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Ukraine war: The Russian ships accused of North Sea sabotage

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According to a joint investigation by public broadcasters in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland, Russia has allegedly developed a program to disrupt wind farms and communication cables in the North Sea. The investigation claims that Russia has deployed a fleet of vessels disguised as fishing trawlers and research vessels that carry underwater surveillance equipment to map out key sites for potential sabotage.

UK officials are reportedly aware of Russian vessels moving around UK waters as part of this program. The first of a series of reports on this matter is scheduled to be aired on Wednesday by DR in Denmark, NRK in Norway, SVT in Sweden, and Yle in Finland.

According to a Danish counter-intelligence officer, the plans for sabotaging wind farms and communication cables in the North Sea are being prepared by Russia in case of a full-scale conflict with the West. The head of Norwegian intelligence has also reportedly said that the program is considered highly important for Russia and controlled directly from Moscow.

The broadcasters claim to have analyzed intercepted Russian communications, which reveal the presence of “ghost ships” sailing in Nordic waters with their transmitters turned off to avoid detection. The report highlights a vessel named the Admiral Vladimirsky, officially designated as an underwater research vessel but alleged to be a Russian spy ship.

The documentary cites an anonymous former UK Royal Navy expert who tracked the vessel’s movements around seven wind farms located off the coasts of the UK and the Netherlands during one mission.

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Macron tries to escape French pension row with street song

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French President Emmanuel Macron faced a risky situation while attempting to persuade the country to accept an unpopular pension age increase. During a walk with his wife Brigitte, Macron joined a group of young Parisians who were singing a traditional song his grandmother used to sing.

The singers were part of a Parisian choir performing on a street in the sixth district of Paris, and one of them asked Macron to join in singing an old Pyrenees song called “Le Refuge.” However, the sing-song was reportedly shared by a far-right Facebook group.

The men were using a mobile phone app to read the lyrics of the song created by the Canto project. Macron had given a TV address expressing regret that no consensus could be found on the pension reform earlier that day.

Last October, a left-leaning newspaper called Libération revealed that the Canto project, which aimed to promote traditional songs, had been set up and run by far-right activists. Some of the songs included French classics and nursery rhymes, while others had a questionable past, including songs linked to the Spanish fascist Falange of the 1930s and Nazi Germany.

Macron and his team are aware of how viral videos can distract from important issues, particularly pension reforms. After his TV address, Macron joined a group of singers who were performing a Pyrenean song he knew and liked. His team said that he couldn’t have known the background of each individual singer. Last month, a viral video showed Macron’s watch disappearing during a TV interview, but it was later revealed to be a non-issue.

Similarly, the narrative that Macron was supporting the far right by singing with the Saint Longin choir has gained traction, but his team maintains that he simply joined in singing a song he knew and liked.

The only link between the choir Macron sang with and the far right is that the founder of the app they used to read the lyrics was close to the National Rally opposition party. The app was created to encourage communal singing and received funding from the culture ministry.

It included revolutionary songs, including ones dear to the far-left, such as “Ah ça ira,” which features the line “Aristocrats to the gallows!” The Saint Longin choir appears to be from the Catholic right, but one member stated that their only connection to the Canto project was that they shared an interest in the music it featured. The Élysée also noted that Macron could not control who he met while walking with his wife at night.

The video of Macron singing with the choir has given the story significant traction, particularly as his approval ratings are currently low. This situation only compounds his difficulties as he attempts to restore his reputation. Despite this, he signed the pension reforms into law, which increase the retirement age from 62 to 64, and has given the Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne the responsibility of leading a hundred days of action with a roadmap of significant projects aimed at benefitting France.

Following the reforms, Macron’s impromptu sing-song in Paris was his first public appearance, and he planned to relaunch his second term in office in the Alsace town of Muttersholtz. However, given the protests and criticism against his pension reforms, security was expected to be tight during his visit.

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Evan Gershkovich: US journalist arrested in Russia appears in court

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A US journalist named Evan Gershkovich, who was working for the Wall Street Journal, has had his appeal against pre-trial detention rejected by a court in Russia. Mr. Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg and charged with spying.

He appeared in court in Moscow for the first time, standing in a bullet-proof glass enclosure wearing jeans and a blue checked shirt, and gave a brief smile but did not address the reporters present. His lawyer and the US ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, were also in attendance. This was the first public sighting of Mr. Gershkovich since his arrest.

The same court in Russia that convicted and sentenced Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza for treason on Monday rejected the appeal of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was detained on charges of spying while working for the Wall Street Journal.

Media was allowed to attend the hearing before being asked to leave and return later. The US ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, who was present at the hearing, said that she had met Mr. Gershkovich for the first time on Monday and that he was in good health and strong despite the circumstances. Ms. Tracy called for Mr. Gershkovich’s immediate release, describing the charges against him as baseless.

More than 40 countries, led by the US, issued a joint statement at the UN on Monday demanding Mr. Gershkovich’s release and condemning Moscow’s treatment of the media. Mr. Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of espionage.

According to Russian authorities, Evan Gershkovich was attempting to obtain classified defence information for the US government, a charge that he denies. His arrest is the first time since the Soviet era that Moscow has accused a US journalist of espionage.

Gershkovich was reportedly covering the Russian mercenary group Wagner in Yekaterinburg when he was detained. The Wall Street Journal has been providing legal support to Gershkovich, and US officials, including President Joe Biden and bipartisan senators, have condemned his detention.

His case is now being handled by the US special envoy for hostage affairs. The James Foley Legacy Foundation reported in 2022 that at least 65 Americans were being unfairly detained abroad.

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Ukraine war: Putin visits occupied Kherson region in Ukraine

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Russian President Vladimir Putin recently made a surprise visit to the occupied regions of Kherson and Luhansk in Ukraine, attending a military meeting to hear reports from commanders. This is a rare move by the Russian leader, who made a similar visit to Mariupol in March.

Although the date of the visit to Kherson is unknown, in footage released of the trip, Putin mentions the upcoming Orthodox Easter holiday, which was last Sunday. The Kremlin stated that the visits were not pre-planned.

During his visit, Putin also enquired about the situation in the Zaporizhzhia region, which Russia has also claimed as part of its territory. The international community has condemned Putin’s visit to the occupied territories.

During the military meeting in Kherson, Putin emphasized the importance of hearing the opinions and exchanging information with the commanders while acknowledging that he did not want to distract them from their duties. Russian forces had retreated from the city of Kherson towards the end of last year, losing the only regional capital they had captured since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Nonetheless, Russia still controls some parts of the region. In a video released by the Kremlin, Putin is seen disembarking from a helicopter and being greeted by a man in military uniform, believed to be military commander Col Gen Oleg Makarevich.

Later in the video, Putin is shown sitting in a control room between Col Gen Makarevich and Col Gen Mikhail Teplinsky, the head of Russia’s airborne forces. Col Gen Teplinsky was reportedly removed in January but has now returned to the front line, as reported by American military experts and British intelligence.

“Teplinsky is likely one of the few senior Russian generals widely respected by the rank-and-file,” the UK Ministry of Defence wrote on social media on Sunday.

“His recent turbulent career suggests intense tensions between factions within the Russian General Staff about Russia’s military approach in Ukraine.”

In the video, Putin is also shown presenting what is claimed to be a copy of an icon belonging to one of the most successful defense ministers of the Russian Empire. The footage then shows a road sign with the words “see you later in the Kherson region” and aerial shots of a coastal village, followed by Putin getting off a helicopter once again.

In a subsequent scene, Putin is seen wearing different clothes as he is taken into a bunker and is shown speaking with Col Gen Alexander Lapin, chief of staff of Russia’s ground forces. The Kremlin stated that Putin also visited the Vostok headquarters, which is a part of Russia’s National Guard, in occupied Luhansk. As of now, there has been no comment from Ukrainian authorities on the footage.

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Germans split as last three nuclear power stations go off grid

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On Saturday, anti-atomic activists celebrated a 60-year victory on one side of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, while protests took place on the other side against the closure of Germany’s three remaining nuclear power stations. Germany’s ideological divide on nuclear energy is emotionally charged, and both sides accuse each other of irrational ideology.

Conservative politicians and commentators argue that Germany’s decision to scrap domestic nuclear power is a result of Green Party dogma, and that this move increases reliance on fossil fuels and raises energy prices, while nuclear energy has lower emissions. This issue is particularly contentious as war in Europe looms large.

The Green Party and left-wingers argue that it doesn’t make sense to stick to nuclear power, which is more expensive than renewable sources like wind and solar. The German government believes that keeping the three aging nuclear power stations running would require significant investment, which would be better spent on renewable energy sources. Green Party MPs are skeptical of the Christian Democratic Union’s (CDU) sudden support for climate protection, given that the party has traditionally obstructed measures to expand renewable energy infrastructure.

Ironically, it was a conservative-led government under Angela Merkel that decided to phase out nuclear power after the Fukushima disaster in 2011, a decision that was popular with voters due to widespread anti-nuclear sentiment. Some people suggest that Merkel’s decision was influenced by upcoming regional elections at the time.

Germany currently generates 44% of its electricity from renewables, and only 6% from nuclear power, according to the Federal Statistical Office. The country’s Green economy minister, Robert Habeck, predicts that 80% of Germany’s electricity will come from renewable sources by 2030, and has implemented laws to streamline the construction of wind and solar farms.

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Vladimir Kara-Murza: Russian opposition figure jailed for 25 years

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Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is a former journalist and politician of Russian-British descent, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in Russia. He has been convicted of charges related to treason and criticism of the war in Ukraine. Kara-Murza has denied the charges and has been openly critical of his trial.

He played a crucial role in persuading Western governments to impose sanctions on Russian officials for corruption and human rights abuses. His arrest took place a year ago in Moscow, initially for disobeying a police officer, and more severe charges were levied against him once he was in custody. His sentence is the harshest given to an opposition figure to date.

During his trial, one of the charges against Vladimir Kara-Murza was related to a speech he gave in the US, where he accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine by using cluster bombs in residential areas and targeting schools and hospitals.

Although these claims were independently verified, Russian investigators dismissed them as false, stating that the defense ministry did not allow the use of prohibited methods in warfare and that Russia did not target Ukrainian civilians.

Another charge against Kara-Murza was related to an event for political prisoners, during which he criticized Russia’s alleged repressive policies, as deemed by investigators.

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EU rejects Ukraine grain bans by Poland and Hungary

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Poland and Hungary have implemented bans on Ukrainian grain imports to safeguard their domestic farming industries against low-priced imports. However, the European Commission has rejected these bans, stating that trade policy is not within the jurisdiction of individual member states. The ban covers various agricultural products including grains, dairy products, sugar, fruits, vegetables, and meats and will remain effective until the end of June.

The European Commission has not yet disclosed any actions it would take against Poland and Hungary for their bans on Ukrainian grain imports. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of aligning all decisions within the EU during challenging times.

Due to the disruption of export routes caused by Russia’s invasion last year, significant amounts of Ukrainian grain ended up in central Europe. A UN and Turkey-brokered deal with Russia allows Ukraine to continue exporting by sea, but it accuses Russia of causing delays with excessive inspections. Local farmers in Poland and Hungary complained of being undercut by cheaper Ukrainian grain flooding their markets, leading to the ban announced on Saturday. On Sunday, the Polish Economic Development and Technology Minister clarified that the ban would apply to goods in transit as well as those remaining in Poland.

The Polish Economic Development and Technology Minister, Waldemar Buda, has urged for negotiations with Ukraine to establish a system that guarantees exports pass through Poland and do not flood the local market. Ukraine claims that this action is in violation of bilateral trade agreements.

The country’s Agriculture Ministry stated that it has always been supportive of Poland’s agricultural sector and has responded quickly to various difficulties. The Ministry added that unilateral and extreme measures would not expedite a positive outcome. Ministers from both countries are scheduled to meet on Monday in Poland to discuss the matter.

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Kim Jong Un’s Daughter Becomes Fixture In N. Korea Weapons Tests

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Kim Jong Un’s daughter has accompanied her father for the third time during an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, while most North Korean children were in school. The girl’s age and name remain unknown, and it is uncertain if she has any siblings.

However, she has become a regular feature of North Korea’s propaganda efforts since November, appearing alongside her father during military demonstrations, dinners with generals, and military parades. North Korea has not disclosed any details about her family or background.

North Korean state media has released new photos of Kim Jong Un’s daughter, whom it refers to as the “precious child” and “respected daughter.” The South Korean spy agency believes her name is Ju Ae, and she is around 10 years old. In the photos, she is dressed in black and has long curls, sitting next to her father, who is smoking a cigarette while observing an intercontinental ballistic missile test.

This is the third time she has been present for such a test. She was also present at a banquet of top military officials in February and at a military parade in which she briefly brushed her father’s cheek in front of a large crowd.

Before Kim Jong Un’s daughter appeared in state media, North Korea had a practice of not revealing information about the offspring of its leaders until they became adults and entered positions within the state apparatus.

However, when Kim’s daughter made her first appearance in state media, she was celebrated by thousands of citizens and soldiers to commemorate the successful launch of the country’s most powerful ballistic missile. This event was followed by “stormy cheers of ‘Hurrah!'” as reported by official media sources.

In November, Kim’s daughter made her first public appearance, dressed in a white jacket and holding her father’s hand as they inspected a nuclear-capable ICBM. They were then seen strolling under the morning sky, with a missile towering on a pad waiting to blast off. It is unclear if she is being prepared as a potential successor, but her presence at the tests suggests that there is another generation waiting to take over the family dynasty that has been ruling North Korea since its creation during the Cold War.

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French Government Implements Controversial Pension Reforms Despite Protests and Strikes

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French President Emmanuel Macron has signed the controversial pension reforms into law, increasing the state pension age from 62 to 64. The move came after the Constitutional Council approved the changes, rejecting opposition calls for a referendum but also removing some aspects of the reforms due to legal flaws.

The reforms have faced strong opposition, with protests and strikes occurring for twelve days since January. The approval of the reforms has led to further protests and unrest in Paris, with 112 people arrested.

Unions have vowed to continue their opposition, calling for more demonstrations on 1 May. President Macron has defended the reforms as necessary to prevent the pension system from collapsing, and the government used special powers to implement the changes in March.

Trade unions made a final appeal to President Macron not to sign the pension-age increase into law following the Constitutional Court’s ruling. They argued that the rejected concessions made the reforms even more unbalanced.

The court struck down some of the reforms, including the “senior index” which encouraged companies to employ workers over 55. In response, Olivier Dussopt, Minister Delegate in charge of Public Accounts, promised to improve employment rates for those over 50 to ease concerns about the financial impact of the raised retirement age.

Despite a ban on protests outside the Constitutional Council building, demonstrators gathered nearby and jeered at the ruling.

Following the signing of the pension reforms into law, protesters expressed their intent to continue their demonstrations until the changes were withdrawn. Riots broke out in Paris, with several fires being set across the city, and police using tear gas to control the situation.

The police arrested 112 people. There were also protests in Rennes and Nantes, with fires being lit during the demonstrations. In Lyon, there were tense standoffs between protesters and police.

A protester named Lucy, aged 21, expressed her disappointment, saying that no one is listening to them despite their efforts to raise their voices. She vowed to continue protesting.

French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne tweeted that there were no winners or losers following the signing of the pension reforms into law. While the Constitutional Council rejected an initial bid for a referendum on the reforms, it will consider another proposal for a national vote by the left next month.

According to French political analyst Antoine Bristielle, the protests that have taken place across France for the past three months are unlikely to end soon. He noted that despite the expected approval of the reforms, there is still significant opposition to the changes, with 70% of the French population against them. Bristielle predicted that there will be more riots and strikes in the country in the coming hours and over the weekend.

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Anne Perry: Murderer turned crime writer dies aged 84

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Anne Perry, a crime author, who was convicted for helping to murder her friend’s mother when she was 15, has passed away at the age of 84. Perry served five years in prison for bludgeoning Honorah Mary Parker to death in 1954 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

She was known as Juliet Hulme at the time and later adopted the name Anne Perry as her pen name for her writing career. Perry’s declining health had been ongoing for several months after suffering a heart attack in December.

Her agent confirmed her death, which was the inspiration for Peter Jackson’s 1994 film, Heavenly Creatures, featuring Kate Winslet. The murder plot was discovered through journals found by the police.

Honorah Mary Parker was bludgeoned to death with a brick about 20 times, and during the trial, it was revealed that the two teenage girls had planned the murder to avoid separation when Perry’s parents were sending her abroad.

Perry, who was 16 at the time, was supposed to go to South Africa to live with relatives, and the girls believed that Parker’s mother would interfere with their plan. As both girls were under 18 years old at the time of the murder, they were not eligible for the death penalty and were sentenced to prison instead.

Anne Perry was born in Blackheath, London, in October 1938, and after moving to the Bahamas at eight years old, she settled in New Zealand. She had a difficult childhood due to illness, and as a result, she missed a lot of school and was fostered. After her release from prison for her involvement in the murder, Perry returned to the UK and briefly worked as a flight attendant.

She later converted to Mormonism and lived in a small Scottish village called Portmahomack. Perry’s writing career started with the publication of her first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, in 1979. She authored numerous novels that were part of different series and sold 25 million copies worldwide.

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