News Trending

Pope Francis delivered a Vatican address addressing sexual pleasure as a “gift from God” that requires discipline and patience. He cautioned against the dangers of pornography, describing it as providing satisfaction without genuine relationships and posing the risk of addiction. The sermon was part of a series on vices and virtues, particularly focusing on what the Pope referred to as “the demon of lust.”

The Pope’s remarks followed criticism by conservative Catholics regarding Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, the newly appointed head of doctrine. Cardinal Fernández had faced backlash for a book he wrote in the late 1990s, titled Mystical Passion: Spirituality and Sensuality, which explored human sexuality and contained explicit descriptions of orgasm experiences. He defended the book, stating he wouldn’t write it now and explaining that it was written when he was younger.

Conservative commentators deemed the book “perverse,” with some questioning Cardinal Fernández’s suitability for his role. Pope Francis, in a separate instance, had addressed the vice of gluttony in the previous week, but there was no indication that his sermon on lust was connected to the criticism of Cardinal Fernández.

During the sermon, Pope Francis emphasized that lust can devastate relationships and pointed to real-life examples of toxic relationships. This incident was not the first time both Pope Francis and Cardinal Fernández faced opposition from conservative members of the Catholic community. In December, Cardinal Fernández introduced guidelines, approved by the Pope, allowing priests to bless same-sex relationships, leading to strong criticism from conservative figures within the Church, including Cardinal Gerhard Müller.

Cardinal Müller denounced the Vatican’s decision, stating that blessing a homosexual union would be a “sacrilegious and blasphemous act.” The tensions escalated, culminating in Pope Francis evicting outspoken critic US Cardinal Raymond Burke from his Vatican apartment and revoking his salary.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Members of Parliament in Poland have voted to remove the parliamentary immunity of far-right politician Grzegorz Braun after he extinguished candles lit for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah in a highly controversial act. The global condemnation of Braun’s actions resulted in a fine in December, but the recent decision to revoke his parliamentary immunity now exposes him to potential criminal charges. Braun, affiliated with the ultra-nationalist Confederation party, used a fire extinguisher to put out the Hanukkah candles and referred to the celebration as “satanic.”

Prosecutors are planning to bring several charges against Braun, including destruction of property, insulting an object of religious worship, and violation of bodily integrity. The unanimous support for revoking his immunity came from all political parties, except the Confederation party, highlighting the widespread agreement that Braun’s behavior was unacceptable. Lawmakers emphasized the need to hold him accountable for his actions.

Grzegorz Braun has a history of provocative stunts, further contributing to his controversial reputation. In addition to the Hanukkah incident, he gained notoriety for dumping a Christmas tree decorated in the colors of the EU and Ukraine into a bin and damaging a microphone during a talk by a Holocaust historian. Prosecutors also intend to charge him for separate incidents that occurred in 2022 and 2023.

The removal of Braun’s parliamentary immunity signifies a significant step in potential legal consequences for his actions, with prosecutors aiming to address various charges related to his behavior. The broader context of his controversial actions and statements adds to the ongoing debate about the boundaries of free speech and the consequences for those who engage in offensive or harmful behavior.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

In the recent past, a Portuguese dog named Bobi gained worldwide attention for being declared the oldest dog ever by Guinness World Records (GWR), surpassing a century-old record. However, doubts regarding the accuracy of Bobi’s age have emerged, leading GWR to suspend the title and initiate an investigation.

Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, with an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, was officially recorded as living to 31 years and 165 days based on Portugal’s pet database managed by the National Union of Veterinarians. Skepticism arose as some experts questioned the evidence, including discrepancies in old photos and the absence of definitive registration confirming Bobi’s birth in 1992.

Wired magazine’s investigation revealed uncertainties about the accuracy of Bobi’s age claim, leading to growing skepticism among veterinarians. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons member, Danny Chambers, expressed doubt, stating that none of his veterinary colleagues believed Bobi was genuinely 31 years old.

In response, Guinness World Records has launched a formal investigation, temporarily halting applications for both the titles of the oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever until conclusive findings are communicated. Bobi, who lived with the Costa family in Portugal, reportedly faced backlash from some in the veterinary community, with owner Leonel Costa attributing the skepticism to Bobi’s unconventional diet, similar to that of humans, rather than traditional pet food.

Leonel Costa emphasized that all requirements set by GWR to validate Bobi’s age were met, defending Bobi’s unique diet choice against the recommendations of many veterinarians. The controversy arises after Bobi’s death, challenging the record previously held by Australia’s Bluey, who lived to the age of 29 and died in 1939.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

French footballer Karim Benzema has taken legal action against France’s interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, by filing a defamation lawsuit. The minister had accused Benzema of having links with the Muslim Brotherhood in October, claiming that he had a “notorious link” with the Sunni Muslim Islamist group. Benzema, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia and is a practicing Muslim, refutes any association with the organization and argues that Darmanin’s comments have damaged his honor and reputation.

In response to the minister’s accusations, Benzema issued a strong denial and promptly threatened legal action for slander. His lawyer, Hugues Vigier, emphasized that the footballer has “never had the slightest link with the Muslim Brotherhood organization” and accused Darmanin of engaging in “political exploitation.” Benzema contends that, due to his high profile, he is being used in political games, particularly in light of significant events, and insists that such statements are inappropriate.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded about 80 years ago in Egypt, is banned in several countries, including Egypt, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. However, it is not restricted in most of the European Union. Benzema’s legal complaint highlights the broader issue of political exploitation and the potential consequences of associating individuals with controversial groups based on their personal beliefs.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Italian Junior Culture Minister Vittorio Sgarbi is facing accusations of possessing and displaying a stolen 17th-century painting, “The Capture of Saint Peter,” which was reported stolen in 2013. Sgarbi, a well-known art critic and TV personality, is under investigation for laundering stolen goods as he included the painting in a 2021 exhibition. The artwork, by Rutilio Manetti, a follower of Caravaggio, used to be in a castle in Piedmont. Sgarbi is also accused of altering the painting by adding a candle to conceal its origin. He claims to have found the original while restoring a villa owned by his mother over 20 years ago, asserting that the stolen painting was a copy.

The allegations emerged in an investigation by Italian TV broadcaster Rai’s program ‘Report.’ The owner of the castle reported the theft, stating that the canvas was cut from the frame in 2013. It was revealed that a friend of Sgarbi had shown interest in buying the work before the theft. Another friend allegedly sent a damaged painting of “The Capture of Saint Peter” to a restorer, matching the cut piece from the stolen canvas. When displayed by Sgarbi in 2021, the painting had the added candle.

Sgarbi is also facing accusations related to another seized painting attributed to Valentin de Boulogne, valued at €5m (£4.3m), with investigations for illegal export. Sgarbi claims it’s a copy and not his property. Opposition parties are calling for his dismissal, and the Five Star Movement plans to present a motion in parliament. This comes as the second embarrassment for the Italian government this year, following an MP being investigated for taking a handgun to a New Year’s Eve party. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suspended the MP. As the European elections approach, political tensions may rise, and scandals could impact Italian politics.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Austrian sex offender Josef Fritzl, notorious for imprisoning his daughter for 24 years and fathering seven children with her, may be relocated from a high-security prison, as reported by local media. Now 88 and diagnosed with dementia, a recent psychiatric evaluation suggests that he no longer poses a threat to the public. This development opens the possibility for a court to decide whether he should be moved to a standard prison.

Fritzl is currently held in a high-security institution for mentally disturbed offenders, situated in Stein Prison in the town of Krems an der Donau. Having been sentenced to life in 2009, he becomes eligible for parole this year under Austrian law, which allows those with life sentences to apply for conditional release after serving 15 years. Legal experts speculate that conditional release or placement in a care home are potential outcomes for Fritzl, who has also changed his name.

Despite a regional court’s 2022 ruling that Fritzl was “no longer a danger” and could be transferred to a regular jail, the Higher Regional Court in Vienna had previously blocked a similar decision. The Fritzl case, which came to light in 2008 in Amstetten, is considered one of Austria’s most heinous criminal incidents. Fritzl was convicted of charges including murder, rape, incest, and enslavement of his daughter. In response to the traumatic events, Fritzl’s daughter and her children have assumed new identities for their protection.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Russian poet Lev Rubinstein, a prominent figure in the Soviet underground literary movement and a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, has passed away six days after being struck by a car in Moscow, as confirmed by his daughter. The 76-year-old poet, known for co-founding the conceptualist movement in the 1970s and 1980s, utilized various forms of art to challenge traditional Soviet norms and critique socialist realism—the official artistic doctrine during the Soviet era.

Lev Rubinstein’s death elicited reactions from various quarters. The Memorial human rights organization, one of Russia’s oldest civil rights groups (closed in December 2021 due to Moscow’s crackdown on opposition to the Ukraine war), described him as “shakily poetic, astute, and ironic.”

Rubinstein, a close friend of Memorial, had been a staunch critic of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and the government’s stance on LGBT rights. Despite the challenging circumstances, he chose to remain in Moscow for the past two years, not only for himself but also to provide support for others trying to express themselves and possibly resist through their words.

Picture Courtesy: google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

In a historic moment for Denmark, King Frederik X succeeded his mother as the nation’s monarch, drawing tens of thousands of people to Christiansborg Castle. Overwhelmed with emotion, King Frederik expressed his aspiration to be a unifying king for the future and praised his mother, who had voluntarily abdicated after an impressive 52-year reign, marking the first Danish monarch to do so in over 800 years. Despite the event being initially planned as low-key, the crowd celebrated as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen officially proclaimed King Frederik on the balcony of the palace.

In his inaugural speech, King Frederik, now at the helm of Europe’s oldest monarchy at the age of 55, spoke of his lifelong commitment to becoming a unifying leader with pride and joy. The ceremony included a heartfelt moment as the new king wiped away tears, joined by his four children, including 18-year-old Crown Prince Christian, the newly designated heir. A kiss shared between King Frederik and his Australian-born Queen Consort Mary elicited cheers and whoops from the enthusiastic crowd.

As Queen Margarethe formally bid farewell to the throne after her unprecedented 52-year reign, thousands of people lined the streets to express their gratitude. The 83-year-old monarch had announced her decision to step down during a New Year’s Eve broadcast, citing reflection following back surgery in 2023. She will retain her title as Queen, while the King’s wife, Queen Consort Mary, maintains her own title. The British monarchs, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla, sent their best wishes, acknowledging Queen Margarethe’s many years of dedicated service to Denmark.

Celebrations extended beyond Denmark, reaching Australia where King Frederik and Queen Consort Mary first met, with events in Sydney’s Slip Inn pub and across Queen Consort Mary’s home state of Tasmania. The global recognition reflected the significance of King Frederik’s ascension to the throne.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Citigroup plans to cut approximately 20,000 jobs, equivalent to about 10% of its global workforce, within the next two years as part of a broader restructuring initiative led by CEO Jane Fraser. This move is aimed at streamlining operations and reducing layers of bureaucracy within the bank. Fraser, who assumed leadership in 2021, envisions 2024 as a pivotal year for the company.

Citi has already divested some of its overseas operations and initiated the listing of its Mexican unit as a standalone entity. Despite reporting a $1.8 billion loss in the last quarter of 2023, attributed to specific factors such as the devaluation of the Argentine peso and a government fee imposed on US banks, Fraser emphasized the progress made in implementing the bank’s strategic plan.

The restructuring is expected to cost around $1 billion in the current year, in addition to the $800 million incurred in the recent quarter. However, the bank anticipates saving $2.5 billion over the medium term. While specific details about job cuts in the UK and affected units were not disclosed, Citi’s workforce is projected to decrease from about 240,000 at the beginning of 2023 to approximately 180,000 by 2025 or 2026.

Citi, one of the largest banks in the US, has faced investor pressure to improve its performance, with profits trailing behind its peers. The recent quarterly loss was influenced by unique circumstances, and for the full year, revenue increased by 4% to $78.5 billion, while profits declined by 38% to $9.2 billion. In comparison, competitors like Wells Fargo and JP Morgan reported revenue growth of 11% and 23%, respectively, with corresponding profit increases. Following the announcement, Citi’s shares experienced a 1.4% decline.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright