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Spanish Church sexual abuse affected 200,000 children, commission finds

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According to a recent report by Spain’s ombudsman, more than 200,000 children have reportedly suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy in Spain. The ombudsman, Angel Gabilondo, expressed deep concern over the “devastating impact” this has had on the victims. He criticized the Church for its silence and attempts to conceal or deny the abuse, emphasizing that this silence has facilitated such atrocities.

The comprehensive 700-page report, commissioned by Spain’s Congress last year, was based on a survey of 800,000 members of the public. The findings indicated that approximately 0.6% of the adult population, roughly 39 million people, reported experiencing sexual abuse as children by clergy members. When allegations of abuse by lay individuals in Church-run institutions were included, this percentage rose to 1.13%, accounting for over 400,000 people.

Mr. Gabilondo urged caution in interpreting these numbers and highlighted the emotional toll detailed in the statements of more than 487 abuse survivors. The report called for urgent action to address the suffering that has long been concealed by a pervasive culture of silence.

In response to these findings, the ombudsman proposed the establishment of a state-funded compensation program for victims of abuse. The investigation was initiated following an earlier inquiry by the El Pais newspaper in 2018, which had already cataloged over 1,000 alleged cases of abuse. Although the Church partially cooperated with the commission, Mr. Gabilondo noted their lack of active engagement and the resistance of certain bishops in collaborating with the inquiry.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hailed the report as a “milestone” in the nation’s democracy, stressing that it has brought to light a reality that had long been known but not openly discussed.

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Hermoso Expresses Concern Over Image After World Cup Kiss by Rubiales in Spain

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Spanish World Cup-winning footballer Jenni Hermoso has disclosed that the former chief of Spain’s football federation, Luis Rubiales, kissed her on the lips without her consent following Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory in Sydney, Australia. In her statement to prosecutors, Hermoso expressed feeling disrespected by Rubiales’ actions and stated that her image had been tarnished by the Spanish Football Federation. Rubiales, who denied any wrongdoing, eventually resigned from his position amid the controversy.

An investigating judge is now assessing whether the allegations should proceed to trial, and the scope of the inquiry has expanded to include other officials in the Spanish football federation. Hermoso’s statement also highlighted the pressure she faced and her reluctance to steal the limelight during the initial incident. This revelation has brought renewed attention to the issue of consent and boundaries in the sporting world.

Furthermore, Hermoso recounted her experience of the pressure she faced after the incident, including being asked to sign a press statement indicating that the kiss was mutual. She felt coerced by football federation officials to comply with their narrative. Despite discussing the incident with her teammates, she found it challenging to address the situation without overshadowing the team’s victory celebrations.

The former team coach, Jorge Vilda, has also appeared before a judge, who is investigating whether he was part of an attempt to pressure Hermoso into stating that the kiss was consensual. Vilda denied trying to coerce Hermoso and claimed he did not witness the kiss as he was at the back of the group receiving their winners’ medals. However, he acknowledged speaking with her brother during their flight back to Madrid when he realized Hermoso was unhappy.

The pressure from federation figures continued even after the team returned to Spain, with additional officials attempting to use Hermoso’s family and a friend to communicate with her. The RFEF’s marketing director, Rubén Rivera, has also appeared before the judge and denied trying to persuade Hermoso or her brother to absolve Luis Rubiales from any blame. These revelations highlight the complexities of power dynamics and consent within the realm of professional sports.

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Venice tourist bus plunges from bridge, killing 21

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A tragic incident occurred near Venice as an electric bus, carrying 39 people, crashed off a flyover, resulting in the death of at least 21 individuals, including several children. The bus broke through a barrier and plunged nearly 15 meters (50 feet) near railway tracks in Mestre, connected to Venice by a bridge. The casualties included five Ukrainians, one German, and the Italian driver.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro described the scene as a “huge tragedy” and “apocalyptic.” CCTV footage showed the bus passing another vehicle before toppling off the road. Three children, including a baby, were among the fatalities, and the toll may rise, according to Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. Fifteen people were injured, some seriously, including Ukrainians, Austrians, Spaniards, and other foreign tourists.

The bus, an electric vehicle, was rented to transport tourists from Venice to a campsite in the Marghera district. The cause of the accident remains unclear, with investigators examining security camera footage. The experienced 40-year-old driver may have become ill, leading to the tragic crash. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

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French Journalist Detained for Exposing Classified Information

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A French journalist, Ariane Lavrilleux, was held overnight and subjected to police questioning in connection with a 2021 investigative report that alleged French intelligence involvement in Egyptian operations resulting in civilian casualties. The incident unfolded when police conducted a search of Lavrilleux’s residence on September 19 and subsequently took her into custody. Her detention came as part of an inquiry related to potential breaches of national security.

Lavrilleux’s lawyer disclosed that she was released after spending a night in custody. Amnesty International expressed grave concerns about the journalist’s arrest, emphasizing the potential threat it posed to press freedom and source confidentiality. Katia Roux, a representative from Amnesty International, remarked on the arrest, stating, “To put in police custody a journalist for doing her job, moreover for revealing information of public interest, could be a threat to freedom of the press and confidentiality of sources.”

Ariane Lavrilleux had reportedly been questioned by officers from the French intelligence service, specifically the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI). Her 2021 report, published by the French investigative journalism website Disclose, relied on leaked classified documents to assert that French intelligence had been used by Egyptian authorities to bomb and kill smugglers along the Egyptian-Libyan border between 2016 and 2018. The report alleged French involvement in “at least 19 bombings” against civilians.

Disclose stated that French authorities, under both President François Hollande and President Emmanuel Macron, were continuously informed about these developments by personnel in “several military departments” but had disregarded their concerns. The publication of the report included national security secrets, which led to France’s armed forces ministry filing a legal complaint for “violation of national defence secrets.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned Lavrilleux’s arrest, calling for the cessation of all criminal investigations against her and advocating for the police to refrain from questioning her about her sources. Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative, highlighted the importance of allowing journalists to freely report on national defense and security matters, expressing concerns that questioning reporters about their confidential sources could deter reporting on such issues.

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Greek Rescuers Among Victims in Fatal Libya Road Crash

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In a tragic incident, a collision on the road claimed the lives of at least three Greek rescue team members and three members of a Libyan family. The accident occurred as the rescue team was en route to the flood-stricken city of Derna, with their bus colliding with the family’s car. A Libyan official reported that two individuals in the car and eight others on the bus sustained serious injuries. Investigations into the incident have been initiated.

Othman Abdeljalil, the health minister of the eastern Libyan administration, stated that the team had been traveling from Benghazi when the crash occurred. Discrepancies exist in the reported death toll, with Greek armed forces confirming three fatalities and two individuals missing, while Libyan sources reported four deaths.

Libya remains divided between two rival governments, one backed by the UN in Tripoli and another supported by Egypt in Benghazi. Greek authorities indicated that a bus carrying medical personnel collided with an oncoming vehicle, leading to the loss of three members of Greece’s humanitarian mission, with two team members still unaccounted for. They expressed uncertainty about the precise circumstances and pledged to collaborate with Libyan authorities. Additionally, efforts were underway to repatriate their personnel.

A diplomatic source revealed that the team consisted of 16 Greek rescuers and three interpreters, en route to join other international teams, including those from France and Italy. The devastating floods in Derna resulted in thousands of casualties when two dams ruptured during a powerful storm a week prior. According to the UN, the death toll currently stands at approximately 11,300, with over 10,000 officially listed as missing, based on figures from the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

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Switzerland: Hundreds of sex abuse cases ‘tip of the iceberg’, say researchers

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A recent official investigation into the Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland has revealed nearly 1,000 cases of sexual abuse dating back to 1950. The report, compiled by researchers from the University of Zurich, found that the majority of victims were children, with 56% of them being male. Most of the accused individuals were men, and there was also evidence of a widespread cover-up within the Church.

The study, which was commissioned by Church authorities and conducted over a year, granted access to Church archives and included interviews with victims of sexual abuse. However, the researchers noted that many relevant documents had not been provided. They also uncovered instances of records being destroyed in two dioceses, and some cases of abuse were not documented or archived.

The report suggests that the identified cases represent only a fraction of the actual abuse cases, as many likely went unreported. A significant portion of the abuse occurred during pastoral activities, such as confession, altar service, and religious education in children’s clubs and associations. About 30% of the abuse took place within institutions like Catholic children’s homes, day schools, and boarding schools.

The researchers criticized Church officials, including bishops, for their inadequate response to these cases, often keeping them secret, covering them up, or downplaying their significance. They found evidence of clerics accused of abuse being systematically reassigned to different roles, sometimes abroad, to avoid prosecution, prioritizing the Church’s interests over the safety of parishioners.

This culture of secrecy and protection persisted until the 21st century, when various sex abuse scandals began to surface. Groups representing sexual abuse victims expressed their disappointment in the Church’s actions over the decades, accusing it of prioritizing the institution’s reputation over the well-being of victims.

In response to the report, the president of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference acknowledged that the organization had made numerous excuses and had fallen short in its response to victims’ needs. Church authorities pledged to fund a follow-up project by the University of Zurich, set to begin in 2024.

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Spanish Prosecutor Lodges Complaint with High Court Against Luis Rubiales

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A Spanish prosecutor has taken legal action against Luis Rubiales, the suspended president of the football federation, on charges of sexual assault and coercion. The case stems from an incident in which Rubiales kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso without her consent following Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory.

Hermoso has filed a formal complaint against the unwanted kiss, prompting the prosecutor, Marta Durantez Gil, to also include a charge of coercion in the complaint submitted to the high court. The prosecutor’s office mentioned that Hermoso claimed that Rubiales and his professional associates had pressured her family to support the incident. The prosecutor is now seeking to question Rubiales as a suspect and Hermoso as the victim in the case.

Additionally, they have requested information from Australian authorities, where the incident occurred. This legal action follows a preliminary investigation initiated by Spanish prosecutors on August 28, which aimed to determine if the incident constituted sexual assault.

The move came in response to Hermoso’s unequivocal statements. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Rubiales has refused to step down as the president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), maintaining that he will not resign and alleging a character assassination campaign against him.

FIFA has provisionally suspended Rubiales and launched disciplinary proceedings in response to the allegations.

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Attack on Peaceful City Market Claims Lives of 17

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President Zelensky has strongly condemned a deliberate attack on the peaceful city of Kostyantynivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. The attack, which occurred in broad daylight on a bustling market street, claimed the lives of 17 people, including a child, and left at least 32 others injured. Videos circulating on social media captured a vivid orange explosion at one end of the street, where people were engaged in shopping. Russia has yet to issue a statement regarding the attack.

President Zelensky, holding Moscow responsible, expressed his outrage at the loss of innocent lives, emphasizing that the victims were ordinary citizens who had done nothing wrong. He cautioned that the death toll could rise further, characterizing dealing with Russia as confronting audacious malevolence.

The blast damaged a market, shops, and a pharmacy, but Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal assured residents that all essential services were functioning, and the fire was under control.

Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Ihor Klimenko, later announced that the search and rescue operation had concluded. Online footage and images depicted the explosion and its harrowing aftermath.

This incident represents one of the most severe attacks of its kind in recent months, striking a bustling street as people gathered at market stalls and café terraces. Ukraine’s prosecutor-general has initiated an investigation into the attack, pursuing criminal proceedings for violations of the laws and customs of war and documenting potential war crimes committed by the Russian Federation.

Russian officials have not claimed responsibility for the attack, and they have previously denied targeting civilians during their offensive.

Kostyantynivka, situated near the conflict zone, has experienced several attacks this year, causing civilian casualties and extensive damage to residential buildings and infrastructure. Additionally, the city is approximately 17 miles (27km) from the heavily contested city of Bakhmut.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Kyiv coincided with the attack, where he met with Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Ahead of his arrival, sirens blared across the country, and Kyiv’s air defense system intercepted missiles aimed at the capital. It was anticipated that Mr. Blinken would announce a new US aid package for Ukraine during his visit.

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Wagner Group Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin Believed to Have Died Following Plane Crash in Russia

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Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was reportedly among the passengers aboard a Russian jet that crashed, resulting in the deaths of all 10 individuals on board. The crash occurred in the Tver region, northwest of Moscow. Social media linked to the Wagner mercenary group have suggested that Prigozhin’s private plane was shot down by Russian air defenses. The Grey Zone Telegram channel stated that Prigozhin died due to actions by traitors to Russia.

Prigozhin had previously led a failed mutiny against the Russian armed forces in June, though some experts believe the mutiny was staged, and he abandoned his “justice march” on Moscow after direct orders from President Vladimir Putin. The crash coincided with reports of the removal of senior Russian general Sergei Surovikin, who was known to have a connection with Prigozhin. The crashed aircraft, an Embraer-135, was en route from Moscow to St Petersburg with seven passengers and three crew members.

An investigation has been initiated into the crash, and all 10 bodies have been recovered. The Wagner mercenary group, which Prigozhin was associated with, has been involved in various conflicts including those in Ukraine, Syria, and West Africa, and is known for its brutality. Prigozhin’s mutiny had created tensions with Russian military commanders and President Putin.

President Putin’s initial response to Prigozhin’s challenge to Russia’s defense establishment was strongly negative. The circumstances surrounding Prigozhin’s death, if confirmed, have raised speculation, with some eyebrows being raised about the possibility of deliberate targeting. US President Joe Biden expressed that he was “not surprised” by the news of Prigozhin’s potential death.

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Irish Woman Wrongly Accused by Newspaper of Losing Son to Vaccine

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Following a lawsuit against a conspiracy theory newspaper that falsely attributed her son’s death to a Covid vaccine, a bereaved mother and her legal representative have become targets of severe online abuse. The Irish Light, known for spreading vaccine misinformation, inaccurately implicated Edel Campbell’s son, Diego Gilsenan, and others in vaccine-related deaths. This marked the first instance of a relative suing over such a case. Diego, who tragically took his own life and was not vaccinated, was included in the erroneous article.

The backlash against Ms. Campbell after filing her legal action has been distressing, deterring other affected families from seeking similar recourse, according to her solicitor, Ciaran Mulholland. The Irish Light and its editor, Gemma O’Doherty, have launched a campaign of derogatory social media posts and threats. Supporters of the publication have even called for violence against Ms. Campbell’s lawyer. The legal case aims to address harassment and defamation, rather than pursuing retribution or compensation.

In response to the false claims made by the newspaper, Ms. Campbell and her lawyer decided to take legal action against Gemma O’Doherty. The Irish Light had published a front-page photo of Diego and others with the misleading headline “Died Suddenly.” This headline was subsequently used by conspiracy theorists to suggest a link between young people’s unexpected deaths and the Covid-19 vaccine.

Ms. Campbell’s legal pursuit is backed by donations and pro bono work. Despite obtaining a restraining order against the Irish Light editor in July, abusive posts have persisted on social media. The Irish police are investigating the alleged harassment. Gemma O’Doherty and the Irish Light have not responded to inquiries from the BBC.

The case bears resemblance to other instances where conspiracy theorists have targeted victims, such as survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing and parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims. The Irish Light has a history of promoting conspiracy theories, and its unfounded claims have been a source of distress for Ms. Campbell and others who have faced similar unfounded allegations.

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