5,000 minors reportedly abused by Portuguese Catholic clergy since 1950

Feb 13 2023

An independent commission in Portugal has found that Catholic clergy have abused nearly 5,000 children since 1950.

This announcement comes after the commission heard from over 500 victims, with the inquiry having been commissioned by the Church itself in the Catholic-majority country.

One of the 25 cases that have been transferred to the police is that of “Alexandra,” a now 43-year-old woman who alleges she was raped by a priest during confession when she was a novice nun at the age of 17.

he eventually reported the attack to the Church but felt her pleas to address the issue were ignored.

The Vatican has yet to respond to her complaint. Despite this, Alexandra has found support from the independent commission.

The bishops of Portugal will convene in March to address the report’s findings and work towards eliminating the abuse from the Church. Pope Francis is also facing increasing pressure to address the widespread abuse within the Catholic Church and investigations have been launched in several countries.

Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon and the highest ranking prelate in Portugal Manuel Clemente said in April of 2022 that he was prepared to address the errors of the past and ask the victims for forgiveness.

Despite this the time limit for bringing charges already expired for most of the alleged offences. However, 25 cases have been transferred as police inquiries open up.

For the likes of Alexandra, the independent commission represents a positive step for victims seeking to break the silence surrounding their abuse.

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Various Turkish building contractors arrested as death toll rises

Feb 13 2023

The death toll from the earthquake that struck parts of Turkey and Syria could double from the current tally of 33,000, as the situation in the north-west of Syria, already ravaged by civil war, is increasingly desperate.

Turkish authorities have issued over 100 arrest warrants for contractors, architects and engineers connected to some of the tens of thousands of buildings destroyed or damaged in Monday’s earthquake, and 12 people are currently in custody.

Turkey’s vice-president, Fuat Oktay, said that detention orders had been issued for 113 of the 131 people suspected of being responsible for the collapse of the buildings.

Opposition leaders have accused the government of not enforcing building regulations and failing to account for the proceeds of a levy imposed after the 1999 earthquake to ensure earthquake-resistant buildings.

The environment minister, Murat Kurum, said that 24,921 out of 170,000 buildings assessed in the south of the country had either collapsed or were heavily damaged.

The UN has said that at least 870,000 people urgently need hot meals across Turkey and Syria, while the WHO estimates up to 26 million people have been affected in both countries.

#MaltaDaily

Kelce brothers share hug after playing against each other

Feb 13 2023

After the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII on Sunday at State Farm Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, a touching moment was shared between Travis Kelce, the 33-year-old tight end for the winning team, and his brother, Jason Kelce, a 35-year-old center for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Despite the defeat, Jason remained in good spirits as he and Travis hugged, making history as the first time two brothers have ever faced each other in the Super Bowl on opposing teams.

Jason was also seen embracing the Chiefs’ quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.

During the game, Ed and Donna Kelce, the parents of the two players, chose to sit apart. Donna was in the luxury box with Commissioner Roger Goodell, while Ed chose to sit in the stadium seats, referring to himself as a “blue-collar grunt.”

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Before the big game, Travis and Jason’s mother, Donna, spoke with ET’s Kevin Frazier and expressed her excitement about the unprecedented event. She said it was like a dream come true for her sons to both play in the Pro Bowl and then face each other in the Super Bowl.

Although she couldn’t choose a winner, Donna revealed that she currently favors Jason more, due to his grandchildren, but added that as a mother, she could never pick one son over the other.

On Monday’s episode of the Kelce brothers’ podcast, “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce,” they interviewed their mother and she spoke about the pure joy she will experience watching her sons on the biggest stage in the NFL.

She mentioned that the first two Super Bowls, which Travis played in, were tense, but this one will be pure joy and the best day ever, with both of her sons on the field.

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ASL interpreter in Rihanna’s Super Bowl show goes viral

Feb 13 2023

As Rihanna returned for a legendary Super Bowl performance, which also revealed that the singer was pregnant, the American Sign Language interpreter handling the performance went absolutely viral.

The ASL interpreter was revealed to be Justina Miles, who was absolutely ‘vibing’ to the song on the TV screens.

The 20-year-old American performer hails from Philadelphia and has made history as the first female deaf performer to be invited to a Super Bowl halftime show.

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Currently studying for a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, she comes from a mixed family with deaf members on each side.

She had also become a TikTok sensation in 2020 after a video of her performing Lil Kim’s song ‘Crush on You’ went viral. It went so viral that it ignited a #crushonyouchallenge.

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