Meeting with Pope
Canada’s indigenous people are poised to meet with Pope Francis in the Vatican to demand apology for the church’s role in residential schools where indigenous children have been abused. More than 30 indigenous elders and school survivors are meeting the Pope on Monday and Friday. Canadian bishops said they expect the pope to address both the ongoing trauma and legacy of suffering faced by indigenous peoples to this day. Last year, the remains of 215 children were discovered at the former Indian Residential School in the Western Canadian province of British Columbia. Hundreds more unmarked burial sites have been found since. The harrowing discovery brought new demands for accountability. The schools, run mostly by the Catholic Church, aimed to assimilate indigenous children between 1831 and 1996.
Russian oil ‘needed’
The United Arab Emirates has poured more cold water on Western efforts to replace Russian energy. It says energy markets need Russian oil and no producer can substitute its production. The UAE energy minister said OPEC-plus needed to stay together, stay focused and not allow politics to distract the group. OPEC-plus consists of 23 countries, including Russia. Western nations, including the United States, have been trying to end or minimize Europe’s reliance on Russian energy resources in response to Moscow’s military offensive against Ukraine. Russia is Europe’s top oil and gas supplier. Just days ago, the Qatari energy minister said his country is currently unable to help Europe with gas deliveries, as there is no immediate alternative to Russia.
North Korea's missile power
The North Korean leader said his country will continue to reinforce its defense capabilities, vowing to build up formidable striking capabilities and overwhelming military force. Kim Jong Un noted that only unstoppable military power can prevent a war, ensure the security of his country and deter threats and blackmail by imperialists. He made the remarks during a meeting with North Korean scientists and technocrats involved in Thursday’s launch of the country’s largest inter-continental ballistic missile. In response, the US imposed fresh sanctions on Pyongyang. Washington also imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, accusing them of providing sensitive materials for North Korea's missile program. North Korea has tested nearly a dozen weapons this year.