Pope Benedict bids an emotional farewell, pollution in Beijing, 40th Show of the Best, the sequester in the United States and more in today’s daily brief.
Sometime in March – Vatican rules seem to indicate March 15 – an estimated 115 Catholic cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel to deliberate and elect the next head of the Roman Catholic Church. The proceedings of this papal conclave will be kept secret while crowds gather outside awaiting the announcement of the 266th pontiff. To get a better idea of the proceedings, take a look at these photos from the election of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
Prince Harry in Lesotho, Paris fashion, Rosa Parks statue unveiled, world’s oldest person, British pub cat, Pope Benedict XVI’s final audience, Macedonia flooding and more in today’s daily brief.
Masses of pilgrims queued to enter St. Peter’s Square to hear Pope Benedict XVI’s final weekly public audience in Vatican City, Vatican on Wednesday. The Pontiff attended his last weekly public audience before stepping down tomorrow. The weekly event, which would normally be held in a vast auditorium in winter, was moved outdoors to St. Peter’s Square so more people can attend. Pope Benedict XVI had been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements.
Midwest snowstorm, crowded Indian trains, Thailand flooding, flying trees, Whirlpool galaxy, supernova and more in today’s daily brief.
In Paris, France and Milan, Italy the latest in Fall/Winter fashions have hit the runways. But before each model takes a step toward the spotlight, they are primped, teased, blown dried and formed into the designers vision. A walking mannequin made to display the designs just so. This is the life of the runway model, hurry and wait, hurry and wait.
Boris the bear gets a root canal in Tacoma, Psy performs at the South Korean presidential inauguration, Makha Bucha Day in Bangkok, Trouble in Trinidad and more in today’s daily brief.
After all the glitz and glamor of the Red Carpet, the agony and ecstasy of the Oscar awards, it’s party time for the stars. Shortly after the last awards were handed out at the 85th Academy Awards celebrities headed off to the various parties where the winners tote around their golden trophies and the losers console themselves with champagne. One of the premier parties is the Governor’s Ball at the Ray Dolby Ballroom not far from Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. This legendary party is the official ball of Oscar.
Not to be out done is the Vanity Fair magazine post Oscar party, which was the place to catch a glimpse of anyone who’s anyone. The gala, held at the Sunset Tower Hotel in Los Angles, started with a seated dinner and as the night progressed the stars arrived.
Pope Benedict’s last public blessings before he resigns, race carries on after Daytona International Speedway crash, topless feminists protest against former Prime Minister Berlusconi and more in today’s daily brief. | Attention: Several photos might depict injury or death.
The people of China celebrate the New Year on the first day of the lunar calendar. Since it is also considered to be the first day of spring, the traditional 15-days long celebration is also called Spring Festival, where schools and shops are sometimes closed for up to a week.
According to folklore, a wild and mystical beast named “Nien,” the word for year, appears at the end of the year to feast on defenseless villagers and children. It was found that the beast could be scared away by loud noises and bright lights. Therefore the New Year tradition of lighting firecrackers, hanging of bright red “Chūnlián,” and wearing of new clothing in red or gold – the colors of good fortune and prosperity – was created.
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