While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Feb 23, 2025
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Pope Francis needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions, Vatican officials said on Feb 22.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Pope Francis in critical condition after health deteriorates
The Vatican said on Feb 22 that Pope Francis’ health had deteriorated over the past 24 hours and for the first time described his condition as “critical”, reporting he had needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions.
The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Feb 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days, and was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
In a statement on Feb 22 evening, the Vatican said the 88-year-old Francis had suffered a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” during the morning that had required the administration of “high-flow oxygen”.
“The Holy Father’s condition remains critical,” the statement said. “The Pope is not out of danger.”
One dead, several police wounded in France knife attack
AFP
One person died and two police officers were seriously injured on Feb 22 in a knife attack in eastern France that President Emmanuel Macron said was an “Islamist terror act”.
Prosecutors said three more officers were lightly wounded in the attack in the city of Mulhouse, carried out by a 37-year-old suspect who is on a terror prevention watchlist and is now in custody, prosecutor Nicolas Heitz told AFP.
Of the two seriously wounded officers, one sustained an injury to the carotid artery, and the other to the thorax, he added.
Musk says US govt workers must explain their jobs
NYT
Mr Elon Musk, the billionaire adviser to US President Donald Trump, said on Feb 22 that all federal employees must submit an accounting of their work week or else lose their jobs, hours after the president pushed for “more aggressive” moves to slash government spending and waste.
“Consistent with President @realDonaldTrump’s instructions, all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week. Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation,” said a post on X from Mr Musk, whom Mr Trump tapped to head the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Mr Musk - the world’s richest person and Trump’s biggest donor - has led the effort to fire swathes of the federal workforce.
Poland is paying for Ukraine’s Starlink subscription
Maxym Marusenko via Reuters Conn
Poland said on Feb 22 it has been paying for Ukraine’s Starlink subscription and will continue to do so despite sources saying the United States could consider cutting Ukraine’s access to the satellite internet system.
US negotiators pressing Kyiv for access to Ukraine’s critical minerals have raised the possibility of cutting the country’s access to Elon Musk’s vital Starlink satellite internet system, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Starlink provides crucial internet connectivity to the war-torn country and its military.
Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes suffer Hammer blow
AFP
Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge suffered a massive blow as the 10-man Gunners were beaten 1-0 at home by lowly West Ham on Feb 22.
Jarrod Bowen headed in the only goal just before half-time and an injury-hit Arsenal had no reply after Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent-off on 73 minutes.
Defeat leaves second-placed Arsenal still eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
