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Three Arrested Over Deadly Firebomb Attacks Linked to Greece’s Ruling Party

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Greek counter-terrorism police have arrested three suspects in connection with a series of firebomb attacks targeting homes linked to the country’s ruling New Democracy party in the northern city of Thessaloniki. The attacks occurred earlier this month and resulted in the death of a 72-year-old woman, while four others were injured.

Authorities said the attackers placed and ignited gas canisters outside three residential buildings. The first two explosions caused only property damage, but the third attack proved fatal after the elderly woman, the mother of a parliamentary candidate from the ruling party, suffered severe burns and later died in hospital.

Police said the three people arrested are believed to be connected to the third and deadliest attack, though further details have not been disclosed. Greece has experienced politically motivated bomb and arson attacks for decades, but such incidents in recent years have generally caused property damage rather than significant loss of life.

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European Police Crack Down on Albanian Call Centre Scam

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European law enforcement agencies have dismantled a criminal network accused of running a large-scale investment fraud through call centres in Albania, according to Europol. The joint operation, involving Albanian and Austrian authorities, led to the arrest of 10 suspects and the seizure of nearly 900,000 euros in cash. Many of the victims were based in Vienna, highlighting the cross-border nature of the scheme.

Investigators revealed that victims were initially attracted through online investment advertisements on social media and other internet platforms. Once engaged, they were contacted by call centre operators in Tirana posing as legitimate financial brokers. These individuals offered convincing but fraudulent investment advice, persuading victims to transfer substantial sums of money.

The scam was highly organised, with operators working in teams of six to eight people and specialising in different languages, including German, English, Italian, Greek, and Spanish. Europol noted that the use of native languages helped build trust and credibility, making it easier for the suspects to deceive victims with fake investment opportunities.

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Turkey Detains 162 Over Online Posts Praising Deadly School Shootings

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Turkish authorities have detained 162 people accused of posting or sharing online content that allegedly praised recent school shootings and undermined public order. Officials said the arrests were part of a wider crackdown on social media activity following two separate attacks this week that left multiple students and a teacher dead, and several others injured.

The first shooting occurred at a vocational high school in southeastern Turkey, where 16 people were injured before the attacker killed himself. A second, more deadly attack followed a day later at a secondary school in Kahramanmaras, killing at least nine people including students and a teacher. The teenage attacker was also killed, and officials said he had planned the assault in advance and referenced a known US mass killer in online material.

Hundreds of mourners gathered for funerals of the young victims as grief spread across the country, with officials confirming increased security measures and widespread restrictions on social media accounts. Justice authorities said dozens were also detained for allegedly spreading misinformation or encouraging further attacks online, while more than a thousand accounts faced restrictions.

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Three Brothers Arrested After Explosion Outside US Embassy in Oslo

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Norwegian authorities have arrested three brothers in connection with an explosion outside the United States embassy in Oslo that caused minor damage but no injuries. Police said the blast, which occurred early Sunday morning, was triggered by an improvised explosive device placed near the embassy’s entrance. The suspects, all Norwegian citizens in their 20s with links to Iraq, are being investigated on suspicion of carrying out a terror bombing.

Officials said the men were previously unknown to law enforcement, and investigators are examining multiple possible motives, including whether foreign actors played a role. Police have been reviewing surveillance material and a now-deleted online video connected to the incident as part of the ongoing inquiry. Authorities emphasised that questioning the suspects would be key to determining the motive behind the attack.

The explosion prompted a large emergency response involving dogs, drones, and helicopters as investigators secured the area around the embassy in Oslo’s Ullern district. Norwegian officials condemned the incident as unacceptable, stressing the importance of protecting diplomatic missions, while the U.S. State Department confirmed it is also investigating the case alongside Norwegian authorities.

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Nine Arrested in Italy for Allegedly Raising Millions for Hamas

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Italian authorities have arrested nine people accused of raising around €7 million over more than two years, allegedly funneling the funds to Hamas. The money, reportedly collected under the guise of humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, was instead sent to the militant group through a “complex fundraising system,” according to a police statement. More than €8 million in assets were seized as part of the investigation.

The operation was carried out jointly by Italy’s counter-terror and financial police. The probe, which began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in southern Israel, identified suspicious financial transactions linked to the suspects. Investigators said the fundraising network was headquartered in Genoa with branches in Milan, and that over 71% of donations intended for Gaza civilians were diverted to Hamas’s military wing and support for families of suicide bombers or detained terrorists.

Among the arrested is Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who denied close ties to Hamas but acknowledged supporting the Palestinian cause. Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi praised the police effort while emphasizing the presumption of innocence at this stage of the investigation. Hannoun maintained that his support is for the “legitimate resistance of the Palestinian people” and not for terrorist activities.

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Two killed in New Caledonia as riots escalate after Paris vote

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New Caledonia, a Pacific territory under French governance since the 19th century, is currently gripped by violent unrest stemming from the French parliament’s decision to expand voting rights for French residents there. This move, allowing long-term French citizens in New Caledonia to participate in provincial elections, has sparked outrage among many locals who perceive it as marginalizing the indigenous Kanak people and undermining their political representation.

The escalation of protests into riots has resulted in fatalities, numerous injuries, and widespread property damage, marking the most severe unrest the territory has experienced since the 1980s. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron canceled a planned trip and convened an emergency meeting to address the crisis. The situation prompted authorities to impose a curfew and ban public gatherings in an attempt to restore order.

Despite efforts to quell the violence, tensions remain high, with continued clashes between protesters and law enforcement. The unrest has led to a significant number of arrests and calls from both local and national leaders for calm and de-escalation. The situation underscores the complex political dynamics in New Caledonia, where issues of autonomy, indigenous rights, and French governance intersect, fueling longstanding grievances and tensions within the community.

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Luis Rubiales arrested in corruption investigation

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Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), has been detained upon his arrival in Madrid from the Dominican Republic as part of a corruption investigation. It is alleged that Rubiales received illegal commissions during negotiations for the Spanish Super Cup competition to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year jail term for Rubiales, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Following his arrival, Rubiales was taken into custody by members of the Civil Guard and is now subject to 72 hours of questioning. This action follows a previous search of his home by the police last month, along with simultaneous searches conducted at the football federation headquarters, resulting in several arrests.

In addition to the corruption allegations, Rubiales is also facing a separate trial for sexual assault. This case emerged after an incident where he kissed the player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after the World Cup final, which she and her teammates deemed unwanted and demeaning. Despite denying any misconduct, Rubiales was forced to resign from his position as RFEF president amidst the controversy surrounding the incident.

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France plans mobile school force after headteacher resigns over death threats

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France is instituting a mobile security force to assist schools grappling with challenges, a move prompted by the resignation of a Paris school head amidst death threats. The headteacher stepped down after being falsely accused of assaulting a student during a dispute over her wearing of an Islamic headscarf. Education Minister Nicole Belloubet has emphasized that the establishment of this mobile force aims to provide reassurance to teachers and bolster security measures, particularly in the wake of heightened tensions following the tragic killings of two teachers.

The mobile school force, comprising approximately 20 education officers, will be deployed within 48 hours to schools facing acute crises, offering support in terms of security, reassurance, and educational expertise. This initiative comes in response to the need for immediate assistance in situations where local authorities require additional support to maintain order and safety within school premises. By swiftly mobilizing this team, the government aims to address concerns and provide tangible support to schools navigating challenging circumstances.

The recent incident involving a Paris school head underscores the complexities surrounding issues of cultural and religious diversity within the French education system. Despite the absence of evidence supporting the student’s accusations, the headteacher resigned due to safety concerns arising from subsequent threats. Politicians from across the political spectrum have condemned the situation, with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announcing legal action against the student for making false allegations. This incident highlights the broader societal challenges faced by educators in upholding secular principles while fostering inclusivity and respect within schools.

Amidst a surge in threats conveyed through digital messaging systems, the education ministry has suspended the ENT system, used by teachers and students, due to a proliferation of threats. Over 320 threats have been reported nationwide, with authorities attributing the surge to hacked personal accounts. Several arrests have been made in connection with online threats, including individuals aged 17 and 21. Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to restore normalcy, with authorities hopeful that the digital messaging system will be reinstated after the spring break. These measures reflect a concerted effort to address the complex interplay of security, technology, and societal tensions within the French education landscape.

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Fans of Trabzonspor stormed the pitch after the full-time whistle

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Trabzonspor fans stormed onto the field and attacked Fenerbahce players following Sunday’s Super Lig match. The violence erupted after Fenerbahce secured a 3-2 victory at Papara Park in Trabzon.

Bright Osayi-Samuel and Michy Batshuayi from Fenerbahce attempted to intervene while security services intervened. Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya condemned the violence, emphasizing that sports should embody sportsmanship.

Yerlikaya announced that an investigation had been launched, leading to the arrest of 12 fans. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the incidents, stressing the importance of player safety in football.

The tension escalated in the 87th minute when objects were thrown onto the field after Batshuayi scored the winning goal. Osayi-Samuel and Batshuayi were seen defending themselves against fans who rushed onto the field.

The Turkish Football Federation denounced the events as “unacceptable” and promised to impose appropriate sanctions. Trabzonspor coach Abdullah Avci lamented the chaotic state of Turkish football, while Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal called for tolerance and common sense.

This incident is the latest in a series of controversies in the Turkish league during the 2023-24 season, including an assault on referee Halil Umut Meler by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca in December.

Despite the unrest, Fenerbahce currently sits second in the Super Lig standings, trailing Galatasaray by two points and holding a significant lead over Trabzonspor.

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Alexei Navalny’s funeral to be held on Friday in Moscow

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Alexei Navalny’s burial is confirmed to take place at Borisovskoye Cemetery in Moscow on Friday, following a farewell ceremony at a local church. Yulia Navalnaya, his widow, expressed uncertainty about the funeral’s peacefulness and the potential for police interference.

Navalny, a prominent critic of Vladimir Putin, died unexpectedly in a Siberian prison earlier this month, sparking accusations against the Russian president from his widow and many world leaders. Details surrounding Navalny’s death remain scant, with Russian authorities initially resisting releasing his body to his family.

Funeral arrangements faced obstacles, with some funeral homes refusing service due to the deceased’s identity. Yulia Navalnaya addressed the European Parliament, criticizing Russia’s actions in Ukraine and advocating for a more effective strategy against Putin.

The funeral date was adjusted due to logistical challenges, with Navalny’s team urging attendees to arrive early. Security concerns loom over the event, given recent arrests of those paying tribute to Navalny across Russia. Allegations surfaced of a potential prisoner swap involving Navalny, but the Kremlin denies any knowledge of such arrangements.

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