Religion: Pope Francis Hospitalized for Polymicrobial Infection
88-year-old Pope Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome last Friday for a severe case of bronchitis and a later found polymicrobial respiratory tract infection reported NPR.org. According to Foxnews.com, he has been hospitalized four times since he was elected in 2013 for various reasons such as knee and abdominal surgeries, as well as a respiratory infection. Several Holy Year events in the Vatican have been canceled due to Pope Francis’ ailments, and his Wednesday public audience is yet to be confirmed, according to Newsweek.com.
Climate: Devastating Kentucky flooding causes numerous deaths, 1000s of rescues, and state-wide power outages
Extreme rainfall in Kentucky caused severe flooding on Thursday, February 13. Within the first 24 hours of the storm, thousands of people were evacuated, numerous water rescues took place, and entire neighborhoods were devastated, reported NBC News. According to the Courier Journal, 11 people died, 334 federal roads were closed, and 14,672 people lost power by Monday morning. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear called for a state of emergency and swiftly received financial aid from President Donald Trump in efforts to alleviate the struggles of impacted areas, those being mainly concentrated in southeastern and eastern Kentucky. Cities such as Elkhorn and others in Pike Country still remain without working water and limited usage of other systems, but are persistent in the goal to assemble safe shelters and warming centers to prepare for the 6-8 inches of snow incoming Tuesday night, assures NBC News.
Politics: Argentinian President Javier Milei Faces Impeachment Over Crypto Fraud Allegations
Javier Milei, President of Argentina, is facing an impeachment trial after allegations of crypto fraud have surfaced, causing political and financial instability in Argentina. Milei publicly promoted a cryptocurrency coin on X that later plummeted, leading to accusations of financial deception and misconduct according to the BBC. Within hours of the scandal, thousands of investors reported massive losses, igniting protests in Buenos Aires and other major cities. By Monday morning, Argentina’s financial markets reacted negatively with the peso experiencing a sharp decline, and major banking institutions warning of further instability, says the BBC. Lawmaker Leandro Santoro, a member of the opposition, called it an international embarrassment in USA Today, leaving them with no choice but to take action and file for the president’s impeachment.
Technology: Apple Chooses Alibaba for Prospective AI Features to Be Launched in China
Apple is partnering with Alibaba to advance AI technologies and implement Apple Intelligence in iPhones in China. Reports from the CNN and MSN reflect Apple’s recent struggles in China, as government regulations require AI operators to partner with local companies. To combat declining sales and rising competition, Apple began discussing potential partnerships with domestic companies. They first partnered with Baidu but later switched to Alibaba after dissatisfaction with their AI model according to the IBD. Tencent, Bytedance, and Deepseek were also considered. By working with Alibaba, Apple can now release its “censored” AI in China. According to The Independent, this is expected to positively impact Apple’s sales in its second-largest market after the US. Apple and Alibaba both rose in the stock market over the last few days, with Apple approaching all-time highs.
Conflict: Fear spreads through Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as armed rebellion contention rises in major cities
After Invading Goma, M23 advanced to South Kivu, plunging the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo into a deep security and humanitarian crisis, states the United Nations of Human Rights. M23, a Congo rebel military group backed by Rwanda, continues to advance, the conflict leaving thousands of families displaced, sick, or dead in the streets. The International Committee of the Red Cross and The Red Cross Society of Congo are rapidly working to set up hospitals, bring refugees back home, hold burials, and prevent disease outbreaks, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
