VATICAN CITY, April 6: The world’s two smallest countries have both lost their heads of state in the past four days and the smallest, the Vatican, sent condolences on Wednesday to the second-smallest, Monaco. The Vatican sent condolences through Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the college of cardinals, to Monaco, whose Prince Rainier died on Wednesday.

“In the name of the college of cardinals, I send my deepest condolences to Your Royal Highness, the royal family, the government and the people of Monaco,” Cardinal Ratzinger wrote to Rainier’s son Prince Albert.

The Vatican’s area is 0.44 square kms while Monaco’s is 1.97 square kms. —Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...