Picasso Winner Initially Suspected Scam, Charity Raffle Organizer Reveals

Ari Hodara, who claimed a €1 million Pablo Picasso masterpiece in a charity raffle, initially doubted the legitimacy of his win, according to Péri Cochin, the event’s organizer. She recounted that Hodara required a video call with Christie’s auction house in Paris to confirm the artwork’s authenticity before accepting the news as genuine.

The raffle attracted over 120,000 global participants, each paying €100 for a ticket, generating €11 million for Alzheimer’s research. Cochin noted that Hodara is still contemplating whether to retain or auction his prize, adding a layer of uncertainty to the victory.

“He thought it was a scam at first,” Cochin explained on Radio 4’s Front Row, highlighting the moment Hodara saw the painting via a video link.

Political Shifts and Unusual Events Across Europe

The pro-EU Tisza party secured a decisive win, marking the end of Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure as prime minister. Rajini Vaidyanathan captured the public’s reaction outside Hungary’s parliament, as crowds learned of Orbán’s defeat. Meanwhile, BBC Europe Editor Katya Adler reported from Felscút, the former leader’s hometown, detailing the aftermath.

Amid political changes, the Harlem Globetrotters made an unexpected visit to the Vatican, assisting the pope in demonstrating a basketball spin on his finger. In another twist, a mother of a 16-year-old girl killed by a scrambler described the experience as a “living nightmare,” reflecting the tragedy’s ongoing impact.

Global Incidents and Community Responses

A commercial flight from Dubai touched down in Dublin, the first to arrive in days following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. An Italian fire brigade video showed a wolf rescued from beneath a bridge, sparking local interest. In Germany, onlookers witnessed the collapse of a cooling tower at the decommissioned Frimmersdorf power plant.

Residents in Ukraine’s capital found fleeting moments of happiness in unexpected places, despite power outages and harsh winter conditions. On the Italian island, over 1,000 people were evacuated due to rising flood risks linked to recent storms. Meanwhile, in northern Italy, the annual carnival began with its famed Battle of the Oranges, where participants tossed fruit for entertainment.

Legal Proceedings and Royal Scandals

Jessica and Jacques Moretti face criminal charges including involuntary manslaughter, bodily harm, and negligent arson. In Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit expressed regret over her prior connection with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as the royal family navigated recent controversies. A new €2 fee was introduced for accessing Rome’s iconic fountain, which had long been free to visit.

The BBC’s Paul Kirby reported from Oslo’s court, where Marius Borg Høiby denies multiple serious charges, including rape. Russia’s editor Steve Rosenberg covered events near Moscow, noting the wounding of Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev on the front lines. Nazar Daletskyi’s family was informed of his death in 2022, the opening year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.