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Ukraine war: Children among eight dead in Russian strike on Dnipropetrovsk region

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Two separate Russian strikes in Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region resulted in eight fatalities, including two children. The attacks targeted the main city of Dnipro and the town of Synelnykove, damaging homes and infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the necessity for cities to have sufficient air defenses following the incidents.

Additionally, Ukraine claimed to have downed a long-range bomber inside Russian territory for the first time. In Synelnykove, six people, including an eight-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, were killed during the strikes on private residences. Another child was critically injured, with several others wounded. The regional capital, Dnipro, also suffered casualties when the train station and a five-story building were hit, resulting in two deaths and numerous injuries.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, with concerns that the casualty count may increase. Ukraine has repeatedly raised alarms about its dwindling arsenal capable of defending against Russian attacks, prompting calls for urgent military assistance from NATO. The recent escalation follows a deadly attack in Chernihiv, where 18 people were killed by Iskander cruise missiles.

Despite months of obstruction, a $60.8 billion US military aid package has seen renewed interest from Republican lawmakers, with a potential vote looming. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force claimed to have downed a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, which crashed in Russia’s Stavropol region after launching a missile strike on Ukraine. Russia attributed the incident to a technical malfunction, with two pilots rescued and efforts underway to locate others. This marks the latest in a series of confrontations between the two nations, with Ukraine citing the bomber’s use of Kh-22 missiles in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

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Manappuram Finance Ltd Champions Women’s Empowerment: Unique Times Conclave 2024

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Scheduled for May 13th at 11 am at Le Meridien in Kochi, the 2024 Unique Times Conclave, in collaboration with Manappuram Finance Limited, will celebrate the theme “Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Women’s Empowerment.” This event will focus on the influential role of entrepreneurship in fostering progress for women across various sectors. Manappuram Finance Ltd, as the event’s main sponsor, is committed to enhancing the visibility of women in the business world. Coordinated by Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd, the conclave is set to be a vibrant forum for meaningful conversations and empowering stories, with Dr. Sumitha Nandan, Executive Director of Manappuram Finance Ltd, steering the discussions.

An esteemed panel will feature at the conclave, including Mrs. Sheila Kochouseph Chittilappilly of V Star Creations Pvt Ltd, Mrs. Nazneen Jehangir of NeST Information Technologies Pvt Ltd, alongside notable personalities like Mrs. Parveen Hafeez, Adv Anna Linda Eden, Dr. Elizabeth Chacko, Dr. Lekshmi Nair, Dr. Radha P Thevannoor, and Ms. Devika Shreyams Kumar. These influential leaders will discuss the empowering impact of entrepreneurship for women, drawing from their extensive experiences.

The conclave will also include the presentation of the Women’s Excellence Award 2024, recognizing remarkable achievements by women in diverse areas. V P Nandakumar, CEO and Managing Director of Manappuram Finance Ltd, will honor the awardees as the chief guest. Supported by the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF) and DQUE Soap, the event gains additional prestige. The FICF, known for its dedication to business excellence and social responsibility, sponsors this important initiative, celebrating both business success and philanthropic efforts. This partnership between Unique Times and Manappuram Finance Ltd underscores their collective dedication to advancing women’s entrepreneurship and societal enhancement.

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Man arrested in Poland over alleged Russia plot to kill Zelensky

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A Polish man has been detained and accused of collaborating with Russian intelligence to potentially target Volodymyr Zelensky, according to authorities. The individual, identified as Pawel K, allegedly aimed to gather intelligence on an airport in Poland frequently used by the Ukrainian president. The arrest was prompted by Ukrainian intelligence information, though it’s unclear if any information was actually transmitted. If convicted, Pawel K could face a sentence of up to eight years. He remains in custody while investigations continue.

Polish prosecutors stated that Pawel K had offered his services to Russian military intelligence and had direct contact with individuals involved in the conflict in Ukraine. His assignment reportedly involved gathering details about security measures at Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland.

Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport, previously a small regional facility, has become crucial for supplying Western military aid to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. It serves as a significant transit point for military and cargo aircraft from the US and Europe, facilitating the delivery of supplies to Ukraine via trucks.

The airport is frequently used by leaders traveling to and from Ukraine, including President Zelensky, who has utilized it for foreign trips. Notably, other dignitaries like US President Joe Biden have also transited through this airport on their visits to Ukraine.

This incident follows previous arrests related to espionage suspicions, including the apprehension of foreign nationals accused of spying for Russia. They were reportedly involved in installing surveillance cameras, some of which were positioned around Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport.

Additionally, neighboring Germany recently detained two alleged Russian spies suspected of planning to disrupt German military aid intended for Ukraine.

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German spying: Suspected Russian spies held over sabotage plot

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Two individuals suspected of espionage and sabotage activities targeting German military support for Ukraine have been apprehended in Bavaria, Germany. Described as dual German-Russian nationals, they were arrested in Bayreuth on suspicion of spying for Russia, including scouting potential targets such as US military facilities in Germany. The main suspect, Dieter S, is accused of various offenses, including planning explosions, arson, and maintaining contact with Russian intelligence. He is also alleged to have participated in a Russian proxy armed force in eastern Ukraine from 2014 to 2016.

The second suspect, Alexander J, is accused of assisting Dieter S in identifying potential targets. Germany, as the second largest donor of military aid to Ukraine after the US, has earmarked significant funds for this purpose. The suspects are accused of discussing sabotage operations to undermine Germany’s support for Ukraine, particularly targeting military and industrial infrastructure. The arrests are seen as a significant success in combating Russian espionage networks, according to German officials.

These developments come amidst ongoing efforts by Germany to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses, with plans to provide additional Patriot systems. The arrests follow other notable espionage cases in Germany, including a German national suspected of passing information to Russian diplomats and the former CEO of Wirecard, who is believed to have fled to Moscow and is now suspected of being a Russian spy.

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EU to tighten Iran sanctions after Israel attack

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The European Union has expanded sanctions on Iranian drone and missile producers in response to Iran’s recent attack on Israel. European Council President Charles Michel stressed the significance of further isolating Iran, highlighting the need for decisive action.

These new sanctions build upon existing measures implemented by the EU, including penalties for Iran’s involvement in supplying drones to Russia. The decision to escalate sanctions was reached during a summit in Brussels, marking the first gathering of the bloc’s leaders since the attack on Israel.

In the wake of Iran’s assault, which involved a barrage of over 300 missiles and drones from multiple countries, the international community has urged restraint to prevent the situation from spiraling into a wider conflict. Despite calls for caution, Israel has not ruled out a potential response to the aggression.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of de-escalation following the summit, encouraging Israel to leverage diplomatic channels to strengthen its position in the region. Scholz’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among global leaders to mitigate tensions in the volatile Middle East.

Meanwhile, Israel has appealed to its allies to take robust action against Iran, advocating for sanctions on Tehran’s missile program and the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. However, the EU and UK have not yet followed the United States in designating the IRGC as such.

In addition to EU sanctions, the United States is also considering imposing new penalties on Iran. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen highlighted the potential for disrupting Iran’s terrorist financing and targeting its oil exports as areas of focus. Furthermore, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan affirmed that Iran’s missile and drone programs, alongside the IRGC and Iranian defense ministry, would be subject to forthcoming sanctions.

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Copenhagen vows to rebuild fire-hit stock exchange

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Copenhagen’s historic former stock exchange, which suffered severe damage in a recent fire, is set to undergo restoration efforts to preserve its significance as one of the city’s renowned landmarks. Officials, including the mayor and district mayors, emphasized the importance of rebuilding the 400-year-old building, stressing its integral role in Copenhagen’s history and identity.

Despite the extensive damage caused by the blaze, plans for restoration are underway, with the Danish chamber of commerce director affirming a commitment to reconstructing the structure. The chamber, which currently occupies the building, expressed dismay at the devastation witnessed during the fire.

Efforts to assess the extent of the damage are ongoing, with emergency services working to stabilize the remaining structure. The fire, which started beneath the building’s copper roof during the early hours of Tuesday morning, posed significant challenges to firefighters due to the ongoing renovation work and the building’s architectural features.

Leaders at both the national and local levels expressed sorrow over the loss of such a historic site, acknowledging the building’s cultural and architectural significance. The fire not only threatened the physical structure but also endangered valuable artwork and artifacts housed within. However, there were heartening scenes of collaboration as individuals, including emergency service personnel and bystanders, worked together to salvage precious items from the building.

While the fire caused significant damage to Copenhagen’s former stock exchange, efforts are underway to restore this iconic landmark to its former glory, reflecting the collective determination to preserve the city’s rich cultural heritage.

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Dutch Crown Princess Amalia lived in Spain after threats – reports

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Princess Amalia, the heir to the Dutch throne, reportedly spent over a year in Spain due to serious security threats against her. Dutch media sources, citing information from the public broadcaster NOS, revealed that she opted to study in Madrid for enhanced safety and greater freedom of movement. This decision came after threats emerged in autumn 2022, prompting her relocation from her student accommodation in Amsterdam back to her home.

During this period of heightened security concerns, both Princess Amalia and Prime Minister Mark Rutte faced increased protective measures due to kidnapping threats originating from organized crime in the Netherlands. Queen Máxima expressed her daughter’s inability to enjoy a typical student life during this time, emphasizing the limitations imposed on her activities, including her confinement to their residence.

Despite the challenges, Princess Amalia resumed her studies upon returning to Amsterdam. Fluent in Spanish, a language she acquired through her mother’s Argentinean heritage, she found Madrid to be a comfortable environment for her studies. Reports suggest that she may have already relocated to Madrid by February 2023, as she was seen there alongside her mother and friends.

Princess Amalia’s longing for normalcy was palpable during a state visit to the Caribbean in February 2023, where she expressed missing the ordinary experiences of a student. Despite her time abroad, she was reported to have returned to Amsterdam as early as February to continue her studies in Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics. These revelations about her stay in Spain come ahead of a state visit to the Netherlands by Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, where Princess Amalia is expected to make her first appearance in a domestic royal visit.

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National Conservatism Conference: Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels event

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Brussels police are enforcing an order to shut down the National Conservatism Conference, preventing further entry of guests. Concerns over public safety prompted local authorities to oppose the event, which aimed to gather right-wing politicians like Nigel Farage and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, along with figures such as former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman and French politician Eric Zemmour. Organized by the Edmund Burke Foundation, the conference advocates for traditional values and opposes European integration.

The mayor expressed concerns over some attendees holding anti-gay and anti-abortion views, stating that the far right is unwelcome. The conference began as scheduled but was interrupted by police, leaving attendees unable to re-enter and facing limited access to necessities. Farage criticized the decision to close the event, condemning it as an infringement on free speech.

French politician Eric Zemmour, denied entry, accused the mayor of using the police to suppress European participation. Organizers vowed to challenge the closure, highlighting the peaceful nature of the event. The conference, originally planned to accommodate 850 people, had around 250 attendees. This was the third venue attempt, as previous locations backed out due to pressure from an antifascist group.

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Legalise abortions in first trimester, German commission says

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An expert commission appointed by the government in Germany has recommended legalizing abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Currently, while abortions are technically illegal, exceptions exist for cases such as medical consultation beforehand, rape, or danger to the woman’s life. However, the ambiguous legal situation leads to challenges for both women seeking abortions and healthcare providers, contributing to stigma and uneven access to services, especially in rural areas.

The commission’s report, released a year ago, argues that maintaining the status quo is untenable in light of constitutional, human rights, and European law considerations. However, the government is not bound to follow the commission’s recommendations, and conservative opposition parties are threatening legal action if the law is changed. They accuse the commission of bias and claim the government is initiating a culture war over abortion rights.

While Germany has generally avoided the intense politicization of abortion seen in other countries, such as Poland or the US, upcoming national elections next year could intensify the debate. Politicians may use the issue to rally support amidst declining popularity, potentially prolonging the discussion and fueling further polarization.

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Macron says Paris Olympics opening ceremony could be moved

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French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony might be relocated from the River Seine due to security concerns. He suggested alternative venues such as the Trocadéro or the traditional site, the Stade de France. Originally designed to span a 6km stretch of the Seine with over 10,000 athletes on barges and 600,000 spectators along the riverbanks, the event’s scale has been reduced to accommodate only 300,000 invited guests due to security reasons.

Heightened security threats, particularly from groups like the Islamic State, have prompted the implementation of backup plans for the ceremony. Macron emphasized his commitment to ensuring the safety of the games and mentioned efforts to establish an Olympic truce, reaching out to international partners including Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Paris Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8. Despite security concerns, Macron expressed confidence in the successful execution of the opening ceremony, emphasizing its historic significance as the first to be held outside a stadium.

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