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Russian-US journalist jailed for ‘false information’

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Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison by a court in Kazan, central Russia, for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian military. Kurmasheva, an editor at US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was initially arrested last October for not registering as a foreign agent. Her sentencing coincided with the imprisonment of another US journalist, Evan Gershkovich, who was given a 16-year sentence for espionage.

Kurmasheva, who denies the charges, has been described by RFE/RL president Stephen Capus as being unjustly convicted, calling the trial a “mockery of justice.” Capus has called for her immediate release, emphasizing the need for her to return to her family. Her husband, Pavel Butorin, expressed his and their daughters’ belief in her innocence, urging for her return home.

Kurmasheva, a dual citizen of the US and Russia, works for RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir service, focusing on issues affecting ethnic minorities in central Russia. She had traveled to Kazan for a family emergency in May 2023 and was detained there. Her Russian and American passports were seized, and she faced legal troubles for not declaring her US passport. She was fined and subsequently arrested on the foreign agent charge, followed by a more serious accusation of spreading false information in December.

This case is seen as part of a broader crackdown on independent journalism in Russia, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine, with the “false information” charge frequently used to suppress dissent. The law criminalizing false information was enacted shortly after Russia’s invasion began, purportedly in response to what the Kremlin described as an “information war” against Russia.

Kurmasheva’s conviction adds to concerns that Russia may be using American citizens as leverage in negotiations, potentially involving exchanges for Russian prisoners held abroad. While speculation about such swaps continues, especially following Gershkovich’s sentencing, Kurmasheva’s situation remains uncertain.

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France recalls contaminated Olympic-branded water bottles

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France has issued a recall for a series of Olympic-themed water bottles for children, just one week before the Paris 2024 Games commence. The reusable bottles, adorned with the Olympic rings and Paris 2024 mascot or flame, have been found to contain excessive levels of Bisphenol A (BPA), according to the official consumer recall agency, Rappel Conso.

These white flasks, distributed in August last year and sold until June, have been deemed non-compliant with safety regulations. BPA, commonly used in food containers, is known to be an endocrine disruptor that can interfere with hormonal functions. It has been linked to various health problems, including breast cancer and infertility. Due to these risks, BPA has been banned in France since 2015.

Consumers are advised to return the affected bottles to the stores where they were purchased. The 2024 Summer Olympics, set to take place in France from July 26 to August 11, 2024, will proceed despite this issue.

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Tadej Pogačar completes dominant Tour de France victory

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Tadej Pogačar’s performance at this year’s Tour de France has been marked by a striking nonchalance, showcasing an overwhelming dominance throughout the race that hasn’t been seen in over 25 years.

At just 26 years old, Pogačar achieved a remarkable “double,” becoming the first rider since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia in the same year—a nearly unattainable feat in contemporary cycling. His apparent ease was evident as he took a bow after clinching his fourth stage win on Friday and maintained a light-hearted demeanor in post-race interviews.

Pogačar’s success continued with additional stage victories on Saturday and Sunday, totaling six stage wins for the race—the most by any rider since 2009 and an impressive feat for a general classification contender. Remarkably, he became the first rider since 1948 to win five mountain stages in a single Tour.

He finished with a commanding lead of six minutes and 17 seconds over his main rival, Jonas Vingegaard, who took second place. Pogačar extended his lead by winning the time trial in the final stage held in Nice on Sunday.

The rivalry between Pogačar and Vingegaard has defined the Tour de France since 2021, when Vingegaard first challenged Pogačar’s dominance. Pogačar won that year, but Vingegaard claimed the next two editions. This year, Pogačar reasserted himself as the preeminent rider, overpowering Vingegaard, who was still recovering from a severe crash three months prior that had left him with a broken collarbone, several ribs, and a collapsed lung.

Their rivalry contrasts two distinct personalities: the bold and aggressive Pogačar versus the more reserved and strategic Vingegaard. Remco Evenepoel, making his debut at the Tour, was the only rider able to keep pace with the duo, ultimately finishing third, 9:18 behind Pogačar.

On the podium, Pogačar wore the yellow jersey as the overall winner, with Evenepoel in white as the best young rider, Richard Carapaz in polka dots as the best climber, and Biniam Girmay making history as the first Black African rider to win the green jersey for the points classification.

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Ex-MP with Ukrainian Nationalist Ties Shot Dead on Lviv Street

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A former Ukrainian nationalist MP has been killed in a shooting incident on a street in Lviv, a western city. Iryna Farion, a 60-year-old linguistic professor who stirred controversy in 2023 by asserting that “true patriots” of Ukraine should never speak Russian, was targeted on Friday. Her death is under investigation, with authorities suggesting it may have been a premeditated attack.

The police have not yet identified the perpetrator, and a power outage affected CCTV footage in the vicinity. Lviv Regional Governor Maksym Kozytskyi confirmed that Farion succumbed to her injuries in the hospital. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko indicated that the killing was not random and that the investigation is exploring motives related to Farion’s social, political activities, and personal conflicts. There is also the possibility that the murder was commissioned.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a major police operation, stating that all potential motives, including connections to Russia, are being thoroughly examined. The nationalist Svoboda party, of which Farion was a member, has accused Russia of orchestrating the killing, claiming it is an attack on the Ukrainian language.

Farion’s provocative statements in 2023, in which she labeled Russian as the “language of the enemy,” led to significant backlash and accusations of inciting linguistic hatred. She was dismissed from her university position and investigated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). In May, she was reportedly reinstated by the Lviv Court of Appeal.

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US Journalist Gershkovich Gets 16 Years in Russia

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US journalist Evan Gershkovich has been sentenced to 16 years in a high-security penal colony by a Russian court, following a trial that has been widely criticized as a “sham” by his employer, family, and the White House. Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), was arrested in March while reporting in Yekaterinburg. Russian authorities accused him of espionage on behalf of the CIA, charges that Gershkovich, the WSJ, and the US government strongly deny.

This conviction marks the first time a US journalist has been found guilty of espionage in Russia since the end of the Cold War. The verdict can be appealed by both sides within 15 days.

The WSJ condemned the trial as disgraceful, emphasizing that Gershkovich has spent 478 days wrongfully detained, separated from his family, and unable to perform his journalistic duties. The publication pledged to continue advocating for his release.

Western leaders have universally condemned the ruling. US President Joe Biden asserted that Gershkovich had committed no crime and was targeted due to his role as a journalist. He reaffirmed the US commitment to press freedom and condemned the attack on journalism.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also criticized the verdict, with Borrell accusing Russia of using its legal system to punish journalism and Starmer calling the sentence “despicable.”

There is speculation that Gershkovich’s conviction may be linked to potential negotiations for a prisoner swap involving Russian nationals held abroad. Russian observers suggest that a quick verdict might indicate imminent discussions for such an exchange.

The trial, which began last month, saw prosecutors request an 18-year sentence before the hearing was unexpectedly expedited. The charges against Gershkovich involve allegations of collecting secret information about a tank factory, which he and his employer vehemently deny.

Other US detainees in Russia, including Paul Whelan, also face espionage charges. President Biden has stated that securing the release of Gershkovich, Whelan, and other wrongfully detained Americans is a top priority.

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Serbian Suspect Arrested for Murder of Rolls-Royce Designer

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A 22-year-old Serbian man was arrested in France a week after the fatal stabbing of a 74-year-old man in Germany, locally identified as former Rolls-Royce car designer Ian Cameron. Bavarian police announced that the suspect was found in a flat northeast of Paris and apprehended by French special forces.

Ian Cameron was reportedly attacked last Friday night at his home in Herrsching, near Munich. His wife raised the alarm by fleeing to a neighbor’s house. Police later released an image of the suspect from a local supermarket before the incident, indicating he had been in the Herrsching area for several hours.

Cameron had moved to Herrsching 11 years ago. His former Rolls-Royce colleagues expressed deep shock over the incident. Authorities have not disclosed Cameron’s name publicly as the victim nor provided a motive for the attack.

After discovering Cameron’s body, police conducted extensive searches in the surrounding areas, including gardens, roads, and woodlands near Lake Ammersee, aided by helicopters and police dogs. The suspect had initially escaped on foot, prompting police to warn the public not to approach him. During the search, a red backpack and other objects were found near the victim’s house, and a cable for an outdoor security camera appeared to have been cut.

Bavarian police confirmed the suspect’s detention after a week-long manhunt, during which he traveled from Munich to Innsbruck, Austria, through Zurich, and then to France. The Serbian suspect was alone in an apartment near Paris when he was apprehended without resistance by French special forces. He is scheduled to appear before an investigating magistrate in France on Friday.

Chris Brownridge, the chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, expressed condolences to Cameron’s family and friends, noting Cameron’s significant contributions to the design of Phantom and Ghost models during his tenure as head of design until 2012.

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Journalist Ordered to Pay Damages for Mocking Italian PM’s Height

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An Italian journalist, Giulia Cortese, has been ordered to pay Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni €5,000 (£4,210) in damages for social media posts mocking Meloni’s height. A judge ruled that two tweets by Cortese, who also received a suspended fine of €1,200, were defamatory and constituted “body shaming.”

The incident began in October 2021 when Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party was in opposition. Cortese posted a doctored image on X (formerly Twitter) showing Meloni with a framed photo of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in the background. Meloni condemned the image as extremely serious and announced legal action. Cortese deleted the image, admitting it was fake but accused Meloni of creating a “media pillory” against her. She called Meloni a “little woman” and later tweeted, “You don’t scare me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you’re only 1.2m [3ft 9in] tall. I can’t even see you.” Meloni’s actual height is reported as 1.63m (5ft 3in) in Italian media.

Cortese was cleared of any wrongdoing for posting the doctored image but was convicted for the subsequent tweets. She has the option to appeal but hasn’t decided yet. Meloni’s lawyer stated that any awarded money would be donated to charity.

Cortese reacted to the verdict on X, criticizing the Italian government for its stance on freedom of expression and journalistic dissent. She compared the situation to Hungary under Viktor Orbán, expressing concern for independent journalists and opinion leaders in Italy. Cortese added that while she is proud to be Italian, the country deserves better than its current government.

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French priest accused of sexual assaults 17 years after death

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French Roman Catholic priest Abbé Pierre, a celebrated advocate for the homeless, has been accused of sexual assault 17 years after his death. Abbé Pierre, who passed away in January 2007 at the age of 94, is now alleged to have sexually assaulted or harassed seven women between 1970 and 2005. The Emmaus anti-poverty movement, which he founded, revealed the allegations and expressed belief in the women’s testimonies.

“These revelations have shaken our organizations, where the figure of Abbé Pierre plays a major role,” Emmaus stated on its website. “We all know his story and his message. These acts profoundly change the way we regard this man, who was known above all for his struggle against poverty, destitution, and exclusion.” The allegations have tarnished the posthumous reputation of Abbé Pierre, who was widely popular in France during his lifetime, even topping national popularity polls. His movement, Emmaus, has a global presence with hostels in numerous countries.

Following his death, then-President Jacques Chirac described Abbé Pierre as “an immense figure, a conscience, an incarnation of goodness.” Emmaus began investigating the allegations a year ago after receiving an account from a woman claiming to have been sexually assaulted by Abbé Pierre. This led to an inquiry by an external firm, which found six additional cases, including one involving a minor.

Emmaus acknowledged the bravery of the women who came forward, stating, “We believe them, we know that these intolerable acts have left their mark, and we stand by them.” The allegations dominated the headlines of the French press, with many expressing shock at the fall of such a revered figure. Libération, a left-wing newspaper, linked the scandal to the broader issue of the Catholic Church’s silence on sexual abuse, noting that before the MeToo movement, these allegations might have remained unheard.

Emmaus has established a confidential system to collect testimonies from anyone who experienced or witnessed “unacceptable behavior” by Abbé Pierre, offering guidance and support to those who come forward.

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EU Parliament Faces Tense Vote on Von der Leyen’s Second Term

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On Thursday, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are set to decide whether Ursula von der Leyen will serve a second term as European Commission president. Despite her recent efforts to garner support, the outcome of the vote, scheduled for 13:00 in Brussels (11:00 GMT), remains uncertain.

Von der Leyen was officially nominated by European leaders at a June summit in Brussels, despite opposition from Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who abstained and criticized the exclusion of certain parties from the decision-making process.

Securing 361 votes is crucial for von der Leyen’s reconfirmation. While support from her center-right European People’s Party (EPP), the Socialists & Democrats, and the liberal Renew group is expected, the secret ballot nature allows MEPs to vote based on personal rather than party lines.

Several Irish MEPs from centrist parties plan to vote against von der Leyen due to her stance on the Gaza conflict. Some French MEPs within her own EPP group have also expressed dissent.

To secure votes, von der Leyen has conducted private meetings with various parliamentary groups, with mixed success. Left-wing MEPs have decided against her due to concerns over military spending, while she has garnered tentative support from some right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) members.

Italian Prime Minister Meloni, leading the ECR, is awaiting von der Leyen’s address before deciding how to instruct her 24 Italian MEPs. Reports suggest she may endorse von der Leyen in exchange for a senior Commission role for Italy.

The newly formed Patriots for Europe, led by Hungary’s Viktor Orban and including far-right leaders from France, Austria, and the Netherlands, has refused to support von der Leyen.

If von der Leyen fails to secure MEPs’ approval, EU leaders will need to propose a new candidate, potentially restarting the selection process.

Von der Leyen initially took office in a close vote five years ago, overcoming political deadlock among EU leaders.

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Chelsea’s Fernandez Apologizes for Controversial Video, FIFA Investigates

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Chelsea footballer Fernandez has issued a public apology after a video surfaced featuring members of the Argentina squad singing a controversial song about France’s black players. The video, posted during celebrations of Argentina’s Copa America victory, prompted widespread condemnation for its racially offensive content. In response, FIFA has launched an investigation into the incident, with both the French Football Federation (FFF) and anti-discrimination organizations expressing outrage and calling for accountability.

In his apology, Fernandez, Chelsea’s £107m record signing, expressed regret for his involvement in the video, stating that the words used do not reflect his beliefs or character. Chelsea Football Club has initiated an internal disciplinary procedure, and anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has emphasized the need for educational measures and accountability beyond mere apologies. The FFF has announced plans to file a complaint with FIFA against the Argentine Football Association, condemning the remarks as contrary to the values of sport and human rights.

FIFA, in response to the incident, has strongly condemned all forms of discrimination and is actively investigating the matter. The controversy underscores ongoing concerns about racism in football, prompting calls for comprehensive action to address such behavior both within clubs and at international levels.

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