Vatican ‘ills,’ North Korea cyberattack, PH 2015 budget | The wRap

Today on Rappler:

• Pope Francis says the Church suffers from a “lust for power” and “spiritual Alzheimer’s.”
• A cyberattack brings down North Korea’s internet.
• Right on time – Philippine President Aquino signs the 2015 budget.

POPE: VATICAN PLAGUED BY ILLS
Pope Francis hits the Vatican bureaucracy. He says some in the Church suffer from “existential schizophrenia,” “social exhibitionism,” “spiritual Alzheimer’s” and a lust for power. The Pope adds, all these led to an “orchestra that plays out of tune.” He also warns against greed, egoism and people who suffer from the “disease of feeling immortal or indispensable.” The Pope urges the clergy to find a cure to the Church’s ills.

NORTH KOREA’S INTERNET COLLAPSES AFTER SONY HACK
North Korea’s Internet went down Monday after hours of unstable service. Some say the cyberattack may be the handiwork of the US to retaliate for the hack on Sony pictures. Earlier, US President Barack Obama vowed to retaliate for the cyber assault on the film studio which was set to release “The Interview,” a parody film on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Washington refuses to confirm if it took action against Pyongyang.

ARGENTINE COURT: ORANGUTAN HAS ‘BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS’
A world first: a court in Argentina rules an orangutan has the right to be freed from a zoo. The court said Sandra was entitled to some of the basic rights of a human being and its confinement at the Buenos Aires Zoo was unjust. Sandra has lived in the zoo for the past 20 years and was born in captivity. But zoo officials say they are exploring two new homes for Sandra. Zoo officials say they were baffled by the court’s decision.

AQUINO SIGNS P2.6-TRILLION 2015 BUDGET
President Benigno Aquino signs into law the P2.6-trillion budget for 2015. This is the 5th time the President signed a budget into law on time. Aquino says lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel was removed from the budget after the Supreme Court struck it down as unconstitutional earlier this year. He adds, the approved supplementary budget includes P10 billion for the reconstruction of Typhoon Haiyan-hit areas.

AQUINO’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY
This holiday season, President Aquino tells Filipino families: spend time with each other.
He also urges Filipinos to be thankful – Typhoon Ruby victims are able to celebrate with their families.

BENIGNO AQUINO, PRESIDENT: Lalo namang nagiging makahulugan ang Pasko, kung sasamantalahin natin ang pagkakataon upang higit na mapalapit sa ating mga kapamilya. (Christmas will be more meaningful if we use it as an opportunity to get even closer to our families.)

He encourages the public to pray for those ‘forced to vacate” due to Typhoon Hagupit, locally known as Ruby.

BENIGNO AQUINO, PRESIDENT: Huwag rin sana nating malimutang magpasalamat sa Panginoon dahil, bagaman nagdulot ng pinsala si Ruby, di-hamak na mas marami ang nailigtas at ngayon ay makapagdiriwang ng Pasko kasama ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay.
(Let’s not forget to thank God because many were spared from Typhoon Ruby despite its damage on property, and many will celebrate Christmas with their loved ones.)

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Production Staff