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Ana Navarro Slams Melania Trump in “Soviet Union” Attack

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Ana Navarro Slams Melania Trump in “Soviet Union” Attack

Ana Navarro took aim at Donald Trump’s attack on left-wing Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, drawing a comparison between Omar’s immigration story and the backgrounds of two of Trump’s wives.

Navarro, a prominent Republican critic of Trump who has been a regular presence on the show since 2022, was responding to Trump’s claim that Omar came from a country “without laws, without police, without military” while invoking her constitutional rights.

Moderator Whoopi Goldberg responded with a pointed joke: “Well, somebody’s gotta tell us what’s in the Constitution because you sure don’t seem to know.”

Navarro then fired back: “Talking about people coming from countries without Constitutions, didn’t at least two of his wives come from the former Soviet Union?”

The predominantly liberal studio audience erupted in approval at the apparent reference to Ivana and Melania Trump.

Navarro later argued that the investigation would not damage Omar politically, pointing to the congresswoman’s commanding victories in her district over the years.

“The people who do like this stunt is the Republican base. The reason he’s on a tour, a desperate tour of red states, is because even the Republican base is angry at Trump,” she said.

“He’s been obsessed with Ilhan Omar for years now, and the Republican base hates her. I think what he’s doing is literally throwing red meat at the base because red meat is too expensive to buy!”

Ana Navarro ripped Donald Trump's raid on left wing Congresswoman Ilhan Omar by comparing her immigration history to that of two of the President's wives

Ana Navarro criticized Donald Trump’s attack on left-wing Congresswoman Ilhan Omar by comparing Omar’s immigration background with that of two of the president’s wives

Navarro, a never-Trump Republican and fixture on the show since 2022, was reacting to Trump saying Omar comes from a country 'without laws, without police, without military' and how she speaks of having 'Constitutional rights'

Navarro, a Republican who has consistently opposed Trump and has appeared on the show since 2022, was reacting to his claim that Omar came from a country “without laws, without police, without military” while speaking about her “constitutional rights”

Ivana was born in what is now the Czech Republic. She emigrated to Canada in the 1970s before moving to the United States and marrying Trump in 1997.

Melania, Trump’s third wife, was born in Slovenia and moved to New York in 1996 to pursue a modeling career.

Two years later, she met the billionaire businessman and future president. The couple married in 2005.

Speaking at a rally in Ohio on Monday, Trump said of Omar: “She comes in from a country without laws, without police, without military, where all they do is shoot each other, and she comes into our country and she says, ‘I have a constitutional right,’” he said.

“She’s telling us about the Constitution, and she comes from one of the worst countries anywhere on the planet,” he added.

The president also branded the Somali immigrant “totally crooked,” even as he insisted he had “nothing to do” with the criminal investigation involving his longtime political opponent.

“I’ve always found her to be totally crooked personally, but that has nothing to do with me,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday before leaving for a midterm campaign rally in Ohio.

“I have nothing to do with it,” he added.

Omar, a Somali migrant who came to the US at age 12 with her family after they were granted asylum, has sparred with Trump for years

Omar, a Somali migrant who arrived in the United States with her family at age 12 after they were granted asylum, has clashed with Trump for years

Homeland Security officers carry boxes from the Washington residence of Congresswoman Omar

Homeland Security officers remove boxes from the Washington residence of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar

‘I understand they’re looking at her very carefully,’ Trump added of the Homeland Security investigations’ raid on Omar’s DC-area home. 

The raid was carried out just three weeks before the midterm elections, breaking with longstanding internal Justice Department policies. 

Omar, a Somali migrant who came to the US at age 12 with her family after they were granted asylum, has sparred with Trump for years. 

Trump has falsely suggested on multiple occasions that Omar is in the country ‘illegally,’ despite the fact she obtained US citizenship in 2000, at age 17. 

‘She’s here illegally,’ Trump said of Omar at an event in December 2025, taking aim at Omar, ‘whatever the hell her name is, with the little turban…’ 

‘Throw her the hell out,’ he said.

The remarks come as Trump has repeatedly amplified claims questioning Omar’s net worth, pointing to an earlier financial disclosure suggesting that Omar and her family were worth at least $30 million.

The April disclosure sparked a flurry of calls for an investigation and misconduct charges by Republicans and lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee who questioned the apparent influx of wealth, which Omar and her office said was the result of an error by her accountant.

Ivana Trump (pictured left) was born in what is now known as the Czech Republic before emigrating to Canada in the 1970s before relocating to the United States and marrying Trump in 1997

Ivana Trump (pictured left) was born in what is now known as the Czech Republic before emigrating to Canada in the 1970s before relocating to the United States and marrying Trump in 1997

Melania (pictured right), Trump's third wife, was born in Slovenia before moving to New York in 1996 as a model

Melania (pictured right), Trump’s third wife, was born in Slovenia before moving to New York in 1996 as a model

Join the discussion

Is it fair for politicians’ family backgrounds to be used as political weapons in heated debates?

Last month, the Office of Congressional Conduct dismissed the misconduct allegations against Omar regarding the reporting error, as CNBC reported. 

Omar for her part fired back against Trump’s latest remarks – denouncing the raid on her house as the latest in a flurry of recent efforts to ‘weaponize’ the nation’s law enforcement agencies, as well as an attempt to intimidate her in her reelection campaign. 

‘For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns,’ Omar said on social media later. 

‘This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation.’

Homeless Career Offender Arrested After Allegedly Punching Coworker and Failing to Report Address Change

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ARCHER, Fla. – Leonard Mitchell McCoy Jr., 48, was arrested yesterday after allegedly punching a co-worker and failing to report a change of address as a registered career offender.

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Fletcher Park, in the 12000 block of SW 122nd Street, at about 12:20 p.m. on October 12. The alleged victim told deputies that he and McCoy argued in the back of a work truck before McCoy punched him. The man reportedly suffered a severe cut above his eye, with blood running down his face. McCoy told Court Services that he works for a landscaping company.

McCoy reportedly acknowledged arguing with the man and striking him in the head, but claimed he acted in self-defense after being hit first. Deputies said they found no visible injuries on McCoy, and they found no video or witness statements supporting his account.

Deputies arrested McCoy on a battery charge. During the arrest, he allegedly pulled away from officers and refused repeated lawful orders to place his hands behind his back.

While deputies escorted him to a patrol vehicle, McCoy allegedly pulled away again, kicked against the side of the vehicle and physically resisted efforts to put him inside. He also reportedly shouted at other co-workers who remained at the scene.

McCoy asked deputies to take his backpack to the jail. As part of an inventory search intended to prevent contraband from entering the facility, deputies reportedly found several small baggies containing a white powdery residue that tested positive for methamphetamine.

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The backpack also reportedly contained a substantial amount of clothing and hygiene supplies that deputies said appeared consistent with someone living a transient or homeless lifestyle.

McCoy reportedly showed deputies a driver’s license listing a Gainesville address. A records check indicated that he had not reported his current address since at least August 2025, when an officer visited the listed residence and learned that McCoy had not lived there since May 2025. Despite those findings, McCoy reportedly maintained that he lived at the Gainesville address.

McCoy, who is registered as a career offender, faces charges of felony battery with a previous battery conviction, failure to register as a career offender, resisting an officer without violence and possession of drug equipment. He has three felony convictions, including one violent offense, and has served two state prison sentences. He was most recently released in June 2024 after completing a 15-year sentence for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $105,000.

IMF Chief Urges U.S., Rich Nations to Cut Debt, Ease Strains

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IMF Chief Urges U.S., Rich Nations to Cut Debt, Ease Strains

BANGKOK – International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned Wednesday that the United States and other wealthy countries must urgently address rising debt, which is placing the greatest pressure on low-income nations and increasing strain across the global financial system.

Georgieva said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other American officials understand that the federal deficit and national debt have climbed too high. But she cautioned that economic growth alone cannot lift the United States out of more than $40 trillion in debt.

“At the fund, we believe that, growth, of course, helps, but it cannot deliver fast enough the necessary adjustments,” Georgieva said during the IMF and World Bank’s autumn meeting in Bangkok.

“There is no magic,” she said, arguing that additional steps are necessary. “You have to go in a direction of tightening that, bringing it down, bringing deficit down.”

‘Fiscal consolidation’ faces challenges

Growing debt and global inflation, driven in part by elevated energy costs linked to the Iran war, have pushed interest rates to their highest levels in decades. That has added to the financial pressure facing the world’s poorest countries.

Attempts to restore fiscal stability through what Georgieva and other specialists call “fiscal consolidation” have been undermined by heavy government spending during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Fiscal risks are rising, and a proper reaction is largely absent in many countries,” said Rodrigo Valdes, director of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department. “And in major advanced economies, the effect of fiscal indiscipline does not stop at the border. It travels to the rest of the world.”

The IMF’s latest Fiscal Monitor said interest payments in many of the world’s poorest countries have reached historic highs compared with government revenue. At the same time, declining aid flows are creating funding gaps that some nations have been unable to cover.

As a result, governments are being forced to choose between protecting their most vulnerable citizens and keeping up with debt repayments.

Nations need help with job creation, investment

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“We know that today the median developing country is going to pay, is actually today paying three times more on their interest repayments than developed countries,” Alexander De Croo, Belgium’s former prime minister and administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Nearly 10% of government spending is going toward debt repayment on average. High costs for fuel, fertilizer and other necessities, along with the effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon and more expensive borrowing, have left many low-income countries with little room to recover.

“I mean, we don’t see really a light at the end of the tunnel,” De Croo said.

Creating jobs is another urgent priority, particularly as the expanding use of artificial intelligence threatens to eliminate many traditional occupations. More than 1.2 billion young people are expected to join the global workforce over roughly the next decade, while projections point to the creation of only 400 million net new jobs.

The UNDP announced a “Jobs for Prosperity” initiative this week. The program will work with governments, development banks including the World Bank and private companies to promote investment in sectors capable of generating employment, such as tourism, health care and food processing.

The initiative and related efforts will seek to draw investment by helping countries strengthen governance and improve policies, while developing a pipeline of “investible projects,” De Croo said.

“These are things that are feasible. It’s been proven that you can do it in many places of the world.”

___

Associated Press journalists Haruka Nuga and Tian Macleod Ji contributed to this report.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Women and Children Flee as Grandfather Allegedly Kills Nine in Erie, Pennsylvania

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Women and Children Flee as Grandfather Allegedly Kills Nine in Erie, Pennsylvania

Horrifying footage captured women and children screaming and fleeing a mass shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania, where a grandfather killed nine members of his family before taking his own life.

The video, obtained by Your Erie, shows two women walking toward the scene on Perry Street Friday, apparently unaware of the horror unfolding nearby. A chilling scream is then heard.

“Oh my God,” one person cries out before a series of gunshots rings through the recording.

As frightened screams echo in the background, one woman turns and races back the way she came. The second woman quickly follows.

A person on the opposite side of the street also turns and runs away from the scene.

The recording also captures people shouting for others to “get in the house” before the footage ends.

Six adults, two children and an unborn baby were killed after Matthew Stone Sr., 45, opened fire inside his family’s Erie home and then died by suicide, according to the coroner’s office.

Stone Sr. killed his wife, Michelle Stone, 44; their sons, Jonathan Stone, 19, and Matthew Stone Jr., 21; and his pregnant 24-year-old daughter, Angelina Stone.

Matthew Stone Sr, 45, opened fire on his family's home in Erie before he killed himself, the coroner's office confirmed

Matthew Stone Sr., 45, opened fire on his family’s Erie home before taking his own life, the coroner’s office confirmed

Footage showed two women unknowingly headed towards the massacre on Perry Street on Friday

Footage shows two women unknowingly walking toward the massacre on Perry Street Friday

Angelina’s unborn daughter, Kyrie, was due to be born Wednesday. Her two other young children, five-year-old Isaiah and Amari’anna, who was nearly two, also died in the shooting, according to the family’s GoFundMe.

Amari’anna’s father, Juicesiyah Alexander Ezekiel, who is also known as Julius Windham, told Erie News Now: “I wouldn’t even put this on my worst enemy. It’s sickening.”

Michelle’s sister, Lora Roberts, 37, and family friend Twila Tanner, 51, were also killed while reportedly trying to protect the children, according to their fundraiser pages.

The coroner classified Stone Sr.’s death as a suicide and ruled that the other victims died by homicide.

The Erie Times-News reported that every victim except Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Roberts was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

Erie police officers responded after a ShotSpotter alert reported two gunshots on the street where the deadly attack took place, the department said.

Screams began to ring out before one of the women can be seen sprinting, followed shortly after by the other

Screams erupt before one woman is seen sprinting away, followed moments later by the second

Stone Sr shot and killed his pregnant 24-year-old daughter, Angelina Stone, her unborn child Kyrie, who was due to be born on Wednesday, and her two other young kids, five-year-old Isaiah and Amari'anna, who was one

Stone Sr. killed his pregnant 24-year-old daughter, Angelina Stone, her unborn child Kyrie, who was due Wednesday, and her two other children, five-year-old Isaiah and Amari’anna, who was nearly two

Investigators recovered video and audio evidence containing muffled gunshots from inside the home. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said two “distressed” women arrived shortly afterward and began pounding on the door.

The gunman then came out and shot them as they ran toward him, before returning inside.

Responding officers found the two women dead outside. After deploying a drone and robot, they went inside and found the bodies of the five-year-old boy and one-year-old girl on the first floor; two more women and two young men in a stairwell; and the shooter on the second floor.

Lorah declined to discuss motive but suggested mental health could be a factor. He said investigators would talk to relatives and examine the cellphones of the women who were killed outside the home.

‘They knew something was going on at that house,’ Lorah said. ‘We have to figure out what that is.’

Lorah also noted that Stone Sr does have a history of prior interactions with the police department, although the last interaction is believed to have been in 2022.

Stone Sr shot and killed his son Matthew Stone Jr, 21, (pictured) wife, Michelle Stone, 44, their other son, Jonathan Stone, 19

Stone Sr shot and killed his son Matthew Stone Jr, 21, (pictured) wife, Michelle Stone, 44, their other son, Jonathan Stone, 19

Lora Roberts

Twila Tanner

Michelle’s sister, Lora Roberts (left), 37, and family friend Twila Tanner (right), 51, died in the shooting while trying to protect the children

 At a news conference on Saturday, Erie Mayor Daria Devlin offered support to the victims’ families.

‘I am so deeply sorry,’ Devlin said. ‘What happened to you was horrific, and there is nothing that any of us can say today that will make this any easier.

‘Our entire community is with you. We’re grieving with you. And we are here to support you.’

Dancing With the Stars’ Super Bowl Night Ends With Fan Favorite Out

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Dancing With the Stars’ Super Bowl Night Ends With Fan Favorite Out

LOS ANGELES — “Dancing with the Stars” brought the spectacle of Super Bowl halftime shows to the ballroom in week five, with the remaining couples competing during “Super Bowl Night.”

Eleven teams took the floor, each performing a routine inspired by a song featured in a memorable Super Bowl halftime performance.

Sportscaster Joe Buck joined the judging panel for the high-energy episode, offering his perspective alongside the regular judges.

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Here is how the couples ranked, from the night’s highest score to the lowest:

Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy: Paso Doble to “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
Jenna delivered a commanding performance that earned praise across the panel. Joe Buck admitted he was unfamiliar with the Paso Doble but said he was impressed, while Bruno called the routine incandescent and thrilling from beginning to end. Carrie Ann described it as the first touchdown of the night and said Jenna was “in the zone.” Derek declared it a performance worthy of a Super Bowl champion.
Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9, 36 out of 40

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Inside Shakhtar Donetsk’s Bombed-Out, Abandoned Home Stadium

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Inside Shakhtar Donetsk’s Bombed-Out, Abandoned Home Stadium

Photos obtained by Daily Mail Sport have revealed the stark, deteriorating condition of Shakhtar Donetsk’s home stadium in Ukraine.

Shakhtar moved into the Donbass Arena in 2009, and the stadium later served as one of the main venues for Euro 2012. However, it has not hosted a football match since 2014.

The club initially left the stadium after Russian aggression erupted in the Donbas region in 2014, forcing Shakhtar to stage matches in several cities across Ukraine.

Following the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Shakhtar have also played their European fixtures overseas, with Poland, Germany and Slovenia among the countries to host them.

The club will now use Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge for their Champions League campaign. Ahead of Wednesday’s first ‘home game’ against AEK Athens, new images have provided a grim reminder of the challenges Shakhtar continue to face.

The photographs, taken by Yuriy Butusov and shared on his Telegram channel, show the extent of the Donbass Arena’s decline.

The state of Shakhtar Donetsk's home stadium in Donetsk has been laid bare in new photos

New photographs have exposed the condition of Shakhtar Donetsk’s home stadium in Donetsk

Significant damage to the exterior structure of the Donbass Arena is clear to see

Major damage to the Donbass Arena’s exterior structure is clearly visible

In the surrounding area, grass is overgrown and a sign in Ukrainian reads: 'DO NOT WALK ON THE LAWN! CAUTION! EXPLOSIVE OBJECTS MAY BE PRESENT.'

Grass has overgrown across the surrounding area, where a Ukrainian sign warns: ‘DO NOT WALK ON THE LAWN! CAUTION! EXPLOSIVE OBJECTS MAY BE PRESENT.’

The stadium has suffered severe damage, with numerous panels missing from its outer structure.

The destruction has left parts of the interior exposed, while rust and discolouration have spread across the remaining surfaces.

The ground surrounding the arena has also been reclaimed by nature, with long grass and weeds visible in several areas.

Another section has been sealed off with warning tape beside a sign reading: ‘DO NOT WALK ON THE LAWN! CAUTION! EXPLOSIVE OBJECTS MAY BE PRESENT.’

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The images show no people, reflecting how deserted the area has become amid the continuing war.

Yet despite the immense difficulties facing the club, Shakhtar continue to show remarkable resilience. Managed by former Barcelona star Arda Turan, they won the Ukrainian Premier League last season.

They also advanced to the semi-finals of the Conference League, where they were defeated by Crystal Palace.

Ahead of their Champions League campaign, CEO Sergei Palkin discussed the decision to relocate to England, approximately 2,000km (1,243 miles) from Shakhtar’s current base in Kyiv, which lies 370 miles from Donetsk.

‘We decided: let’s move to England,’ said Palkin, whose team will host AEK Athens, Sporting Lisbon, Fenerbahce and Real Madrid during the competition’s League Phase. ‘There are a lot of Ukrainian refugees and a lot of Ukrainians living here.

‘London is the football capital of the world. It’s the biggest marketplace for players. For our young players to compete at this level in a legendary stadium like Stamford Bridge provides extra motivation and can bring positive results.

‘I first contacted [Chelsea co-owner] Behdad Eghbali and said: “What do you think about this idea – playing Champions League matches in your stadium?”’

‘The reaction was positive. Step by step, it became a reality. Chelsea were very professional.’

The Donbass Arena pictured in 2013 after the state-of-the-art stadium was opened in 2009

The Donbass Arena pictured in 2013 after the state-of-the-art stadium was opened in 2009

Man United were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at the ground during a Champions League group stage clash back in October 2013

Man United were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at the ground during a Champions League group stage clash back in October 2013 

Shakhtar will also wear an ‘Invest in Ukraine’ slogan on their shirts during their Champions League campaign.

Explaining that decision, Palkin added: ‘We are representing our country and want to be visible for Ukraine. We need support from the democratic world.

‘We cannot fight alone. Part of our role when we play in London and other cities in Europe is to send these messages and remind people what’s going on.’

Hurricane Isaias Florida Death Toll Rises to Six After Storm

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Hurricane Isaias Florida Death Toll Rises to Six After Storm

Florida’s death toll from Hurricane Isaias has climbed to six, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced at a news conference Tuesday.

The revised total includes two newly reported deaths: a woman killed when a tree crashed onto her home in Escambia County and a man who died from carbon monoxide poisoning after using a generator improperly.

DeSantis said the latest fatalities occurred “a little bit more post-storm” and were “attenuated from the storm.”

“The way Florida has typically done this is it’s not just if the storm knocks over your house and somebody gets killed, they kind of link anything that is even a fallout of the storm,” DeSantis said.

The governor characterized the four storm-related Florida deaths as involving a “tragic accident” during tree cleanup, a vehicle crash and two fatalities linked to interruptions in medical treatment.

The grim update came as recovery work continued across a concentrated section of northwest Florida, days after the dangerous Category 2 hurricane made landfall near Destin on the Gulf Coast at about 9:30 p.m. ET Friday.

Alabama also reported two storm-related deaths. One person was killed when a tree fell onto a home in Birmingham.

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Authorities had not immediately released details about the second death.

Florida experienced the most severe effects of Isaias’ landfall, as destructive wind gusts of up to 118 mph, heavy rainfall and a powerful storm surge devastated communities along the Panhandle.

DeSantis said power had been restored to roughly 95% of Florida customers who lost service during Hurricane Isaias.

More than 400,000 Florida customers were without electricity at the height of the storm’s landfall on Oct. 9.

As of Wednesday morning, more than 20,000 customers remained without power, mainly in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, according to PowerOutage.com.

In Escambia County, early damage assessments put the cost of repairs, emergency operations and recovery efforts at approximately $64 million.

Florida’s state-led Hurricane Isaias response is moving beyond the immediate emergency phase, with crews focusing on debris removal, damage assessments and distributing assistance throughout the Panhandle.

Pope Leo Diagnosed With Lung Cancer After Surgery to Remove Part of Right Lung, Vatican Says

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Pope Leo Diagnosed With Lung Cancer After Surgery to Remove Part of Right Lung, Vatican Says

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery Tuesday at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome to remove a small nodule from his lung, the Vatican reported.

The 71-year-old pontiff underwent thoracic surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung and doctors confirmed he had lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, according to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office.

A tissue analysis performed during the operation confirmed the diagnosis and matched the results of tests conducted before surgery, according to the Vatican.

The pope was in the operating room for about three hours, while the procedure itself lasted approximately 90 minutes.

Doctors said the lung surgery was successful and proceeded without complications.

Pope Leo at the hospital

Pope Leo XIV is welcomed by Health Director Andrea Cambieri as he arrives at the Gemelli University Hospital for an operation to remove a lump from his lung in Rome on Tuesday. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images)

Leo woke normally after the operation and, following a short period of observation, returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor, according to a statement from Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora.

“Doctors found a small lump in the lung,” Leo said after delivering the Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square on Monday. “It was identified at a very early stage and well situated.”

“The doctors consider it appropriate to intervene and so, following their advice, I decided to have surgery to remove it,” he added. “The surgery is already scheduled for the next few days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and I rely on your prayer.”

The Vatican later confirmed that surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung using a video-assisted surgical technique.

The Pope addressing the crowd.

Pope Leo XIV steps out as the first American pope in history at the Vatican on May 8, 2025. (Vatican Media)

The health announcement came unexpectedly for the American-born pontiff, who had no previously known medical problems and is recognized for leading an active lifestyle.

According to The Associated Press, Leo regularly plays tennis and swims at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.

Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York expressed his support for the pope, saying the Holy Father remains “in our prayers.”

“We thank God that the surgery on Pope Leo was, by all accounts, successful, and that he continues his recovery and recuperation,” Archbishop Hicks said. “I know that I join with people from all corners of this archdiocese, across the country, and around the world in keeping the Holy Father in our prayers.”

The pope is scheduled to make a major international trip from Nov. 6–17, visiting Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. It is not yet known whether the surgery or his recovery will alter those plans.

Pope Leo XIV delivers the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.

Pope Leo XIV delivers the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sunday. (Gregorio Borgia/AP Photo)

Alongside his comments about his health, Leo used his Sunday address to renew his call for peace in war-torn Ukraine, warning that the conflict is causing hardship well beyond the country’s borders.

“The war in the martyred Ukraine continues to create suffering, even beyond its borders, especially in the poorest countries, where many people depend on the exports of cereals and grains,” the pope said.

Bali Fuel Crisis Sparks Travel Chaos for Australians as Authorities Urge Calm

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Bali Fuel Crisis Sparks Travel Chaos for Australians as Authorities Urge Calm

Fuel shortages in Bali have triggered kilometre-long lines outside petrol stations, disrupting everyday business and raising concerns for thousands of Australian travellers holidaying on the Indonesian island.

Drivers say they have been forced to spend hours waiting for fuel, while some service stations report dwindling supplies. Roadside sellers, who commonly supply petrol in bottles, are also struggling to restock.

Bali petrol remains relatively cheap, costing about 90 Australian cents a litre compared with Australia’s average of $2.46. However, limited availability has placed increasing pressure on motorists across the island.

Australian expats Chad and Mia Dickson, who relocated from Townsville to Bali with their four children in 2024, are among those affected by the disruption.

The couple posted footage online showing a seemingly endless line of cars and motorbikes waiting to reach a petrol pump.

“We’ve already been waiting for about 40 minutes now and we are pretty empty,” Ms Dickson said.

One visitor told Seven News that his wife had joined the queue before dawn and waited several hours before she could fill the vehicle.

“This morning, my wife lined up at 4.30am and waited for two-and-a-half hours before finally being able to refuel. It’s crazy,” he said.

Australian expats Chad and Mia Dickson have documented the lengthy queues at petrol stations across Bali

Australian expats Chad and Mia Dickson have shared footage showing the lengthy petrol queues forming across Bali

The shortage has begun to interfere with normal life in several parts of Bali, according to Sydney-based travel and food creator The Travelling Foodie.

“Over the last few days, stations across Denpasar, Badung and other parts of the island have been running low or completely dry, with some queues stretching for ages,” he said.

He said he travelled from Seminyak to Berawa and Canggu without finding a single roadside fuel vendor with petrol available.

While hoping new deliveries would arrive soon, Mr Cua advised tourists and residents to plan ahead and monitor their fuel levels.

“But right now it’s definitely affecting daily life here. If you’re in Bali at the moment, keep an eye on your tank and don’t leave it until empty,” he said.

The Bali Info community page has also cautioned followers about the worsening petrol supply problems.

“Fuel shortages have reportedly hit parts of Bali over the past two days, with long lines of motorbikes seen at petrol stations in Abiansemal, Badung,” the page reported.

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A number of Australian tourists have since used social media to document the queues and describe the impact on their Bali trips.

The Aussie expats offered a glimpse into the disruption facing Australian expats and tourists across Bali

The Australian expats have shown how petrol shortages are affecting tourists and residents throughout Bali

The shortages have affected daily life across the island, according to Sydney-based travel and food content creator The Travelling Foodie.

Sydney-based travel and food creator The Travelling Foodie said the fuel crisis had disrupted daily life in several areas of the island

A Bali community page was among those sharing footage of the lengthy queues and warning of the growing disruption

The Bali Info community page was among those posting images of lengthy queues and warning about the growing disruption

‘Literally leaving Bali right now, in the airport, the lines go for over a kilometre. At all servos,’ one tourist said.

Another added: ‘Just left this morning, this is real, lines of bikes and cars stretching 500m.’

Bali welcomed 1.63million Australian visitors in 2025, accounting for almost one in four international arrivals to the island. 

Indonesia’s state-owned energy company has scheduled fuel tankers to arrive in Bali every other day this week to replenish petrol and diesel supplies.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster urged everyone not to panic-buy fuel, insisting supplies are sufficient despite the lengthy queues.

He blamed the disruption on traffic congestion delaying deliveries and a surge in motorists attempting to fill up at the same time.

Fuel deliveries are expected to arrive in Bali every other day this week in a bid to ease the shortages

Fuel deliveries are expected to arrive in Bali every other day this week in a bid to ease the shortages 

Fuel shortages in Bali have sparked kilometre-long queues at petrol stations

Fuel shortages in Bali have sparked kilometre-long queues at petrol stations

‘For Bali, I can assure you this will not continue. Things should be back to normal within one or two days,’ he told Indonesian news agency ANTARA.

Bali experienced similar fuel supply problems in late August, when motorists were also left waiting in lengthy queues at petrol stations across the island. 

 
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