News Trending

Swedish police destroy object outside Israeli embassy in Stockholm

By 268 0

A “dangerous object” discovered outside the Israeli embassy in Stockholm has been destroyed by Swedish police, following what the Israeli ambassador labeled an “attempted attack.” The incident prompted a significant police cordon, though no injuries were reported. Authorities have not provided detailed information about the object, but it was described as a “live” device by embassy staff, leading to its assessment and subsequent controlled destruction by the national bomb squad.

The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, characterized the situation as “very serious,” and the country’s Security Service is actively investigating to determine those responsible. As a precaution, increased surveillance has been implemented around the embassy and Jewish institutions in the area.

The Israeli ambassador expressed gratitude for the swift action taken by the Swedish authorities, asserting that acts of terrorism would not intimidate them. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ebba Busch, expressed her dismay at the incident, highlighting the frightening level of hatred against Israel and calling for a concerted effort to stop violent extremism.

Police are currently conducting an investigation into the incident and have not yet identified the individuals or groups behind the placement of the suspicious device. The embassy, located in Stockholm’s affluent Ostermalm area, remains under scrutiny in the aftermath of the attempted attack.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Hungary’s Viktor Orban and EU leaders to face off over Ukraine aid at crucial summit

By 226 0


European leaders are gathering in Brussels with the aim of resolving a deadlock over financial aid for Ukraine, a €50 billion package that was vetoed by Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban in December. Orban’s decision is believed to be connected to the EU withholding €20 billion from Hungary due to concerns about human rights and corruption in the country.

This impasse is preventing crucial funding from reaching Ukraine, particularly as the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion looms. Orban, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has consistently opposed EU sanctions on Russian oil and gas, contributing to the growing frustration among EU leaders with Hungary’s stance.

As the EU leaders attempt to address the Ukrainian aid issue, there are rumors of potential punitive actions against Hungary. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has asserted that the EU will find a solution to support Ukraine, even if it means proceeding without Hungary’s approval. Reports from the Financial Times suggest that Brussels officials could take measures affecting Hungary’s economy if Orban continues to block the aid package. In response, Orban accused the EU of blackmail, emphasizing the need for a resolution.

The summit is unfolding against the backdrop of widespread farmers’ protests across Europe that have persisted for weeks. Farmers are demonstrating against EU measures aimed at making the agricultural sector more sustainable and the bloc’s decision to lift quotas on Ukrainian grain exports. The protests have alarmed many European leaders, prompting them to seek solutions from the EU to address farmers’ concerns.

The European Commission has made some concessions, proposing an exemption to an unpopular fallow-land requirement and introducing a “safeguard mechanism” to reimpose emergency tariffs on Ukrainian imports if necessary. However, the EU’s farmers’ association, Copa-Cogeca, has expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the proposed safeguard mechanism does not provide sufficient relief for producers.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Boris Nadezhdin: Putin challenger submits bid to run for Russian president

By 233 0

Boris Nadezhdin, a Kremlin challenger, has declared that he has successfully gathered the required number of signatures to officially stand as a candidate in Russia’s upcoming presidential election. The former local councillor is notable for his outspoken criticism of President Putin and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Nadezhdin claims to have submitted over 100,000 signatures to the electoral authorities, a crucial step in the electoral process.

The electoral commission will now review Nadezhdin’s application, and if approved, he will join the race against current President Vladimir Putin. Putin has already registered as an independent candidate and is widely expected to secure another six-year term in the presidential election scheduled for March. Despite the dominance of Putin in Russian politics, Nadezhdin’s candidacy represents a challenge to the status quo.

In a country where opposition figures often face imprisonment or worse, Nadezhdin’s ability to openly criticize Putin without severe repercussions has been noteworthy. The former local councillor, who served for more than 30 years, recently accused Putin of undermining key institutions in Russia and expressed a commitment to ending the conflict in Ukraine if elected.

Thousands of Russians have shown their support for Nadezhdin by braving the cold to add their signatures to his candidacy. Nadezhdin shared a photo on social media, standing in front of boxes containing the signatures, emphasizing the collective effort of his supporters. The grassroots backing highlights a degree of public sentiment that extends beyond established political norms.

Russia’s political landscape has been dominated by Vladimir Putin since 2000, and a constitutional amendment passed in 2020 allows him to potentially remain in power until 2036 if re-elected in 2030. Nadezhdin’s candidacy, along with his critique of Putin’s leadership, adds an element of diversity to a political scene that has long been characterized by Putin’s enduring influence.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Shackled woman in Hungary court sparks Italy anger

By 285 0

Italy has expressed strong concern and summoned Hungary’s ambassador after images of Ilaria Salis, a 39-year-old Italian woman, shackled in a Budapest court triggered public and political outrage. Salis, accused of participating in violent assaults against neo-Nazi sympathizers in February 2023, faced restraints on her hands and feet during the court appearance. The attacks occurred following a neo-Nazi rally in Budapest, with alleged far-left militants assaulting individuals after the “Day of Honour” rally.

A video showing anti-fascist activists beating a Hungarian person circulated widely in Hungary, leading to Salis’ arrest along with two German nationals. Salis faces charges of conspiracy to commit assault causing grievous bodily harm, with a potential 11-year jail term if convicted. Her case gained attention in October when her father highlighted the harsh conditions of her detention. Images of Salis in shackles during the court hearing sparked further outrage, with an online petition garnering over 90,000 signatures demanding her return to Italy.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Hungarian ambassador to inquire about the perceived violation of fundamental norms on detainee conditions. While Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, an ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has not commented, there are calls for her intervention. The Five Star Movement leader urged Meloni to prioritize the rights and dignity of Italians over political alliances.

Salis’ lawyer criticized the scenes in court as a clear violation of the European Convention on Human Rights. Allegations of unsanitary conditions in Hungarian prisons were contested by the prison service, emphasizing high hygiene standards. However, human rights groups reported overcrowded and understaffed prisons in Hungary.

The case, dominating Italian headlines, has also attracted attention in Hungary and Europe. Concerns were raised about the use of physical restraints in court and the perceived repressive nature of Hungary’s judiciary system. The president of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties deemed the scene in the EU state’s court as “appalling.” Salis’s lawyer expressed pessimism about the trial’s outcome and called for Salis to serve pre-trial detention in Italy, citing EU law allowing citizens to be held on house arrest in their resident member country.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Vladimir Kara-Murza: Fears for Russian activist after secretive jail move

By 298 0

A lawyer representing Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was imprisoned on treason charges for criticizing the war in Ukraine, has disclosed that he has been relocated to another prison in Siberia’s Omsk region. Concerns for his safety heightened when Kara-Murza disappeared from his initial jail, prompting UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron to seek clarity on his whereabouts. Russian prison transfers are typically secretive and can take weeks.

Previously held in a penal colony in Omsk, Kara-Murza’s lawyers revealed that he was moved to a different penal colony in the same region. The British national, sentenced to 25 years in April for spreading “false” information about the Russian army and alleged affiliation with an “undesirable organization,” had been an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin and had played a significant role in advocating for sanctions against Russian officials for human rights abuses and corruption.

Kara-Murza’s wife expressed deep concern over his transfer, emphasizing that there were no apparent grounds for it. She highlighted the gravity of the situation, as her husband had previously survived two alleged assassination attempts in 2015 and 2017 through poisoning. The British government, along with the US State Department, condemned Kara-Murza’s sentencing and described him as a target of Russia’s escalating repression campaign.

The UK government summoned Russia’s ambassador and pledged to explore measures against those responsible for his detention and mistreatment. Kara-Murza, who holds British citizenship, received support from various quarters, including UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who demanded information about his whereabouts.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Sports Trending

Kamila Valieva: Russian figure skater given four-year ban for doping

By 387 0

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has received a four-year ban for doping, following an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Valieva had initially been cleared by a Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) investigation, which found no fault on her part for a failed test before the 2022 Winter Olympics, where she won team gold at the age of 15.

The ban, backdated to December 25, 2021, the date of the failed test, includes the disqualification of all competitive results achieved from that date. CAS clarified that the decision on whether to strip Russia of the gold medal would be examined by the relevant sports organizations, not within the scope of the arbitration procedure.

Valieva did not contest the presence of the banned substance, and CAS ruled that she failed to establish, on the balance of probabilities, that the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) was not intentional. The Kremlin criticized the CAS ruling as a “politicized” decision, while the Russian Olympic Committee stated that “in effect war has been declared on Russia.”

WADA emphasized the severity of doping involving minors and called for legal consequences for doctors, coaches, or support personnel providing performance-enhancing substances to minors. The United States is expected to be awarded gold in the team figure skating event in Beijing, with Japan and Canada receiving silver and bronze, respectively.

The controversy surrounding Valieva’s doping case is seen as another chapter in Russia’s doping scandal, with the country’s athletes competing at the Beijing Games under the neutral name of the Russian Olympic Committee. The CAS decision has sparked concerns about the credibility of the Russian anti-doping system, with calls for increased vigilance.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Sports Trending

Xavi: Barcelona manager to leave at end of season

By 520 0

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has announced that he will step down from his position at the end of the season. The decision comes after a 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal, leaving Barcelona 10 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Despite winning the Spanish title in his first full season in charge, Xavi believes the club needs a change in dynamic for the benefit of both the players and the board of directors.

Xavi, a former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, has been a loyal figure for the club, but he feels it’s time to prioritize his mental health. The 44-year-old, who won 25 honors during his playing career at Barcelona, will officially leave on June 30, even though he has a year left on his contract. Xavi stated that the demanding nature of the club, combined with the pressure of the job, has taken a toll on him, and he believes it’s the right moment to step back.

The decision comes after Xavi had previously mentioned that he would “pack his bags” if his players lost faith in him. Despite a response with back-to-back wins, recent defeats in the Copa del Rey and La Liga have led to his departure announcement. Xavi hopes that by revealing his decision now, it will de-escalate tensions and provide a solution for the rest of the season.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague suggests that Xavi, being a true Barcelona fan and having won the league, may not manage any other team. Balague raises questions about Xavi’s readiness for the Barcelona job, as the club’s president, Joan Laporta, did not initially choose him. The loss of key personnel within the club and the lack of a defined playing style have contributed to the challenges faced by Xavi during his tenure. Balague concludes that Xavi will need to reflect on whether the conditions were right for him to succeed or if his own readiness for the role played a part in the challenges faced.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

Art News Trending

Mona Lisa: Protesters throw soup at da Vinci painting

By 329 0

Environmental protesters targeted the iconic Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris, throwing soup at the protected artwork to emphasize their call for the right to “healthy and sustainable food.” The 16th Century masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci, housed behind protective glass, remained undamaged despite the unconventional protest.

Video footage captured two female protesters, affiliated with a group called Riposte Alimentaire (Food Counterattack), tossing liquid at the painting and raising questions about the perceived prioritization of art over the fundamental right to nutritious food. The protesters, clad in T-shirts reading “food counterattack,” stood in front of the artwork, asserting concerns about the agricultural system and the challenges faced by farmers.

The Louvre promptly assured the public that the painting was unharmed, thanks to the security measures in place. The Salle des Etats, where the Mona Lisa is displayed, was evacuated, and the room reopened to visitors after cleaning at 11:30 local time. The museum announced its intention to file a complaint regarding the incident.

The group Riposte Alimentaire released a statement, posted on social media platform X, explaining that the protest was part of their broader efforts to integrate “food into the general social security system.” They argued that the current food model stigmatizes the most vulnerable and fails to respect the fundamental right to food. The group proposed the issuance of a monthly food card worth €150 (£128) for citizens to use on food.

France’s Minister for Culture, Rachida Dati, condemned the act, stating that “no cause” could justify targeting the Mona Lisa, emphasizing the painting’s status as part of the heritage for future generations. The incident occurred amid ongoing farmer protests in Paris, where demonstrators sought relief from rising fuel costs and simplified regulations, blocking key roads in and out of the city.

The Mona Lisa, housed in the Louvre since the early 1950s, has been shielded behind safety glass. In 2019, the museum installed a more transparent form of bulletproof glass to enhance its protection. This incident echoes a 2022 event when an activist threw cake at the painting, urging people to “think of the Earth.” The Mona Lisa’s history includes a notorious theft in 1911, with recovery two years later after the perpetrator attempted to sell it in Italy.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Trending

Czech Republic MPs vote to tighten gun laws

By 301 0

The Czech Republic has passed an amendment to its gun legislation, following the recent mass shooting at Charles University. The amendment, proposed prior to the incident, still needs approval from the senate and the president and won’t be effective until 2026. Despite being considered insufficiently transformative, the amendment aims to address loopholes that allowed the shooter, a licensed gun user, to amass eight legally-owned weapons, including an AR-10 semi-automatic assault rifle.

The shooter, a 24-year-old graduate student with a history of depression, killed 14 people on campus. The legal changes propose an updated online register of guns and owners accessible to doctors, including psychiatrists. Gun shops will be obligated to report suspicious purchases, and the system will flag individuals acquiring numerous weapons. Police will gain the authority to seize weapons preventatively, especially if the owners make threats on social media, a power currently unavailable to them.

However, mandatory psychological tests for gun licenses, common in other countries, will not be enforced. Czech doctors can request such tests but are not obligated to do so before signing license applications. The legislation may undergo further amendments in parliament, but the fundamental right to bear arms for self-defense, added to the constitution in 2021 amid EU attempts to restrict weapon possession, is unlikely to be altered. With over 300,000 licensed gun owners and a million guns in the country, the Czech Republic, known for hunting and biathlon, has a majority of licenses granted for personal protection rather than sports or hunting purposes. The necessity of such personal protection in cities like Prague and Brno remains unclear in one of Europe’s safest countries.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

News Sports Trending

Luis Rubiales: Fifa uphold three-year ban against ex-Spanish football federation chief

By 270 0

Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation, has been unsuccessful in his appeal against a three-year ban from football-related activities imposed by FIFA. This decision follows an incident where Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory against England. Hermoso later filed a legal complaint, alleging that the kiss was not consensual.

FIFA stated that Rubiales violated the principles of fair play and displayed offensive behavior, citing Article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code. The governing body’s appeal committee expressed satisfaction that Rubiales behaved contrary to these principles during and after the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The ban could potentially be contested before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A Spanish judge has proposed that Rubiales should stand trial over the incident, describing the kiss as “not consensual and… a unilateral and surprising initiative.” Prosecutors had previously charged Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion. Despite Rubiales maintaining that the kiss was a “consensual peck,” the controversy led to his resignation as the president of the Spanish football federation, sparking a global conversation about sexism in women’s sports.

The incident also had repercussions in the coaching staff, as World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda was sacked in September and is under investigation as part of the criminal case against Rubiales. Jenni Hermoso, who claimed her image was tarnished by the kiss, made a return to the national side in October, scoring a crucial 89th-minute winner against Italy.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright