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Russian deputy defence minister Timur Ivanov accused of taking bribes

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Recent events have once again brought attention to the issue of corruption within Russia’s government, particularly within its military. Timur Ivanov, a deputy defence minister, is facing serious accusations of accepting large-scale bribes. His denial of these charges comes at a time when Russia is grappling with systemic corruption, especially within its military projects.

The allegations against Ivanov have drawn scrutiny from activists who have long criticized corruption in Russia’s corridors of power. His close relationship with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu adds complexity to the situation, highlighting the interconnectedness of Russia’s political and military spheres.

Rumors of treason surrounding Ivanov’s arrest add further intrigue to the case. Despite Kremlin’s dismissal of such claims, speculation persists, leaving the public seeking clarity amidst official statements and media reports.

Accusations from the Anti-Corruption Foundation linking Ivanov to malpractices in Ukraine’s occupied territories shed light on the human cost of corruption in conflict zones.

As Ivanov faces legal proceedings, the potential consequences, both legally and politically, are significant. The case underscores the widespread nature of corruption within Russia’s government and its impact on global politics, as evidenced by international sanctions against Ivanov.

Beyond Ivanov’s individual fate, the case raises questions about Russia’s ability to combat corruption within its military leadership and institutions. The fallout from this high-profile case may test the resilience of Russia’s governance structures in addressing endemic corruption.

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Russian dog-lovers fight to save strays from cull in Siberia’s Ulan-Ude

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Dog lovers in Russia’s Far East are rallying to save hundreds of stray dogs facing euthanasia by local authorities. Ulan-Ude, a town in Eastern Siberia near the Mongolian border, has already culled 18 dogs, prompting urgent efforts to relocate 600 dogs to new homes or shelters within Russia. Volunteers are traveling by train to cities like Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok to ensure these dogs escape the grim fate of being put down. The severe winter weather, with temperatures as low as -20°C, adds urgency to the rescue mission.

The decision to euthanize strays in Ulan-Ude reflects a broader issue in Russia’s republic of Buryatia. In 2020, a national law aimed to address the problem by implementing humane practices such as catching, sterilizing, vaccinating, and releasing stray dogs. However, concerns about potential attacks led to the rollback of the law in Buryatia, reviving the controversial practice of culling. The root cause, according to activists, lies in neglect, with dogs being abandoned or discarded by owners.

Local laws in Buryatia lack accountability for irresponsible pet ownership, contributing to an ongoing cycle of stray dogs. Activists argue that, despite the culling efforts, more dogs will continue to populate the streets due to this neglectful behavior. While hundreds of dogs have been saved, the financial burden of rescue efforts is significant, with each dog’s journey to safety costing approximately 5,000 roubles (£44; $55). Generous financial support and volunteers willing to cover the costs have played a crucial role in the success of the rescue mission.

Despite the successful relocation of many dogs, challenges persist, leaving some with uncertain fates. Animal welfare volunteer Stella Ovsoyan highlights the emotional toll of having to choose which dogs to send to safety, emphasizing the difficulty of the situation. However, the hope of providing a new and improved life for these dogs keeps volunteers committed to their mission, even in the face of adversity.

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Ousman Sonko: Gambian ex-minister goes on trial in Switzerland for murder

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A former interior minister from The Gambia, Ousman Sonko, is facing trial in Switzerland on charges of crimes against humanity. Sonko fled to Switzerland in 2016, just before the fall of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh’s repressive regime. He is accused of involvement in killings, rape, and torture, with evidence presented by NGOs leading to his arrest. Sonko’s defense argues that he was not responsible, claiming the National Intelligence Agency was behind the alleged crimes and was not under his authority.

Switzerland is utilizing universal jurisdiction to prosecute the case, allowing countries to try individuals for crimes committed elsewhere. Sonko is the highest-ranking government official in Europe to be prosecuted under this principle. The trial is seen as a potential warning to repressive governments, emphasizing that they can be held accountable even outside their borders. The extensive charges against Sonko include ordering killings, torture, and rape against political opponents, potentially constituting crimes against humanity under Swiss law.

Swiss investigators gathered evidence in The Gambia, interviewing numerous victims and witnesses. The trial marks only the second instance of Switzerland using universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity. Human rights groups believe it serves as a precedent for accountability. Sonko, who was a key figure in Jammeh’s regime, fled to Switzerland and claimed asylum, leading to his arrest after Trial International provided details of his alleged abuses. The trial is expected to last a month, with a verdict scheduled for March. Other countries are also pursuing cases against members of Jammeh’s regime, contributing to efforts for accountability in the face of widespread abuses during his rule.

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Turkish quake trial for hotel collapse that killed school volleyball team

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The initial trial related to the 2023 earthquake in Turkey has commenced, concentrating on the collapse of an Adiyaman hotel that resulted in 72 fatalities. The Isias Grand hotel in Adiyaman hosted a school volleyball team from Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus and a group of tourist guides during the earthquake, with 11 individuals charged for violating construction regulations. The earthquake, occurring on February 6, claimed over 50,000 lives in Turkey and Syria, causing the collapse or severe damage of 160,000 buildings and displacing 1.5 million people.

Charges have been brought against 11 people for breaching construction rules in connection with the collapse of the Isias Grand hotel in Adiyaman during last year’s earthquake. The hotel, which housed a school volleyball team from northern Cyprus and tourist guides, was one of the numerous buildings affected by the earthquake, resulting in significant casualties. The Turkish government initiated investigations, leading to the arrest of nearly 200 individuals, including construction contractors and property owners, for their roles in the disaster.

The trial began with the prosecution focusing on the Isias Grand hotel in Adiyaman, where a tragic incident unfolded during the earthquake last year. A group of 39 individuals, including students, teachers, and parents, had chosen the hotel for a volleyball tournament. The collapse of the hotel resulted in the loss of 35 lives from the group, with only four parents surviving. The trial has prompted the families of the victims to demand severe sentences for the accused individuals and the inclusion of charges against Turkish officials responsible for licensing the hotel.

The Isias Grand hotel, operational since 2001, faced allegations of construction malpractice, including the improper use of materials and unauthorized additional floors in 2016. The indictment revealed that gravel and sand from the local river were mixed with construction materials in the hotel’s columns. Families of the victims expressed outrage, accusing the Culture and Tourism Ministry of neglecting proper inspections despite granting the hotel a four-star rating, and they insisted on accountability for those responsible.

The extensive building collapses resulting from the earthquake stirred widespread criticism of the Turkish government for encouraging a construction boom without effectively enforcing building regulations. The trial has intensified calls for accountability, with grieving families emphasizing the need to charge those responsible for the Isias Hotel’s approval and urging justice for the lives lost. If found guilty, the 11 defendants could face prison terms ranging from two years and eight months to more than 22 years.

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Ukraine war: Military chiefs in Kyiv under pressure over deadly Russian strike

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Ukraine’s military leadership is facing severe backlash after a recent Russian missile strike reportedly resulted in significant Ukrainian casualties. According to Ukrainian media and Russian military bloggers, over 20 Ukrainian soldiers were killed during an award ceremony near the southern frontlines on Friday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the incident was avoidable and announced the initiation of criminal proceedings.

Several Ukrainian soldiers and military experts have criticized the decision to hold the ceremony in an area vulnerable to strikes, highlighting that Russian drones routinely monitor Ukrainian troop activities to facilitate air and artillery attacks. Disturbing drone footage shared on a Russian Telegram channel purportedly captured the moment of the deadly strike, displaying bodies of Ukrainian soldiers on the ground.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the deaths and ordered a full investigation into the tragedy. The use of an Iskander-M, a Russian short-range ballistic missile, was reported by Ukraine’s Strategic Command (StratCom), resulting in civilian casualties as well. While the specific location of the attack has not been publicly disclosed by Kyiv, Ukrainian media suggests it was a village near the frontline, potentially Dymytrovo, known as Zarichne after Ukraine’s renaming in 2016.

The incident occurred during a ceremony marking Artillery Day, dedicated to honoring military personnel serving in artillery and missile units. Various social media posts, including those by Ukrainian soldier Ruslan Kahanets and volunteer Serhiy Sternenko, criticized the decision to organize the event, calling for accountability and systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The sentiment among some Russian military bloggers implies that such incidents are occurring more frequently, urging Ukrainian military leaders to reassess their strategies. This recent strike has sparked anger among Ukrainian citizens, who demand punishment for those responsible for organizing the ill-fated ceremony. As investigations continue, the focus remains on establishing the truth and implementing measures to prevent such occurrences from happening again.

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Germany Seeks Forgiveness for Colonial Atrocities in Tanzania

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed deep regret and shame for the atrocities committed by his country during the Maji Maji rebellion in Tanzania in the early 1900s. The rebellion was incited by Germany’s oppressive policies, resulting in the death of nearly 300,000 people.

Steinmeier pledged to facilitate the identification and repatriation of the remains of the uprising’s leaders, including Chief Songea Mbano, and promised cooperation with Tanzania to return cultural artifacts. The president’s apology, while welcomed, was deemed insufficient by some Tanzanian historians who emphasized the need for accountability and justice.

This gesture follows Germany’s acknowledgment of genocide in Namibia and financial reparations, while in a similar vein, King Charles of the United Kingdom acknowledged past violence in Kenya during the struggle for independence but stopped short of issuing a formal apology.

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Italy PM Giorgia Meloni splits from partner after off-air lewd TV remarks

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently confirmed her separation from her long-time partner, Andrea Giambruno, following the broadcast of off-air comments made by Giambruno on a TV show. The announcement was made on social media, where Meloni acknowledged the divergence of their paths and expressed gratitude for their time together and for their daughter, Ginevra.

Giambruno, a TV host, faced backlash after his off-air remarks were aired on a satirical program. The comments included flirtatious remarks to a female colleague and explicit references to group sex, causing controversy. Notably, Giambruno previously stirred controversy with remarks about a gang-rape case, implying that certain precautions could have prevented the incident. Meloni defended him then, claiming his words were misinterpreted, and requested not to be held responsible for his comments as he was simply doing his job as a journalist.

Meloni, known for her adherence to traditional Catholic family values and her opposition to same-sex parenting, received support from her allies following the announcement of her separation. Matteo Salvini, her deputy, and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani both offered their support publicly. The network Mediaset, where Giambruno works, was formerly owned by the late Silvio Berlusconi, who was criticized for perpetuating a culture of sexism and machismo in Italian television.

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Poland’s Government Faces Mounting Pressure Amid Escalating Visa-for-Cash Scandal

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The Speaker of Poland’s upper house of parliament, Tomasz Grodzki, has urged the government to disclose its knowledge regarding an escalating scandal involving cash for visas. Grodzki expressed concern that the issue was damaging Poland’s international image as a responsible democracy.

Reports suggest that migrants paid substantial sums, up to $5,000 (£4,000) each, to expedite their work visa applications. While seven individuals have been charged in connection with the scandal, none of them are public officials.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland, Piotr Wawrzyk, was dismissed last week in the wake of these allegations. His removal coincided with a search of the foreign ministry conducted by Poland’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA). The director of the ministry’s legal service was also terminated.

In response to the scandal, the foreign ministry announced the termination of all contracts with outsourcing companies responsible for handling visa applications since 2011. Opposition MPs allege that as many as 250,000 visas for individuals from Asia and Africa were irregularly issued through these outsourcing companies, a claim disputed by the government, which maintains that only several hundred were involved.

Donald Tusk, the leader of the opposition Civic Platform party, criticized the government’s migration policy, stating that anyone seeking to travel from Africa to Poland could easily obtain a visa at the embassy. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki dismissed these allegations, asserting that there is no widespread issue.

Speaker Grodzki characterized the scandal as the most significant Poland has faced in the 21st century, with corruption reaching the highest levels of government, posing a direct threat to the country. Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro downplayed the scale of the problem in an interview with state-run news channel TVP Info.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) became aware of the matter in July 2022 and has been conducting investigations since then. This scandal has the potential to cast a shadow over the Law and Justice party’s (PiS) anti-immigration stance ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for the next month. While PiS currently leads in polls, it remains uncertain whether they can secure the outright majority required to continue governing for a third term.

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