WORLD NEWS FLASH
VATICAN
In something of a somber irony, the end of Easter 2025 also saw the end of the 266th Pope.
On April 21st, the man born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, passed away at the age of 88. Upon his holy promotion to pontiff on March 13, 2013, he became known as Pope Francis, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. He replaced Pope Benedict XVI, after that pontiff became the first to resign without death or being forced out since Pope Celestine V in 1294.
Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced with sorrow the death of Pope Francis, with these words:
“Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must proclaim the death of our Holy Father Francis.
“At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s house. His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.
“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we recommend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of God One and Triune.”
Tributes from around the world poured in, including from the “Local Talk” coverage area and beyond.
“With profound sorrow and heartfelt gratitude, I join the Church in mourning the death of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, a shepherd who walked closely with God’s people and never tired of reminding us of God’s mercy. He was a man of deep faith, profound humility, and unshakable hope – a servant whose tireless call to care for the poor and the marginalized will continue to inspire the Church for generations to come,” Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin said in a statement.
“In this Easter season, as we proclaim that Christ is risen and death is not the end, we entrust Pope Francis to the risen Lord whom he followed so faithfully. May Christ, our hope and resurrection, welcome him into the fullness of joy and peace.
“Let us give thanks for his life, his witness, and his love for the People of God. And may we honor his memory by building a Church that reflects the face of Jesus – merciful, welcoming, and always near to those on the margins.”
“In the shadow of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, all of Newark mourns Pope Francis as a champion of the poor, marginalized, and disenfranchised. To his last days, he advocated for immigrants and rebuked the Trump Administration for the kind of ICE raids conducted in Newark, and its mass deportation of migrants,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement.
“On behalf of the people of the City of Newark, I offer my gratitude to this gentle pontiff who chose the name of St. Francis of Assisi. Like his namesake, he encouraged us to be channels of peace. In his memory, may we continue to ‘sow love where there is hatred, hope where there is despair, and light where there is darkness.’”
In the wake of Pope Francis’ passing, President Trump ordered that flags be lowered in honor of the pontiff until sunset on the day of internment.
Cardinal Tobin will celebrate a Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey. The faithful are invited to attend.
The Mass will be livestreamed on the YouTube channels of the Cathedral Basilica and Archdiocese.
As for the next Pope, a conclave will be convene in quick order. According to Sportsbook Review, the betting odds for the next pontiff are…
- Luis Antonio Tagle (+100)
- Pietro Parolin (+150)
- Matteo Zuppi (+600)
- Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (+600)
- Peter Erdo (+900)
- Mark Ouellet (+1000)
- Peter Turson +(1000)
- Raymond Leo Burke (+1000)
- Robert Sarah (+1000)
- Wim Eijk (+10000)
UNITED STATES
WALGREENS FORCED TO PAY UP
The Justice Department, together with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), announced on April 21 a $300 million settlement with Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreen Co., and various subsidiaries (collectively, Walgreens) to resolve allegations that the national chain pharmacy illegally filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and then sought payment for many of those invalid prescriptions by Medicare and other federal health care programs in violation of the False Claims Act (FCA).
This settlement amount is based on Walgreens’s ability to pay. Walgreens will owe the United States an additional $50 million if the company is sold, merged, or transferred prior to fiscal year 2032.
The government’s complaint, filed on Jan. 16 and amended April 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that from approximately August 2012 through March 1, 2023, Walgreens, one of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, knowingly filled millions of unlawful controlled substance prescriptions.
These unlawful prescriptions included prescriptions for excessive quantities of opioids, opioid prescriptions filled significantly early, and prescriptions for the especially dangerous and abused combination of three drugs known as a “trinity.” Walgreens pharmacists allegedly filled these prescriptions despite clear red flags indicating a high likelihood that the prescriptions were invalid because they lacked a legitimate medical purpose or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice.
The complaint further alleges that Walgreens pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly and without taking the time needed to confirm that each prescription was lawful. Walgreens’s compliance officials also allegedly ignored substantial evidence that its stores were dispensing unlawful prescriptions and even intentionally deprived its own pharmacists of crucial information, including by refusing to share internal data regarding prescribers with pharmacists and preventing pharmacists from warning one another about certain problematic prescribers.
In light of Friday’s settlement, the United States has moved to dismiss its complaint. Walgreens will also move to dismiss a related declaratory judgment action filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
“Pharmacies have a legal responsibility to prescribe controlled substances in a safe and professional manner, not dispense dangerous drugs just for profit,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice is committed to ending the opioid crisis and holding bad actors accountable for their failure to protect patients from addiction.”
In addition to the monetary payments announced, Walgreens has entered into agreements with DEA and HHS-OIG to address its future obligations in dispensing controlled substances. Walgreens and DEA entered into a memorandum of agreement that requires the company to implement and maintain certain compliance measures for the next seven years.
Walgreens must maintain policies and procedures requiring pharmacists to confirm the validity of controlled substance prescriptions prior to dispensing controlled substances, provide annual training to pharmacy employees regarding their legal obligations relating to controlled substances, verify that pharmacy staffing is sufficient to enable pharmacy employees to comply with those legal obligations, and maintain a system for blocking prescriptions from prescribers whom Walgreens becomes aware are writing illegitimate controlled substance prescriptions.
Walgreens has also entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG, which further requires Walgreens to establish and maintain a compliance program that includes written policies and procedures, training, board oversight, and periodic reporting to HHS-OIG related to Walgreens’s dispensing of controlled substances.
The civil settlement resolves four cases brought under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the FCA by former Walgreens employees. The FCA authorizes whistleblowers to sue on behalf of the United States and receive a share of any recovery. It also permits the United States to intervene and take over such lawsuits, as it did here. The relators will receive a 17.25% share of the government’s FCA recovery in this matter.
The United States’ pursuit of this matter underscores the government’s commitment to combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to HHS-OIG, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The DEA, HHS-OIG, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Defense Health Agency (DHA), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Inspector General, FBI Chicago Field Office, and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Colorado, Southern District of California, Eastern District of California, Northern District of California, Eastern District of Washington, Southern District of Alabama, Southern District of Illinois, Central District of Illinois, District of Arizona, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, District of Puerto Rico, and Eastern District of Louisiana provided substantial assistance in the investigation.
The claims asserted against defendants are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
NADINE MENENDEZ FOUND GUILTY
Months after a former Senator was sentenced to 11 years behind bars, his wife learned her fate.
On April 21, Nadine Menendez was found guilty in a New York courtroom.
Acting United States Attorney Matthew Podolsky made this statement regarding the conviction of Nadine Menendez:
“Moments ago, a unanimous jury convicted Nadine Menendez for her critical role in a corruption and foreign influence scheme involving her husband, convicted former Senator Robert Menendez.
“Nadine Menendez and Senator Menendez were partners in crime. Over the span of five years, Nadine Menendez agreed to accept and accepted all sorts of bribes – including gold bars, cash, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and a no-show job – all in exchange for the Senator’s corrupt official acts.
“Together, Nadine Menendez and the Senator placed their own interests and greed ahead of the interests of the citizens the Senator was elected to serve. Today’s verdict sends the clear message that the power of government officials may not be put up for sale, and that all those who facilitate corruption will be held accountable for their actions.
“I thank the career prosecutors of this Office and the special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation for their unwavering commitment to this case, and for their extraordinary efforts in ensuring that justice was done.”
MASS SHOOTING UPDATE
Information from 4-22-2025
2025 Mass Shooting Stats: (Source: Mass Shooting Tracker, https://www.massshootingtracker.site/data/?year=2025)
- Total Mass Shootings: 101
- Total Dead: 132
- Total Wounded: 398
- Shootings Per Day: 0.90
- Days Reached in Year 2025 as of April 22: 112
HAITI
“TOTAL CHAOS”
Haiti is on the verge of “total chaos” as coordinated gang violence continues to escalate, threatening the State’s ability to maintain public order, the UN’s top envoy for the country warned on April 21.
Special Representative María Isabel Salvador told ambassadors in the Security Council that a “deliberate and coordinated” campaign is being waged by organized crime groups to expand territorial control and paralyze the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Recent gang attacks have targeted previously unaffected areas such as Delmas and Pétion-Ville, while the storming of the town of Mirebalais marked the fifth prison break in less than a year.
“The magnitude of the violence has sown panic among the population,” Ms. Salvador said.
In February and March, more than 1,000 people were killed and nearly 400 injured, according to UN figures. A further 60,000 have been newly displaced, adding to the one million Haitians already forced from their homes as of late 2024.
In the face of rampant violence, many Haitians have formed protection groups to safeguard property, families and communities. Public frustration has also prompted thousands of citizens to take to the streets, demanding more security.
While authorities have taken steps – within their limited means – to reinforce security operations and policing, these efforts alone are insufficient.
Ms. Salvador stressed the urgent need for the international community to step up support.
“At this critical juncture, all Member States must increase support to Haiti’s security forces, particularly the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission – not as a matter of choice but of necessity,” she said.
“The country needs us more than ever,” she added.
Authorized by the Security Council in October 2023, the MSS Mission is an international security initiative to assist the Haitian National Police in combating gang violence and restoring public order.
Led by Kenya, the mission provides operational support, capacity-building, and coordinates with police and the armed forces. However, it continues to face severe challenges, including lack of resources and personnel.
The crisis is affecting all aspects of life in Haiti. Commercial flights into Port-au-Prince remain suspended and key roads are blocked, straining UN operations and forcing agencies to reduce their footprint and provide lifesaving support remotely.
However, even minimal operations are becoming unsustainable due to funding shortfalls.
“The UN’s ability to stay operational hinges on continued access, predictable funding and support to logistical lifelines like the World Food Program (WFP) and the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS),” Ms. Salvador said, warning that any further reduction in aid capacity could have dire consequences.
The worsening situation has also crippled health and education services.
At least 39 health facilities and over 900 schools have shut down due to insecurity. Cholera outbreaks are spreading, and sexual and gender-based violence is on the rise – especially in displacement sites where shelter, sanitation and protection are severely lacking.
Ms. Salvador emphasized that while national authorities are doing what they can to coordinate security efforts, they lack the resources and capacity to counter well-armed and coordinated gangs without external assistance.
“We are approaching a point of no return,” she said.
“Without timely and decisive international support, the violence will continue to escalate, and Haiti could face total collapse.”
