President Obama snogging Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez? Unlikely. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu smooching with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas? Never. President Sarkozy cuddling up to German chancellor Angela Merkel... Actually, that one we could see. Somewhat disturbingly. (See all pictures here)
These images and more are all part of a new advertising campaign by clothing brand Benetton, who in an attempt to spark sales conversation have released six highly controversial images of world leaders engaging in some very close diplomatic discussions. (Huffington Post)
Italian clothing company Benetton has withdrawn a publicity shot of the pope kissing a Muslim religious leader following a Vatican backlash.
A digitally manipulated picture showed Benedict XVI locking lips with Mohammed Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand sheikh of al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, as part of an advertising campaign that launched on Wednesday and featured unlikely combinations of religious and political figureheads kissing. (The Guardian)
