Entertainment
Almost 4,400 people abused by priests in Italy, alleges victims’ group
Nearly 4,400 people have been abused by Catholic priests in Italy in cases reported since 2020, a victims’ group alleged on Friday, renewing pressure on bishops to confront a crisis that has long plagued the world’s largest Christian faith.
The unofficial tally by Rete l’Abuso, Italy’s largest church abuse victims’ group, is based on victims’ accounts, judicial sources and cases reported by the media, the founder of the association, Francesco Zanard,i said.
Rete l’Abuso did not say how far back the alleged abuse cases occurred.
The Italian Bishops Conference (CEI), which was criticised by the Vatican’s child protection commission last week, had no comment on the findings, a spokesperson said.
Most allegations concern abuse by priests
The global Catholic Church has been shaken for decades by scandals involving paedophile priests and the cover-up of their crimes, but local church leaders in Italy have been less forthcoming in confronting the issue.
New Pope Leo, who met survivors of sexual abuse by clergy for the first time this week, has told the Church’s newest bishops not to hide misconduct allegations. His predecessor, the late Pope Francis, made addressing the issue a priority of his 12-year papacy, but with mixed results.
In an unusually critical report on the issue published on October 16, the Vatican’s child protection commission said only 81 of Italy’s 226 dioceses responded to a questionnaire about safeguarding practices it had drafted.
Rete l’Abuso said it had documented 1,250 suspected cases of abuse — some with multiple victims — including 1,106 allegedly committed by priests, with the rest attributed to nuns, religion teachers, lay volunteers, educators and scout members.
Its report contained cases related to 4,625 victims — or survivors, as the association calls them — including 4,395 abused by priests.
The report said 4,451 of the survivors were under 18, and an almost equally large number — 4,108 — were male, Rete l’Abuso said, adding that five nuns, 156 vulnerable adults and 11 people with disabilities were also among the victims.
According to the association, out of the 1,106 suspected predator priests, only 76 were subjected to church trials, with 17 temporarily suspended, seven moved to other parishes and 18 were defrocked or resigned from the priesthood. Five died by suicide, it added.
Entertainment
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ prison time gets cut down again
Sean “Diddy” Combs has seen his prison release date cut down once again, with federal records now confirming he is set to leave custody earlier than previously expected.
According to the latest Federal Bureau of Prisons records, the 56-year-old rap mogul is now scheduled for release on 15 April 2028.
This new date shaves a further 10 days off his sentence, marking the second time this month his timeline has been adjusted.
Just a few weeks ago, his release date had already been brought forward from June to late April, but this latest update means the Bad Boy Records founder is now looking at a slightly shorter stay at the Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution in New Jersey.
Combs has been serving his time at the low-security facility since late October, following a high-profile case that saw him convicted on two prostitution-related charges.
When he was originally sentenced to over four years in prison, the judge took a middle-ground approach. While prosecutors had pushed for a much longer stint of 135 months, the judge felt that was more than necessary, though he also rejected the defence’s plea for a mere 14-month sentence, arguing that wouldn’t be sufficient.
Along with his time behind bars, which includes credit for time already served, Combs faces five years of supervised release and a substantial fine of £395,000.
Before he was sent away, a visibly humbled Combs expressed deep remorse in the courtroom for what he described as “disgusting, shameful and sick” actions.
He admitted to being out of control and struggling with drug use at the time, telling the court that he had been stripped down to nothing and truly hated the person he had become.
This raw admission of being broken to his core was a far cry from the untouchable persona he held for decades as a titan of the music industry.
Despite the gravity of his crimes, some of his peers are still finding it difficult to separate his legal downfalls from his professional achievements.
Usher recently weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Combs’ legacy as a businessman and cultural trailblazer is being overshadowed by his public prosecution.
Speaking about his own positive experiences with the producer, the R&B star argued that it was hard not to recognise the “valuable contributions” Combs made for Black entrepreneurs and the way he transitioned big ideas into tangible success.
While the world’s view of the rapper has shifted drastically, his projected release in the spring of 2028 remains the firm focus for his legal team and the authorities.
Entertainment
Johnny Depp drew inspiration for own brand’s bottles from personal life
Johnny Depp has launched his own premium rum brand, and unlike many celebrity spirits ventures, this one comes with a story that goes well beyond the label.
Three Hearts Rum, founded by Depp in partnership with his longtime friend Bobby DeLeon, is a Caribbean-inspired rum with roots in a years-long friendship and a genuine connection to the islands.
Depp designed the bottle himself, drawing on his tattoos, personal philosophy and what he describes as the three great loves of his life.
The bottle is embossed with the flag of his private Bahamian island, Little Hall’s Pond Cay, and decorated with symbols lifted directly from his body art, a skull as a reminder to live fully, a lightning bolt to represent enduring friendship, the number three to signify new beginnings and three hearts for the loves of his life.
The base carries the brand’s motto: “No Fear. No Malice. No Envy.” A bracelet-style charm sits at the top.
“Rum holds the history of the islands,” Depp said in a statement.
“It’s shaped by the hands of the people who grow the cane, ferment the spirit and age it over time. Bobby and I wanted to create something that honored that tradition and the friendships that inspired it.”
The project took shape over several years, with the pair’s thinking crystallising further in the wake of hurricanes that devastated parts of the Caribbean in recent years, as they looked for ways to support and spotlight local communities.
DeLeon described the process as one built entirely on patience.
“We didn’t want to rush something into the world. This rum represents years of patience and collaboration. Our goal was to create something that respected the heritage of Caribbean rum while sharing the spirit of the friendship that started it.”
The liquid itself was produced at a distillery in the Dominican Republic, aged for five years in ex-bourbon barrels before being re-casked for a further two years in former cognac barrels, resulting in a seven-year-aged rum.
DeLeon has described the flavour profile as sticky toffee, with aromas of wood, spices, candied orange and vanilla.
The founders have made clear this is just the beginning, describing Three Hearts Rum as the first chapter in what they plan as a broader exploration of Caribbean rum traditions in the years ahead.
For Depp, who has been associated with rum on screen through Pirates of the Caribbean and The Rum Diary, it feels like a natural next act, though this time, the bottle is entirely his own.
Entertainment
Prince Harry surprises crowd by calling attendees his source of hope
Prince Harry took a moment away from the stage at the IAPP Global Summit 2026 to sit down with Joe Jones, the organisation’s Director of Research.
The candid conversation revealed a surprisingly heartfelt side of the Duke of Sussex.
When Jones posed the question, “What gives you hope?” Harry didn’t pause.
“Everybody in this room,” he replied, turning the spotlight on the privacy professionals, tech experts, and policymakers gathered in Washington, D.C.
He went on to express his gratitude, saying, “I would like to say to everybody here, thank you for what you do.”
The Duke’s appearance on Tuesday came just weeks after it was confirmed he won’t be joining his father in Washington, D.C. next month.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled for a high-profile state visit to the U.S., celebrating 250 years of American independence.
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