Pope backs UN chief’s call for cease-fires across the globe

Vatican city: Pope Francis is backing the UN chief's call for a cease-fire in all conflicts raging across the globe to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.He also said his thoughts are with those constrained to live in groups, citing in particular rest homes for the elderly, military barracks and jails. During his traditional Sunday blessing, the pope called for ''the creation of humanitarian aid corridors, the opening of diplomacy and attention to those who are in situations of great vulnerability.'' He cited U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' appeal this past week for a global truce ''to focus together on the true fight of our lives'' against the coronavirus. AP

Polish composer Penderecki dies at 86 after long illness

warsaw/krakow: Poland’s Krzysztof Penderecki, one of the world's most celebrated composers, died on Sunday at the age of 86, his family said. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin's "The Exorcist", Stanley Kubrick's “The Shining” and David Lynch’s “Wild at Heart”, for his Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima and the largely atonal St Luke's Passion. Penderecki had been tested for coronavirus after his carer was diagnosed with the illness, but the composer’s result was negative. Penderecki won four Grammy awards for his music, most recently for best choral performance in 2016. Reuters

‘Game of Thrones’ direwolf dog dies of cancer

london: Odin, who played Bran Stark's direwolf puppy Summer on "Game of Thrones" in its 2011 series premiere, passed away after a four-mother battle with cancer. The 10-year-old Northern Inuit dog was diagnosed with mouth cancer in November and his family paid tribute to their pet on Facebook. "We can all take great comfort in knowing that he is forever immortalized in the great TV Show Game of Thrones as Summer Bran Stark's Direwolf Pup in Season 1 episode 1", Odin's owner William Mulhall, runs Direwolf Tours in Northern Ireland, said in the post. Mulhull thanked everyone for their support. PTI