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Murder plot trial puts Latvia bank system in focus

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In Latvia, a businessman is scheduled to appear in court on Saturday for a murder plot trial that may expose the questionable history of the country’s banking system. Mihails Ulmans, who partially owns LPB bank, and his associate Aleksandrs Babenko are accused of paying the killer of Martins Bunkus, an insolvency lawyer who had allegedly uncovered evidence of money laundering at the bank. The murder occurred in 2018, and both defendants deny any involvement.

According to prosecutors, Mr. Bunkus discovered evidence of money laundering involving Ulmans and Babenko while dealing with another company’s liquidation. He reported his concerns to Latvian financial crime authorities. In September 2016, there was an unsuccessful attempt on Bunkus’s life, but he was later shot dead in broad daylight during rush hour in May 2018. The assailants concealed a Kalashnikov rifle under a tent on a cargo trailer, which they towed behind a van, and fired multiple rounds into Bunkus’s car.

Ulman and Babenko were arrested in May 2022, four years after the murder took place, and have been in custody since then. Babenko’s defense team argues that his rights have been violated by the prolonged detention.

The prosecution alleges that the person who arranged the murder was promised €100,000 (£86,850), and the killer was promised €200,000. Another individual, a Russian national, is also on trial for carrying out the murder. The trial will be presided over by a judge without a jury, following Latvia’s common practice.

Apart from his partial ownership of LPB, Ulmans has investments in various sectors, including duty-free shops in Russian airports and customs warehouses.

This case is not the first time allegations of money laundering in the Latvian banking system have surfaced. ABLV, the country’s third-largest bank, went into voluntary liquidation in 2018 following accusations by the US Treasury of various offenses, including sanctions breaches. In the same year, LPB itself was fined €2.2m (£1.9m) for failing to address regulatory issues dating back to 2016. In response, Latvia has implemented extensive reforms to combat the influx of illicit funds, primarily from Russia.

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West Ham players confront AZ Alkmaar fans after ‘awful scenes’ as family section attacked

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During the Europa Conference League semi-final second leg between West Ham and AZ Alkmaar, a group of AZ Alkmaar fans attacked an area where friends and family of the West Ham players were watching the match. West Ham players, including Michail Antonio and Said Benrahma, intervened and tried to stop the clashes.

BBC commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball witnessed the incidents and described punches being thrown by the AZ fans. The families of the players were unharmed. Dutch police are investigating the footage of the incident, but no arrests have been made. UEFA will review reports of the incidents to determine any necessary action. West Ham manager David Moyes expressed his concern for the safety of the players’ families and friends.

The players themselves were angered by the events, and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and midfielder Pablo Fornals voiced their worries about the well-being of the families. AZ may face sanctions as a result of the incident. West Ham won the match 1-0 and advanced to their first major European final since 1976.

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Tears of the Kingdom: How Zelda’s escapism helps some fans

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The release of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has been a huge success, breaking sales records and gaining widespread acclaim for its open world, exploration-focused gameplay and rich depth. Many fans have taken to social media to share gameplay videos and express their enthusiasm for the game.

For some fans, Zelda and its associated communities have played a significant role in helping them through difficult times. The series is known for providing a sense of escapism, allowing players to immerse themselves in a vast world and explore at their own pace.

Derby Munns, a Nintendo fan and Twitch streamer, turned to the prequel Breath of the Wild (BotW) during a challenging period of bereavement. She describes the game as a means of taking her mind off real-life difficulties and providing a break from her emotions. Derby also found solace in the game’s exploration of themes like memory and bereavement, finding resonance with her personal experiences.

Amber Elphick, another fan of the series, found comfort in playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild during a time of transition when she was moving away from home. The game helped her feel grounded as she connected with a large community of gamers who were also playing the game. Amber now runs a Nintendo fan community, emphasizing how these online communities have fostered meaningful connections and support for individuals like herself.

Derby and Amber both highlight the power of games like Zelda in facilitating social connections. When faced with challenges or difficulties in finding like-minded individuals in real life, games can provide a platform for meeting people and building communities based on shared interests and experiences.

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Italy floods leave nine dead and force 13,000 from their homes

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More than 20 rivers in Italy have overflowed, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals and the displacement of 13,000 residents after six months’ worth of rainfall occurred within a day and a half. The flooding impacted nearly every river between the north-east coast at Rimini and the city of Bologna, spanning a distance of 115 kilometers (70 miles).

Approximately 280 landslides occurred, prompting additional evacuations. Residents described the situation as a devastating 48 hours, with water and mud engulfing their villages. Emergency responders assisted in the evacuation efforts, even rescuing a 97-year-old woman from her bedroom using a rubber dinghy.

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola was canceled due to the risk of flooding from the nearby Santerno river. In Ferrara, a Bruce Springsteen concert was set to proceed despite the regional disaster, drawing criticism from some individuals who believed it was inappropriate given the circumstances. The events have prompted calls for a national plan to address the impacts of climate change in Italy.

The country’s Civil Protection Minister emphasized the need for improved hydraulic engineering and the construction of regional dams. The government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has scheduled a crisis meeting to address the situation.

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Ukraine war: Russia launches ninth missile attack on Kyiv this month

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Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, has experienced its ninth aerial attack by Russia this month. One person has been killed and two others wounded in a missile strike on Odesa, a city located in the south-western region near the Black Sea. Explosions were also heard in other central regions, including Vinnitsa, Khmelnitsky, and Zhytomyr. Kyiv’s military administration reported that preliminary information indicated that all incoming missiles had been successfully destroyed.

This recent attack marks the ninth time Russia has launched airstrikes on Kyiv this month. On a previous occasion, Ukraine claimed to have shot down six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles in a particularly intense assault. Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, announced that a fire had broken out in a garage in the Darnitsya area, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The head of Kyiv’s civilian military administration, Serhiy Popko, stated that a significant missile attack had been initiated by Russian strategic bombers flying over the Caspian Sea. Popko suggested that the attack likely involved cruise missiles and mentioned that Russia had deployed surveillance drones over Kyiv following the wave of airstrikes.

There were reports of additional fires in the Desnyansky district, located east of Kyiv, in a non-residential building. However, no updates were provided regarding any injuries resulting from this incident.

On Wednesday, at least eight people were reportedly killed, including a five-year-old boy near Kherson, with 17 others injured due to shelling. Both sides involved in the conflict have traded accusations of targeting civilian areas.

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French Resistance man breaks silence over German prisoners executed in 1944

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Excavation work is about to commence in central France to search for the bodies of around 40 German soldiers who were executed by the French Resistance in June 1944. The revelation came from Edmond Réveil, a 98-year-old former member of the local branch of the Resistance group known as Francs-tireurs et partisans (FTP). Réveil, the sole surviving member from his unit, personally witnessed the mass execution at a location called Le Vert near Meymac.

In a recorded testimony, Réveil recounted how his detachment of 30 fighters was escorting German prisoners through the countryside when they received the order to kill them. The detachment’s commander, codenamed Hannibal, was deeply affected by the order but adhered to the discipline within the Resistance. Volunteers were sought to carry out the execution, and although each fighter was assigned a victim, Réveil and a few others refused to participate. The prisoners were made to dig their own graves on a hot day before being killed, and quicklime was poured over their bodies. The memory of the incident was never spoken of again.

Réveil had kept this secret for 75 years, even from his family, until he unexpectedly revealed it in 2019 at a local meeting of the National Veterans’ Association. The mayor of Meymac, Philippe Brugere, explained that Réveil felt a great burden that he was the last witness to this event and believed that if he didn’t speak out, the truth would remain unknown.

Due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, action on the case was delayed. Only recently was the investigation reopened, and the story was made public by the local newspaper La Montagne. French and German historians have since confirmed the basic details of the events described by Réveil. The incident occurred shortly after D-Day, when the Resistance staged an uprising in Tulle, resulting in the capture of approximately 50 to 60 German soldiers. In retaliation, on June 9, the Germans publicly hanged 99 hostages in the town.

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Nicolas Sarkozy to wear tag after losing corruption appeal

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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been unsuccessful in his appeal against a prison sentence for corruption. However, the Paris appeals court has ruled that he can serve his sentence at home with an electronic monitoring device instead of going to jail.

In 2021, Sarkozy was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for attempting to influence a judge in a separate case. This made him the first former French president to receive a custodial sentence.

Sarkozy’s lawyer has announced plans to challenge the ruling further with the Court of Cassation, one of France’s highest jurisdictions, stating that Sarkozy is innocent. In addition to the prison sentence, Sarkozy has been banned from holding public office for three years. There are multiple corruption cases involving Sarkozy, but he denies any wrongdoing.

Recently, prosecutors requested that he face trial over allegations of illegal contributions to his 2007 presidential campaign by the Libyan government, but the final decision lies with investigating magistrates.

Sarkozy served one term as president from 2007 to 2014 and was known for his tough stance on immigration and efforts to reform France’s economy. Critics criticized his leadership style as excessive and focused on celebrity culture, contrasting with the traditional and grand nature of the role.

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Ukraine war: Kyiv hit by ‘exceptional’ number of missiles

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Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has been subjected to further Russian air attacks, with one official describing them as “exceptional in density.” Ukraine claims that all 18 missiles were successfully shot down, and footage showed air defenses destroying targets over the city. However, Russia insists that its attack, which utilized drones and missiles, hit all its intended targets. Moscow has escalated its air campaign in recent weeks, anticipating an upcoming Ukrainian offensive.

The air raid alert was activated at around 02:30 local time and lasted for two hours. This marked the eighth attack on the capital this month. Residents heard an unusually high number of loud explosions, prompting authorities to inform them online about the activation of air defense systems.

Valerii Zaluzhny, the head of Ukraine’s armed forces, stated that Russia attacked Kyiv from multiple directions, employing 18 air, sea, and land-based missiles. Serhiy Popko, head of the military administration in the Ukrainian capital, described the attack as the “maximum number of attack missiles in the shortest period of time.” Popko also mentioned that the majority of enemy targets in Kyiv’s airspace were detected and destroyed.

According to Gen Zaluzhny, the attack involved nine Kalibr cruise missiles launched from ships in the Black Sea, as well as three land-based missiles. Additionally, Kyiv successfully destroyed six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which can travel at speeds exceeding 11,000 km/h (7,000 mph). Russia has previously claimed that no air defense systems in the world can intercept these missiles. However, Ukraine claimed to have shot down a Kinzhal during a previous attack on Kyiv.

The arrival of modern Western defense systems, including Patriots, has enabled Ukraine to intercept these advanced missiles. Russia alleged that it destroyed a Patriot system during the attack on Kyiv, but these claims cannot be independently verified by the BBC.

Residents were advised to stay away from windows due to falling debris from intercepted missiles. Rocket fragments fell in various central districts of the city, including the zoo, but no injuries were reported among animals or workers. The Solomyansky district, which encompasses the international airport, was reportedly the most heavily affected.

Kyiv residents shared their experiences, with one describing the intensity of the attack as reminiscent of a Star Wars film or an action video game. Another resident mentioned that it was the first time his house had shaken from an assault since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukraine believes that Russia’s renewed strikes on Kyiv are aimed at wearing down the highly effective air defense systems.

In recent days, President Volodymyr Zelensky has embarked on a European tour, securing promises of significant military equipment and support from Western allies such as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron. Since the invasion, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, extensive destruction of cities and towns, and the displacement of millions of Ukrainians as refugees.

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Dresden jewel theft: Five men convicted of audacious 2019 heist

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Five men have been convicted for a daring theft of valuable jewels worth €113 million from a museum in Dresden, Germany. Although some of the stolen items were recovered, including a diamond-encrusted sword, there are concerns that the remaining treasure may never be found.

The culprits, who belonged to a notorious criminal family network and resided in Berlin, meticulously planned the heist. They made multiple visits to the museum, prepared their entry point in advance by cutting through protective window bars, and set fire to a circuit breaker panel to create a diversion. Two of the men then entered the museum, wearing masks and wielding axes, and smashed glass display cases to access the treasure.

After spraying a foam fire extinguisher to cover their tracks, they escaped in an Audi, which they later burned before fleeing to Berlin. The thieves are all members of the “Remmo clan,” one of several family networks of Arab descent involved in major organized crime in Germany. Despite the recovery of some stolen items through confessions, several pieces, including the rare White Stone of Saxony diamond, remain missing.

The stolen jewels were part of a collection assembled by Augustus the Strong, the Elector of Saxony, in the 18th century. The loss is particularly devastating as the collection was intended to be viewed as a whole, showcasing a variety of colors and stones. Although the museum has improved its security system and focuses on restoring the remaining jewels, curators have accepted that the collection may never be complete again.

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Barcelona beat Espanyol to win first La Liga since Messi’s exit

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Barcelona has won their first Spanish league title since Lionel Messi left the club two years ago, despite facing financial difficulties. They achieved a 4-2 victory over Espanyol, although the match was marred by Espanyol fans storming the pitch at the end of the game. Robert Lewandowski played a key role, scoring two goals to secure Barcelona’s league title with four rounds remaining.

This is the first time since the 1998-99 season that Barcelona has celebrated a league title without Lionel Messi in their squad. Messi joined the team in the 2004-05 season and won the league title that same year.

The on-field celebrations were cut short when a group of Espanyol fans, particularly from the ultra section behind one of the goals, rushed towards the Barcelona players. Security guards quickly intervened, and riot police had to block the tunnel entrance to prevent the fans from entering. The fans threw chairs and other objects during the incident.

In addition to Lewandowski’s goals, Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé also scored for Barcelona. This victory brings Barcelona’s total number of league titles to 27, which is eight fewer than their arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid, who currently hold the third position, are 16 points behind after losing 1-0 to the last-placed team, Elche, earlier on the same day.

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