Latest news with #Luxembourger
Economic Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
The devil's staircase
Cathy Krier's 2024 rendition of Gyorgy Ligeti's 'L'Escalier du Diable' (The Devil's Staircase) is a breathtaking descent into the abyss of sound - a relentless, towering piece that challenges both pianist and listener. In the Luxembourger pianist's hands, this hard-driving toccata - fast-moving, lightly-fingered composition - transforms into a terrifying yet mesmerising spectacle, a staircase that seemingly ascends beyond human limits. Ligeti's 1993 work, part of the Hungarian composer's 'Etudes' (Studies), is a study in perpetual motion, filled with asymmetrical rhythms, ferocious clusters and escalating intensity. Krier's precision is surgical. Yet, her interpretation breathes with unsettling vitality. She captures the demonic urgency of the ever-ascending lines, where each repeated motif feels like an impossible, Sisyphean climb. Her touch balances stark violence with eerie delicacy, ensuring that even in moments of crushing dissonance, a spectral beauty lingers. Listening to 'L'Escalier' is a psychological experience, a labyrinthine sonic spiral. It's a masterpiece of controlled chaos, one of Ligeti's most thrilling, gripping pieces.
Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Abuse scandals, disunity and diplomacy the new pope's challenges
An artist painting a mural of Pope Francis in the Villa 21-24 neighborhood is seen during a pilgrimage in Buenos Aires on April 26. PHOTO: AFP Vatican City - Pope Francis' successor will face a litany of challenges, from the place of women and the LGBTQ community in the Catholic Church, to diplomatic challenges in a conflict-riven world. Unity Uniting a divided church will be one of the main tasks facing the new pope. During his 12-year-long papacy, Francis often came under fire for his more liberal policies, such as welcoming migrants and restricting the use of the Latin Mass. Traditionalists in the United States and Africa in particular were angered by his efforts to give lay people and women a greater role in the Church, and his decision to open the door to blessing same-sex unions. His successor will have to make peace between the Church's conservative and liberal fringes. 'A pope always brings people together,' Luxembourger Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich told reporters. 'That unity in the church will be very important. But you don't unify the church by going backwards.' Sexual abuse Though he brought in a series of measures to combat clerical sexual abuse, victims associations said they were disappointed with Francis, accusing him of not doing enough. The issue remains a major challenge for the Church, with the scandals showing no sign of abating. And it will not be an easy solve. In many African and Asian countries, the subject remains taboo. Even in Europe, Italy has yet to launch an independent investigation into abuse allegations. Diplomacy As well as being leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, the pope is the head of the Vatican state. His voice carries weight in a world wracked by numerous conflicts, from Ukraine to Gaza and Sudan. The pope's opinions have consequences. Francis at various times angered Israel, Ukraine, Russia and the United States with his comments on conflicts and immigrants. The rise of populist politics, the development of artificial intelligence and the climate emergency are all issues that will demand the pope's attention, as will immigration. And then there are the delicate relations with China, not least the thorny issue of appointing Catholic bishops in the country. Women's place The place of women in the Church will also continue to spark debate. Francis appointed women to key positions, including in January naming the first woman prefect of a Curia department. Hopes that a woman would be named a deacon were dashed, however, at the last world assembly. 'The role of women certainly depends to a large degree on the cultures the churches belong to and there are many differences, not just from one continent to another, but from one nation to another,' Mr Roberto Regoli, a priest and professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, told AFP. 'So it's more a cultural than theological question.' Fewer priests Francis' successor will lead Catholics living in communities around the world. The number of faithful is growing in the southern hemisphere but it is declining in Europe. And the total number of priests spreading the faith is falling – albeit slowly. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of priests around the world dropped by 0.2 per cent to 406,996, despite an uptick in Africa and Asia. Though church attendance is different from one region to another, the rise of evangelical churches, particularly in Africa, is creating stiff competition. Style Francis ripped up the rulebook, rejecting luxury, and was at his happiest when mingling with his flock. He refused to live in the papal apartments, opting for rooms at a Vatican guest house instead. He would make his own phone calls, visit the optician, write his own replies to letters, and accept mate – the traditional herbal infusion from South America – offered to him by pilgrims. But he also faced criticism for an authoritarian management style as well as his tendency to speak his mind and go off script, sometimes embarrassing or dismaying aides with his public statements. While the next pope will hope to show he too is a people's pontiff, the Vatican would doubtless appreciate a Catholic leader better at sticking to the official line. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
NDTV
27-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Abuse Scandals, Disunity And Diplomacy The New Pope's Challenges
Vatican City: Pope Francis's successor will face a litany of challenges, from the place of women and the LGBTQ community in the Catholic Church, to diplomatic challenges in a conflict-riven world. Unity Uniting a divided church will be one of the main tasks facing the new pope. During his 12-year-long papacy, Francis often came under fire for his more liberal policies, such as welcoming migrants and restricting the use of the Latin Mass. Traditionalists in the United States and Africa in particular were angered by his efforts to give lay people and women a greater role in the Church, and his decision to open the door to blessing same-sex unions. His successor will have to make peace between the Church's conservative and liberal fringes. "A pope always brings people together," Luxembourger Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich told reporters. "That unity in the church will be very important. But you don't unify the church by going backwards." Sexual Abuse Though he brought in a series of measures to combat clerical sexual abuse, victims associations said they were disappointed with Francis, accusing him of not doing enough. The issue remains a major challenge for the Church, with the scandals showing no sign of abating. And it will not be an easy solve. In many African and Asian countries, the subject remains taboo. Even in Europe, Italy has yet to launch an independent investigation into abuse allegations. Diplomacy As well as being leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, the pope is the head of the Vatican state. His voice carries weight in a world wracked by numerous conflicts, from Ukraine to Gaza and Sudan. The pope's opinions have consequences. Francis at various times angered Israel, Ukraine, Russia and the United States with his comments on conflicts and immigrants. The rise of populist politics, the development of artificial intelligence and the climate emergency are all issues that will demand the pope's attention, as will immigration. And then there are the delicate relations with China, not least the thorny issue of appointing Catholic bishops in the country. Women's Place The place of women in the Church will also continue to spark debate. Francis appointed women to key positions, including in January naming the first woman prefect of a Curia department. Hopes that a woman would be named a deacon were dashed, however, at the last world assembly. "The role of women certainly depends to a large degree on the cultures the churches belong to and there are many differences, not just from one continent to another, but from one nation to another," Roberto Regoli, a priest and professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, told AFP. "So it's more a cultural than theological question." Fewer Priests Francis's successor will lead Catholics living in communities around the world. The number of faithful is growing in the southern hemisphere but it is declining in Europe. And the total number of priests spreading the faith is falling -- albeit slowly. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of priests around the world dropped by 0.2 percent to 406,996, despite an uptick in Africa and Asia. Though church attendance is different from one region to another, the rise of evangelical churches, particularly in Africa, is creating stiff competition. Style Francis ripped up the rulebook, rejecting luxury, and was at his happiest when mingling with his flock. He refused to live in the papal apartments, opting for rooms at a Vatican guest house instead. He would make his own phone calls, visit the optician, write his own replies to letters, and accept mate -- the traditional herbal infusion from South America -- offered to him by pilgrims. But he also faced criticism for an authoritarian management style as well as his tendency to speak his mind and go off script, sometimes embarrassing or dismaying aides with his public statements. While the next pope will hope to show he too is a people's pontiff, the Vatican would doubtless appreciate a Catholic leader better at sticking to the official line.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Viasat Stock Just Crashed 18%
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) stock tumbled 18.1% through 11:05 a.m. ET Tuesday -- but perhaps not for the reason you think. Yesterday, T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) announced a new direct-to-cell satellite communications service in partnership with SpaceX Starlink, which is roiling the space satellites market. The move threatens Viasat's business model (I think), and is probably a good reason to be leery of Viasat stock. But that's not why investors are selling Viasat stock today. They're selling because insider shareholders are selling. As reported on the SEC's website last night, three major holders of Viasat stock have all filed notifications of significant stock sales: Luxembourg company Triton Luxtopholding Sarl announced the sale of 3.75 million shares of Viasat. The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board announced the sale of an identical 3.75 million-share stake. Finally, CPP Investment Board Private Holdings, which, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence, is a subsidiary of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, is selling -- you guessed it -- 3.75 million shares. In total, the three sales encompass 11.25 million shares of Viasat stock dumped on the market, which is about 8.8% of all Viasat stock outstanding. S&P Global notes that CPP, at least, is one of Viasat's five biggest shareholders, owning 8.5 million shares, and now we learn that it's selling roughly 44% of the Viasat shares it owns. Why are these three big holders of Viasat stock selling, and are the sales related? In the case of the Canadian insider sales by the Ontario and Canada pension plans, I have a sneaking suspicion that the sales are related -- but why some obscure Luxembourger investor is selling at the same time, and selling the exact same amount, remains a mystery. I also suspect, but cannot prove, that the sales may indicate worry among these shareholders that the T-Mobile-plus-Starlink tie-up is a bigger threat to Viasat than other investors yet appreciate. If I were a shareholder in unprofitable Viasat stock, I think I'd be getting a little bit nervous today, too. Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you'd have $346,349!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you'd have $43,160!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you'd have $554,176!* Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.*Stock Advisor returns as of February 3, 2025 Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends S&P Global. The Motley Fool recommends T-Mobile US. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Viasat Stock Just Crashed 18% was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
