World Now: Pope calls for rejection of abortion in New Year’s Day message


This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe.
Pope Francis has once again called for people to reject abortion.
The message was delivered during the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on New Year’s Day. The Pope appealed for a “firm commitment” to protecting and respecting life from conception to natural death.
The pontiff also highlighted the need to safeguard the lives of unborn and young children, and those dying in isolation, emphasizing the importance of protecting all precious lives.
He firmly stressed that human dignity must always be respected, adding a message of hope and encouragement for everyone to cherish their lives and look to the future with optimism.
While Pope Francis is widely regarded as one of the most progressive and reformist pontiffs in history, he continues to hold a conservative stance on the issue of abortion.
The supply of Russian natural gas to Europe via pipelines crossing Ukrainian territory was halted on New Year’s Day.
Ukraine’s energy minister, Herman Halushchenko , announced the decision, saying that the move would result in financial losses for Russia and a loss of market access.
This came as Ukraine chose not to renew the five-year agreement with Russia’s state-owned energy company Gazprom for the use of the Urengoy pipeline.
The decision directly impacts gas supplies to several European states, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Moldova. Notably, Hungary and Slovakia, which have pro-Russian leanings, expressed strong opposition to the move. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned on social media that this gas cutoff would have dramatic consequences not just for the Russian Federation but for all EU nations.
Now to Montenegro where 10 people, including two children, were shot dead on New Year’s Day in a village near Cetinje in the southwest of the country.
According to reports the 45-year-old suspect, who is still at large, retrieved a firearm from his home following a dispute at a bar.
The gunman then killed members of his own family, the bar owner, and the bar owner’s family at a separate location.
Following the attack, the suspect fled the scene armed, prompting police to deploy special forces to track him down.
Authorities revealed that the suspect had a history of being detained for illegal possession of firearms.
In Germany and Italy, people celebrated the arrival of 2025 with unique traditions like frigid water swimming and dives.
In Berlin, brave swimmers marked the new year with their annual ice bath tradition. Members of the Berlin Seals Club swam and danced in the icy waters, where the morning water temperature was 6 degrees Celsius, and the air temperature was 4 degrees.
Meanwhile, in the Italian capital, Rome, three men dove off the 18-meter-high Cavour Bridge into the Tiber River—a tradition dating back to 1946.
The Netherlands also has a similar tradition of diving into the icy North Sea to welcome the new year. However, this year’s event was canceled due to strong winds.

Yoon Se-young, Arirang News

Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=279551
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