatican is reporting that Pope Francis’ condition is still “critical” but that he is showing “slight improvement.”
In a Monday statement, the Vatican remarked that “some laboratory tests have improved” and “there have been no episodes of astiform respiratory crises.”
Pope Francis is also continuing to receive oxygen therapy, and the Vatican says that his “mild” kidney failure is “not a concern.” The Pontiff received the Eucharist Monday morning, worked in the afternoon, and “called the parish priest of Gaza to express his paternal closeness” in the evening.
Prior to the Vatican’s Monday statement, “reliable sources” at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome claimed that Francis had less than 72 hours to live.
This latest report follows updates over the weekend which indicated that Francis’ health is in decline, with the 88-year-old requiring blood transfusions, high flows of oxygen and presenting symptoms of mild kidney failure.
Francis was taken to Gemelli Hospital on Friday, February 14, for bronchitis, and since then was diagnosed with double pneumonia in what was described as a “complex” medical scenario. The Vatican announced Saturday that Francis remains in critical condition and was recently administered a blood transfusion and “high flows” of oxygen. (For full background, see LifeSiteNews’ coverage here.)
Quick Hit:
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has raised concerns about the Biden administration’s $20 billion in climate project grants, alleging “a lot of self-dealing” and potential conflicts of interest. Zeldin pointed to the $2 billion allocated to Power Forward Communities (PFC), a group linked to Stacey Abrams, as a clear example of waste and abuse.
Key Details:
- Zeldin questioned the $2 billion grant to PFC, noting the group only reported $100 in revenue within its first three months after being founded in late 2023.
- He criticized the grant agreement, which gave PFC three weeks to distribute the funds and 90 days to complete a training course on budget development.
- Zeldin stated the Justice Department has been investigating the issue, thanking the EPA for its cooperation in tracking the funds.
At the EPA, we are dialed in on efficiently delivering on our core mission and Powering the Great American Comeback. America’s Golden Age is upon us. pic.twitter.com/lUOKoJ53Cr
— Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) February 23, 2025
Diving Deeper:
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin appeared on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo to discuss his concerns about the Biden administration’s $20 billion climate grant program. He alleged that the grant distribution involved “a lot of self-dealing” and lacked proper oversight, leading to potential conflicts of interest. Zeldin pointed to a specific case involving Power Forward Communities (PFC), a group linked to former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, which received $2 billion in grants despite only reporting $100 in revenue during its first three months.
Zeldin criticized the grant’s terms, which allowed PFC three weeks to distribute the $2 billion and required the group to complete a budget development training course within 90 days. “I would say that any entity that needs training on how to develop a budget shouldn’t be actually distributing money before they take that training,” Zeldin argued. He further alleged that the rapid distribution of funds resembled a “gold bar scheme,” citing a leaked video where a Biden EPA political appointee described the process as “throwing gold bars off the Titanic.”
When asked about the potential for criminal activity, Zeldin suggested the Department of Justice would need to investigate but characterized the grant to PFC as “a clear cut case of waste and abuse.” He noted that the Justice Department had been actively investigating the matter and expressed appreciation for the EPA’s cooperation in tracking down the missing funds.
Zeldin also mentioned his discussions with President Donald Trump, emphasizing their shared commitment to restoring accountability at the EPA. The controversy has drawn attention from other lawmakers, including Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who questioned why PFC received $2 billion when its reported revenue was only $100.
Diving Deeper:
Apple’s unprecedented $500 billion investment marks what the company calls “an extraordinary new chapter in the history of American innovation.” The tech giant plans to establish an advanced AI server manufacturing facility near Houston and significantly expand research and development across several key states, including Michigan, Texas, California, and Arizona.
Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted the company’s confidence in the U.S. economy, stating, “We’re proud to build on our long-standing U.S. investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future.” He noted that the expansion of Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund and investments in cutting-edge technology will further solidify the company’s role in American innovation.
President Trump was quick to highlight Apple’s announcement as a testament to his administration’s economic policies. In a Truth Social post Monday morning, he wrote:
“APPLE HAS JUST ANNOUNCED A RECORD 500 BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE REASON, FAITH IN WHAT WE ARE DOING, WITHOUT WHICH, THEY WOULDN’T BE INVESTING TEN CENTS. THANK YOU TIM COOK AND APPLE!!!”
Trump previously hinted at the investment during a White House meeting Friday, revealing that Cook had committed to investing “hundreds of billions of dollars” in the U.S. economy. “That’s what he told me. Now he has to do it,” Trump quipped.
Apple’s expansion will include 20,000 new jobs, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, silicon engineering, and machine learning. The company also aims to support workforce development through training programs and partnerships with educational institutions.
With Apple’s announcement, the U.S. economy stands to benefit from a major influx of investment into high-tech manufacturing and innovation—further underscoring the tech industry’s continued growth under Trump’s economic agenda.
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