Pope Francis has recently spoken out against laws that criminalize homosexuality, calling them “unjust” and emphasizing the importance of recognizing the dignity of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. He has called on Catholic bishops who support such laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church and undergo a process of conversion to recognize their dignity. His statement is a sign of progress for the LGBTQ community, as it shows that the Catholic Church is beginning to recognize the importance of acceptance and inclusion.
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Paris Hilton has welcomed her first child, a baby boy, with her husband Carter Reum. The couple, who married in November 2021, spoke about wanting a family on their 2022 reality show "Paris in Love" and the baby was born via surrogate. Hilton has not released the name of her baby, but is looking forward to the future with her new family.
On Saturday, 11 people were killed and nine injured in a mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California. The gunman, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, was an elderly loner who had recently sold his property and had few close friends. A vigil was held at Monterey Park City Hall overnight for the victims, and the city's large Asian American community is standing together in the wake of the tragedy, searching for answers.
After spending more than 20 years in prison for a 1991 murder, kidnapping and sexual assault, Albert "Ian" Schweitzer was released on Tuesday after a Hawaii judge ordered his immediate release. His attorneys presented new evidence, including DNA testing of evidence collected from the crime scene, which showed that Schweitzer was not the perpetrator, as well as evidence that the victim had been seen with another man shortly before her death. Schweitzer's attorneys from the Innocence Project have argued that he was wrongfully convicted and have been fighting for his release for years. He is now reunited with his family and looking forward to starting a new life.
Morrisett and Joan Ganz Cooney co-founded the Children's Television Workshop in 1968, which produced the beloved children's show "Sesame Street". Morrisett served as chairman of the board of trustees for 30 years before becoming a Lifetime Honorary Trustee. His work on the show sought to help address complicated and sometimes painful issues that children often face, such as racism, addiction and homelessness. Sesame Workshop tweeted that Morrisett "was a true visionary and a champion for children everywhere".
Ukraine's forces have achieved a rare victory in the Donbas region, with the retreat from the town of Soledar on Wednesday. Vadym Skibitsky, deputy chief of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, said the Russians have begun dispersing military supplies across the Russian Federation, while Serhii Cherevatyi, a spokesperson for Ukraine's forces in the east, said the retreat was to "preserve the lives of the personnel". Military analysts believe the appointment of Gen. Valery Gerasimov as the commander of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine is a last throw of the dice by the Kremlin, and the Russians are adapting to the Ukrainian forces' tactics. This retreat is a modest victory for Ukraine, but the conflict is far from over.
A federal jury in New York has convicted gynecologist Robert Hadden of sex trafficking charges, bringing a sense of justice to hundreds of former patients who were molested by the doctor during a decades-long career. Nine former patients testified about how he had sexually abused them during examinations, and the jury deliberated for less than a day before returning the verdict. Hadden now faces up to life in prison, and sentencing is scheduled for June 18.
Justin Bieber has sold the rights to his entire back catalog of releases to U.K.-based Hipgnosis Songs Capital, a venture between finance giant Blackstone and Hipgnosis Song Management. The deal includes publishing copyrights, master recordings, neighboring rights, artist loyalties, and publishing rights to a back catalogue of 290 titles. This agreement is a testament to Bieber's influence on global culture and his immense success, joining the ranks of other high-profile artists who have sold their music rights to the venture.