South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was received by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Saturday, a diplomatic engagement emphasizing cultural exchange and mutual understanding that stood in stark contrast to a brewing political storm following the United States' announcement it would boycott the G20.

Città del Vaticano

Pope Leo XIV received South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Vatican in a meeting aimed at fostering mutual understanding and cultural exchange. The engagement included a private discussion, an exchange of gifts, and a photo session at the Apostolic Palace.

The visit occurred shortly after the United States announced a boycott of the G20 summit hosted by South Africa, citing concerns over the treatment of white farmers. President Ramaphosa has denied these allegations, stating that white South Africans generally maintain a higher standard of living than black citizens, decades after apartheid.

Pope Leo XIV hosts South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at Vatican

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Pope Leo XIV welcomed South African President Siri Ramaphosa to the Vatican on Saturday. The meeting, described by the South African government as an effort to foster mutual understanding and cultural exchange, featured a private chat and an exchange of gifts and the customary photo session. The warm reception at the Apostolic Palace stands in stark contrast to the diplomatic chill from the United States. The visit occurred just one day after President Donald Trump announced a full U.S. boycott to this year's G20 summit, which South Africa is hosting. Trump cited the country's treatment of white farmers as the reason claiming they faced persecution and violence. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was scheduled to attend in Trump's place, will also no longer be going. The South African government has repeatedly denied these allegations. President Ramaphosa has stated he told Trump directly that the claims are in his words completely false, noting that white South Africans generally enjoy a much higher standard of living than black citizens decades after apartheid.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration could temporarily withhold SNAP benefits after a previous judge ordered the White House to provide full federal food benefits to states by Friday.

Washington

Latest Supreme Court ruling adds to shutdown confusion

Satellite imagery is showing details of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan amid the country's ongoing civil war. People in al-Fashir were shot in the streets, targeted in drone strikes, crushed by trucks and abducted, witnesses have said after the RSF, violently seized the Sudanese city.

Al Fashir

Satellite imagery shows horrors in Sudan

At least 14 people were killed in the UPS cargo plane crash near the Louisville International Airport on Tuesday, officials said. UPS and FedEx announced they were grounding their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes "out of an abundance of caution."

Louisville

At least 14 people killed in UPS plane crash, officials say

A deadly typhoon has hit Vietnam after wreaking havoc in the Philippines, where more than a hundred are dead and the number is expected to climb.

Hanoi

Typhoon Kalmaegi pounds Vietnam, death toll rising

In the U.S., more than 1,000 flights were cancelled and thousands more delayed as the Federal Aviation Administration struggles with the impacts of the 37-day government shutdown that left air traffic controllers without pay.

Los Angeles International Airport

Flight cancellations expanding fast due to U.S government shutdown

Ukraine says Russian drone and missile attacks have killed at least three people and damaged energy facilities in three regions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has admitted his forces are facing a “difficult situation” holding back Russian troops in the strategic city of Pokrovsk.

Pokrovsk

Ukraine Invasion

Deaths, injuries after Russia hits residential and energy sites in Ukraine

Colombia is once again at the centre of the global drug debate. Under President Gustavo Petro, the government has vowed to move away from decades of U.S-backed eradication efforts. But as coca cultivation expands to record levels, Washington’s pressure is mounting.

Bogotá

Tensions growing between U.S and Colombia

Hamas says it's retrieved the remains of an Israeli soldier from a tunnel near Rafah. It's believed to be the body of officer Hadar Goldin. He's one of the five remaining captives meant to be returned to Israel, under the terms of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Hamas locates body of deceased Israeli soldier

The United States will officially boycott the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, escalating a diplomatic dispute by reiterating his controversial claims about the treatment of white farmers in the country and calling the choice of host "a complete disgrace".

Cape Town

U.S. to boycott G20 summit in South Africa over abuse claims

A tornado accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain struck the southern Brazilian state of Parana, killing at least six people, the state government said on Saturday.

Guarapuava

Six killed after tornado lashes Brazil, hundreds injured

The Hungarian leader said he has managed to convince US President Donald Trump to grant his country a full exemption from sanctions for the purchase of Russian energy, after detailing to him the dire consequences it would have on the Hungarian people.

Trump to grant Hungary exemption from sanctions on Russian energy

World leaders are gathering at the heart of the Amazon for global climate summit COP30 in Belem, Brazil, with Earth set to surpass 1.5 C of warming in the next decade, a climate change skeptic in the White House and worry that global co-operation to fight climate change is collapsing.

Belém

World leaders gather in Brazil for COP30 climate summit

Tesla shareholders approved a historic pay package worth one trillion dollars to the company's CEO, Elon Musk. At the company's annual meeting they paved the way for Musk to become the world's first trillionaire.

San Francisco

Tesla approves $1 trillion pay deal for CEO Elon Musk

The White House meeting came after Trump managed to at least temporarily ease tensions between the U.S. and China over the export of rare earth metals, a major source of contention in their trade talks.

Trump hails Central Asian leaders to forge critical mineral ties

Sudan's army rebuffed a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and said it will rally public support to fight rebels who've captured much of the western half of the country.

Johannesburg

Sudan army rebuffs U.S. ceasefire proposal, prepares to fight on

The U.S. Senate narrowly voted 51-49 to block a resolution that sought to prevent President Donald Trump from launching strikes on Venezuela without congressional approval. The measure, led by Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, and Rand Paul, followed reports that U.S. forces have carried out at least 16 strikes on boats off Venezuela since September, killing more than 65 people.

Washington County

U.S. war on drugs: Senate republicans block move to stop boat attacks

In a video letter to her constituents, California Democrat Nancy Pelosi ended months of speculation about her political future, announcing she would not seek reelection to Congress. Elected in 1987, Pelosi would become the most powerful women in politics as the first female House speaker.

Nancy Pelosi announces retirement after historic career in Congress

Israel’s military says it has begun conducting “a wave of strikes” targeting Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon.

Tyre

Israel launched ‘wave of strikes’ in southern Lebanon despite truce

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to submit proposals to potentially resume testing nuclear weapons. This comes after President Trump directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing "on an equal basis" with other countries.

Moscow

Putin orders proposals for resuming nuclear weapons testing

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments challenging President Trump's authority to impose sweeping tariffs on foreign countries, with justices expressing skepticism about whether such actions fall within presidential powers or infringe on congressional authority over taxation.

Global Tariffs

Supreme Court justices appear skeptical of Trump's tariffs policies

The US government shutdown is now in its 36th day—a record-breaking length. While both political parties blame each other, the result is being felt by the public. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are going without pay, and government programs like food benefits have been slashed.

Republicans and Democrats trade blame as shutdown drags on

At least 90 people in the central Philippines have died in floods and heavy rains caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi. 75 others are missing. Tens of thousands have been evacuated after rains flooded homes and streets, swept away vehicles and left people trapped on their roofs.

Manila

Dozens killed as Typhoon Kalmaegi hits central Philippines

President Trump hosted a breakfast for Republican senators at the White House on Wednesday morning, where he urged them to end the filibuster as the government shutdown hits a historical milestone.

Trump doubles down on Republicans as government shutdown makes history

At least nine people were killed, officials say, after a UPS cargo plane crashed near the airport in Louisville, Kentucky. Video shows the jet's left wing on fire as it tries to take off before quickly losing altitude and exploding.

Video shows moment UPS plane crashes in Kentucky, killing nine

People around the world are reacting to Zohran Mamdani's win in the New York City mayoral race against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio spoke to Mamdani's mentor in his native Uganda about the election results.

New York

World reacts to Zohran Mamdani's win in NYC mayoral race

Typhoon Kalmaegi left a trail of destruction in the central Philippines, as the powerful storm unleashed heavy rains and floods across Visayas islands region. It's now headed towards the South China Sea and Vietnam where preparations are underway ahead of its expected landfall.

Visayas

Deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi lashes Philippines, heads towards Vietnam

A centuries-old legislative practice in the U.S Senate is being blamed as the latest roadblock in resolving the federal government shutdown. That shutdown is now in its 35th day—equaling the longest in the country's history.

Filibuster blamed for deepening U.S government shutdown

Injuries have been reported after a UPS plane crashed near the Louisville International Airport on Tuesday, officials said.

Breakdown